Calling all CIMRiders - We need your Car & Money

Please join us in a Car Wash to help raise funds

for a memorial service and funeral honoring:

Baby Izabella Grace Hinojosa

Baby Izabella was born last week on Sunday, August 19, 2012, to Ms. Rena Hinojosa, Personnel Specialist, and is the Grand Daughter of Ms. Belinda Serrato, ADA Office Technician. It is with great sadness that I announce her passing on Saturday, August 25, 2012.

If you cannot attend the Car Wash, but would like to make a donation, please contact Priscilla Payan, Office Technician, at extension 4700 or 4021.

Place:

Central Basco

13432 Central Avenue Chino, CA 91710

Date:

Saturday, September 1, 2012

Car Wash

Time:

7:00 am– 5:00 pm

Jerry Brown gets Pension reform bill

Over loud objections from organized labor and Republicans, the Legislature has approved a state and local public pension overhaul package that rolls back benefits for future hires while raising what those workers and current employees contribute to their retirements in coming years.
Lawmakers sent the bill to Gov. Jerry Brown on a 38-1 vote in the Senate and 48-8 vote in the Assembly. Democrats, who control majorities in each chamber, barreled ahead with the vote just ahead of the end-of-session deadline after issuing language for the measure Tuesday evening.
Assembly Republicans tried and failed to suspend the measure or at least hold it up while a bill catch-up to close a loophole discovered on Wednesday. They also argued that Assembly bill 340 was a rush job and doesn't do enough to change the pension system.

"Can anyone say what this bill does?" said Assemblyman Jim Nielsen, R-Gerber.
Assembly Speaker John A. Pérez, D-Los Angeles, countered that the legislation came from months of discussions and represents a refinement of a 12-point pension plan Brown proposed earlier this year. Republicans backed Brown's plan.
"It is meaningful, significant, historic reform," Pérez said.

A revised estimate by CalPERS released on Friday morning pegged savings from the measure at between $42 billion and $55 billion over 30 years, or $12 billion to $15 billion in inflation-adjusted dollars.
The changes will save just $146 million next year. As employers hire new workers under lower retirement benefit schemes, their pension savings would grow to $1.2 billion by the 10th year, CalPERS figures.

Assembly Bill 340, authored by Assemblyman Warren Furutani, D-Gardena, would apply immediately to state or local government employees hired after Jan. 1, 2013. The measure sets caps on how much of their pay can be counted toward their pensions, rolls back the formulas used to calculate those benefits and pushes back the retirement age.
Those new workers would also share half the normal cost of their pensions with employers. Current employees also would pick up at least half of that cost within five years through collectively-bargained agreements. After that, employers could impose the 50-50 split.

Read more here: http://blogs.sacbee.com/the_state_worker/2012/08/california-legislature-sends-public-pension-overhaul-to-jerry-brown.html#storylink=cpy

Attempted Murder on Officers at the "Q"

A San Quentin State Prison death row inmate Thursday stabbed two correctional officers who attempted to take him from a shower to his cell, prison spokesman Lt. Sam Robinson said.

Timothy Joseph McGhee, 39, slashed and stabbed the officers with an inmate-made weapon just before 7 a.m. as the officers opened the shower door in the prison's Adjustment Center, Robinson said.

 

The Adjustment Center is one of three units where the male inmates on death row are housed. There are 728 people on death row in California.

The two officers suffered cuts and wounds to their heads, necks and arms and were taken to a hospital outside the prison for treatment, Robinson said.

"Their prognosis is good," Robinson said.

 

McGhee was sentenced to death in Los Angeles County on Jan. 9, 2009, Robinson said.

He was convicted of first-degree murder in the gang-related killing of Ronald Martin on Oct. 14, 1997; the June 3, 2000 killing of 16-year-old Ryan Gonzalez; and the Nov. 9, 2001 killing of 26-year-old Margie Mendoza, Robinson said.

 

McGhee also was found guilty of the attempted murder of four other people, including two Los Angeles Police Department officers, and McGhee has been on death row since Jan. 21, 2009, Robinson said.

San Quentin State Prison opened in 1852. It houses 3,690 inmates and employs 1,644 people

They did it again!

The CCPOA union convention came to a close.  The CIM local chapter kept up with what they have been doing the last couple of years.  They all voted for the MJ car!  That was the main reason I had enough of the local chapter and decided to go solo.  It takes guts to think for yourself, there is no question in my mind that I made the right decision.

