When a Cartoonist Landed in L.A. County Jail, She Drew What She Saw(laweekly.com)
laweekly.com
When a Cartoonist Landed in L.A. County Jail, She Drew What She Saw
http://www.laweekly.com/publicspectacle/2014/12/31/when-a-cartoonist-landed-in-la-county-jail-she-drew-what-she-saw-using-only-a-golf-pencil?showFullText=true
114 comments
Yeah it's pretty crazy. For those who want more information here's a short documentary I watched about jPay a while ago.
do you know the name of the doc or have a link?
Sorry about that! here you go: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OiZj2wgbedg
I can speak to this personally.
My father is currently in a federal prison. I do not want to reveal sentencing, names, etc. but I deal with Jpay on a daily basis.
Their core currency is 'stamps' if you are technologically literate.
It is $4.50 to be able to buy 12 'stamps'
It takes one stamp to send an email, plus one stamp per attachment.
Beyond this, there are music 'credits', video call 'credits', etc.
It is a fucking racketeering ring. I literally keep a Windows laptop so that I can have video calls with my father because its incompatible with OSX and Linux (Ubuntu 14.04 in my case)
Would love to hear a way to make a difference here...I've thought of nothing.
My father is currently in a federal prison. I do not want to reveal sentencing, names, etc. but I deal with Jpay on a daily basis.
Their core currency is 'stamps' if you are technologically literate.
It is $4.50 to be able to buy 12 'stamps'
It takes one stamp to send an email, plus one stamp per attachment.
Beyond this, there are music 'credits', video call 'credits', etc.
It is a fucking racketeering ring. I literally keep a Windows laptop so that I can have video calls with my father because its incompatible with OSX and Linux (Ubuntu 14.04 in my case)
Would love to hear a way to make a difference here...I've thought of nothing.
Sadly the only way to a make a difference, presuming you're in America, is to get a movement going to reform the penal system. The reason it's sad is that for many Americans the point of prison is punishment rather than rehabilitation. So they're happy with people going through hell, 'cause you know, they deserve it.
Your best bet is to find an existing rights group to pursue the changes. It will be a hard sell since the US moved to a private system. This means that the states and fed will have less direct control of things. More red tape and contract negotiations.
Your best bet is to find an existing rights group to pursue the changes. It will be a hard sell since the US moved to a private system. This means that the states and fed will have less direct control of things. More red tape and contract negotiations.
The two big issues in the US prison system are:
1) Treatment of prisoners
2) Number of people in prison
As a country we need to improve treatment and reduce the number of people imprisoned quickly.
If there is anyone located in San Francisco or northern south bay that wants to get together and do a hackathon with the focus of building something that generates either awareness or solves a particular problem we should meet up for coffee. I can meet anywhere in the Mission to discuss it. (Contact info in profile). I am currently swamped running my business but I would figure out a way to take a weekend off to build something.
1) Treatment of prisoners
2) Number of people in prison
As a country we need to improve treatment and reduce the number of people imprisoned quickly.
If there is anyone located in San Francisco or northern south bay that wants to get together and do a hackathon with the focus of building something that generates either awareness or solves a particular problem we should meet up for coffee. I can meet anywhere in the Mission to discuss it. (Contact info in profile). I am currently swamped running my business but I would figure out a way to take a weekend off to build something.
the revolution will not be appified
i agree, but in a world where "going viral" determines what people pay attention to (almost always stupid shit), maybe figuring out how to make socially valuable things go viral is an important approach.
Though the US has some private prisons, they are a minority by a wide margin. And other countries use them as well; the UK has 11% of its prisoners in private prisons and apparently are working on expanding (according to Wikipedia).
The county jail referenced in this piece is almost certainly not privately owned.
The county jail referenced in this piece is almost certainly not privately owned.
A position similar to yours has been countered on HN before... https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=8562786
> find an existing rights group to pursue the changes.
If you're fine hanging out with a mix of Christians, Agnostics and Atheists who occasionally quote scripture in support of their cause, check out the Quaker Prison Fellowship.
If you're fine hanging out with a mix of Christians, Agnostics and Atheists who occasionally quote scripture in support of their cause, check out the Quaker Prison Fellowship.
