[vioppyskype]

Ken and Pati,

Thank you very much for responding. This is exactly the type of information I'm looking for.

It is amazing the different response I received from the government of the DR. Well, maybe not that "amazing".

Thanks again

MotorCity Mike

[Dreaming]

Prisoners and suspects are not coddled in the DR.

Except those who can pay. I met someone who's wife is in jail in DR. The prison workers would give him their work schedule so that he could call her on their cell phone. I saw some pictures she sent him from jail. She had a pretty nice setup (for jail that is). She had her own cell, a bed, a desk,with a wall mirror. The door to the cell was covered with a white sheet but I was able to see the bars at the bottom.From what I heard he was paying $1000 US a month.

[pirinosa]

I can confirm the comments of DRScarface & Lambada as to body searches at Prisons. I have escorted women to the prisons in the past to visit relatives/friends incarcerated there & in every case they were "Orifice searched". The fact that ONE person was able to circumnavigate this process by a GLARE, does not make this the normal practice in jails. The 'NORM' is to do body searches!!

Strange practice though & totally un-necessary as 90% of the drugs going into the jails (& there is a LOT from what I hear from inmates) is actually taken in by the guards themselves - are they perhaps protecting their supply lines by closing the other avenues by doing body searches???? - Grahame.

[vioppyskype]

[QUOTE=Larry]Right. So how accurate do you expect your research paper to be? Especially since you are recieving conflicting information from strangers over the internet. Seriously, how can you sign your name to this paper?

I am going to be proud to submit this paper. Maybe you didn't read my earlier posts. I've received detailed documented information from both the DR government and from organizations trying to resolve problems within the prison system. Now I'm trying to solicit information regarding the perception of the prison system from people that have experience with the system or know someone that has experience with the system.

Is the information I receive from everyone going to be correct? No! I understand that and am happy to accept any information people are willing to share. Perception of how things are...especially the perception from the general public is very important.

Are there going to be jokesters and bashers? Absolutley!! That comes with any kind of research...especially when people can hide behind a keyboard with some made-up name and believe they are anonymous to the world.

To everyone.....even the bashers.....I really appreciate your input. Some people take this issue very seriously; some people could care less.

MotorCity Mike

[no02rSx2]

I am looking for information regarding the jails and prisons in the Dominican Republic. The information I am seeking for my research relates to the treatment of people that have been arrested and/or jailed for short term sentences to life in prison. I would also like to know the conditions of jail/prison facilities in the DR (holding cells, short and long term detention cells, etc.) Information regarding cleanliness, food, recreation, visitation, prisoner work assignments, etc. is appreciated.

If you have any personal experience with the jail/prison system or know of anyone that has, please respond.

Thanks in Advance

MotorCity Mike

Are you serious? It is the Dominican Republic. How do you think the Prisons are?
I have no clue what kind of reasearch you are doing but if it is anything of importance then asking for testimonials from an internet message board is hardly professional or ethical. Unless you work for the N.Y. Times I suggest you take this "Research" more seriously.

[vioppyskype]

Mike,
No offense here but you are doing research on stories people tell you on a Interenet message board about the D.R Prison system? Doesn't make much sense.
Anybody can right anything. I can tell you that in D.R. every prisoner is given 2 beautiful women to pleasure them sexualy and after their release is given a brand new SUV! Is that really research? Or maybe it is a Psych or Sociology paper and you are looking for Guinea pigs?

Tony,

I know that some information I will receive will be wrong. As I stated before, I need to try and get a "perception" from the public regarding experiences with the prison system. If jokes and bashing are part of the information I receive....this will be part of "the public perception". This is a college assignment and I have to try and "weed out" any erroneous information I receive. I guess my ability to come up with an educated analysis will be part of my grade.

I'll include your comments....as I think my professor will get a kick out of it.

Thanks for your feedback!

MotorCity Mike

[steevyjeors]

Don't you have leylines to find or crystals to chant over? I mean don't you have better things to do than to pour over my posts looking for typos because you can't defend yourself against my debate?

Anyway....

Mike, Good luck on your research.

There is a big difference between a 'debate' and a 'rant'. Tony C's comments fall squarely in the latter catagory. My readings of this thread lead me to the observation that, dispite his tender years, MCMike is far more mature than some of the insipid comments passed. Help the guy or get out of the way.

