Jobless man asks judge for jail time

[philosophie_en_rose]

http://www.cnn.com/2006/LAW/10/12/robber.retirement.ap/...

POSTED: 2:55 p.m. EDT, October 12, 2006

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) -- A man who couldn't find steady work came up with a plan to make it through the next few years until he could collect Social Security: He robbed a bank, then handed the money to a guard and waited for police.

...

He pleaded guilty to robbery, and a court-ordered psychological exam found him competent. "It's a pretty sad story when someone feels that's their only alternative," said defense attorney Jeremy W. Dodgion, who described Bowers as "a charming old man."

Prosecutors had considered arguing against putting Bowers in prison at taxpayer expense, but they worried he would do something more reckless to be put behind bars. "It's not the financial plan I would choose, but it's a financial plan," prosecutor Dan Cable said.

[Stand and Fight]

1. Yes, I will say it!

This is what happens in Bush's America! An America in which supposedly they have created five million jobs over the last six years. An America in which they have cut the federal deficit in half... An America in which the "American Dream" is dead and buried. Sad.

[philosophie_en_rose]

14. Prison is more expensive than 'welfare,' but somehow considered more just

This situation is just so sad. People in need have no other options but crime.

When prison starts looking good, you know society is sick.

[Stand and Fight]

18. This country is in deep trouble...

It's sad because the majority of people -- on the left, right, and center -- don't even realize it. When the shit hits the fan a lot of people are going to be caught completely unawares. Mark my words.

[GOPBasher]

2. That's depressing. This is the current state of affairs in this country.

NT

[Downtown Hound]

3. That guy worked all his life

And this is the reward that society gives him. Hey, freeps and all you free market fanatics, read this story and let it burn in real good. This is what's going on out there, you clueless fucks.

[aaronbees]

19. Absolutely

It's heartbreaking. He's 63, and this is where he winds up. Golden years, my ass ... it's not for many people who struggle to make it to retirement. That "free market" always eats people up on the way those "freedoms." Must be collateral damage. Blech, disgusting.

[Megahurtz]

4. We will probably be seeing more of this.

Especially if people have to steal just to eat or something.
Ha! The Wealthiest Country in the World!
What a fucking joke.

[HereSince1628]

5. I have to say I've considered it if I get sick

free health care.

[Kali]

6. You better do a little more research.

[TroubleMan]

10. I seen a guy in a county jail die because the jail messed up his meds.

Had a heart attack and died. Due to and "administrative error" they stopped giving him his heart medication. He complained vociferously about it for three days, and a bunch of us kept trying to get the guards to do something. He never got his meds, and he had a heart attack and died.

Bear in mind that this guy was pending trial....innocent until proven guilty.....but he was given a death sentence with no trial. Don't ever trust jails to take good care of you. That's usually where you'll end up, too. You'll be in a county jail until you get convicted and sentenced (unless you post bail), and that can take anywhere from a few months to a year. After that process, then you might go to a fed or state penitentiary. Although in general they are ran better, you should never trust your life to them.

[Mr_Spock]

7. Bums have been doing this for years up here in the cold NE

They commit minor crimes so that they can be arrested, then act as belligerent as possible to make sure they get in prison, though many officials know what's up & a wink and a nod later the person is in a minimum security jail for a couple months

[tblue]

8. When going to jail is moving UP in life,

you know your country is in serious trouble. And Bush says this election will be about the economy. I sure as hell hope it is!

[barb162]

9. yep the economy is really moving along

and really working for the average American

[htuttle]

11. I guess that's Going In Style

Or at least that was the plot of the movie with that name...

(George Burns, Art Carney, Lee Strasberg...magnificent movie...sad story).

Strasberg: "But...we could get shot."

Burns: "What's the difference?"

[nam78_two]

12. This story makes me very sad

I have recommended every thread I have seen on it so far...

[silverweb]

13. A friend's uncle did something similar back in the Reagan years.

He was elderly and kind of frail, but without serious medical problems. He couldn't work, though, so he committed a nonviolent crime (I forget what), got sentenced to a minimum security prison, and was happily assigned to picking up trash in the prison yard as his "job." He made a few friends, got his 3 squares a day, and felt secure.

Then they released him.

He lived with his niece and her family for a few weeks, but always felt out of place, like he was imposing on them, no matter what they told him. And he missed the prison routine he'd gotten used to. So he stole a car, pleaded guilty, and was happily reassigned back to prison. His niece (my friend) was very upset about it, but all I saw was a happy, relieved old man going "home."

What a great society we have, huh?

[No Exit]

15. Dear Robber Guy: YOUR PLAN WON'T WORK.

You can't receive Social Security if you've been convicted of a felony.

Not exactly sure of the exact location of the changes in the law, but it seems to me I heard Rick Santorum was involved in it.

Will look it up some time.

[Exiled in America]

26. That's incorrect.

[burrowowl]

16. Reminds me of a short story

by Anatole France written in the late 1800 or 19th century wherein a guy tries to make an honest living by selling the vegetables he grew but didn't have a license, breifly he finally asks the judge to send him to jail so he will at least have food and a bed.
Oh my god! Amerika!

[SheWhoMustBeObeyed]

17. At least he wants to live

I expect senior suicides will be on the rise if things don't change.

Maybe we will finally get those purple-roofed Ethical Suicide Parlors.

[sfwriter]

22. Soylent Green is People? eom

[SheWhoMustBeObeyed]

23. Nah. Soylent is fiction. Suicide is real.

[allisonthegreat]

24. Had not thought of senior suicide but you are right n/t

[sfwriter]

20. Bank Robber's Wish to Go to Prison Granted (Prison as a retirement plan..)

http://articles.news.aol.com/news/_a/bank-robbers-wish-...

"COLUMBUS, Ohio (Oct. 13) - A man who couldn't find steady work came up with a plan to make it through the next few years until he could collect Social Security: He robbed a bank, then handed the money to a guard and waited for police.

On Wednesday, Timothy J. Bowers told a judge a three-year prison sentence would suit him, and the judge obliged."

....

Prosecutors had considered arguing against putting Bowers in prison at taxpayer expense, but they worried he would do something more reckless to be put behind bars.

"It's not the financial plan I would choose, but it's a financial plan," prosecutor Dan Cable said.

10-13-06 02:50 EDT

[sfwriter]

21. Very, very sad we've come to this...

But hey, I'm sure the economy is great.

[2Design]

25. Somthing I have said I would consider doing if necessary

years ago I said this might be something I would need to do - so far no - but it is there as a last minute option - there are no helping agencies if you are earning any money - only if you are broke but living with someone can you get help