I will suggest that one obvious answer is to try to develop a competitor for Jpay and see if it isn't possible to arrange for people to have another option, even if individuals in prison don't get a choice, maybe a few prisons would take the option and then at least a subset of prisoners would be less screwed over by this system.
In addition to virmundi's suggestions, find your state and/or federal representative and talk to them about it. While it's not likely to make a big impact, these are the people who have the most sway in this regard, and you never know what might 'take' with them.
JPay et al. are the worst scum. One of the justifications though is that our dear leaders expand definition of "crime" and "criminality" but do not expand budgets for incarceration so it falls on the Jailor and/related staff to get finances. They typically bring in these JPay kind of shady dealers who promise a cut per person in jail. So JPay takes a cut but shares it with the Jail or department. To give the kind of commission promised to the Jails they rob the inmates - its that simple. So we not only hold an inmate for crime but his family for ransom. This is sad because people do not have empathy for in-mates. One of the many "criminal" faces of the Criminal Justice System.
Heres a video that public integrity made with interviews of people hurt by the system: http://www.publicintegrity.org/2014/09/30/15797/time-money-w...
When $0.20 ramen and basic hygiene products (kind of required for the sanity housing of anybody) are not provided, it kind of makes you wonder[1] where the several-hundred dollars per-day we spend to keep most people in jail[2] is actually ending up.
[1] rhetorical question; we know, more or less, where the money goes.
[2] prison is usually more expensive
[1] rhetorical question; we know, more or less, where the money goes.
[2] prison is usually more expensive
> we know, more or less, where the money goes.
Show us? It's publically available information I guess, where can we read about it?
Show us? It's publically available information I guess, where can we read about it?
There's nothing fancy about where the money goes - it was paid to the police/jailers involved along with any contractors or other people on the receiving end of the "jail" budgets.
The point is that running a jail should be easy on $250/day/person-in-jail (or more!). The cost of bulk toothbrushs or ramen is basically in the noise. It says a lot about the character and values of a person that would choose to pocket this kind of spare change just to make their income very slightly bigger.
The point is that running a jail should be easy on $250/day/person-in-jail (or more!). The cost of bulk toothbrushs or ramen is basically in the noise. It says a lot about the character and values of a person that would choose to pocket this kind of spare change just to make their income very slightly bigger.
Red State recently featured an article calling for prison reform, which I thought was an encouraging development[0]. Conservatives, historically, have taken a hard line against criminal justice reform in any way that might appear soft on crime[1]. For a prominent conservative site to come out in favor of reform is a step in the right direction.
Reading the Red State article, I get a sense that the author is walking a tightrope to frame the argument in terms that conservatives would favor:
>I have relatively little sympathy for violent criminal offenders in terms of the punishments they receive.
>However, all these efforts are opposed by powerful interest groups that give almost invariably to Democrats – including police and jailer unions who want to protect the jobs of their members.
>I am not advocating for free HBO for all prisoners and for government sponsored gender reassignment surgery or anything of the like
And so forth. He pretty much covers all the bases. I think that shows a high level of awareness. I also think that going to such lengths suggests a strong desire for reform to actually occur (disclaimer: I had never heard of the author before reading the article).
I feel like I should add, conservatives are in no way unique in demanding that scary ideas come with a popsicle. I personally prefer cherry.
[0] http://www.redstate.com/2014/12/18/americas-desperate-need-p...
[1] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joe_Arpaio#Pink_underwear
Reading the Red State article, I get a sense that the author is walking a tightrope to frame the argument in terms that conservatives would favor:
>I have relatively little sympathy for violent criminal offenders in terms of the punishments they receive.
>However, all these efforts are opposed by powerful interest groups that give almost invariably to Democrats – including police and jailer unions who want to protect the jobs of their members.
>I am not advocating for free HBO for all prisoners and for government sponsored gender reassignment surgery or anything of the like
And so forth. He pretty much covers all the bases. I think that shows a high level of awareness. I also think that going to such lengths suggests a strong desire for reform to actually occur (disclaimer: I had never heard of the author before reading the article).
