Lawsuits dismissed as fast as inmates can file them

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BY JOE CARLSON
jcarlson@nwitimes.com
219.933.3364 | Monday, May 19, 2008 | (63 comment(s))

Though nearly all of them fail, new civil rights lawsuits against the Lake and Porter county jails continue to flow into the courts.

Federal judges are being asked to investigate the gritty minutia of jail life, everything from whether poor prisoners should be given tooth brushes to whether it's unconstitutional to make inmates sleep in their own bodily filth.

Just this week, a group of four inmates with Chicago lawyers filed a class-action lawsuit against the Lake County Jail, claiming they're exposed to each other's vomit, blood and excrement because of drug withdrawals, fights and inadequate toilet facilities in overcrowded holding cells.

It remains to be seen whether this latest lawsuit will fare differently than the dozens that came before it.

Since August, inmates at the Lake and Porter county jails have filed a total of 39 lawsuits against jailors in U.S. District Court in Hammond.

A Times review of all of the lawsuits found that most have failed. Twenty-six have been tossed out of court for various reasons, from failing to pay the filing fees to inability to show inmates suffered any actual harm.

Of the 13 suits still pending, 11 are waiting for the counties to file answers to the claims or for judges to rule on the counties' answers.

Just two of the 39 have received a judge's approval to move into actual litigation.

Unlike most typical civil lawsuits, cases from inmates are reviewed by judges before advancing to even initial stages, weeding out those deemed to be frivolous or not in compliance with basic standards.

Both of the cases that survived the judges' initial reviews are against the Lake County Jail.

James Wesley Hunt is suing because he says Sheriff Rogelio "Roy" Dominguez and Warden Bernard Freeman failed to provide him with tooth brushes and food for an "adequate, nutritious and balanced diet."

Charles Olson Sr. is suing on claims that he contracted a staph infection because of what he calls unsanitary conditions at the jail. He is one of scores of inmates who have complained about exposure to such infections.

Lake County sheriff's attorney John Kopack said three of the cases still awaiting judges' rulings are those in which inmates claim to have contracted infections, and the department will "vigorously defend" the cases because the jail has taken appropriate steps to safeguard staff and inmates.

In addition, a lawsuit from the family of James Hutchinson is still pending. The family members claim that the jail failed to take basic steps to prevent his death. Six men have killed themselves in the 900-person jail in the past two years, including a death May 4.

Despite the relentless criticism of his jail, Dominguez remained upbeat about his management and had Kopack e-mail copies of the dismissal notices for 11 the lawsuits against the jail.

"Not only lawsuits, but when we have complaints, we review and double-check our procedures and protocol," Dominguez said. "We are dedicated to providing the best service possible and a constitutional jail."

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Cheryl wrote on Apr 14, 2009 9:30 PM:

" The innocent are held in these jails too. And believe me there are innocent people locked up. People should not judge people they don't even know. Who are you to decide weather a person is treated as a human being? I believe there are people in jail more kind hearted than some people who sent in comments. "

sovereign120 wrote on Jan 16, 2009 4:36 PM:

" I was in a federal prison for over 2 years. I had to endure conditions that both did and did not fit the crime. Many of the incarcerated deserve their punishment and some do not. But they are all someone's son, daughter, father, brother, sister, etc. Until you or someone you care about is put in jail, you don't have an accurate perspective to truly ascertain what it's like to have your humanity taken away. As a society we still need prisons as a form of justice, and I don't suggest that the problem is one of too much or too little leaniency, but rather the mentality that because you broke the law, that means others have the right to break the law too in order to "do what they want" to those in prison. But who am I to say anything about what I feel are injustices I endured. I'm just an ex-con who won his appeal because I passed 3 separate polygraph tests proving my innocence. "

Abe Normal wrote on Oct 17, 2008 1:35 PM:

" Dear Bill O'Attainder:

WHAT COULD BE EASIER, or more lame, than playing back-seat driver to civil rights law suits emanating from jailed inmates, without really getting your hands dirty, nor getting involved, nor standing up for anything but being against those who actually do?

