Jail Visits: Pros And Cons

Jail visits: pros and cons

He stands at a tiny window watching and waiting for her car to round the bend.

Any minute now.

The drive is long. Four hours, one way.

The little ones, five and seven now, will have on their Sunday best.

The boy’s hair’ll be slicked down. The girl’s in springy curls.

She, the red “company” dress.

She’s always looked stunning in red.

Heart pounding.

Can’t wait.

It’s been six long weeks.

They’re all he has.

No one else.

She’s late.

One hour, then two.

Other wives have come and gone.

Three hours and four pass.

He’d been up at dawn, ironing his best shirt and pants.

The creases sharp and crisp.

A shave and a fresh haircut.

Five hours.

No answer at home.

Only a message.

“The number you’ve reached is no longer…”

A broken heart.

Nothing new.

Story of his life.

No hope, no dream.

No where to go.

A change of clothing.

Bare skin.

Tattoos exposed.

Metal mirror.

Reflection.

Gang.

They’ll be there.

Always.

Prison life is tough. It’s definitely no picnic. Sure, some people choose to live the life and will always live the life, serving sentence after sentence. They live their lives on the streets committing crime after crime. Let’s face it, it’s the only life many people know. And when they end up in prison surrounded by career criminals, well, things only grow worse. Surround yourself with successful people and you, too, will become successful, right? Yes, that sentiment is also true among the bad guys. Being around successful criminals all the time will almost certainly spawn another success.

There are many programs to help inmates with various problems—AA, NA, religious services, anger management, psychiatric treatment, counseling, and even sports programs to help to relieve stress and anxiety. But, according to a study by researchers with the Minnesota Department of Corrections, the thing that helps prisoners the most and, reduces the rate of recidivism, is a simple visit from a family member.

Researchers studied 1,6000 inmates for five years and learned that prisoners who received at least one personal visit at any time during their incarceration were 13 percent less likely to commit another felony and 25 percent less likely to end up back in prison on a parole violation. And the more visits they received the less likely their chances of re-offending after their release from prison.

There are problems, though, with prison visits. They’re not mandatory (you can’t force family members to visit), and prison and jail officials see visitation as a privilege, not as a tool to help reduce recidivism and to assist the inmate with a successful crime-free return to society. Instead, officials in some areas have reduced the number of visits as cost-saving measures. Others have even begun charging a visitation fee. That’s right, family members must pay Arizona prisons a one-time $25 fee to visit their incarcerated loved ones. Again, another barrier between prisoners and their families. It’s tough enough to pay the exorbitant charges for inmate phone calls ($4 – $5 per minute at some institutions). The visitation fees in Arizona are used to help pay for the maintenance of the prisons in their state. The families, the people who are already struggling to make ends meet, are the ones most likely to suffer the burden of paying these fees if they want to see their sons, daughters, husbands, wives, fathers, mothers, etc.

A return trip to prison by single parole violator will cost the state no less than $9,000. A visit by a family member doesn’t cost the state a penny, with the exception of salaries of the staff members who oversee the weekend visitations, something they’re already doing.

Prisons should encourage family visits. If not for the reduction in recidivism, then for their own peace of mind. I’m almost certain that prison violence is at it’s lowest point on visitation days, especially among those inmates who receive a visit from a family member.

Interestingly, though, inmates who receive visits from ex-spouses…well, those prisoners have a tendency to commit more crimes after their release.

What do you think, lock ’em and throw away the key? Or, do something positive and try to reduce the rate of recidivism?

*Reference HuffPo

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Where Have They Gone?

Where have they gone

 

Where have they gone?

Why, just yesterday they were here

There was laughter

And games and hugs and bedtime stories

Family meals

School plays

Trips to the beach

Thanksgiving, Christmas, and the new year

Special times

Why, just yesterday my mother held me in her arms

While an aunt made faces

And funny sounds

Holidays

We came together

Grandparents, parents, aunts, uncles, and cousins

Yes, the cousins

All sizes, all shapes

Boys and girls alike

Playing in the old barn

Doing things we knew we shouldn’t

Carefree

Life was forever

Lightning bugs, hide-and-seek, and tag

Presents, trees, and eggnog

Bedtime stories

Sleigh bells

Santa

The laughter

The turkeys and hams and holiday treats

But…

Where have they gone?

