Published: May 11, 2006 03:04 pm         

Business law students go behind bars

OKLAHOMA CITY — On Thursday, April 27, Mrs. Banta’s business law class visited the Oklahoma County Jail.

Students went through metal detectors and were not allowed to bring cell phones, paper, clothing displaying names or even writing utensils inside the jail.

After a slide-show presentation containing information on the history of the jail, how much money it takes to run the jail and how many inmates are in the jail, the students were given the opportunity to look at some of the weapons the inmates had made from every-day items. One of the weapons was fashioned from the handle of a ladle.

“Taking the students to the jail is an important part of the Business Law class,” said Connie Banta. “It allows students to see what becomes of a criminal once they have been charged and booked in a court of law.”

Students were also given a demonstration on the types of weapons officers might use if an inmate gets out of hand. They had weapons such as a body shield that sends high voltages of electricity through a person’s body. Similar to a tazor gun, the body shield is much more effective.

During the tour of the jail, students went through sliding doors that can withstand 500 pounds of pressure. Accompanied by five or six officers, the students were led to the “shark tanks,” known as the holding chamber, where an arrested person is held after being booked.

The students then had the opportunity to tour the 13th floor of the jail which held juvenile offenders.

Kept behind a glass wall, the students were able to look into the recreational area and watched several juvenile offenders in a classroom setting.

Going to school as a juvenile offender includes learning lessons while two officers are watching to make sure you maintain good conduct.

“Going to the jail is a great deterrent,” said Tuttle senior, Justin Barber. “Having seen the way people act towards others in the jail will definitely keep me from ever committing a crime.”

After observing the juveniles, the students were taken to the adult male chambers. Adult offenders were able to watch television, play cards and chess, and even have a Bible study.

The officer on duty explained to the students the system of “fishing.” Fishing is a technique used by inmates to pass items from one floor to another. The inmates tie string around a spoon, fork or cup, slide their creation down the commode and basically fish for things that might have been dropped in.

Some of the items fished out of the commode have included, a Hershey chocolate bar, tattoo materials, weapons and other various things they are not supposed to have.

Although the trip to the jail was scary for some students, it was an eye-opening experience.

It was amazing to see all of the things that really go on and can happen to you if you are ever in trouble with the law.