Comments

waiting wife wrote on Nov 16, 2009 1:35 AM:

" when does this go into effect when are they expecting to let the guys go from fort grant? "




To whom it may concern wrote on Nov 14, 2009 9:28 PM:

" I think it is worth thinking about considering the sheriff is being investigated for racial profiling any. Most of them may have sentenced on some faulty charges anyway.... concerned citizen..... "




Rebecca G. wrote on Nov 11, 2009 1:03 PM:

" My husband is currently in ADOC Safford for a drug violation and has 2 years left on his sentence. This is his 3rd drug related conviction and before he was sentenced this last time, he checked into a 4 month rehab. I do believe he will live a sober life from here on out. My point is that if prison is meant to "rehabilitate" people back in to society, including drug addicts, why isn't it working for the drug addicts? They need to have complexes where the priority is "Drug Rehabilitaion". "




Brigitte wrote on Nov 8, 2009 6:55 AM:

" This prison system is already overloading cells, 3 prisoners per cell with only 2 beds. They've cut the already meager food rations in half to keep them week. You have minor offenders placed in cells with lifers and guards turn the other way when an inmate is being beaten up by others. I think the whole system needs re-vamping. "




BB wrote on Nov 6, 2009 9:29 AM:

" I agree tommyboy! The justice system seriously needs to look at their laws and their decisions carefully. The unfortunate thing is that Judges may have prejudice, so they are going to convict a drug user to 2+ years in jail, and then somebody who rapes someone is going to get a year-- Ridiculous! There's other punishments other than Prison out there! "




tommyboy wrote on Nov 6, 2009 3:48 AM:

" i feel like this if the law stop harrassing for every little thing and focus more on heavy criminals such as (rapers,murders,robbers,etc.) then they will not have this problem of overflowing prison systems. but when you get greedy and lock everybody down for 5 yrs just for a little marijuna then why would it be ok to carry a gun that can harm /take a life.. marijuna won't. it will just get you high.. "




Bonita Bob wrote on Nov 4, 2009 3:13 PM:

" to Ft Grant Joe ... figures on the cost of operations at Fort Grant come from the DoC budget which is public information.

Close the place and re-assign the staff. "




BB wrote on Nov 2, 2009 8:02 PM:

" I know that drug offenders and probations violaters have broken the law and they should def have consequences. But i just read a story today of a man that stabbed his girlfreind 20 times and only got 1 year in prison-- where drug offenders and probation violaters are getting 2+ years! I think the justice system needs seriously consider other options for drug offenders and probation violaters- and as Bwana said "victimless crimes" Yes, they should def have consequences and pay for their crimes, But Prison??? Does it need to go that far? We need to figure somthing else out. "




joe mama wrote on Nov 1, 2009 8:54 PM:

" Drug offenders have never robbed or stolen from others (victims) to afford the drugs they take. They just get the drugs for free right. I know what your going to write. That not all drug offenders steal to afford their drugs. How are the police supposed to tell who steals for drugs and who doesn't. Thats why they should all pay for the crime. It is AGAINST THE LAW............. "




joe mama wrote on Nov 1, 2009 8:49 PM:

" (cont) but you should still get time. Even if its in county jail. If your selling any of the hard drugs you should probably get prison time. Releasing these inmates early just shows them that you won't get in to much trouble and when you get released why not go out and sell again. All drugs have victims they are called drug attics. "




Joe mama wrote on Nov 1, 2009 8:42 PM:

" First off inmates in prison for drug offences are people that broke the LAW... Bwana what if your so called inmates in prison for vitimless crimes are gangbangers. That throws out your hole "I wouldn't want any of those knucklehead gangbangers on the outside" comment. Another thing is if somebody sold heroin to another person and they over dosed wouldn't they be a vitim. If you broke the law then you broke the law. Now, I understand that if your selling weed as opposed to heroin then you should probably get less time. (cont) "




BB wrote on Nov 1, 2009 11:11 AM:

" I actually agree with Bwana on this one- Drug offenders should not be put in prison- there are other means of getting drug users off the street- Put them in rehab, stack up on their fines, put them in jail for a few days. And especially probation violaters, what is the point of putting them in prison? Look at the statistics, how many people violate probation? TOO MANY-- Take the drug offenders and probation violaters out of prison and give them higher fines, more probation, and jail time. Not prison. Giving them increased fines would fix our problem. "




bwana wrote on Oct 31, 2009 11:22 PM:

" Just for the record, I have not been an inmate and I have an extreme distaste for their social structure. I wouldn't want any of those knucklehead gang bangers on the outside...

