To the editor:
Having a daughter in jail is a heartbreaking ordeal for any parent. Knowing that despite a lifetime of love and support, sometimes our children make choices that land them in the worst possible places.
Naturally, though we don’t regret the court’s action in our daughter’s case, we still love her and want her to know that no matter what. However, the employees at the Houlton Jail could not be more cruel or heartless to the plight of family members.
We called the facility to ask about visiting hours. The person answering the phone couldn’t have been more rude or less informed. He had to check around to find the hours and then gave the wrong information. He also did not inform us that an appointment had to be made before the visit.
So an already heartbroken mother drove an hour and a half to visit her daughter. Upon arrival, she was told that she could not see her daughter because she did not make an appointment. After pleading with them, they remained intractable. I received the phone call from a sobbing mother unable to see her child.
I find this most disturbing and horribly cruel. The parents did not commit any crimes other than doing their best and giving a lifetime of love. To be treated as low as the inmates is unjust and a miscarriage of authority. Shame on them and shame on our system for treating a broken mother this way.
William Tasker
Caribou
