Senator Whitmire on TDCJ inmates enduring the summer heat " not a concern, do the time "
Friend of the Backgate , Senator John Whitmire ( Criminal Justice Committee Chairman) addresses complaints by rights groups on the Texas heat and confined prison inmates. Love that response Senator.
This Senator just do NOT get it. These inmates are making parole every day!!! They do not forget the people in power who make their lives miserable while being an inmate!!!! These inmates are human !!!! What if it were a relative of the Senator, or a member of the parole board who made a mistake? Take away the Senators air conditioned office and see how he like it. But of course his relatives would never become an inmate, because he knows the Judges. No one is perfect. Some of these inmates were kids when locked up, never killed anyone or raped anyone but been an inmate for over 20 years. What kind of justice is that? The whole state of Texas is a disgrace!!!!
Maybe he needs to watch a prisoner die from a heat stroke, probably not a pretty sight. Vomiting, foaming at the mouth, convulsions. Slowly getting baked in a oven. I am certainly not for the comforts of a inmate, but seriously aren't they being punished enough by having their freedom taken away. Don't air condition them, but at least have some kind of tempered air system that will keep the temps below the triple digits. He says he feels sorry for the officers, well I do too! It must suck to work for a system that could care less about your well being. You have my sympathies.
You know what all u bleeding hearts make me sick. Yes those offenders are people but they also put theirselves there by their actions. I didn't tell them to rob, kill, or rape!! A lot of them are repeat offenders and must love the prison environment they find themselves in. Why should the agency make exceptions for these convicted felons when our military men and women are out in the blistering heat with 100 lbs of gear on their back eating whatever garbage they have at their disposal to protect our country for u and me and they didn't even commit any crimes but their out there suffering.....now ask yourself u inmate lover IS THAT JUSTICE????
Hell no that's not justice it's bullshit and trust me I know just being put in prison isn't punishment enough, and I know this first hand because I'm a correctional officer not just from some bullshit I hear on the news
Prison was never meant to be a place someone would want to return to. It's already a strain on the Texas budget to feed, clothe and house these inmates. You do the crime, be prepared to do the time i say. I commend the men and women out there working for little pay, no glory and even less respect in that heat keeping Texas criminals behind bars. Rehab programs, school, learning a trade are all elements of rehabilitation within the prison system. Air conditioning does not fall into that category.
Yes, they did the crime but they are also paying for it in many ways. As for the ice water that's a joke. There have been heat related deaths although the Senator chooses not to acknowledge them. I will definitely campaign against Senator Whitmire. Guess he hasn't heard about innocent people being released from prison for new evidence that proved them innocent. Hey, those people usually get quite a bit of money from the state for the time they were wrongfully sentenced. He apparently has no idea how many relatives of inmates are registered voters. Once I get finished he will have an idea. Those people choose to work for the state. And once they put on the uniform they think they are something special. What about the way they treat the inmates because they know they can and the inmate has to take it. Regardless of who you are and where you are you are still a human being and deserve to be treated as such.
Yes, I agree if you do the crime you do the time. Yes, you are in there for punishment not comfort. But when you have inmates in there that has just had open heart surgery and you are recovering in 110 degree tempertures, you can die. No matter what they did they are someones loved one. You don't even leave dogs outside when it is that hot. I do understand that the employees are working in it. But they can go home after their shifts and cool off. I think it takes a cold hearted person to say "We don't want to"
You dont have to be an inmate lover to know the Texas system is a mess. Yes, some of these inmates done the crime now they must do the time. But don't forget that it could be your loved one there someday. Don't say it won't happen because you know what your family will and won't do, well that may be the case but at the end of the day your loved one could be that innocent person that is locked up for something they didn't do, and facing the no heat problem in which you don't care about now. Then would your mind change? We should all have a heart for people in prison. Not everyone that is there should be. And what state better than Texas to prove that to be a fact?
Texas never put an innocent person in prison. NOT! That is why we have a fund to reimburse the "Oh, I'm sorry. Opps! My bad." cases. If you ever went over the speed limit by 1 mile, you broke the law, referred to as a crime. You are a criminal. Let he who is without sin cast the first stone. I know that's an ancient concept. How do you know 100% certain they are guilty?
