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Women's Voter League In Tour Of Sheriff Unit, Jail "Our communications system is among the most sophisticated in the state," Sheriff Arthur Tyrrell told members of the Woodstock- McHenry League of Women Voters (hiring their tour of the facilities early this month. The tour, organized by Sherry Floro of Woodstock, Corrections chairman, was arranged to aid in developing an active, in­ formed citizenry. Beginning the tour in the communications center, Sheriff Tyrrell informed the League members that McHenry is one of two counties in the state to have installed and used a computer teleprinter system of communications. The initial voice com­ munication from the patrolman gving ids location and the license'number of the car he's stopping sets the system in motion. Using that information the radio dispatcher turns 180 degrees to the computer hookup behind hira and pun­ ches a computer tape. The tape is fed into the computer. Within 7 seconds the Springfield computer responds with the vehicle identification as well as a complete description of its owner. "If, God forbid, he should get shot," said Tyrrell, "we have the license in­ formation." After receiving the operator's license, the patrolman relays that in­ formation to the dispatcher. The dispatcher transcribes these facts onto another tape which is also fed into die computer. Springfield responds with the individual's driving record for the past twelve months. About 15 seconds later Washington, D.C. responds, reporting whether the in­ dividual is wanted in another state and the specific charge. In the event of a fugitive, the dispatcher uses the computer again, this time contacting the interested state. The state replies with the warrant details supplemented by a complete background check. Mr. Tyrrell went on to say, "Thus, within a matter of minutes the patrolman knows exactly what he's dealing with." In response to a question, Sheriff Tyrrell informed the League members that the $60,000 cost of the equipment came from federal funds channeled through the Illinois Law En­ forcement commission. Leaving the communications center, the Sheriff guided the League members to the records section for a discussion of records handling. While there they met George Voska, head of the Drug Enforcement unit, who gave an impressive but grim view of the drug picture in McHenry county. "Three years ago McHenry was a virgin county," said Voska in referring to prior use of narcotics agents. "In 1970 there were thirty-one arrests for possession and in 1971 there were 173 arrests for possession and-or sales with an additional 100 assists to other law en­ forcement agencies." He further stated, "There was almost no public awareness of the drug problem then and certainly very little was being done in the way of student or adult education, user rehabilitation, or detection." A California State university graduate in Law Enforcement, Voska had previously operated as an undercover narcotics agent. He graphically depicted fa* the League members his life during that time. The job's glamour, he indicated, evaporated in the filth and jeopardy of the surroundings within a few weeks. The agent is on the assignment only a short time, because he tends to become "a little squirrelly." "Of course, his assignment is terminated with a threat to his life or the discovery of his identity," he added. The most important aspect is the conviction rate, indicated Tyrrell. "We have one of the highest records of con­ victions." Voska continued, "Our job is detection and arrest, and the rest is the court's responsibility." In response to a question about education from one of the , Leaguers, the two men replied jthat while it's not a primary responsibility of the Sheriff's department, in the absence of educational programs in the school districts, they do go out to the schools as part of their education program. Feeling that (education is as important to drug control as ap­ prehension, both men have delivered speeches all over the county. Voska has gone out to schools county-wide to talk to the students. The final stop on the tour, the county jail was designed for maximum security and ef­ ficiency. Among the ar­ chitectural features are structural independence, electrical generating system which can operate up to five months, electronically con­ trolled door action, and sur­ veillance corridors around the cell blocks. In the kichen, the first jail area to be visited by the League members, Tyrrell's com­ mentary was supplemented by Mrs. Inga Tyrrell, his wife. Mrs. Tyrrell supervises the kitchen and the feeding of the prisoners, also acting as matron when needed. Mrs. John Carroll, herself a previous matron, assists in the kitchen. Each prisoner, the Tyrrells reported, costs the county an average of $1.96 per day in­ cluding their feeding, clothing, medical and related necessities. The jail has a capacity of forty-nine prisoners divided into four blocks of eight cells each, one female block, and a minimum security area for sixteen. Additionally League members were shown the areas for initial holding, prisoner isolation, detoxification (drunk tank) medical attention, and multi-purpose. Tyrrell utilizes a trustee program for selected prisoners with short sentences who have indicated a basis for such trust. Since the daily average of in­ ternees runs about twenty-five, Sheriff Tyrrell has a contract with the federal government to house federal prisoners with short terms. In addition to their short sentences he only accepts men convicted of non-violent crimes such as embezzling. At the conclusion of the tour, in response to a League member question, the Sheriff explained that the audio monitoring system in the visitor areas, installed without his knowledge, absolutely was not being used. He asked the man in the guard office about the recording device, to which the guard responded that the instruction not to use it was in place and it had not been used. He went on to say that he was aware that such a listening device was a clear violation of the prisoners' rights. Anyone interested in Corrections should contact Mrs. Floro at 338-4962 or in Membership should contact Mrs. Fern Crane at 338-1732. PAGE 5 - PLAINPEALER-FRfDAY, DECEMBER 14, 1973 BENfFRAN KLIN You'll find everything you want to give right here under Our roof! Great selections, bargains, and a Happy Holiday atmosphere! * » I I LOUISA'S LETTER Dear Louisa, If my husband's mother lives with us should she sit in the front seat of the car when we take a ride or go to church. I would like to know what is the proper thing to do? Eloise~Kan. Answer: I do not live with my son but I ride with him and his wife a great deal and this is what I do. When they come for me M usually says "Mother, sit up there with Tom" and I usually say I prefer the back seat. If the ride is short and they insist, the three of us sit in front with me next to the door. Of course I am well and alert but the situation could be different if I had arthritis and found it difficult to get in the back seat. I think it makes a differ­ ence, also, if the mother is invited occasionally for a ride or is a rather regular passenger. On the occasion­ al ride I think it would be proper for the daughter-in- law to offer the older lady a seat by her son but if it is a regular thing with mother living in the house I think she should be the one to ask for the rear seat. Personally, I couldn't care less whether I sat in the front or the back and a wife should always come first with her husband. Mother will probably have more attention if she is agreeable and easy to get along with. Louisa. Address letters: Louisa, Box 532, Orangeburg, S.C. 29115 It isn't only the minutes you put in at the table that make the double chins--the seconds help a lot. Publish Holiday Issue Of Newspaper Early Because of the Christmas holiday falling on a Tuesday, the Plaindealer holiday issue will be printed prior to Dec. 25.For this reason, deadlines will need to be moved ahead next week. General news will be accepted until Thursday, Dec. 20, at noon. 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