“Your back Mr. Hightown?” asked the Gwinnett County Deputy while staring into the eyes of the highest returned criminal while he filled out his paper work.
“Yes Sir, I am back! Winter starts in 3days and its already getting very cold outside. Plus I’m 45 dollars short on my gas bill, along with 56 dollars on rent.” Hightown replied.
“So you punched a store clerk and tried to tackle an officer?” the confused deputy asked.
“Yes sir, times are hard out here. My cable is off and I don’t even have enough money for food.”
“So you think jail is the solution.” The Deputy Officer was beyond confused.
“Of course. You guys provide a warm area in the winter and I get to watch television for free and eat three meals a day.” Mr. Hightown announced proudly.
“Oh we do?” the Officer was trying to get a better understanding.
“Yes why do you think I come here so often? Ever since my first arrest back in 1998 I haven’t been able to find a good job nor hold a decent job without being judged as a convicted felon. On top of that I have many bills to pay and not enough money to do that with. Life is expensive when you are on my own and Gwinnett County Jail is the Hiltons of all jails! That’s why I actually don’t mind my staying here.”
“So your telling me that you enjoy being here and treated like an animal” the officer still tried to get clarification from the crazy criminal.
“Yes I enjoy it here the most, when I walk through those doors I don’t rush to get processed because I know I’m not going to make bond and I don’t ever plan on making bond either. Coming to this jail and spending 16 hours a day in a cell by myself is wonderful, I have no worries and I can relax to myself, read books and write poetry without constant interruptions from people who don’t want anything but to cause more burdens and stress.”
“What about the cable part. How does jail help that.” The officer wanted to know more.
“Well you see there are three televisions in the unit and I get along with everybody. So there are always groups of people who like watching the same things I do. I just fill in with the groups I want to watch television with for the time.
“Interesting” The officer was blown away and shocked by the man’s explanation. He figured people hated being here and wanted nothing more but to leave.
“Yeah and the food here is interesting as well. My favorite is the sloppy Joe that’s a little extra runny. It helps my bread not be so hard and tough.” Mr. Hightown informed the deputy officer.
“So when the courts decided to release you what are you doing to do?” The officer asked concern of Mr. Hightown’s method of things and depending on the jail for his hard times.
“I’m not sure yet? I’m just living for today.” Mr.Hightown responded back and headed back to his cell.
The Gwinnett Deputy quickly remembered he had an important Jail Facility meeting in three days to attend to. He thought of a presentation to change the jail for society to not seem so bad and just like nothing but criminals and repeated felons. There needed to be change, a lesson for the citizens to learn and get the idea quickly that jail is not where they wanted to be.
- 1. 1. All temperatures in the building need to match what is outside. So if it is 45 degrees outside the temperature inside will be the same. Or if it is 92 degrees outside, then the indoors will match that.
- 2. 2 All bunks and mattress must contain 5 inch pointed needle spikes.
- 3. 3. Every 10 people must share a 6×6 cell, leaving there to always be 18 open rooms for nobody to ever use.
- 4. 4. Commissary deliveries and purchase are every 2 weeks with a maximum purchase of $5.
- 5. 5. No televisions, phones, books, paper or anything fun to do in the spare time of sitting in a cell for 16 hours area allowed.
Many would feel these ideas would be ridiculous but without a shadow of a doubt the Deputy Officer believes it will keep people out of jail and those who come to jail repeatedly out.