[lbo-talk] coked-up currency

[shrill.polemic at gmail.com]

On Aug 17, 2009 4:42pm, Dennis Claxton <ddclaxton at earthlink.net> wrote:
> It's not just currency. The machines they use are wacker than crack. This  
> story is from 2001 but the problem remains the same.


> By Kristen Lombardi, Boston Phoenix


> http://www.alternet.org/story/11642/


> IN THE FIGHT to keep drugs out of prisons, wardens resort to all kinds of  
> arcane and invasive tactics. They turn cameras on visitors, let dogs  
> sniff bags, and require extensive pat-down searches. Before being allowed  
> into a visiting area, people must shake out their hair,...

Thanks for the article although I don't agree that officials leave machines  
in the position of "final arbiter". From what I've seen drug screening is  
yet another way to remind prisoners that guards and the warden hold  
complete and arbitrary control over how inmates live and what they can do.

Another example is that visitors can be turned away due to being  
dressed "inappropriately". That standard changes regularly and arbitrarily  
without notice.

It's very fucked up.

shrill