Local Boy Scouts go to jail
If a jail can hold Boy Scouts, it will definitely work for criminals.
Under the direction of Sheriff G. Lynn Nelson, 186 Scouts and Scoutmasters had the opportunity Friday night to stay in Cache County’s new correctional facility at 1225 W. 200 North in Logan. The activity served many purposes, including helping to train the guards in the new jail and letting the Scouts have fun and experience life as an inmate.
Upon entering the jail, participants were whisked up to the third floor of the housing pod called the public release area. This location is normally inhabited by inmates who leave every day to work or perform community service, said Deputy Bryan Hawkins who conducted public tours on Friday. The residence style in the public release cells closely resembles large dormitory rooms where up to 28 inmates may stay at a time.
Participants were introduced to several police officers, including the event coordinator, Deputy Mark Maughan, who has led the organization of the overnight stay with his staff of 10 deputies during the last year.
“The sheriff is a huge supporter of the Boy Scouts and wanted to offer this unique experience to local troops,” he said.
Instead of being locked overnight with nothing to do, the Sheriff’s Office provided some entertaining activities so the boys wouldn’t get bored. In addition to showing an old Western movie in the cells, Deputy Wyatt Goring and Sgt. Mark Olsen conducted merit badge classes for the Scouts.
More than 80 Scouts worked on their fingerprinting merit badge with Goring, including 12-year-old Scout Lim Joo Young, from Troop 12. He learned about unique types of print patterns as well as a brief history of fingerprint identification.
“It was neat to learn how the first fingerprint came to be,” he said.
Goring said he was happy to provide the service since he volunteers as a Scoutmaster with Troop 20 in Logan.
Olsen, an officer in the school resource division, led 20 Scouts in a discussion of the crime prevention merit badge. The overnight jail stay is an “easy opportunity for Scouts to earn this merit badge,” Olsen said, “because one of the requirements is already complete.”
Since a visit to a jail or detention center is necessary to earn the merit badge, staying overnight in jail is simply going the extra mile.
Also, Olsen’s aim was to educate the boys on how they as Scouts could aid local law enforcement by preventing crimes.
“With only about one officer for every 2,000 people in the valley, we really need your help,” he said.
Several Scout leaders went on a brief jail tour led by Deputy Sam Hanks late in the evening and discovered how the facility is operated. They also learned facts about the jail including information on the security windows.
Lexguard windows are mirror-like so that with the correct lighting conditions, inmates cannot see out of their cells, Hanks said. In addition, the windows are so strong that it would take about an hour with a sharp axe to penetrate them.
Meanwhile, Scouts spent some time reading, playing cards and other games, but at 10:45 p.m. lights in the cells were turned off, or so the participants were told. In order for security to monitor inmates at all times throughout the night, the cells remain fairly bright. The chief complaint of the Scouts and leaders overnight was that they couldn’t sleep because the lights were too bright.
Despite verbal encouragement from Sgt. Gene “Tiny” Eggleston, the boys remained restless during the long night. The harsh sleeping environment was enough to convince many of the Scouts that they never wanted to be sentenced to jail.
A hearty breakfast was served at 6:30 Saturday morning to a tired and hungry crowd. Although some participants disliked the food and compared it to school lunches, many said it tasted great.
Bruce Black, a 13-year-old Scout from Troop 73, hoped to stay for lunch.
“Their pancakes are good!” he said.
Soon after breakfast was over, cells were cleaned and inspected before the troops were allowed to leave the jail. Most participants said the experience was worthwhile even though beforehand they were unsure of what to expect.
“I’ve never been in a jail before, but I thought the accommodations would be a little more comfortable,” said Ryan Jackson, a Scoutmaster for Troop 73.
He summarized most of the participants’ feelings in the morning.
“It was still fun,” Jackson said. “But I’m glad I’m going home.”
-wheel@cc.usu.edu
The New Cache County jail is at 1225 W. 200 North in Logan. Boy Scouts stayed on the third floor of the housing pod, which is normally reserved for those who leave daily to perform community service. (Photo by John Zsiray)