Showing posts with label jail. Show all posts
Showing posts with label jail. Show all posts

PostHeaderIcon Sex with a horse brings a five-year sentence

11/05/2009 | Posted by Anonymous | Edit Post


On Wednesday, November 4, 2009, Rodell Vereen, a 50 year old man from Longs, South Carolina was sentenced to three years in prison in violation of a probation. He pleaded guilty of engaging in equine intercourse in 2007. He was first charged and convicted of buggery and trespassing at that time after a woman, a horse owner in Conway, SC found him in her barn at Lazy B. Stables on Thanksgiving day.

With a video tape to prove the crime, the woman caught Vereen having sexual intercourse with Sugar, a 21-year-old female horse. Expressing regrets, the man said:

"I'm sorry about what I've done,'' Vereen said. "I didn't mean to do it. It's my fault. I'm sorry for what I've done to myself.''----http://wvgazette.com (11/04/09)

This time, for the second offense, according to the verdict, Vereen who works in a landscaping company will have to spend three years in jail and undergo probation for another two years. Registered as a sex offender of animals, he will be required to have psychiatric treatment. (Photo Credit: ridingmagazine.com) =0=

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PostHeaderIcon Mexico jail riot leaves 19 dead

8/15/2009 | Posted by Anonymous | Edit Post


Gang-instigated riot in Durango prison in the Northern part of Mexico resulted in the death of 19 prisoners and the wounding of at least 20 more on Friday, August 14, 2009. Murders in Mexican jails left about a hundred dead inmates in the last few months.

Threatening the peace and stability of Mexico, the recurrent violence is related to the drug wars that had been raging in the area. It brought fatalities of about 6,000 civilians last year and another 1,000 this year.

"Durango has been the scene of clashes between the Gulf and Sinaloa drug cartels in recent months. Mexican President Felipe Calderon has declared war on the illegal narcotic organisation in Mexico, deploying 40,000 troops to fight the cartels." ---BBC News (08/15/09)

The death of prisoners is the latest of the ongoing fight for dominance of narcotics peddlers. Drug gangs are responsible for staging bloody killings and the staging of jail break-ins to help jailbirds bolt out from prison. (Photo Credit: Dana Gonzales) =0=

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PostHeaderIcon Myanmar’s Aung San Suu Kyi sentenced 18 months more

8/11/2009 | Posted by Anonymous | Edit Post




Burmese Nobel Prize awardee Aung San Suu Kyi received a sentence to serve 18 months of house arrest after the military found her “guilty” of violating her house arrest rules. The added punishment came after an American John Yettaw swam to her residence and stayed there for two days. Yettaw was sentenced to 7 years in jail for violation of Myanmar’s (Burma) immigration laws and trespassing into Aung’s home.

"British Prime Minister Gordon Brown said he was "saddened and angry" at the verdict and called the sentence "purely political." The European Union, Australia and France have also condemned the sentence." ---Voice of America (08/11/09, Bayron, H.)

Aung San, the 64 year old political detainee who was unjustly incarcerated for 14 years was returned to her home after the new verdict, originally for three years, was commuted by top general, Than Shwe to 18 month amidst domestic and international outcry in support of Aung San’s human rights and freedom.

In 1990, The lady political leader and heroine of democracy won the election under the National League for Democracy, but the abusive Burmese military did not allow her to govern. Aung San's recent sentence was considered a way to stop her from participating in the forthcoming elections. (Photo Credit: Totaloutnow x 2) =0=

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PostHeaderIcon Cebu Inmates Dance to the Tune of MJ’s “Dangerous” as Tribute to the King of Pop

7/28/2009 | Posted by Anonymous | Edit Post


Expressing their continuing facination to their fallen idol, the deceased mega- performer Michael Jackson, inmates of the Cebu Penitentiary who found attention in their group dances, wiggled at the tune of "Dangerous." Clad in black and orange garbs, the dancing inmates added another dimension to their rehabilitation while serving time in jail.

Serving like a “therapy,” dancing has a calming effect on the Filipino prisoners. Their performances after practice have attracted the attention of approving spectators throughout the world. You Tube displayed their hilarious and entertaining presentations which had become popular in the internet.

In their earlier repertoire was Michael Jackson’s famous "Thriller" which brought 10 million hits since it became available in cyberspace. Another was a reenactment of scenes and songs from the movie Sister Act.

