TX - Sandra Bland, 28, found dead in jail cell, Waller County, 13 July 2015 #3

[katydid23]

If they blow their nose, they can flush it.

I doubt if they are allowed fingernail clippers.

It would seem like food would be served via tray or do they have a lunchroom? I doubt if they can have food any old time. I would think the trays would be picked up with the refuse on the tray. Or if they eat in a lunchroom, then the food would remain there.

I cannot see the need for a garbage can

Then why do you think they would be given one?

Do you ever watch MSNBC LockUp? They are absolutely allowed to eat commissary items in their cells. And they have toothpaste and hand creams and paper and newspapers and other times. Just because you are incarcerated it does not mean you have nothing to throw in the wastebasket.

 

[human]

Then why do you think they would be given one?

I have been mystfied by that. And it looks like a huge one as well.

Do they eat in their cells and have the ability to order food?

Sounds like thay would be asking for critter problems.

I hate mice. My hubby insists that even Fort Knox has mice.

roaches? Silver fish?

 

[human]

Then why do you think they would be given one?

Do you ever watch MSNBC LockUp? They are absolutely allowed to eat commissary items in their cells. And they have toothpaste and hand creams and paper and newspapers and other times. Just because you are incarcerated it does not mean you have nothing to throw in the wastebasket.

No, I have not watched TV for a long time.

Is that jail or prison where they get food?

Hand cream? Wow. When you stay in a hotel, you get their special blend. Do they have a jail blend?

Won't newspapers be recycled?

 

[katydid23]

No, I have not watched TV for a long time.

Is that jail or prison where they get food?

Hand cream? Wow. When you stsy in a hotel, you get their special blend. Do they have a jail blend?

Won't newspapers be recycled?

Yes. They get food and drinks in their cells if they buy them in the commissary. And they can buy toiletries and odds and ends as well.

Just because you live in a prison it does not mean you don't have dry skin or have hair to brush. Where can you throw out the hair from your brush or the empty toothpaste tubes if you dont have a wastebasket?

 

[human]

Jail is different than prison. But I imagine people linger in jail for a long time until their trial. They are considered innocent so there would be no reason that they don't get some privileges. I guess the garbage can makes sense. Even if there is a plastuc bag in the can, it still needs to be cleaned.

 

[CoolJ]

Yes. They get food and drinks in their cells if they buy them in the commissary. And they can buy toiletries and odds and ends as well.

Just because you live in a prison it does not mean you don't have dry skin or have hair to brush. Where can you throw out the hair from your brush or the empty toothpaste tubes if you dont have a wastebasket?

But katy, why such a large bag? What's the point of taking away belts and laces if there is such a large industrial garbage bag already in the cell.
I think it is odd and definitely out of ordinary to have a garbage bin and bag of such size. And for me it just doesn't make any sense. It makes me question everything.

 

[katydid23]

But katy, why such a large bag? What's the point of taking away belts and laces if there is such a large industrial garbage bag already in the cell.
I think it is odd and definitely out of ordinary to have a garbage bin and bag of such size. And for me it just doesn't make any sense. It makes me question everything.

I don't know why it was so large. But I doubt it was for malicious or nefarious reasons. JMO

 

[Montjoy]

I don't know why it was so large. But I doubt it was for malicious or nefarious reasons. JMO

I agree -- I doubt it was malicious as well. But it does seem very negligent. If the bags are strong enough to hang an inmate, they're strong enough to garrotte a guard.

 

[Brightbird]

So they are going to clean and disinfect hundreds of garbage cans every day? Instead of just using a trash liner?

Yeah, doesn't seem like that big a deal. Not all of them would have to be cleaned everyday. They could employ someone for an hour or so a day to clean them, or contract a cleaning company. I don't really know whether they need to stop using the bags, but I reckon there's a simple alternative if they do.

 

[BritsKate]

Yeah, doesn't seem like that big a deal. Not all of them would have to be cleaned everyday. They could employ someone for an hour or so a day to clean them, or contract a cleaning company. I don't really know whether they need to stop using the bags, but I reckon there's a simple alternative if they do.

They have stopped using the bags though. I gotta say every single expert I can find on jail conditions are all saying the same thing - basically, it's ludicrous that she ever had access to a garbage bag at all, which leads me to the conclusion that garbage cans with garbage bags aren't standard jail cell accessories.

Trash bags have been removed from all cells at the jail, and inmates are being checked on hourly, according to the Sheriff's Office.

http://edition.cnn.com/2015/07/21/us/texas-sandra-bland-jail-death-explain/

 

[BritsKate]

Jail is different than prison. But I imagine people linger in jail for a long time until their trial. They are considered innocent so there would be no reason that they don't get some privileges. I guess the garbage can makes sense. Even if there is a plastuc bag in the can, it still needs to be cleaned.

