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

Mar 18, 2009

Warden Hood

Authors Bouchard and Plourde provided an outstanding article based on their extensive experience within the Michigan Department of Corrections. I commend them and will forward this information to others working in correctional settings. Bob Hood National Security Specialist GE Homeland Protection Retired - Warden United States Penitentiary (ADMAX) Florence, Colorado

Mar 18, 2009

bagel

Article: Officer arrested over phones & drugs

I worked with this guy for 15 years. He passed our pickets while we were on strike for a month in 1988.

Mar 18, 2009

maria

Article: Mixing custody and substance abuse treatment

I have read your article and it's given me alot of thought. It saddens me to see young people ingaging in such behavior. I'm not a corrections officer,but I've been given the oppertunity to visit with inmates. I've visited one young man many times. It's amazing how people's lives become so much eaiser when you have someone to talk to. This young indivdual has became a better person and wants to do something with his life just because someone cared. It doesn't take much to change one's life. It's important to me to able to listen to someone's opinion.

Mar 15, 2009

nick43

Article: Using Social Media to Protect Public Safety

This is great work. It's imaginative, heartwarming, compassionate and effective. It shows that offenders will behave decently, if you treat them decently. This is a univeral rule! Thanks for sharing the story. Congratulations and Best Wishes, Nick

Mar 08, 2009

rec.blank

Article: More leaders vs. managers [part ii of iv]

Very good article Tracy. I just stumbled upon these articles. They are all very good. Cory from down the road.

Mar 03, 2009

dpdpar5

Article: Leaders vs. Managers [part i of iv]

seastvedt; Vert well stated. Croneyism and extreme favortism is really just the underlying causes of a much larger and more concerning issue. It seems that these factors based on politics and those appointed to management positions based on politics and not professional credentials is all too common. The concept of providing sound governmental public safety services and maintaining safe and smooth operating correctional facilities has gotten lost to taking care of those who vote the same way in elections. In essence it has come down to a political party struggle of power and control between those in power against those who are not. It is apparent this has indeed given way true legitimate public service. Who suffers from these abuses? Staff and the unknowing public.

Mar 03, 2009

sgt314

Article: KY Lawmakers seeking cuts

As you can clearly see, the number of inmates in the ky system grow more each year, which increases the dangers to corrections staff having to deal with them. The officers are expected to do more with less, like less staff, non-working equipment, lack of traing and most of all the lack of pay and respect that they deserve.

Feb 27, 2009

seastvedt

Article: Leaders vs. Managers [part i of iv]

I am looking forward to the next three parts of this article. It is very unfortunate, but croneyism, which is precisely what is being discussed here, seems rampant in Correctional Agencies and Sheriff's Offices nation wide. It goes totally against the principles of civil service competition and fair play. Is it no wonder that so many Correctional Officers around the nation that I have talked to have stated that the majority of the stress on the job does not come from the inmates, but rather management. Although they will always take credit, the successes we have in jails and prisons is because of the line Officers working despite management, not because of them.

Feb 27, 2009

dpdpar5

Article: Leaders vs. Managers [part i of iv]

Great article. You are exactly correct. Leadership in most cases will define the extent of success or failure in mission. Competent and qualified leaders are not infact, defined by title, political appointment or rank, but rather by organizational successes and achieving high performance within the rank in file. Such leaders possess an unquenchable willingness to know the jobs they are charged with setting policy for and create new and more innovative methods of operation. They freely open up communication to and from all levels of the agency. They welcome and encourage input. This is precisely how they empower subordinates to take ownership of the agency. In turn moral and job satisfaction is high. High performance is therefore achieved. You are right when you suggested legitimate leadership is not only the study of organizational functioning but also the study of human behavior and motivation. True leadership must concentrate on identifying and developing the assets of the agency. The most valued asset is indeed the human asset in the trenches. It is these people that will carryout policy, procedure and establish organizational effectiveness if properly managed. Excellent article. I look foreward to more of your work.