The 1,500 inmates thankfully attributed their fame to the phenomenal King of Pop whom they idolize. Boredom and trouble in their jail quarters had been low since they started dancing. (Photo Credit: Huffington Post/ Byron Garcia) =0=

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PostHeaderIcon King Ponzi schemer Bernard Madoff gets max of 150 years in jail

6/30/2009 | Posted by Anonymous | Edit Post


After irate testimonies from his victims, the financial whiz Bernard Madoff who defrauded his clients of some $65 billion in a Ponzi scheme, the largest in recorded history, was sentenced to 150 years in prison. It was the maximum that could be handed for a crime of such magnitude. The sentence was far more than the 12 years his lawyer asked for the reviled deceitful defendant. He stole huge money from trusting investors all across the globe right under the noses of government regulators.

US District Judge Denny Chin of the Manhattan Federal Court in New York handed the verdict to the cheers of a crowd that included his disgruntled clients from all across the social economic spectrum----investors from all races--- rich and poor, young and old, known and incognito who have lost their life savings and humiliated in a spurious money operandi masterminded by Madoff.

"Here, the message must be sent that Mr. Madoff's crimes were extraordinarily evil," Chin said. "This kind of manipulation of the system is not just a bloodless crime that takes place on paper, but one instead that takes a staggering toll."---Judge Denny Chin (06/29/09, New York Daily News (06/29/09, Zambito, T, Martinez;Siemaszko, C.)

Some of Madoff’s Victims
------------------------------------------Description---------------------Amount
Fairfield Greenwich Advisors-----investment firm--------------$7,500,000,000
Banco Santander------------------Spanish bank-----------------$2,870,000,000
Bank Medici-------------------------Austrian bank----------------$2,100,000,000
HSBC--------------------------------- British bank-------------------$1,000,000,000
BNP------------------------------------French bank-------------------$431,170,000
New York University------------------University--------------------$24,000,000
Korea Teachers Pension----------Korean Pension Fund---------$9,100,000
Marc Rich------------------------------fugitive financier--------------Not available
Yeshiva University---------------------NY private university--------$14,500,000
Int’l Olympic Committee--------------Olympic organizer----------$4,800,000
Zsa Zsa Gabor-------------------------actress------------------------$10,000,000
Diocese of St. Thomas--------------Cath. Church (Virgin Is)-----$2,000,000
Source: http://s.wsj.net/public/resources/documents/st_madoff_victims_20081215.html


In a statement Madoff’s wife Ruth who was not charged of a crime spoke of her shame and embarrassment, saying she too was betrayed. Most of those who followed the case, including the victims believe, Madoff who lived an extravagant life, got what he deserved.

His clients had been hurting since the discovery of the fraud. The 71 year-old former Nasdaq chairman apologized for his wrongdoing which ruined the finances of many. After a 6-minute statement of regret, the king of Ponzi was led by gurards to a solitary maximum security seclusion at the Manhattan Federal jail. More investigation had to be done to uncover the money trail in the confusing gargantuan scam. (Photo Credit: GiganticPanda) =0=

RELATED BLOGS: "Bernard Madoff, accused top Ponzi scheme artist is allowed bail" Posted by mesiamd at 1/13/2009; "Ponzi wiz Bernard Madoff sent to prison" Posted by mesiamd at 3/13/2009

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PostHeaderIcon Cebu jailbirds dance in homage to Michael Jackson

6/29/2009 | Posted by Anonymous | Edit Post




As the tragic details of Michael Jackson’s life are revealed to the world, many of his admirers cope up with the his untimely demise in many ways. Immediately after learning the grim news, many fans converged outside the UCLA Medical Center to find out what happened. In Apollo Theatre at the Harlem section of New York, a crowd gathered to remember and pay tribute the fallen music giant.

Half way across the globe, in the Philippines, about 1,500 inmates of the Cebu Penitentiary staged “Thriller” the dance they performed before that caught the fancy of You Tube viewers throughout the world. Their performance was viewed by almost 25 million people after it was made available in the internet. Grieving for their idol, the prisoners of the maximum security jail last Saturday gave their all dancing to the tune of Michael Jackson’s hit songs.

“After being told of Jackson's death Thursday in Los Angeles, the 1,500 inmates at the Cebu Provincial Detention and Rehabilitation Center hit the exercise yard, practicing for nine hours Friday night – and into the wee hours of Saturday morning – for the show.

