Well, I sure did last Wednesday. I went to our local Community Center where I was expecting to see the exhibit of the proposed Prison Hospital, which I did get to see and to also speak with people who were on hand to answer questions about everything from enviromental impacts to job applications within the system. But what I wasn’t expecting was a group of hostile community members. One guy drove all the way from Thousand Oaks. They had on Orange Shirts to look as if they were imates with the logo
CRIME DOES PAY
There is just something extremely frightening about a group of hostile white people with matching uniforms, bullhorns, signs and chants, that I can’t explain. I just wanted to slug these people right in the neck until they understood:
“Under California law, it is a misdemeanor to inflict any treatment or allow lack of care that would injure or impair the health of a prisoner or inmate. ”
I live in a town that (I’m not exagerating) you cannot throw a rock without hitting a church and yet I have never seen a group more devoid of human compassion than my own church-going neighbors. I wish I had the ovaries to stand upon a chair in that community center and quote the following passage from the book of Matthew: “then the king will say to those on his right hand, “you have my Father’s blessings…..for when I was hungry, you gave me food, when thirsty, you gave me drink, when I was a stranger, you took me into your home, when naked, you clothed me, when I was ill you came to help, when in prison you visited me.” “Then the Righteous shall reply, Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry and fed you, or thirsty and gave you drink, a stranger and took you home, or naked and clothed you? When did we see you ill or in prison, and come to visit you? And the king will answer, “I tell you this, anything you did for one of my brothers you did for me.” Then he will say to those on his left hand, “The curse is upon you, go from my sight to the eternal fire that is ready for the devil and his angels. For when I was hungry you gave me nothing to eat, when thirsty nothing to drink; when I was a stranger you gave me no home, when naked you did not clothe me when I was ill and in prison you did not come to my help.”
But I didn’t, I merely told my comments to the court reporter as quietly as possible. My Name is Rebecca Gojkovich and I am a homeowner in Camarillo and I am here to make sure that my voice is heard. I understand that the state of California was found guilty of not meeting the intent of the law by meeting the needs and or prividing adequate medical care to our inmates. I want it to be known that I feel that some members of my community are aiding and abeting the state (which is a misdemeanor) by making it difficult to build on State owne property. The State has broken the Law. There are people housed in prison who have broken the law. The State of California is not above the law. My husband helped build the jail in Santa Paula, my nephew works there and some of my children have been housed there. I take issue with statements being made as the the “type” of people that will enter our fine community and visit inmates at the proposed prison hospital because I am that person. And that’s all I have to say about that. ”
I must say it was rather nerve wracking to say these things while people are standing in line behind you within ear shot to give their hostile statements, most of which were directed at Kelso, who was put in this position after the State failed to uphold the law. And I woudn’t be surprised if I found a cross burning in my front yard anytime soon.
People are in prison for various reasons. Some are in prison serving time for a crime they committed. Some have been deemed worthy to return to society by a parole board only to have a governor who might have other political aspirations, overturn the decision. Some are mentally ill and many have committed crimes where there was no victim at all. And some are entraped for political gain, like Tommy Chong who was arrested for selling bongs!
Regardless of what we might think about inmates with respect to the crimes they might have committed, that does not entitle us to break the law based on our personal opinions.
And seriously, the asshole who is worried about the TYPE of people who will visit prisoners? Get over yourself and get educated. Known criminals do not get to visit criminals. They can’t even write letters to each other. My husband and I both had to have a serious, extensive background check and I was denied my first attempt because I failed to mention a traffic “incident” in 1989! I mean really, who among us hasn’t forgotten at least one hit and run in their life?