Feb 26, 2009

dpdpar5

Article: Rethinking the Mission, Spotlighting the Stakeholders:

You make some valid points. There is no question operational efficiency should be researched and implemented. Organizational cost effectiveness should be expected by tax payers. This may infact mean cutting inmate programs that are not effective and produce no real positive change for reintegration and proper offender socialization. It does not necessarily mean cutting inmate programs simply because they are inmate programs. Cost effectiveness in government, namely corrections would allow for redistribution of and better use of vital and rare financial resources. Case in point; In many departments there are so many levels of supervision and management, that it actually confuses and creates a communication nightmare. As a result, the rank in file, the officers in the trenches actually doing the work become overbudened and stress with orders comming rapidly from various directions, often at the same time. In the end, what is left is a job poorly done, an officer or officers stressed out because they feel if they follow the orders of one superivor they will offend another. The safety and security of the facility compromised. This redundancy in management and overlapping of supervisory responsibility is infact counterproductive to what we are trying to achieve. Prehaps directing redirecting resources from managemenmt and redirecting them toward the rank in file would better serve our needs and most importantly, the needs of the stakeholders to whom we are accountable. Just some thoughts!!! Daniel P. Downen M.S. AJ/S

Feb 26, 2009

Newtime

Article: Rethinking the Mission, Spotlighting the Stakeholders:

Why is it that when bureaucrats talk about "stakeholders" ,"accountability",and produce vast amounts of policies etc,they usually are serving the interests of the criminal advocacy groups and the bureacrats in their ivory towers? Some time,arrange for a group such as National Taxpayers Association to be allowed access inside jails and prisons with full access to line staff,not officials. We do owe the public strong efforts to reduce redundancy and to identify cost-saving measures. In many states,the only "cost cutting" is by laying off staff instead of pulling back on expensive services to criminals.I encourage your writer to se what people in line staff see.Inmates are overdiagnosed and receive gigantic amounts of expensive medications.Staff are required to assist criminals in getting "disability" status and benefits. Many hours are wasted by costly documentation over and over.

Feb 25, 2009

KingofthePau...

Article: Furloughs On The Way For Corrections Employees

http://youtube.com/kingofthepaupers has videos explaining how Argentina's unions of government workers when faced with cuts accepted small-denomination state bonds that could pay for anyone's state services or taxes. Too bad unions of U.S. government workers won't take bond money too. Millennium Declaration UNILETS resolution C6 for a "time-based currency" "to restructure the global financial architecture." Timebanks growing in U.S. Govs should use them too.

Feb 25, 2009

fwaltz

Article: Corrections 101: Compassionate Release

It would be interesting to determine if Atkins' health care costs would be significantly less in the civilian world, as compared to that which she already recieves from the DOC. It is my opinion that if she had been released she could not have afforded her own health care and would still remain dependent upon the tax payers to pay her bills. So, we may in fact reduce prison population slightly yet we are not reducing the health care costs obsorbed by the citizens. Considering that only 70 inmates were even considered during 2007, from the thousands incarcerated, I do not believe that a significant reduction in costs would have been seen. Therefore, in regards to safety and security of the public this is not an issue to thoroughly investigate.

Feb 25, 2009

jmonta

Article: New administrator experienced in jail issues

these articles are hard to read without spaces between paragraphs

Feb 21, 2009

Jeff9

Article: New state prison planned

When building a new prison I'll suggest something that would really save money in the prisons = no toilet paper at all. Install bathroom bidet sprayers in all the toilets and all they'll need is a towel to dry off. It's cleaner, cheaper (yes for those who just have to object to everything water is cheaper than toilet paper!), it's better for the environment and it has health benefits like lessening hemorrhoids which would save even more money. If they object? Tough! You're a prisoner! Besides after they try it, like most people, they will like it. As Dr. Oz said on Oprah: "if you had pee or poop on your hand, you wouldn't wipe it off with paper, would you? You'd wash it off" This is a logical, doable and simple way to save allot of money and actually improve the prisoners living standards. But of course like all new ideas people will find countless silly and inane objections, that is the way of things. Theses sprayers are available at www.bathroomsprayers.com I installed mine myself, easy.