Why not:

a. eat your little TV-dinner, from your little TV tray, tuned into your little itsy bitsy, Happy Days episode

-OR-

c. Dry-up and blow away, like the dust off the desert on a hot windy day ? "

RE Previous Criminal wrote on May 30, 2008 12:12 PM:

" I have to say, you are the first one in this comment section to actually make any sense. I have to commend you for trying to turn your life around, and realizing that you didn't want your life to go down that road. You are right, those who never spent time in jail, but are whining about the conditions should just keep quiet and listen to a person such as yourself. Plus, I think they should do exactly what you said. Criminals in prison get too many privilages and they think it's their right. It's prison/jail, not day camp!! "

pervious criminal wrote on May 25, 2008 4:43 PM:

" you know i have spent a few nights in lake and porter county jails and after that it was enough to make me NEVER want to return again.....as for all those crybabys that are locked up whatever you did MAN UP and serve your time and if you dont the accomadations then obey the law and DONT go back....I think we should do like they do Arizona and build a bunch of tent citys keep the inmates busy all day long make them wear pink jump suits limit their T.V. privilage(cuz its a privilage not a right) to zero feed them a minimal diet and take away thier commersiry "

all high and mighty arent we wrote on May 25, 2008 9:29 AM:

" You know that there are some people that get a civil warrent and end up in Lake County. Yeah don't do the crime...yadda yadda yadda...they abolished debtors prison a long time ago...or so I thought. Not everyone is in there for serious crime. Mine...was that i could not pay an Ambulance bill. I took on a second job...to pay my debt that i was working with insurance and thought they where suppose to pay thier fair share..goes to an attorney for collections..make payments then get arrested. Yet our public official that you stupid people keep voting in..steal gas, cars, money etc. It is not always what meets they eye. Judge he less he be judged. It is fithy,nasty. They only people whom seem to get anything is the people in the holding that the guards know by name..hum...unless you have been there.. and all i got from the attorney who is a debt collector too...oxymoron.. oops you should not have the papers filed for the warrent. Guess what..nothing i can do to him...unless i want to get further in debt. So you high and mighty ...becareful..God forbid anything FINACIALLy "

SS wrote on May 24, 2008 8:07 AM:

" Most cases are plea bargained and the offenders plea guilty excepting the charges against them. My hitting a deer and .10 breath score cost me over $5,000 in lawyer fees, court costs, care counceling and the most went to high risk auto insurance. The first thing my lawyer said if it was in lake county he could have had it reduced to reckless driveing, a $200 fine. And people who no people don't even get charged. Somthing is not right out there.

"

AHA wrote on May 23, 2008 1:04 PM:

" Have we noticed that those who are defending the criminals have either spent time in jail, or currently know someone who is? And have you noticed that not one individual has said they deserved the time they spent in jail/prison for what they've done, or was sorry for doing what they did? Instead, they whined about the conditions of the cell, and how THEY were mistreated! What a bunch of low-life scums!! The girl who is upset her boyfriend contracted MRSA or whatever, is just pathetic. She needs to find some self-esteem and get a life and a new boyfriend!! "

College for Criminals wrote on May 23, 2008 12:01 AM:

" Why is it that a criminal can get a free college education, but a law-abiding citizen has to take out loans that will take 20 years to pay off? "

Rights wrote on May 22, 2008 11:52 PM:

" Criminals have rights too...Too many rights. "

Mr Ed wrote on May 22, 2008 6:21 PM:

" Welcome to America people. Land of opportunity and home of the brave! As an American everyone is granted freedom and to be treated equally throughout society. If one reads closely to this news article. One can see that these lawsuits are being filed for CIVIL RIGHTS! Yes people, CIVIL RIGHTS! As an American you have CIVIL RIGHTS! As long as we have the Rev Al Sharpton, the Kennedy Family, Robert Amsel, civil/social activist clubs, and DEMOCRATS! You can thank them all for making are streets a little more dangerous every night. Do us all a favor and VOTE REPUBLICAN for society! "

Someone on the ball.... wrote on May 22, 2008 1:36 PM:

" You are absolutely right. They are paying for it, and so are we. We pay for them to be sitting in prison getting three square meals a day, medical attention, a facility to earn their education. But they aren't paying the same as every other college student, so whether I "read" the article or not, I'm still right, when I'm saying they aren't really "paying" for their education. The good thing is, at least these inmates are trying to do something productive with their lives, instead of sitting around, becoming better criminals through other inmates!!Either way, the chance of recidivism is rather high, so even an inmate earning an education is most likely wasted. "

