Abolish Prisons - Totally & Absolutely

[ronchamblin]

I've been informed that it is not an article, but a comment, which is larger than you've indicated; that is, all the way up to the last two paragraphs, the last two being an offering as a point of interest regarding Judge Olliff.  It is unfortunate that certain judges, especially judges who are obviously racist, can be judges for such a long time.  Even though he began his judgeship run perhaps at a time when racism was more common, and actually acceptable, its interesting that he was able to function as a judge up into the post civil rights era.

[ben says]

Prison is for the poor.

Speaking of which, great book, probably on your shelves: https://www.amazon.com/Rich-Get-Richer-Poor-Prison/dp/0205137725

[BridgeTroll]

I've been informed that it is not an article, but a comment, which is larger than you've indicated; that is, all the way up to the last two paragraphs, the last two being an offering as a point of interest regarding Judge Olliff.  It is unfortunate that certain judges, especially judges who are obviously racist, can be judges for such a long time.  Even though he began his judgeship run perhaps at a time when racism was more common, and actually acceptable, its interesting that he was able to function as a judge up into the post civil rights era.

I guess we will just have to take your word on Judge Olliff...

[camarocane]

Here is a little snippet from the FTU
http://jacksonville.com/news/crime/2015-12-10/story/1925-2015-retired-judge-hudson-olliff-dies

[ronchamblin]

Prison is for the poor.

Speaking of which, great book, probably on your shelves: https://www.amazon.com/Rich-Get-Richer-Poor-Prison/dp/0205137725

Ben ... you rascal you.  You've abandoned us poor souls in America ... left us to suffer this mess.   But ... yes, I've seen the book.  There are others similar.  Good luck in the wild sir.


[/quote]

I guess we will just have to take your word on Judge Olliff...
[/quote]


BT.  Actually, I pondered the appropriateness of mentioning Olliff's racist comments made to me ... particularly on one afternoon along about 2002 or so, in the world history aisle, in a reference, in small talk about the crime issues, to the blacks as being closer to the monkeys.

This kind of comment does not necessarily indicate his profound opinion, as it might have been said partially in jest, or after a particular event or memory of some cases he engaged.  After all, Olliff, for decades, confronted segments of society that were uneducated, desperate, and poor ... and I suspect mostly black.  Repeated encounters with these individuals might cause a judge, or anyone, in frustration to wonder about their mental attributes and capabilities.  Of course we ... those experiencing mostly the more placid non criminal world ... have much less cause to make similar racist assumptions or comments.

But still, as to the appropriateness of my mentioning of his racist comments, I could have remained silent, but to do so would have hidden a truth, or at least an evidence suggesting a possible truth.  I suspect that he was simply "fed up", disappointed, and discouraged ... even in retirement ... about the perpetual criminal activity of this segment of society as witnessed over decades as he struggled to understand, contain, and judge it. 
We all get impatient and frustrated with the ignorant, the uneducated, and the stupid.  It wears on us, especially if we assume "we" are not in that group.  The fact that these characteristics appear generously in the white population as well as the black, is quite welcomed by most I suspect, as it destroys opinions and claims of black mental inferiorities, and instead attributes the cause of criminal behaviors more to the poverty, the desperation, the legacy of discrimination, and the habits and abuse of the justice/prison systems.

I do remember however, Olliff's gentle nature, his kindness, and his willingness to talk of things of mutual interest.  I hope that his perch in heaven has allowed a calm wisdom, a forgiveness of my mention of the racist aspect as perceived by me; especially as he assumed I suspect, that forever, it would remain a secret between he and me.

[Gunnar]

Personally, I see two issues:

1.) A large range of potential sentences for crimes, i.e. for the same crime you could get a fine or a few years in prison. So if you are poor and so is your attorney's quality / interests in the case, you are more likely to get the max whereas if you are wealthy and can afford a good layer you may get off with a fine.

2.) Privatized prisons / commercial interest in prisons - this means there is a financial interest in sentencing as many people as possible, since more prisoners = more money.

[ben says]

Prison is for the poor.

Speaking of which, great book, probably on your shelves: https://www.amazon.com/Rich-Get-Richer-Poor-Prison/dp/0205137725

Ben ... you rascal you.  You've abandoned us poor souls in America ... left us to suffer this mess.   But ... yes, I've seen the book.  There are others similar.  Good luck in the wild sir.

Ha, yes...thanks for the well wishes. I´ve found that living amongst those damn commies in Europe has been kind to me, so alas, won´t be heading back to live in the States anytime soon 

Now all I need is a Chamblin´s over here and my life will be complete! (Will swing by next time I´m in town, which may be quite soon actually - please send my regards to Jen in the mean time!)

[Adam White]

Now all I need is a Chamblin´s over here and my life will be complete! (Will swing by next time I´m in town, which may be quite soon actually - please send my regards to Jen in the mean time!)

Too true! I just got back from over three weeks in Jax. I had the chance to visit both Chamblin's locations and was very impressed. I could probably have spent a day in the original location. And I managed to find an old book I was looking for in the Uptown location. So all good. I never realised what an amazing place Chamblin's was until I moved away. I think I just assumed places like that existed everywhere...