Prison ain't so bad...

[Vroom_C14]

Why do inmates get a say-so in their food, etc? They eat better than our homeless and get clothed, showers, T.V., etc. Makes me sick.

The nation’s pork producers are in an uproar after the federal government abruptly removed bacon, pork chops, pork links, ham and all other pig products from the national menu for 206,000 federal inmates.

The ban started with the new fiscal year last week.

The Bureau of Prisons, which is responsible for running 122 federal penitentiaries and feeding their inmates three meals a day, said the decision was based on a survey of prisoners’ food preferences:

They just don’t like the taste of pork.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/blog...minate-pork-from-the-menu-in-federal-prisons/

 

[KitingHigh]

No bacon? Sounds like prison just got a lot worse.

 

[cigaretteman]

Why do inmates get a say-so in their food, etc? They eat better than our homeless and get clothed, showers, T.V., etc. Makes me sick.

The nation’s pork producers are in an uproar after the federal government abruptly removed bacon, pork chops, pork links, ham and all other pig products from the national menu for 206,000 federal inmates.

The ban started with the new fiscal year last week.

The Bureau of Prisons, which is responsible for running 122 federal penitentiaries and feeding their inmates three meals a day, said the decision was based on a survey of prisoners’ food preferences:

They just don’t like the taste of pork.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/blog...minate-pork-from-the-menu-in-federal-prisons/

Don't worry, Grassley saved the pork.

http://iowa.forums.rivals.com/threads/grassley-literally-protecting-pork.46739/

 

[MN.HAWK]

 

[MichiganManLifer]

Why do inmates get a say-so in their food, etc? They eat better than our homeless and get clothed, showers, T.V., etc. Makes me sick.

The nation’s pork producers are in an uproar after the federal government abruptly removed bacon, pork chops, pork links, ham and all other pig products from the national menu for 206,000 federal inmates.

The ban started with the new fiscal year last week.

The Bureau of Prisons, which is responsible for running 122 federal penitentiaries and feeding their inmates three meals a day, said the decision was based on a survey of prisoners’ food preferences:

They just don’t like the taste of pork.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/blog...minate-pork-from-the-menu-in-federal-prisons/

They don't want to offend the Muslims in prison. After all, there are almost 400,000 of them.

 

[bdg8]

I would have thought pork would have been more popular in prison

 

[The Tradition]

No pork? Just give me the death penalty and get it over with....

 

[theIowaHawk]

Why do inmates get a say-so in their food, etc? They eat better than our homeless and get clothed, showers, T.V., etc. Makes me sick.

The nation’s pork producers are in an uproar after the federal government abruptly removed bacon, pork chops, pork links, ham and all other pig products from the national menu for 206,000 federal inmates.

The ban started with the new fiscal year last week.

The Bureau of Prisons, which is responsible for running 122 federal penitentiaries and feeding their inmates three meals a day, said the decision was based on a survey of prisoners’ food preferences:

They just don’t like the taste of pork.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/blog...minate-pork-from-the-menu-in-federal-prisons/

Who was the poster who believes the poor should have the same access? WWJD? The idea that the homeless/poor should be able to basically sign up for "prison" and receive the same housing/food/etc.?

Are you on board with that? Or you just want the imprisoned to be treated like the homeless/poor.

 

[noStemsnoSTICKS]

I guess prisoners just don't dig on swine.

 

[Vroom_C14]

Who was the poster who believes the poor should have the same access? WWJD? The idea that the homeless/poor should be able to basically sign up for "prison" and receive the same housing/food/etc.?

Are you on board with that? Or you just want the imprisoned to be treated like the homeless/poor.

I don't think inmates should be treated better than homeless\poors. Prison is supposed to be a place you don't want to go to, yet many of them intentionally break the law to go back.

 

[Vroom_C14]

They don't want to offend the Muslims in prison. After all, there are almost 400,000 of them.

Which was one of the reasons... sickening as it is. How about if you don't like the food in prison, don't break the f'ing law.

