Jail Privitization - Follow the Money

So they say publicly that they don't think jail privitization is a good fit. Privately, according to the Commercial Appeal, they have their minions meeting to work out the details. How long will the public be fooled by these slick politicians. "Hear what they say, but watch what they do!" I say follow the money. It's the same issue as the outsourcing of inmate feeding. Both the jail and the correctional center spend $5.00 per day, per inmate to a company called Aramark for food. On a daily average inmate population of 5,000 that works out to 9.125 million per year! If we trimmed our costs like they have in Phoenix, AZ it would result in a savings of 8.03 million per year. Even in Tipton county, where their feeding costs used to run $6.00 per day, they have cut it to $1.00 per day, per inmate by taking charge of the situation and making it happen - without outsourcing. Using the dollar-a-day forumula Shelby County would save over 29 million in just four years.

Privitization is about feeding the rich, not about cutting costs. The good ole boys are at work again behind the scenes. Don't let them pull a fast one!

Your thoughts?

Why is Memphis the 2nd most dangerous Metro area in the US?

I believe we live in such a dangerous environment because of the failed policies of law enforcement and other leaders in this community. Show me one leader with a vision and/or a passion for their job beyond pulling down a fat check. What is their plan of attack on the problems that are causing people to flee Shelby County like rats leaving a sinking ship? You are right, they don't have one. Raise your taxes, then lie to you while looking you square in the eyes, saying it's not a tax increase. If it's not a tax increase, then just send the same amount of money you sent last year when the tax bill comes due. Our good county mayor just doesn't want to admit that he doesn't have any plans other than tax and spend. That's the same model our previous mayor had. Now we're billions in debt.

We have elected people who can talk the talk, but can't walk the walk. Sheriff Luttrell says we can't arrest our way out of the crime problem. Isn't that how they cleaned up New York City under Rudy Guiliani? I think it's called Zero Tolerance, or what I call the "hot plate" approach to law enforcement. Here in Memphis we have maximum tolerance and zero prisoner retention, which is why it is so dangerous to live here! He is also concerned about overcrowding the jail, which is at the heart of the problem in our community. If the criminals aren't behind bars, where are they? Yep, they are wreaking havoc on the community. If we have to erect tent cities, we need to incarcerate the violent criminals and keep them there. If criminals aren't doing time, they're doing crime! Strict enforcement of curfew laws on juveniles in gang infested areas could also have an immediate impact.


John
www.johnharveysheriff.com