On June 2, in Springville, some candidates for public office spoke about their platforms. Among these was Richard Mack, running for sheriff. According to the BYU Daily Universe, Mack wishes to cut back on the money spent on the Utah County Security Center (jail). He was quoted as saying, "I want people to know in this county that you're not going to a resort or hotel to serve time."
I have been visiting and corresponding with a man currently in the Utah County Jail. I have learned this about life in the jail. Visits are restricted to three per week, for 30 minutes each. Beds are fairly spartan, with thin mattresses. The meals are ordinary.Inmates work on a busy prescribed schedule, with limited TV time, and they clean up their areas twice a day. They may receive counseling, with homework to do; they have letters to write. Letters they receive are distributed once a week. They may not be sent books or newspapers.
Inmates live together in groups of eight and are not to talk with others outside their own group. There is a window in their area. There is no basketball because it might be regarded by some as a luxury.
Does this sound like a resort or a hotel? It is certainly not like the last hotel where I stayed.
My friend is making progress. The counseling is obviously helping him. He has an excellent attitude and feels that jail is where he needs to be and that the programs there are helping him and other inmates. When he is released, I am confident that he will be an improved member of our society.
I would like to know what in the world Mr. Mack would cut. Food? Counseling? Personnel? The Utah County Jail clearly has an excellent rehabilitation program; to cut the funding would endanger the improvement these inmates make, with ultimate harm to society.
B. Kent Harrison
Provo