Drunk driver's wife should quit complaining about jail conditions
To the Editor:
At Ms. Poling's urging, I did some research and did, indeed, visit the jail.
Let's start with the fact that Mr. Poling was there for five months. That was the first clue that he probably wasn't in there for jaywalking. This time it happened to be felony DUI. The difference between felony DUI and plain old DUI? Number of convictions - fourth or subsequent is a felony.
Next, the jail is in the basement and no, it does not contain any sunlight, rain or outside air - did you think he was going to band camp?
The inmates eat food from St. John's Lutheran Hospital. Are you aware that St. John's has a cafeteria (in their basement) that is open for lunch? They have great food, I've been there. I also understand that most inmates housed in the Lincoln County Jail for extended periods actually gain weight. I was able to look at a meal log book which listed entrees such as chicken fried steak, pork chops, etc. They are fed balanced, nutritious meals three times a day. They have more food than they know what to do with, so sometimes they "gamble" with it, to pass the time.
Salt and pepper used to be packaged in their meals; condensation built up inside the packets, which made it clump together. The inmates made so many complaints that it was removed from the meals, as it has no nutritional value. It is now available to them at the outrageous rate of 1 penny per packet.
I also understand that if Ms. Poling was only charged 25 cents for a 10-minute phone call, she owes Lincoln County some money. I suggest we send her a bill.
The answer to her husband's question about the dam breaking was, "we all drown like rats." The inmates were not singled out and believe it or not, it was a joke.
If Brian Poling had a serious condition requiring emergency medical attention (after hours) I am told that he would have been taken to the emergency room and treated at the taxpayers' expense. Inmates may also request to be seen by a nurse practitioner who makes routine visits. The inmates are charged $10 per visit, however, if they have no money in their account and fail to pay after released, again, it is the taxpayers who foot the bill.
Our inmates are allowed heat, air conditioning, cable TV, ample food, medical care, clothing, access to a rec room containing a foosball table (they had ping pong until they destroyed it), a wall full of books and mats to exercise on. They have access to a phone from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. and are allowed visitors two days a week. Our county jail is not meant to house inmates for extended periods. I am told it is rare for someone to stay six months.
Suggestion: If you don't like our accommodations and cannot keep you hind end out of jail, perhaps a transfer to the Maricopa County Jail in Phoenix would be in order. I understand that the inmates there are afforded the luxury of the outdoors, they live in tents in sweltering heat, they are fed twice a day and they work on chain gangs.
Barb Poling, I resent having to pay for your husband's stay here and your subsequent complaining about it - especially since my mother was killed by a drunk driver.
Pack up your crap and get out of our town!
Mr. and Mrs. Kelley Brown
Libby