Sitting at the DMV yesterday, waiting for the bureaucrats to finish their break, or pedicure, or whatever the hell they were doing instead of serving the public, I began observing the crowd in particular. There was the normal smattering of old farts trying to get something done, a couple of well-dressed professional women checking their email on smartphones, a couple of teens with parents, texting like crazy. Then I noticed two young white men, early 20s, and I caught a snippet of conversation. As I started paying attention, it seemed that they were debating the various preferences, pros and cons of Work Release vs House Arrest.
One was saying that the downside of Work Release is that you've got to spend every night in jail, and the other was saying that the downside of House Arrest is that you've got to wear that ankle bracelet, have a curfew, and the deputy might come over for an unannounced visit.
Really?!? You know, you have the right to remain silent all the time, not just when some cop is putting the steel bracelets on you for a little ride downtown.
Pawpaw said...You know, you have the right to remain silent all the time, not just when some cop is putting the steel bracelets on you for a little ride downtown.
ReplyDeleteBut apparently not the ability....
PawPaw, if you ever tire of your kiddy-sitting assignment, take a tour on the Extradition squad. As you're handling your daily dozens of cons on your runs with the van or bus, keep your ears open to their chatter. It won't be long until their loose lips let you make major unsolved cases.
ReplyDeleteI worked Transport & Extradition for seven years, and the dozens of reports I wrote on what I'd heard, gang associations, etc helped make several major cases, including one multiple homicide.
There are so many people in prison, or who have been in prison, that this is probably just a sign that it's losing its stigma.
ReplyDeleteJoel, I suspect it's lost more than its stigma. For many, it seems to have lost even its discomfort.
ReplyDeleteConcur with all, for some it's a 'street' cred... sigh
ReplyDelete