Many Americans think prison inmates have it too easy. The popular idea is that inmates lounge around watching TV or lifting weights, enjoying a fairly comfy existence on the taxpayer dime.
Prison officials and those with first-hand knowledge of the system say nothing could be further from the truth-especially in the Lone Star State.
Texas has never been known for pampering inmates, and that extends to providing air conditioning in the dangerous heat of summer in the South.
About 75 percent of prisons and jails in the state have no air conditioning. Temperatures in the cells can get well over 100 degrees. Critics have long argued that the conditions make for cruel and unusual treatment of those incarcerated, something that violates the U.S. Constitution.
A federal judge recently agreed in one case, ordering the Texas Department of Criminal Justice to provide air conditioning for medically sensitive inmates at the Pack Unit near Houston. The state plans to appeal, so any relief is on hold.
The Pack Unit case cited 28 deaths and hundreds of heat-related illnesses in Texas prisons since 1998. But the state argues it does enough: Inmates are allowed personal fans and ice water, and high-risk inmates are checked on a regular basis.
Those opposed to air conditioning point out that many law-abiding, low-income Texans have to deal with the heat without air conditioning in their homes. But others say providing proper cooling is just a matter of common decency and humane treatment.
We want to know what you think. Do you think the lack of air conditioning in Texas prisons is cruel, or should prisoners have to deal with the heat?
Send your response (50 words maximum) to [email protected] by Wednesday, July 26. You can also mail your response to the Texarkana Gazette Friday Poll, at P.O. Box 621, Texarkana, TX 75504, or drop it off at our office, 101 E. Broad St, Texarkana, Ark. Be sure to include your name, address and phone number. We will print as many responses as we can in next Friday's paper.
Last Week: Homework?
Last week's question was about the move in some schools to eliminate homework on the elementary level. Do you think homework is too much for elementary students to handle? Or do you believe homework is a vital part of the education process, even at a young age?
From www.facebook.com/texarkanagazette
n It has its pros and cons. When I was a teacher, I only required my students to study their spelling words for the week, read 20 minutes, and finish any incomplete work they chose not to do in class that day. I hated homework for my own children when they were in school. I worked a full-time job. We had a busy life. Homework cut into our family time at night. When we encourage hours of homework, we teach them that as adults it's okay to bring work home with them instead of leaving it at the office. Family time matters for children and adult workers.
I was always required to do my homework right after school and before I could go out and play. We were always given time in school to do the work. Reading to your children is a good idea and it's good family time, but it shouldn't replace the learning process.
I think reading to your child is important but also think that your children benefit from reading to you. Spending 20-30 minutes most nights studying spelling is a great idea but should also be relaxed. In my opinion, even during the school day, children need physical play and interaction as much as they need to sit in a chair focused on learning. Family is so very important and I understand every child does not have a great home life. For children who don't have a support system at home, some sort of casual peer system could also be beneficial.
Definitely has its pros and cons. I think homework is great for parental involvement in the child's education. They stay up-to-date with what the child is learning. But I also think that the amount of homework for the younger grades should take no longer than 15-20 minutes to complete. How are we as parents to know what area(s) our child needs a little extra help? I'm sure the teacher would tell me, but I like to see first hand by watching him and working with him. But that's just my opinion.
I'm not an educator, but having been in school and having homework, I usually did it and finished it in class. Where homework becomes an issue, is when children are overloaded with homework.
I already feel like I never get to be with my child. Homework takes away even more time. A little bit is fine. Don't overload them.
No homework. Family time and play is important.
NO. Let kids enjoy home time.
Homework.
More overload fine when children had only one teacher.
No.