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Prison can change people for better
Published Friday, August 8, 2008
Just the other day, as I read the article in this very newspaper concerning the new prison, my heart ached.
My heart ached for all the people who will get caught up in life’s situations and will wake up one morning to see rows and rows of beds, closed doors, iron and steel bars to remind them that this is not home. My heart ached for all the families who will cry for their loved ones as they wonder “what happened.” My heart ached for the surrounding residents who will be in a frantic mode if a prisoner escapes, as they await their capture.
My heart ached as I could literally hear the alarm go off to warn others of a possible disturbance and also for the silent violence that will occur within the facility. My heart ached when I read that there would be less than a half dozen toilets that will have to be sufficient for 128 inmates. My heart ached as I envisioned the inmates gathering to be given food to eat on a given schedule, not having time to savor its aroma or taste.
My heart ached as I read the comments that were made by the officials, who toured the facility, speaking of how it would bring a significant economical growth to the county and surrounding counties. My heart ached when the report said that 400 jobs would come of this facility; and I wondered why these jobs could not have been created from a factory or production plant so that a person could earn a decent pay and not end up in this facility.
So at that point, I became brokenhearted over the idea of this new prison and wondered why it had to be built.
But then, my disconsolate emotions and questions were halted when my mind went to a place in the Holy Bible to see thieves robbing a man and leaving him to die by the wayside, I could also see Jesus as he was hanging innocent on the cross between two men who had committed crimes. So, in that instance, I was reminded that, because of the hearts of men/women, incarceration would be.
Although we must not get caught up in what is and what is to be, we must know that when these things happen, there is comfort in knowing that God is still God.
He is still saying, if my people who are called by my name would humble themselves, seek my face, pray and turn from their wicked ways, then he would heal the land to eliminate such facilities as these. For the people who will be incarcerated, the loved ones who will have to cry and the residents who will occasionally be afraid, there is a God that cares and hears your cries. And for the many officials and workforce that welcomed the facility, I hope that you prayed silently as you entered each section of the prison.
I hope that you prayed for a wall of protection to be in place to eliminate the negatives and create some positives. I hope that the ones who go through the system will learn not only from their mistake, but get educated through programs that the prison will offer.
I hope that the Corrections Corporation of America will be a model prison to show that all those who come through are not left holding just their belongings as they walk out the secured, razor wire entrance, but holding on to some piece of hope that something or someone on the inside gave them to keep going despite their failures. Remember, there is consolation for all who experience the effect of confinement.
Beverly Gibson is a Ferriday resident.
Comments
Posted by grrbrts (anonymous) on August 8, 2008 at 12:15 a.m. (Suggest removal)
So very true. It changed my life, but not without having read the Bible. The reason I say that, is that I was not without a Bible. So, I know not what my outcome would have been like. But, I don't want to know, for I am saved.
Posted by redusmfan (anonymous) on August 8, 2008 at 7:44 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Remember when Jesus was hanging on the cross, he was hanging between 2 thieves. He was hanging thier for our sins, but the thieves were hanging there for their sins. One accepted Him and Jesus told him that today He would see him in Glory. He did not call down legions of angels to pull the thief down off the cross and let him walk the earth again.
The moral, to me, is that the thieves had to pay for their crimes here on earth, but the LORD did not make the repentant thief pay for his sin in heaven.
Give to Ceasar what is Ceasars and give to the LORD what belongs to Him.
Posted by lisa_smith (anonymous) on August 8, 2008 at 7:51 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Well you get at least this wish Ms. Beverly, CCA is a model prison. The newest most lucrative form of slavery. For investors it is like hitting the jackpot. Who would make better employees than prisoners? No strikes, no vacations, no workmans comp, never late or absent and if they don't like the 25-50 cents an hour pay they are put in lockdown isolation.
Institute on Money in State Politics reveals that during the 2002 and 2004 election cycles, private prison companies, directors, executives and lobbyists gave $3.3 million to candidates and state political parties across 44 states. Why lobby so heavily for harsher and longer sentences for non violent offenders? More slave labor.
At least 37 states have legalized the contracting of prison labor by private corporations that mount their operations inside state prisons. The list of such companies contains the cream of U.S. corporate society: IBM, Boeing, Motorola, Microsoft, AT&T, Wireless, Texas Instrument, Dell, Compaq, Honeywell, Hewlett-Packard, Nortel, Lucent Technologies, 3Com, Intel, Northern Telecom, TWA, Nordstrom's, Revlon, Macy's, Pierre Cardin, Target Stores, and many more. All of these businesses are excited about the economic boom generation by prison labor. Just between 1980 and 1994, profits went up from $392 million to $1.31 billion. Inmates in state penitentiaries generally receive the minimum wage for their work, but not all; in Colorado, they get about $2 per hour, well under the minimum. And in privately-run prisons, they receive as little as 17 cents per hour for a maximum of six hours a day, the equivalent of $20 per month. The highest-paying private prison is CCA in Tennessee, where prisoners receive 50 cents per hour for what they call "highly skilled positions." At those rates, it is no surprise that inmates find the pay in federal prisons to be very generous. There, they can earn $1.25 an hour and work eight hours a day, and sometimes overtime. They can send home $200-$300 per month.