Members will complain, they will get angry!  However, does anyone ever try and go against the grain?  Many have tried, only to get beat down and end up throwing in the towel.  I have seen some good strong activist come along and after awhile they decide, is it really worth it?

Ive heard that the big talk on the convention floor was for Prop 32 and Prop 30.  Not much talk about ab109.  You would have thought the place would have been full, with young staff demanding answers!  Again, does anybody care????

Chuck Helton won.  CIM voted 8 to 1 for Chuck.  No surprises!



Have a Safe 8

Day 2 CCPOA convention

Day two of the convention started at 0900 hours and ended at noon. We are currently 1.6 million under budget and we don't have a financial problem. We have about 2 million dollars set aside in an escrow account for the CUSA lawsuit. $500,000 is due at the end of September. 

Mike Jimenez came up to the podium and addressed the Board of Directors and delegates. (Much of this information was brought up at the state board meeting yesterday) He continued to talk about the importance of Prop 30 (Tax) and Prop 32 (Pay check Protection) He stated he didn't know if there was an increase in crime yet. He stated that Standardize package was rolled out about a year to early, He brought up the states "blue print" for standardize package and told everyone they need to read up on it. He state that we didn't get a say in standardized package that we didn't have the ability to agree or disagree. He stated that things can get wors

e. He CONTINUED to talk about the importance of both Props. He stated the we needed to stand together. That there is a fight to be had, but that fight is not in this room. He talked about the MOU negotiations coming up, and how we need to fight for everything in the contract. He stated that everything that involves you going to work is because of CCPOA. He believes the governor is doing a good job. Talked about getting members to vote, and how we can make a impact if we could get 90% of the membership to vote. 

CCPOA requested and was granted an extension with the option letters. Deadline is September 6th, 2012 at 1700 hours. 

New hires will be 2.7 @ 57 there will be no more 3.0 @50 "We are the last ones"

Gold Shield started Oct. 1st will be one rate at $65 a month and you will be covered 24/7.

End of Day 2.

Tomorrow is the election for CDC VP. Currently Chuck Helton is running against Michael Smith (Corcoran) I will keep track of how every chapter voted, and try to post them up by tomorrow night

 

-Ali Guitron

Notes from CCPOA State board meeting

State Board Meeting 08-28-12

The meeting started off with Mike Jimenez talking about Prop 30 (Tax) and Prop 32 (Paycheck Protection). Both props he states are "HUGE" and could alter the course of corrections for the rest of our lives. If Prop 30 doesn't pass corrections won't look the same in the next 2 years. He talked about how Prop 30, is not a "bad idea". If Prop 32 passes we might see our bargaining units rights gone soon. He continued to talk about Prop 30 and how we will see an immediate impact if it fails. He stated if it fails another PLP would be a great deal, but doubts that we will be able to get that. If stated if Prop 32 fails we could see our rights taken and might lead to private prisons. He stated if we don't stand together we will fail miserably. He challenged the Board of Directors to push their membership to vote. He talked about Prop 34 (Death Penalty) and Prop 36 (3 strike law), he stated he doesn't know what position to take, and don't know if it benefits us right now either way, it's hard for him to say that. He stated we don't have ten million dollars to throw at these props. He doesn't know how much money the Board of Directors want to invest, and wants to hear their input. He stated that the other unions are asking for money, but don't really want "our" input.

 

 

 He talked about how standardized staffing has helped everyone out, they might not see it or feel it. He talked about how Avenal State Prison has lost close to 3,000 inmates. He expressed that everyone needs to document situation where "we" are short, and unable to perform our duties. He can see them bringing more positions back, but that depends on the election. If Prop 30 loses it will be different. He stated how do we enhance staffing if there is no money? He stated that he doesn't want to give the impression that standardized staffing was a bad idea, because it is not. Inmate to Officer ratio got better we got use to extra cops on the yard and in the buildings. Standardized staffing was a good thing. He expressed to the Board of Directors to look over the state "Blue" print. He stated population will continue to decline. He gave some run down on "bright" spots. Everyone that got "laid off" will get an opportunity to get hired back. Academy getting "fired" back up. He talked about those members who couldn't move their family to take a job. He "understands" the situation, and stated if you want to work there will be jobs, maybe not where you want to work but there will be jobs. He talked about how we are only as strong as our weakest members and how 3,500 members voted "No" on the best contract in the history of this union. He stated if we could get 90% of our members to vote that is a huge bargaining chip for us.

