CimRiders for a Cause

Mandatory Usage of Designated Leave Credits

2012-02-01T09:26:00.000-08:00

I thought it couldn't get worse for impacted employees facing layoff! Not only did CDCR show you the door but now they are going to deny you the chance of "cashing out" your leave credits.

Impacted Permanent Full Time Officers are being noticed on the mandatory usage of designated leave credits and have been authorized to use designated leave credits. Impacted Intermittent Employees Have Not Been authorized the use of designated leave credits at this time. The designated leave usage will begin as noted on attachment "A". (see memo in SAB)

Only 7 Layoffs at CMC

2012-01-31T23:55:00.001-08:00

Cal Coast News — Of the 545 layoff warning notices the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation sent out last week, only seven went to employees of the California Men’s Colony in San Luis Obispo.

As part of a state prison realignment that is slated to reduce the prison population by 33,000 within two years by moving some offenders to county jails, staff numbers are also slated to decline. Throughout the state prison system, there are now 14,000 fewer inmates than there were six months ago.

Even so, at the California Men’s Colony the prisoner population has remained consistent at approximately 5,686 inmates. Plans are in the works to decrease the population by 500 inmates before the end of the fiscal year, said Dean Spears, public information officer at CMC.

“California prisons have some 14,000 fewer inmates today than four months ago at the beginning of the public safety realignment,” Spears said. “Consequently, staffing needs have also fallen. As the inmate population decreases at CMC, so will the staffing needs of our institution.”

Currently, there are 912 people employed at CMC. Another round of layoffs is scheduled for the fall.

CIM Layoff Numbers

2012-01-30T15:24:00.000-08:00

As many of you know, the layoff notices were mailed out over the Weekend. The numbers I was provided are that 34 Correctional Officers at CIM received a layoff notice.

There was no Sergeants that received notice, and zero Lieutenants received notice.(I'm not real sure about these numbers)

More than ever look out for your partners, we have many friends that are being effected by the layoff. There are many resources available to you. Please contact me if you need to vent or just have general questions.

I'm hoping CIM management will be out and about, talking to staff.

I received this from DVI
There were 67 lay offs at DVI those are straight lay offs, there were about 15-20 demotions from LT's to SGT's and from SGT's to C/o's....the 2nd wave will be starting in March!!! And it doesn't look good for us that will be unemployed...it doesn't look like we will be hired back for a long time...ohhh and there is NO academy in July!!"

Thanks Ali from DVI for the info.

Layoff News report / possibly 140 Officers

2012-01-29T22:33:00.000-08:00

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — California prison officials have sent layoff notices to 545 employees, including 140 guards, as the inmate population declines to comply with a federal court order.

Corrections officials said Friday there are 14,000 fewer inmates than four months ago, when a new law began sending those convicted of lower-level offenses to county jails instead of state prisons.

Federal judges, in an order backed by the U.S. Supreme Court, gave the state two years to reduce its prison population by 33,000 inmates to improve medical care. The population peaked at 162,000 in 2006.

The layoffs will take effect Feb. 29, although some of those affected can transfer to other prisons that have vacancies.

Another round of layoffs is planned this fall. Officials could not say how many notices will go out then.

CDCR layoff letters are going out!

2012-01-27T00:05:00.000-08:00

Late this afternoon a conference call went out to all Institutions. The subject matter was lay off notices:

Close to 600 layoff letters will mailed out to CDCR employees tomorrow. A few officers will be given an opportunity to opt into a few remaining PICO positions throughout the state. The effective layoff date will be February 29, 2012.

January 26, 2012

WHAT TO DO IF YOU RECEIVE A LAYOFF NOTICE

Bargaining Unit 6 employees subject to layoff should anticipate receiving a layoff notice soon, perhaps as early as Friday, January 27, 2012. If you receive a layoff notice and you believe you have reasons to contest your layoff due to errors in your seniority score, the form of the notice, or the layoff procedure itself, contact our CCPOA field representative, Corey Davis, immediately so that your case can be evaluated in a timely manner. Corey Davis can be reached by calling our Sacramento Office at (800) 821- 6443 or (916) 372-6060.

