Corrections.com - The Largest Online Community for Corrections: Jails and Prisons. Comments

Oct 01, 2008

marylu37

Well, I'm impressed at that percentage rate! Especially after reading The Pocono Record's article(s) about sexual assaults, etc. at the Monroe County Correctional Facility in Stroudsburg, PA. Yes, they have fired the staff involved in this scandal, but is that where this ends? I for one, think not! Left behind, are several CO's who are even more rotted-out than the one's in this awful scandal-unbelievable!?

Sep 26, 2008

donanonymous

Article: A life promotion

Well written article. Dave Donahue truly puts his family first no matter what, even if it means making a sacrifice professionally.

Sep 19, 2008

Pat8

Article: A life promotion

What a great article. It is a true and accurate discription of a wonderful Husband, Dad and friend!!! I realize I may be a little biased simply because I grew up with Dave and have know him all my life, however as I said, the article truly exemplifies and portays what a special kind of person he is! Good Luck Dave and Family! Pat

Sep 18, 2008

calcops

Article: Lethal weapons ruled out

The correct term for these type of DEFENSIVE WEAPONS is "less lethal". Those agencies that do permit their use can readily show their value. They greatly reduce incidents of inmate on officer assaults. In addition, these types of weapons in the hands of trained officers have saved numerous officer and inmate injuries.

Sep 16, 2008

Stag

Article: Caution against gang ban

I don't beleive they could do this in the US. According to the dictionaries definition of a gang, gangs are a group of three or more people. It is not illegal in this country to be part of a gang. It is totally legal. It the activities of the gang that is illegal.

Sep 09, 2008

dsummers

Article: Education levels linked to executions

Report as written is vague, inconsiderate of the audience. Given the fact that this particular website caters to law-enforcement personnel or those interested in such matters, the topic of death-row inmates being executed due to their education is likely to generate great discussions and further efforts in studies. Unfortunately, the story itself says nothing about the correlation between lower education and execution, or higher education and execution. In fiction they call that approach to writing "cliff-hanging", where the reader has to invest the time to seek out the next page, chapter, book, or episode, movie, etc. In journalism, its just plain crappy text.

Sep 04, 2008

bhenders

Article: The technology bridge

I couldn't agree with the author more. College education not only proves that a person is bright and can stick out a course of study; it also gentles a person such that they are not easily angered and can think through a situation before taking hasty action. Increased education for corrections personnel can only help them and those in their charge as well. For those who are in rural areas, online coursework is an acceptable substitution for classroom education. Departments of Corrections should definitely have an education benefit. Brook Henderson Co-Coordinator, Southern ColoradoCURE

Sep 02, 2008

pablate

Article: A healthy addiction

If we talk about the types of drug test then there are several drug test going through urine test, hair test, saliva test and sweat test. Addiction of drug takes the person to uncountable situations where they can’t live without drugs. These days it is a great evil, several teens have fallen in this addiction. In this situation Drug Alternative Treatment can be given to those who are highly affected from this addiction. http://www.addiction-treatments.com/

Aug 30, 2008

Correctional...

Article: CO, Iraq veteran in fatal stabbing

I am the father of the Correctional Officer mentioned in the story. (The officer who had his jaw shattered). My son works at USP-Atwater, was attacked by an inmate in Sep 07, had two surgeries, mouth wired shut, and was off work for about 6 months. Shortly after his attack, an officer at Atwater was held hostage, shortly after that, an attempted hostage situation where the inmate held a shank up against the throat of the officer, shortly after that several officers were assaulted, then the ultimate tradegy, Officer Rivera's murder. The writing was on the wall, and not enough is being done to protect our law enforcement officers that work at Federal Prisons. We have formed a grass roots effort to try and get the Federal Bureau of Prisons, to change their policies when it comes to stab-reistant vests, issuing non-lethal equipment, and minimum of 2 staff in housing units. Please check out our web site, and if you agree with our efforts, please become a member in our fight. Thank-You Co-Founder "Friends and Family of Correctional Officers" http://www.correctionalsafety.org

Aug 28, 2008

Corrections ...

Article: Victory lap

Thanks for depicting the other "lives" of a CO.