 

[GarryO37]

MY very first thought when I read the thread title. One of my favorite episodes.

 

[theIowaHawk]

I don't think inmates should be treated better than homeless\poors. Prison is supposed to be a place you don't want to go to, yet many of them intentionally break the law to go back.

I get that. So you basically have two options, rise up the standard for homeless/poors or lower the prisoners. I presume you want the second.

 

[Vroom_C14]

I get that. So you basically have two options, rise up the standard for homeless/poors or lower the prisoners. I presume you want the second.

I'll take both.

 

[Bulldogs1974]

It would be nice to get those options in school.

 

[naturalmwa]

Who was the poster who believes the poor should have the same access? WWJD? The idea that the homeless/poor should be able to basically sign up for "prison" and receive the same housing/food/etc.?

Are you on board with that? Or you just want the imprisoned to be treated like the homeless/poor.

I hold that belief. The pork story doesn't Impact my opinion that there should be a floor in our safety net and prison conditions represent a reasonable floor. Make them all vegetarians for all I care. Diet isn't my main concern.

When I was in Maine touring a lobster fishery (not sure that's the right term) the guide told us a story that back in colonial times lobster was considered poor food and was fed to prisoners. Eventually it was deemed cruel to serve lobster more than three times a week.

 

[jberesford]

I hold that belief. The pork story doesn't Impact my opinion that there should be a floor in our safety net and prison conditions represent a reasonable floor. Make them all vegetarians for all I care. Diet isn't my main concern.

When I was in Maine touring a lobster fishery (not sure that's the right term) the guide told us a story that back in colonial times lobster was considered poor food and was fed to prisoners. Eventually it was deemed cruel to serve lobster more than three times a week.

Most of that probably is true. Lobster was once upon a time very abundant, but it was over-fished. It literally was once upon a time the equivalent of pollock now. Now pollock is the main ingredient in imitation crab/lobster. I really never cared for lobster, I'll take king crab over lobster all day long. It really only became a delicacy because of its scarcity. Now it's top shelf. Call it a placebo effect I guess, but lobster used to be peasant food a century or two back.

 

[The Tradition]

Lobster is far superior to crab as a food source. The work required to eat crab negates the energy obtained.

 

[IMCC965]

I'll answer this. Prisoners don't get a say in what they eat. They eat what is served and put on the menu. Inmates cook the food they eat.

When a person becomes a prisoner, they become a ward of the state. The state is then mandated to treat that person as a ward of the state. Meaning they have to take care of them. We aren't allowed to abuse, ignore, punish, or treat them harshly. We are required to provide them what is allowed by law. The courts punished them, we have to take care of their needs while they are in our care.

It's the law, and that's what we do. We're not in the business to punish or make their lives miserable. We're in the business to try and make them less likely to reoffend and create more victims. Iowa does take "corrections" seriously. We don't guard, we don't belittle, we attempt to teach and give them positive role models.

The philosophy has changed, and it has changed for the better.

 

[Herkmeister]

Anyone who has been married for more than 15 years understands.

 

[slieb85]

I'll answer this. Prisoners don't get a say in what they eat. They eat what is served and put on the menu. Inmates cook the food they eat.

When a person becomes a prisoner, they become a ward of the state. The state is then mandated to treat that person as a ward of the state. Meaning they have to take care of them. We aren't allowed to abuse, ignore, punish, or treat them harshly. We are required to provide them what is allowed by law. The courts punished them, we have to take care of their needs while they are in our care.

It's the law, and that's what we do. We're not in the business to punish or make their lives miserable. We're in the business to try and make them less likely to reoffend and create more victims. Iowa does take "corrections" seriously. We don't guard, we don't belittle, we attempt to teach and give them positive role models.

The philosophy has changed, and it has changed for the better.

While I commend Iowa for that, I doubt if that's the case nationally.

