Meanwhile...

Do you have any idea just how hard it is to talk your way into jail?

Perhaps I'm starting with the wrong question. You are no doubt wondering why anyone might either want or need to talk their way into jail. So let's start over.

Did you know that Arizona is one of I-don't-know-how-many states that criminalize poverty? And yes, there is a story here. Rich had to pay a fine. The why of it is another story. But without a job yet, since the one he did get preceded by two days his coming down with a cold that knocked him flat, resulting in him finding out his new boss brooked no excuses whatsoever and immediately became his ex-boss, Rich was unable to pay the fine. After three court dates where he remained unable to pay, he got jail time.

There's a catch 22 here. When in jail here, one must reimburse the county for its expense in keeping you. So when you get out, with jail again having made it even less possible to pay any new fees, you get to go back to jail, where you get charged.... And around and around. There are a couple outs here, if you know somebody who knows the system and likes you enough to share the rules of the game.

Rich needed to report for voluntary surrender tonight. 8:00 PM. Sharp. Before showing up he needed a mantoux test to prove he didn't have TB. (Wonder what they do if you have it?) His test was negative.  The paperwork to prove that was just one thing among many he needed to produce to get in. He needed his ID. (Obvious.) He needed a copy of the court documents showing his surrender date and time.

Well, now there was a problem. Without going into details, the event which caused him needing to pay the fine was one that got him booted out of the house. He's been living in a homeless shelter in Phoenix. Among its many many other flaws, it's theft central.  His locked bike got stolen. So did his tablet. And his cell phone, the one with all the pictures and videos of his granddaughter on it. So did a bag of his clothing that the guards in the shelter locked up into storage for him. And for unknown reasons, the piece of paper giving the date and time he was to show up.

Really, why would anybody steal that? They were already in a homeless shelter, so had a bed and two squares a day, and weren't under obligation to pay back the system for those privileges, so what would that accomplish? Malice?

This evening I picked up him along with his few remaining unstolen possessions, brought them to the house for actual safekeeping, and drove him to the jail door for voluntary surrender. On time. Early, actually. He'd had to change out of his hoodie since the only sweatshirts allowed were hood-free. He was allowed his ID, paperwork, one paperback and the reading glasses he needed. He finished the candy in is pocket, a last few swigs from his water bottle, and a few puffs of nicotine, leaving them in the car.

I offered to wait. Good thing.

The doors finally opened up for him and one other man waiting, at an unhurried 8:02. Two deputies waited, everybody standing outside while they went through paperwork and possessions. Rich needed to return the case for the glasses to the car. Not allowed. Just the glasses. He had to explain how it was he arrived without the proper piece of paper.  Well, could he call his public defender and get a copy?

You mean at 8:00 on a Saturday night? And that's assuming he could even remember her name and/or number since those were on paperwork he wasn't allowed to bring in with him, now stored in my house.

The deputies led the other man away, conferred, and offered to check out their faxes to see if there was a copy of what they required. Otherwise, it was going to be the boot, and a black mark against him for not complying with the court order.

Rich came back to where I waited in the car to explain what was going on. Just as he finished filling me in, the door opened again and one deputy stepped out with a sheet of paper in hand. Rich ran back, exchanged a few sentences with him, and was let in.

I'm expecting a call from him to be picked up in two weeks for a ride back to the shelter.

I'm really really hoping that's the only call I get. Right now it's hard to imagine any news before then being good news. Crap happens in jails, and he was told to expect this one to be more of a prison. Plus the indoor captive population sharing whatever microbes might be available during this uneasy time. Almost the only thing worse  might be the homeless shelter population, housed in a large dorm style room with crowded bunks. Many are elderly, handicapped, and considering their economic circumstances, bereft of healthcare and loaded with preexisting conditions.

Rich actually thought jail might be a healthier place to be for the next two weeks.