Aug 27, 2008

Stag

Article: Escape plan well-executed

I think that this article should be used are a learning tool for Departments to look into doing cell searches along with inspecting cells periodically throughout the shifts. This should be a big eye opener to officers becoming complacent (Comfortable) while at work. Officers need to do cell shakedowns including taking ALL contriband and inspecting the cells for any needed repair. Some Officers become Inmate friendly and either overlook or don't see any harm in letting some contraband go. Take empty peanutbutter jar for instance. They look and seem harmless. Inmates just use it as a cup. Imagine getting a peanutbutter jar up beside the head full of uf liquid. Or even trash. That is a fire hazard or used to concStaeal a weapon or vital info as far as an inmate being green lighted (hit list) or even tools for escape. We can not get comfortable on our job. If you get comfortable you will get hurt or cause another officer to get hurt or perhaps have an escape happen. Be security conscience, think of your safety and the safety of other officers and the public. Your fellow Officer, Stag.

Aug 26, 2008

stevewonder2

Article: Study: Ala. failing litter clean up

I am an MPA graduate of Texas State University near Austin--NOT a professor there, and grew up in the South. I currently live in the Wash., DC area. Litter removal is bad everywhere, but especially across the South, where 100's are killed each year in debris/litter-related vehicle accidents, particularly in Mississippi and Louisiana. SS, MPA

Aug 26, 2008

Tom

Article: Behind the walls

I'm not sure what brought me to this artical;However I'm sooo happy that I ended up here.I never relized how awfully true this all is.Mostly how CO's are not at all reconized at all as heros of our country.After all "what is the sence" of locking up these criminals if we didn't have these brave men & women to contan & controll them..I never new CO's did not carrie a fully loaded wepon..this just turns my stomic,what in the hell is wrong with our goverment officails?? Now one of you gov.officils PLEASE tell me way it's ok for this freind of mine to obtain a personal-protection-permit & carrie a gun w/him , when going into Detroit Mi. to install cable T.V. becouse he is in a "bad" town for a few hrs. w/a co-worker,never the less in bruad-day light?? I just don't understant our goverment..Lastly why do we not have the death penalty across the board??? Thats commen sense too me.When I was a kid if one of my bro.'s was cought doing something wrong an bing spanked.I certantly did not try samething..I feel if we would have electric chair on public T.V. it would make half theses criminals think twice.Our childeran would certainly see right from wrong. An don't dare tell me it's too rated "R". When t.v. is a huge reason behind half the crimes commitied hear in U.S.. Well I can honestly say I'm 38yrs.old an feel like I learned a full sem. of goverment class from this articall. thank you so much Officer Dawe, please keep up your exolent work!! I promise I will think of all you C.O's of America everday of my life.If there is anything I can do to help out,votes,or what ever please post it hear I will be to this sight freakquiently!! good luck team Tom.o Brighton, Mi.

Aug 25, 2008

maggi

Article: Managing the "other" inmate

Now a days most of the people will do their work very busy and they do not get some relaxation to their mind every time their mind thunk any other topic or any personal disabilities and they get some tension and they get some mental behavior. Most of the people in the world face this problems and some people take drugs and alcohol they are edict ed to that dirty drugs so they also got some mental depression. maggi Ohio Drug Treatment

Aug 19, 2008

johngeorge234

Article: Managing the "other" inmate

“Our jails and prisons are our largest mental-health facilities now.” In Connecticut from 1993 to 1998, the number of inmates classified as seriously mentally ill increased from 5.2 to 12.3 percent. In Mississippi, the number of seriously mentally ill inmates doubled, in the District of Columbia it rose by 30 percent, and in Oklahoma, according to the Wall Street Journal “the number of inmates on psychiatric medications more than tripled between 1998 to 2005 to 4,017.

Aug 13, 2008

flsgt

Article: Study examines officer quality, morale

Charlie Crist should read this study.

Aug 07, 2008

bhenders

Article: Someone to turn to

I cannot applaud this new trend loudly enough! Ever since the 1960s when the prison-like mental institutions were emptied and the mentally ill were dumped on the streets, incarceration has been the unwritten policy for caring for the mentally ill. It is heartening to see that the corrections community has finally decided that no one else is going to help these people and that it is up to the courts. I'm sorry it has to be this way, but anything that will get help for these folks is all to the good. Way to go, corrections!!!

