# Man commits crime in WI stating: WI prison healthcare is better than other places **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [February 10, 2019, 12:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/man-commits-crime-in-wi-stating-wi-prison-healthcare-is-better-than-other-places/829250 "2019-02-10T00:13:56Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2019, 12:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/man-commits-crime-in-wi-stating-wi-prison-healthcare-is-better-than-other-places/829250/1 "2019-02-10T00:13:56Z")
> **[Real life 'Shawshank Redemption': Ex-con robs bank, hoping to be sent back to...](https://www.jsonline.com/story/news/crime/2019/01/29/real-life-shawshank-redemption-ex-con-robs-bank-go-back-prison/2704306002/)** > > A career criminal from New York robbed a Milwaukee bank hoping that a judge will send him to a Wisconsin prison. > [@](#): > > Career criminal William J. Gallagher came to Milwaukee last year with a single goal in mind: get sentenced to one of the Wisconsin prisons he had heard great things about while doing time on the East Coast. > > Six months after finishing a 20-year prison stint in New Jersey for attempted homicide, Gallagher in October hopped on an Amtrak train to Chicago, took another train to Milwaukee and went to a Chase Bank “with the sole motivation of going to prison,” Charles Roozen, Gallagher’s public defender, said during a hearing in December when the ex-con and Vietnam War veteran pleaded guilty to attempted robbery of a financial institution. > > Gallagher, 68, had heard that health care in Wisconsin prisons was superior to other institutions and better than the care offered through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Great. Now it’s **my** fault the WI prison population is increasing. :smack: [sub]It’s not all me. I’ve got some great colleagues working in our system[/sub] ---
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2019, 12:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/man-commits-crime-in-wi-stating-wi-prison-healthcare-is-better-than-other-places/829250/2 "2019-02-10T00:24:17Z")
At 68, wouldn’t he be qualified for Medicare? I do know that there are some restrictions based on work history, which could be an issue due to his incarceration. ---
**Author:** ![UCBearcats](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/77aa72/32.png) [@UCBearcats](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UCBearcats)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2019, 12:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/man-commits-crime-in-wi-stating-wi-prison-healthcare-is-better-than-other-places/829250/3 "2019-02-10T00:37:37Z")
Felons should get basic care at best. No one should want to go to prison for any reason. ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2019, 12:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/man-commits-crime-in-wi-stating-wi-prison-healthcare-is-better-than-other-places/829250/4 "2019-02-10T00:38:54Z")
> [@nearwildheaven](#): > > At 68, wouldn’t he be qualified for Medicare? I do know that there are some restrictions based on work history, which could be an issue due to his incarceration. I think that you have to have worked (and paid Medicare taxes) for 10 years. The article refers to him as a “career criminal,” so it’s entirely possible that he hadn’t. On the other hand, the article also states that he was treated by the VA back in Brooklyn last year, which would suggest that he’s a vet, and eligible for VA care. ---
**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2019, 12:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/man-commits-crime-in-wi-stating-wi-prison-healthcare-is-better-than-other-places/829250/5 "2019-02-10T00:45:54Z")
The guy’s also basing his opinion about WI prison healthcare on info that’s 50 years old, according to the full article. > [@](#): > > “About 48 years ago, I’m sitting with a 72-year-old con,” Gallagher said during the plea hearing, according to a transcript of the hearing. “And he had been in just about every prison in the country and he did two bids in Wisconsin. And he said it was the best food, commissary, this, that everything.” Truth be told, I won’t claim WI prison healthcare is superior to other prison systems, as I lack data to do so. But we do have less violence in our prison system, far lower than the typical US prison. ---
**Author:** ![zoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zoid/32/336_2.png) [@zoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zoid)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2019, 12:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/man-commits-crime-in-wi-stating-wi-prison-healthcare-is-better-than-other-places/829250/6 "2019-02-10T00:47:22Z")
> [@](#): > > In Japan there is a bit of an old-age crime wave born out of desperation and poverty. > **[Home - NPR Illinois | Stand with the Facts | NPR Illinois](https://www.nprillinois.org/)** > > Local news and state government coverage from the Illinois capital, Springfield, Illinois. Coverage of news, arts and life for central Illinois from Hannibal Missouri, to Decatur Illinois, Lincoln, Litchfield, Rochester, Chatham, Petersburgh,... Unfortunately this is not uncommon all over the world ---
**Author:** ![TokyoBayer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tokyobayer/32/13989_2.png) [@TokyoBayer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TokyoBayer)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2019, 1:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/man-commits-crime-in-wi-stating-wi-prison-healthcare-is-better-than-other-places/829250/7 "2019-02-10T01:34:11Z")
> [@zoid](#): > > [Home - NPR Illinois | Stand with the Facts | NPR Illinois](http://www.nprillinois.org/post/japan-s-prisons-are-holding-more-older-inmates#stream/0) > > Unfortunately this is not uncommon all over the world I saw a similar article on BBC. It’s sad. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2019, 1:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/man-commits-crime-in-wi-stating-wi-prison-healthcare-is-better-than-other-places/829250/8 "2019-02-10T01:37:26Z")
> [@UCBearcats](#): > > Felons should get basic care at best. No one should want to go to prison for any reason. I think a better plan would be to provide adequate healthcare to people so they don’t feel the need to go to prison to get it. ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2019, 1:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/man-commits-crime-in-wi-stating-wi-prison-healthcare-is-better-than-other-places/829250/9 "2019-02-10T01:40:23Z")
> [@UCBearcats](#): > > Felons should get basic care at best. No one should want to go to prison for any reason. A lot of citizens don’t even get basic care. THAT’S what’s disturbing. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2019, 1:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/man-commits-crime-in-wi-stating-wi-prison-healthcare-is-better-than-other-places/829250/10 "2019-02-10T01:42:20Z")