Discussion was brought up to move money from the Political Action Committee (PAC) to a different account so we can use that money to fight for or against Propositions. The account is called "TAG" (Truth and American Government) Motion was made, and motion passed.

The state still doesn't have a "trigger" point for sick calls, and it seems like every institution is different.

Back in May I submitted a change to the SOP. Mostly using the concept and ideas from Ian Pickett (Oh no not that guy) I added some wording and did the best I could to try and offset the cost of being able to change the current voting system, and replace it with "One member One Vote" A couple weeks later I received a letter from Perry Speth telling me I did not put it in the correct format. During the state board Perry came up to me and asked me what I wanted to do with this "proposed" change to the SOP. I told him that I will work on the format and resubmit it when I correct it. He stated Okay. Later, Perry went to the podium and addressed the Board of Directors, and stated that the "author" of the proposed change decided to hold off till corrections were made. He asked if I was in the room, and I yelled out yes. He told me if I wanted to address the situation and I stated I would rather just fix the SOP change first. I was told to come to the mic and speak. I told him I will resubmit the SOP when the corrections are made. Mike Jimenez took to the podium and told me if I am "serious" about changing the system to one member one vote he will "back it." He expressed his concerns with taking the power away from the Board of Directors / delegates, and how the Chapter Presidents are leaders. I told him all I want is for the membership to have a voice. He told me he understands that, and made an announcement if any chapter presidents would be willing to work with me on the SOP change. Herschel Keel (CMC chapter president) quickly responded with of course he will help me.

DJJ REPORT- Been having a tough fight for survival. A deal was worked out that each county would pay $2,000 a month for each "ward" DJJ received. 50% of counties are not happy about that situation.

Chuck Helton came up and wanted to thank the team that he has worked with, and it has allowed us to put our issues on the table. Out of 249 that voluntary / involuntary transferred 102 returned. Job exchange request will be accepted again, after projected lay offs Oct. 31st.(no info on who to contact as of yet)

A lot of discussion was brought up about re-directing staff and how it will last throughout the fiscal year. The Board of directors should and need to meet with Admin to discuss re-direction plan. They should have the ability to change if needed positions that have to be redirected. Talk about the PLP program and the ability to use it was brought up by Greg Curry (Chapter President NKSP) he expressed his feelings about having to redirect staff so someone can take time off. Chuck Alexander came to the podium and addressed this. He stated that they want the "dust" to settle with everything that is going on, and that the PLP program usages isn't a priority at this time.

Steve Weiss talked about the options letters that were recently sent out. He stated that 5 counties are overstaffed (didn't state which counties) about 300 C/O's and 200 Parole agents are impacted. There are 1,000 PICO positions that were created. Approximately 6,000 letters went out. A lot of questions were brought up about the lack of information that the Board of Directors have to give to their members. Chuck Alexander came up and stated that no one is an expert at this situation. He stated people are better off filling it out then not filling it out. He stated that for every 1 person that was affected 4 letters went out to people that might be affected. Which is why the number of people that received the letters are so high. This whole discussion about the recent letters lead to many question and very few if any real answers.

Steve Weiss talked about July 2013 and stated the current PLP program will end, and the top C/O will get a 4% increase. Also around that time 3,000 inmates bed should be online that will create the need for more officers, around 800/900. Which might help bring back those officers that were laid off during wave 1.

POFF II was brought up, the process is moving but it is moving at a snails pace.

A brief discussion was brought up about the 60 million dollar lawsuit, and they are confidant that it will go no where.

Donning and doffing (Walk time) was brought up. 4 months ago the state came with their best argument against us, and failed to get it thrown out. A year from now we might be in court and it will be a major trial.

End of state board. -Ali Guitron

Someone make up their MIND!!!

To: CDCR Institutions CIM Staff; Joshua Bayer
Subject: CIM MUD RUN CANCELLATION

The California Institution for Men (CIM) supports the unity of staff and community through various avenues and activities. Due to circumstances beyond our control the CIM Mud Run scheduled for Saturday, September 8, 2012, has been cancelled. The decision to cancel this event was made by the CIM Mud Run committee members. We would like to thank all of the Mud Run Committee members, volunteers, and local community supporters for their tireless efforts to serve the CIM Staff, Make A Wish Foundation, and the community.

 We will continue to support the Make a Wish foundation through fundraising campaigns at CIM.

D. WILLIAMS
Correctional Lieutenant
Administrative Assistant / Public Information Officer
California Institution for Men


All I can say is WOW!  How many times are we gonna have to break those Make A Wish Kids heart, by telling them the Mud Run is not going to happen again. 
I guess we can't blame this on the former Warden anymore!

