While technically that it is true (I did go to jail), it’s not what you might think. As part of our Leadership Weld County group, today’s outing consisted of learning about our public safety organizations such as the jail, Sheriff’s Office and Police Department. So, I did go to jail, but only for a visit. I thought the jail presentation was the most fascinating. They did a demonstration of how to extract a misbehaving jail inmate.

We also got to watch someone get tased! Wow. Just wow. I hope I never get tased. I asked what would be the criteria to tase someone. They said that it depends on the amount of danger that could occur to the police or sheriff. Only if the behavior of a person is at the same level of danger as a taser can they use it. If it is misused that could be reason enough to lose their job. I was happy to hear that! Similarly for using guns (we got to go into a SWAT vehicle and see their guns! scary), they should only be used if life is threatened since it is considered “lethal force” whereas the pepper spray and tasers are considered “less-than-lethal”.

At the jail I found it strange when we were in the area to watch the jail inmates. They could see us somewhat through the darkened glass and were making funny faces at us and making signs. I felt weird because it reminded me of being at the zoo, only instead of animals they were people. I also thought about how it would feel to be on the other side of the glass as a prisoner. The sheriff deputies talked about how so many of these people live in poverty and so being in jail is somewhere actually a little better for them to go. They have 3 meals a day, they are relatively safe, they have health care, and a warm bed. It may seem like a lot to us to give up our freedom, but to many of them, it’s actually better than how they usually live, especially for those with mental illness and/or substance abuse issues on top of poverty. They said that 80% of the inmates in there were return visits! If that’s not a case for prevention and rehabilitation in jails and prisons, I don’t know what would be!

We also got to visit the fire station and I got chosen to sit in the fire truck! I felt like a happy little 3 year old boy :-).  We also saw the paramedics. Both the fire department folks and paramedics talked about how they are becoming many people’s first line of care in treating even fairly minor health issues because they don’t have health insurance. Yet another facet of the health care debate that I don’t think many people who have health insurance consider. When the paramedics and firemen and women are out answering these calls, they can’t help you in a true emergency. It was also interesting to discuss the amount that Medicare and Medicaid pay out for these rides and whether or not the cost of paramedic rides should be covered in the same way that fire and police services are (pre-paid with our taxes).

In my line of work at the health department I mainly work with women, so it was interesting to see the jobs that are mainly done by men. Overall, quite a fascinating day and a totally different world than my daily reality.

Sitting in the fire truck