And it most definitely isn't popular opinion. Our country has ticked insanely far to the "retribution" side of punishment. We didn't used to say "you did something bad, so you're going to get punished with prison." We used to say either "you did something bad and we want to protect society from you" or "you did something bad and we're going to put you in time-out and try to work to make sure you don't do it again."

But, back in the late 70s/early 80s, we decided criminals were bad guys and we had to punish them as much as possible. Which is where mindsets like Vroom's come from. Prisoners aren't people to him. They're just people to punish. It's truly messed.

 

[Hawk and Awe]

Why do inmates get a say-so in their food, etc? They eat better than our homeless and get clothed, showers, T.V., etc. Makes me sick

I'm curious what you think prisons should look like? Any concern bad conditions might make inmates worse? Any thoughts as to how common mental illness is in the prison population and does that impact treatment? Or what about wrongly incarcerated?

When we put so many damn people in there it's hard for me to reconcile those issues with inmate treatment.

 

[Vroom_C14]

I'm curious what you think prisons should look like? Any concern bad conditions might make inmates worse? Any thoughts as to how common mental illness is in the prison population and does that impact treatment? Or what about wrongly incarcerated?

When we put so many damn people in there it's hard for me to reconcile those issues with inmate treatment.

Why are they treated better than our homeless? The current prison system affords the inmates with more day-to-day necessities than those that haven't committed crimes but can't support themselves\family.

If you are in for murder\other serious offenses - too many to name, it shouldn't be like staying at a Holiday Inn. I have no issues with bringing back chain gangs to clean ditches. For lesser crimes, have them help build our infrastructure as a way to repay their debt and build skills for when released (earning early release for work accomplished).

Mental Illness needs attention, yet the inmates get medical attention\Rx as needed where our homeless and such do not.

Homeless don't get to "vote" for what food they are served - they are fortunate to get 1 meal a day. Especially our Vets that are homeless\forgotten about, this sickens me.

 

[unIowa]

I get that. So you basically have two options, rise up the standard for homeless/poors or lower the prisoners. I presume you want the second.

Homeless people should just start breaking laws.

 

[theIowaHawk]

Homeless people should just start breaking laws.

Unfortunately, they often do, out of perceived necessity. Ask any jail in Iowa, their busiest times are when its cold.

 

[theIowaHawk]

Why are they treated better than our homeless? The current prison system affords the inmates with more day-to-day necessities than those that haven't committed crimes but can't support themselves\family.

If you are in for murder\other serious offenses - too many to name, it shouldn't be like staying at a Holiday Inn. I have no issues with bringing back chain gangs to clean ditches. For lesser crimes, have them help build our infrastructure as a way to repay their debt and build skills for when released (earning early release for work accomplished).

Mental Illness needs attention, yet the inmates get medical attention\Rx as needed where our homeless and such do not.

Homeless don't get to "vote" for what food they are served - they are fortunate to get 1 meal a day. Especially our Vets that are homeless\forgotten about, this sickens me.

Just food for thought that I think often gets ignored when discussing prisons (maybe IMCC will chime in). They are places where "bad" and often violet people are housed in large numbers. Many of the reasons they are afforded these "niceties" is so that they can be adequately controlled.

As a thought experiment: Imagine yourself a CO in a prison where the prisoners sleep solely on cement, wear the same dirty clothes every day, and are literally served gruel, no tv, no entertainment, no nothing. How long do you think you survive trying to control them?

 

[Vroom_C14]

Just food for thought that I think often gets ignored when discussing prisons (maybe IMCC will chime in). They are places where "bad" and often violet people are housed in large numbers. Many of the reasons they are afforded these "niceties" is so that they can be adequately controlled.

As a thought experiment: Imagine yourself a CO in a prison where the prisoners sleep solely on cement, wear the same dirty clothes every day, and are literally served gruel, no tv, no entertainment, no nothing. How long do you think you survive trying to control them?

Takes care of prison population doesn't it. Saves the tax payer money at the same time. Thanks, great idea!