Aug 07, 2008

Henry Oster

Article: Medical facility proposed

The proposed facility in Camarillo has come to the attention of the Ventura County Medical Association governing board, which has invited Mr. Kelso or his representatives to discuss his proposals for reform of the prison medical system in our area. This is an important issue which will impact availability of a variety of health care resources in an area where other hospitals are currently in the process of rebuilding or refurbishing existing facilities. Considerable opposition to the plan has been expressed locally, however, available options appear few, given the fact that the state's responsibility has been virtually preempted by federal courts. State responsibility remains to the extent that the legislature will be required to institute budgetary and tax reform in order to comply with the need for funding for these proposals.

Aug 07, 2008

Henry Oster

Article: Medical facility proposed

The proposed facility in Camarillo has come to the attention of the Ventura County Medical Association governing board, which has invited Mr. Kelso or his representatives to discuss his proposals for reform of the prison medical system in our area. This is an important issue which will impact availability of a variety of health care resources in an area where other hospitals are currently in the process of rebuilding or refurbishing existing facilities. Considerable opposition to the plan has been expressed locally, however, available options appear few, given the fact that the state's responsibility has been virtually preempted by federal courts. State responsibility remains to the extent that the legislature will be required to institute budgetary and tax reform in order to comply with the need for funding for these proposals.

Jul 24, 2008

Cynical Otto

Article: The Rise of Sur 13

This is a very true and informative article. As we see by the Los Angeles Gangs Details with corruption in the police department itself, A very close supervisory effort must be made. Civilians should be used to help on a volunteer basis along with proper delegation of police authority to actually control gangs. Unarmed law abiidng citizens are at the mercy of these gang members who all have access to weapons, Foreign gangs such as the Chinese Triads sell weapons thanks to Clinton's free trade agreement. The borders HAVE to closely scrutinized as America is the open door to crime with crime champions such as the ACLU to encourage gang perticipation.. Then there is the Russian Mafia who have gained a stronghold in America since the Wall in Germany came down. In areas where it is difficult to get a concealed weapons permits, the gangs are encouraged by the authorities to flourish with no resistance from the law abiidng citizens.

Jul 17, 2008

Gene Atherton

Article: Integrity pie

Excellent article. Excellent effort in defining integrity in a way that is very understandable, and in tieing integrity to facility safety. This is the first good correctional writing I have seen on the subject.

Jul 16, 2008

bogey251

Article: Governor urges maximum terms

It's about time. Vermont is a mess. Now how about deval doing the same thing? LOL!!

Jul 15, 2008

maryhelen

Article: Report: End juvenile prisons

The judicial system needs to close down the Juvenile Prisons. Children should not be locked up because they are still growing and learning the right and wrong. Maybe we as parents are to blame because we have not taught them the right and wrong. Parents or legal guardians should be responsible for their actions. Children belong with their parents. They are too young to be in jail and they have not matured to know the right and wrong. They learn all the wrong from today's technology and try to copy what they see? If they were to do research about juveniles in the past they never had a high population of juveniles. Discipline should be at home with a law that protects them from abuse. Like maybe, restricting them from going out on the weekends. The punishment should be something relating to the crime that they did, like, grafitti, have them paint the public restrooms or bus stops something. If they stole something somewhere, then, have them clean up the place with supervision. Also, they should also attend classes or counseling about life. The right and wrong. They should also get involved with community service. Children do not belong in prison, they belong with their family. All adoption or foster should be screened carefully. Instead of Juvenile officers they should hire supervisors/counselors or after school programs for children who have disciplinary problems. Then allow them to go home before night time. Also, Curfew hours for minors should be at 8p.m. and not 10p.m. that is why we have so many problems. Sgt.M.S. Lizama, Guam DOC