If they really got fans and ice water, maybe the "inmate lovers" wouldn't be up in arms. But they don't. Yeah, there's plenty of ice water- but it does no good when people can't get to it. And fans would be great- if they were always turned on.
All these "You hug a thug types need to gtfo!11!!!" just amaze me. This is not the middle ages. Prison is not supposed to be comfortable, but they are also not supposed to die from indifferent attitudes about providing basic care. Some of those "thugs" are nonviolent offenders who did something stupid, like tagging, and got caught. Some are drunks with 3 strikes. Many are ex-military (Still think we should treat them like shit? They DID fight for our country). Some are wrongfully convicted. And yeah, some are violent offenders. But if the justice system did not sentence them to death, why do all you holier than thou types think its OK to kill them by not providing basic needs?
No, prison should not be a vacation (although white collar criminals pretty much get treated that way- I bet Tom DeLay isn't sweating to death anywhere, and sorry- HE IS A CRIMINAL TOO). No one is requesting 72 degree temps for these guys- but less than 120 would be nice. Hell, 90 would be acceptable, or 95- but 120 is inhumane.
If Whitmire kept his dog in an unventilated 120 degree box all summer, he's be brought up on criminal charges- but because these are inmates, suddenly that makes it ok.
Shame on you, John Whitmire. You make me ashamed to admit I'm from Houston. This is not right, ethically or morally- and those who argue otherwise? If you call yourselves good Christians, you're lying to yourself. And God don't like liars. Shame on you, hypocrites. Raven's Phoenix (and nope, I don't post on PTO)
I will urge each and every one that I know can vote Senator Whitmire out of office to do so and to tell everyone they know to vote against the Senator. I know a really high profile place that can get this happening really quick is on Facebook as well...where I will be campaigning against him. Regardless of who you are and what you've done you're still a human being and deserve to be treated as such. Obviously, Senator Whitmire has different opinions about it. I still cannot believe someone in his position would actually say the things he did, I can believe in Justice...it will be served when he is REMOVED from office. We as Americans would never allow for a Dog to be treated this way, so why would we stand back and allow any human being to be treated this way? May God watch over his loved ones and the ones yet to come, so they may never make a stupid mistake and land behind the walls of cruelty...or maybe he should allow it, so the Senator can see what we do...do you think he would allow it then? I'm sure plenty of strings would be pulled for his family member/s...like all the other crooked politicians in office :(
I think each of you convict loving liberals should open your homes to take in parolee's. You'd save the state a lot of money in half way housing costs, and you'd provide good homes for these poor down trodden inmates. You could actually make a difference in their lives. So, how bout it? Which one of you is willing to take in a few parolee's? We need you!!
Ya'll, I know how much you care for your family members. My wife has family members who were incarcerated. Shucks, I guess that makes them my family members too. I gotta tell ya'll that it really isn't as bad in there as you think it is regarding the heat. All of the older ladder style units have pretty good ventilation. The ones I find the hottest now days are the trusty camps with their metal walls. They get pretty hot in there. So, the agency does everything they can to ventilate them with large fans, and exhaust fans. And, they do extra things like providing cold water and more ice. Plus, they have an indigent fan program for offenders who don't have the money to buy their own fans.
And, as far as medical goes it's not that bad either. I noticed someone mentioned a concern about offenders who may have had heart surgery, and their recovery. We have a unit in Texas City, TX where they house a lot of medical offenders who are recovering from surgery, and other medical issues. They stay there until they are well enough to be ok on a regular unit. And, all of the housing area's at the Young unit are air conditioned except for the trusty dorm. And, they have good medical staff there. So, the inmates are well taken care of there.
I know this because I helped to open that unit in 1995, and worked there up until about 2008. Ya'll need to know that TDCJ is not full of a bunch of medieval sadistic guards, even though it may seem that way when you read some of our postings. We have a lot of good professional staff at our units.
