Image provided by: University of Nebraska-Lincoln Libraries, Lincoln, NE
About The daily Nebraskan. ([Lincoln, Neb.) 1901-current | View Entire Issue (Jan. 25, 1988)
Inmates lack space, privacy for visitation By Kirstin Swanson Staff Reporter In 1986, Marion Holmes, a 39 year-old maximum security pris oner, was married in the Nebraska State Penitentiary. He has never spent a private moment with his wife since their marriage, and he is allowed only one short kiss and a hug at the beginning and end of each weekly visit. The Prisoners’ Rights Commit tee is trying to get private visitation approved. But Holmes said he doubts the committee will ever succeed. Currently, Sen. Tim Hall of Omaha is in the process of appro priating $250,000 from the state’s General Fund to expand the visit ing area. Holmes said the 50- by 100-foot visiting lounge gets “pretty crowded” during evening visita tion hours and often another room has to be opened. At an October hearing, prison ers told a legislative committee that inadequate space for visitation resulted in overcrowding and a significant lack of privacy. The prisoners also said there is not _ enough room for visiting children to play. A sign on thedoor of the visiting area says that the capacity for the room is 335. However, Sonny Pittman, a prisoner since 1981, said the room is overcrowded with 100 people. Pittman said the prisoners pro posed private visitation in 1985 but were told by prison officials that it would “counter rehabilitative goals.” In 1986, the Wyoming Stale Penitentiary set up trailers in the prison yard that are used for up to 72 hours of private visitation. This is ultimately what the prisoners at the Nebraska State Penitentiary would like, Pittman said. Pittman said the biggest prob lem with not having private visita tion for married prisoners is that their marriages don’t last, and when the prisoner is released he doesn’t have a relationship to re turn to. This leads to the ex convicl’s return to the prison, Pittman said. Other stringent rules exist in the visitation room, Pittman said. Of fenders must remain seated except to use the restroom or get a drink of water. Security guards arc on hand j.p. caruso/Daily Nebraskan The Holmes family (from left, Kizzie, Barb, Brandon and Marion) spend time together during visiting hours at the Nebraska State Penitentiary. to reprimand prisoners who don’t follow these rules. A visit may be terminated if the prisoner refuses to abide by the rules set. Holmes said his wife, Barb, and two children visit him as often as they are allowed to, which is once a week. Holmes said he wishes they could visit more often. The Prisoner’s Rights Commit tee has been working for five years to improve visitation in the prison system. “Although it’s a start,” Pittman said, “it’s not all we hoped for.” Snowball fight prompts committee formation By Mary Nell Westbrook Senior Reporter The “Great Snowball Fight” in November that caused about $10,000 worth of damage spurred the creation of a new committee to establish better rapport between residence hall and Greek students. James Griesen, vice chancellor for student affairs, said residence hall students need to get more involved on campus. “There’s a conception that Greeks control everything,” he said. But, he said, the Greek students arc the only ones who apply for student government and other board posi I tions. “These are fine people,” he said, “but we need more diversity.” John Bergmeyer, second vice president of the Association of Stu dents of the University of Nebraska, said a similar committee was at tempted a few years ago. But that committee didn’t mention much about snowball fights or Greek/resi dence hall relationships, he said. It was concerned more with the Daily Nebraskan “slamming the Greeks,” he said. This committee proposed that the two affiliations work on projects to gether such as Homecoming or other social functions. Russ Johnson, president of the Residence Hall Association, said one problem is the “lack of opportunity to get to know each other.” Bart Vitek, representative of the Abel/Sandoz Residence Association, suggested the two groups “work to ward a common cause like more state aid.” John Smith, Interfratcmity Coun cil president, said the new committee has to be “very careful and realistic, because a hasty project may fail.” Griesen said freshmen need lo get more involved. “RH A should tap into the freshmen who they think would make good senators he said. Members of the new committee include representatives of AS UN. RHA, IFC, Panhellcnic and ASRA. If all you can see is the price of eyeglasses, you need more than your eyes examined. Cheap glasses can be a real eyesore. Not only do they look bad, they can make your eyes hurt. MALHAK Vision Center offers you everything from examinations and fit tings to a competitively-priced line of glasses, trifocals, sunglasses and con tact lenses. And you get professional advice, fast services, convenient lo cation, and convientient hours. Call us today to have your head examined before you buy glasses. It's the only sane thing to do. S20.00/mo. VBIONCEMTERS CredltC„dg Budget Plan Accepted 3200 “O” St. 475-1030 FREE CONTACT LENS CONSULTATIONS AVAILABLE Q Rack’Em Up O At The i Every Monday Night Is Tournament Night! 8-Ball Tournament-Double Elimination $5.00 Entry-Cash And Food Prizes Sign Up Deadline Is At 7:30 Every Monday All Imports — $1.25 Lower Level Gunny’s Mall 13th & Q St. H Pontlllo's welcomes everyone back with New York's Finest Pizza and Hot Hoagies plus the chance to win one of three WELCOME BACK PACKS valued over $125 each. Drawing will be held Monday. February 8, 1988 Win All This... • PONTILLO'S BACK PACK • PONTILLO'8 MEDIUM PIZZA EVERY WEEK OF CLASSES FOR REMAINING SPRING SEMESTER 1988 • PONTILLO'S SWEATSHIRT • PONTILLO'S HAT To register for the WELCOME BACK PACK, complete this entry form and bring It to Pontlllo's or give to delivery driver with your next order. Order Today! Name _ Address __ Zip _ Phone _ \ v “Cl" Sf' | Drawing 2/8/88. One entry | . per order please. Employees 1*111 ViflftUU I of Pontlllo's excluded * I-, | xwn a ntt YOUR CHOICE: | ^ Turkey - Ham - Roast I HOT HOAGIES S-™"*" I Cheese - Lunch meat - wm4 MBrf Meat Ball - Vegetarian S5.95 •“ i v »'Q" ST* I 4,5-1246 1311.* « One Coupon Per Order — w Expires 2/8/88 .lj\P ^ I j_