Jul 07, 2008

maryhelen

Article: State prison hostage details aired

If the inmate has a psychiatric history, or found NGRI, the inmate should be housed or committed at Department of Mental Health. I do not agree with those found NGBRI and those found guilty to be housed in the same facility. The NGRIs needs psychiatric treatment whereas, the ones found guilty(inmates) should be handled by Corrections Officers. Now, if the initial intake/processing and classification indicates that the hostage taker who is an inmate with a psychiatric history, this inmate should have been treated and handled by Mental Health Staff who are trained in this field. Corrections Officers do not really have this training background in dealing with Psychiatric Illness. As for weapons used during the hostage taking, they need to conduct a shakedown at least once a month at all housing areas and common areas. Thorough pat-down searches and inspections of items entering the facility needs to be conducted by officers. The officers must be alert at all times with effective communication skills orally and in writing. Sgt. M.S. Lizama DOC, Guam

Jul 07, 2008

maryhelen

Article: Inadequate staff level locks down jail

There are a lot of shortages of corrections officers in a lot of facilities in America and to include where I am from (Guam DOC). We are experiencing the same problem and someone needs to do something about the shortages of corrections officers soon. As long as they continue to arrest criminals, state or federal, they still need to confine them in a correctional facility. We need to hire and train officers soon. To reduce the Overcrowding Situation, Leaders needs to come up with laws to only allow for violent crimes or crimes against people, such as murder, rape, child abuse, fire arms, aggravated assault to be put behind bars. Those who committed crimes against property, theft, misdemeanors, should only do a short term in jail, restitution, and community service. Parole Officers and Probation Officers should step in once these inmates are released from prison. Have these parolees or probationers checking in once a week or once a month. Have strict rules. As for Drug offenders and DUI, These offenders should go through a clinical rehabilitation program for substance and alcohol abuse. As for Drug/Arms Dealers, these are dangerous people. They need to be put behind bars. In other words, law makers needs to come up with an alternative sentencing plan to ease the overcrowding in jail. Also, these inmates who are released from jail should be guided as to how they can seek employment, survival, housing assistance? in order for them to stay out of jail. However, the one thing they need to do is that once they completed serving their time in jail, they should keep a record of it, but not hold it against them when seeking employment. Even a clearance from a psychologist that they are ready to become a part of society. Maybe, they need to come up with a law that gives them a chance to clear their record and only keep the sex offenders on the registry. Sgt. M.S. Lizama, Guam DOC.

Oct 01, 2008 marylu37	Article: Jail officials answer to DOJ Well, I'm impressed at that percentage rate! Especially after reading The Pocono Record's article(s) about sexual assaults, etc. at the Monroe County Correctional Facility in Stroudsburg, PA. Yes, they have fired the staff involved in this scandal, but is that where this ends? I for one, think not! Left behind, are several CO's who are even more rotted-out than the one's in this awful scandal-unbelievable!?

Sep 26, 2008 donanonymous	Article: A life promotion Well written article. Dave Donahue truly puts his family first no matter what, even if it means making a sacrifice professionally.

Sep 19, 2008 Pat8	Article: A life promotion What a great article. It is a true and accurate discription of a wonderful Husband, Dad and friend!!! I realize I may be a little biased simply because I grew up with Dave and have know him all my life, however as I said, the article truly exemplifies and portays what a special kind of person he is! Good Luck Dave and Family! Pat

Sep 18, 2008 calcops	Article: Lethal weapons ruled out The correct term for these type of DEFENSIVE WEAPONS is "less lethal". Those agencies that do permit their use can readily show their value. They greatly reduce incidents of inmate on officer assaults. In addition, these types of weapons in the hands of trained officers have saved numerous officer and inmate injuries.

Sep 16, 2008 Stag	Article: Caution against gang ban I don't beleive they could do this in the US. According to the dictionaries definition of a gang, gangs are a group of three or more people. It is not illegal in this country to be part of a gang. It is totally legal. It the activities of the gang that is illegal.

Sep 09, 2008 dsummers	Article: Education levels linked to executions Report as written is vague, inconsiderate of the audience. Given the fact that this particular website caters to law-enforcement personnel or those interested in such matters, the topic of death-row inmates being executed due to their education is likely to generate great discussions and further efforts in studies. Unfortunately, the story itself says nothing about the correlation between lower education and execution, or higher education and execution. In fiction they call that approach to writing "cliff-hanging", where the reader has to invest the time to seek out the next page, chapter, book, or episode, movie, etc. In journalism, its just plain crappy text.

