Sep 14 2007
A real code pink alarm for common sense
From USAToday via Drudge:Prisoners in pink: Deterrent or scarlet mark of danger?
Excerpt:
In the South Carolina case, Sherone Nealous claims that forcing inmates to wear pink is discriminatory and makes them more likely to be assaulted by other inmates. Nealous is serving time at the Allendale Correctional Institution for assault and battery with intent to kill, aggravated assault and assault and battery on a police officer.
“When the inmate population views an inmate wearing a pink jumpsuit, it is known that the clothing was assigned by (the Department of Corrections) as punishment for sexual misconduct,” states a legal memorandum filed by the department. It “conveys no suggestion that the inmate wearing the jumpsuit is a willing participant in homosexual activity or otherwise vulnerable to … assault.” (End excerpt)
Here is a thought: maybe it is ok to discriminate against prisoners that break rules on the basis of their rule-breaking! Maybe the attorney representing Nealous in this case should be forced to wear a pink jumpsuit in the courtroom. Perhaps a scarlet letter combination of “PA” should be prominently featured on the attorney’s suit. After all, this is clearly another example of a predatory attorney who is trying to make a fortune at taxpayer expense. John Edwards would be proud.
The state of justice seems to be eroding before our eyes and here is a prime example. Priorities continue to shift toward criminal rights and away from common sense. What about the notion that inmates should not be engaging in sexual misconduct? Perhaps it is not the pink jumpsuit that suggests that “the inmate wearing the jumpsuit is a willing participant in homosexual activity or otherwise vulnerable to … assault.” I suggest that if anything would give that impression, it would be the misconduct committed by Mr. Nealous, not the punishment for said misconduct!