Marty, glad you took the Kool-Aid, all that is just not true. If Texas were to publically release inmate death statistics, a different story would unfold. Even COs have health affects, geez wrap a CO in polyester, TDCJ love, and stick them in prison area where temperatures have been measured in August at 5pm as high as 140+ degrees... No one was sentenced to this and no one should have to work in such an environment and suffer the heat or violent affects. It's the 21st century not the 19th, sorry...
BTW I do believe TDCJ has a lot of good professional staff at the units. I'll be glad when they stand up for their employee rights too. You may not be able to say it but I can; Texas is not doing you right either. No one is saying prison should be the Ritz Carlton but under 90 degrees would be minimally humane for employees and prisoners... And it's not right for Sen Whitmire to sweep anyone into that environment...
Neon, bless your heart. I appreciate your support for our staff. I guess you're right I have been drinking the TDCJ kool-aid, and have been for about 29yrs. I've been eating that horrible TDCJ food for just as long, almost every day I've worked. It's added a few pounds and a few inches on my waistline.
Neon, I wasn't speaking from hearsay, or supposition. I spoke from direct experience working in the prison system.
I agree, vote Senator Whitmire out of office. If one of his loved ones were ever sentenced to numerous years in a TDCJ Facility for a crime he would be singing a different story. Not everyone sentenced is a violent person but with temperatures that high it makes everyone irritable. It's a shame the deaths in within TDCJ Facilities don't get the attention they need. I guess Whitmire has forgotten that every inmate has friends and family members that vote and have the ability to vote him out of office. And I won't be surprised to see it happen. Another tidbit about Whitmire....He was one of the 11 that went to New Mexico to keep from voting on a bill. He was also involved in getting a bartender fired for refusing to serve him because he was already intoxicated. Why doesn't he mention any of those things???
i truly do believe that there are some inmates that deserves to be locked up, however what about thosse who are not gulity. Beside all that what about just cold water---forget the air condition...COLD WATER DURING THE DAY. it is swful and cruel and inhumane to let these young and old men suffer in the smothering heat that way. Just remember that there is a true GOD NAME JEHOVAH and He see and hear everything. Do unto others as you wish to be treated. HAVE A HEART WARDEN
this man makes me SICK.....the things he said in the position he is in...i will for sure not vote for him....and will be posting this link... someone mentioned his nephew well look it up he only got 5 yrs for that and should be out this yr! 5 yrs for poss of child porn, REALLY !! and i have seen some judges give 10 yrs for probation vio...first time no other cases... as far as the employees goes for TDCJ they have a choice to work there and usually the COs pickets have AC.....just saying..
AHHH sorry kevin not an INMATE FAMILY MEMBER !! yes i am fully aware of this EMPLOYEE website...you just might be surprised who post here ! ev1 is entitled to their opinions....no matter who they are !! take a look around !
Don't worry yourself too much about whether or not CO's have air conditioning or not, although you are misinformed. Remember, we have a choice because we were never convicted of any crimes. Offenders have a lot of rights in prisons, and I have never seen one mistreated. They are afforded ice water all day and all night. It a prison, it is not TDCJ-ID objection to make sure they are comfortable, but to maintain custody and control. They are not subject to any conditions that CO's aren't subject to. No, I do not feel sorry for any of them.
He is horrible. he wants to shut down all the juvenile facilities and open small units in the counties. He wouldn't build it next to his house,however great thing are happening with youth in the bigger facilities. He's just mad they fired his girlfriend as director, btw his girlfriend was named in his divorce.
This Senator just do NOT get it. These inmates are making parole every day!!! They do not forget the people in power who make their lives miserable while being an inmate!!!!
ReplyDeleteThese inmates are human !!!! What if it were a relative of the Senator, or a member of the parole board who made a mistake? Take away the Senators air conditioned office and see how he like it. But of course his relatives would never become an inmate, because he knows the Judges. No one is perfect. Some of these inmates were kids when locked up, never killed anyone or raped anyone but been an inmate for over 20 years. What kind of justice is that? The whole state of Texas is a disgrace!!!!
No simply being put in prison is not punishment enough
DeleteMaybe he needs to watch a prisoner die from a heat stroke, probably not a pretty sight. Vomiting, foaming at the mouth, convulsions. Slowly getting baked in a oven. I am certainly not for the comforts of a inmate, but seriously aren't they being punished enough by having their freedom taken away. Don't air condition them, but at least have some kind of tempered air system that will keep the temps below the triple digits. He says he feels sorry for the officers, well I do too! It must suck to work for a system that could care less about your well being. You have my sympathies.
