Razor wire's out from Democratic convention jail facility
By Judi Villa, Rocky Mountain News
Published August 20, 2008 at 1 p.m.
Updated August 20, 2008 at 9:29 p.m.
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There won't be razor wire, but anyone arrested during the Democratic National Convention will be held in locked chain-link cells in an old warehouse.
The Denver Sheriff's Department unveiled the facility Wednesday, saying it was designed to mimic the functions of a real jail.
The good news: There will be air conditioning.
The bad news: 20 people to an 18-by-18-foot holding cell.
"When people come into our custody, we have an obligation to protect the people that do come in from each other, to protect the community from escape, so that's why the security is important," Undersheriff Bill Lovingier said. "This has to run just like a bricks- and-mortar jail might."
The Temporary Arrestee Processing Center will open Sunday and remain operational until Aug. 31.
Initially, officials had planned to top the cells with razor wire. But that was changed to chain-link in response to community concerns, Lovingier said during a media tour of the facility northeast of downtown in the Clayton neighborhood.
Sheriff's Capt. Frank Gale said officials don't believe there will be widespread arrests during the DNC, but "we have to plan in case we would need it."
"No one's going to be here more than a few hours," he said.
Activists have decried the facility, calling it "Gitmo on the Platte," a reference to the American detention camp for suspected terrorists at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.
Similar comparisons were made in 2004 when New York City opened a temporary processing center during the Republican National Convention. That facility at Pier 57, off the Hudson River, housed about 1,800 arrestees.
At the Democratic National Convention in Boston that year, six arrests were made at convention-related events, according to The Washington Post.
Denver's facility will be able to process 60 people an hour. It can hold 400.
But it will house more than just those arrested during the convention. Anyone arrested on the east side of the city during the DNC will be processed at the facility, Lovingier said.
"The purpose of that is so everybody that is arrested in Denver that week is treated the same," he said.
The exception is those arrested for felonies and domestic violence. They will continue to be booked at the city jail downtown.
At the temporary processing center, those arrested will be photographed, fingerprinted and provided medical care and telephones. There also are stations where people can post bond.
"Our goal is to get them through here quickly and to the courthouse, where they will have access to lawyers," Lovingier said.
Arrestees who post bond will be taken to the city jail for release.
The holding cells each will contain 20 chairs, with water and food available. There will be 23 portable toilets inside and two more outside.
Signs throughout the facility warn inmates not to touch or climb on the chain-link fencing. Other signs say that electric stun devices are used.
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August 20, 2008
1:20 p.m.
Suggest removal
HopiMedicineMan writes:
Well, this certainly violates the rights of the razor-wire manufacturer.
Where's the outrage?
August 20, 2008
1:22 p.m.
Suggest removal
FlyfishDude52 writes:
How can they presume that no one will be there more than a few hours? And why no razor wire?
August 20, 2008
1:39 p.m.
Suggest removal
Mayor_Quimby writes:
Shaggy- And they want to run our health care!
August 20, 2008
1:48 p.m.
Suggest removal
temurlan writes:
"We promise, no razor wire!"
(Pay no attention to the technician hooking wires up to the chainlink fence...)
I wish they built a viewing section. This would be better than a day at the zoo.
August 20, 2008
1:52 p.m.
Suggest removal
HolierThanThou writes:
The only thing the new concentration camp/warehouse needs is a slogan:
"Arbeit macht frei"
Buchenwald, Auschwitz, Treblinka, and Sobibor were also places to "process prisoners".
That the federal government would offer $500,000 for mass internment of people is a hideous unAmerican disgrace. Whoever is responsible for this needs to be discovered and put in there themselves, preferably to rot or to sincerely recant the evil notions they harbor for American citizens.
August 20, 2008
1:56 p.m.
Suggest removal
badbob writes:
Shaggy,should have set it up in the mayor's office!
August 20, 2008
1:57 p.m.
Suggest removal
LingLingfor_prez writes:
Should be fine, just make it an electric fence.
August 20, 2008
1:57 p.m.
Suggest removal
ou8one2 writes:
Since the Dems are so anti-gun, will the guard be unarmed? I bet not.
August 20, 2008
2:01 p.m.
Suggest removal
chief writes:
Anyone who compares this facility to a concentration camp needs a history refresher course, at the least.
August 20, 2008
2:03 p.m.
Suggest removal
Scott writes:
LingLingfor_prez sez: "Should be fine, just make it an electric fence."
