What Inmates are Costing $$$$$ North Carolinian’s
$$$$$ Due to the lack of knowledge, there are citizens who do not
realize or even have a clue how much money $$$$$ the inmate population
is costing taxpayers. Yes, they are in prison for breaking the law, but
it is our responsibility to take care of them.
Let’s talk about some
of these responsibilities. To begin with, let’s discuss medical issues.
If medical issues such as being properly diagnosed or administering
proper treatment are not handled at the facilities, it cost $$$$$.
Doctors at facilities who at times order MRI’s or other major testing
have to put in a request to the Pended Utilization Review Board (which
at this time we do not know who is on the board or if there are Doctors
on the board) in Raleigh that can take up to 6 months or longer for the
ok to come back. In the meantime inmates can and do get sicker and may
have to be taken to the nearest hospital, again this cost $$$$$. This
occurs due to inmates not getting the proper medication as needed. Plus
at times when the outside Doctors order certain things, the facilities
take it upon themselves to not carry out what is ordered due to the cost
$$$$$, etc. And Again, the inmate may have to be taken to an outside
facility for emergency care $$$$$.
Next, let’s dialogue about
inmate’s food. Food, by the way is an important issue. Most inmates
care about how they are getting fed. Large populations of them have to
deal with such concerns as how it is prepared. There are concerns mainly
about their food being cooked properly and served hot. Inmates in
solitary confinement complain that their food is always cold, even
though food services says the carts are supposed to be plugged in so the
food is hot at all times. However, the facilities don’t always follow
procedures. The reason facilities do not follow the meal plan
implemented by Food Services is because the facilities put the cost
$$$$$ of the food before the inmates.
Inmates that are in solitary
confinement are not allowed canteen, but according to NCDPS policy &
procedure inmates in control status can purchase a radio, a watch,
shower shoes, batteries, postage stamps, and over the counter
medication. Yet, they are not allowed to purchase any drinks are eatable
products, or packages from Union Supply Direct.
According to
policy and procedure, food is not supposed to be used as punishment but
lockup inmates are being denied canteen and the seasonal packages. These
packages are paid for by family and friends, they do not affect the
state’s budget at all neither does the canteen. As a matter of fact,
inmate purchases from the canteen, contribute to the state. Could this
possibly be considered a violation of inmates’ rights by withholding
food from them? Is the punishment of being in solitary confinement for
23 hours a day the only consequence? Otherwise, why are the inmates on
solitary confinement being violated by the withholding of certain foods?
According to policy and procedure this shouldn’t be! Inmates are
allowed to receive 4 packages per year in NC and most inmates order
nothing but food. Seasonal packages on the contrary are considered a
privilege; therefore inmates in any type of solitary confinement are not
allowed to get these. We should take a closer look at the boundaries of
this fine line that’s not very clear-cut to some—the state’s definition
of a privilege verses an inmate being denied a right!
Additionally,
there are numerous other concerns that our state has pertaining to the
inmate population. I will briefly comment on a few more of them:
Dental care is another issue that can be costly $$$$$ to taxpayers.
Here’s an example why, if an inmate has infection from his/her teeth
and/or mouth, this can many times become a serious medical issue. $$$$$.
Air Conditioning and Heating cost more $$$$ when they are not
properly maintained by facilities. With no working A/C, inmates can and
do pass out due to having a heat stroke. Again, it becomes a medical
issue and more $$$$$. Heating units that are not properly maintained can
cause inmates to get sick too and become a medical issue, which
means—more $$$$$.
Now in NY prison systems, families and friends
are being allowed to purchase clothing, shoes, coats, socks, and
toiletry items for inmates to help cut down the cost of up keep on the
state. I believe NC should adopt this as well; our state needs inmates’
families and friends to be able to help more. What’s your opinion about
that?
Mandy Beach
Spiritual Blessings today and always for you and yours.
mandybeachansws4@aol.com
Getting Answers 4 U (state inmate advocacy group)
Citizens Volunteering
P.O. Box 13334
Greensboro, NC 27405-6940
No comments:
Post a Comment