Feb 19, 2009

lino tenorio

Article: Easy as 1-2-3

Thank you very much for such a vey simple reminder of what it takes to be a leader in running an organization such as the Department of Corrections. I too practice that very same principle day in and day out at our adult correctional facility here in Saipan, CNMI. To many a time supervisors tend to think that they are the only ones doing the job and not the subordinates when in reality it is the subordinates that do the job for us in the workplace. Without pacticing the 1, 2, and 3's in that order, the organization is most likely to fall apart. Again, I wholeheartedly agree with you on that..... the mission first at all costs, then second, take care of the welfare of your troops and third, always come last yet be sure to be compassionate to your staff because when you need them most, I can assure you, they'll be there for you! I tell you what, the reward i get is when officers come into your office every once in a while and tell you that most of the officers in the department are now taking their job more seriously and have pride in what they do because of the level of understanding and compassion that is afforded to them. We run a very tight twelve hour shift yet when their request for leave is must, I make sure they get it and give em even more if i can help it. We have to remember that we are only humans and sooner or later these guys will eventually fall apart if we don't take care of them. I know for a fact that i can't run it myself............. got me? Oooowah! Am a retired cop for 20 years, been with the reserves infantry unit for 16 years and now serving as the appointed commissioner for the department of corrections here on Saipan.

Feb 18, 2009

dep1318

Article: Profanity in corrections: Is it really necessary?

In a perfect world this may be true. The fact is we are not in a perfect world. As law enforcement our duty is to be a problem solver. This cannot be efficiently achieved when we are limited by administrators, who have not actually done the job since the seventies. This has detached them from the modern criminal. These modern criminals are so uneducated that they do not always understand the polite request. While being formally uneducated they excel in manipulating the system. This is often done by "playing" the administrator. With the I’m the good little inmate, and you’re rude Officer is picking on me for his own amusement. I pose this question to the author. Have you gone through your career without swearing at an inmate? I do believe that respect should always be met with respect. Sometimes respect is not given. This is when it needs to be demanded. Without this we as officers are undermined. Political Correctness is going to kill this country.

Feb 14, 2009

DA MAN

Article: AZDOC facing 11% staff cuts

ARE YOU KIDDING ME???????????? THESE PEOPLE WHO WANT TO MAKE BUDGET CUTS JUST TO SAVE MONEY ARE UNBELIEVEABLE. I MEAN REALLY, HAVE THEY EVER WORKED IN A CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTION THEMSELVES. I PERSUME NOT OR THEY WOULD FIGHT TO KEEP THEIR OFFICERS THE BEST WAY THEY CAN. I HAVE BEEN A CORRECTIONAL OFFICER FOR 10 YEARS AND RECENTLY WALKED AWAY FROM THIS TYPE OF WORK BECAUSE OF THE LACK OF OFFICERS THAT WAS ON DUTY DAY IN AND DAY OUT.. TELL THESE STATE OFFICIALS TO TRY SITTING IN A CHOW HALL WITH 300 PLUS INMATES IN THERE AT ONE TIME WITH ONLY YOURSELF AND MAYBE ONE OTHER OFFICER, OR WALK AROUND DURING REC HOUR WITH OVER 400 INMATES EASILY ON THE YARD WITH 3 OR 4 OFFICERS!!! I CAN GUARANTEE NOT ONE OF THESE STATE OFFICILAS HAVE EVER DONE THAT. BUT THEY WANT TO TAKE MORE OFFICERS AWAY JUST TO SAVE MONEY. DO YOU GUYS NOT REALIZE BY DOING THAT IT PUTS OTHER OFFICERS LIVES IN MORE DANGER.. I GUESS THAT DOES NOT MATTER TO THE STATE MUCH AS LONG AS NOTHING HAPPENS IN YOUR AGENCY I GUESS.. WELL IF YOU READ ABOUT OTHER EVENTS IN THE COUNTRY REGARDING CORRECTIONAL OFFICERS YOU CAN SEE A LOT OF INCIDENTS OCCURING DUE TO LACK OF STAFF. I THINK YOU GUYS NEED TO TRY TO SAVE THESE OFFICERS POSITIONS FOR THE SAKE OF THE STAFF THAT WILL STILL BE THERE.. I CANT BELIEVE MONEY IS TAKING PRIORITY OVER OFFICERS LIVES!!!!!!!! THEY SAY MONEY IS THE ROOT OF ALL EVIL

