Penitentiary blues

Too foolish to talk about - What fool came up with the saying, crime doesn't pay. Now I'm telling you, crime does pay, and pays well. You live well when you're on the loose, and you're looked after twice as good if you are in jail.

Of course, the ones who are on the loose are probably high on drugs. They don't know if they are living a good life or a bad one. But when in the pen, they receive better health care than we do - just to help them to kick their habit.

It doesn't take all kinds to make our world. But like it or lump it, we have to live with all kinds. It doesn't make sense. Here in Newfoundland and Labrador, we are living in God's country. And no, God didn't give Labrador to Cain. He took Labrador from him because the Big Land is too good to give to a murderer.

Lately I've been thinking, how much taxes does a prisoner pay while locked up in that hotel near the lake?

Maybe I shouldn't say hotel. I should say penitentiary. It is supposed to be a place where law breakers are locked up for punishment.

Punishment? My God! They get free room and board, and medical care. And now I still want to know, do they pay taxes?

We, the public, pay our taxes so Canada will stay the best country in the world. Some of us might complain and moan, but still pay it out. Complaining and moaning is just a habit. It is a boring life if we don't have something to grumble about.

And when the government starts wasting our taxes, we've got the right to grumble. Both levels of government step forward to help the Sin City build a new sewer system. Now this is not a waste of money. But, will they step forward to help the outports with their sewer? In some places we still got that dirt flowing above ground.

Now St. John's is looking forward to a new penitentiary. If they were building a new apartment complex for those who need a home, they would be steering in the right direction. Right now, I know a young girl in St. John's. She is looking for an apartment and Social Services won't come up with the money to help her. Surely, the people who work for Social Services have a bit of compassion. Surely they can find her a place to stay instead of pushing her into a dump. Everyone has the right to a good home.

But should a murderer, thief, rapist and child abuser get those rights? I say no. What's the good of having a court of law if criminals are going to be treated with tender loving care?

Why should a murderer, thief, rapist and child abuser have all the comfort of home when the working poor have to struggle along? Why should a prisoner get a free ride to the hospital and the working poor have to pay for the ride? Why should a prisoner get free hydro service while we have to pay a arm and two legs for it? Why should a prisoner get free meals while some kids go to bed hungry? No wonder justice is blind - she's got to close her eyes to what is going on.

And now they are demanding a new penitentiary. My God, I know people who need new houses and can't get them. Will the government builds houses for those who need them? They might if the people are out walking the street.

But I will say, the old pen should be made bigger. With winter coming, the crime rate will rise. Those young men in St. John's will need some place to go. They can never find a place better than Her Majesty's Penitentiary. It is rent free. You can't find a better deal than that. This is why the crime rate is so high in the winter.

Some of those people in the pen are worse than animals. If that bunch is insisting on a new penitentiary, let us put in our demand. Let us demand that it be built somewhere on the northeast coast. Maybe Cabot Island.

Watching the birds and the whales could do wonders for those sick in the mind.