To Someone on the Ball again wrote on May 22, 2008 10:31 AM:

" Read the article again more carefully. Those inmates had to pay for their education. They DID NOT get it for free! "

Re Michellemlm Response wrote on May 22, 2008 10:18 AM:

" FYI... I live my life according to the law. I don't surround myself with people who break the law. I work a respectful job. I do all of this to avoid being put in that type of situation. If someone ends up in jail, prison or a holding cell it's because they did something to end up there. Not because they were in the front pew at church praying the rosary. Be for real!! "

Someone on the Ball again.. wrote on May 22, 2008 1:13 AM:

" To the person that responded to me...thank you for agreeing with me. It's nice to know that someone out there has a brain!!! And I'm happy to see that most people feel the same way I do. I get the feeling that those that agree with me and I agree with, are sick and tired of being victims and the criminals are getting away with everything. I just read part of an article that the prison inmates are celebrating earning a degree in prison. In PRISON no less. And here I thought I had to work hard, to earn money, to pay for my college tuition, possibly charge my courses and supplies and apply for loans, when all I had to do was ROB someone and then I'd get a free education! Again.....don't feel sorry for criminals...they knew what they were doing when they commited their crime. FEEL SORRY FOR THE ACTUAL VICTIMS!!! "

SS wrote on May 21, 2008 6:58 PM:

" Face it, people in prisons are the product of the failures of the society. Society is the cause and the only thing that can change it. I believe. "

Re To Someones on the Ball wrote on May 21, 2008 6:35 PM:

" I have no pity for some dummie who chooses to go drinking and then gets picked up walking home. Its still breaking the law because you put us on the road in potential danger because of your impairment. So yes some drunk should be arrested for walking down the street. As for being exposed to dirtiness, there are people that it is their job to clean the jail. Therefore if everything is cleaned properly there is no chance of contracting MRSA unless you are subjected to a fellow inmate that has it. I can see being able to sue the jail if you were in a cell with someone they knew had MRSA. But as for this other BS keep throwing those lawsuits out judges! "

Mother of wrote on May 21, 2008 3:38 PM:

" I have read most comments here. I am in complete agreement with most. And...as far as the Bible stating "don't render evil for evil"...it also states "an eye for an eye". The Bible contradicts itself every toher page and although I am Christian, I do not take it's words literally. Those who commit grievous offenses deserve to serve their time in whatever grievous conditions are available. I feel no sympathy for those in jail. If it were one of my 5 children, I would feel the same way! Honestly...if you do commit an offense, suck it up and deal with the consequences...period! Accomidations for prisoners are far too extravigant as it is...bread and water 3 times daily along with a bed, toilet and clothing are all that criminals deserve...not a single thing more! "

Someone on the ball... wrote on May 21, 2008 12:08 AM:

" You got that right!! You hit the nail right on the head. So you're saying walking around drunk isn't wrong? It's called public intoxication...at least you got that part right too. YOU DO THE CRIME YOU DO THE TIME!! You must be someone who spent time in jail or have a relative in jail, because apparently, you defend criminals. And yes, believe it or not, I believe a person is guilty until proven innocent, not the other way around. And by the way, learn how to read. That's how criminals start their life of crime...by not knowing how to read or comprehending simple things in life. I never said anything about violent criminals! Again...you don't want to spend time in jail, DO DO ANYTHING ILLEGAL!!! Do I need to spell it out for you?? "

To Someones on the Ball wrote on May 20, 2008 5:21 PM:

" So you are saying that someone who chose to walk a few blocks to home instead of drive after drinking and is picked up on a public intoxication charge should be mistreated due to the behaviors of other inmates and a lack of responsibility of the system in providing humane non-life or non-health threatening holding cells?
Wow... So you think that everyone who is arrested has committed a violent crime and everyone arrested is guilty and deserves to catch sometimes harsh illnesses? "

Someone is on the ball.... wrote on May 20, 2008 2:37 PM:

" At least the judge is smart enough to recognize another "con" from these whiny detainees in jail, and to dismiss these idiotic lawsuits and save the rest of us taxpayers, grief and money. Stop breaking the law, and you won't go to jail, you morons!! As for those who support these criminals, don't come crying to us or dial 911 when something bad happens to you! Find something else to support, instead of these total losers!! "

just a thought wrote on May 20, 2008 1:38 PM:

" This could be your son our daughter, you said The Word of God says "Don't render evil for evil". What about "an eye for an eye"? "

WOW wrote on May 20, 2008 8:33 AM:

" HOW ABOUT...DONT COMMIT A CRIME AND YOU WONT HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT THE CONDITIONS IN THE JAIL! "

SS wrote on May 20, 2008 7:22 AM:

" RR
At the time of OWI all I was taking was Ibuprofin for arthritis of spine an cervic. A fracture to vertebra 1 had to be fused to #2, this occured 3 months after OWI. Hit a deer went home called police and returned to claim deer. Now on vicodin 3 times a day, and maybe 2 or 3 drinks in the evening. No way I could go back to jail. I didn't mind the company but acomiditions suck. "

RE Pretty ignorant people... wrote on May 19, 2008 11:15 PM:

" Hey buddy, if you could see my fingers, you would see the worlds smallest violin playing a sad, sad song just for you. Who cares what you contracted in a jail cell. Yeah right, you're innocent. My friend who's a guard in a prison tells me that they ALL say they're innocent. I DON'T HAVE COMPASSION for criminals!! I have compassion for those innocent victims that are in hospitals and phychiatric wards and 6 feet under because idiots like you commit crimes against humanity!! If you get more in jail than time served, it's because you're getting your just rewards!! "

Former DOC wrote on May 19, 2008 9:33 PM:

" I have been to this jail and it has to be one of the nastiest jails/prisons I have ever seen. LCJ really needs to provide adequate cleaning supplies to its inmates. Fire a few jail officers from the already bloated jail staff to get the funds to provide this.

Most people have committed a crime of some sort in their but have yet to be caught. It really is funny to see these nay sayers when the finally get caught and end up crying while they sit in jail. They change their tune then!

Do not be ignorant and think this can not happen to you. I would like to see humane jails not warehouses.
"

RR wrote on May 19, 2008 5:52 PM:

" S S why are you drinking alcohol when are on prescribe meds? "

In total agreement wrote on May 19, 2008 5:47 PM:

" I'm in total agreement with almost everyone of those comments. I know someone which is a woman that is in the Lake County jail and she does complain about the unsanitary conditions in that place, but as one commenter said the place is only as nasty as the people in there. If they don't clean and take care of the place then who will. So stop complaining and clean up your own house before you start whining about the conditions. "

Typical wrote on May 19, 2008 4:31 PM:

" It's JAIL for crying out loud, not the Conrad Hilton. If you don't want to be there, then don't committ a crime. "

Michellemlm Response wrote on May 19, 2008 4:15 PM:

" To the person who works in corrections that responded to my earlier post... Thank you for proving my point to a "T."
As I said before, those working in the system automatically assume that if someone is arrested they are "guilty" before ever going to trial. For some reason you feel that arrestees should suffer immensely as well, according your post, whether they are guilty or not. We are talking about the County Jails... not prison. These people are to be presumed innocent until "proven" guilty. Further, as another poster said, innocent or guilty, they do not deserve to be in conditions that can be life threatening.
As for your question about my family... I'm not saying jails should be gourmet... I said they should be "humane"!

"

Innocent Prisoners Exist wrote on May 19, 2008 4:12 PM:

" It's called a holding cell.
You stay there until your hearing, where you're declared guilty or innocent.
Just to teach you all about how it works, you're in a holding cell with 20-30+ people. If one idiot clogs up the toilet, guess what! YOU didn't do it, but you get to live in their waste.

Have some compassion, and just the slightest bit of intelligence before saying all these people deserve what they got. "

FYI wrote on May 19, 2008 3:17 PM:

" If I understand things correctly, I believe it costs $350 to file a US Code 42:1983 Prisoner Civil Rights lawsuit. This fee cannot be waived and an inmate is limited to the number that can be filed. If a judge is allowed to review and toss the frivolous, it should be a money maker for the Feds even with its bloated bureaucracy. "

To Some Pretty Ignorant People wrote on May 19, 2008 3:09 PM:

" · A number of the lawsuits stemmed from inmates who had not been found guilty. I for one was locked up for 4 days without a bond hearing, (illegal), for a crime I did not commit, as evidenced by a jury of my peers, (10 minute deliberation). At least one inmate was picked up because he had the same name as someone on a warrant; the cops were too lazy to run a fingerprint comparison on a weekend.