Feb 13, 2009

jcu_guam

Article: Creating positive meaning

I honestly enjoyed reading your article, and I can honestly say that we share the same sentiments. I've been employed with Dept. of Corrections, Guam for the past 23 yrs., 4 months & 20 days. We don't experience officer deaths as much as the US mainland. I was on duty when we lost an officer. He was employed a short time before he died. I have gone through so many trainings, assigned to different Units/Post and learned so much about Corrections. I believe officers should be recognized for their achievements and accomplishments for their everyday hard work. No one outside of Corrections understands what we all go through day in and day out. They are only aware when something is publicized regarding incidents, escapes, death, or an officer is under investigation. How do we cope with our every day events and/or activities? How does one officer deal with family wanting him/her to stay home? What can we do to better the enviroment within our walls/fence? Is it really that hard for our superiors to recognize our officers for their achievements? I believe that the enviroments amoung our officers and staff is the way it is, is because they just can't see beyond that...listen to our voices, but are we being heard?

Feb 11, 2009

oneknight55

Article: Preventing your unit from becoming the next Chernobyl

This is a very thought provoking article. Sometimes, Detention Staff can get stuck filling in all of the time, and not knowing who is on the wing, who the bad apples are. Staff are viewed forever as "the new guy" (FNG) even when they aren't new. This is the flip side of this article...lack of consistency, which can be equally as detrimental as complacency.

Feb 04, 2009

John

Article: Family of deceased inmate sues jail

Seems like this story is circulating throughout the US. From what I read in various articles it's my opinion this was definitely a wrongful death. They have records indicating the man had medical problems, plus numerous requests for help prior to his death. I also read that they have the director Karen Deloreto on a surveillance tape which reveals her refusing to do anything and walking away from Mr. Duritsky. Can't believe she's still employed. It's ashame people sometimes die due to incompetency. But I guess that's for the courts to decide. Will have to follow this one.

Jan 31, 2009

J holham

Article: Director leaving DOC a national model

Jan 21, 2009

sfitch24

Article: Allow cell phone jamming

Searches for cell phones within our institution has become our number one priority. Our fights/assaults have increased tremendously due to issues over cell phones. Allowing states to jam cell phones within the secure perimeter of a prison is a no brainer!

Jan 13, 2009

Rick

Article: Words through walls

Scholastic also partnered with Turning a New Page in 2000 to create a program where inmates, who were very low or non-readers, would build fluency by reading children's books on tape for the local school district to use on a lending basis. As of 12/2008, the inmate - run lending library has over 600 titles recorded. Check out http://turninganewpage.com/currentnews.htm for the news articles about the inmates and their successes over the past 8 years. As a result of the work with the inmates, Cracking The Code was created to help struggling students in elementary schools avoid the same failure experienced by the inmates when they were in school. Reading is key to helping reduce the recidivism rate.

Jan 13, 2009

BGW1279

Article: Allow cell phone jamming

I couldn't agree more. Cell Phones are dangerous within a Correctional Setting. If Jamming Technology exists, then let's put it to use. Don't terrorists also rely on Cell Phones to conduct their activities? Then start jamming signals before it's too late.

