Letters to the Editor: Treatment of prisoners
A modest proposalFebruary 5, 2011Dear Sir,Here’s the way it should be:Let’s put the seniors in jail and the criminals in nursing homes. This would correct two things in one motion:Seniors would have access to showers, hobbies and walks. They would receive unlimited free prescriptions, dental and medical treatment, wheelchairs, etc. They would receive money instead of having to pay it out. They would have constant video monitoring, so they would be helped instantly if they fell or needed assistance. Bedding would be washed twice a week and all clothing would be ironed and returned to them.A guard would check on them every 20 minutes. All meals and snacks would be brought to them. They would have family visits in a suite built for that purpose. They would have access to a library, weight/fitness room, spiritual counselling and education. Simple clothing – ie., shoes, slippers, pyjamas – and legal aid would be free, upon request. There would be private, secure rooms provided for all with an outdoor exercise yard. The guards would have a code of conduct to be strictly adhered to, with attorneys available, at no charge to protect the seniors and their families from abuse or neglect.As for the criminals:They would receive cold food. They would be left alone and unsupervised. They would receive showers once a week. They would live in tiny rooms, for which they would have to pay $5,000 per month. They would have no hope of ever getting out.JUST A THOUGHTSmith’s
February 7, 2011
Dear Sir,
Two of Bermuda's most pressing issues are spiralling debt and serious crime. May I make a suggestion that might affect both issues – outsourcing prisoners? My understanding is that the cost of housing a prisoner at Westgate is in the region of $80,000 per annum. I am sure that many countries would be willing to accept our prisoners for circa $5,000 per annum or less. Countries worthy of consideration could include Thailand, Jamaica, Mexico, Columbia etc. The benefits would be threefold:
Firstly, obviously, a huge savings of some $75,000 per prisoner annually would accrue. More importantly, however, if, and it's a huge if given the living conditions of those countries' prisons, the prisoners survived, not only would they never reoffend for fear of being returned to that prison but they would also spread the word to others of their ilk.
Thirdly, they would be removed from the network of enablers who make Westgate more tolerable in the form of drugs, cellphones etc – mainly but not limited to mommas, girlfriends and assorted aceboys. I would suggest that anyone convicted of violent and/or gang related crimes should be considered for this programme – white collar and petty criminals could still serve their time at Westgate. Goodbye gangsters and hello lowering the national debt.
COMMON SENSE
Sandys