Presumption of innocence has nothing to do with risk reduction. Just like you wouldn't give an inmate a pencil sharpener or a book of matches, you shouldn't give them access to rope, elongated bits of plastic, bedsheets, etc.

And this isn't the first time Waller County allowed inmates access to materials that they used as a weapon against themselves. Apologies for my cynicism, but I believe if the garbage bag had been used to strangle a guard instead, no one would even be arguing about why the garbage bag was ever in the cell in the first place. I think we'd all be outraged that it was there at all.

 

[KaaBoom]

Yes. They get food and drinks in their cells if they buy them in the commissary. And they can buy toiletries and odds and ends as well.

Just because you live in a prison it does not mean you don't have dry skin or have hair to brush. Where can you throw out the hair from your brush or the empty toothpaste tubes if you dont have a wastebasket?

Everything I have read says it is standard jail procedure not to have trash cans in jail cells. Normally guards come and pick up the trash, or inmates are required to take their trash out of their cells and throw it away themselves. The Waller County jail obviously did not follow normal jail procedures.

 

[Elisaa444]

Presumption of innocence has nothing to do with risk reduction. Just like you wouldn't give an inmate a pencil sharpener or a book of matches, you shouldn't give them access to rope, elongated bits of plastic, bedsheets, etc.

And this isn't the first time Waller County allowed inmates access to materials that they used as a weapon against themselves. Apologies for my cynicism, but I believe if the garbage bag had been used to strangle a guard instead, no one would even be arguing about why the garbage bag was ever in the cell in the first place. I think we'd all be outraged that it was there at all.

BBM

Amen. Couldn't agree more.:thinking:


** The above is my opinion only. Yours may vary. I respect all opinions and view points just the same. **

 

[arkansasmimi]

This is Sheriff Glenn Smith of Waller County speaking with a group of individuals yesterday Aug 8, 2015. I will self alert Mods to see if its ok, since it is the Sheriff, but not Media.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sWwkLHhm3l8&feature=youtu.be

The Sheriff states there was a City of Waller officer that arrived after the City of Prairie View officer. City of Prairie View officer is the female office. Sheriff says no Waller County officer was at the scene.

Pretty interesting new info, he says she called family 8/9 times and a friend.

 

[katydid23]

Everything I have read says it is standard jail procedure not to have trash cans in jail cells. Normally guards come and pick up the trash, or inmates are required to take their trash out of their cells and throw it away themselves. The Waller County jail obviously did not follow normal jail procedures.

So basically, the complaint is that the inmates should not be trusted with throwing their own trash away. OK

 

[arkansasmimi]

So they are going to clean and disinfect hundreds of garbage cans every day? Instead of just using a trash liner?

paper sacks would have been what I would think they used. JMHO I was personally shocked at that huge trash can and the fact of the lg trash bag.

 

[arkansasmimi]

Yeah, doesn't seem like that big a deal. Not all of them would have to be cleaned everyday. They could employ someone for an hour or so a day to clean them, or contract a cleaning company. I don't really know whether they need to stop using the bags, but I reckon there's a simple alternative if they do.

Or use Jail Trustee's

 

[wendiesan]

I have been mystfied by that. And it looks like a huge one as well. Do they eat in their cells and have the ability to order food? Sounds like thay would be asking for critter problems. I hate mice. My hubby insists that even Fort Knox has mice. roaches? Silver fish?

LOL. Here in Lotus Land, the construction guys joke that when the foundation is laid, the silverfish move in. They are attracted to starches: glue in books, linen, silk, shampoo, newspapers, envelopes, food packaging--and they can live for up to a year without food.

So, even in no mice in Fort Knox, my bet is that silverfish are in residence.

However, the cleanliness of the cells should be looked at because of the potential critter problem, and the transference of diseases, etc. from previous inmates. It's one of the things that is the jail's responsibility. They are to provide a safe and healthy environment.

 

[BritsKate]

So basically, the complaint is that the inmates should not be trusted with throwing their own trash away. OK

The point being made is that there are alternatives that could potentially reduce risk to both staff and inmates. I don't understand why anyone wouldn't want to reduce risk as much as possible to prevent more deaths. Texas prisons already disallow in-cell trash cans - inmates are required to dispose of their rubbish themselves in trash cans located in common areas. Plainly, they're trusted to throw their own trash away, but with added risk reduction that they don't have unsupervised access to a plastic bag in the process. In the case of ad-seg or row prisoners, their trash is collected by a janitor.

But the sad fact of the matter is that Sandra wasn't the first, and likely won't be the last, to hang herself using a plastic bag in a Texas jail cell while others justify allowing inmates access to such bags.

 

[cady]

Yes. They get food and drinks in their cells if they buy them in the commissary. And they can buy toiletries and odds and ends as well.

Just because you live in a prison it does not mean you don't have dry skin or have hair to brush. Where can you throw out the hair from your brush or the empty toothpaste tubes if you dont have a wastebasket?

Hmmm. Be creative and make a shiv out of them? JMO