I feel like I should add, conservatives are in no way unique in demanding that scary ideas come with a popsicle. I personally prefer cherry.
[0] http://www.redstate.com/2014/12/18/americas-desperate-need-p...
[1] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joe_Arpaio#Pink_underwear
Being a Conservative, albeit a Libertarian, I am all for punishment, provided it fits the crime. I and I am sure many others like me do not believe in exploiting prisoners or such, but I also do not believe in coddling them either.
Right now we have another government regulated and implemented disaster. People bitch and moan over the issues the VA has and that institution is supposed to HELP people, yet they don't want to look at the penal system which is supposed to help society. Both are examples of a government to big to be held responsible. Both are just minor examples of government regulation permitting abuse and neglect.
Yet people want more regulation, more government, and such. Why should government improve when you want them to step in and do everything you don't like being done by others (internet, health, etc) We get what we deserve
Right now we have another government regulated and implemented disaster. People bitch and moan over the issues the VA has and that institution is supposed to HELP people, yet they don't want to look at the penal system which is supposed to help society. Both are examples of a government to big to be held responsible. Both are just minor examples of government regulation permitting abuse and neglect.
Yet people want more regulation, more government, and such. Why should government improve when you want them to step in and do everything you don't like being done by others (internet, health, etc) We get what we deserve
For deleted scenes and outtakes, check out her blog:
http://www.elanapritchard.com/2014/12/jail-comics-deleted-sc...
http://www.elanapritchard.com/2014/12/jail-comics-deleted-sc...
If you don't make it to the last page of the 6-page clickthru, there's a link to her Kickstarter campaign for her side animation project: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/341471863/the-circus
It's worth mentioning that many people in jail are there waiting for adjudication. For felonies, this can take months. For misdemeanors, a day or two is common.
In other words, in accordance with basic human rights, they're innocent as their accuser has not yet proven their guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
In other words, in accordance with basic human rights, they're innocent as their accuser has not yet proven their guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
You're being too logical about it.
Probably not HN worthy but isn't it depressing to see things that are highly unlikely to ever improve?
There are countries where not as many people are locked up, prison sentences are shorter, and as a result the people locked up are given a minimum of humanity.
By beating it into the minds of everyone (especially in more privileged classes who won't come within 500 feet of somebody who has seen the inside of a jail in their lifetime) of how absolutely dehumanising prison is, we could maybe stop demanding people be thrown into jail for 25 years.
By beating it into the minds of everyone (especially in more privileged classes who won't come within 500 feet of somebody who has seen the inside of a jail in their lifetime) of how absolutely dehumanising prison is, we could maybe stop demanding people be thrown into jail for 25 years.
Some people deserve to be in prison for 25 years, or the rest of their lives. This is not to discount your first point that we may well be locking too many people up.
> Some people deserve to be in prison for 25 years, or the rest of their lives.
Really, no.
Really, no.
Not even this guy: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anders_Behring_Breivik?
The deal is, who does it help? I live in Denmark, have norwegian friends and family. I might think he is the devil, but it does not make sense to punish him; it helps no one but my ego.
There is certainly a case to be made that he is too dangerous to let outside, no way I will disagree with that notion. But having him fight for toilet paper is pointless cruelty, and there is no sense in fighting the pointless cruelty of killing with pointless cruelty poor living conditions.
Using Breivik as an example does not further the discussion though, as it is such an extreme case. It's fear mongering, and you're disregarding Hegelian dialectics by arguing in such logical extremes. I think we can all agree that lobbing the dysfunctioning members of society together in a desensitized and unsanitary confined area is no way to produce functioning, productive members of society.
There is certainly a case to be made that he is too dangerous to let outside, no way I will disagree with that notion. But having him fight for toilet paper is pointless cruelty, and there is no sense in fighting the pointless cruelty of killing with pointless cruelty poor living conditions.
Using Breivik as an example does not further the discussion though, as it is such an extreme case. It's fear mongering, and you're disregarding Hegelian dialectics by arguing in such logical extremes. I think we can all agree that lobbing the dysfunctioning members of society together in a desensitized and unsanitary confined area is no way to produce functioning, productive members of society.