Surprise Suprise

Los Angeles (CNN) -- Rodney King's death in June was the result of accidental drowning, although alcohol, cocaine, marijuana and PCP found in his system were contributing factors, authorities said Thursday.

 

King, whose beating by Los Angeles police in 1991 was caught on camera and sparked riots after the acquittal of the four officers involved, was found dead in the swimming pool at his Rialto, California, home on June 17, authorities and his fiancee said. He was 47.

 

King was "in a state of drug and alcohol-induced delirium" and "either fell or jumped into the swimming pool," said the autopsy report released by the San Bernardino County coroner Thursday

HDSP Staff Assaults

Susanville – On Monday, August 21, 2012, at approximately 1:45 p.m., High Desert State Prison (HDSP), Facility C Yard #1, had 2 African American inmates engage in a fist fight. The yard was ordered down and all inmates complied, including the 2 African American inmates involved in the fight. Due to the location of the fight the initial responders, approximately 12, ordered a number of inmates to move out of the response path. Two of the inmates being moved were Southern Hispanic inmates. They were slow to comply with staff’s orders and move out of the way so staff could safely advance to the incident. The 2 African American inmates involved in the fight were removed from the yard without incident.


Prior to the yard resuming, 2 Officers and a Sergeant went over to remove the Southern Hispanic inmates from the yard. One inmate was ordered to stand up to be escorted off of the yard and he stood up and faced one of the Officers. The Officer ordered the Southern Hispanic inmate to turn around and submit to a clothed body search; the inmate refused. The inmate also refused orders to submit to handcuffs. The Officer then ordered the inmate to lie down on the ground and the inmate struck the Officer in the face, with his fist. The other Officer utilized his physical strength to force the inmate to the ground and injured his shoulder taking the inmate down.

At the same time, 7 other Southern Hispanic inmates to the left of the officers, jumped up and attacked staff. Then, a group of Southern Hispanics on the right and a group of Southern Hispanics from behind jumped up and ran for the staff line that had 5 staff members left. There were 42 Southern Hispanics on the yard and they all charged the skirmish line, from 3 directions.

Due to the prior incident, secondary response was located just outside of the facility gate and they entered Facility C Yard #1. The 8 staff members on the yard were assaulted and utilized O.C. pepper spray, batons, C.N. and physical force, as well as a 40MM loaded with XM-1006 Direct Impact Sponge rounds. The Officer with the 40MM fired 16, XM-1006 rounds into the advancing Southern Hispanic inmates. Responding staff forced the Southern Hispanics back an additional 2 times. In all, the Southern Hispanics charged the staff line 3 times.

Due to the magnitude of the incident and the reasonable belief that the incident would result in great bodily injury or death, the C-2 Control Booth Officer fired 2 warning shots from his state-issued Mini-14 rifle into the C Facility Gym wall. In addition to the Mini-14, there were multiple less lethal force options used by multiple staff members.

All injured staff and inmates were taken to the Correctional Treatment Center (CTC) and 7 staff members and 1 inmate were transported to Banner Lassen Medical Center where they were treated and released for minor injuries.

The case is under investigation by the Lassen County District Attorney’s Office and the Investigative Services Unit at HDSP. The Office of the Inspector General’s Bureau of Independent review was notified.

High Desert State Prison, located in Lassen County, opened in 1995 and houses 3,696 minimum-, medium-, and maximum-custody inmates. The institution provides academic classes and vocational instruction and employs more than 1,275 people.





FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

August 21, 2012
Contact: Lt. Nick Albonico

Sergeant V. Valdez

I got word from a co-worker at CIM that Sergeant Velna Valdez had passed away this morning.  Sgt. Valdez had been on an off work order.  She was strong as nails and she appeared very fit and healthy, so when I heard I didn't believe it!

Sergeant Valdez started in the late 90's, most of us remember her working as a Program Sergeant on CIM's MSF yard (facility D).  Ive heard from many youngsters today, saying that Sgt. Valdez helped bring these folks up in the department.  Much respect is pouring in from our FB site.  The common theme is that she never had a bad day, and when you were down she picked you right up!

Sergeant V. Valdez YOU WILL BE MISSED FROM YOUR CIM FAMILY
EOW

Because I love my Uncle!

CALIPATRIA • An Adelanto woman was arrested following a state prison visit on suspicion of passing drugs to an inmate, officials said.


