Life behind bars on Christmas Day no holiday for area inmates

If it weren't for a few extra holiday desserts, most local jail inmates might not notice they're spending Christmas behind bars.

Allowing special privileges sends the wrong message to inmates and creates extra work for jail staff, local jailers say.

Scott County's 102 inmates are in the most Spartan of area jails, with no televisions, radios or smoking breaks allowed, said Capt. Jim Chambers. No visitors are allowed on Christmas, either. The jail's regular visitation day is Sunday.

"This is jail the old-fashioned way," he said. "It's pretty hard time here, there's no doubt."

Chambers talked to inmates Tuesday about expectations.

"They've all been asking about visits on Christmas Day and wanting furloughs to go home," he said. "It's all the typical stuff they ask for -- knowing they're not going to get it, but they still ask."

Last Christmas, a few disgruntled inmates started a food fight when they learned phone calls would not be not allowed.

The 145 inmates at the Cape Girardeau County Jail in Jackson at least have television to keep their minds off the holiday, said administrator J.P. Mulcahy.

"We allow them to stay out to watch TV a little more than normal," he said. "We have a way to show them DVDs and the staff will bring in selected movies. But we don't do visitation or anything like that because it doesn't work out. The biggest privilege they get around this time of year is if a judge reduces their sentences to allow them out in time for Christmas."

Jackson police rarely keep inmates at the city jail beyond 20 hours, and the department does not expect to have any inmates for Christmas, a staff member said.

The seven inmates at Cape Girardeau's city jail might get an extra dessert -- but that's about it, said police Lt. John Davis.

"The meals will depend on what Southeast Missouri Hospital puts together to meet the nutritional requirements, but we don't do special requests," he said.

Only two youths are expected to be in county custody over the holiday, said Randy Rhodes of the Cape Girardeau County Juvenile Detention Center in Cape Girardeau. The holiday falls on a regular visitation day, so families can visit, he said.

"The detention superintendent, Pat Colon, usually brings in some holiday food," he said. "They were baking some cookies and cakes today. The staff are cognizant the kids are there on a holiday and will do a little extra for them. They're kids -- you don't usually throw just a corn dog at them on a holiday."

mwells@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 160