CCPOA has negotiated a FINAL TRANSFER PROCESS in WAVE 1 before layoffs will occur for Correctional Officers. This will allow one final opportunity for a Correctional Officer to relocate prior to the occurrence of a layoff. We highly encourage employees to participate in the process and avoid this outcome. Notices and bid forms offering PICO positions at 7 institutions will be sent to impacted Correctional Officers by CDCR. These institutions include CAL, CEN, COR, HDSP, KVSP, PBSP, and SVSP.Staff that are awarded selections during this Final Opportunity will be afforded 3 days of ATO and the option of using up to 10 days of leave credits to facilitate moving. During this final opportunity, CDCR will not offer per diem.

CCPOA continues, through its central and individual institutional resources, to work to alleviate the reach and impact of layoffs resulting from AB 109.

GREAT NEWS OFFICER ROB MCGOWAN

2012-01-26T23:06:00.000-08:00

Sentence Overturned For Chino Prison Guard

A federal appeals court panel has overturned the sentence of a former guard convicted of abusing two shackled inmates at Chino Institute for Men.

A three-judge panel of the U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled Thursday that 42-year-old Robert McGowan was deprived of due process when a judge relied on an inmate's allegations as the basis for the four-y...ear sentence imposed.

McGowan has served 19 months.

A jury in October 2007 found McGowan guilty of inflicting cruel and unusual punishment by throwing two shackled inmates to the ground, but a month later the verdict was overturned.

The appeals panel found there was enough evidence for the jury to conclude that McGowan attacked the prisoners in 2002 and had intended to harm them.

The appeals panel ordered a re-sentencing for McGowan.

Calling all LE Brothers CIM Mud Run

2012-01-26T10:01:00.000-08:00

From the folks that Brought you the Gonzalez Run/Walk, CIM will be hosting a Law Enforcement/ Hero's 1st Annual CIM Mud Run. This will be all about honoring the courage of our Brothers! This will be a social event bringing friends and families together.

Stay tune for dates and times. Start getting your teams together, we encourage you to represent your Facility and win Best LE Mud Run Team.

CCPOA getting a interest free loan from Taxpayers

2012-01-26T00:45:00.000-08:00

California's prison officers union is getting a loan from taxpayers – interest-free – to settle a multimillion-dollar debt it owes the state.

The deal sealed on Wednesday closes the books on what the Department of Mental Health and the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation said was at least $4.5 million the California Correctional Peace Officers Association owed for wages and benefits paid to CCPOA leaders while they were away from their state jobs tending to union business.

CCPOA, which represents about 30,000 correctional and parole officers, refused to settle the so-called "union paid leave" tab that has been running since 2005, saying it was being overcharged.

Talks broke down a few times, so the departments and the Schwarzenegger administration hauled CCPOA into court in 2010.

The case was mired there when Gov. Jerry Brown took office last year and tapped former CCPOA attorney Ron Yank to head the Department of Personnel Administration, which was handling the litigation. Months of quiet talks between the state and the union produced a deal that reduces the debt to $3.5 million – "the state's bookkeeping problems are credible," Yank said – with an initial $750,000 cash payment due next week. CCPOA must make a $250,000 payment by Jan. 31, 2013, and another one year later. Those installments can be made in cash or by liquidating hours in a leave bank stocked with vacation time that union members donated years ago.

Then CCPOA must make annual $350,000 payments until the account is settled. There's no financing charge. Late payments carry a 10 percent penalty.

In other words, if you start the clock at 2005 and figure the debt won't be paid until 2021, the state has agreed to a 16-year, interest-free loan to subsidize CCPOA's business

CIM is different!

2012-01-25T09:01:00.000-08:00

Why is it every time someone new comes on board at CIM, they think they can change it into a modern 270 design. CIM is that old house in the neighborhood, that is unique and has to be cared for differently. It's not that "cookie cutter" housing track were all the homes look the same.

