Officer Lindsay's killer

[Disgusted-Daily]

Just to clear the air of questions about the phone rates. The phone company of choice is Global Tel who charges $3.00 for the first minute and 8 cents for every additional minute. A 30 minute call would cost a total of $5.32.

Who is Global Tel?

Global Tel is a telephone service provider that supplies telephone services to State, County and local Department of Corrections (DOC) for inmates to make collect and prepaid calls to their family and friends.

This rate was lowered when Spitzer took office as I stated in a previous thread. I could not confirm if the State gets a cut of that money or not. I personally believe they should for the simple fact that they maintain all the phone lines inside the jail. The phone company maintains the phone boxes on the side of the road.

[Clipper]

Thanks for researching that issue Todd. I guess $5.32 isn't bad for a 30 minute call is it? I now feel assured that the costs are not so abusive as originally portrayed. I guess we can put that issue to rest. Thanks again for following up on, and clarifying the facts.

[bobbbiez]

I guess you can ask 10 different people for an explanation on an issue and you'll get 10 different answers.

The reason "the cost is not as abusive as originally portrayed" as I brought out in earlier post "is" because of the group representing the families, concerning the ridiculously high rates they had to pay, brought it to the attention of the newly elected Governor, Spitzer, who immediately lowered the extremely high connection charge and drop the rates. Keep in mind now how long he's been in office and that the families were paying the much higher charges from years until this was done.

Then Verizon merged with MCI and they chose Global Tel, (who have cheaper rates then MCI had for correctional charges), for their correctional facility services. Separate charge but you will pay that bill which still comes to you in your Verizon bill.

You will have to pay the company, Global Tel, a pre-paid amount of $50.00 before the inmate can call and then the inmate will have it for his use. When that $50 is depleted you will again send the company another $50 and the process will begin again.

The calls by the inmate is limited to 15 minutes a call and when the minutes are use up you will be automatically disconnected immediately.
Todd is some what correct on the charges but not for a 30 minute call, for a 15 minute call. Lets not forget to add in the lowered connection charge and taxes.

Yes, the charges have improved from the past, thanks to the families assistance group and Governor Spitzer for taking this issue off the back burner, but they are still high. Keep in mind the charges remain the same whether it's a local call or a long distant call. Doesn't make a difference if you live near the facility or 100 miles away.
Anything given was an improvement and appreciated by the families.

Now and in my previous posts, I would never expect any one to take my word as gold just because. Any questions just contact Ms. Wilkins (1-800-9371048) at MCI and she is more then willing to answer any of your questions concerning past phone practice to the present.

[Clipper]

Hmmm. I guess we can't put this to rest quite yet. How did we go from Lindsay's killer and the death penalty to such a heated debate over telephone charges??

I myself don't care if those inmates ever talk to the outside world. Why should two civilized people on the outside, end up in a heated discussion caused by the perceived mistreatment of inmates families? The assholes are in jail because they broke the law. I pay to feed them, and to clothe them, and I don't really give a shit if they even see a telephone for the duration of their sentences. If the family misses them, let the family save their damn dimes and give them to the inmate to pay for phone calls. If they ain't got no dimes, they don't get to talk to their convicted felon daddy. Daddy did it, not me. I have no sympathy for them.

I wonder how the children of the victims that some of these felons are making out, without a father, or mother, that was killed for a few bucks to buy drugs. They can NEVER again talk to their daddy or mommy.

Sorry Bobbbiez. I love ya kiddo, but I can't feel the warmth for these people that you do. There are a lot of causes in this world that deserve attention and money more than the phone privileges of inmates and their families.

I would be more inclined to say, "if they want to play with guns, send em to Iraq" and let them play in the sandbox for a few years. I bet the tough guys would find out that guns are not fun when they are aimed at them.

[Ralph]

Believe it or not, the justice system is really skewed.

I have a family member whose wife was once married to a man that was convicted of molesting their daughter and a friend.
Before, and even after she divorced him, they were required (and still are) to bring his son to visitation at Attica twice a year.

All the way from Indiana!!! And the son doesn't want to go!!!!

Talk about stupid.

[frankcor]

Clipper, that's why we love you so much -- you never let facts confuse you. I may not feel sorry for anyone in prison for being stupid, but if it means he/she doesn't return to prison after being released if they can maintain contact with their family, then I'm all for letting them use the phone.

I once was opposed to letting inmates watch TV, thinking it was a frivolous added expense . That is until a corrections officer told me it made her job a lot safer if inmates were able to sit in front of the boob tube all day. Oprah must have a calming effect.

Ralph, maybe it's the Lord's way of helping that boy not repeat the mistakes of his father.