· The holding cell housed up to 42 inmates and was designed for 16 max; there was not even enough room to lay down, and that includes utilizing the area under the toilet.

· Nothing was furnished to cleans the cell and showers were not necessarily provided on a daily basis.

· The single toilet was defective and often was not reset to flush for 6 hours at a stretch.
"

To Some Pretty Ignorant People wrote on May 19, 2008 3:08 PM:

" · I estimate the temperature was at times 90+F and there was no TV, radio, nor bedding material other than the floor and a sheet.

· One inmate was a TB reactor; I alerted guards to this and that inmate was not isolated until the following day.

· I contracted a suspected case of MRSA, likely during the jail time because I was not in contact with anyone else other than officers during this time. Health officials would not answer questions, nor the phone for that matter, regarding this outbreak. They were criminally negligent. I for one could have unknowingly spread this to elderly nursing home patients. I found out about the outbreak reading The Times.

So Rocket Scientist et al, please think before you write and reveal your ignorance to the World. The conditions can also harm the Innocent through collateral damage... Need I feel guilt when I learn your relative at the nursing home or if you at the restaurant contract MRSA after I visited those locations, because Lake County health officials neglected their responsibilities?
"

To your son or daughter wrote on May 19, 2008 2:52 PM:

" It could be but its not likely, my son had 2 parents that were involved with his life and showed him that through education, all things were possible. We did not allow him to run with the wrong crowd, not runs the streets until sun up. We new where he was and what he was doing. The few times he broke the rules he was punished. The above could show why he graduated from Purdue Lafayette with honors last week. When parents expect others to raise their children you get the slime that is found in county jails and state and federal pens.

The punks that commit the crimes deserve everything they get. Let them rot. "

Intellegence wrote on May 19, 2008 2:44 PM:

" I so much agree with,

"Re this could be your sondaughter." "

Citizen wrote on May 19, 2008 2:43 PM:

" Gee... I feel really bad about this. Please raise my taxes to improve the conditions in jail !

Seriously, I wonder if the same group of lawyers are filing these stupid lawsuits ? That may be part of the problem.

I also wonder if the criminal mind understands cause and effect ? If jail is an unpleasant place maybe you should avoid activity that will lead to it. "

Difference.... wrote on May 19, 2008 2:41 PM:

" There is a difference between jail and prison...prison is one year or longer, where jail is more short term. But besides that, watch some of the shows on cable about our prison system and you'll see they have it made in there. Drugs, gang activity, three square meals a day. The recidivism is so high in prison. It doesn't bother the criminal as much, because they always leave as a better criminal. They all do nasty things in prison and in jail anyway, and we're worried about them getting an infection? Don't do the crime if you can't do the time! Ask me if I care about the inmates of today? No...not really!! "

john boy wrote on May 19, 2008 2:24 PM:

" Make the inmates mop the floor and clean the toilets with a toothbrush,
plant a garden and make them grow there food. "

jail psychologist wrote on May 19, 2008 2:22 PM:

" youve got to be kidding me. my cousin spent every moment with the guy at mich city trying to get himself diagnosed "crazy" so he could get out of his punishment easier! in some ways he succeeded!
this is a common prison occurrence! "

Re this could be your sondaughter.... wrote on May 19, 2008 2:18 PM:

" You know what buddy? Why don't you take your preachings and tell it to the criminals that rob, stole, murdered and raped the people that are innocent, instead of chastising people like us? As far as I'm concerned, they should be put in a small cell, where only food and water are served. Once in a while, let out one by one for a half hour to possibly stretch their legs, and go right back in. No reading material, no hanging out with other inmates. We should have a jail/prison system just like other foreign countries. Trust me...I'm a christian, probably more so than you...but I know where to draw the line and say enough is enough. Giving too much pampering in a jail isn't really beneficial to a criminal. It won't scare them not to do the crime again, but it'll only be used as future knowledge for when they commit another crime, they'll know they'll be pampered and well taken care of. Give me a break...get off your high horse and quit using the word of God to try and guilt the rest of us. Not working!!! And you should be ashamed of yourself for using God!! "