Then we can run a scientific experiment to determine if democrats are smart enough to not "pee on the electric fence." :-)
Scott
August 20, 2008
2:06 p.m.
Suggest removal
temurlan writes:
HTT, even coming from you that was pretty stupid.
You are equating a 2 hour processing center for people that broke the law with an internment camp?
Go find something else to be angry about.
August 20, 2008
2:36 p.m.
Suggest removal
redwhiteandBLUE writes:
Keep it open after the DNC leaves and use it as a holding center to deport all illegal aliens!!!
VIVA LA MIGRA!!
August 20, 2008
2:47 p.m.
Suggest removal
cedykeman1 writes:
it's funny because the people complaining here are the ones the cops are going to throw in the temp jail. Good Dems won't be the ones protesting, the repubs will -- haha
August 20, 2008
3:01 p.m.
Suggest removal
badbob writes:
RW&B, you forget, the facility is in Denver!
August 20, 2008
3:05 p.m.
Suggest removal
FlyfishDude52 writes:
redwhiteandblue - That's the most constructive idea I've heard in a long while.
Ladies and Gentlemen; brought to you, in the heart of the Sanctuary City, for aliens of all types, of Denver, by the democratic national convention (fanfare ta-ta) your very own, brand new holding center for those about to be shipped back to their respective home countries.
August 20, 2008
3:06 p.m.
Suggest removal
BroncoRick69 writes:
See, the repukeagains can talk all kinds of bad stuff about democrats, but I have yet to see one post that gives an example of good that they can do as an alternative. Give us ONE good alternative to address the issue of nationwide healthcare besides what is already in place, which by the way does not work.
August 20, 2008
3:12 p.m.
Suggest removal
Elwood writes:
I hope they are taking DNA samples as well. You never how many unsolved crimes might be solved with new evidence.
I also wonder how many fingers will get smashed when the guards remind the prisoners that they are not to touch the fence.
Hopefully they can find some smelly drunks or illegals to throw in with the protesters to keep them company.
RW&B, great comment. Funny how the gov't can find all kinds of money to run this jail during the DNC, but can't seem to find the funds to do the same with illegals caught here in Colorado.
August 20, 2008
3:23 p.m.
Suggest removal
TheDenverB writes:
i agree completely, grunt.
this is nowhere near as attrocious as concentration camps, and comparing the two shows just how ignorant you are.
mass internment? please. we are talking about protest groups that use civil disobedenice and break laws to make their point.
not that there's anything wrong with that, but lets be real: these people have accepted the fact that they are going to get arrested, en mass, so what should we do? our jail can't hold everyone, even on a temp. basis.
as i said elsewhere:
"i'm just asking you all to be realistic and accept the fact that some gropus of protesters willing bring the arrests (NOT THE PHYSICAL ABUSE) on themselves as a means of protest and civil disobedience. I mean, Rosa Parks was RIGHT, but she also knew she was breaking the law and what would happen if she sat on that seat.
and maybe, much like Mrs. Parks, the civil disobedience is what people need to see to wake up. I'm not saying they are WRONG for doing what they do, only that they accept the consequences of their actions (so, so should you guys).
all of this leads to a VERY valid reason for building a temporary facility.. because, again, our jail can't hold that many people."
so, while i appreciate your passion... could you at least TRY and be sensible about this and accept the fact that protestors are WILLINGLY bringing arrests on themselves by KNOWINGLY breaking laws and that the city HAS to do something about it?
if not, could you kindly leave this discussion to those that can be realistic and go find a fringe-left wing extremist blog to spout your crap to? concentration camps? please. that's an INSULT.
August 20, 2008
3:28 p.m.
Suggest removal
denverrma writes:
You know what will happen now....The razor wire would have made detainees/prisoners think twice about trying to climb over the fence and escape. Now someone will probably try, fall, break and arm or leg (due to their own stupidity) and sue the city! Brilliant!
August 20, 2008
3:29 p.m.
Suggest removal
ou8one2 writes:
There are hundreds of death camps here in America; we call them abortion clinics.
August 20, 2008
3:33 p.m.
Suggest removal
BroncoRick69 writes:
Ha Ha those are abortion clinics? I thought they were sperm banks!
August 20, 2008
3:45 p.m.