How unfortunate for Natchez this growth industry has chosen your fair city. I am sure it won't be long before someone you love with a substance abuse problem is calling you from Global-Tel link or lamenting the cost of a bar of soap they are forced to purchase from the Sheriff or Wardens cousins company store.I hope not but the growing statistics are not in your favor.
Posted by kpage (anonymous) on August 8, 2008 at 8:36 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Ms. Beverly Gibson, this letter of yours needs to be framed and placed in the entry of the new prison. All new prisoners should be made to read it (tho our law probably says it takes from their rights).
Posted by concrnd2 (anonymous) on August 8, 2008 at 8:38 a.m. (Suggest removal)
lisa_smith, you missed Ms. Beverly's point. We all know the statistics and that prison is a form of slavery, but who enslaves them. People enslaves themselves and God knows we all have someone in prison or who may go there; but 98% of everyone who goes there, put themselves there. We must not become bitter because of prisons or the fact that someone we know or love goes there. I believe Ms. Beverly was trying to say that it ached her heart that it was built and that she hope that something good come out of its existence. That is what I read.
Posted by firered (anonymous) on August 8, 2008 at 8:44 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Why feel sorry for the inmates? They got themselves where they are. They did the crime now they are doing the time. I don't understand people who are advocates for inmates to be treated like they are in a resort. I think its good they be paid a very small amount of money while in prison. Why do they need money anyway? They are locked up. I know that they buy their hygiene products, etc. while in prison, but why would they need more than $20 a month for things such as that? These people are being PUNISHED for CRIMES they committed. Do not cater to their every whim. I think they should've just used that land to be like Maricopa County, make em wear pink and live in tents. It works out there, and with someone as diligent as their Sheriff it would work here too. Prisoners don't need luxaries, they need to NOT WANT TO COME BACK.
Posted by kpage (anonymous) on August 8, 2008 at 9:06 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I ditto every word you said, firered. And concrnd2. Instead of rootin'-n-tootin' about criminal's rights, what about the victims of their crimes? Why are the victims quickly forgotten and the criminal's rights be so important? They give up their rights when they are found guilty and are sentenced. They should expect no rights if they hurt me or mine...or you and yours.
Sorry lisasmith...I can't stand in a criminal's corner and worry about how well he's being treated. It's like interfering with a mama punishing her kid..."Don't spank him...he's just a kid". (Famous last words before the judge wields the rod his mama refused to use.)
Posted by martinje30 (anonymous) on August 8, 2008 at 10:04 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Bev,
Very good article and oh so very true.....keep up the great work.
Joe
Posted by Yeahuhuh (anonymous) on August 8, 2008 at 2:52 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I understand Ms. Gibson's thoughts about prison. She bothered to empathize with prisoners as though they were people who simply failed to live up to the standards of the same congressmen we mostly seem to hate or distrust. After all, those laws come from that widely mistrusted bunch of slicks in the legislature, and the laws are sometimes enacted for reasons other than the ones stated, so therefore may be unjust.
Once upon a time in this state, as late as the 1940's it was OK to imprison someone for marrying outside of their race. Black folks are still imprisoned at far higher rates than whites, and have gone to jail for years with little reason or because they did not have the credibility or money of a white defendant in the same circumstance. In Texas not too many years ago posession of a half of a marijuana cigarette could get you more than 20 years in prison. A great many people end up in prison for minor offenses just because they might have been dating a girl whose father had influence with the police -- and so they got special attention. Every law enforcement agent in this country knows of cops who will carry and execute personal vendettas who will mis-state a person's crimes. And read about Tulia, Texas if you think all prisoners are guilty.
Let's face it. There is something wrong that we call ourselves the free-est country in the world yet we put more of our own people in jail than any other developed country. Whether you smoke flowers or you are Martha Stewart, or a public servant who might lie about an illicit love -- you know you can go to prison not just on the truth but on the appearance of impropriety. The less money you have the more likely law will not give you a fair shake.
People who assume that everyone who is in prison should be in prison are harsh fools. People who are not aware that some of our laws are as evil as the ones we have discarded over the years are shortsighted, shallow and vindictive. People who think that it is ok to make an industry out of incarceration and let the people who make the money craft the law are not good Americans. I can be wrong but I am not this time.