What’ll I do?

My grandparents, parents, aunts, uncles, and cousins

It’s almost Christmas

…and they’re no longer here.

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Friday’s Heroes: Remembering The Fallen

Friday's Heroes - Remembering the fallen officers

 

The Graveyard Shift extends our condolences to the families of these brave officers.

Chief of Police Jerry E. Hicks, Sr., 69

Leadwood Missouri Police Department

December 4, 2011 – Chief of Police Jerry Hicks was on his way to a local prison to pick up an inmate work crew when his vehicle hit a tree after sliding on an icy spot in the roadway. He succumbed to his injuries six days later.

Chief Hicks is survived by his two adult children, five grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren.

Deputy Sheriff Rick Rhyne, 58

Moore County North Carolina Sheriff’s Office

December 8, 2011 – Deputy Sheriff Rick Rhyne was shot and killed after responding to a trespassing call at a private residence. He was questioning two brothers and learned that one of them was wanted for outstanding child support. Deputy Rhyne then attempted to arrest the suspect. At some point during the arrest, the suspect pulled out a handgun and fatally shot the deputy. The suspect then turned the gun on himself, committing suicide.

Deputy Rhyne, a 37 year veteran, had previously served as chief of police for another law enforcement ageny.

He is survived by his wife, son, and two grandchildren.

Officer Deriek W. Crouse, 39

Virginia Tech Police Department

December 8, 2011 – Officer Deriek Crouse was shot and killed while conducting a traffic stop in a university parking lot. The shooter, a man unrelated to the traffic stop, approached Officer Crouse’s unmarked car and shot him once in the head as he sat in his vehicle.

The suspect fled on foot but later committed suicide as officers attempted to contact him.

Officer Crouse is survived by his wife, five children, mother, and brother.

 * 2011 line of duty deaths…147

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Skimmers, Scammers, And Slicksters: Tis The Season

Skimmers, Scammers, And Slicksters: Tis The Season

It’s that time of the year—presents and bows, snow and good cheer, eggnog and fruitcake. It’s also the time of the year for spending tons of cash and many, many visits to ATM’s and credit-card-swiping devices.

Yes, this is the busiest shopping time of the year. Unfortunately, the holiday season is also the busy season for Skimmers, Scammers, and Slicksters. This group of bad guys are the lowest of the low, preying on the weak and wounded, those of us whose pennies have been pinched so tightly during the year that tears flow from Honest Abe’s eyes.

Holiday crooks have no qualms about stealing our last dimes, even the ones we saved up to buy our Christmas roast beast and Who-puddings. So what can you do to protect yourselves and your hard-earned cash? Here are a few noteworthy ideas.

1. Don’t use public WiFi to do your holiday shopping. This goes for banking or any other shopping that requires a password or the use of your personal information.

2. Know the websites you use for shopping. Be sure the sites are secure and legitimate. Misspelled company names are a definite NO!

3. Be especially cautious when using ATM machines. If possible, use ATM machines located inside a business. They’re much more difficult to alter.

Could you spot an ATM machine that’s been altered to collect your data?

False PIN entry pads are installed over legitimate pads and are used for capturing customer PIN numbers. In the image above, the false pad is pulled back, revealing the actual entry pad.

False PIN pad overlay. Looks real, doesn’t it?

4. When using ATM machines shield the keypad from view with your free hand to avoid having your pin number copied. Thieves have been known to install cleverly disguised cameras on ATM machines.

The long, white horizontal bar at the top of the machine is actually a camera that’s used for recording PIN numbers as they’re entered by a customer.

5.  Inspect card-swipe devices, especially at outdoor locations, such as gas pumps. Look for loose parts and/or the the use of double-sided tape near or on the keypads and other machine parts. The tape is often used to hold the overlays and cameras in place, making it easy to remove and move the capture devices to other machines, or when authorities may be closing in.

Would you have spotted this phoney PIN pad?