Mar 18, 2009 Warden Hood	Article: Manipulation and Fear Authors Bouchard and Plourde provided an outstanding article based on their extensive experience within the Michigan Department of Corrections. I commend them and will forward this information to others working in correctional settings. Bob Hood National Security Specialist GE Homeland Protection Retired - Warden United States Penitentiary (ADMAX) Florence, Colorado

Mar 18, 2009 bagel	Article: Officer arrested over phones & drugs I worked with this guy for 15 years. He passed our pickets while we were on strike for a month in 1988.

Mar 18, 2009 maria	Article: Mixing custody and substance abuse treatment I have read your article and it's given me alot of thought. It saddens me to see young people ingaging in such behavior. I'm not a corrections officer,but I've been given the oppertunity to visit with inmates. I've visited one young man many times. It's amazing how people's lives become so much eaiser when you have someone to talk to. This young indivdual has became a better person and wants to do something with his life just because someone cared. It doesn't take much to change one's life. It's important to me to able to listen to someone's opinion.

Mar 15, 2009 nick43	Article: Using Social Media to Protect Public Safety This is great work. It's imaginative, heartwarming, compassionate and effective. It shows that offenders will behave decently, if you treat them decently. This is a univeral rule! Thanks for sharing the story. Congratulations and Best Wishes, Nick

Mar 08, 2009 rec.blank	Article: More leaders vs. managers [part ii of iv] Very good article Tracy. I just stumbled upon these articles. They are all very good. Cory from down the road.

Mar 03, 2009 dpdpar5	Article: Leaders vs. Managers [part i of iv] seastvedt; Vert well stated. Croneyism and extreme favortism is really just the underlying causes of a much larger and more concerning issue. It seems that these factors based on politics and those appointed to management positions based on politics and not professional credentials is all too common. The concept of providing sound governmental public safety services and maintaining safe and smooth operating correctional facilities has gotten lost to taking care of those who vote the same way in elections. In essence it has come down to a political party struggle of power and control between those in power against those who are not. It is apparent this has indeed given way true legitimate public service. Who suffers from these abuses? Staff and the unknowing public.

Mar 03, 2009 sgt314	Article: KY Lawmakers seeking cuts As you can clearly see, the number of inmates in the ky system grow more each year, which increases the dangers to corrections staff having to deal with them. The officers are expected to do more with less, like less staff, non-working equipment, lack of traing and most of all the lack of pay and respect that they deserve.

Feb 27, 2009 seastvedt	Article: Leaders vs. Managers [part i of iv] I am looking forward to the next three parts of this article. It is very unfortunate, but croneyism, which is precisely what is being discussed here, seems rampant in Correctional Agencies and Sheriff's Offices nation wide. It goes totally against the principles of civil service competition and fair play. Is it no wonder that so many Correctional Officers around the nation that I have talked to have stated that the majority of the stress on the job does not come from the inmates, but rather management. Although they will always take credit, the successes we have in jails and prisons is because of the line Officers working despite management, not because of them.

Feb 27, 2009 dpdpar5	Article: Leaders vs. Managers [part i of iv] Great article. You are exactly correct. Leadership in most cases will define the extent of success or failure in mission. Competent and qualified leaders are not infact, defined by title, political appointment or rank, but rather by organizational successes and achieving high performance within the rank in file. Such leaders possess an unquenchable willingness to know the jobs they are charged with setting policy for and create new and more innovative methods of operation. They freely open up communication to and from all levels of the agency. They welcome and encourage input. This is precisely how they empower subordinates to take ownership of the agency. In turn moral and job satisfaction is high. High performance is therefore achieved. You are right when you suggested legitimate leadership is not only the study of organizational functioning but also the study of human behavior and motivation. True leadership must concentrate on identifying and developing the assets of the agency. The most valued asset is indeed the human asset in the trenches. It is these people that will carryout policy, procedure and establish organizational effectiveness if properly managed. Excellent article. I look foreward to more of your work.