> [@Little\_Nemo](#): > > I think a better plan would be to provide adequate healthcare to people so they don’t feel the need to go to prison to get it. [Conservative] Why should I pay for healthcare for criminals? [/Conservative] ---
**Author:** ![DPRK](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/4491bb/32.png) [@DPRK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DPRK)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2019, 1:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/man-commits-crime-in-wi-stating-wi-prison-healthcare-is-better-than-other-places/829250/11 "2019-02-10T01:55:09Z")
> [@little nemo](#): > > i think a better plan would be to provide adequate healthcare to people so they don’t feel the need to go to prison to get it. > [@kurt vonnegut](#): > > “cross your fingers,” said lou. “the lawyer’s going to try to get us a year.” > > “gee!” em said dreamily. “i wonder what kind of wires you’d have to pull to get put away in solitary?” > > “all right, pipe down,” said the turnkey, “or i’ll toss the whole kit and caboodle of you right out. And first one who lets on to anybody outside how good jail is ain’t never getting back in!” > > the prisoners instantly fell silent. ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2019, 2:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/man-commits-crime-in-wi-stating-wi-prison-healthcare-is-better-than-other-places/829250/12 "2019-02-10T02:01:09Z")
I’ve been tempted to knock over a 7-11 in Sheboygan so that **Qadgop** could be my doc. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![digs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/digs/32/14889_2.png) [@digs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/digs)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2019, 2:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/man-commits-crime-in-wi-stating-wi-prison-healthcare-is-better-than-other-places/829250/13 "2019-02-10T02:09:55Z")
> [@Jackmannii](#): > > I’ve been tempted to knock over a 7-11 in Sheboygan so that **Qadgop** could be my doc. 🙂 Watch out, if you steal bratwurst or cheese curds in Sheboygan, it’s a Class IX Felony and you get sent to Oswald Federal Correctional. Minimal health care due to budget cuts, most docs have to make their own shivs for elective surgeries. ---
**Author:** ![UCBearcats](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/77aa72/32.png) [@UCBearcats](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UCBearcats)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2019, 2:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/man-commits-crime-in-wi-stating-wi-prison-healthcare-is-better-than-other-places/829250/14 "2019-02-10T02:12:29Z")
> [@Guinastasia](#): > > A lot of citizens don’t even get basic care. THAT’S what’s disturbing. It is disturbing that felons get better healthcare, food, and cable then honest people. ---
**Author:** ![Wesley\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wesley_clark/32/20581_2.png) [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2019, 2:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/man-commits-crime-in-wi-stating-wi-prison-healthcare-is-better-than-other-places/829250/15 "2019-02-10T02:25:05Z")
This guy has medicare and the VA, and prison health care is still better? ---
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2019, 7:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/man-commits-crime-in-wi-stating-wi-prison-healthcare-is-better-than-other-places/829250/16 "2019-02-10T07:35:26Z")
> [@running\_coach](#): > > [Conservative] Why should I pay for healthcare for criminals? [/Conservative] It’s a human rights issue. ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2019, 8:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/man-commits-crime-in-wi-stating-wi-prison-healthcare-is-better-than-other-places/829250/17 "2019-02-10T08:14:16Z")
> [@UCBearcats](#): > > It is disturbing that felons get better healthcare, food, and cable then honest people. So perhaps then we should try to help "honest get better healthcare and food. You think? ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2019, 9:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/man-commits-crime-in-wi-stating-wi-prison-healthcare-is-better-than-other-places/829250/18 "2019-02-10T09:28:49Z")
> [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](#): > > Great. Now it’s **my** fault the WI prison population is increasing. :smack: Troublemaker! > [@UCBearcats](#): > > Felons should get basic care at best. No one should want to go to prison for any reason. > [@UCBearcats](#): > > It is disturbing that felons get better healthcare, food, and cable then honest people. …and right there we have one of the basic and deep flaws in American society - the honest citizen has no assurance of even _access_ to healthcare, much less anything else but prisoners do. This has been the case for _decades_. Each an every one of us should be deeply ashamed of this fact, yet there are still people yelling “we’re number 1!”. No, we’re not. When it comes to healthcare the US is deeply immoral. ---
**Author:** ![coffeecat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/coffeecat/32/3405_2.png) [@coffeecat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/coffeecat)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2019, 2:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/man-commits-crime-in-wi-stating-wi-prison-healthcare-is-better-than-other-places/829250/19 "2019-02-10T14:25:32Z")
> [@UCBearcats](#): > > It is disturbing that felons get better healthcare, food, and cable then honest people. The punishment of prison is loss of freedom. Since freedom is what we Americans are so proud of and claim to treasure, it should be obvious that’s a great deprivation, regardless of anything else you may get. Oh, and if prisoners eat better than you do, for the love of God, man, _ **LEARN TO COOK!** _ Scandinavian prisons are like hotels, and they have a much lower recidivism rate than we do. Go figure. ---
**Author:** ![UCBearcats](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/77aa72/32.png) [@UCBearcats](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UCBearcats)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2019, 2:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/man-commits-crime-in-wi-stating-wi-prison-healthcare-is-better-than-other-places/829250/20 "2019-02-10T14:27:10Z")
> [@Guinastasia](#): > > So perhaps then we should try to help "honest get better healthcare and food. You think? I totally think. It is why I posted my comment. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/man-commits-crime-in-wi-stating-wi-prison-healthcare-is-better-than-other-places/829250.md?page=2)