But, not everyone in prison is like that, and it's wrong to put simple drug offenders in there for a victimless crime. The prisons/ justice system is out of control and needs to e reigned in before we suffer an Orwellian fate.

Hey lady, you don't even know what "ganja" is, why keep saying it? It just makes you sound stupid. "




send em back wrote on Oct 31, 2009 9:08 PM:

" Why not send all of the illegal aliens in the prison system back to were they came from. It is bad enough that tax payers have to pay for our own citizens in the prison system. Why should we have to pay for people that shouldn't be in this country to begin with. Why not spend a portion of the money it costs to house the illegals and beef up border security. Some of them were probably pretty much homeless on the streets and now they get clothes, bedding and meals. Send em back................ "




ADC wrote on Oct 31, 2009 6:59 PM:

" We ARE still hiring. "




To My Two Cents wrote on Oct 31, 2009 4:06 PM:

" (cont) it was at four years ago, yet we are facing a deficit of 3 billion, 4 billion, or however much the governor wants to say it is from one day to the next. Why not just cut all the wasteful spending and programs that have gone into effect in the last 4 years? Our government seemed to function just fine back then. Instead, they're talking about more layoffs, and closing state facilities that have been around for decades... It doesn't make sense. "




To my two cents wrote on Oct 31, 2009 3:53 PM:

" (cont) our state's budget is at roughly the same level it was four years ago, yet we now have a 2 billion dollar defecit, or 3 billion, or 4 billion, or whatever they want to say it is from one day to the next. Makes you wonder why they can't simply cut the budget back to what it was 4 years ago rather than close state facilities that have been around for decades. Something seem amiss... "




To My Two Cents wrote on Oct 31, 2009 3:50 PM:

" That seems a little smug on his part, but I can't blame him for saying that, given the way government has historically operated. I've held jobs in both Private Sector and Government, and they both have their advantages and disadvantages-- one of the major advantages of government employment , historically speaking, having been that it's supposed to be secure and recession proof. But even that's changing. Perhaps it's a sign of the trying times we're in. Or perhaps it's a reflection on this administration's ability to handle money. Consider: the state's general fund is roughly at the level (cont) "




My Two Cents wrote on Oct 31, 2009 12:24 PM:

" When Freeport did the 1,500 layoffs, I remember some prison guard, can't recall if it was fed or state, bragging about how the workers could come and be guards because his profession was recession-proof and they were always hiring. Looks like that guy probably should have kept his mouth shut. No job is recession-proof.
That being said, I have no problem with the prison system releasing nonviolent offenders but I hope Ft. Grant doesn't close down. Maybe if they use home arrest and parole for the drug addicts and such the costs wouldn't be too high. "




shiloh bryan wrote on Oct 31, 2009 2:30 AM:

" it would be a great idea. and it would not be putting anyone at risk considering over 70 % of inmates are there for crimes that should have been a misdemeanor. probation violation, shoplifting or minor drug charges. it would be the first logical thing the courts will have done in years "




Thats too bad wrote on Oct 31, 2009 1:50 AM:

" Regardless of the philosophical debate as to whether or not certain offenders should be incarcerated, I think it will be a shame if the Ft. Grant complex shuts down and people are laid off. With the massive layoffs at FMI this year, this would be yet another blow to the local economy, one that I don't think this valley needs. For that reason, I hope they don't shut it down. "




Think About wrote on Oct 30, 2009 6:11 PM:

" Here's something to think about...Some inmates are there because they want to be. They find it hard to adjust to society after being in prison. They like the roof over their head and food. If they are forced out on the street what kind of crimes will they commit to make sure they get back in? A simple drug charge won't do it, so they will do something more violent. Scary! "




real2all wrote on Oct 30, 2009 1:49 PM:

" to "beck"
That would be great in a perfect world were people only break the law once and never return. That isn't the case is it. Prison is good 3 hots and a cot, and no worries. Prison isn't the way it used to be. Liberals have changed everything and destroyed the punishment system in our country. Rule number 6... You get religious guess what you get more than the rest of the population in prison. This is prison not a recreation club, the system should start acting like a prison and punishing instead of rewarding. "




real2all wrote on Oct 30, 2009 1:42 PM:

" To "bwana", Just stop, please. If you love to smoke the ganga, that is your business, I just don't want my children exposed to that type of criminal element. Yes it is criminal. People have to pay for what they have and that includes where you live, what you eat what you drive, health and auto insurance and pay your own way. Also not to be a sore on society, by taking advantage of government handouts. People want and want but very few people want to pay. "




beck wrote on Oct 30, 2009 10:55 AM:

" this country has too many non-violent people locked up... the key here is the word "early" release. These are inmates that would be getting released soon anyway - why not let them out a few months earlier and save the state a ton of money! It's proven that inmates do better upon release if they are given some incentive, like an earlier release! "




Lorita wrote on Oct 30, 2009 7:31 AM:

" It takes preliminary steps to make it so there isn't all these people in prison all the time. People need to be reminded about the Golden Rule and THINK first. Not to mention this rubbish of big perks and big pay for incompetance must stop. No matter where it happens or who does it. You don't have to go to a prison to see where else the Felons are. People see a guy like Madoff and think, oh, I gotta try that. People need to realize the only cure for ADC costs is preventive medicine so to speak. "




Lorita wrote on Oct 30, 2009 7:25 AM:

" What happened to all that bailout money that was supposed to go to loans to small businesses so the economy could keep going in a positive manner? What is all this thinking that the laws that were passed decades ago to tax the rich for the privaledge of being rich that now look like the old laws are being disregarded? What happened to decency, civility and coomon sense? If people were once again reminded of that old tired line: "Do Unto Others and You Would Have Them Do Unto You' and have it played on tv as a PSA, "




No A Bwana Fan wrote on Oct 29, 2009 6:32 PM:

" Hey, bwana you sound like you resided in the prision system, you also sould like you know all about drug's.
I wonder if it is from personal
experience! "




I Wonder wrote on Oct 29, 2009 6:28 PM:

" I wonder how this article made its way to the Courier, it was only meant for DOC employees. I have a good idea who done it!!! "




old timer wrote on Oct 28, 2009 9:34 PM:

" Closing Fort Grant , releasing inmates or hiring freezes are not the the fix to the problem Government wasteful spending IS!! Raise the price on the tomato plant for use of cheap labor, cut out all the Free cars to the Director on Down. Make Prisons a place criminals don't wanna be by getting rid of the "baby sitters" ie stores, gyms etc. if convicts want a colledge educ. then have them pay for it give them the basics. Last QUIT PAINTING everything when there is a Dir. visit. "




FG Joe wrote on Oct 28, 2009 8:37 PM:

" to Bonita bob, I don't know where you get your figures but how do you know that Fort Grant is one of the most costly institutions to operate. You probably live in Bonita and think that getting rid of the prison will make the equity on your house/land go up. Your not even think about the officers and other employees that will be hurt by the closing of the prison. "




bwana wrote on Oct 28, 2009 5:20 PM:

" Completely unnecessary insults Dirk, You have no idea who I am and rude speculations such as that just make you look like a fool.

Having lots of prisons does not make us the land of the free. You should be at least a little bit afraid of the kind of future you leave for your offspring with regard to the price they will pay for your fascist leanings. Sadam had a lot of prisons too. "




bonita bob wrote on Oct 28, 2009 2:10 PM:

" Privatize Fort Grant. Its among the most costly state institution to operate. Sell the asset and redevelop the facility into something other than an ugly prison - maybe even a research facility that generates revenues instead of wasting them? "




compaz wrote on Oct 28, 2009 10:59 AM:

" "Chicken Little....The Sky is falling" all scare tactics by the Governor who wants a tax increase... "




Dirk Diggler wrote on Oct 28, 2009 10:52 AM:

" looks like bwana is at her hippy ways again. I just wonder how many years you must have done in the slammer. And while you were there, did you meet that special someone? "




John Q Public wrote on Oct 28, 2009 10:17 AM:

" We need to stand up against this. Our communities have been hit hard enough by the downturn at the mines. Having a bunch of jobless ADOC employess and freshly released crominals on the street hunting for jobs will further the problems in our society. This is just the beginning....Brewer is out of her mind. "




bwana wrote on Oct 28, 2009 10:05 AM:

" Possession of marijuana and drug paraphenalia for one....That whole scenario is no different than the rum runners and bootleggers of the prohibition era....But now you are allowed to drink...Because it was, after all, a victimless crime.
'Violation of probation' inmates also should be considered as candidates for release. "




outraged wrote on Oct 28, 2009 9:12 AM:

" To bwana: Please give examples of "victimless crimes." "




bwana wrote on Oct 28, 2009 8:53 AM:

" ....an admonition that deep budget cuts at ADOC would require rewriting the state’s criminal code."

That's the ticket right there! Victimless crimes should not warrant prison time. The police state status quo has created a monster industry out of the prison system. "