So the point I'm making is that while a 270 prison can have certain staffing packages, CIM"s unique design, sometime calls for a different staffing packages. Yes, we know that a 270 on 1/W can be staffed with minimal staffing levels. Remember we can't even "deadlock" a housing unit, and put the kids to bed! CIM is 50% open dorm settings and 50% cell housing. And our prison spreads across acres, not just one entrance and you either make a left to go down to A/B facilities or a right and go to C/D facilities. At CIM you literally have to jump in a vehicle to get to the different yards.

The buzz on the yards is that the "new" management team wants to cut more positions on 1/W. Can someone please re-read the OIG report after the C/O Gonzalez murder, in regards to recommendations on staffing needs!!! I think when the legislators pushed for AB109, they looked at dollars and not safety and security.

Now Supervisors are going to be asked to not take Holidays, but if you do, you will leave your partners short handed. There proposing that all Holidays will be internal coverage. That's funny to me, because the last time I checked Supervisors were not effected by Holidays and or coverage. We never lost Holiday relief positions, management just used these positions to cover other PY's.

I hope to have notes from the AB109/CCPOA table being conducted in Sac, that started last week and should end today. There will be big news announced regarding the layoff notices!!!!!! Stay tuned for details.

Have a Safe 8

Angels vs Dodgers

2012-01-24T09:35:00.000-08:00

CIM Group Night Tickets 2012

Los Angeles Dodgers

vs.

Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim

Saturday June 23, 2012

Angels Stadium 4:15PM

Game of the Week

Sponsored by the Chino Valley Employees Association

All seats $23.00 Right Field Pavilion will be reserved to accommodate this event. Shall the best LA team win.

Full cash payment due upon reservation of your tickets no later than January 20, 2012.

Tickets will not be available after deadline

To reserve your tickets contact, G. Pratt Lt. PIO ext.7068, E. Hernandez LT ext 4126, Angela Wirth Personnel Assignments ext 4542.

NY GIANTS

2012-01-22T20:17:00.000-08:00

Those of you that know me know that this is how I Roll!!!!!!!!

CIM Warden (A) Matthew Martel

2012-01-21T09:36:00.000-08:00

Interim warden arrives at Chino men’s prison

Matthew Martel

Matthew Martel, a retired chief deputy warden, has been named interim warden at California Institution for Men in Chino, said spokesman Lt. Glen Pratt.

Warden Aref Fakhoury retired Dec. 30 after a 30-year career with the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation.

Mr. Fakhoury, 58, of Rancho Cucamonga is a graduate of Chino Valley Adult School and Chaffey College. He began his career in corrections as a correctional officer at the California Rehabilitation Center in Norco in 1978 before transferring to the California State Prison in Los Angeles.

He was a correctional counselor from 1998 to 2002, a correctional administrator and associate warden from 2002 to 2005, and was named chief deputy warden at CIM in 2005.

Mr. Fakhoury was named acting warden in May 2009 after warden Mike Poulos began working as associate director of high security prisons and transitional housing in Sacramento. Mr. Fakhoury was named warden May 14, 2010, by Gov. Schwarzenegger.

The announcement of his move to full-time warden came the same day 50 CIM correctional officers received Medals of Valor for their work during the Aug. 8, 2009, riot that injured more than 250 inmates and destroyed a housing unit. Mr. Fakhoury had been interim warden only three months when the riot erupted.

Mr. Martel has worked for more than 30 years with the Department of Corrections after spending 11 years teaching high school in Buffalo, N.Y.

He retired after 23 years from the U.S. Air Force and is a Desert Storm veteran. He began his career in corrections in 1982 at California Rehabilitation Center in Norco. Mr. Martel worked as a counselor I and II, program administrator and correctional captain.........

Notes from CCPOA State Board meeting

2012-01-21T08:41:00.000-08:00

State board meeting , Day 1

The State Board meeting started off by discussing the issue on counting the chapter ballot at SATF, they had an issue regarding some of the ballots that weren't counted. They had a lengthy discussion on the subject. They made a “motion” to re-count all the votes that were “dismissed” due to a variety of different reasons. The motion failed, they will go back and look at the “SOP” to see if they can change some of the wording about “discounted” ballots during the next state board meeting in April.