They took breaks only to eat or when it rained, said professional choreographer Gwendolyn Lador, hired by the prison to teach the inmates the dance.

"I felt sad because we lost our idol," said inmate Wenjiel Resane, who plays the role of Jackson's girlfriend in the video.”----GMANewsTV / AP (06/27/09, Cerojano, T)

As the world tries to cope and make sense with the passing of a legendary musical entertainer, the sordid details that lead to his early death are starting to surface.

The controversial singer of incredible talent and fame who was adored and at the same time reviled by the public has left three innocent children. His finances are in disarray with about $500 million in outstanding debt. The series of concerts in London that should have ignited his stressful come-back in the entertainment world in July this year is in limbo---in part, because it's a freak creation of reckless, greedy, and manipulative people that managed the star during his career.

Amidst talk of abuse of prescription medications, the result of the pop star’s autopsy has been put on hold pending test results. In anger and frustration, the bereaved family and fans demanded a second autopsy---something that won’t change the sad fact that the king of pop is dead. (Photo Credit: Markiiboi; AFP/ Yahoo.News/ Aljibe, T) =0=

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PostHeaderIcon A story of hope from a Bilibid prison inmate

4/29/2009 | Posted by Anonymous | Edit Post
by Josephine R. Bundoc, M.D.



Christopher Solis is a 21 year-old spinal cord injury patient with paralysis from the hips and below. He regrets till this day the very one mistake in his life ---- succumbing to the restlessness of youth, he took the dare his friends made by staking a hold-up ---- landing him 2 gunshot wounds on the abdomen and thigh by a police officer.

Now on his 4th year as inmate at the National Bilibid Prison, because of excellent behavior and conduct, he is due for parole on June 2009, cutting his prison sentence by 3 years.

Life outside the prison though will be no different for him because he has been wheelchair bound, could not control his bowel movement and urination and has a pressure ulcer over his insensate buttocks. Worse, he could barely move his legs.

We admitted him at the UP-PGH ward and fabricated orthopedic prosthesis for both of his lower extremities that would render his hips, knees and feet stable for balance yet allow enough mobility to walk. After 2 weeks of training ---- he could stand and walk with crutches --- a big help indeed because his pressure ulcer started to heal as he is off his butt more; his bowel movement has improved because he is more mobile --- and it has greatly facilitated his voiding because he can now go to the toilet to void and have some privacy.

Best of all --- he is out of depression and is now looking forward to his parole and going back to school. To start saving money for his future schooling, he rediscovered his talent for painting--- a very good one at that!



"Hope is the thing with feathers
That perches in the soul.
And sings the tune
Without the words,
and never stops at all."

Emily Dickinson (1830 - 1886)


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PostHeaderIcon Widening gap of justice, abuse of presidential pardons, & the poor who are left in jail

3/20/2009 | Posted by Anonymous | Edit Post



It has been said that about 3 out of 4 prisoners in the Philippines are victims of judicial errors Many of them are poor and vulnerable. They are forced to admit guilt so that they can move to the New Bilibid Prison (NBP) where food and living conditions are better than the crowded jails in the country. Poor prisoners in other penal colonies languish longer and are treated badly during incarceration than their rich counterparts, making the public believe justice in the country is a farce.

"Inmates are dying in our city jails at an alarming rate. They are suffering from boils, tuberculosis, chicken pox and other simple but highly communicable diseases. In the Quezon City Jail alone, there are two to five deaths per month. The sad fact is that they are dying before being sentenced." ---Raymond Narag (ex-prisoner)

The widening gap of justice truly exists in the country, but almost no one complains about it. In this backdrop Pres. Gloria M. Arroyo commuted the two life terms of Romeo Jalosjos for raping an 11 year old girl in 1996. For his horrible crime which include lascivious acts, the Zamboanga del Norte congressman who shows no remose, enjoyed extensive prison privileges while in jail for only 13 years. Jalosjos put his money and influence to full use----building a tennis court, a gym, and bakery in the NBP.

These “benevolent actions” by Jalosjos which led to the shortening of his prison stay can’t escape the scrutiny of Emmi de Jesus, secretary-general of the militant women-group Gabriela, who sees gross errors in how justice is carried out. De Jesus who believes Jalosjos’ pardon is a payback to the political help given to Pres. Arroyo said:

“Marso ngayon ano, supposedly Buwan ng Kababaihan. Mukhang ito yung mockery of justice na binibigay ni Ginang Arroyo. Walang remorse, walang pag-amin sa kasalanan niya (Jalojos). Paano na yung mga kababaihan na humihingi ng katarungan na ngayon ay vulnerable sa various forms of violence?" .