To This Could be your Sondaughter wrote on May 19, 2008 2:15 PM:

" Ummmmm. I'm religious, only problem is that the jails have nothing to do with religion. SORRY, your comment has no meaning here. I have a cousin that says each time hes been in prison he will come out as a Holy man preacher and go to school for it for the past 3 times hes been there. Thats about as far as religion goes that I have seen in jail. Pointless. No offense to ya, just thought I would mention this. "

To Jammer wrote on May 19, 2008 1:06 PM:

" THANKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I THINK????????????????????????
HAHHHAHAHAH!! "

This could be your sondaughter wrote on May 19, 2008 1:06 PM:

" I see that there are no Christians making comments thus far. The Word of God says "Don't render evil for evil" Yes, by law they must do the time. This doesn't mean they should have to serve their time in inhuman like conditions. "

excons ex-relative wrote on May 19, 2008 12:51 PM:

" a relative of mine was a pretty bad guy to be around. even so, being close as kids, we tried and tried to help him, only to watch him reoffend over and over. pretty sad.
he had been in every jail in the area, and some far away too.
he had no problem telling us what it was like in jail every time he messed up and didnt want to go back. sympathy card.
anyhow. he told us he had an infection from the jail. he would get these tiny sores on his arms. he would CHEW on them to make them bigger! we were never sure if he was lying or not, but it was scary!
also, he told us that inmates INTENTIONALLY plug up their own toilets with whatever they can stuff down it. whole rolls of toilet paper if they can. this was just to be defiant and get the jail guards to have a lousy shift listening to them whine.

this is the truth about jail. most of the stuff that goes on there, is simply created by the people who are stuck there. "

Jammer wrote on May 19, 2008 12:47 PM:

" Intellegence! Think you used enough punctuation there bud? There are plenty of more question marks, quotation marks and exclamation points where those came from! "

Who Cares wrote on May 19, 2008 12:41 PM:

" I think you have it too good in jail. You should be chained together and out working, cleaning to pay for your stay.My heart bleeds for all you cry baby prisoners. I would love to see the chain gang working on the side of the road with the guards on horse back. "

Oh My wrote on May 19, 2008 12:18 PM:

" I have a step-son that was in and out of jail from the time he was 15. The attitude, in the jail, is that since they were put in there that they would file these frivolous siuts to create havac and hopefully someone would get tired of it and let them out. Like a SPOILED micheivious child, the thought is I'll get you back. If these prisoners are going to act like children, then they need to be treated like children. "

helluvamess wrote on May 19, 2008 12:12 PM:

" Why do people think that these 'ner-do-wells' deserve deluxe accomadations. Isn't it supposed to be punishment? Didn't THEY break the law? If(and I repeat- IF) they had to lay in their own excrement then is was their own faults. Even animals clean themselves.
When people stop coddling these criminals MAYBE then they will learn. They DO NOT deserve priviledges they have to earn them. IF YOU PLAY YOU PAY!!!! plain and simple. Staighten yourself up and obey the laws (rules)!! "

Seriously wrote on May 19, 2008 12:05 PM:

" Look, the article I read, none of these criminals sound like they are trying to get out of jail time. It sounds like they're experiencing cruel and unusual punishment. Regardless of how bad they are, what they have done to end up where they are, they don't deserve to be exposed to conditions that may result in death. They would've been given the death penalty or a life sentence. I'm not saying to contract out the Hilton, I'm just saying use the tax dollars correctly and make conditions liveable, especially for the hopefully recovering addicts. I am sure the jail can spare $.99 for toothbrushes, if not where are our tax dollars really going? Also, with the # of suicides increasing, I haven't read one comment or concern about that. I'm not saying increase taxes or anything, but does it really hurt to pay a little more attention to those whom are deemed suicidal? Is there no psychiatrist out there willing to donate there time to help out or even ones that are paid to be there to be counsel these inmates? A lot of these inmates can be helped & make recoveries if given a chance. "

G Davis wrote on May 19, 2008 11:53 AM:

" When you see convicts in their cell with a television and radio you know it's not your Grandmothers era detention!And if the Corrupt Lake County Can't get their act together in Anything they do GOOD,I hope when they start to pay out, that Corrupt business as usual politics can't be tolerated anymore!Time to start throwing these white Collar gangsters in the filth that they get kickbacks from!If they are found guilty they should lose their jobs and have to pay for it! "

