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| Corrections head denounces union protest at ACI |
| By Associated Press |
| Published: 05/03/2004 |
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The director of the Rhode Island Department of Corrections denounced a union-sponsored protest April 23 at the state prison system, calling it an illegal action that disrupted operations at multiple facilities. The director, A.T. Wall, said the protest violated a law barring sworn peace officers from striking. He also said the demonstration disrupted the operation of eight facilities at the Adult Correctional Institutions complex. Some inmates weren't fed and given medicine at their regular times, and the transport of others was delayed, he said. No incidents were reported, according to the department. The union action was called to highlight members' dissatisfaction with the Correction Department's plan to diversify the officer force and hold job fairs to attract candidates. Richard Ferruccio, the correctional officers union's president, said the action wasn't a strike. "This was an informational meeting that we held to calm anger and frustration regarding director Wall's operation of the Department of Correction," he said. The department wants to hire 60 officers, and increase the ratio of nonwhite personnel. The current percentage of nonwhite officers is about 13 percent, while the prison population is about 50 percent nonwhite, according to the department. A state judge has ruled the department can interview applicants. Also today, Wall said he would file a complaint in state Superior Court over the union's demonstration. |
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