Friday, November 02, 2007
JAIL FUNDS MIGHT HAVE BEEN STOLEN--BUT SO WHAT?
The Post and Courier reported that Jail funds might have been stolen. And the Summerville Journal Scene reported Audit uncovers embezzlement in sheriff's office. However we think that both of these articles miss the point. We believe that the following post to the comments section of The Post and Courier is more to the point (highlights ours):
Posted by abitskeptical on November 1, 2007 at 7:08 p.m. (Suggest removal)
An add on to allwoman post-She is correct as to where most of the prisoners' $ comes from--their families &/or friends. Sometimes they earn a bit from jobs, but it takes a while for most to earn enough to buy anything.
If they are to keep in touch with their kids, they have to have $ in an account in order to make phone calls because they cannot receive calls. The system in Dorchester costs the prisoner(i.e. family) over $8 for a 15 min. call even if it is in state.
If they are going to write their children they have to pay 50 cents for a pre-stamped envelope. They are allowed to buy snacks, including things like granola or packs of tuna, also vitamins & deodorant. Since they are allowed only 1 blanket & the prisons are kept colder than most people keep their homes(speaking of tax money) the cold natured ones will buy long sleeved undershirts
It might appear that prisoners are being given some undeserved grand luxury by being allowed to buy anything. However, the prices are inflated, the quality is poor & this is not about doing anything for the prisoners. This is about making money for someone else. The idea of canteens where prisoners could buy a few select things was not started to benefit the prisoner.
Also, remember not all 'prisoners' have been convicted of anything. Some of these people have only been charged & just cannot afford bail & so they sit there until a hearing or trial.
The bottom line is that the Sheriff should never have charged many of these fees in the first place. Granted, the unnamed bank that allowed an employee of the Dorchester County Sheriff's office to open and operate a dummy account is probably more to blame than the Sheriff for the embezzlement itself. However, had the Sheriff not been both accessing questionable fees and utilizing them for questionable purposes, he would not be in his present mess.
