Sunday, August 07, 2005

The Gaolers of Paradise


Jaru and I took another drive through Texas yesterday --and finished up coming back through Hill Country, a pleasant part of central Texas.

But, earlier in the day we passed through Eden, Texas. Needless to say, I was curious when I first saw the signs saying it was coming up.

Actually the land around there would probably be Eden for the farmers who first settled the area -- expansive, flat, green, not too rocky, and nice rainfall. Not so great for sight-seeing but storm clouds marched across the sky during our drive giving the place a nostalgic, Midwestern look.

Then the road passed right through the center of town -- which just happened to include a penitentiary. Wikipedia has a nice article and provides the following quote:

Eden is a city located in Concho County, Texas. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 2,561. Approximately one-half of the population consists of inmates housed at the Eden Detention Center, a for-profit prison operated by Corrections Corporation of America under contract with the Bureau of Prisons.

Who knew crime-profiteers could be so poetic?

What surprises me most, though, is that anyone would dare be so sacrilegious in Texas.

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