Oh, the poor dears . . .

I note that the warm-and-fuzzy brigade in the UK are getting their panties in a wad over a manual of “restraint and self-defence techniques for unruly children in secure training centres” issued by that country’s Ministry of Justice. The Daily Mail reports: The document, Physical Control in Care, authorises staff to ‘use an inverted knuckle… Continue reading Oh, the poor dears . . .

Size obviously matters!

I’m amused by a report from Washington state. A full load of contraband came into the Chelan County Regional Justice Center on Wednesday night, leaving law enforcement officers amazed. Coming in rectally — via one person — were a green cigarette lighter, cigarette rolling papers, a golf-ball size baggie of tobacco, a bottle of tattoo… Continue reading Size obviously matters!

Bernie Madoff displays classic criminal attitudes

I was interested to read an in-depth account in New York magazine of swindler Bernie Madoff‘s experiences at the Federal prison in Butner, North Carolina. Here’s a brief excerpt from a very long article. [One] evening an inmate badgered Madoff about the victims of his $65 billion scheme, and kept at it. According to K. C.… Continue reading Bernie Madoff displays classic criminal attitudes

Doofus Of The Day #345

Here’s a hint to would-be blackmailers and extortionists: it pays to check out your target carefully before putting your plans into action. Today’s Doofus, from Wisconsin, found that out the hard way. An Appleton woman’s attempt to extort $500,000 from an upscale Grand Chute restaurant was “crazy and outlandish,” her defense attorney said Friday at… Continue reading Doofus Of The Day #345

An interesting alternative to jail time

The authorities in Georgia (the republic on the Black Sea, not the US State) have come up with an interesting alternative to jail time for at least some offenders. The BBC reports: Officials in the ex-Soviet republic of Georgia have announced a scheme to let prisoners shorten their jail terms by spending time in a… Continue reading An interesting alternative to jail time

Prison gear

In my time as a prison chaplain I’ve come across many strange, weird and wonderful things made by prison inmates, sometimes to protect themselves, sometimes to make their lives more comfortable, sometimes just to while away the hours. I’m obliged to reader DB for sending me a link to German photographer Marc Steinmetz, who’s collected… Continue reading Prison gear