By Mary Drier
Staff Writer
CARO — While paying their debt to society, Tuscola County Jail inmates can also keep up with their favorite soap opera, sports team or other television program.
Because Charter Cable television service is upgrading it equipment, the sheriff’s department has to make changes in order to continue to provide inmates with cable-television service.
According to Jail Administrator Lt. Brian Harris, the upgrade has to be done by April 15, and is required by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to complete the change from analog to digital television.
“They watch TV? I’d say turn it on the Disney and Weather channels and call it good,” said County Commissioner Christine Trisch. “I’d say if the don’t like the programing stay out of jail!”
The jail allows inmates to have televisions they or a family member provides for them. The sets sit in the catwalk and not in the cell.
Harris noted he can understand the negative reaction to providing cable TV to those serving time, but it has a purpose.
“It’s a great baby-sitter. Without TVs there would be a lot more fights,” Harris said noting violence between inmates and correction officers increases when television privileges aren’t available. “It helps manage them. Without it, there would be a lot more fights and medical costs… for inmates and corrections.”
Charter Cable offered the sheriff’s department three options to continue providing service to the jail. (1) Install a small digital box to each TV with a remote control in each cell at no charge. (2) Install a small digital box at the front of the system and everyone watches the same channel and corrections controls the programing. There is no charge for this. (3) Or install a device known as a “QAM” at the front of the system so the service would continue as it is now with inmates selecting the programing by turning the dial on the TV. The cost for that option and device is $7,500.
While the first two choices are have no cost, having remote controls inside of cells can be dangerous.
“It’s amazing what they can make weapons out of,” said Harris. “Remote controls can be made into dangerous weapons.”
Building and Grounds Director Mike Miller concurred with Harris.
“It’s amazing the kind of weapons they can make with simple things. If they took that skilled and used it positive outside, they wouldn’t be in jail. MacGyver’s got nothing on what these guys can do (with a few common items),” said Miller.
MacGyver was an action-adventure television series where the lead character was resourceful and skilled at improvising complex devices using common household items.
“Another reason I’d rather not see them have remotes is because they try to flush them down (toilets),” said Miller.
Although commissioners bulked at providing cable TV to those behind bars and the cost, going with a QAM device was approved.
Mary Drier is a staff writer for the Tuscola County Advertiser. She can be reached at drier@tcadvertiser.com.