Sunday, May 25, 2008
We do not agree either that Coastal Crisis Chaplaincy should work for free or that this group is somehow connected with the Christan Exodus Movement. We do agree, however, that it is well past time for the Dorchester County Sheriff's Office to transfer these duties to someone other than Mr. Shackelford and Mr. Weeks.
Our position on the "Prisoner Recreation Funds" has been discussed many times on this Blog. For example, in "HOW ARE THOSE "JAIL FUNDS" BEING USED AGAIN?" we wrote:
On June 15, 2002, after Dorchester County Council seized control of the Federal Prisoner Housing Fund, Sheriff Nash stated that the "Prisoner Recreation Fund" that was being generated from prisoner telephone toll calls was being used to pay "Chaplains" Weeks and Don Shackelford a total of $14,400 per year (12 x 2 x $600).
At the risk of both repeating ourselves and offending some Nash supporters, we note that, by his own admission, Sheriff Nash does not know how much money the Prisoner Recreation Fund generates, how it is being used, how much has been spent, how much has been embezzled, or even whether some of the charges being imposed are lawful. More important, from our standpoint, there is simply no way that an intelligent and rationale person can argue that Sheriff Nash is using these funds for the "benefit" of the prisoners. Therefore, we reiterate that we think an Independent Board should be created to oversee this program. Additionally, we think that this Independent Board should include Dorchester County Jail Inmates; after all, if the fund is for their benefit, they should have some input into the determination of what most benefits them.
The question of how best to select judges has baffled lawyers and political scientists for centuries, but in the United States most states have made their choice in favor of popular election. The tradition goes back to Jacksonian populism, and supporters say it has the advantage of making judges accountable to the will of the people. A judge who makes a series of unpopular decisions can be challenged in an election and removed from the bench.
Labels: Election of Judges
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
The Post and Courier reveals, "Despite a frugal daily diet of $1.43 worth of macaroni, rice, turkey parts and organ meat for each of its 23,977 prisoners, the state Department of Corrections can't pay its bills and the agency is considering closing some facilities. The department expects to overspend by $4.3 million in the current fiscal year, which ends June 30." Read the entire article, including reader comments, at Prisons expected to overspend by $4.3 M.
We understand the frustrations of the populace with our prison system. But, the "solutions" being advanced by many of the hardliners are not workable in the United States because of our Constitution and the prohibitions against cruel and unusual punishment. The will have to move either to China, Iraq, or Guantanamo Bay to get what they want.