There was talk about having a “forensic audit” when the issue was brought up Mike Jimenez seemed a little irritated. Herschel Keel (CMC chapter president) advised Jimenez that his membership was requesting it, and he’s here to express the concerns for his members. He was told that a forensic audit was “not normal”, they also expressed their concerns about it costing a lot of money that the union doesn’t have. They (EC) also stated that they haven’t had an audit in 5 years, and one was being conducted now which goes back only two years. The majority of the board members seemed to be against the forensic audit. Some expressed that the books are always open to members that want to see where the money is going. Shortly after this they went into “executive session” meaning everyone but the chapter presidents had to leave. This lasted almost an hour.

Mike Jimenez talked about AB109 and the staffing issues. He stated chapter presidents need to fight for the membership. That if they have any issues with administration they need to go to them. That he is not familiar with a lot of prisons, and what jobs are important to keep for safety reasons. He stated that he knows the layout of Avenal, but it’s been a while so he needs Plott to let him know about what jobs are being taken. He stated that Administration might think that the job cuts are final, but they are not. He stated he needs Chapter Presidents to fight and stand up for the members. They need to supply headquarters with information, so they can see what they are working with. He stated that he knows administration has to cut jobs, but not to cut jobs that make it unsafe. He wanted the Chapter Presidents to document everything with administration. He kept bringing up that they have to stand up and fight for jobs. He continued that even if administration retaliates, he stated that a lot of people have not worked under a contract. Some of the board members were talking about having their local law makers involved, and have them visit the institution to see what AB109 is doing.

Chuck Alexander talked about needing details about jobs that are being taken away. He said contact wardens with a memo and signature to have a record of it. Chuck stated that every institution has a “staffing” packing and a detail of all positions. He stated that the department is “hiding” these jobs and claims the “package” doesn’t exist. They are trying to get more information, so they can hold the state accountable.

There was a lengthy discussion on post and bid, and we were advised that the state would like a global post and bid, not just for local chapters. There was a lot of back and forth about the post and bid.

There is a state memo dated Dec. 11th, 2011 about the state looking over the Inmate Classification. They are trying to change the point system. A level 4 inmate would be a level 3 inmate, and a level 3 inmate will be a level 2 inmate. The EC is looking into it.

Now on to the confusion that is the layoffs. I’m almost certain no one knows what is going on. Everyone including the Executive council seems confused. Chuck said 250 officers will be getting a “layoff” notice by January 29th. Those 250 that are affected will get one more chance at a “state wide” bid prior to the layoff date of Feb. 29th. When asked if the layoffs will be statewide or by county, it was answered with a “yes.” PICO / OTAP don’t guarantee you safety. Even though the contract protects “PICO,” AB109 modifies that.

The budges review was next, the highlight of this was the removal of the AAA rivercats tickets for next year. They already had placed $50,000 aside for the tickets next year. Herschel Keel and a couple of other board members expressed their concerns with wasting $50,000 on useless baseball tickets. A motion was made to stop using that money for the AAA tickets, and put it toward Gold shield express (hamburger / weenie wagon). It was expressed that the money would be going towards the membership. The motion was made and passed. No more Rivercats tickets after this year. The budget review continued, and the meeting was adjourned till tomorrow at 0830 hrs.

Added info

Jim Martin (treasurer) and Perry Speth (secretary) are about to retire. Mike was planning on keeping them "working" for ccpoa. Herschel and some other board members expressed their concerns with having retirees work...ing at CCPOA headquarters. "double dipping" and the need for "new blood" in the EC. Mike gets to appoint these positions, he didn't say what they would pay these two individuals. More discussion would be made at the next state board meeting.

(Thanks to brother Ali Guitron for the information)

Federal Officer charge with sex with an inmate

2012-01-20T09:14:00.000-08:00

LOS ANGELES (AP) - A former California prison guard is facing 15 years in prison for having sex with a Lompoc federal prison inmate.

