" This is news worthy because????? "

" One less person my tax dollars have to support "

" Because it is one less mouth we have to feed, clothe, and house in prison.. "

" Did I miss something? Who gives a hairy rats? People die in prison everyday and somehow this guy was special? Fill me in. "

" It's probably news worthy so all the perfect law-abiding citizens know they got their ounce of flesh from a dying man even if he did only live 3 months into a 10 year sentence. What would have been more news worthy to see the prison system have instituted their compassionate release program so maybe the family could have taken care of him. You all want everyone thrown in prison then whine and moan because your taxes pay the approximate $28,000 a year to house them. Just can't ever please some people. "

" class of 93
wrote on Jun 27, 2008 2:03 PM:

" Because it is one less mouth we have to feed, clothe, and house in prison.. "

mmm. not all your tax dollars go to the prisons. these people that are in prisons have families on the out side that send them money and things. It was a human life that was lost. all you that posted negetive comments should feel ashamed. I hope people say the same thing about you when one of your family members die. how heartless. "

" OBITUARY section of the newspaper would have done just fine.... "

" 50674, what type of message does it send to criminals if you let people out who have a disease? I don't agree with some of the negative posts about "one less mouth to feed", but if you do the crime, you do the time... It seems to me that the prison system was compassionate in the fact that they allowed the man to be treated at the U of I hospital, which is a top-notch facility. I like others question why this particular case of a prisoner dying behind bars makes top news in the Cedar Valley? "

" I agree this isn't terribly newsworthy to the general public and it shouldn't have been in this section, but this man no doubt has a family who will mourn his loss and a bit of respect should be give for a human life-even if he did end up in prison. He's still someone's son, father, brother, and he took the wrong path in his life. But that doesn't give any of us the right to justify his death. "

" Yes the obituary section would be appropriate but more than likely the DOC doesn't want anyone making accusations, speculating or poking into their business. If it makes you all feel better to know chances are he was handcuffed to his deathbed. It's a shame a 10 year sentence was actually a life sentence. The judge and prosecutors would have surely known the man was in his terminal phase of his illness. "

" I hope those of you who have all these negative comments never find compassion for someone who has done wrong. Criticize all you want, I am engaged to a man serving time right here in the great state of Iowa. Your tax dollars are part of the support the prisons recieve but not nearly all of it. I send my fiance what he needs,not you. And when people are convicted of a crime you all sit back and cheer when they get these tremendous sentences.... then complain about your precious tax dollars! Make up your mind! This man was someones son, possibly husband father brother uncle, he means something to someone regaurdless of what he did to get to prison. "

" Maybe they just needed a filler story for a small space. "

" Shouldn't have been "breaking news" though. "

" Just another reminder that inmates get equal to or better healthcare than the law-abiding folks. "

" Look at the Iowa Courts online records. His name is in there 32 times! The guy was a drug dealer and was selling this stuff to our kids. "

" regardless of what this man did to go to prison, he still has a family and friends. you shouldn't judge someone just because of what they did. THOSE WHO LIVE IN GLASS HOUSES SHOULDN'T CAST STONES!!!!! i hate to think you all are so childish you are on here casting blame and ill will on others, when no one is perfect in this world. like grandma says...IF YOU HAVE NOTHING NICE TO SAY DONT SAY IT..... the only reason it hit the papers was to cover the WONDERFUL prison's system hind end from a law suit. they get minimal care when terminal and in the system.... "

" MrsMom and jjmom:

I don't understand what you are saying when you say families provide for them and not the taxpayers. I'm assuming that whatever families send is for extras, while tax dollars pay for their necessities.

MrsMom, just out of curiosity, what kinds of things do you send your fiance that he "needs", that the State doesn't provide for him?

While I would not be harsh like some, the question still remains: Why is his death "Breaking News" in the Cedar Valley? There doesn't appear to be any Cedar Valley connection, and it isn't that big of a story. If family members were alleging wrongful death, that might be a different matter. "

" I, as a Correctional Officer, dont think this should have been breaking news either. We just lost an Officer unexpectedly this week at one of the facilities and that didnt make breaking news. There are several offenders that pass away each year...I am not sure why this one qualified to make the cut. "

" I dont get why this made news headlines either, my only point is that people use it as a reason to just bash away at people they know nothing about!

I send my fiance money so he can call home and stay in contact with his family. I sent him money so he can buy deoderant, toothpaste, food, all of those things. The prisons provide the bare minimal things which is fine with me, but I hate when people act like tax dollars put inmates up in the hilton or something. It isnt pleasant and it shouldnt be, but the bashing is really quite unecessary.

Berrr, very sorry for the loss of your fellow officer. I have met some wonderful correctional officers throughout my journey with my fiance and I really look forward to seeing some when I go to visits:) "

" Truthseeker, the only things families can send to an inmate is money, books and subscriptions. They make an average of 29 cents an hour, they pay to request a visit to the doctor, they pay to request a visit to the dentiist. They pay inflated prices for personal needs, like shampoo, toothpaste, etc. That's only a small part. They have restitution taken from their meager earnings, they have child support taken from these wages and they need to buy stamps and phone time. I know you really don't care but if your screen name means what it says then these are some truths for you. Food is past expiration date so they buy snacks from the commissary, etc. BTW, there actually is no Club Fed either. No swimming pol, no golf courses, none of the luxury the media would have you believe. Are we not more than actions? Have none of you made mistakes? They are incarcerated for their crimes because that's what the law calls for but it shouldn't include inhumane and unsanitary conditions. Just my opinion. berrr sorry to hear of your fellow CO passing. "

" I wonder if it would interest you all to know that it has been proven repeatedly that the prisons with the most humane conditions, and that allow for prisonors to maintain dignity and improve their status in society from within the walls (e.g. GED classes and college courses) have the LOWEST recidivism rates, the least number of corrections officers per shift, and the lowest violence rates.

This country really needs to re-evaluate its attitudes about inmates and rehabilitation. "

" northiowan it would great if people DID know that but fact of the matter is as long as they have their ounce of flesh and drop of blood they couldn't care less. Supposedly, our laws call for incarceration of criminals but the opponents on here, at least, comment like they think incarceration means "anthing goes". After all they are criminals. It's a sad day watching society regress to the point that there is no compassion, no acceptance of people who have "paid their debt" to society and think it only happens to someone else. No one is immune. "