Zona Goes to Gaol

Doors Open is a terrific annual event that allows people to tour facilities and specific areas of various operations, most of which aren’t normally open to the public. We went to visit the Huron County Gaol (pronounced ‘jail’) today although it is a facility that does invite tourists all year ’round but we first became aware of it because of the Doors Open project.

Touring the three story building, we learned the history of bad behaviour in Huron County and the consequences. We were particularly interested to see that crimes such as stealing alcohol and vagrancy typically resulted in longer sentences (one month) than those given to people convicted of manslaughter (three weeks).

Apparently, because there was a doctor on staff, poor expectant mothers would come to the jail to have their children. Homeless people would come for shelter, women suffering from postpartum depression might be designated insane and be sentenced for a period of time and anyone having to spend time in jail but without anyone to care for their children would bring those children along to serve the sentence right next to murderers, drunks and thieves.

Zona got a chance to practice her indoor manners, experience a circular staircase and exercise in a prison courtyard. I think she enjoyed most of it – although she did find herself having to serve a bit of time for excessive whining. All in all, she was pretty good so we took her for a walk at the beach where she got to run a little, play in the water and taste goose poop. She had to eat some kibble before I’d kiss her again!