Federal prosecutors say 42-year-old Renee Noelle Gutierrez pleaded guilty in a Los Angeles courtroom on Thursday to a felony charge of sexual abuse of an inmate. The Redondo Beach woman will be sentenced on March 26.

Gutierrez was a dorm supervisor at the California central coast prison when she had sex with a male inmate in April 2010. She resigned when the sexual conduct was uncovered.

Avenal Visiting bust

2012-01-19T11:54:00.000-08:00

.AVENAL — A San Diego woman is behind bars after allegedly trying to smuggle marijuana into Avenal State Prison, authorities said Wednesday.

Ursula Nicole Greene, 37, was arrested on Jan. 8 for numerous drug sales and possession charges. Officials at the facility said she tried to pass off a bindle containing more than 26 grams of marijuana to an inmate she was visiting.

Correctional Lt. Ed Borla said staff members noticed the inmate, who was not named, acting suspiciously during their contact. The inmate was taken aside and searched, revealing the drugs.
Greene was detained and her vehicle was searched. There, staff members found additional evidence supporting the charge that she brought a controlled substance into the facility, Borla said.

Greene remained in custody Wednesday at the Kings County Jail on suspicion of possession of drug paraphernalia in a jail, unauthorized communication with a prisoner, transporting marijuana for sale, furnishing marijuana, conspiring to commit a crime and supplying a controlled substance. Her bail was set at $120,000.

The inmate has been placed on administrative segregation as prison staff investigate the matter, authorities said.

M. Stainer appointed Warden at CCI

2012-01-18T23:14:00.000-08:00

Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. on Jan. 17 announced the following appointment of Michael Stainer, 48, of Tehachapi, as Warden at the California Correctional Institution.

Stainer has been Chief Deputy Warden at the California Correctional Institution since 2008 and served as Acting Warden since December 2010. He has worked with the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation in multiple positions since 1987. Currently he is on assignment in Sacramento as Acting Associate Director of the California Dept. of Corrections and Rehabilitation. According to the press release from the Governor’s Office, the position does not require Senate confirmation and the compensation is $129,108. Stainer is a Republican.

A Tehachapi resident since 1978, Stainer is a second generation Warden of CCI. His father, Jerry Stainer, was warden at Corcoran State Prison, 1989-91, then Warden at CCI for two years, retiring from that institution in 1993.

Stainer was 15 when his family moved from the suburbs of Sacramento to Cummings Valley when his father first went to work at the facility. From then until he graduated from Tehachapi High School in 1981, he lived with his family in a house on the prison grounds.

He attended Bakersfield College for a year and then moved to Mammoth, where he worked in the ski industry for four years before joining the Department of Corrections, becoming an officer, sergeant, lieutenant and Correctional Counselor II at CCI.

For two years, from 2002 to 2004, he served as a Correctional Captain at the California State Prison in Lancaster, after which he returned to CCI as a Captain.

He was promoted to Associate Warden in 2005 and Chief Deputy Warden in 2008.

This was no regular trailer Park

2012-01-17T12:26:00.000-08:00

A convicted killer was found dead Tuesday after he apparently hanged himself, TV news stations reported.

Department of Corrections agents found Loren Herzog shortly after midnight hanging in his trailer at the High Desert State Prison in Lassen County, KTXL-TV in Sacramento reported.

KTXL-TV reported that Herzog, a parolee released in 2010, was required to wear a tracking device that alerted parole authorities whenever the battery was low on power. His parole agents dispatched prison officers to check on Herzog. Herzog, 45, ended up living in the trailer on the grounds of the prison in Susanville after residents and victims' families protested his release.

Herzog was originally sentenced to 78 years in prison for a series of killings in San Joaquin County in the 1980s and 1990s, the television station reported. His childhood friend, Wesley Shermantine -- the other half of the so-called "Speed Freak Killers" -- also was convicted. But the sentence was reduced after an appeals court overturned the original conviction.
KCRA-TV, also in Sacramento, reported that Herzog served 11 years of his sentence before being released.