[stuck_in_WA]

Tony,

I know that some information I will receive will be wrong. As I stated before, I need to try and get a "perception" from the public regarding experiences with the prison system. If jokes and bashing are part of the information I receive....this will be part of "the public perception". This is a college assignment and I have to try and "weed out" any erroneous information I receive. I guess my ability to come up with an educated analysis will be part of my grade.

I'll include your comments....as I think my professor will get a kick out of it.

Thanks for your feedback!

MotorCity Mike

Could your professor teach him the difference between write & right? Mind you, that poster would probably enjoy the ego massage of an inclusion in your research!
Have received your email address & am working on response.

[vioppyskype]

Why dont you take a trip down to the DR and take a collar yourself? Then you will be able to give a first hand experience of the prison system. I hate when I see people write a "research paper" based on third hand experience. It's like a white liberal describing the black mans plight or the "glass ceiling" he always mysteriously seems to hit. Doesn't seem authentic to me. How can you expect to research this over the internet from Detriot?

Larry

This research is for a college class that I am taking. This IS intended to solicit responses from people that have had experience or know of people that have had experience with the "system". It is specifically targeted for responses from the "internet community". This by no means is a scientific study rather an attempt to get a general idea of the perception of the corrections system in the DR. This has nothing to do with Black or White or Glass Ceilings or authenticity.

I've done some research with Amnesty International and have even received some information from the Dominican Government. The information I've received has been from the two extremes and now I'm looking for something in the middle.

And by the way.....I think I'll pass on coming down there to get "collared"

Thanks for any help you can give me.

MotorCity Mike

[stuck_in_WA]

If you PM me your email address, I'll respond. May take a day or 2 - iffy line to computer at present.

[no02rSx2]

[QUOTE=DRsScarface]Just know that when women are visiting they strip them to their toes(family members have told me this). they take basically ALL their clothes off and check EVERY part of you body.(Don't want to give graphic details, because it would justy freak you out).QUOTE]

This is the stuff you will get when looking for information on a Message board. While i don't doubt it has happened to some ignorant poor girl who visited prison on her own there is no way that this is a regular practice. This would not be allowed by Dominican Culture. Retribution would be swift by both the prisoner and their family.

[no02rSx2]

Tony C, why does it sound like you are defending the DR correctional system?

Lambada, what you said is very true about women having to take their underpants off and squat. Tony C will probably say it doesnt happen, since he seems to be in every single jail when checks occur during visiting hours. Also, What you mentioned doesnt only occur at La Fortaleza but also in other jails. I've specifically heard people talk about the strip searches occuring at the Carcel Modelo Rafei, in Santiago.

Dominican prisons are Hell Holes. But At least I can say I was there with women and nobody was stripped searched. All you guys have said is that somebody told you........

[vioppyskype]

I visited Stuart Ratner for 14 months in Fort Aleza, Puerto Plata, 4 years ago, so got to know the system there quite well. Have had more recent contact because of a young Englishwoman jailed there (see thread under General). I had a point of comparison, having been a Probation Officer in UK in 1960's. Result? NO comparison!!! Let me know purpose of your research, & I'll be happy to share my experiences. Be advised I know ONE prison here, not sure how representative that one is of the others.

First of all, I'm glad that Stuart Ratner's bogus drug charges were thrown out on appeal. I can't imagine how tough it would be to spend that much time in prison unjustifiably.

Would you be willing to give me an idea of the conditions of the prison facility he was incarcerated in? Maybe some details on visitation, food served, overcrowding, and whatever else you care to share with me. If you'd like to do this outside of the forum, you can email me directly as well.

Thanks so much

MotorCity Mike

[RjkVwPcV]

Tony C, the people that have told me are not somebodys. I have heard this from relatives. My mother, grandmother, aunt, you name it. I didn't here this from any random people in the street. We might not have proofs such as video cameras but the fact that many people say they have heard the same or seen it happened confirms what Lambada, BushBaby and myself have said. You say we don't have proof that this happens, but do you have proof that it doesn't?