Corrections officers at Calipatria State Prison observed the woman removing a packet from her waistband and passing it to her uncle, inmate Marvin Gonzalez, 31, during a Sunday visit, a prison official said.

Valerie Ann Gonzales, 23, and her uncle were detained and interviewed by Investigative Services Unit officers after the visit, California Department of Corrections Lt. Jorge Santana said.

Investigators found Gonzalez had a bindle containing 28.6 grams of suspected heroin in a pocket sewn into his underwear, Santana said. That amount of heroin is worth more than $22,000 inside prison, he said.

Gonzalez was arrested on suspicion of possessing heroin for distribution and was placed into segregated custody, Santana said.

His niece Gonzales was arrested on suspicion of possessing heroin and possessing a controlled substance inside a prison, according to an Imperial County Jail spokeswoman. She was released after posting bail Monday, the jail spokeswoman said

CSATF Corcoran Riot

Inmates at the California Substance Abuse Treatment Facility and State Prison at Corcoran are on a modified program, after a riot involving 63 inmates.


The riot erupted around 7:00 p.m. Friday. Correctional officers had to use tear gas to subdue the inmates.

Nine of the 63 inmates were transported to local hospitals for treatment. Their injuries are described as non life-threatening.

No correctional officers were hurt.

Public information officer Lupe Cartagena said visiting is currently not allowed at the facility, and inmates are not allowed to leave their dorms until further notice.

CIW Supervisory P&B timeline

This is a good time to set up Post and Bid and I'm glad that the Supervisory Organizations got together and came up with an equitable Post and Bid.  I'm sure most joints 60/40 split is way off and management at this time is up on us!

Your Partner

The thread below is getting off track!  When I said Partner????  I meant that there should always be two Officers working side by side.  Custody levels should not dictate staffing levels. 

There is only two people that really knows what happen during the incident, and I'm yet to hear from anyone of those staff members.  I received a couple of kites regarding the incident and I'm not sure how accurate the information is.  What ever the Sergeant did that night only he could answer!  I would hate to imagine how it would have gone had he not been there at all, what would the outcome have been.

I know if I was getting my Ass handed to me, at least I would want my partner to sound the alarm and get help to me.  You never know how you or your partner will react to any given situation.  Remember this was about an Inmate attacking an Officer, please don't attack each other!

In the days to come the truth will come out!  Until then hold judgement.  This is about staffing levels in my opinion.  Its no coincidence that the assaults are up!  I've been reporting just about an assault or riot a week, since we began the standardization!

Have a Safe 8

Staff Assault Facility A

On Sunday, August 12th, 2012, at approximately 1815 hours, an Officer working building A1 Unit at the California Institution for Men, Facility A, was rushed and assaulted by a level II inmate. Prior to the assault, The Officer was talking to an inmate who was told he had to fight or flight another inmate.  That is when the inmate in question, saw that he was being snitched on entered the office.  The inmate was very agitated and started to get aggressive towards staff. 

The Officer then directed the inmate to approach him and submit to a clothed body search while a Sergeant provided coverage. The inmate initially complied to the Officer's verbal commands. As the Officer began his clothed body search the inmate suddenly without warning or provocation spun around striking the Officer and causing him to stumble backwards losing his balance.

 Fearing for his safety, the Officer managed to use immediate/necessary force (OC) to stop the assaultive inmate. The Officer deployed a burst of OC pepper spray towards the inmate striking the inmate in the upper torso area with negative results. The Officer then observed the inmate charge towards him and proceeded to physically attack him.  The officer immediately reacted by using physical force to defend himself, the inmate continued the assault, striking the officer with closed fists.

The inmate managed to retain the OC canister and delivered a blow to the officer's head numerous times, with the canister.  During the battle the inmate's shirt came off and with the pepper spray it was hard to get a hold of the inmate in close quarters in the officer's office. 

Subsequently, the code 1 responders arrived and took the inmate into custody without further incident.  The Officer was sent to outside medical for a wound to his head, he received several staples to close the cut.  The Officer wants everyone to know that he is fine, and that his piece of $hit... suckered punched him but he was able to defend himself and gain control of the inmate.  As for his partner??????

Have a Safe 8 (and watch those pesky SNY's management thinks they are good guys!)

Thanks to the staff that sent me kites on this incident, this blog could not run without the famous "Bird on the Wire" messages

BOP Officer admits to sex with an Inmate

A 34-year-old former federal prison guard has been sentenced to 10 months behind bars after admitting that he had sex with an inmate while on duty.