Sep 04, 2008 bhenders	Article: The technology bridge I couldn't agree with the author more. College education not only proves that a person is bright and can stick out a course of study; it also gentles a person such that they are not easily angered and can think through a situation before taking hasty action. Increased education for corrections personnel can only help them and those in their charge as well. For those who are in rural areas, online coursework is an acceptable substitution for classroom education. Departments of Corrections should definitely have an education benefit. Brook Henderson Co-Coordinator, Southern ColoradoCURE

Sep 02, 2008 pablate	Article: A healthy addiction If we talk about the types of drug test then there are several drug test going through urine test, hair test, saliva test and sweat test. Addiction of drug takes the person to uncountable situations where they can’t live without drugs. These days it is a great evil, several teens have fallen in this addiction. In this situation Drug Alternative Treatment can be given to those who are highly affected from this addiction. http://www.addiction-treatments.com/

Aug 30, 2008 Correctional...	Article: CO, Iraq veteran in fatal stabbing I am the father of the Correctional Officer mentioned in the story. (The officer who had his jaw shattered). My son works at USP-Atwater, was attacked by an inmate in Sep 07, had two surgeries, mouth wired shut, and was off work for about 6 months. Shortly after his attack, an officer at Atwater was held hostage, shortly after that, an attempted hostage situation where the inmate held a shank up against the throat of the officer, shortly after that several officers were assaulted, then the ultimate tradegy, Officer Rivera's murder. The writing was on the wall, and not enough is being done to protect our law enforcement officers that work at Federal Prisons. We have formed a grass roots effort to try and get the Federal Bureau of Prisons, to change their policies when it comes to stab-reistant vests, issuing non-lethal equipment, and minimum of 2 staff in housing units. Please check out our web site, and if you agree with our efforts, please become a member in our fight. Thank-You Co-Founder "Friends and Family of Correctional Officers" http://www.correctionalsafety.org

Aug 28, 2008 Corrections ...	Article: Victory lap Thanks for depicting the other "lives" of a CO.

Aug 27, 2008 Stag	Article: Escape plan well-executed I think that this article should be used are a learning tool for Departments to look into doing cell searches along with inspecting cells periodically throughout the shifts. This should be a big eye opener to officers becoming complacent (Comfortable) while at work. Officers need to do cell shakedowns including taking ALL contriband and inspecting the cells for any needed repair. Some Officers become Inmate friendly and either overlook or don't see any harm in letting some contraband go. Take empty peanutbutter jar for instance. They look and seem harmless. Inmates just use it as a cup. Imagine getting a peanutbutter jar up beside the head full of uf liquid. Or even trash. That is a fire hazard or used to concStaeal a weapon or vital info as far as an inmate being green lighted (hit list) or even tools for escape. We can not get comfortable on our job. If you get comfortable you will get hurt or cause another officer to get hurt or perhaps have an escape happen. Be security conscience, think of your safety and the safety of other officers and the public. Your fellow Officer, Stag.

Aug 26, 2008 stevewonder2	Article: Study: Ala. failing litter clean up I am an MPA graduate of Texas State University near Austin--NOT a professor there, and grew up in the South. I currently live in the Wash., DC area. Litter removal is bad everywhere, but especially across the South, where 100's are killed each year in debris/litter-related vehicle accidents, particularly in Mississippi and Louisiana. SS, MPA

Aug 26, 2008 Tom	Article: Behind the walls I'm not sure what brought me to this artical;However I'm sooo happy that I ended up here.I never relized how awfully true this all is.Mostly how CO's are not at all reconized at all as heros of our country.After all "what is the sence" of locking up these criminals if we didn't have these brave men & women to contan & controll them..I never new CO's did not carrie a fully loaded wepon..this just turns my stomic,what in the hell is wrong with our goverment officails?? Now one of you gov.officils PLEASE tell me way it's ok for this freind of mine to obtain a personal-protection-permit & carrie a gun w/him , when going into Detroit Mi. to install cable T.V. becouse he is in a "bad" town for a few hrs. w/a co-worker,never the less in bruad-day light?? I just don't understant our goverment..Lastly why do we not have the death penalty across the board??? Thats commen sense too me.When I was a kid if one of my bro.'s was cought doing something wrong an bing spanked.I certantly did not try samething..I feel if we would have electric chair on public T.V. it would make half theses criminals think twice.Our childeran would certainly see right from wrong. An don't dare tell me it's too rated "R". When t.v. is a huge reason behind half the crimes commitied hear in U.S.. Well I can honestly say I'm 38yrs.old an feel like I learned a full sem. of goverment class from this articall. thank you so much Officer Dawe, please keep up your exolent work!! I promise I will think of all you C.O's of America everday of my life.If there is anything I can do to help out,votes,or what ever please post it hear I will be to this sight freakquiently!! good luck team Tom.o Brighton, Mi.

