Sheriff: Inmates 'better off than some people'

[uppityperson]

http://galvestondailynews.com/story.lasso?ewcd=90714f17494d3362

By Sara Foley
The Daily News

Published September 19, 2008
GALVESTON — Galveston County Jail inmates didn’t suffer during Hurricane Ike, and in the week since the storm have had air-conditioning and food, Sheriff Gean Leonard said. Inmates also had continuous medical care, water and now have generator power. “They’re doing well,” he said. “The justice center was built to withstand a Category 5 and it proved itself. We’re better off than some people out there in their own homes.”

Like the rest of Galveston, the jail doesn’t have sewer services, Leonard said. Inmates were able to take “bird baths” with tanks of water before water services were restored, Leonard said.

The sheriff’s office, which operates the jail, faced some criticism when it didn’t evacuate inmates, Leonard said. “We knew what our building could do,” he said. Extra employees were brought in to staff the jail during the height of the storm. Since then, the staff has returned to its normal shifts.

Deputies are now focused on helping with recovery efforts on Bolivar Peninsula and in the San Leon and Bacliff areas, Leonard said.

[Occam Bandage]

1. Sadly, this is probably the case.

Many people in the wake of disaster do not get continuous medical care, clean water, food, electricity, and AC. Hell, after Katrina, Bush let an entire city rot without any of that.

[TomInTib]

2. I hope things are better, as I have a dear friend in that jail.

I love him like a son. As a matter of fact, he is my sons' best friend and calls my ex-wife "Mom".

He is so smart, so funny, so charming, and he is a casualty of the miserable War on Drugs.

A Parole Officer fucked up and filed some bad paper.

An incompetent attorney fucked up a release motion and sealed Blaine's fate (for the next few years, anyway).

And now he is stuck in that hell-hole awaiting transfer to Federal, where the cost of appeal is prohibitive.

Damn...

[EFerrari]

3. And some of my best friends are sheriffs.

:puke:

[malaise]

4. He is bloody lucky that that hurricane veered to the right

If the Northern quadrant had hit Galveston as predicted earlier, he would be explaining the deaths of people in jail for some minor charges.

[uppityperson]

5. I think so also, but hey, am not there so what do I know?

Glad some have air conditioning.

[merh]

6. When I worked for the sheriff I stayed in my office during

a hurricane, the jail had air conditioning and lights and running water - it was self contained and had generators. The families of the staff were invited to stay in the deputies gym and conference rooms, in the various offices throughout the facility. so there were showers and cots and hot food. I don't doubt the sheriff and it was better to keep the inmates in the jail than to try to evacuate them. We had contingency plans if the building needed to be evacuated, that is when you risk officer, inmate, and public safety -- when your only choice is to get out of the facility.

[KG]

7. well, all things considered, i think i rather be on the outside.