ReplyDeleteYou know what all u bleeding hearts make me sick. Yes those offenders are people but they also put theirselves there by their actions. I didn't tell them to rob, kill, or rape!! A lot of them are repeat offenders and must love the prison environment they find themselves in. Why should the agency make exceptions for these convicted felons when our military men and women are out in the blistering heat with 100 lbs of gear on their back eating whatever garbage they have at their disposal to protect our country for u and me and they didn't even commit any crimes but their out there suffering.....now ask yourself u inmate lover IS THAT JUSTICE????
ReplyDeleteHell no that's not justice it's bullshit and trust me I know just being put in prison isn't punishment enough, and I know this first hand because I'm a correctional officer not just from some bullshit I hear on the news
DeletePrison was never meant to be a place someone would want to return to. It's already a strain on the Texas budget to feed, clothe and house these inmates. You do the crime, be prepared to do the time i say. I commend the men and women out there working for little pay, no glory and even less respect in that heat keeping Texas criminals behind bars. Rehab programs, school, learning a trade are all elements of rehabilitation within the prison system. Air conditioning does not fall into that category.
ReplyDeleteYes, they did the crime but they are also paying for it in many ways. As for the ice water that's a joke. There have been heat related deaths although the Senator chooses not to acknowledge them. I will definitely campaign against Senator Whitmire. Guess he hasn't heard about innocent people being released from prison for new evidence that proved them innocent. Hey, those people usually get quite a bit of money from the state for the time they were wrongfully sentenced. He apparently has no idea how many relatives of inmates are registered voters. Once I get finished he will have an idea. Those people choose to work for the state. And once they put on the uniform they think they are something special. What about the way they treat the inmates because they know they can and the inmate has to take it. Regardless of who you are and where you are you are still a human being and deserve to be treated as such.
ReplyDeleteYes, I agree if you do the crime you do the time. Yes, you are in there for punishment not comfort. But when you have inmates in there that has just had open heart surgery and you are recovering in 110 degree tempertures, you can die. No matter what they did they are someones loved one. You don't even leave dogs outside when it is that hot. I do understand that the employees are working in it. But they can go home after their shifts and cool off. I think it takes a cold hearted person to say "We don't want to"
ReplyDeleteYou dont have to be an inmate lover to know the Texas system is a mess. Yes, some of these inmates done the crime now they must do the time. But don't forget that it could be your loved one there someday. Don't say it won't happen because you know what your family will and won't do, well that may be the case but at the end of the day your loved one could be that innocent person that is locked up for something they didn't do, and facing the no heat problem in which you don't care about now. Then would your mind change? We should all have a heart for people in prison. Not everyone that is there should be. And what state better than Texas to prove that to be a fact?
ReplyDeleteAll you hug a thug groupies need to stick to PTO and other inmate family websites.
ReplyDeleteWell we need to come on here periodically to see how many dirty CO's get walked off the units.
DeleteTexas never put an innocent person in prison. NOT! That is why we have a fund to reimburse the "Oh, I'm sorry. Opps! My bad." cases. If you ever went over the speed limit by 1 mile, you broke the law, referred to as a crime. You are a criminal. Let he who is without sin cast the first stone. I know that's an ancient concept. How do you know 100% certain they are guilty?
ReplyDeleteOMG now that is really grasping at straws when you compare minor traffic offenses to violent felonies like murder, assault, etc.
ReplyDeleteIf they really got fans and ice water, maybe the "inmate lovers" wouldn't be up in arms. But they don't. Yeah, there's plenty of ice water- but it does no good when people can't get to it. And fans would be great- if they were always turned on.
