Prison Stripes in Leon County, Florida...AACCK

[greekspeak]

The other day when Clintmax and I were going to do laundry, we encountered some "guests of the county" out on work gang. They were wearing stripes, as a punishment. I have heard of this, but not really seen it. I get the idea of the stripes being an embarrassment, but I think it struck me as an embarassment for the county. It is 2006, not 1926. I kept thinking the Keystone Cops might come around. Do other people think this is silly/bad/questionable/etc.?

[Downtown Hound]

1. Yes

I had the opportunity to see Sheriff Joe Arpaio's female chain gang out working in stripes when I was in Arizona. Far from making it look tough on crime, it just looked goofy. This was a county jail system so most of those women weren't in there for very serious offenses. In addition to being very humiliated, it was extremely hot outside, and I felt really bad for those women. A sad commentary on the mentality in this country that currently supports these impotent "correctional" methods.

[greekspeak]

2. So many Americans just want a taste of blood, however big the droplet

Silliness.

[Blue_Tires]

3. outdated, yes

and iirc, stripes were not primarily for humiliation; they served the practical purpose of easily identifying one that may escape and hide in the woods, or mix with civilian populations

[rockymountaindem]

4. What's the difference between stripes and an orange jumpsuit? n./t