In-Service Training 2012

2012-01-14T22:59:00.000-08:00

There have been many changes in our Ops annual training week (IST). The biggest change to the training is, we no longer go over to YTS on Fridays for alarm response training. The IST budget was slashed and unfortunately "we" staff will get the short end of the deal. More than ever we need to receive the alarm response training, you know the alarm plan that is yet to get signed off?! Out of all the cuts IST had to take we should have done everything possible to keep the alarm response training current.

I will say the IST staff and the support staff are doing a great job, working with what they have. Your week will now consist of Monday/Tuesday of all class room training. On Wednesdays you will go out to the range for weapons and batons. You will all love the new baton course and the new tactics that are being taught. On Thursday/Friday your back in the class room, however, on Friday there will be a nice surprise in regards to the impact weapon munitions training.

Overall, I think those that attended the first year 2012 training week will tell you that they liked the week. Lt. Schoo is always looking for suggestions on improving the training so please let him know. Also there is new paperwork to complete for off-duty weapons, so if your carrying off-duty go to IST and ask for the new packet.
Bird on the wire says the Glocks are coming! Right now only for speciality units.

Have a Safe 8

Delay in Payment of Custody OT

2012-01-12T17:37:00.000-08:00

I was contacted by the Wardens office today about the overtime checks and the delay in processing them. The Wardens office should be putting out an instant bulletin regarding this issue and a time when you should expect to receive your pay. This is not the first time that this has happened but it is the first time that it is on such a large scale. I have done extensive research on this issue with overtime checks not being paid on the 15; unfortunately there is no deadline. If however any one experiences a delay in their regular paycheck, there are laws to protect us.

The BU6 MOU says this on the overtime checks;

11.05 Overtime Checks
Each institution shall make its best effort to process employees’ overtime checks in the shortest possible time. Overtime checks shall be released to the employee as soon as possible following their receipt and expeditious processing at the institution/facility/ camp office.

Upon notice from CCPOA, the State agrees to meet at a job site where issuance of overtime checks is consistently beyond the 15th of the month for the purpose of developing a mutually acceptable overtime check distribution process. Part of this process may include Express Service (mail, delivery service, or personal service) to the Controller’s Office and, if possible, from the Controller’s Office.

I was told that it is an issue with the new computer program. However I can assure you that we will be having discussions with the Warden at the next labor management meeting regarding this issue along with other pay issues. If anyone has any other issues that they would like to be brought up regarding pay, please contact a Chief Steward.

Fred Stevens

CIM Chapter President

Rob McGowan appeal hearing notes from Lorraine

2012-01-12T15:53:00.000-08:00

Nothing but POSITIVENESS was felt at the conclusion of. Mac's appeals hearing. What was originally set at ten minutes a piece (Rob's lawyer and the feds) to state their cases, we were all elated noticing that, while listening with an open ear, the three justices allowed and entertained ideas and questioned our defense.
The other side was not as hopeful. The 9th panel also questioned the gov. b...ut as it seemed, the queries were leaning toward the tone of disbelief in what the fed. Prosecutor was trying to feed them. The panel did not like the taste of his so-called "facts" and seemed to spit them out. In effect, the gov. was left with less then he anticipated, I'm sure. Rob's lawyer was accepted by the panel to express closing facts while they stated that the previous sentencing judge (due to his "personal involvement" and this judge's reactions to statements made from a "snitch", as they put it...) will NOT be making any further decisions for Rob in the future!

Discussed mostly, were facts and cases, relevant and irrelevant (as stated by the gov.) regarding reasons Mac should receive a new trial. The justices (without having transcripts of the hearing, this is all only from my recollection) spoke about the possibilities of remanding the decision of a new trial to another dist. court judge, or hopefully the possibility that they, themselves could make that assertion. At the very end, one justice had asked isn't McGowan already on bail? His expression seemed surprised to find that he was not. At that point, Rob's lawyer entered the request that Rob be released pending their decision (which more than likely will take another several months).