ReplyDeleteAll these "You hug a thug types need to gtfo!11!!!" just amaze me. This is not the middle ages. Prison is not supposed to be comfortable, but they are also not supposed to die from indifferent attitudes about providing basic care. Some of those "thugs" are nonviolent offenders who did something stupid, like tagging, and got caught. Some are drunks with 3 strikes. Many are ex-military (Still think we should treat them like shit? They DID fight for our country). Some are wrongfully convicted. And yeah, some are violent offenders. But if the justice system did not sentence them to death, why do all you holier than thou types think its OK to kill them by not providing basic needs?
No, prison should not be a vacation (although white collar criminals pretty much get treated that way- I bet Tom DeLay isn't sweating to death anywhere, and sorry- HE IS A CRIMINAL TOO). No one is requesting 72 degree temps for these guys- but less than 120 would be nice. Hell, 90 would be acceptable, or 95- but 120 is inhumane.
If Whitmire kept his dog in an unventilated 120 degree box all summer, he's be brought up on criminal charges- but because these are inmates, suddenly that makes it ok.
Shame on you, John Whitmire. You make me ashamed to admit I'm from Houston. This is not right, ethically or morally- and those who argue otherwise? If you call yourselves good Christians, you're lying to yourself. And God don't like liars. Shame on you, hypocrites.
Raven's Phoenix
(and nope, I don't post on PTO)
I will urge each and every one that I know can vote Senator Whitmire out of office to do so and to tell everyone they know to vote against the Senator. I know a really high profile place that can get this happening really quick is on Facebook as well...where I will be campaigning against him. Regardless of who you are and what you've done you're still a human being and deserve to be treated as such. Obviously, Senator Whitmire has different opinions about it. I still cannot believe someone in his position would actually say the things he did, I can believe in Justice...it will be served when he is REMOVED from office. We as Americans would never allow for a Dog to be treated this way, so why would we stand back and allow any human being to be treated this way? May God watch over his loved ones and the ones yet to come, so they may never make a stupid mistake and land behind the walls of cruelty...or maybe he should allow it, so the Senator can see what we do...do you think he would allow it then? I'm sure plenty of strings would be pulled for his family member/s...like all the other crooked politicians in office :(
ReplyDeleteTheBackgate.org should be called TheBackwards.org... freaking medieval morons hang around this place...
ReplyDeleteY'all are really proud of your ignorance and hate...
I think each of you convict loving liberals should open your homes to take in parolee's. You'd save the state a lot of money in half way housing costs, and you'd provide good homes for these poor down trodden inmates. You could actually make a difference in their lives. So, how bout it? Which one of you is willing to take in a few parolee's? We need you!!
ReplyDeleteGood idea Marty, let's do it!!! I have a few suggestions for who to start with...
ReplyDeleteHow about going a step further and do more house arrest?
:-) ha ha, I'll bet a family member or two?
ReplyDeleteYa'll, I know how much you care for your family members. My wife has family members who were incarcerated. Shucks, I guess that makes them my family members too. I gotta tell ya'll that it really isn't as bad in there as you think it is regarding the heat. All of the older ladder style units have pretty good ventilation. The ones I find the hottest now days are the trusty camps with their metal walls. They get pretty hot in there. So, the agency does everything they can to ventilate them with large fans, and exhaust fans. And, they do extra things like providing cold water and more ice. Plus, they have an indigent fan program for offenders who don't have the money to buy their own fans.
And, as far as medical goes it's not that bad either. I noticed someone mentioned a concern about offenders who may have had heart surgery, and their recovery. We have a unit in Texas City, TX where they house a lot of medical offenders who are recovering from surgery, and other medical issues. They stay there until they are well enough to be ok on a regular unit. And, all of the housing area's at the Young unit are air conditioned except for the trusty dorm. And, they have good medical staff there. So, the inmates are well taken care of there.
I know this because I helped to open that unit in 1995, and worked there up until about 2008. Ya'll need to know that TDCJ is not full of a bunch of medieval sadistic guards, even though it may seem that way when you read some of our postings. We have a lot of good professional staff at our units.
Marty, glad you took the Kool-Aid, all that is just not true. If Texas were to publically release inmate death statistics, a different story would unfold. Even COs have health affects, geez wrap a CO in polyester, TDCJ love, and stick them in prison area where temperatures have been measured in August at 5pm as high as 140+ degrees... No one was sentenced to this and no one should have to work in such an environment and suffer the heat or violent affects. It's the 21st century not the 19th, sorry...