Feb 26, 2009 dpdpar5	Article: Rethinking the Mission, Spotlighting the Stakeholders: You make some valid points. There is no question operational efficiency should be researched and implemented. Organizational cost effectiveness should be expected by tax payers. This may infact mean cutting inmate programs that are not effective and produce no real positive change for reintegration and proper offender socialization. It does not necessarily mean cutting inmate programs simply because they are inmate programs. Cost effectiveness in government, namely corrections would allow for redistribution of and better use of vital and rare financial resources. Case in point; In many departments there are so many levels of supervision and management, that it actually confuses and creates a communication nightmare. As a result, the rank in file, the officers in the trenches actually doing the work become overbudened and stress with orders comming rapidly from various directions, often at the same time. In the end, what is left is a job poorly done, an officer or officers stressed out because they feel if they follow the orders of one superivor they will offend another. The safety and security of the facility compromised. This redundancy in management and overlapping of supervisory responsibility is infact counterproductive to what we are trying to achieve. Prehaps directing redirecting resources from managemenmt and redirecting them toward the rank in file would better serve our needs and most importantly, the needs of the stakeholders to whom we are accountable. Just some thoughts!!! Daniel P. Downen M.S. AJ/S

Feb 26, 2009 Newtime	Article: Rethinking the Mission, Spotlighting the Stakeholders: Why is it that when bureaucrats talk about "stakeholders" ,"accountability",and produce vast amounts of policies etc,they usually are serving the interests of the criminal advocacy groups and the bureacrats in their ivory towers? Some time,arrange for a group such as National Taxpayers Association to be allowed access inside jails and prisons with full access to line staff,not officials. We do owe the public strong efforts to reduce redundancy and to identify cost-saving measures. In many states,the only "cost cutting" is by laying off staff instead of pulling back on expensive services to criminals.I encourage your writer to se what people in line staff see.Inmates are overdiagnosed and receive gigantic amounts of expensive medications.Staff are required to assist criminals in getting "disability" status and benefits. Many hours are wasted by costly documentation over and over.

Feb 25, 2009 KingofthePau...	Article: Furloughs On The Way For Corrections Employees http://youtube.com/kingofthepaupers has videos explaining how Argentina's unions of government workers when faced with cuts accepted small-denomination state bonds that could pay for anyone's state services or taxes. Too bad unions of U.S. government workers won't take bond money too. Millennium Declaration UNILETS resolution C6 for a "time-based currency" "to restructure the global financial architecture." Timebanks growing in U.S. Govs should use them too.

Feb 25, 2009 fwaltz	Article: Corrections 101: Compassionate Release It would be interesting to determine if Atkins' health care costs would be significantly less in the civilian world, as compared to that which she already recieves from the DOC. It is my opinion that if she had been released she could not have afforded her own health care and would still remain dependent upon the tax payers to pay her bills. So, we may in fact reduce prison population slightly yet we are not reducing the health care costs obsorbed by the citizens. Considering that only 70 inmates were even considered during 2007, from the thousands incarcerated, I do not believe that a significant reduction in costs would have been seen. Therefore, in regards to safety and security of the public this is not an issue to thoroughly investigate.

Feb 25, 2009 jmonta	Article: New administrator experienced in jail issues these articles are hard to read without spaces between paragraphs

Feb 21, 2009 Jeff9	Article: New state prison planned When building a new prison I'll suggest something that would really save money in the prisons = no toilet paper at all. Install bathroom bidet sprayers in all the toilets and all they'll need is a towel to dry off. It's cleaner, cheaper (yes for those who just have to object to everything water is cheaper than toilet paper!), it's better for the environment and it has health benefits like lessening hemorrhoids which would save even more money. If they object? Tough! You're a prisoner! Besides after they try it, like most people, they will like it. As Dr. Oz said on Oprah: "if you had pee or poop on your hand, you wouldn't wipe it off with paper, would you? You'd wash it off" This is a logical, doable and simple way to save allot of money and actually improve the prisoners living standards. But of course like all new ideas people will find countless silly and inane objections, that is the way of things. Theses sprayers are available at www.bathroomsprayers.com I installed mine myself, easy.