'deserves to be in prison' does not imply 'deserves terrible living conditions' So most of your comment is wasted.
As far as whether punishment 'makes sense', that depends on what moral system you use. I wouldn't treat it as so obvious.
As far as whether punishment 'makes sense', that depends on what moral system you use. I wouldn't treat it as so obvious.
'deserves to be in prison' does not imply 'deserves terrible living conditions'
Yes it does. "deserves" very much alludes to revenge, not rehabilitation.
"As far as whether punishment 'makes sense', that depends on what moral system you use. I wouldn't treat it as so obvious."
Everything depends on everything; could you elaborate? Just to further the discussion a bit. Being a deterrent has nothing to do with morals, which I see as the main argument for punishment so I'm curious where you're getting at.
Yes it does. "deserves" very much alludes to revenge, not rehabilitation.
"As far as whether punishment 'makes sense', that depends on what moral system you use. I wouldn't treat it as so obvious."
Everything depends on everything; could you elaborate? Just to further the discussion a bit. Being a deterrent has nothing to do with morals, which I see as the main argument for punishment so I'm curious where you're getting at.
>Yes it does. "deserves" very much alludes to revenge, not rehabilitation.
Possibly revenge. You might want nobody to ever face that person again, etc. Even if it's revenge that doesn't mean you want them to suffer in any particular way. Take away their freedom and turn them into an inert ignorable abstract in a box somewhere. You could stick them in an average motel room and the result would be the same.
>could you elaborate?
Just as an example, Christianity is pretty big on the concept of retribution. While it does say that it's God's job rather than man's, that doesn't change that it declares bad people deserve punishment independent of the deterrence factor.
Possibly revenge. You might want nobody to ever face that person again, etc. Even if it's revenge that doesn't mean you want them to suffer in any particular way. Take away their freedom and turn them into an inert ignorable abstract in a box somewhere. You could stick them in an average motel room and the result would be the same.
>could you elaborate?
Just as an example, Christianity is pretty big on the concept of retribution. While it does say that it's God's job rather than man's, that doesn't change that it declares bad people deserve punishment independent of the deterrence factor.
> Just as an example, Christianity is pretty big on the concept of retribution.
That's...debatable, and varies considerably between different approaches to Christianity, even within individual denominations/sects.
> While it does say that it's God's job rather than man's, that doesn't change that it declares bad people deserve punishment independent of the deterrence factor.
This is only true of Christianity in general if you define "bad people" extremely broadly; Christianity in general holds that essentially infinite punishment is deserved by (or, in some formulations, the natural consequence of) sin, of which all humans [0] are guilty. Christianity is -- in pretty much all formulations -- very much about God eliminating this deserved punishment or bearing (through Christ) in the place of sinners this natural cost.
So, one could argue at least as convincingly (if not more) that the central theme of Christianity is refraining from retribution even where it is "deserved" as one could argue that "Christianity is pretty big on the concept of retribution".
[0] with either 1 or 2 (exactly, not as a figurative form for "a small number") exceptions, ever
That's...debatable, and varies considerably between different approaches to Christianity, even within individual denominations/sects.
> While it does say that it's God's job rather than man's, that doesn't change that it declares bad people deserve punishment independent of the deterrence factor.
This is only true of Christianity in general if you define "bad people" extremely broadly; Christianity in general holds that essentially infinite punishment is deserved by (or, in some formulations, the natural consequence of) sin, of which all humans [0] are guilty. Christianity is -- in pretty much all formulations -- very much about God eliminating this deserved punishment or bearing (through Christ) in the place of sinners this natural cost.
So, one could argue at least as convincingly (if not more) that the central theme of Christianity is refraining from retribution even where it is "deserved" as one could argue that "Christianity is pretty big on the concept of retribution".
[0] with either 1 or 2 (exactly, not as a figurative form for "a small number") exceptions, ever
I am intentionally being very broad, yes. I'm only trying to support my claim that 'deserving' punishment depends on your moral system. Maybe I should focus on Judaism? I'm really not trying to get into any specific systems.
>refraining from retribution
That's very true, but the important thing here is that it's deserved in the first place.