ReplyDeleteBTW I do believe TDCJ has a lot of good professional staff at the units. I'll be glad when they stand up for their employee rights too. You may not be able to say it but I can; Texas is not doing you right either. No one is saying prison should be the Ritz Carlton but under 90 degrees would be minimally humane for employees and prisoners... And it's not right for Sen Whitmire to sweep anyone into that environment...
ReplyDeleteNeon, bless your heart. I appreciate your support for our staff. I guess you're right I have been drinking the TDCJ kool-aid, and have been for about 29yrs. I've been eating that horrible TDCJ food for just as long, almost every day I've worked. It's added a few pounds and a few inches on my waistline.
ReplyDeleteNeon, I wasn't speaking from hearsay, or supposition. I spoke from direct experience working in the prison system.
BTW, Neon, the issued uniforms are made from cotton, not polyester.
ReplyDeleteI agree, vote Senator Whitmire out of office. If one of his loved ones were ever sentenced to numerous years in a TDCJ Facility for a crime he would be singing a different story. Not everyone sentenced is a violent person but with temperatures that high it makes everyone irritable. It's a shame the deaths in within TDCJ Facilities don't get the attention they need. I guess Whitmire has forgotten that every inmate has friends and family members that vote and have the ability to vote him out of office. And I won't be surprised to see it happen. Another tidbit about Whitmire....He was one of the 11 that went to New Mexico to keep from voting on a bill. He was also involved in getting a bartender fired for refusing to serve him because he was already intoxicated. Why doesn't he mention any of those things???
ReplyDeleteMalewis48, the senator does have a nephew in TDCJ. His name is Erik Whitmire. He's serving 10 years for possession of child pornography.
ReplyDeleteMalewis48, keep your bellyaching confined to PTO. Also tell your son not to drop the soap.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
ReplyDeleteBaseless accusations without one shred of evidence/proof. So typical of the "poor inmate" crowd.
Deletei truly do believe that there are some inmates that deserves to be locked up, however what about thosse who are not gulity. Beside all that what about just cold water---forget the air condition...COLD WATER DURING THE DAY. it is swful and cruel and inhumane to let these young and old men suffer in the smothering heat that way. Just remember that there is a true GOD NAME JEHOVAH and He see and hear everything. Do unto others as you wish to be treated. HAVE A HEART WARDEN
Deletethis man makes me SICK.....the things he said in the position he is in...i will for sure not vote for him....and will be posting this link...
ReplyDeletesomeone mentioned his nephew well look it up he only got 5 yrs for that and should be out this yr! 5 yrs for poss of child porn, REALLY !! and i have seen some judges give 10 yrs for probation vio...first time no other cases...
as far as the employees goes for TDCJ they have a choice to work there and usually the COs pickets have AC.....just saying..
AHHH another inmate family member shows their ass on an employee website again.
DeleteAHHH sorry kevin not an INMATE FAMILY MEMBER !! yes i am fully aware of this EMPLOYEE website...you just might be surprised who post here ! ev1 is entitled to their opinions....no matter who they are !! take a look around !
ReplyDeleteDon't worry yourself too much about whether or not CO's have air conditioning or not, although you are misinformed. Remember, we have a choice because we were never convicted of any crimes. Offenders have a lot of rights in prisons, and I have never seen one mistreated. They are afforded ice water all day and all night. It a prison, it is not TDCJ-ID objection to make sure they are comfortable, but to maintain custody and control. They are not subject to any conditions that CO's aren't subject to. No, I do not feel sorry for any of them.
ReplyDeleteHe is horrible. he wants to shut down all the juvenile facilities and open small units in the counties. He wouldn't build it next to his house,however great thing are happening with youth in the bigger facilities. He's just mad they fired his girlfriend as director, btw his girlfriend was named in his divorce.
ReplyDeleteclick this d5e20v3r29 luxury replica bags replica bags uk w6v66n0z09 replica bags koh samui try this site m4i46p9b26 replica bags ebay replica bags china free shipping replica gucci bags f7u64g3f50 replica bags online shopping india
ReplyDelete