By the way, these items are easily available for sale on the internet. Go figure.

Anyway, keep your eyes open, your purse and wallets closed and close to your heart, and your spirits high. It’s a joyous time of the year…as long as the roast beast is done on time…

*kresonsecurity and FBI images (well, not the roast beast image).

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Castle: Cuffed – A Review

Castle: Cuffed

 

This was an episode that, for me, was the return of the show that its fans fell in love with way back in season one. It was extremely good, well-written, and the actors were at the top of their games. Even Lanie was good. Her handlers finally, finally, finally gave her something to work with…real forensics-speak. Anyway, more on morgue-talk a little later. For now, let’s enjoy recapping a fantastic show. Melanie…

Melanie Atkins

Once again, we had to wait two long weeks between episodes… but to me, the wait to watch Cuffed was totally worth it. So much physical proximity — with Rick skimming his hand along Kate’s bare midriff after finding the needle mark on her back, their suggestive positions while trying to move the freezer (tee hee!), and her climbing on top of him in an attempt to escape the creepy basement room. Then there were Rick’s attempts to protect Kate, their terrifying battle with the tiger (a beautiful, scary animal), and the episode’s incredibly hot ending, when Rick substituted the word “hitched” for “cuffed”… and Kate said there would be a next time with the cuffs, only without the tiger. All of that played into my enjoyment.

What’s not to like? I mean, really! The episode moved quickly, starting with the two of them waking up on a mattress in the basement room handcuffed together with no idea how they got there. I loved the way they pieced together the story with flashbacks. Such great banter. And the way they talked about Esplanie’s (Esposito and Lanie’s) relationship… priceless. “They both want to be together, but neither of them will admit to it.” Familiar, much?

Once they figured out what had happened, the storyline moved rapidly back and forth between Kate and Rick in the basement and Ryan, Esposito, Lanie, and Gates trying to find them. Throw in the DEA, a creepy old woman, and exotic animals… and I was riveted. Of course, my main interest was Kate and Rick and their power struggle in that basement as they attempted to escape. Being cuffed, they were limited as to what they could do, but they did seem to work together pretty well most of the time — once they decided who was going to lead. And they were so close to each other all the time. That made my night, I tell you.

I wanted more, of course. A hug, a kiss, anything to help propel their relationship forward… but I’ll take cuffed to each other in the dark — with the two of them comfortable with their forced proximity. I love this show! Mystery, suspense, humor, romance… and a tiger = perfection.

The next episode, Till Death Do Us Part, won’t air until January, but it will feature Ryan and Jenny’s wedding. I don’t have any details yet, but rumor has it that Kate and Rick and Lanie and Esposito will all react to the nuptials in a positive way. Sounds very interesting. Too bad we have to wait until the new year to see it.

Lee Lofland

This show was all over the place. So much so, it made me wonder if the two writers had experienced a 60’s moment while jointly putting pen to paper. Don’t wrinkle those brows. You know exactly what I’m talking about. However, it was all over the place in an extremely good way, beginning with…

I didn’t think it was possible, but this show has come up with a new nickname for…well, you know…that “special” mommy and daddy time. Yep, and from this moment forward, thanks to this episode, that amorous act should be referred to as “Pushin’ The Freezer.” If beads of sweat didn’t pop out on your forehead during that scene, well, you’re just not human. Whew!

On the other hand, how were they able to stand that extremely heavy freezer on end when the two of them together couldn’t budge it even an inch when attempting to slide it across the floor? Hmm…

It was a bit difficult to focus on the police and forensics side of this show, since the main focus was on Beckett and Castle who, while locked away in a basement, had to avoid becoming a snack for a very large tiger. But, I’ll briefly mention Lanie and her, for the first time ever, believable depiction of a medical examiner. She was actually quite good, and her comments and science were also pretty good.

And, she still had time to be playful in scenes with Espo. Why can’t the writers do this in every episode? Hopefully, they’ve seen the light and won’t backslide. We’ll see. But, this time, Lanie actually added to the show. Great job.

