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| Union calls on Mass. correction chief to quit |
| By Boston Globe |
| Published: 10/21/2003 |
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Saying the state prison system is mismanaged, the union representing about 5,000 prison officers yesterday called for the resignation of Massachusetts Department of Correction Commissioner Michael T. Maloney. The number of officers working in the prison system has decreased by 658 since June 2001, including 378 who have retired or resigned without being replaced, and 280 who are on leave because of injuries suffered on the job, according to a statement released yesterday by the union. Maloney issued a statement criticizing the union's request and the timing, which came three days after Governor Mitt Romney appointed a 15-member commission to do a "top to bottom" review of the Department of Correction. The commissioner took issue with the "representation that our facilities are unsafe and understaffed. I would hope that all employees would fully cooperate with the ongoing investigation and not prematurely assign blame." Justin Latini, a department spokesman, said there are about 9,700 inmates, a population down 382 over the past three years. Maloney said in his statement that "the formula used to staff the institutions takes into consideration the number of staff on leave for injury or illness." Romney said Friday that he ordered the review after a three-member panel investigating the killing of former priest John J. Geoghan in the protective custody unit of the Souza-Baranowski Correctional Center in Shirley reported finding systemic problems. Shortcomings were cited in areas such as the process used for classifying levels of security needed for prisoners, the internal investigations the department conducts, and how inmates are disciplined. Maloney's immediate superior, state Public Safety Secretary Edward A. Flynn, said last week that the new, 15-member commission will look at Maloney's leadership. |
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