>refraining from retribution
That's very true, but the important thing here is that it's deserved in the first place.
> That's very true, but the important thing here is that it's deserved in the first place.
I don't think that's the important thing here; I think that whether it is appropriate for any person to exact it is at least as important in discussing whether punishment (which is an action) "makes sense". Even if a cost is viewed as earned within a moral system, if that moral system equally holds that it is immoral for any person to impose that cost on the one that deserves it, retributive punishment does not make sense in that moral system.
I don't think that's the important thing here; I think that whether it is appropriate for any person to exact it is at least as important in discussing whether punishment (which is an action) "makes sense". Even if a cost is viewed as earned within a moral system, if that moral system equally holds that it is immoral for any person to impose that cost on the one that deserves it, retributive punishment does not make sense in that moral system.
> You could stick them in an average motel room and the result would be the same.
I guess this thread of discussion is getting moot and semantic, but I do find it curious that someone would say "that person deserves to be in a motel room", without that motel room indicating some kind of punishment (revenge). "deserves" indicates that he should suffer somehow, i maintain.
> Just as an example, Christianity is pretty big on the concept of retribution. While it does say that it's God's job rather than man's, that doesn't change that it declares bad people deserve punishment independent of the deterrence factor.
Excellent point! You are speaking in strictly logical terms though, which is why i referenced dialectics earlier. It is very hard to discuss this subject meaningfully if you're ignoring all the intricacies of real life. I.e. we do not send people to prison to do gods job of retribution.
I guess this thread of discussion is getting moot and semantic, but I do find it curious that someone would say "that person deserves to be in a motel room", without that motel room indicating some kind of punishment (revenge). "deserves" indicates that he should suffer somehow, i maintain.
> Just as an example, Christianity is pretty big on the concept of retribution. While it does say that it's God's job rather than man's, that doesn't change that it declares bad people deserve punishment independent of the deterrence factor.
Excellent point! You are speaking in strictly logical terms though, which is why i referenced dialectics earlier. It is very hard to discuss this subject meaningfully if you're ignoring all the intricacies of real life. I.e. we do not send people to prison to do gods job of retribution.
The punishment is being trapped in the room, not how much toilet paper is in the room. Taking away toilet paper is just a petty insult.
And yes it's not done to take away God's job, but many people will tell you a key part of prison is retribution.
And yes it's not done to take away God's job, but many people will tell you a key part of prison is retribution.
The punishment is being trapped in the room, not how much toilet paper is in the room.
The punishment is being trapped in the room, not how much toilet paper is in the room. Taking away toilet paper is just a petty insult.
And yes it's not done to take away God's job, but many people will tell you a key part of prison is retribution.
And yes it's not done to take away God's job, but many people will tell you a key part of prison is retribution.
The punishment is being trapped in the room, not how much toilet paper is in the room. Taking away toilet paper is just a petty insult.
And yes it's not done to take away God's job, but many people will tell you a key part of prison is retribution.
And yes it's not done to take away God's job, but many people will tell you a key part of prison is retribution.
The punishment is being trapped in the room, not how much toilet paper is in the room. Taking away toilet paper is just a petty insult.
And yes it's not done to take away God's job, but many people will tell you a key part of prison is retribution.
And yes it's not done to take away God's job, but many people will tell you a key part of prison is retribution.
The punishment is being trapped in the room, not how much toilet paper is in the room. Taking away toilet paper is just a petty insult.
And yes it's not done to take away God's job, but many people will tell you a key part of prison is retribution.
And yes it's not done to take away God's job, but many people will tell you a key part of prison is retribution.
The punishment is being trapped in the room, not how much toilet paper is in the room. Taking away toilet paper is just a petty insult.
And yes it's not done to take away God's job, but many people will tell you a key part of prison is retribution.
And yes it's not done to take away God's job, but many people will tell you a key part of prison is retribution.
"'deserves to be in prison' does not imply 'deserves terrible living conditions'" - It might not, but that is what this article is about. His comments are entirely appropriate.
"makes sense" has nothing to do with morality. It's to do with likely outcomes and cost. Also, if your "morality" is based on revenge, it's not moral.