Feb 19, 2009 lino tenorio	Article: Easy as 1-2-3 Thank you very much for such a vey simple reminder of what it takes to be a leader in running an organization such as the Department of Corrections. I too practice that very same principle day in and day out at our adult correctional facility here in Saipan, CNMI. To many a time supervisors tend to think that they are the only ones doing the job and not the subordinates when in reality it is the subordinates that do the job for us in the workplace. Without pacticing the 1, 2, and 3's in that order, the organization is most likely to fall apart. Again, I wholeheartedly agree with you on that..... the mission first at all costs, then second, take care of the welfare of your troops and third, always come last yet be sure to be compassionate to your staff because when you need them most, I can assure you, they'll be there for you! I tell you what, the reward i get is when officers come into your office every once in a while and tell you that most of the officers in the department are now taking their job more seriously and have pride in what they do because of the level of understanding and compassion that is afforded to them. We run a very tight twelve hour shift yet when their request for leave is must, I make sure they get it and give em even more if i can help it. We have to remember that we are only humans and sooner or later these guys will eventually fall apart if we don't take care of them. I know for a fact that i can't run it myself............. got me? Oooowah! Am a retired cop for 20 years, been with the reserves infantry unit for 16 years and now serving as the appointed commissioner for the department of corrections here on Saipan.

Feb 18, 2009 dep1318	Article: Profanity in corrections: Is it really necessary? In a perfect world this may be true. The fact is we are not in a perfect world. As law enforcement our duty is to be a problem solver. This cannot be efficiently achieved when we are limited by administrators, who have not actually done the job since the seventies. This has detached them from the modern criminal. These modern criminals are so uneducated that they do not always understand the polite request. While being formally uneducated they excel in manipulating the system. This is often done by "playing" the administrator. With the I’m the good little inmate, and you’re rude Officer is picking on me for his own amusement. I pose this question to the author. Have you gone through your career without swearing at an inmate? I do believe that respect should always be met with respect. Sometimes respect is not given. This is when it needs to be demanded. Without this we as officers are undermined. Political Correctness is going to kill this country.

Feb 14, 2009 DA MAN	Article: AZDOC facing 11% staff cuts ARE YOU KIDDING ME???????????? THESE PEOPLE WHO WANT TO MAKE BUDGET CUTS JUST TO SAVE MONEY ARE UNBELIEVEABLE. I MEAN REALLY, HAVE THEY EVER WORKED IN A CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTION THEMSELVES. I PERSUME NOT OR THEY WOULD FIGHT TO KEEP THEIR OFFICERS THE BEST WAY THEY CAN. I HAVE BEEN A CORRECTIONAL OFFICER FOR 10 YEARS AND RECENTLY WALKED AWAY FROM THIS TYPE OF WORK BECAUSE OF THE LACK OF OFFICERS THAT WAS ON DUTY DAY IN AND DAY OUT.. TELL THESE STATE OFFICIALS TO TRY SITTING IN A CHOW HALL WITH 300 PLUS INMATES IN THERE AT ONE TIME WITH ONLY YOURSELF AND MAYBE ONE OTHER OFFICER, OR WALK AROUND DURING REC HOUR WITH OVER 400 INMATES EASILY ON THE YARD WITH 3 OR 4 OFFICERS!!! I CAN GUARANTEE NOT ONE OF THESE STATE OFFICILAS HAVE EVER DONE THAT. BUT THEY WANT TO TAKE MORE OFFICERS AWAY JUST TO SAVE MONEY. DO YOU GUYS NOT REALIZE BY DOING THAT IT PUTS OTHER OFFICERS LIVES IN MORE DANGER.. I GUESS THAT DOES NOT MATTER TO THE STATE MUCH AS LONG AS NOTHING HAPPENS IN YOUR AGENCY I GUESS.. WELL IF YOU READ ABOUT OTHER EVENTS IN THE COUNTRY REGARDING CORRECTIONAL OFFICERS YOU CAN SEE A LOT OF INCIDENTS OCCURING DUE TO LACK OF STAFF. I THINK YOU GUYS NEED TO TRY TO SAVE THESE OFFICERS POSITIONS FOR THE SAKE OF THE STAFF THAT WILL STILL BE THERE.. I CANT BELIEVE MONEY IS TAKING PRIORITY OVER OFFICERS LIVES!!!!!!!! THEY SAY MONEY IS THE ROOT OF ALL EVIL

