Events Calendar
In This Section
Most Read Stories
Man robbed at Tallmadge Avenue eatery
Another winter punch heading toward Ohio
Four teens restrain man, take items from his Akron home
Complaints against officer keep coming
Police: Ohio girl dies after fall into snow bank
Region makes way for latest batch of snow; cancellations rise
Cuyahoga Falls residents come home to find burning couch on balcony
Blogs:
First Bell - On Education:
No City of Akron basketball tonight
Pets:
Pet telethon re-airs
The Heldenfiles:
Chipmunks "Squeakquel" on DVD/BD March 30
Akron Zips:
Late surge gives Zips ugly road win
Tribe Matters:
Blogmail response on Hafner
Cleveland Browns:
Stallworth's contract terminated
Balanced Ledger:
QB in Browns future: another mock draft
Kent State Sports:
KSU Notes – February 9
Cleveland Cavaliers:
NBA Power Rankings from Around the Internet
Buckeye Blogging:
Buckeyes grab 18 players on signing day
Varsity Letters:
Garfield at Buchtel basketball
All Da King's Men:
Palin At The Tea Party Convention
Blog of Mass Destruction:
Republican Pre-Conditions
Akron Law Café:
Law, Love and Chocolate
Car Chase:
Collector Car Hobby Loses One of the Best—Jim Roll
Let's Talk Real Estate:
Decisions Decisions: Credit Cards or Your Mortgage?
Ohio Travels with Betty:
Loucile is looking for a Lake Erie getaway in June for three kids, ages 1, 3, and 5.
Sound Check:
Talk of the Town – Top entertainment picks for the weekend
HRLite House:
OFCCP Report
Akron Gamer:
Makers of 'Castle Crashers' unveil 'BattleBlock Theater'
See Jane Style:
Do IT this week: Layering
Switch from solid orange meant to make prisoners look more like prisoners
By Rick Armon
Beacon Journal staff writer
Published on Monday, Nov 30, 2009
Summit County Jail administrator Gary James was watching a reality television show about jails when he spotted something interesting:
Inmates in striped uniforms.
As long as James could remember — and he's worked for the county for nearly three decades — the local jail had used solid colors, most recently an orange jumpsuit.
But he liked the idea of putting inmates in stripes, a more stereotypical prison outfit.
''This is a jail,'' James said. ''I wanted it to look like a jail, not a college dormitory.''
So Summit made the switch last year, adding not only uniforms with horizontal stripes but also different colors to denote an inmate's criminal status.
Some companies that sell jail products say they've seen a slight increase in purchases of striped uniforms over the last several years.
''It has a lot to do with the message that the sheriff may want to send to the inmate and the public,'' said Hollis Moore, president of PX: Direct Jail Products in Philadelphia. ''It gives the impression that the incarceration will be strict. There's no fooling around.''
There's another advantage. Inmates won't be mistaken for a maintenance worker if they somehow escape.
''You see that striped uniform and you can figure it's an inmate of some type,'' said Carol Stephens, chief executive of Walter F. Stephens Jr. Inc. of Franklin, Ohio, which sells jail and prison products worldwide.
It's not like there are bold fashion trends for inmate clothing, given the limited options. There's a jumpsuit and a two-piece set, and both cost about the same, around $16. The only real choice is: solids or stripes.
''You won't see a Project Runway for inmate uniforms,'' said Mike Jackson, a correctional program specialist with the National Institute of Corrections in Washington, D.C.
In Summit County, which has more than 600 people at the jail each day, inmates may wear black and white, red and white, orange and white, light blue and white, or green and white.
Red stripes are reserved for violent criminals, those charged with crimes such as murder and rape.
''We don't trust anybody in here, but when we see that red and white designation, we're a little bit more aware of what we're doing,'' James said.
Orange is for inmates who have attacked staff.
Black is for nonviolent offenders. Light blue is for inmates who work at the jail, doing laundry or cooking, for example.
Green is worn by inmates at court proceedings if they have attempted or may try to commit suicide. The green serves as a reminder to deputies to place the inmate back into a special anti-suicide gown when he or she returns to the jail.