"makes sense" has nothing to do with morality. It's to do with likely outcomes and cost. Also, if your "morality" is based on revenge, it's not moral.
>Using Breivik as an example does not further the discussion though, as it is such an extreme case.
I was supporting the grandparent post's suggestion that maybe some people to deserve to be in prison. The argument against this is implicitly an argument that no-one deserves to be imprisoned, and such an argument may be refuted by showing a single instance of someone who deserves imprisonment.
I was supporting the grandparent post's suggestion that maybe some people to deserve to be in prison. The argument against this is implicitly an argument that no-one deserves to be imprisoned, and such an argument may be refuted by showing a single instance of someone who deserves imprisonment.
For the record, and even if it doesn't help the discussion much, I completely agree with everything you're saying! ;-)
To the downvoters, what alternative to prison would you prefer for someone who killed over 70 people in cold blood?
[deleted]
25 years (if that's what it takes) of therapy to fully understand why he did it, how we can make life better for everyone so the next person doesn't feel this is their only option, and perhaps after a couple of decades of empathy he will realize why what he did was wrong and we can all move forward in peace and greater knowledge. Instead of primal vengeance that makes us feel better while learning nothing.
If we're going to spend the effort and money to incarcerate someone for that long, I don't see how turning it into intensive therapy instead is any more work -- and it's certainly more beneficial to society.
If we're going to spend the effort and money to incarcerate someone for that long, I don't see how turning it into intensive therapy instead is any more work -- and it's certainly more beneficial to society.
laoba(2)
Sonicmouse(10)
>But because I had no money and an overworked public defender, I knew I’d have to serve time for my violation.
an animator in LA can't pay for a lawyer to fight 2 month of jail (i.e. supposedly something relatively minor). Are animators there doing that bad? (i'd expect it to be more like programmers in SV)
an animator in LA can't pay for a lawyer to fight 2 month of jail (i.e. supposedly something relatively minor). Are animators there doing that bad? (i'd expect it to be more like programmers in SV)
"Animator" could have lots of interpretations/types of jobs, and many people that have pursued careers in the arts may have spent money on special purpose art colleges that cost a lot, but definitely don't always translate to high paying jobs.
Also, anecdotal evidence from friends in the digital animation field (think Pixar, Dreamworks, etc) is that even those jobs can be relatively low paying for years because they are dream jobs, hence high supply of workers.
Without knowing socio-economic background and life history, I could easily see a creative type in LA choosing a short jail term over the financial hit.
Also, anecdotal evidence from friends in the digital animation field (think Pixar, Dreamworks, etc) is that even those jobs can be relatively low paying for years because they are dream jobs, hence high supply of workers.
Without knowing socio-economic background and life history, I could easily see a creative type in LA choosing a short jail term over the financial hit.
Yep, low-level animator is a relatively low-paying job, and you're lucky to get it.
Also, there aren't very many "high-level" animator jobs at the end of the line, either.
The ideal career path for an ambitious, hard-working, and politically savvy animator is to switch over to the producer track as soon as the opportunity presents itself.
The ideal career path for an ambitious, hard-working, and politically savvy animator is to switch over to the producer track as soon as the opportunity presents itself.
There are a lot more people who want to be animators than there are jobs for animators in LA. I used to be one of them.
A lot of the work is seasonal at best; you're hired for the duration of one production, and let go when it's over. If the show gets renewed and the folks running it like you you may get offered your job back next year.
You can make a decent living but not working for Bakshi or Kricfalusi; you work for those two because you want the prestige of Having Worked Under A Legend. Or because you worked with them back in the day, have a decent amount of money to fall back on, and they've approached you with a new project that will give you a lot of creative freedom because they trust your sensibility.
(I mostly worked for John K when I was hanging around the industry, so I saw this first-hand.)
A lot of the work is seasonal at best; you're hired for the duration of one production, and let go when it's over. If the show gets renewed and the folks running it like you you may get offered your job back next year.
