A_Z_A
07-29-2009, 06:26 AM
Plans to Outfit Iowa Jail with D*SH Network
MONTROSE -- Inmates of the Lee County Correctional Center could soon have one more outlet to pass the time, while serving time.
The Lee County Sheriff's Department plans to outfit its jail with 11 televisions hooked up to the satellite television service D*SH Network Corp.
While D*SH provides hundreds of channels to choose from, prisoners would only have access to four: ABC, NBC, CBS and a news channel, said Chief Deputy Jim Scholl.
Currently, the jail has one television for inmates. The TV is rotated among each of the jail's seven cell blocks, giving inmates in each area one day of watching DVD movies, which are chosen by staff, Scholl said.
The television serves as more than just entertainment. It keeps inmates up to date on current events. And more importantly, it acts as a disciplinary tool, Scholl said.
One misbehaving inmate could ruin television privileges for the entire cell block.
"I pity the one (inmate) that jeopardized the TV reception for the other 23. Because I don't think we could get in there fast enough to protect the one that ruined their television," Scholl told members of the Lee County Board of Supervisors during a workshop session last week.
There are three privileges residents of the jail truly appreciate: visitations, snacks from the commissary and TV, Scholl said. They serve as positive reinforcement of good behavior.
Scholl said this is a good time to add the televisions as permanent fixtures because of the ongoing $6.2 million jail expansion and renovation.
With the planned completion of construction in the summer of 2010, the jail will sport 11 cell blocks. One TV will be placed in each block.
To purchase and install the televisions, wiring and radio transmitters will be a one-time cost of about $12,000, plus an ongoing D*SH subscription cost of about $20 monthly, Scholl said. Officials received three bids for installation of the service, and the low bid came from Keokuk-based PC Technologies.
Supervisors will vote today on whether to enter into an agreement with D*SH. The Sheriff's Department does not need permission from the board to purchase and have the televisions installed, Scholl said.
Some board members have voiced skepticism regarding the proposal.
"I'm not for it, but I can see the advantage of it," Supervisor Ernie Schiller said.
While taxpayers may have to provide the upfront cash for the upgrade, inmates will eventually pick up the tab.
To listen to programming, inmates will be required to purchase clear prison-grade headphones. The jail commissary will purchase the headphones for about $15 and sell them to inmates for about $20, Scholl said.
"That is the appeal to me of this plan. We have another disciplinary tool. They have access to current events. And they pay for it. The taxpayers do not," Scholl said.
Also, state lawmakers could someday require jails to provide prisoners with current events, Scholl said.
"In the areas where Mediacom or a cable TV provider is available, it's mandated. We don't fit that bill. I'm trying to stay proactive," Scholl said.
MONTROSE -- Inmates of the Lee County Correctional Center could soon have one more outlet to pass the time, while serving time.
The Lee County Sheriff's Department plans to outfit its jail with 11 televisions hooked up to the satellite television service D*SH Network Corp.
While D*SH provides hundreds of channels to choose from, prisoners would only have access to four: ABC, NBC, CBS and a news channel, said Chief Deputy Jim Scholl.
Currently, the jail has one television for inmates. The TV is rotated among each of the jail's seven cell blocks, giving inmates in each area one day of watching DVD movies, which are chosen by staff, Scholl said.
The television serves as more than just entertainment. It keeps inmates up to date on current events. And more importantly, it acts as a disciplinary tool, Scholl said.
One misbehaving inmate could ruin television privileges for the entire cell block.
"I pity the one (inmate) that jeopardized the TV reception for the other 23. Because I don't think we could get in there fast enough to protect the one that ruined their television," Scholl told members of the Lee County Board of Supervisors during a workshop session last week.
There are three privileges residents of the jail truly appreciate: visitations, snacks from the commissary and TV, Scholl said. They serve as positive reinforcement of good behavior.
Scholl said this is a good time to add the televisions as permanent fixtures because of the ongoing $6.2 million jail expansion and renovation.
With the planned completion of construction in the summer of 2010, the jail will sport 11 cell blocks. One TV will be placed in each block.
To purchase and install the televisions, wiring and radio transmitters will be a one-time cost of about $12,000, plus an ongoing D*SH subscription cost of about $20 monthly, Scholl said. Officials received three bids for installation of the service, and the low bid came from Keokuk-based PC Technologies.
Supervisors will vote today on whether to enter into an agreement with D*SH. The Sheriff's Department does not need permission from the board to purchase and have the televisions installed, Scholl said.
Some board members have voiced skepticism regarding the proposal.
"I'm not for it, but I can see the advantage of it," Supervisor Ernie Schiller said.
While taxpayers may have to provide the upfront cash for the upgrade, inmates will eventually pick up the tab.
To listen to programming, inmates will be required to purchase clear prison-grade headphones. The jail commissary will purchase the headphones for about $15 and sell them to inmates for about $20, Scholl said.
"That is the appeal to me of this plan. We have another disciplinary tool. They have access to current events. And they pay for it. The taxpayers do not," Scholl said.
Also, state lawmakers could someday require jails to provide prisoners with current events, Scholl said.
"In the areas where Mediacom or a cable TV provider is available, it's mandated. We don't fit that bill. I'm trying to stay proactive," Scholl said.