At first, James planned to place inmates with mental illness in green uniforms but mental health advocates bombarded him with complaints about singling out those individuals. He said it wasn't to humiliate the inmate, but to let deputies know that they had to treat the individual more carefully if there were a disciplinary problem.
It's not unusual for jails to use different colored uniforms to distinguish inmates. The colors make it easier for deputies and inmate service workers to know whom they are dealing with — not the specific crime, but just the severity, officials said.
Inmates have become used to the change.
Tony Cox, 37, of Akron, who was being held on a probation violation for drug charges, said the uniforms make him curious about the crimes committed by other inmates, especially when he sees someone in red. He wears a black and white uniform.
He said there's a benefit to the colors when he goes to court.
''For a person like me, who's not a violent criminal, I think it's better,'' he said. ''I'm not a violent person and I want [the judge] to know that.''
Rick Armon can be reached at 330-996-3569 or rarmon@thebeaconjournal.com.
Summit County Jail administrator Gary James was watching a reality television show about jails when he spotted something interesting:
Get the full article here.
Comments
Click here to post your comments
Akron, OH
Posted 04:39 AM, 11/30/2009
''We don't trust anybody in here, but when we see that red and white designation, we're a little bit more aware of what we're doing,'' James said.
Typical attitude of a demographic with a habit of profiling.
Treat them all the same, and you won't have to bother with it.
Antioch, Fl
Posted 05:02 AM, 11/30/2009
Riiiigggghhtt. Because a 17 year old driving without a license has just as much incentive to attack a detention deputy, as a violent, career criminal.
Leave running the jail to those with experience.
Akron, Ohio
Posted 05:26 AM, 11/30/2009
Dayum, an entire story about this? *YAWN*
Posted 07:31 AM, 11/30/2009
I seen the men wearing these not long ago when downtown, can spot them a mile away...I like the idea as for profiling, tell the victim that Poster.
Akron, OH
Posted 08:21 AM, 11/30/2009
Bringing back the stripes and color-coding them sounds great to me. Also, when are we going to bring back chain gangs?
And no, I'm not being sarcastic.
Snydertown, OH
Posted 08:31 AM, 11/30/2009
Hey stupid...if you don't like the article, don't read it or post on it. Duh.
Powell, OH
Posted 08:45 AM, 11/30/2009
Profiling? In a jail? Are you serious?
Canton, OH
Posted 09:16 AM, 11/30/2009
They ca give the old orange jumpsuits to deer hunters.
naples, fl
Posted 09:23 AM, 11/30/2009
I wonder if there considering pink and white for sex offenders. Kind of like the license plates for multi dui offenders.
Akron, Oh
Posted 09:44 AM, 11/30/2009
Actually I think it is a terrible idea. The potential for violence is not necessarily dictated by the crime commited. It has to do with individual. Drug offenders can be violent even though they did not actually get arrest for a "violent crime". Since most of the jail inmates have yet to be actually convicted of anything it is really unfair to profile them in front of other inmates. ESPECIALLY in the case of those accused of a sex offense. Those inmates are pretty mellow and compliant anyway. I am sure many will disagree from an emotional perspective but the actual system is supposed to be impartial.
Hoodieville, OH
Posted 09:50 AM, 11/30/2009
The court system is supposed to be impartial, they're not wearing them in front of the jury.
AKRON, ohio
Posted 10:30 AM, 11/30/2009
Bosco1962 said "ESPECIALLY in the case of those accused of a sex offense. Those inmates are pretty mellow and compliant anyway."
But that's just in your experience,right?
Do you spend a lot of time in the county jail?
akron, oh
Posted 10:36 AM, 11/30/2009
It's not profiling, it's labeling. These are post-conviction inmates. The prisoners are categorized based on past behavior (or at least based on what they have been convicted).
Dade City, Fl
Posted 10:38 AM, 11/30/2009
Big deal, who cares, is this only story you guys could find to print. Geeze.
Dade City, Fl
Posted 10:39 AM, 11/30/2009
Big deal, who cares...there must be something more interesting that you could have reported about.
akron, oh
Posted 10:50 AM, 11/30/2009
''This is a jail,'' James said. ''I wanted it to look like a jail, not a college dormitory.''