And God bless our law enforcement officers and we can pray that they value the same Christian principles that Ms. Gibson sees as useful for the incarcerated. And when we talk about giving Caesar his due, let's not forget in a democracy that WE are Caesar.
Posted by sideline (anonymous) on August 8, 2008 at 10:17 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Get over it.
Posted by stateofnatchez (anonymous) on August 9, 2008 at 12:52 a.m. (Suggest removal)
"Prison can change people for better"..............YEAH? Well so can the death penalty if used enough. ---------------------------------Bleeding heart liberals that have been tuning into the wrong channel.
Posted by kpage (anonymous) on August 9, 2008 at 9:28 a.m. (Suggest removal)
The justice system needs to be revamped, that's for sure.
Yeahuhuh, we no longer govern our governers...they call all the shots. Ole Ben, Tommy J. and the rest of the boys would flip in their graves if they saw the state of the nation today.
Posted by charliebug5865 (anonymous) on August 9, 2008 at 9:50 a.m. (Suggest removal)
sisterbeverly,i have had the pleasure to meet you and go to church w/ you at C.O.G., mcneely rd., i understand your column,i pray the people who come out of incarceration,learn,grow, and can be a success to society. It will depend on them, and the people like you who, always ,minister to people like them. I am proud of your column, it is a genuine concered citizen,(faith filled) testimony, for all concerned, not just the inmates.Yes, you are right, PEOPLE DO CHANGE! FINDING THE RIGHT SOLUTION TO PUT IT INTO EFFECT, NOW THATS WHERE I GET LOST. I SEE ALOT OF SLAP ON THE WRIST FOR MAJOR CRIMES, AT HOME, IN NATCHEZ, THEN FOR SMALLER CRIMES, SEEMS LIKE THEY WANT TO PERSECUTE THEM 4-EVER!
Posted by southernlady1776 (anonymous) on August 9, 2008 at 10:26 a.m. (Suggest removal)
well I agree with firered they do get too many privileges when they are supposed to be geting punished... as long as the system thinks like this then crime will continue to be rampant... I know that some of the prisoners make almost as much as the guards do in salary which is rediculous...
I think some do learn their lesseon but many just use prison as a school to learn bigger and better crime... I know this is sad to say but the truth is the truth... many are not that asahmed or remorseful for the crimes they commited... back in the old days when they went to prison the majority made sure they didnt come back... thats because they worked their butts off and they had the basics.... but they were made to work and it was hard labor... now they arent made to work at all they just lay around all day complaining and whinning they dont get to go to McDonalds or some such crap... at the rate the prison system is going it would not surprise me if they didnt start taking them out to the malls and wal- mart.... then they wonder why the have so many repeat offenders?????
The biggest problem with the prison system is that ACLU the inmates run to them everytime and those idiots think they tell the truth about everything... there is no such thing as an honest criminal... If they would start making them work and do things around towns and such think of how much money they could save on paid labor to mow and tend flowers and such.. I do not think prisoners should be given a choice they should have to work and support theirself after all that is what got them there in the first place.... lack of direction and hard work.
If the public really saw what goes on and how a prison is ran they would be mad as hell and demand changes be made immediately.... I have worked in both criminal and detention prisons and the money the illegalscome in with will amaze most of you.. im not taking a few thousand dollars but more like 20,000- 100,000 and it is all in american cash...
when they deport them they have to give them the money back so they take it to their country and live like royalty....they are robing us blind and there is nothing being done to stop it.... immigration laws are nothing but a huge joke and the illegals know it...
Posted by charliebug5865 (anonymous) on August 9, 2008 at 11:01 a.m. (Suggest removal)
LIVE & let live, FORGIVE AND THE WORLD COULD BE A BETTER PLACE. As long as these people are bitter & full of unforgiveness, I think this is a crime, against nature and everything we beleive in, itself. MOST PEOPLE ARE REHABILITATED,FORGIVEN,&CAN LEAD A PRETTY NORMAL LIFE! SOME ARE NOT, THERE IS ALWAYS A BAD APPLE IN EVERY BUNCH. I HAVE WITNESSED AT LEAST 1 PERSON, NOT MENTIONING ANY NAMES, MAINLY BECAUSE THIS HAPPENED ABOUT 25 YRS. AGO,THE PRISON MINISTRY IN OUR CHURCH SAW THE GOOD IN THIS YOUNG MAN, GAVE HIM SOMETHING TO LIVE FOR,PUT GREAT EXAMPLES IN FRONT OF HIM, HE HAS NEVER LEFT THIS CHURCHFAMILY, IS WELL RESPECTED, A FAMILY MAN, BELEIVES IN HIS FAITH, & MOST OF ALL, HE LOVES & RESPECTS HIMSELF! SOMETIMES IT MAY TAKE MORE EFFORT THAN OTHER TIMES, OR JUST TO BE SHOWN THAT SOME PEOPLE REALLY DO CARE!
