Grapevine: Jail construction halted, but meter is running

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Grapevine: Jail construction halted, but meter is running

Detroit prison is costing taxpayers millions

And now some fresh pickings from the Political Grapevine…

Do Not Get out of Jail Free

A Detroit prison became too expensive to complete -- so construction was halted.

But it is still costing taxpayers more than a $1 million a month -- not to be worked on.

Upkeep services include -- electricity, security, and even off-site storage for jail cells.

All adding up to $1.2 million a month.

Critics want to pull the plug.

Quote --  "At this point -- the only thing we should do is cut our losses. If someone is willing to purchase it -- we should sell it."

Multiple parties have expressed interest in buying the property -- but no agreement has been reached.

County officials want to wait until the current financial crisis is solved -- then look at the available options.

While they wait -- the meter is running.

Friday Follow

A Friday follow up to Monday's story of students in Queens -- being excluded from a school carnival -- because their parents did not pay $10.

All while the school made a profit of up to $3,000.

New York Mayor Bill de Blasio calls the school's decision unconscionable.

The president of the company that put on the event -- tells the New York Post -- he wants to put on a free carnival -- for all the students who were forced to miss out.

Quote -- "I'm in the business for over 25 years and always put the kids first. If I had known that there were kids not allowed to attend the carnival -- I would have paid for them."

Hammurabi's Code

Finally -- eye-for-an eye justice is making a comeback -- at least in Ohio.

A Cleveland-area judge gave an assault suspect who pepper-sprayed someone in the face  -- a choice -- 30 days in jail -- or be pepper-sprayed by her victim.

She choose the latter.

But -- harmless saline was used -- instead of pepper spray -- without the suspect knowing the switch had been made.

The Judge said the punishment stung emotionally -- if not physically -- but the motivation is simple.

Quote -- "I do whatever I think will prevent a person from coming back in the courts again."