Aug 25, 2008 maggi	Article: Managing the "other" inmate Now a days most of the people will do their work very busy and they do not get some relaxation to their mind every time their mind thunk any other topic or any personal disabilities and they get some tension and they get some mental behavior. Most of the people in the world face this problems and some people take drugs and alcohol they are edict ed to that dirty drugs so they also got some mental depression. maggi Ohio Drug Treatment

Aug 19, 2008 johngeorge234	Article: Managing the "other" inmate “Our jails and prisons are our largest mental-health facilities now.” In Connecticut from 1993 to 1998, the number of inmates classified as seriously mentally ill increased from 5.2 to 12.3 percent. In Mississippi, the number of seriously mentally ill inmates doubled, in the District of Columbia it rose by 30 percent, and in Oklahoma, according to the Wall Street Journal “the number of inmates on psychiatric medications more than tripled between 1998 to 2005 to 4,017.

Aug 13, 2008 flsgt	Article: Study examines officer quality, morale Charlie Crist should read this study.

Aug 07, 2008 bhenders	Article: Someone to turn to I cannot applaud this new trend loudly enough! Ever since the 1960s when the prison-like mental institutions were emptied and the mentally ill were dumped on the streets, incarceration has been the unwritten policy for caring for the mentally ill. It is heartening to see that the corrections community has finally decided that no one else is going to help these people and that it is up to the courts. I'm sorry it has to be this way, but anything that will get help for these folks is all to the good. Way to go, corrections!!!

Aug 07, 2008 Henry Oster	Article: Medical facility proposed The proposed facility in Camarillo has come to the attention of the Ventura County Medical Association governing board, which has invited Mr. Kelso or his representatives to discuss his proposals for reform of the prison medical system in our area. This is an important issue which will impact availability of a variety of health care resources in an area where other hospitals are currently in the process of rebuilding or refurbishing existing facilities. Considerable opposition to the plan has been expressed locally, however, available options appear few, given the fact that the state's responsibility has been virtually preempted by federal courts. State responsibility remains to the extent that the legislature will be required to institute budgetary and tax reform in order to comply with the need for funding for these proposals.

Aug 07, 2008 Henry Oster	Article: Medical facility proposed The proposed facility in Camarillo has come to the attention of the Ventura County Medical Association governing board, which has invited Mr. Kelso or his representatives to discuss his proposals for reform of the prison medical system in our area. This is an important issue which will impact availability of a variety of health care resources in an area where other hospitals are currently in the process of rebuilding or refurbishing existing facilities. Considerable opposition to the plan has been expressed locally, however, available options appear few, given the fact that the state's responsibility has been virtually preempted by federal courts. State responsibility remains to the extent that the legislature will be required to institute budgetary and tax reform in order to comply with the need for funding for these proposals.

Jul 24, 2008 Cynical Otto	Article: The Rise of Sur 13 This is a very true and informative article. As we see by the Los Angeles Gangs Details with corruption in the police department itself, A very close supervisory effort must be made. Civilians should be used to help on a volunteer basis along with proper delegation of police authority to actually control gangs. Unarmed law abiidng citizens are at the mercy of these gang members who all have access to weapons, Foreign gangs such as the Chinese Triads sell weapons thanks to Clinton's free trade agreement. The borders HAVE to closely scrutinized as America is the open door to crime with crime champions such as the ACLU to encourage gang perticipation.. Then there is the Russian Mafia who have gained a stronghold in America since the Wall in Germany came down. In areas where it is difficult to get a concealed weapons permits, the gangs are encouraged by the authorities to flourish with no resistance from the law abiidng citizens.