[vioppyskype]

I am looking for information regarding the jails and prisons in the Dominican Republic. The information I am seeking for my research relates to the treatment of people that have been arrested and/or jailed for short term sentences to life in prison. I would also like to know the conditions of jail/prison facilities in the DR (holding cells, short and long term detention cells, etc.) Information regarding cleanliness, food, recreation, visitation, prisoner work assignments, etc. is appreciated.

If you have any personal experience with the jail/prison system or know of anyone that has, please respond.

Thanks in Advance

MotorCity Mike

[FrereeDoulley]

Right. So how accurate do you expect your research paper to be? Especially since you are recieving conflicting information from strangers over the internet. Seriously, how can you sign your name to this paper?
Larry

Hey motorcity mike... I am very interested in your topic or research. I have visited the DR many times (only the North Coast) and have heard many a story of NOT wanting to end up in a DR jail. I live in Canada and don't know exactly what type of research is required for your study but if it is for a thesis or something like that, getting "general comments" from an internet message board is hardly credible. I work in the legal field in Canada and would be more than happy to make some contacts with lawyers, etc. in the DR to help with your research but I need to know more. Is this an opinion paper or an actual testimonial. If it is a testimonial, in my opinion you cannot do this type of paper about a country without having made the trip and visited a DR jail for yourself. From you post it does not sound like you have ever even visited the DR? That's like me doing a research paper on Moscow (never having visited there) and saying what the best attractions are for tourists.

[RjkVwPcV]

Tony, i'm saying the truth. I didn't just make it up. I have heard these stories from female family members of ALL ages. Females ranging from the 20s to even their 60s. And i doubt its any kind of sexual harassment, since the people checking them are females. They obviously wouldnt allow a male to stripsearch women.

[vioppyskype]

[QUOTE=Tony C]

Just know that when women are visiting they strip them to their toes(family members have told me this). they take basically ALL their clothes off and check EVERY part of you body.(Don't want to give graphic details, because it would justy freak you out).QUOTE]

This is the stuff you will get when looking for information on a Message board. While i don't doubt it has happened to some ignorant poor girl who visited prison on her own there is no way that this is a regular practice. This would not be allowed by Dominican Culture. Retribution would be swift by both the prisoner and their family.

Tony,

I've been provided information from Amnesty International, The ACLU (representing the family of a Dominician extradited back to the DR), and from many other reliable sources including some people that have PM'd me from this board. The dominican government says that it is their policy to conduct an extensive search of visitors for contraband.

Believe it or not Tony.....this seems to be a common complaint among female visitors to Dominican prisons.

As I've never been to a dominican prison, I can't say for sure if this is true or not. Have you been or are you just guessing it's not true?

Thanks for your input!!

MotorCity Mike

[vioppyskype]

If you can, you should do a search throughout the Dominican newspapers.

Interesting data: over 80% of current prisoners have never been to trial.

The jail in Puerto Plata is maybe called "la Fortaleza"

Every jail in the country is overcrowded by a factor or 100%.

Law students routinely find people that have been in jail for 5, 6, 7 years without trial.

www.elcaribe.com.do
www.listindiario.com.do
www.hoy.com.do
www.diariolibre.com.do

Are some good places to start. Ask a Hispanic classmate to help you with the search.. Lots of good stuff in there.

HB

Hillbilly,

Thanks for the input and the links. I've been to the DR probably 20 times but never had the desire or reason to see the inside of a jail cell. Now I wish I could have (As a visitor of course).

The times I've been there, I've only stayed at an AI twice. The other times, I've rented a car and drove to many of the non-tourist areas. I only wish I would have known that someday I would have been researching this issue.

Thanks,

MotorCity Mike

[vioppyskype]

Just know that when women are visiting they strip them to their toes(family members have told me this). they take basically ALL their clothes off and check EVERY part of you body.(Don't want to give graphic details, because it would justy freak you out).

The system is also very unjust, they will give you life in prison just because they "think" you commited the crime. Even if they know you didnt commit the crime, the judges are bought with either money or property. The system is basically EXTREMELY corrupt, trust me, i know from family experience.

DRsScarface,

Thanks for your response!!

Do you know if a person can get out of jail by paying a large sum of money?

I know I've been stopped by the police a few times and they've had their hands out for a few pesos for alleged speeding. It's funny how they can tell you're speeding when they stand on the side of the road without a radar gun