How much money is this going to cost the taxpayers? The city of Akron has layed off city workers or reduced their hours without pay. Stop wasting money!!!
naples, fl
Posted 10:53 AM, 11/30/2009
Bosco I agree with you. Though I made a smart comment about the pink and white. I think your going to get judges who will label the inmate by the color of his uniform. True your usually not in that when in court. I think it could affect your bond.
akorn, oh
Posted 10:56 AM, 11/30/2009
Hey SpoonSTer- not so fast. People who are charged and can't make bail before trial are there, too. [That makes them innocent by definition, remember?] As for the labeling, you couldn't possibly believe it but some people- get this!- actually make fun of people with mental illness! Can you imagine such a thing? Then the Deps have to deal with the melt down.
It really does make some sense.
akron, oh
Posted 11:05 AM, 11/30/2009
These aren't post-conviction inmates and yes, the jury does see them in these, as does the judge. They should all be treated the same because they all have the potential for violence.
This might have been an interesting story a year ago when they made the change, but why don't you look into why they changed all the uniforms when the county claims they have no money?! And could the ABJ stop getting in bed with this chief. This man says he wants things strict, no fooling around, this isn't college-and this is the same man who set up a volleyball tournament for inmates and bought pizza for the winning inmates. Really sounds more like a dorm than a jail.
Hoodieville, OH
Posted 11:33 AM, 11/30/2009
And NO, the jury doesn't see them in the uniforms. Who cares if the judge sees them in the colored stripes?? They already know what the charges are and a lot more.
Atlantic City, NJ
Posted 11:45 AM, 11/30/2009
@Maryann; I think if you re-read the story it says the uniforms were purchased last year and cost the same as the old color uniforms.
my city, Oh
Posted 11:49 AM, 11/30/2009
How long do you think it will be before another "prison inspired" fashion trend comes out of this and today's youth will be running around in red and white stripped uniforms because they want people to know they're dangerous and deserve RESPECT?
Chagrin Falls, OH
Posted 12:05 PM, 11/30/2009
Snake Eyes: Good point! Thought the same thing. The prisoners wearing 'red' will leverage their labeled 'dangerous' status in an already explosive environment. Overall, I like this idea. It's jail not a 'dorm' (!) and who cares if the inmates take offense? You committed a crime (whether you can afford to post bond or not is inconsequential), you go somewhere that makes you think twice about committing one again. I like the thought of humilating a sex offender with a pink striped uniform.
Stow, OH
Posted 12:08 PM, 11/30/2009
''This is a jail,'' James said. ''I wanted it to look like a jail, not a college dormitory.''
It has been many years since my days in a college dorm, but I recall with great fondness how we all were decked out in our orange jumpsuits.
Akron, OH
Posted 12:11 PM, 11/30/2009
Did they do this so they could lay off deputies? The uniforms aren't free! Bad PR at best!
Kent, Oh
Posted 12:13 PM, 11/30/2009
I'd like to see color-coordinated leg irons and shovels.
Demolition Falls, OH
Posted 12:14 PM, 11/30/2009
"The only real choice is: solids or stripes."
What about plaid? Make them wear plaid pants together with a striped shirt. Now that's what I call punishment!
Akron, Ohio
Posted 12:26 PM, 11/30/2009
Haha @ Think.
They're gonna replace toga parties with orange jumpsuit parties.
Canal Fulton, Oh
Posted 12:41 PM, 11/30/2009
@Think LOL
good point too about the outsiders carrying on this fashion of the day.Isnt that where they got the drooping pants? Cuz the prisoners dont wear belts so their pants sag,and John Q.Public thought it was cool.
akron, oh
Posted 12:51 PM, 11/30/2009
So Freddy Kreuger could get in there and they wouldn't know him ? LOL Seriously...who says they can't change clothes with someone else ? These are criminals with criminal minds...A uniform isn't going to stop them
Lakemore, Oh
Posted 12:58 PM, 11/30/2009
Want to cut costs and taxes, start executing them.
Also put it on pay per view, make some money.
Oh wait Ohio likes to keep scum alive in jails.
akron, oh
Posted 01:07 PM, 11/30/2009
Better idea. Provide the pink and white striped suits for the violent offenders. I'm sorry, but how tough can you be while you are parading around in pink and white !!!