What about the creepy, old hillbilly lady in the cage? Viewers will have nightmares for a month after witnessing that sight. But still very cool. The old lady’s sons were equally as creepy. I’m not sure, but I think I’ve arrested each of them in the past…many, many times throughout the years. Those three are the typical Friday night arrests for officers all across the country. A little drinkin’. A little fightin’. A little shootin’. Then it’s time to call the law. Yep, every single Friday night.

– The fingerprint match-up on the screen. You know, where an image of a driver’s license popped up after Ryan finished unscrambling the board (anyone remember the Soul Train Scramble Board?) This was a dumb scene, but it works for this show.

Gates is still Gates—obnoxious. Still, she played a better part this week. Funny thing, I saw the former captain (Montgomery) playing the part of a bad guy in another show last week. He was killed there, too. Not a good year for that guy.

Enough of the police stuff. Let’s have a look at my favorite lines from the show.

1. “Okay, you can put my shirt down.”  Beckett to Castle after he’d examined the needle mark on her lower back.

2. “Let me get him back to the morgue.” Lanie, speaking about the dead body. Who knew medical examiners offered their findings post autopsy, not before the slicing and dicing? A novel concept for this show, and I like it.

3. “They both want to be together but neither will admit to it. Why do they do that to themselves?” Beckett on Espo and Lanie. Pot calling the kettle black?

4. “Are you willing to cut off your own hand?”  Beckett thinking Castle had offered a solution to removing the handcuffs.

5. “Whoa, mine! No, I was talking about yours.” Castle in response to Beckett’s “hand” question?

6. “Drop the hardware, boys, or I’ll blow you both away.” Creepy granny to Espo and Ryan, who, by the way, should’ve sent granny to hillbilly heaven the second she brandished the shotgun. Instead, they stood there until the situation grew far worse.

7. “I still have a bad taste in my mouth.” Castle referring to the “sleepy drug” granny and the boys used to send Castle and Beckett into la-la land.

Finally…“Next time?” Castle’s response to Beckett’s sly promise that there’d be more playtime while in handcuffs.

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10 Holiday Shopping Tips: Keeping The Bad Guys Away

10 Holiday shopping tips

Every single day since the moon rose over Black Friday shoppers, I’ve read sad story after sad story about thefts, assaults, robberies, and other Grinch-like criminal activity. We all know they’re out there, the holiday shoplifters, stocking snatchers, and skedaddling purse swipers. Yet, it happens time and time again…shoppers let down their guard. They don’t think. They’re not careful. They ASSUME it won’t happen to them. Well, if I may be so bold, let me say, yes, it could happen to you, and you, and…HEY! You over there…PAY ATTENTION! You’ll be the first person blogging tomorrow morning about the creep who swiped your brand new waffle maker and egg poacher.

Here are a few holiday shopping safety tips to consider while you’re out and about. By the way…I need socks, more books, tools, and that new waffle maker, if you manage to hang on to it. Hint, hint…

10 Holiday Shopping Safety Tips

1. Shop during daylight hours. if possible.

2. Shop with a friend or family member(s). Not alone.

3. If you must shop at night, park in well-lit areas, and as close to the store as possible.

4. Don’t leave valuables, or anything that looks valuable, in sight. Place them inside the glove compartment, console, trunk, or in the back of the SUV, covered by a blanket.

5. Check your surroundings before getting out of the car. Wait for strangers to pass before unlocking the car door. Bad guys troll parking lots!

6. Don’t carry large purses or bags. Instead, take only the items you need—driver’s license, the least amount of cash needed, and a credit card. Place those items in your FRONT pocket. If you absolutely cannot leave home without the suitcase-size bag, then carry it over your shoulder. At least it’s a bit more difficult to steal when carried that way.

Clean out your wallet! Do not carry 47 credit cards, directions to house, your pin numbers and alarm code, your computer passwords, pictures of your house and kids, divorce papers, and keys to your safety deposit box. Necessary items only.

By the way, never use your actual home address as the “home” location on your GPS. Instead, pick an address that’s a few blocks away. Hopefully, you’re not so dependent on the gizmo that you’d be able to find your way home from there. By using a different address other than your own, if your car is stolen, the thief won’t drive straight to your house where he’d conveniently use the garage remote to gain access to your goodies.