Feb 13, 2009 jcu_guam	Article: Creating positive meaning I honestly enjoyed reading your article, and I can honestly say that we share the same sentiments. I've been employed with Dept. of Corrections, Guam for the past 23 yrs., 4 months & 20 days. We don't experience officer deaths as much as the US mainland. I was on duty when we lost an officer. He was employed a short time before he died. I have gone through so many trainings, assigned to different Units/Post and learned so much about Corrections. I believe officers should be recognized for their achievements and accomplishments for their everyday hard work. No one outside of Corrections understands what we all go through day in and day out. They are only aware when something is publicized regarding incidents, escapes, death, or an officer is under investigation. How do we cope with our every day events and/or activities? How does one officer deal with family wanting him/her to stay home? What can we do to better the enviroment within our walls/fence? Is it really that hard for our superiors to recognize our officers for their achievements? I believe that the enviroments amoung our officers and staff is the way it is, is because they just can't see beyond that...listen to our voices, but are we being heard?

Feb 11, 2009 oneknight55	Article: Preventing your unit from becoming the next Chernobyl This is a very thought provoking article. Sometimes, Detention Staff can get stuck filling in all of the time, and not knowing who is on the wing, who the bad apples are. Staff are viewed forever as "the new guy" (FNG) even when they aren't new. This is the flip side of this article...lack of consistency, which can be equally as detrimental as complacency.

Feb 04, 2009 John	Article: Family of deceased inmate sues jail Seems like this story is circulating throughout the US. From what I read in various articles it's my opinion this was definitely a wrongful death. They have records indicating the man had medical problems, plus numerous requests for help prior to his death. I also read that they have the director Karen Deloreto on a surveillance tape which reveals her refusing to do anything and walking away from Mr. Duritsky. Can't believe she's still employed. It's ashame people sometimes die due to incompetency. But I guess that's for the courts to decide. Will have to follow this one.

Jan 31, 2009 J holham	Article: Director leaving DOC a national model

Jan 21, 2009 sfitch24	Article: Allow cell phone jamming Searches for cell phones within our institution has become our number one priority. Our fights/assaults have increased tremendously due to issues over cell phones. Allowing states to jam cell phones within the secure perimeter of a prison is a no brainer!

Jan 13, 2009 Rick	Article: Words through walls Scholastic also partnered with Turning a New Page in 2000 to create a program where inmates, who were very low or non-readers, would build fluency by reading children's books on tape for the local school district to use on a lending basis. As of 12/2008, the inmate - run lending library has over 600 titles recorded. Check out http://turninganewpage.com/currentnews.htm for the news articles about the inmates and their successes over the past 8 years. As a result of the work with the inmates, Cracking The Code was created to help struggling students in elementary schools avoid the same failure experienced by the inmates when they were in school. Reading is key to helping reduce the recidivism rate.

Jan 13, 2009 BGW1279	Article: Allow cell phone jamming I couldn't agree more. Cell Phones are dangerous within a Correctional Setting. If Jamming Technology exists, then let's put it to use. Don't terrorists also rely on Cell Phones to conduct their activities? Then start jamming signals before it's too late.

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