I am sorry you are confused by what I thought was a pretty clear statement:

“The point and purpose of a correctional facility is the DETAINMENT of the inmate, not necessary punishment by the alleged condition of the accommodations.”

Detainment is punishment–loss of freedom — the due punishment for a crime.

When I went into a youth correctional facility in the Chicago suburbs during my late college years for an “encounter weekend” put on by our campus ministry office, I was astounded by what they called food. The patent answer–that’s the punishment for their crime. Sorry–wrong answer– there were things in that food that an animal should not endure. Fortunately that place is now closed. Its a long way from Marshall County–but there is an adjacent county were horror stories abound–and that place is still functioning.

So let me put the question back to you–as I am sure you are aware which facility I am referring to, which one would you rather do time in? After all if all things are equal and it is only time behind bars, it shouldn’t matter — should it??? The point is that there are many places where all things are not equal–and that is where diligence has to be placed so that the letter of the law is dispensed.

As for time-outs, well that should be heavily metered on those folks in Washington. Its a great tool for children “Out of control”.

Oh, as for the revolving door statement, I had neighbors that you could set your watch buy it. They disgusted me. She might might have been shackled due to the fact that she has been judged a violent criminal.

I find your logic puzzling. If I were babysitting a six year old who had just fired a toy tractor at his little brother’s head, would the six year old’s 6 minute timeout be termed as a detainment or a punishment. I can pretty much tell you what the 6 year old would say.

It seems that there are some definitions that need to be (re!)defined.

The point and purpose of a correctional facility is the DETAINMENT of the inmate, not necessary punishment by the alleged condition of the accommodations.

People who do Jail ministry (as I have done once or twice) do not necessarily have to be incarcerated to know how things are inside institutions. I regard that comment of ‘frankcastle’ to be somewhat below the belt, though I have no personal investment in this particular situation.

I am confident that the right interests will be brought to bear on the conditions at the institution. Bear in mind the coroner is not a medical doctor–and in this case a proper and qualified pathologist as what was mentioned in the story will put light on the situation.

I enjoy reading this forum very much, but the last comment in particular reminded me of an episode of the Rosanne Bar. Hopefully as time passes we will take our examples of behavior not from the television, but good and founded values that have stood the test of time. Rosanne only made it nine seasons, which pale in comparison.