Jail time is punishment and inmates sacrifice some rights

RE: DAN MCKAY article: (“‘Twist her wrist until she shuts up’,” Aug. 11).

Whose side is (McKay) on? As an Albuquerque citizen, the peacekeepers get my benefit of the doubt over rule-breakers. Stating in (the) article that the inmate was “sobbing” and “crying out in pain” leads the reader to agree that the inmate was mistreated and implies that the correctional officers didn’t have enough compassion for Susie Chavez.

What I see from the video as an objective outsider is that this inmate was being disruptive, unnecessarily making noise and not following commands. It looks like all the officers were doing an exceptional job of remaining calm and remaining professional while trying to get the inmate to cooperate.

In this environment — especially in current times when every action an officer does is scrutinized — if a display of emotion by an inmate justifies special treatment, that could create a dangerous environment in which inmates are incentivized to manipulate the officers by behaving emotionally. If I break a law and go to jail or prison, should I be treated differently than policy dictates if I start crying?

Being incarcerated is a punishment. Convicts are disenfranchised and sacrifice some rights as a result of their choices to break our laws, so if they feel like the guards are too mean and not sensitive enough to their tears, well, I don’t have any sympathy. Choosing to be a criminal has consequences. One of those consequences is that you might not be where you want to be, surrounded by compassionate, sensitive people when you are grieving.

Our police officers, correctional officers and other law enforcement officials deserve a break. Yes, there are probably a few bad apples in the bunch who let the power go to their heads but, in America, we are innocent until proven guilty. Susie Chavez was proven guilty and the wages of her crimes are incarceration. Our peacekeepers need to be given the benefit of the doubt unless and until it is proven beyond a shadow of a doubt that they have done wrong.

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. Matthew 5:9

DEE ROBINSON Albuquerque