Brandon McKinney was sentenced Friday in San Diego federal court to a prison sentence followed by three years' probation.

McKinney pleaded guilty to an assault charge stemming from an incident in July 2010 in which he had sex with a female inmate at the Metropolitan Correctional Center in downtown San Diego.

Oops I got stuck and I can't get OUT!

A wildfire tore through 25 to 30 acres of brush on Friday, Aug. 10, at the California Institution for Men.

Firefighters from the prison as well as from the Chino Valley Independent Fire District, the Chino Hills Fire Department and Cal Fire had about 60 percent of the blaze contained as of 5 p.m., said Lt. Dirk Williams, spokesman for the California Institution for Men, in an emailed news release.

The fire was reported about 1:30 p.m. burning in the southeast portion of the prison grounds, which are also home to the Stark Youth Correctional Facility.

The prison was placed on lockdown when the fire was reported and will remain so until the fire’s cause has been determined, Williams said.

A preliminary investigation suggests the fire was started by mechanical problems in a prison vehicle that was driving near the ignition point, he said.



"Bird on the Wire" ... in the Fire says......

I got stuck and can't get out!  And then oops a fire started.

No evacuation of any of the 4,900 inmates or 1,900 prison employees was ordered, Williams said.
No one was hurt in the fire that early on threatened some structures, said Massiel Ladron De Guevara, spokeswoman for the Chino Valley fire district. The structure threat was eliminated early, she said.

50 years you Punk!

August 9, 2012

Prison inmate sentenced for attack on correctional officer

An inmate at California State Prison, Sacramento, in Folsom has been sentenced to 50 years to life in prison for a 2008 attack on a correctional officer.

A Sacramento County jury convicted Steven Jones, 35, of battery on a correctional officer by an inmate and possession of an inmate-manufactured weapon. The court also found true Jones' two prior convictions for assault with a deadly weapon and assault with a semiautomatic firearm. He was sentenced by Sacramento Superior Court Judge Michael Savage.

On Sept. 20, 2008, a correctional officer was providing backup as Jones was about to be handcuffed, when Jones suddenly spun around and punched the officer in the face, knocking him out, according to a Sacramento County District Attorney's Office news release. The officer fell backward, striking his head on the concrete.

Jones then jumped on top of the unconscious officer and continued to punch him in the face until other officers were able to restrain Jones, authorities said. During a subsequent search of Jones, officers found a 5-inch-long metal "shank" sharpened to a point.

The officer who was beaten has since recovered and returned to work.

One Officer per dorm! Thats all we need on a level 1 yard

.CORCORAN — Authorities are investigating an 80-inmate riot that broke out at California State Prison Corcoran on Monday night.

The violence erupted at 8:21 p.m. on the facility’s level one yard for minimum security inmates. Wielding manufactured weapons, the convicts assaulted each other until staff members hit them with pepper spray and blast grenades, officials said.

Five inmates were injured during the melee, Public information officer Theresa Cisneros said, and were taken to local hospitals for treatment. They have since been returned to the facility.

No injuries were reported among the staff.

Minimum security inmates have been placed on a modified program, or lockdown, since the attack occurred. The prison’s Investigative Services Unit is still trying to determine the cause of the violence.

The last prison riot to hit Kings County happened early January at Corcoran’s Substance Abuse Treatment Facility. Around 60 inmates were involved in that incident.

Both facilities have seen their fair share of inmate-related violence this year. Four inmates have been murdered at Corcoran SATF in the last seven months and another was killed at Corcoran State Prison in July.

Last week, another inmate at SATF made headlines when he assaulted a nurse with his handcuff chain and tried to strangle her to death.

Monday’s riot remains under active investigation.

Thoughts and Prayers to a good Brother

I received word last night that L. Arredondo was on his bike yesterday and was driving out the Ranch gate just after 1400 hours when he possibly hit something on his back tire.  This caused him to lose control of his bike and he crashed into a light pole. (happen just 100 yards past the gate)

He suffered serious damage to his leg, possible break.  Officer Arredondo was take to Kaiser and underwent surgery at approximately 8:00 pm, for his injuries.  Those that don't know Officer Arredondo, he is the Chief Job Steward at Facility D and assigned to that yard.

Please keep him and his family in your thoughts and prayers.

GET WELL SOON BROTHER!

Another deadly assault/ CSP LAC

This morning at 0745 hours 2 female correctional officers were battered by an inmate on our Level 4 GP yard in a housing Unit.