Who cares wrote on May 19, 2008 11:21 AM:

" Let them rot, maybe they will straighten up their acts now. No one said we would provide them with a spa. "

To Michelle wrote on May 19, 2008 11:14 AM:

" Im sure you would feel the same way if one of these idiots did something terrible to your family. I worked in Corrections all my life and I would say about 99% have a better way of life locked up then on the streets. We need to get much tougher like other countries and new tougher laws might help the over crowding "

Intellegence wrote on May 19, 2008 10:31 AM:

" OVERCROWDING!!!!?????? ISN'T THAT THE REASON WHY WE SPENT """MILLIONS""" OF """OUR!!""" TAX MONEY TO BUILD THE NEW JAIL IN PORTER COUNTY!!!!!!!!!!! I NEW THEY JUST WANTED A BETTER LOOKING JAIL!!!! SCAM ARTISTS!! WAISTED MY TAX DOLLARS ON THIS?????? WOW. "

Poor Criminals wrote on May 19, 2008 9:28 AM:

" These poor criminals.. We should just contract with the Hilton and put them up there! "

boo hoo wrote on May 19, 2008 9:26 AM:

" Cry me a river I broke the law and my stay at the county jail was unacceptable. These people broke the law jail isnt supposed to accomidate them, its a place that they should never want to return too. And I highly doubt it was as terrible as they are claiming. Overcrowded maybe but the whole drug withdrawl vomit thing they chose to be addicts and they got sick they had toilet paper in there they could clean up after themselves. Thats what would happen at home unless they're used to their mom cleaning up after them even though they are like 40. It sickens me that people try to sue for anything and everything these days. "

give me a break wrote on May 19, 2008 8:43 AM:

" So these inmates want to do the crime but none want to do the time. When you don't follow the law and do things you are not suppose to do, you end up in jail with some of your rights taken away. Some poeple commit crimes just to have a place to live and eat. It becomes a way of life. Why don't these prisoners sue their families too for not sending them toothbrushes. Family members can send care packages to the prisoners. GIVE ME A BREAK!! "

JC from EC wrote on May 19, 2008 8:01 AM:

" I'm sure they will be an insulting cover-up as always!
When, when will Lake County join the rest of the civilized world, and free the citizens of Lake County from the Hypocrocy and the plantation mantality. "

SS wrote on May 19, 2008 7:15 AM:

" Porter county jail will not give you your medications, 1984 DWI and then 2005 OWI with no other driving sitations in between. I had 2 weekends to serve, I done them between having neck surgery, I had prescribed Meds. and they did not distribute them but once on the second weekend. Pure hell on earth. "

Michellemlm wrote on May 19, 2008 5:02 AM:

" Part of the problem is that many employees in the legal system view arrestees as "guilty" before they've ever had a trial. The biased indifference in how their legal rights are treated is made quite clear by the additional, abnormal, pre-legal steps that have been implemented. Such as how these cases are "reviewed by judges before advancing to even initial [typical civil lawsuit] stages..."
In America, citizens are suppose to be presumed innocent until proven guilty. We often find that is not the case. These inmates are not being allowed to exercise their civil rights to due legal procedures.
They should be able to exercise the exact same civil rights in the exact same methods as everyone else. Further, regardless of their innocence, it is their civil right to not be deprived of "humane" conditions. I hope there is a thorough investigation and will be looking forward to the follow-up articles. "

reality wrote on May 19, 2008 3:48 AM:

" If you dont like the conditions in jail dont commit crimes. "

Oh really......... wrote on May 19, 2008 1:02 AM:

" In prison, the inmates are responsible for keeping their cells and themselves clean. They are given the basic necesities to live out their sentence. I don't know the conditions of Lake County Jail, but I do know, if you want to be treated like a human being...act like it. Which means, to me....if you're in jail, you did something against the basic rights of another human being! You're in jail people, not summer camp. And by the way, a person can get infections from a hospital, which is supposed to be a very sanitary institution as well. Stop whining and do the right thing....DON'T COMMIT CRIME!!! "

Rocket Scientist wrote on May 19, 2008 12:44 AM:

" A real simple solution to these prisoner's problems would be to STOP BREAKING THE LAW! "

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