You can make a decent living but not working for Bakshi or Kricfalusi; you work for those two because you want the prestige of Having Worked Under A Legend. Or because you worked with them back in the day, have a decent amount of money to fall back on, and they've approached you with a new project that will give you a lot of creative freedom because they trust your sensibility.
(I mostly worked for John K when I was hanging around the industry, so I saw this first-hand.)
Pretty sure that animators are paid more in line with musicians than programmers.
Also, think about going to jail for 2 months. 2 months where you're locked up and have absolutely no liberty. If this thing was minor, there's still 2 months you'll never get back. Not to mention the job you probably lose during this stint. I don't wish prison sentences to anybody, not even my worst enemies.
I wouldn't feel as bad that we feel so strongly about locking people up if the conditions weren't so absolutely awful. I'm sure there's a way to make prisons more survivable without sacrificing the "making sure people are inside the box"-ness.
Also, think about going to jail for 2 months. 2 months where you're locked up and have absolutely no liberty. If this thing was minor, there's still 2 months you'll never get back. Not to mention the job you probably lose during this stint. I don't wish prison sentences to anybody, not even my worst enemies.
I wouldn't feel as bad that we feel so strongly about locking people up if the conditions weren't so absolutely awful. I'm sure there's a way to make prisons more survivable without sacrificing the "making sure people are inside the box"-ness.
>If this thing was minor, there's still 2 months you'll never get back.
There is no argument what jail time is bad. It is the offense that seems to be minor (and thus easy to fight for a lawyer) - while IANAL, my understanding from what i see and hear around, misdemeanor resulting in 2 months of county jail without a lawyer is really not that big a deal, on par with second DUI, something what with a lawyer can be on the scale of like a month or two of community service, etc...
After googling around, i even more convinced that not having a lawyer (whether by choice or due to not being able to afford it) was her great misfortune as while legally she seems to be a violator, personally i got the impression that at the social level she was kind of a victim, or more precisely she happened to be too weak for (and was broken by) the relationships and the people (much higher-ups in her professional and social hierarchy) she allowed herself to be involved with. Basically she needs counseling, and instead the society comes with all the power of law upon her and throws her in jail (the events do seems to had gotten somewhat out of hands, so something needed to be done, the issue here is what should have been done - the good lawyer would probably was able to turn it into correctional/rehabilitation/treatment direction instead of the pure punitive).
There is no argument what jail time is bad. It is the offense that seems to be minor (and thus easy to fight for a lawyer) - while IANAL, my understanding from what i see and hear around, misdemeanor resulting in 2 months of county jail without a lawyer is really not that big a deal, on par with second DUI, something what with a lawyer can be on the scale of like a month or two of community service, etc...
After googling around, i even more convinced that not having a lawyer (whether by choice or due to not being able to afford it) was her great misfortune as while legally she seems to be a violator, personally i got the impression that at the social level she was kind of a victim, or more precisely she happened to be too weak for (and was broken by) the relationships and the people (much higher-ups in her professional and social hierarchy) she allowed herself to be involved with. Basically she needs counseling, and instead the society comes with all the power of law upon her and throws her in jail (the events do seems to had gotten somewhat out of hands, so something needed to be done, the issue here is what should have been done - the good lawyer would probably was able to turn it into correctional/rehabilitation/treatment direction instead of the pure punitive).
Sorry, didn't mean to imply you thought this was acceptable. Guess this is another one of those 'used car dealer' things: the sticker price might be 2 months of jail, but any lawyer can lower that immensely.
Who does this kind of system benefit except the lawyers?
From her tweets and other posts it sounds like she was broke with no place live. A difficult situation even before getting into legal trouble.
From my understanding animators are more or less in the lower rungs of the income ladder. Like most creative professionals.
This is one of the parts of prisons I find particularly distressing. I'm trying to find (but can't recall the name of the company) an article, perhaps posted here a few months ago, about a company that handles inmate "bank accounts". The percentage they took was absurd. Between what the financial company took and the prisons, $100 sent to a prisoner might end up only being $50 by the time they could spend it. Paired with the high prices in the commissary they can barely afford "essentials".
EDIT: JPay. Here's an article, but not the one I was looking for:
http://www.publicintegrity.org/2014/09/30/15761/prison-banke...