7. When you get that uneasy feeling about anything in the parking lot, go back inside the store. Do not attempt to go to your car. Sure, you might make it there safely, and you can lock your doors…but glass breaks easily. Go back to the store and ask a security guard to escort you to your vehicle.

8. When placing packages inside your car, always place them in the trunk (or covered in the rear of the SUV). And it’s a good idea at that time to move the car to another parking space in another area of the mall. That way potential thieves who’ve been watching and waiting will think you’ve left and will move on.

9. Watch out for false charities. Just because someone is ringing a bell doesn’t mean they’re legitimate. If you don’t trust the person with their hand out, but you’d like to help out in some way, you could always mail in your contribution. Remember, the bad guys are waiting for you to open your purse so they can grab the cash and run.

10. Pay attention, pay attention, pay attention! Have your keys ready and in hand when heading across the parking lot. Do not go to your car if you see someone standing nearby , or, if you sense someone following you. Look inside the car before getting in—front and back. Be sure no one is hiding on the other side of the car before opening your door.

Goodness, if shopping is like playing catch with live hand grenades, then why not just do all your shopping online? Well…there are a few problems there, too. Stay tuned for more about safe online purchases and ATM transactions.

Shopping…Bah, Humbug…

*Next – Holiday safety tips for your money

 

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Writing Is For The Birds

Writing is for the birds

 

I’m finally working on a new book and thought I’d found the perfect place to write—at the beach on a long, lonely pier. As far as I could see in either direction was nothing but sand and water, well, with the exception of three dolphins fishing for lunch in the water beneath me. Ah, yes, the perfect spot for writing.

A glorious spot to set out the old laptop. The ocean waves were mesmerizing. The sun was warm. Salt water splashed onto the sand, leaving behind soft, sizzling foam. Nope, there was nothing to distract me. Nothing could come between me and my characters. Well, nothing but a lone crow that wouldn’t take no for an answer.

The critter wanted more than to read over my shoulder. It wanted food and I’d come empty-handed. So, as punishment, the bird summoned a few friends to be sure that not one word would ever leave my fingertips.

First one, then two. Then came another and another. Different sizes. Different colors. Didn’t matter. They just came. Whizzing by my head. Darting between my feet. Hopping onto the bench and railing beside me.

Flying overhead, dropping little “Go away!”messages.

And if one left, two took its place.

Soon it was 1963 all over again. Birds of different feathers had begun to flock together. And they were everywhere!

The noise was deafening. Squawks and caws. Incessant chattering. Wings beating like parade drums. Screeching and screeching. Eardrum-piercing screeching! Closer and closer they came. No fear.

Beaks like sharpened spears, aimed at my thumping heart.

They marched and came at me like tireless zombies. They were terrifying.

I expected to look over the railing and see Alfred Hitchcock, or Poe, strolling along the beach.

Wait, did that bird over there just say, “Nevermore?” Was this how it was to end?

I’m not sure about the end being near, but this bird was definitely laughing when I finally surrendered and grabbed my things to leave. After all, they’d only allowed me to sleep for ten short minutes. But what a dream…

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Friday’s Heroes: Remembering The Fallen

Friday's Heroes - Remembering the fallen officers

The Graveyard Shift offers our condolences to the family of this brave officer.

Correctional Officer Buddy Ray Herron, 42

Oregon Department of Corrections

November 29, 2011 – At approximately 11:00 pm, Corrections Officer Buddy Ray Herron was on his way to work the graveyard shift at the Eastern Oregon Correctional Institution when he stopped to assist what he thought was a stranded motorist. Instead, the man was a parole violator who fatally stabbed Officer Herron and then stole his vehicle. It was learned later that the suspect was involved in an earlier burglary and had previously stolen and possibly crashed the car spotted by Officer Heron.

Officer Herron is survived by his wife and four children.

A bouquet of flowers lay at the site where Officer Herron was fatally stabbed – OregonLive.com photo

Murderer Joshua Weeks

Admitted meth addict Joshua Weeks has confessed to killing Officer Buddy Ray Herron. During his confession, he offered no motive for the senseless murder.