The inmate rushed the first officer who was in the office in the housing unit immediatelystriking her in the face and knocking her to the ground. She attempted to defend herself by kicking at the inmate as he continued his aggressive attack.

Her female partner saw this and came to her assistance. As she approached, she attempted to stop the attack by jumping on the back of the inmate. He pushed her off and knocked her to the floor. The inmate immediately focused his attack on the female officer he had just thrown to the ground by straddling her and delivering blow after blow to her facial and upper torso area.

The control booth officer finally obtained a clear shot and discharged one 40mm round. Due the inmate rolling the female officer over the round inadvertently struck the officer in the side. The control booth officers actions stopped the brutal attack on the female staff. One officer received 3 stitches to her right eyelid and the swelling to her face.

Both female staff were treated at outside hospitals for their injuries.




A word to all our brothers and sisters in green and that work within these walls…please be safe and always watch your backs. Never forget where you work!   (thanks M. Harris for the info.)

Details CSATF staff assault

Taken from Kevin Hamilton facebook page, more information on staff assault at CSATF:


Today Facility F had an attempt suicide. Inmate Gomez AL**** severed his brachial artery because medical refused to see him in a timely manner. Staff responded and saved him from himself and handcuffed him in the front because of all the blood on his arms they didn’t want to interfere with the bandaging, The inmate was bandaged and even the Sergeant was ok for the transport of an inmate handcuffed in front. After all inmate Gomez was suicidal he needed help.

Gomez was escorted to TTA and while their Gomez sees the nurse who ignored him on second watch. The nurse was so kind as to walk in front of him allowing Gomez to remain behind her. Gomez lunged off the gurney he was sitting on and wrapped the handcuff chain around her neck and began to strangle her. Gomez, 5’2” 165 lbs was able to fall to his knees forcing the nurse on ground in a sitting position continuing his attack with the handcuffs around her neck as he twisted his arms towards themselves. rendering her near unconscious.

Staff, who were diligently were at the door, not with the inmate, responded and began to assist than attack Gomez for nothing broke his hold on the nurse. An additional nurse was able to pick up one of the five officers radios struggling with Gomez and called Central Control for assistance. The first statement wasn’t understood and Central asked to repeat she later responded “an inmate is trying to kill medical staff, the officers can’t control him”

A total of six officers injured, two medical staff injured, including the victim. All transported to outside hospital. Broken hands, broken fingers….no serious injuries.

It should be noted that had staff knocked Gomez over in a forward motion the force may have broken her neck. Staff felt that the MEB may had hurt the nurse so most did not utilize it.

M. Lopez
Correctional Sergeant
California Substance Abuse Treatment Facility Corcoran

(Thanks Ali G. for the info)

Deputy Morale down in Co. Jails

Reforms made to address excessive force in the Los Angeles County sheriff's jails have caused deputy morale to hit an all-time low and allowed inmates to start running the jails, the president of the union for rank-and-file deputies said Friday.


Speaking before a county commission created to address jail abuse, union officials warned that new
constraints on deputies for using force could have disastrous consequences.

"At some point in time, if the inmates feel empowered, they will riot. They will try to take it over," said Floyd Hayhurst, president of the Assn. for Los Angeles Deputy Sheriffs. "You can feel it in the building when the morale is down. The inmates sense that too."

Union officials pointed in particular to jailers being instructed to radio for supervisors if possible when they sense force might have to be used on an uncooperative or violent inmate. Hayhurst conceded that under ideal circumstances that might be a good idea, but in reality it backs things up in a fast-moving jail and robs deputies of the authority to resolve issues.

"Deputies should be allowed to at least try to handle the situation to conclusion," Hayhurst said. "They feel that they have lost the authority to resolve issues that should be handled by a deputy sheriff."

The Times reported last year that top sheriff's officials reviewing old force incidents were raising alarms about deputies not calling in supervisors during altercations. Another internal audit found that deputies were crafting narratives "dramatized to justify" force.

In some cases, the jailers purposely delayed using weapons that could end fights, such as pepper spray and stun guns, "to dispense appropriate jailhouse 'justice,' " the report said.

Jailer abuse and other misconduct are being investigated by the FBI. After the bureau's probe was revealed and as allegations of problems in the jails mounted last year, the county Board of Supervisors created the commission to assess the problem and suggest reforms. Current and former sheriff's officials have testified at the hearings that top managers allowed dishonesty and abuse to go unchecked.

Hayhurst, however, said the jails' woes are being overblown.

