In recent weeks Shasta Jail Commissary has experienced an upheaval!  On the surface it appears to be a vote of  “no confidence” in the Commissary Staff and Supervisor. 

Possibly Sheriff Pope believes that the Commissary Staff have been pilfering stock?

Possibly Sheriff Pope believes that the Staff are incompetent?

Possibly Sheriff Pope thinks that Commissary Staff are too lazy?

Whatever the reason, Shasta Jail has a new “computerized” system in use in the Commissary. 

Thus far in the three weeks of its operation the new and foolproof computerized system has proven that:

 1. They are incapable of maintaining consistency of delivery times.
 2. There has been no reduction in the number of personnel required.
 3. They cannot get the tallies correct (e.g. charging for 25 articles and supplying only 20).
 4. Prices have increased in direct and inverse proportion to service reduction.

Of course, there is also the obscure conundrum of a computerized system that causes more problems, and creates more work overall than the “cumbersome” system that it replaced.  (Or, cost effectiveness is effectively negated by additional expenses.)

If, on the other hand, malfeasance is suspected, why has no one been charged?

(The writer is of the opinion though, that the new system is merely another method of inconveniencing and gouging the inmates.)
 

Moshe I.  Stein
Shasta County Jail
1655 West Street
Redding, CA 96001