 

[theIowaHawk]

Takes care of prison population doesn't it. Saves the tax payer money at the same time. Thanks, great idea!

No, it would take care of the COs, which would mean we lose out on IMCC's wisdom.

 

[naturalmwa]

Why are they treated better than our homeless?

How do you approach this point? Are you for just letting prisoners out on the street so we treat them like homeless? Should we keep them locked up but refuse to feed or clothe or heat the building so they are like homeless? Or are you for giving homeless people the same benefits prisoners get?

 

[Vroom_C14]

No, it would take care of the COs, which would mean we lose out on IMCC's wisdom.

If they are killing each other off in prison the overall number goes down and maybe then the GOV would divert saved money to help the homeless?

 

[Vroom_C14]

How do you approach this point? Are you for just letting prisoners out on the street so we treat them like homeless? Should we keep them locked up but refuse to feed or clothe or heat the building so they are like homeless? Or are you for giving homeless people the same benefits prisoners get?

Ha - no Obama is for letting prisoners out on the street (shortening their terms, etc). This shows Obama at his best - The Obama administration sentenced two Oregon farmers to five years in federal prison for starting a preventative fire on their land. The fire spread to federal land and burned less than 140 acres.
Steven Hammond and his father Dwight Hammond were sentenced to federal prison for five years.
The government charged the ranchers as “terrorists.

Now they are letting 6500 drug offenders out...

Obviously you all care more about the prisoners well being then those that obey the laws of the land.

How about making prison a place you don't want to be? Some place you don't want to return to? Maybe give them the lunch program that Michelle Obama has thrust upon our kids?

If the homeless received the same care the prisoner's received, the homeless wouldn't be homeless.

 

[naturalmwa]

If they are killing each other off in prison the overall number goes down and maybe then the GOV would divert saved money to help the homeless?

So you want a de facto thunderdome death penalty for all prisoners? Wouldn't this actually be a criminal offence and justify locking you up?

 

[Vroom_C14]

So you want a de facto thunderdome death penalty for all prisoners? Wouldn't this actually be a criminal offence and justify locking you up?

They kill each other now - what's the difference? The prisoners run the prisons, not the other way around. Some make a life out of being in prison, on our dime.

 

[naturalmwa]

If the homeless received the same care the prisoner's received, the homeless wouldn't be homeless.

 

[theIowaHawk]

Ha - no Obama is for letting prisoners out on the street (shortening their terms, etc). This shows Obama at his best - The Obama administration sentenced two Oregon farmers to five years in federal prison for starting a preventative fire on their land. The fire spread to federal land and burned less than 140 acres.
Steven Hammond and his father Dwight Hammond were sentenced to federal prison for five years.
The government charged the ranchers as “terrorists.

Now they are letting 6500 drug offenders out...

Obviously you all care more about the prisoners well being then those that obey the laws of the land.

How about making prison a place you don't want to be? Some place you don't want to return to? Maybe give them the lunch program that Michelle Obama has thrust upon our kids?

If the homeless received the same care the prisoner's received, the homeless wouldn't be homeless.

Well they "let the drug offenders out" because the rigid sentencing guidelines for their crimes were absurd.

 

[theIowaHawk]

They kill each other now - what's the difference? The prisoners run the prisons, not the other way around. Some make a life out of being in prison, on our dime.

No. False. No. Prison =/= Rikers,

 

[Vroom_C14]

Well they "let the drug offenders out" because the rigid sentencing guidelines for their crimes were absurd.

And put farmers in for being "terrorists"... seems like a fair trade...

 

[Vroom_C14]

No. False. No. Prison =/= Rikers,

YOu don't think prisoners run prisons?

 

[theIowaHawk]

YOu don't think prisoners run prisons?

No, I know they don't, certainly not in Iowa.

 

[theIowaHawk]

And put farmers in for being "terrorists"... seems like a fair trade...

It wasn't a trade, one has nothing to do with the other. If you want to discuss the former I can go look it up and give you my opinion, because I know nothing of it.