Tuesday, March 30, 2010

I.C.E. Detainees - why orange Jail suits

Here's a question for you...

Why do Immigration detainees wear orange McHenry County Jail suits, while they are held in custody in the immigration wing at the jail?

They are not awaiting trial in criminal court. They have not been convicted on any criminal charge in court. Could they be allowed to wear civilian clothes during their detention?

OK, I can understand the orange suits for ready identification, if they are being transported between detention facilities.

Some court appearances are conducted by video-conferences, so they don't even leave the jail to "appear" in court. At court time, do they wear the bright orange jail uniforms?

Is a detainee allowed a speedy resolution to his detention?

Compare what happens when a suspect in a crime is jailed. In most cases he goes to bond court the very next morning. The judge sets his bail and often allows release upon posting a 10% bond.

When a detainee is taken into custody? He sits in custody until somebody in the ICE system, somewhere, sets up a court date for him.

Let's say he can meet the requirements for bond. Shouldn't he be allowed an early court date to get a decision from a judge and be released upon meeting the conditions?

I have in mind an African student who violated his student visa status. He can quickly get back to "in-status", except for the "wheels of justice" that are grinding slowly.

How many other detainees are cooling their heels at $90.00/day cost to the Feds (and income to the McHenry County Jail)? I can certainly understand that the sheriff's department wouldn't be in any hurry to see any of them leave.

When Thomson Prison gets sold to the Feds, will all the detainees be moved 130 miles west?

3 comments:

Debra said...

What color would you prefer that they wear? They are in jail after all. I can understand why you are involved with this case but why do you care if he has to wear prison garb or not? When you are elected maybe you can change the color to hot pink like that sherriff in Texas. HA! Maybe that will make these guys think twice about crime here huh Gus?

Gus said...

Debra, for your consideration.

While detainees are held in a jail facility, there are not in "jail." They are detained, which is different.

If a person can quickly correct his immigration status, how long do you think he should have to be detained?

In this young man's case, it probably could have been corrected within 2-3 days, except it's virtually impossible to communicate with him.

Debra said...

Though I feel your frustration with regards to this particular young man, he is probably the only one of these "detainees" that does not deserve to be detained Gus. The rest are more than likely the "illegally here" variety and should have been sent back to their homeland already. We all feel your frustration with regards to this issue.