[Jalosjos’ release, which happens this Women’s Month, seemed to be a mockery of justice by President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. (Convicted rapist) neither showed remorse nor admission of guilt. What about the welfare of the women who are vulnerable to various forms of violence?]---GMA TV News (03/19/09, Dedace, SM)

Quezon Representative Lorenzo "Erin'' Tañada III is alarmed by President Arroyo‘s exercise of presidential clemency which leads to more rich and powerful inmates being set free. Palawan Representative Abraham Mitra also airs the same concern when he urged Arroyo to use executive pardon "judiciously and carefully."

But politics and favor-peddling have a lot to do with these kinds of decision. It is easy to understand that a prisoner who donates infrastructures in a prison compound may have motives beyond being altruistic. Special treatment is one thing that rich detainees can work on so they get protection from their friends in the system. It's one of the easiest ways to cultivate influence and get the graces of prison officials.

After a tedious and costly court battle that eventually convicted Pres. Joseph Estrada of plunder, Arroyo wasted no time in pardoning the felon---a decision that continues to divide and hurt the entire nation. Estrada didn't serve in a traditional jail, but in a well-furnished comfortable seclusion.

In total disregard of the gravity of the crime and the unresolved questions related to the Ninoy Aquino-Rolando double murder case, Gloria freed the 10 remaining military men convicted of the airport murders. Since 1983, few Filipinos took genuine heart on the significance of Ninoy's death, ignoring the loss and suffering of the country under Pres. Ferdinand Marcos. Like Jalosjos and Estrada, the 10 convicts in Ninoy's assassination never expressed guilt or remorse--- basic requisites of pardon.

Mostly left in the crowded prisons are the poor and those who have no influence in lording over the weaknesses of the corrupt system. Many are young and defenseless. Filipinos who disdain the unpopular president can only express their cynicism and apathy towards the poor state of the penitentiary. They feel they can’t do anything about the injustice that goes on there. (Phtoto Credit: Suntoksabuwan; planetradio x 2) =0=



RELATED BLOG: "90% of RP crimes are solved in less than 1 year: a lie that can make you cry?" Posted by mesiamd at 12/19/2008; "Pardon and (In)justice: Ninoy’s killers freed" Posted by mesiamd at 3/05/2009



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PostHeaderIcon 90% of RP crimes are solved in less than 1 year: a lie that can make you cry?

12/19/2008 | Posted by Anonymous | Edit Post


When I read that Philippine National Police (PNP) Director General Jesus Versoza on Thursday announced that about 90% of crimes in the country had been solved in less than year, I thought it was a typo error. But I made sure I was not reading it wrong.

“In a press conference after a closed door command conference with key PNP officials, Verzosa said that of the 62,148 crime incidents reported in 11 months, 89.43 percent have been solved."----Inquirer, (12/17/08, Kwok, A)

I was convinced that this is inconsistent to the crime profile of the country that I know. What does “solving a crime” mean to the PNP director? What are the “crime incidents” is he referring to? In my book solving a crime means investigating a case, recognizing the criminal, ascertaining his complicity, bringing him to court, having him serve jail time if guilty, and rehabilitating him to be a responsible citizen before he is released from jail. The process definitely takes longer than a year.



The PNP director is probably lying. I couldn’t comprehend how a top government official has that gall to misinform the public at the expense of himself, the military, and the country. The motto of the police is service, honor and justice. Is he the corruption that has run wild in the military service?

HUMAN RIGHTS PRACTICES IN THE PHILIPPINES

One can discern the hard reality from personal experience or by doing a little reading. Many crimes go unreported. I know there are many journalists being killed without resolution of their cases. They are part of a large group of crime victims that range from a gamut of circumstances---from simple robbery to mass murder. The US State Department report on the human rights record of the Philippines in 2006, had the following was reported:

“During the year there were a number of arbitrary, unlawful, and extrajudicial killings apparently by elements of the security services and of political killings, including killings of journalists, by a variety of actors. Many of these killings went unsolved and unpunished, contributing to a climate of impunity, despite intensified government efforts during the year to investigate and prosecute these cases.