Suggest removal
EtJ writes:
PT Barnum would have made millions off of this show. Fools of America would have been happy, to make him a very very wealthy man. This country is going to hell, quite simply because of the FOOLS of America. You can see examples here. Fools chanting sound bites provided them by the corrupt msm. Turn off you TV, learn to read, more importantly learn to THINK; or kiss your sorry tush good-bye. Learn to stand up for your rights as well. Anyone here that is making fun of protestors, is brainwashed or one of the machine. Do remember karma is just.
August 20, 2008
3:45 p.m.
Suggest removal
EnlightenedOne writes:
HolierThanThou writes:
"That the federal government would offer $500,000 for mass internment of people is a hideous unAmerican disgrace. "
HolierThanThou:
It would be a bigger disgrace to allow the likes of R68 to disrupt this city. Conduct your protest in accordance with your permit and obey the other laws of this city, and you won't have to worry about it.
August 20, 2008
3:53 p.m.
Suggest removal
TheDenverB writes:
"There are hundreds of death camps here in America; we call them abortion clinics."
no. we call abortion clinics abortion clinics.
death camps are just that.
take your anti-abortion stuff to another story that is related to it. Or, better yet, learn that it's not your choice what others do with their bodies and mind your own business and body
August 20, 2008
3:53 p.m.
Suggest removal
EtJ writes:
unlightened one,
You seem to have the chant: "You WILL comply" down quite well. You overlook the fact, that there was a time that politicians here, could walk the streets. Then they became blood-lusting, rights abusing, thieves. America has fallen, the msm can make more money stalling the announcement of this.
August 20, 2008
4:19 p.m.
Suggest removal
ou8one2 writes:
"DenverB(aby killer)
it's not your choice what others do with their bodies and mind your own business and body"
fact: abortion destroys another persons body without their say so.
August 20, 2008
4:52 p.m.
Suggest removal
NeilT writes:
"abortion destroys another persons body without their say so"
Body? That little lump of cells is now a body?
How do you feel about the 149 men, women and children your god (actually, his real name is Horus) murdered in Spain today?
Get a life, so you don't have to interfere with somebody else’s. You sorry, weak-minded, disgusting excuse of a human being.
August 20, 2008
5:01 p.m.
Suggest removal
Ender writes:
Laughing to hard at all the Dems and DNC to post, sorry
August 20, 2008
5:13 p.m.
Suggest removal
davies writes:
I was OUTRAGED that razor wire was being considered for this detention center.
All that's needed are just a few well-placed pikes, with severed heads atop them.
August 20, 2008
5:38 p.m.
Suggest removal
TheDenverB writes:
I kill babies now?
wait, what?
this is news to me, considering I've never killed a baby... by your definition or mine.
Tell me this, do you support the war?
(I don't really expect a response tonight, as I don't think people stick around after 5 at Focus on the Family)
August 20, 2008
6:37 p.m.
Suggest removal
redwhiteandBLUE writes:
badbob,
Yes, it is in Denver a Sanctuary City and very convenient .
The first illegal to be held and deported is the one that raped the 12 yr.old girl down in Greeley.
Flyfish & Elwood,
It would be a shame to dismantle the facility, once the DNC is over.
It would be the perfect holding place for the illegals..we'll see what's done with it.
August 20, 2008
7:12 p.m.
Suggest removal
HopiMedicineMan writes:
Temurlan--
If I'm in a chain link pen with no razor wire, I'm out in about two minutes committing mayhem in other locales. I'm guessing the ease of escape won't occur to R68s, just sitting there on a cold concrete floor complaining about the global warming.
I'll buy a ticket to that viewing stand you propose inside Holier's "concentration camp." I'll buy extras as a charity project for some of our zoo animals too.
August 20, 2008
8:13 p.m.
Suggest removal
EnlightenedOne writes:
EtJ writes:
"unlightened one,
You seem to have the chant: "You WILL comply" down quite well. You overlook the fact, that there was a time that politicians here, could walk the streets. Then they became blood-lusting, rights abusing, thieves. America has fallen, the msm can make more money stalling the announcement of this."
Well, EtJ, I guess I prefer the governance of elected politicians (Republican, Democrat, or Libertarian) to the world vision of anarchists or the oppression of tyranny.
America hasn't fallen. If you want to see a real "End to Justice" try visiting the third world. I recommend you start in the Middle East.
August 20, 2008
8:41 p.m.
Suggest removal
HopiMedicineMan writes:
Yeah, Middle East Arizona.