A Storm is Brewing
I never thought in a million years that I would be defending an employer who had treated me poorly but in this case I must speak out loudly. Some bleeding hearts are crying foul because forensic patients at Alvarado Parkway Institute are being shackled to the bed and the poor darlings can’t watch television, have visitors, or get mail. Doesn’t the fact that they are prisoners tell those of us with common sense something?
These are not boy or girl scouts. These are people who have broken the law and don’t want to be there. Most have been caught trying to cross the border. Now they are in this country and only moments away from freedom. The fact that they are there to detox from easily obtained drugs in Mexico would not deter them from trying to escape. This could cause nurses and other medical personnel to be harmed. The fact that most speak Spanish which most of the staff unfortunately doesn’t, would make their planning an escape impossible to detect. These patients are never told when they are going to court because of possible escape attempts. Patients are smart and they often watch staff and recognize a change in routines. Thus they sometimes know when they are going to court. This could be relayed to help on the outside. No visitor and no mail is for a good reason! Visitors often bring in contraband items on the regular mental health floors. Can you imagine what a jonesing patient will ask their visitors to bring them?
If these people wanted all these amenities they should have stayed home and not broken the law. Their comfort should not be placed above the safety of the staff caring for them. Alvarado Parkway Institute stand your ground. These prisoners’ rights should not supersede the safety of the unit or the public at large!