Questions over inmate care

To the editor:

I've been out of Portland for 13 years now, but still subscribe to The Commercial Review. Although it's usually two or three days late, I try to keep up with funerals and things.

My complaint is with the Jay County Jail. My son is an inmate and I'm not proud of it, but I do worry about his safety. When he went in there was no heat in his cellblock.

When my husband talked to the sheriff about it he was told "the heat is on now." Three days later the sheriff announced to the inmates that "we have heat back here now." Should a public servant lie to us?

I know these people are being punished, but they are human. They are somebody's children, husbands, wives and parents. Is it up to the jail staff to judge them? I think not. Jesus said, "let those without sin cast the first stone." No one is perfect and the Bible warns us against judging others.

Today (Dec. 3) my son was denied his saline for his contacts. It was poured into his lens cup and no way could he put it in his eyes.

Before they brought the bottle to him. He used it, and they took it back. When I called the sheriff he told me it was policy not to let them have the bottle, so why was it O.K. before? A convenient policy?

Now the food - or so-called food. Sunday they got a small piece of spice cake for breakfast. They do have to eat.

Newton said he had nothing to hide from a jail investigation. Perhaps he should hide the menu from the health department.

Thank you for letting this worried mother vent. Put yourselves in my shoes. Do you worry? Yes. Do you try to find a way to get this solved? Yes. I'm reporting to several agencies and getting some good advice.

Again, thank you,

Betty Stahley

Richmond

(Editor's note: Jay County Sheriff Ray Newton had this response regarding the heat issue: "I can't satisfy every inmate in this facility. I have some inmates tell me it's cold; I have some tell me to leave them alone. I try to do the best I can. We've got an outdated heating system and we're doing our best we can to keep them warm."[[In-content Ad]]