a.c., tulsa (12/24/2007 3:30:24 AM)

great to know killers get these kind of meals.

Johnny, Tulsa (12/24/2007 5:18:07 AM)

This is what I'm paying for? Seriously?

a, tulsa (12/24/2007 7:24:27 AM)

It's not really that different from other prison meals, it's just all the right elements at once.

Yep, we have to feed them. And they aren't all killers. Many of those in prisons, especially minimum security prisons, aren't career criminals at all.

Actually, I'm in favor of the death penalty for violent offenders-better than feeding them for the rest of their lives.

E T, tulsa (12/24/2007 7:24:31 AM)

no wonder people want to go to prison. No taxes to pay, free meals, free room and board, and free medical. no wonder there are so many repeat prisoners. they let them out and they see what us middle class have to go through and they want back in. treat them like prisoners so they won't want back in.

Anna C., (12/24/2007 8:48:53 AM)

Yes, it is what you are paying for. Even better, you'll actually see some people on this board gripe about how poorly the prisoners are fed. Prison is prison. I don't care what you're in for. THE MOST YOU DESERVE IS BEANS AND RICE 3 TIMES A DAY EVERY DAY.

jd, tulsa (12/24/2007 9:42:23 AM)

I really have no idea what they eat daily. However, most of our state prisons subject prisoners to beatings and rape by other inmates while the system watches. Some prisoners are there for nonviolent crimes and come out with being brutally punished outside what the courts had ordered. Thinking prison in Oklahome is like a paid vacation make you a bunch of ignorant hillbillies.

TODD L, PRYOR (12/24/2007 10:21:45 AM)

GLAD TO KNOW WE'RE SHOWING CHRISTMAS SPIRIT TO THOSE MOST IN NEED OF SPECIAL PRIVILAGES!

Linda, (12/24/2007 10:56:24 AM)

"Let him who is without sin cast the first stone". You're begrudging these folks a meal? Ever eat in the school cafeteria? I work for DOC and most of these folks learn their lesson and are waiting to go home (look at recidivism rates). They are someone's brother, daddy, uncle, cousin, sister....They have no air conditioning and medical is only the basics. Most have jobs within the prison. They are separated from their families and...most importantly...they cannot go where they want to go when they want to go. They are not free. About 1/4 are mentally ill because of our "humane" criminal justice system. They don't WANT to go to prison. It's a terrible place. For a Christian nation, and especially a state that is really filled with good people, I am constantly amazed at the judgmental attitude we have and the "Christian" attitude of not even considering these people human.

God bless you all on Christmas...and inmates, too.

ORUStudent, (12/24/2007 12:59:34 PM)

Linda, you just said a bunch without saying anything at all. First, how do you compare criminals to students in a public school? "Ever eat in a school cafeteria?" What is that even supposed to mean? Recidivism rates in Oklahoma are at 55% which means, these folks that "have learned their lesson and are waiting to go home" are actually not the majority. The way to truly lower recidivism rates is to institute faith based programs, through local churches, not through the government. Do you really trust the government enough to distribute your money that you thought was going to Christian programs in the correct manner? Sure, one nice meal a year doesn't hurt anybody, but I think what people are upset about is that it's their tax dollars, when it should be the church showing the love of God.

Linda, (12/24/2007 1:09:07 PM)

I didn't compare the inmates to students in a public school. I compared dining in a mass consumption atmosphere with another setting of mass consumption. It usually leaves alot to be desired wherever it takes place. Recidivism rates are not at 55%. Don't know where you get your figures. The rest of your email doesn't pertain to the question at all. But while we're talking about wasting people's hard earned money, want to talk about ORU and it's faithbased pilfering?And yes, I am a Christian and go to church regularly. So, let's not get off on this tangent because I won't respond. We are talking about treating people as Jesus Christ treated us--with love and compassion while pointing out the error of our ways----all of us!

ORUStudent, (12/24/2007 1:35:57 PM)

My figures are from the Oklahoma District Attorney's website. Sure! Lets talk about ORU! Was I one of the people involved? No. Am I a student there that had nothing to do with the scandal? Yes. Did I once say a university should be feeding prisoners, "wasting people's hard earned money"? No. There is a difference between a university and a church, and I stated the latter should be in prisons doing Christian fellowship. Is the "humane" prison system causing you to become mentally challenged as well? How are you going to tell a non-Christian to treat others as Jesus treated them? You can't. That is why it's our job, as Christians, as churches, to be showing the love of God. Not the governmet.

sb, (12/24/2007 1:47:29 PM)

Ok, normally I keep quiet on things but not on this one. My son is spending 8yrs in a med security system in upstate NY all because a 15yr old he met in a game chat room told him she was 23. So making a long story short. He goes to NY at her request to bring her back for a visit to Ok. Four states away they are picked up, hauled back to NY, he gets represented by a 'public defender is threatened by the DA (re election yr) for 35yr sentence, of course he cops for 8yrs..who wouldn't. Not only has he lost a job he held for 8yrs, he lost $20k in bank and a potential $225k in earnings. He gets $.10hr keeping the gym clean. It cost me over $1000 in order to make a 1 trip per yr visit for approx 4 hrs. I can only go on a weekend so its fly out Fri, drive over visit Sat return back Sun for work Mon...Grant it, he made a stupid decision based on invalid information, but unfortunately the penal system is not designed to separate out the good from the bad. Just try to remember the hardships that are placed on family members. I go thru everyday wondering if I will get 'that' phone call.

Linda, (12/24/2007 2:23:53 PM)

Well, there is no Oklahoma District Attorney's website because there is no Oklahoma District Attorney. There is an Oklahoma Attorney General (and I didn't find any statistics about recidivism on his website) and there is an Oklahoma County District Attorney. There is also an Oklahoma District Attorney's Council. Don't call me mentally challenged if you can't even get a title correct.

And sb is correct..the families do suffer. Come and watch inmate visitation at times. It's heartbreaking. Sit with them when a family member dies and they can't be there. To quote a great Christian songwriter. "Christ has no hands on earth but yours; no hands, no feet on earth but yours." You are the only Bible some people will ever read, ORU student. I will try my best to help these people change their lives while protecting people such as yourself.

ORUStudent, (12/24/2007 8:56:04 PM)

My mistake, it was the Oklahoma District Attorney's Council, and the rate was 55% for substance abusers who did not participate in a special program. Did I say families don't suffer? And how is me supporting Christians spreading the love of God, not the government a bad thing? I'm not really sure what we're even arguing about, because we both try to make points about different subjects, Haha :). You should research the work of Jorge Crespo de Toral, and his work with Prison Fellowship in Ecuador. It can be found at the beginning of Charles Colson's book "How Now Shall We Live?" It is an excellent example on the impact of Christian work in some of the worst prisons in the world. Here is a link that is direct from Colosn's book: brittonchurchcom/?p=127#more-127 (add a . before the com) otherwise I can't upload it.

tb, tulsa (12/24/2007 9:31:47 PM)

12. 12/24/2007 1:47:29 PM, sb,

sb - That is just horrible and so unfair. There are a LOT of innocent people in prison. It's just frightening. I'm so sorry. He is very fortunate to have you for a mother.

sb, (12/25/2007 5:40:58 PM)

tb...thank you for the kind words..3 more years till a real Christmas