Members of the security services committed acts of physical and psychological abuse on suspects and detainees, and there were instances of torture. Arbitrary or warrantless arrests and detentions were common. Trials were delayed and procedures were prolonged. Prisoners awaiting trial and those already convicted were often held under primitive conditions.

Corruption was a problem in all the institutions making up the criminal justice system, including police, prosecutorial, and judicial organs. During a brief "state of emergency" in February, there was some attempted interference in freedom of the press and in the right of assembly.

In addition to the killings mentioned above, leftwing and human rights activists were often subject to harassment by local security forces. Problems such as violence against women and abuse of children, child prostitution, trafficking in persons, child labor, and ineffective enforcement of worker rights were common." --- www.state.gov/ (US State Department) Philippines: Country Reports on Human Rights Practices-2006 Released by the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor (03/06/07)


77% OF PRISONERS ARE VICTIMS OF JUDICIAL ERROR

The report about prisoners in the Philippines is telling. Raymond Narag, a law student served 7 years in detention for murder which he never committed. He later worked as consultant on prison reform in the Philippine Supreme Court (SC.) According to him, 3 out of 4 prisoners (77%) in the Philippines are victims of judicial error. The average pre-sentencing detention is 3.2 years. Jailbirds are forced to plead guilty to escape hardships in detention in favor of being in the National Penitentiary where the conditions are better.

"Inmates are dying in our city jails at an alarming rate. They are suffering from boils, tuberculosis, chicken pox and other simple but highly communicable diseases. In the Quezon City Jail alone, there are two to five deaths per month. The sad fact is that they are dying before being sentenced." ---Raymond Narag

Quezon City Jail was built for only 815 detainees. Now, it houses about 3,400 inmates. This means that each prisoner has 0.28 sq2 m of living space which is way below the 3 sq2 m per person the United Nations considers the minimum standard for the treatment of prisoners." ---PIME; www.asia.news.it (10/22/04, Evangelista, S)


PERSONAL EXPERIENCE

I have no reason to believe that the data above have drastically changed for the better this year. I haven't heard of any evidence to the contrary. Instead, I recall my dead brother Henry who died from vehicular injuries without retribution on those who sold fake drugs that caused his demise. He was left in Naga City jail for hours without medical attention on a wrong assumption that his stupor was due to drunkenness, not from the brain damage from his injury. At least one doctor in Bicol Medical Center was complicit in peddling the counterfeit medicine.

I remember my friend’s mom, a widow who was stabbed by a robber while walking home after a day’s work in a Quezon City bakery. The sole witness of her slay was himself a victim of unsolved political disappearance, a case unrelated to the murder. My first cousin Orly was killed in a traffic accident in Manila by a hit-and-run driver. No one went to jail for these crimes. They were among at least 10 people I knew who died; their cases remained cold for more than a decade. I don’t know of a single heinous crime in the Philippines that had been solved. So can you see why I don’t believe General Versoza? How about you?(Photo Credits: www.bardu.net; ronaldhackson; www.bardu.net; planetradio; planetradio; ace_kupal)



RELATED BLOGS: "Journalist killings continue" Posted by mesiamd at 12/09/08; " Another gruesome journalist’s slay" Posted by mesiamd at 11/17/2008; "When they start telling us we're unworthy of help" Posted by mesiamd at 12/16/2008; " On Philippine Corruption And Our Being Inure To It" Posted by myty555 at 12/16/2008; "Rising Road Accidents" Posted by mesiamd at 10/27/2008



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PostHeaderIcon Davao jailbirds in an April 2009 concert

12/07/2008 | Posted by Anonymous | Edit Post
Fr. Hermes Sabud, the Catholic chaplain of the Archdiocese Commission on Prison Welfare (ACPW) has a good idea. He has a plan of transforming jailbirds into songbirds. He's readying to showcase the singing talents Davao Jail in a concert slated on April 4, 2009.

The remarkable show is to benefit the activities of the prison ministry. Just like the Cebu Provincial Jail dancers who entertained their audience with sometimes funny choreographed routines, the singers will do their job with music.

The unusual Davao concert is a timely invitation to all Filipinos to appreciate people’s talents. They can be found in seemingly unlikely places. In prison, a self-help fund-raising by those detained is commendable. Rather than staying idle in congested cells with little hope for social integration and improvement, the prisoners, in their incarceration, have a chance to harness their time and energy for a useful purpose. (Photo Credit: Andy Maluche: Melibinux)=0=

THE CEBU PRISON DANCERS





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