Chagrin Falls, OH
Posted 01:31 PM, 11/30/2009
@DaveT: Thanks for the laugh! GREAT idea.
Akron, OH
Posted 01:41 PM, 11/30/2009
@ Snake Eyes:
That way, we citizens will know who to aim at and there won't be any mistakes!!!!
Canton, OH
Posted 01:58 PM, 11/30/2009
they remind me of some of the old Striped Gap Rugby shirts i used to wear in the 80's.
Hudson, OH
Posted 04:46 PM, 11/30/2009
Great Idea !!! lets everybody know what they are dealing with - color coded handcuffs were also a great idea - just not as visible.....
Safety is # 1 - whatever the cost.
akron, oh
Posted 06:34 PM, 11/30/2009
One more. Could the county issue a bright colored jumpsuit for those on work detail on the highways, one that says I AM A THIEF in bold letters. Maybe shaming some of these people would get things under control !!
Posted 07:08 PM, 11/30/2009
@DaveT lol for sure. After being robbed over the summer, I would have liked to stamp I AM A THIEF on the SOB's forehead who stole from me.
akron, oh
Posted 09:30 PM, 11/30/2009
As far as a judge making decisions based on the color of the stripes...
seriously? A judge probably has the person's entire criminal record to review and consider - or should. The stripes only confirm what he/she already should know.
I think this is a great idea, and I suspect next Halloween we may see striped costumes. (Saw a few orange ones this year.)
Posted 10:12 PM, 11/30/2009
I say Kill Em All
Akron, Oh
Posted 10:15 PM, 11/30/2009
So now when young men go to jail they're going to make sure they have the most respected color on--red stripes. If I'm in jail I want red stripes so noone will f$ckk with me.
Posted 10:23 PM, 11/30/2009
what happens when some of the inmates are color blind? Inmates wearing red could be mistaken for those wearing green.
Akron, OH
Posted 11:07 PM, 11/30/2009
The Sheriff in AZ put them all in hot pink jumpsuits. That is about as immasculating as I can think. Why not that? Or, canary yellow?
Let's start treating these dirtbags like the vermin they really are!!!!!
akron, oh
Posted 11:22 PM, 11/30/2009
The stripes clash with my polka-dots, he says with a lisp.
Akron, Ohio
Posted 02:31 AM, 12/01/2009
Thwripes clath whhith my polka doths.
akron, Oh
Posted 04:33 AM, 12/01/2009
summit county needs to run the jail just like sherrif joe does in tuscon. put them in tents, give em pink undies an socks. an put em to work cleaning up trash from the road. in the summer they can mow grass on the freeway to save the county money in winter. shovel the sidewalks downtown
akron, oh
Posted 05:33 AM, 12/01/2009
just what we need, thugged out xmas candy canes with attitudes. ho, ho, ho-micide.
Canton, OH
Posted 08:19 AM, 12/01/2009
stleo and pure spec - you guys crack me up.
bluedog62 - that was funny too!
Akron, Oh
Posted 08:34 AM, 12/01/2009
Hey WSP... I guess you never know who you are talking to on here. Could be I have been in the jail...could be that I work there. Could be I am attorney and concerned with peoples rights! More interesting is your response. You may be one of those people that are only concerned with constitutionality and fair treatment when it is you and yours that are mistreated. So yes, it my comment IS from my experience. But it is your conclusions as to how I got that experience.
Akron, Oh
Posted 08:38 AM, 12/01/2009
Also, many people are under the misimpression that the threat of humiliation deters crime. It doesn't. Don't take my word for it...just do some research and see if the yellow plates have lowered the DUI numbers. Hint hint....they haven't.
akron, oh
Posted 09:03 PM, 12/01/2009
Bosco... now that I think more about it, you probably have a point.
What happens when you have someone who has committed violent crime (red), attacked staff (orange), and has attempted suicide (green)... put them in polka dots or plaid? And it may encourage some people to go for a certain color when they otherwise might not have, or cause other similar issues.
That said... deidre made an excellent point too...stleo, pure spec, and bluedog62 all gave me a chuckle.
