MASON CITY – A Mason City man arrested twice this year for public intoxication will spend the next 90 days in jail, even as he attempts to prove his innocence on the latest charge.
Marc Ciska, age 45, was sentenced to 365 days in jail today, with 275 days suspended. He was taken to jail to begin serving his sentence. He was also given two years of probation, a suspended fine and ordered to submit a DNA sample. He had been arrested last January, which led to this charge of aggravated public intoxication.
Ciska is facing a second count of the same offense. On April 27, Ciska and another man were rafting on the Winnebago River when they became trapped in the undertow next to a dam on 12th Street NW. Officers used throw ropes to pull the Ciska and the other man free. Both were arrested. Ciska has pleaded not guilty and will face a July 14 non jury trial.
Another victim of our failure to treat mental illness and incarcerating nonviolent drug offenders rather than treating them. Just the way our privatized jail culture likes it. Legalize drugs, use the taxpayer money saved on jail time and use that for treatment for addicts. Treat mental illness with the same respect as physical illness. Clearly the current system isn’t working given the amount of repeat offenses.
At least he will get some decent food and medical care at the taxpayer expense. Give him some beer and he will be fine.
He must like the food and the company at the jail. He is a regular there for the same charge.