Prisoners expected a rose garden?

Prisoners expected a rose garden?

I am a God-fearing woman and believe in forgiveness, even though this isn’t always easy or always accomplished. That said, the article, “Inmates launch hunger strike” in last Friday’s Vindicator states, “Harris, 28, is serving 53 years to life in prison on aggravated murder, kidnapping, aggravated robbery, aggravated burglary and felonious assault charges that originated in Jefferson County.”

Did he think prison was going to be a picnic? He is not there for fun and games. If a crime or crimes of that magnitude have put him in “Level 5, the highest security level,” what gives him the right to complain? The people he offended are still living with the consequences of his actions without any choice for their lives to go back to what they were. Why should he expect rewards? This is what punishment means.

To earn additional privileges through good behavior is a forward step, but no reward should be handed over through demands. These prisoners lost that right when they took from society. We taxpayers are still funding them in prison, so they’ve taken from us twice.

Harris described prisoners as “sensory deprived, underfed, isolated with little or no movement, unable to hug our children, family and friends.” I’m sure the family of who was murdered wishes they could hug their loved one too, but he took that away from them forever.

This situation just made me mad and sad. Our choices in life come with consequences. He is living with his choices.

Sharmon Lesnak, Youngstown