Jul 17, 2008 Gene Atherton	Article: Integrity pie Excellent article. Excellent effort in defining integrity in a way that is very understandable, and in tieing integrity to facility safety. This is the first good correctional writing I have seen on the subject.

Jul 16, 2008 bogey251	Article: Governor urges maximum terms It's about time. Vermont is a mess. Now how about deval doing the same thing? LOL!!

Jul 15, 2008 maryhelen	Article: Report: End juvenile prisons The judicial system needs to close down the Juvenile Prisons. Children should not be locked up because they are still growing and learning the right and wrong. Maybe we as parents are to blame because we have not taught them the right and wrong. Parents or legal guardians should be responsible for their actions. Children belong with their parents. They are too young to be in jail and they have not matured to know the right and wrong. They learn all the wrong from today's technology and try to copy what they see? If they were to do research about juveniles in the past they never had a high population of juveniles. Discipline should be at home with a law that protects them from abuse. Like maybe, restricting them from going out on the weekends. The punishment should be something relating to the crime that they did, like, grafitti, have them paint the public restrooms or bus stops something. If they stole something somewhere, then, have them clean up the place with supervision. Also, they should also attend classes or counseling about life. The right and wrong. They should also get involved with community service. Children do not belong in prison, they belong with their family. All adoption or foster should be screened carefully. Instead of Juvenile officers they should hire supervisors/counselors or after school programs for children who have disciplinary problems. Then allow them to go home before night time. Also, Curfew hours for minors should be at 8p.m. and not 10p.m. that is why we have so many problems. Sgt.M.S. Lizama, Guam DOC

Jul 07, 2008 maryhelen	Article: State prison hostage details aired If the inmate has a psychiatric history, or found NGRI, the inmate should be housed or committed at Department of Mental Health. I do not agree with those found NGBRI and those found guilty to be housed in the same facility. The NGRIs needs psychiatric treatment whereas, the ones found guilty(inmates) should be handled by Corrections Officers. Now, if the initial intake/processing and classification indicates that the hostage taker who is an inmate with a psychiatric history, this inmate should have been treated and handled by Mental Health Staff who are trained in this field. Corrections Officers do not really have this training background in dealing with Psychiatric Illness. As for weapons used during the hostage taking, they need to conduct a shakedown at least once a month at all housing areas and common areas. Thorough pat-down searches and inspections of items entering the facility needs to be conducted by officers. The officers must be alert at all times with effective communication skills orally and in writing. Sgt. M.S. Lizama DOC, Guam

Jul 07, 2008 maryhelen	Article: Inadequate staff level locks down jail There are a lot of shortages of corrections officers in a lot of facilities in America and to include where I am from (Guam DOC). We are experiencing the same problem and someone needs to do something about the shortages of corrections officers soon. As long as they continue to arrest criminals, state or federal, they still need to confine them in a correctional facility. We need to hire and train officers soon. To reduce the Overcrowding Situation, Leaders needs to come up with laws to only allow for violent crimes or crimes against people, such as murder, rape, child abuse, fire arms, aggravated assault to be put behind bars. Those who committed crimes against property, theft, misdemeanors, should only do a short term in jail, restitution, and community service. Parole Officers and Probation Officers should step in once these inmates are released from prison. Have these parolees or probationers checking in once a week or once a month. Have strict rules. As for Drug offenders and DUI, These offenders should go through a clinical rehabilitation program for substance and alcohol abuse. As for Drug/Arms Dealers, these are dangerous people. They need to be put behind bars. In other words, law makers needs to come up with an alternative sentencing plan to ease the overcrowding in jail. Also, these inmates who are released from jail should be guided as to how they can seek employment, survival, housing assistance? in order for them to stay out of jail. However, the one thing they need to do is that once they completed serving their time in jail, they should keep a record of it, but not hold it against them when seeking employment. Even a clearance from a psychologist that they are ready to become a part of society. Maybe, they need to come up with a law that gives them a chance to clear their record and only keep the sex offenders on the registry. Sgt. M.S. Lizama, Guam DOC.

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