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In the Seventeenth Century (1600-1699), and the early part of the Eighteenth Century in England, there were many draconian laws with outlandish penalties such as “life imprisonment for stealing a slice of bread.” (Similar to modern California sentences under 3 strikes legislation such as “life imprisonment for stealing a slice of pizza.”) In Olde England the horrendous sentences were meant to maintain a steady supply of “indentured workers,” (a euphemism for slaves) than to serve justice. During the early days of the Colonies of the Americas the British exported many thousands of convicts—turned—indentured workers to populate and work in the 13 Colonies of America. In Merrie Olde England the severe penalties did nothing to reduce the number of incarcerated persons, in fact, it was to maintain a constant supply that the horrendous penalties and invention of new statutes and laws were implemented. Wherever there was a war to further British expansionism (Empire Building), the jails and prisons were emptied to supply “recruits” for the Royal Navy and Army. In short, the prisoners of Olde England were basically merely just so many possessions of—“The Crown,” or government. And to keep things running the jails and prisons had to be kept full. In modern California where Gold is the goal, jails and prisons have to be kept full to show a profit. (Lets face hard, cold reality—it’s all about money, not justice.) As the American economy takes body-blow after body-blow, the value of the available money in the trough diminishes. In consequence, not only the reduced dollar amount, but the reduced real value of the subsidies paid to State and local authorities and institutions to incarcerate people is dropping. Another parallel between Modern California and Medieval England is that there is no true endeavor to implement any rehabilitation schemes or programs, jails and prisons are simply warehouses to store human stock. The “Three Strikes” legislation of Medieval California was indeed a Godsend for the cash-strapped and impoverished counties of the State, giving a much needed boost to their coffers. In a recent (2002) study by the “Sentencing Guidelines Commission,” in Olympia, Washington, some surprising facts came to light, putting the kibosh on some popular misconceptions. Quote: “Despite generally held views, the more violent offenses, manslaughter, murder and robbery, accounted for the smallest number of offenses and, along with sex offenses, the lowest recidivism rates. Sex offenses and robbery had the lowest overall rate of current and past offenses.” —unquote. This puts the lie to District Attorney (by appointment, not election, after the previous D.A. left town), Benito’s recent diatribe about recidivistic offenders. Either that or, after his few months in office he has more experience, knowledge and wisdom than the State of Washington Sentencing Guidelines Commission?? It is, after all, in Shasta County’s financial interests to keep the jail full and showing a profit, as many people as possible on probation, and paying amounts from $20 to $100 per week for the privilege of remaining out of jail, and as many people as possible in the “work release” scheme—(another pseudonym for slavery), where the detainees pay a $150 start-up fee and $5.00 per day to the County to work on County projects. [Of course, since those people are in custody (or incarcerated) whilst working they also earn the County subsidies for every day spent as detainees.] I mentioned a thought earlier, I was speaking of a money trough, where parsimonious and outright capricious officials swill public monies. That trough is becoming empty—as illustrated by some of the short-cuts taken under Sheriff Pope’s and the District Attorney’s stewardship of Shasta County. One classic and glaring example is the treatment of Mr. Herbert M. Schute, who has been incarcerated in durance vile since January 7, 2003, suffering from a hiatus hernia, herniated stomach, and ruptured disc causing pressure on his sciatic nerve. The result is that Mr. Shute is in constant agony to the extent that at times he cannot stand. When he requests medical treatment he is answered by the question “How long are you going to be here?” and sent away. To complete Mr. Shute’s medical woes further, he is also afflicted with diabetes—he is sixty years old, being born February 9, 1944. Presumably Mr. Benito hopes that his diatribes about State politics will distract attention from the torture and neglect of Mr. Shute and the routine and persistent disregard for the rule of law by County Officials. After all, in a way, basically all “Three Strikes” and other laws are the responsibility of the State, and at times Federal Legislatures. If, in fact, Mr. Benito truly knows more than anyone about the laws of California, etc., then isn’t Mr. Benito wasting his great expertise and vast experience by not entering the Legislature where he can effect change and formulate laws! (Who was it that said, “It appears that Shasta County is attempting to create a Lawless Enclave—beyond the jurisdiction of any State or Nation?” That Enclave appears to already exist.) Moshe I. Stein
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