I volunteer at the San Luis Obispo County Jail, on the women’s side.
I have seen, and spent time with inmates in the isolation unit, and witnessed many different situations during my visits. The volatile, and unpredictable episodes that go on daily are beyond understanding to some people. There were times, as I went to speak to some of those who suffer from mental illness, that they would be in a dangerous rage, with fecal and urine bombs ready to throw out the door slats at any given opportunity. Other times, they would be calm and peaceful, and the very next second violent and out of control.
I have witnessed firsthand that the officers do their very best to calmly speak to them and ask them what they need, to bring resolution to the situation. Numerous times, inmates purposefully flooded the cells, so that when the officers had to open the cell door, they could either throw fecal matter or attack physically. Verbal screaming was just a normal act that I witnessed weekly. The officers did their best to handle each situation with no harm coming to anyone.
SLO County Sheriff Ian Parkinson leads with respect and integrity, and does a very good job with every situation that comes his way. No person is perfect, and it is so sad that lives have been lost. However, it is not the fault of Parkinson or his officers.
There is a deeper issue: The lack of help for inmates who suffer from mental illness, which is not what the jail system is for. And that is clearly what has happened.
I support Parkinson 100 percent and believe that people who have been inside volunteering should be heard.
Christa Spates
San Luis Obispo
This article appears in Mar 29 – Apr 8, 2018.
This comment is directed. At the SHETIFFS Doing A Good job article.My nephew JetemiahbMobley also suffered at the hands and mercy ofyour SHERRIFFS DOING A GOOD JOB. They did such a good job that my nephew shot and killed himself because he couldnt get past the torture and abuse and humilationthat that he sufferedfrom your SHERRIFFS DOING A GOOD JOB. MY NEPHEW HAS NO PRIOR MENTAL or PRIO CRIMINAL RECORD. HE CALLED For HELP AND WHEN THE MENTAL HEALTH HAD NO BED THRY TOOK HIM TO THE SLO JAIL. NO CHARGES EVER FILED BECAUsE HE DID NOTHING WRONG . HE SURRENDERED HIMSELF BECAUSE HE KNEW HE NEEDED SOME HELP. PROMISED HELP AT THE MENTAL HEALTH OR HE WOULD BE BROUGHT BACK TO HIS MOM. THAT NEVER HAPPENED FOR 5 DAYS. 5 DAYS OF INCARCERATION ,torture and suffering. Be returned home temporairly blind and parionoud and scared to death (literally).So demoralized that no life seemed to be a better choice then having life. Yeah thats a zGOOD JOB DONE SHERRIFs. GET YOUR HEAD OUT OF THE DIRT AND SEE THE REAL DIRT GOING ON LAURIE WILLIAMS
And so because of lack of help and staff these mens treatment and deaths are justified.Is that what you are saying?
Maybe we should replace the chair with a Bible.When you take God out you open the door for satan. HMMMMM
I love all the opinions….. everyone truly is allowed to theirs, and I pray for everyone involved, currently and prior to this awful situation. I love volunteering and being able to go inside the jail on THIS SIDE, because there was a time I WAS THE INMATE!!!! So I’VE SEEN BOTH SIDES FIRST HAND!!!!! Division and slander DO NOTHING……. Solutions and standing together DO.
Christa
Thanking you kindly for speaking kindly with impeccable mannerisms! Sorry there are bullies whom think they know it all. Your a good girl..sorry for the rude behaviors you have endured. Have faith…good always conquers bad.