Letter: Lack of cooling cruel and unusual

Paul Braud writes on July 20 that he feels all “cons” should suffer in Louisiana heat with no air-conditioning.

On one level, I agree bad guys should suffer — especially violent offenders.

But when heat is 100-plus degrees outside, and the prisoners are all packed together it does seem to go beyond punishment for most crimes and become cruel and unusual punishment.

Also, the prison guards are suffering in the same heat, and they are not criminals.

The heat may make the guards meaner than they need to be.

Perhaps part of the prison, that which houses those picked up for “victimless crimes,” such as smoking pot, could be cooled down a bit?

But even that doesn’t consider the poor guards.

People get arrested for leaving a dog or a child in a car in this heat. Packing hundreds of people in an uncooled, unshaded building is just as reprehensible.

We are not supposed to be a nation that sanctions torture.

Sarah Stravinska

retired professor

Chestnut

Comments

1) Comment by Elderly Man - 31/07/2012

Lack of air conditioning is brutal and cruel. The attitude that supports such brutality illustrates why we remain a bottom-of-the-barrel state.

2) Comment by cdeuce26 - 28/07/2012

These cons some ppl seem to be worried about being hot in prison should know that a few years back they all got to vote for either a/c or cable TV. As you can tell, a/c lost out. I spent 2 weeks at Angola for training, yeah, its hot, but not unbearably so. I then worked 2.5 years at a different facility with no a/c, as best as I remember, there were more complaints about the heat in the winter wish the heaters running. Just had to put my two cents in from the point of view of been there, done that.

3) Comment by Whatnow - 27/07/2012

Okay, DMJ, we will shut up because you said so. LOL!!!! Not! It's okay when you disagree with a letter to the editor. Hypocrite!

4) Comment by nimby? - 27/07/2012

don't like the heat , stay out of the prison ...

5) Comment by DMJ - 27/07/2012

I think everyone missed my point. But kudos to phil for somehow making this about losing the public transit tax again. No non-sequitur too random, it seems. Ugh..

6) Comment by phil - 27/07/2012

There is probably no air conditioning in hell - to answer those religious comments here.

7) Comment by Whatnow - 27/07/2012

DMJ, Jesus would wipe the sweat from his brow. He didn't have air-conditioning either.

8) Comment by phil - 27/07/2012

I am sitting in my home right now with a fan on blowing on me with no air conditioning. I said this before - maybe the real torture treatment is the increased property taxes and fees we are all facing that make air conditioning something many will not be able to afford in the future. Perhaps I will just get on a CATS bus and ride it all day to keep cool. All I have to add is - If you can't do the time don't do the crime.

9) Comment by DMJ - 27/07/2012

Back pedal? I don't understand. It's one thing to not really care if the inmates get A/C (which, by the way, is the position I take in this matter); it's quite another to be angry at someone who does care. After all....what would Jesus do?

10) Comment by Whatchange - 27/07/2012

Great comment The_Host, man DMJ could you not back pedal any faster.

11) Comment by DMJ - 27/07/2012

People are so quick to jump on someone who's looking out for the well-being of others. It's one thing not to share her concern (I don't); it's quite another to get angry about it. Relax. Does anyone really think Angola is about to install A/C units? Everyone chill....well, not everyone...

12) Comment by The_Host - 27/07/2012

Good grief what is up with these people and their obsession with making sure prisoners are cool? Are you that concerned about the military and how hot they are in DESERTS! What about all the people that work outside to PAY for the taxes to keep these criminals locked up are they not also hot? I suggest you go climb in a large vessel wearing welding gear and swinging a 6000 degree torch a few inches away and get back to me about what hot is all about! The only way a pot smoker is going to make it to Angola is if they happen to be a murderer as well. I don't think they send your everyday pot smoker there. But then I don't think they should take anyone to any jail for that to begin with. Jail is for CRIMINALS that commit crimes against others and society as a whole, at least it should be.

13) Comment by DMJ - 27/07/2012

She's got a point about the guards and the non-violent offenders, does she not?

14) Comment by Lannonmac - 27/07/2012

I have a hard time getting worked up about Angola prison inmates being hot. Making the inmates endure Louisiana’s summer is a far cry from “cruel and unusual” punishment, especially since there are plenty of free Louisiana citizens having to suffer through the same heat. If the inmates want air conditioning, let them and their families pay for it, not the Louisiana taxpayers.

15) Comment by tradewinns - 27/07/2012

nimby? is right, go to school, get a job, do not participate in illegal activities. then you can afford to sit in A/C and be comfortable. as for my thoughts on the criminals, i'd have all of them in the bright, hot, direct sunlight making little rocks out of bigger ones. prison should be so bad that even criminals would rather get a real job and behave rather than go back. up until "recently" the average household did not have A/C. i did not realize god was torturing all of us. i'll file a complaint with our failed justice system.

16) Comment by nimby? - 27/07/2012

there is a direct correlation between education , employment , incarceration . stay in school , get a job and you won't have to worry about the third ....

17) Comment by [e-mail] - 27/07/2012

I've lived a while and I've heard a lot of nonsense so I've become an expert in categorizing it; I'd say that the fatuous comments by Ms. Stravinska are in the category of those made by people who want to feel good, point the finger at other who show less empathy, and condemm the meanie society in which we live all at the same time.

18) Comment by CountryBoysCanSurvive - 27/07/2012

Sarah, perhaps you could start a fund drive, for these poor misunderstood guys, you could call it CAC or Cool a Con . Get a grip, get a life.

19) Comment by Whatnow - 26/07/2012

They have plenty of electric fans.