* 2011 line-of-duty deaths – 144

 

 

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True Crime Thursday: Would You Believe…

True Crime Thursday

 

Sometimes truth is far more difficult to swallow than fiction. Would you believe…

Brunswick, Ga. –  A former Appling County Georgia deputy sheriff, Richard W. Crosby, has been sentenced to two years in prison for alerting a drug dealer that deputies were on the way to his residence to serve a search warrant.

Dulles, Va. – Synthetic drugs such as Spice, Eight Ballz, and K2 are now so rampant the DEA has a chemist specifically assigned to delve into the new drugs, learning their compositions. His purpose is to alert officials so they can stop the sale of these extremely dangerous products.

The DEA lab is located in a Virginia suburb just outside of Washington D.C. It’s a tightly guarded facility that’s surrounded by a twelve-foot fence smartly decorated with lots of surveillance cameras, with guards patrolling the perimeter. Why the super-tight security? Well, the facility also conducts tests on real drugs, such as meth, cocaine, and heroin, meaning those drugs are stored within the compound. Scientists check out samples from a steel vault each day and return them at the end of their shift.

There’s a problem, though, with the testing of synthetic drugs…there’s only one scientist assigned to the task and there are thousands of chemicals available for the market. And, there are, well, who knows how many illegal drug-makers out there, but you can be sure the number is much greater than one.

Augusta, Ga. – Cell phones were at the root of a dozen incarcerated gang members being sent to the hospital with various injuries. It seems the phones were smuggled into the prison for the purpose of helping to start a gang-related riot. I wonder if any of the injured used the devices to call 911?

Chattanooga, Tenn. – It could have been filmed for an episode of Officers Gone Wild, when Officer Dennis Hughes shot fellow officer Chris Mason in the hand while Officer John Hammond, in a prescription-pill-induced high, looked on. The shooting incident launched an investigation that revealed a much larger problem, such as the officers’ regular abuse of pills without prescriptions and having sex with 14- and 16-year-old girls. To make matters worse, the town’s police chief allegedly knew of the illegal activities and did nothing about it.

Kingston, N.Y. – Two kids (4- and 6-years-old), rang up 911 and asked to speak to Santa…or the police chief.

Toronto – A Toronto police officer, Const. Salameh Marji, was found guilty of grabbing and squeezing the testicles of a motorist after a traffic stop. The officer, it seems, squeezed “the fruit” not once, but twice, and he used enough force to lift the screaming driver off his feet. Ironically, at the time, Marji was assigned to Toronto’s Anti-Violence Intervention Strategy.

Gary Haugen – Eurasiareview photo

Salem, Oregon – A two-time murderer, Gary Haugen, called Gov. John Kitzhaber a “paper cowboy” for commuting his death sentence to life in prison. Haugen felt the governor was “too chicken” to allow his execution to go forward. The inmate is now pursuing legal options that would allow his death to take place as scheduled. “Man, this is definitely cruel and unusual punishment,” said Haugan.

St. Louis, Mo. – The Knockout Game is all the rage in the Gateway City. The rules of the game are simple. A group of teens hang out on the street until an older person passes by. Then, one of the teens shouts out, “Knockout King!” and sucker-punches the unsuspecting pedestrian. The game is so much fun to the youths that after the victim falls to the ground the rest of the group joins in by throwing a few punches and kicks of their own. Last month, a 72-year-old man died as result of injuries he received during one of these “games.”

San Francisco, Ca. – Sarah Boushey , 41, the loving mother that she is, took her 4-year-old daughter to see the latest Smurf movie. And, like many of us, smuggled in her own snack. Well, her idea of a snack was a bottle of vodka which she apparently chugged throughout the entire two hours of the tiny, singing, blue peoples’ antics.

On the way home with her precious cargo, the woman sideswiped two cars and hit a median before police managed to get her stopped. She was so intoxicated she couldn’t remember her name or what had happened. Her little girl, though, summed it all up for police when she calmly said, “He name is Sarah Boushey and she’s drunk.”

I wonder who’s feeling “blue” now?

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