Posted by Gluttony (anonymous) on August 9, 2008 at 12:44 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Depends on what kind of crime, if you are a murderer you will always be a murderer. But petty crimes I agree It does make "some" people a better person. Unless Bubba got a hold of you, then your life will be never the same.I heard somebody say "It would be like running through a corn field backwards with your pants down".
Sons Of Sam
http://www.sonsofsam.net/
Posted by overthehill60 (anonymous) on August 9, 2008 at 1:13 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Some inmates can better themselves & learn from their mistakes, but child molestors are doomed & will never change.
Posted by kpage (anonymous) on August 9, 2008 at 3:08 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I think rapists fall in that category too, overthehill60.
Posted by southernlady1776 (anonymous) on August 9, 2008 at 4:26 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I think some of you are unaware to the games they play in prison... which is normal if you never been in that enviroment.... I have worked in it for 6 years and trust me they do run games.... even on one another so no one is exempt....you think it is bad on the streets.... you just have not dealt with them in a prison enviroment...
first off they will run any and every game they can to get you to feel sorry for them even for the slightest privilege secondly you cant change someone who does not want to be changed regardless of how much you preach and pray and offer services... most all prisons have church services in them and the majority does not attend...even if they do unless they are honest with theirselves then it is just another activity to make the time pass..... some rehabilitate themselves but the majority dont care one way or another most get out re offend and go back because prison is like easy street for them... they dont have to work they get housing meals and can sit around and complain all day...
some dont care if they ever get out... why? because the prison systems have became club med for the incarcerated.... thats the problem they have infiltrated the public and played the bleeding hearts card to gain sympathy so that people feel sorry for them... so far this has worked.. they should have made jails and prisons like it used to be then they will know what hard labor means ... they are in there to pay for crimes commited and learn a valuable lesson not act like they on vacation....
I dont think people are trying to be overly mean to them most just feel they need to be punished for the crimes they commmited.... after all we do pay for their living with our tax dollars and it makes many mad... myself included... its just high time they started earning their keep and being punished for what they in there for not sitting around on thier butts all day sucking up our hard earned money to support their sorry butts...
Posted by texasranger (anonymous) on August 9, 2008 at 4:55 p.m. (Suggest removal)
It cost the taxpayers more to house a prisoner for 30 years than a hardworking taxpayer can make in 30 years. All criminals are kinda like mud catfish, they feed off of whoever and whatever they can find,long as there are suckers to beleive in them and they don,t have to work.They take food off of hard working peoples tables every day they lay up in prison with a 1,000 rights and all the modern conviences.
Posted by texasranger (anonymous) on August 9, 2008 at 4:57 p.m. (Suggest removal)
If they go to jail in Miracopa county in Arizona they won,t usually come back,tent city is a great cure all if you ever watch it on tv. It makes honest men out of them real quick.
Posted by texasranger (anonymous) on August 9, 2008 at 5:03 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Who feels sorry for the people who work in factories all their lives and lose their pensions like the deal with Enron.Who feels sorry for the workers on graveyard running jackhammers all night while prisoners sleep in nice warm cells,while power line workers work on a power line for Entergy with sleet sticking to the back of their necks with lightning hitting all around their feet??. Who feels sorry for the victims. The ones the so called pitiful prisoners paralyzed and left for dead or put in wheelchairs or just shot them in the face and dump their bodies beside a four lane or a ditch in some god forsaken swamp. Who speaks for them???????????Put um all in Australia in the Outback.
Posted by texasranger (anonymous) on August 9, 2008 at 5:06 p.m. (Suggest removal)
There coming out allright and thuggin,theiving,robbing and going right back in..in and out. Lay up,lay around, Get out,,,thug and thieve..go back in...in and out...Feeding off the system...that,s their lot in life
Posted by texasranger (anonymous) on August 9, 2008 at 5:08 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Somebodys making big bucks off of these privately run prisons or they wouldn,t be investing in them. You can bet their not losing.
Posted by southernlady1776 (anonymous) on August 9, 2008 at 9:13 p.m. (Suggest removal)
texasranger.... I agree with you 100%... The public does not know all the privileges they do get in jails and prisons and we are footin the bill lock stock and barrel....I had the same question you did who does feel sorry for the victims and their families?
I am with you... i think they should make it hard on them it is punishment not a resort.... just like in Arizona they have the right idea.... you make it to where they dont want to go back then you will see a decrease in crime.
Posted by kpage (anonymous) on August 9, 2008 at 9:50 p.m. (Suggest removal)
We need Sheriff Joe right smack dab in the middle of our area. The only problem he'd face here is convincing the judges to actually sentence the criminals instead of handing out probation like hall passes.
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