"It's being painted with a broad brush," he said. "I'm not going to say there's no bad deputies. That would be
crazy to say. But I'd say the deputies as a whole are doing a fabulous job."

The union said that inmates are aware of the situation and have taken advantage of it, often going around line-level deputies to make their complaints directly to supervisors. An internal union poll found that since Sheriff Lee Baca began instituting "town hall" meetings with inmates to hear their concerns, just over half of deputies have noticed more aggressive inmate behavior. More than 70% of deputies polled feel inmates' respect for deputies has declined because they feel "empowered" as a result of those meetings.

Top sheriff's officials, however, have said their reforms have worked, pointing to a significant drop in use-of-force incidents in recent months.
Baca's spokesman, Steve Whitmore, said the jails' inmates are under control.

"The downward trend of force in the jails indicates that our jails are probably the safest and most secure they've been, but his voice is very important for this commission to hear," Whitmore said, referring to the union president.

The commission released a statement saying that when it requested records of all incidents of discipline for dishonesty, false statements and filing false reports over the span of five years, the sheriff's department produced only two cases. One expert who testified called those numbers hard to believe even at a much smaller facility, let alone the nation's largest jail system.

CSATF Nurse escapes with her life

California Substance Abuse Treatment Facility and State Prison in Corcoran (CSATF) investigators have launched an investigation into the attempted murder of a 38-year-old registered nurse, who is a six-year veteran of the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation.



On Wednesday, August 1, 2012, at 5:25 p.m., the nurse was treating an inmate. Without warning, the inmate jumped up and started choking the nurse, using his hands and the chain of the handcuffs. Custody staff immediately intervened and, after their orders were ignored by the inmate, used physical force and their batons to release the nurse.

The inmate continued to resist the officers before they gained his compliance.

The nurse was taken by ambulance to an outside hospital where she was treated for injuries. She was later released and is recovering at home.

Four officers suffered minor injuries. Three were treated at an outside hospital.

The inmate was taken to an outside hospital for treatment and returned to the institution. The inmate, age 27, is serving a two-year sentence from Los Angeles County for second-degree robbery. He has been in state prison since May 8, 2012.

CSATF’s Investigative Services Unit is investigating this incident. The Kings County District Attorney’s Office and the Office of the Inspector General were notified.

And were still laying off Staff?? Why?

California is building the largest prison medical facility in the nation — and it’s doing it at a record clip. That’s because the state has to comply with a federal court order to improve health care for inmates.


A cluster of a warehouses, bungalows and two-story-high mounds of dirt mark the future home of the California Health Care Facility, just outside of Stockton. Even though the word “prison” isn’t in its name, the 144-acre facility definitely fits the description.

That will be evident soon when the building contractor rings the perimeter with electrified fences and guard towers. The medical hub inside those fences is designed to provide long-term care to 1,700 inmates too sick to live in regular housing.

Mike Meredith with the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation manages the $900 million project. He says the scale and cost of the Stockton facility dwarfs any commercial project he’s worked on.

There’s good reason for that. As he tours a mock-up of what the main housing will look like once it’s finished, Meredith explains the many aspects of the building designed to support recovery starting at the ceiling.

“It would draw a lot of light down into the day area for patients, a lot of them with mental issues and/or a variety of clinical issues,” says Meredith. “It sort of helps promote healing them and, in theory, gets them back to the general population.”

A series of cells runs on the outside walls down the length of a building. Eventually, nurses stations will be built in the middle of the corridor.

Nancy Kincaid, the spokeswoman for the federal receiver in charge of prison medical care, says there's aren't enough ground level cells at other facilities for all the inmates who need them.

“All the facilities out at the other institutions are all two levels, sometime three levels, and you don’t have elevators in housing areas,” she explains. “Because this is long-term care and an aging population, everything is one floor.”

The state is legally required to provide adequate medical and mental health care. It didn’t always do a good job at that.

The idea is to hub the sickest inmates in one place, to save on costs and produce better results. Many of the inmates who’ll be sent to the facility in Stockton need 24-hour nursing care. Right now, a lot of those inmates take up critical care bed space at prisons — and that forces the state to send other inmates to outside hospitals at a cost of $2,000 a day.

The federal receiver estimates the California Health Care Facility will save the state $42 million a year, mostly in guarding and transportation costs, after it opens next July.

The Department of Corrections says the facility and an adjacent housing unit will also create 2,200 permanent jobs — and $1 billion a year in economic benefit in the region.