Sheriff Cummings responds
In 22 years, Jim Cummings says no one has ever asked him why “Sheriff’s Inmate” is printed on all prisoner uniforms -- one of many comments and observations.
Last week, in a three-part series (see A Cape Cod Voice ), Ashley Rorro shared perspectives on six months inside the Barnstable County House of Correction, and her journey back toward life and light.
She raised many issues about what goes on “inside,” especially how women are treated differently than men, with even fewer options and opportunities. Her focus was not on specific corrections officers or individual abuse; it was about structure, practices, a dehumanizing routine that seems far from any initiatives or support for “Correction.”
We asked Barnstable County Sheriff James M. “Jim” Cummings for his perspective on hers. As sheriff for more than two decades, before that a state cop and investigator, part of the Republican Party hierarchy on Cape Cod, Cummings has a reputation for straight talk, though he is by no means in the camp of reform-minded “progressives” now pushing for major police, prison and sentencing reform.
We addressed topics Ashley Rorro discussed point by point. Some of the sheriff’s answers were surprising in one way; how much he agreed with her.
The jumpsuit-overalls all inmates are required to wear bear two words on the back: Sheriff’s Inmate. Does the sheriff understand objections to that sense of individualized ownership, perhaps even more so for women?
“I’ve been here 22 years and I’ve never heard that,” said Cummings. He noted that in other parts of the state system, inmates wear something that says “DOC Inmate,” as in Department of Corrections, “so I guess it’s just so people know it’s the county, not the state.” If people are bothered by the personalized language, “I could change that. That’s an easy one,” though he stopped short of saying he would.
All women in Barnstable are held in one unit, those awaiting trial as well as those already sentenced. They are supposed to be kept separate; does that create challenges and more restrictions?
“It is true that all women are held on the one unit,” said Cummings. “We got a waiver from the DOC to do that… One reason we wanted to was we wanted to do programming for pre-trial inmates.” There are cases when women might be waiting as long as a year in prison before going to trial, so for Cummings it made sense to get them in programs, AA and otherwise, that could qualify for bail reductions or show good intent. When a trial finally comes, a judge might find a woman guilty but sentence her to time already served and release her based in part on participation.
Rorro recounted that she was held in her cell 20 hours a day, and did not see natural light or breathe fresh air for six months.
“Inmates are usually out of the cell a lot more than that,” Cummings answered. “The officer in the unit decides when they’re in or out of the cells.” He also insisted that there are “inside and outside areas,” and a garage-style door opened to allow for light and fresh air, with opportunities for recreation. (Rorro stands by her account, though acknowledges that there were some windows far above eye level in a walled pen that sometimes were open.)
There are work crew opportunities for men, getting them out of the prison and reducing time served. There are none for women.
“That’s true,” said Cummings. “I’ve been trying to get a female crew since I got here … it’s always been a burr in my saddle that we don’t have the program for women.” The reason, he says, is “we don’t have the numbers we have accessible for the men.” Inmates need to qualify to go onto outdoor crews and there aren’t enough women to create a full complement. The idea of integrating crews apparently is not on the table.
Food at a prison commissary is extremely -- some might say outrageously -- expensive.
“Things are more expensive,” Cummings said, with little more by way of specifics, or if he would try to reduce costs. The prison has a contract for a food service provider which involves “more handling”; items ordered must go into individual bags delivered to cells. Cummings pivoted to the question of phone service, also described as very expensive. Some state legislators are pushing to make calling free for inmates; Cummings says that does not take into account that all calls are recorded, “and that’s an expense.” The prison has begun distributing computer “tablets,” which he thinks might relieve some cost and overhead, and improve access.
Ashley Rorro has written to the judge who sentenced her to prison, wondering if there might be a way for her to offer support to others coming out, alternatives like meditation outside of the typical “checking the boxes.”
Cummings sees the need: “I’ve hired two ‘coaches’ with money we got as part of COVID relief,” he said, using terms like “mentor” or “recovery coach,” people with experience versus formal degrees. He sees people out of prison who sometimes face just one difficult roadblock -- a car breakdown, a problem with health insurance -- “and then hit a wall and can go back to using.” Turning to someone for support and advice can make a huge difference, “and I want a former addict to do this.” While he did not express interest in discussing this directly with Rorro, he suggested she might consider approaching a rehab facility like Gosnold.
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My takeaways, after hearing from a woman and former inmate, then an older sheriff with decades on the job?
First, I fundamentally believe Ashley Rorro’s account.
Second, Sheriff Cummings is a straightforward, some might say old-school law enforcement official, but serious creative investments in rehabilitation and reintegration more than incarceration, advocated across the state and country, need to find their way into our House of Correction. That’s true for men and women alike.
Third, while there are real logistical challenges in there, that can’t justify unequal treatment of women.
NEXT: MARVELOUS MARVIN — AND ME?
Ms. Rorro is completely correct with her account of time spent in Sheriff Cummings jail. Having spent 5 months there myself in 2015...I can assure you that women’s civil rights are clearly violated. They talk of “programs” but there are none to speak of...maybe a weekly AA meeting at most. Mothers (and fathers) can only see their infants or children through thick glass...no contact visits...ever...except for your attorney. It’s inhumane. There is no going outside at all for women...the room he speaks of has windows which are 2 stories high. No fresh fruit or vegetables...the food is a soy based product which is tasteless. Women can’t work in the kitchen or outside jobs...only men can. The list is endless. I applaud Ms. Rorro’s speaking out...most who leave are on parole or probation and fear speaking out. Thank-you for article. A county jail is for lower level crimes...but the facility was created as a maximum security men’s prison.