[corner]

frank the recidivism rate is over 75% i have had several cases where i supervised 3 generations of a family on parole at the same time... there are certain segments of the population where going to prison is a badge of honor... my statements in the past on the od forums which got me banned under another name is a simple statistic easily verifiable is that 2% of 26% of the population is committing 90% of the crime.

[bobbbiez]

frank, I do agree with you concerning keeping the inmates occupied and busy through weight room, other actives and etc., to keep tension and anger at a minimal for the protection of the Officers.
It is funny that we all know the State spends "plenty" of money on research and studies. Not for for one moment do I believe they haven't done this for the correctional department and are allowing all to take place that most citizens complain about because of those studies. Including visits and phone calls to families. It's not just to give the inmates some pleasure.

[Clipper]

Is anyone actually surprised that I don't let the facts confuse me?? It is called "opinion" and I always have one! Nobody told me that an opinion had to be based on fact! Most of those guys in prison, will be back in prison soon after being released. That is a fact. As corner stated, the recividism rates are 75%. That I will presume is a fact. But then again, that is a presumption and much like an opinion, LOL.

These people in prison are adults. They have the same ability to determine right from wrong that I do. They simply choose to do something other than follow the law. "If ya want to dance, ya gotta put a quarter in the juke box". Simple theory.

I will take one of those "chill pills" though, and try not to force my firmly entrenched opinion on others, haha. Sorry to offend, and nothing personal intended. Simply disagreement with the opinions, not the persons.

When I tell ya'll that I am an "opinionated old fart", that is a fact. There should be no confusion about that point, haha.

[bobbbiez]

Now Clipper my dear friend, just because you are a dear friend, doesn't mean we have to agree on any issue including this one or do I expect you to change your opinion for that reason. You have your beliefs and I have mine. I may not agree with you, but I will always respect your opinion and the opinions of others, as I ask in return.

Many times we make comments about people because of not understanding their ordeal. I have learned through many experiences not to do that because unless I walked a mile in their shoes I have no idea what they are going through or what I would do if I were in their same situation. Nothing is that black or white. I just can't make a sincere comment or complain until I have walked in that mile. I am sure that is why we have different opinions on this issue.

Clipper, I still love ya .

The topic is the death penalty and I still don't agree with it for many reasons listed in previous post.

[bobbbiez]

lol!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! you old fat!

[thelma]

I have to agree with Clipper. From personal experience, the people I have met with criminal backgrounds all think differently. Someone told me that this is because their minds are always thinking of how to "get something for nothing" mentality. These criminals usually have no empathy or compassion for what their criminals deeds have done to the innocent.

I finally have learned that if I'm introduced to anyone with a criminal backround - I run the other way!

[bobbbiez]

Hello Thelma, most believe that way, including myself. I do try not to generalize and make my decision on any criminal by their present actions not by their past mistakes. I'm not here to judge anyone unless they get in my face. If you know what I mean.

In this whole topic there is no place where anyone stated they didn't believe someone should be punished for the crime they committed. Just some are just against the death penalty which they have a right to their opinion.

The topic got side-swiped by bringing in the discussion of prisoner's activities and their families. I am guilty of that and I'm very sorry for that reason . Please accept my apology.

[frankcor]

corner -- re: "2% of 26% of the population is committing 90% of the crime"

You got banned for telling the truth on a newspaper message board? Couldn't see that coming, could ya? Thanks for pointing out that the recidivism rate is not 100%. I have to believe that promoting contact between an inmate and his family does a lot more good than barring any contact (if the family isn't one of the Five Famlies in NYC, that is.)


Clipper, did I say I was offended? Don't make me come down there ...

"I'm the world's most opinionated man ... " David Crosby

[Clipper]

:)No Frank, I didn't mean to infer that you were offended. Hell, if I thought that it was that easy to make you come down here, I would try even harder. With gas prices what they are, it would save me a trip to Utica to meet you at some point in time.

Don't come today though. We had a "major snow event" last night and this morning. We have TWO INCHES and "slick spots on the bridges and roads. Everything is closed or delayed, and I am hiding out today, and not going out to mix it up with the idiots that don't realize speed kills when the roads are "slick" as they call it here.

I guess these folks don't keep any groceries as a normal rule. When it snows or there is a forecast of snow, the shelves quickly empty of milk, bread, bottled water, and toilet paper. It cracks me up. It must be that they believe that a couple inches of snow is going to cause them to have to hole up for weeks without contact with the outside world.

I laugh my ass off. Get real people! It is a 2 inch snowfall, not a nuclear disaster, LOL.

Hey, not to discourage ya though. I think it would be safe for you to proceed tommorrow. Let me know and I will put the pot on and buy some krispy kremes. ;D