We (a nice group of friends, family, past and present CIM brothers and sisters) left the courtroom feeling excited and hopeful... for the first time since Mac's acquittal in 2007! His lawyer spoke of the positive possibilities and also warned us to be slightly cautious, because of the nature of the beast, being the court system.

So that's where we're at... praying, hoping, that the good word will come soon... that he will be able to come home. Could be 2 days or 21 days... as we get information, an update will get to you guy within hours of receipt.

Thank you everyone out here for all your thoughts, messages and prayers. Couldn't have stayed sane without ch'all! We certainly hope to share some great news with everyone SOON! ~Love Our Posse

300 inmates Riot at Kern Valley

2012-01-11T17:37:00.000-08:00

DELANO, Calif. -- The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) announced Wednesday that approximately 300 inmates rioted at Kern Valley State Prison (KVSP).

The riot started at 1:45 p.m. on Facility A recreation yard, a Level IV general population facility. Officers said they arrived and utilized less-than-lethal rounds, chemical agents, and two warning shots from rifles to quell the disturbance. Several inmates received stab, puncture, and slashing-type wounds, none of which were considered life-threatening and no staff members were injured.

Officials said members of southern Hispanics and Crips are believed to have been the disruptive groups involved. An investigation will be opened to determine the reason for the riot as the cause is unknown at this time, officials said.

Update on CSATF Riot

2012-01-11T15:15:00.000-08:00

On January 10, 2012, at approximately 1204 hours, CSATF’s Level IV GP upper yard had a riot break out between the Southern and the Northern Hispanic inmates. Approximately 60 inmates were involved, 16 of which were Northern Hispanics. Shortly after the yard release was completed, the northern inmates broke up from a group of approximately 12 inmates and proceeded to participate in yard activities. The southern inmates were playing handball and hanging out by the yard rest room area. Four (4) northern inmates proceeded to the rest room area when they were attacked by the southern inmates. The remaining northern inmates engaged the southerners.
Approximately (9) 40mm rounds were discharged and (6) grenades used to quell the riot. No Mini-14 rounds were discharged, (16) weapons were discovered, (9) metal and (7) plastic. The yard was cleared without further incident.

Three inmates were air lifted to area hospitals. Two inmates via ambulance to area hospitals. Two of the northern inmates were discovered to have weapons secreted in their anal cavity via x-rays at the hospital. No details on the condition or extent of injuries on these inmates at this time.

The yard had been on lockdown prior to today’s release due to staff threat issues, the north and south inmates had been programming on the recreation yard prior to today’s riot.

From an RJD Rider

60 inmates riot at Corcoran

2012-01-10T22:12:00.000-08:00

A bloody riot Tuesday at a south valley prison left several inmates injured and authorities trying to figure out what happened.

The fighting broke out just after noon Tuesday at the California Substance Abuse Treatment Facility and State Prison at Corcoran. That's about fifty miles south of Fresno.

Authorities say the maximum security yard suddenly exploded in violence when sixty inmates started pulling out weapons and went at it. Guards responded with tear gas and other less than lethal weapons.
Prison officials say the riot was put down within five minutes, but it was long enough to send five inmates to the hospital with stab wounds. Three were hurt seriously enough that they were taken to the hospital by helicopter where they were treated and later returned to the prison.

None of the prison staff was injured.

The Alarm sounded at @1057

2012-01-10T17:50:00.000-08:00

This day never get easy for us at CIM. On this same day (in 2005) I was assigned Operations Training (IST), Our IST manager rushed into the class room and announced there was a serious code 3 at RCC Sycamore Hall and an officer was down.
The manager identified several staff members that were assigned to RCC and instructed us to "GO" right now and provide assistance. At this time we were told that Correctional Officer Manny Gonzalez was the victim of a assault and had been stabbed several times. The rest of the IST training staff was later instructed to respond code 3 to RCC. This day will never leave my memory!!!

Today I happen to be in IST again, we all headed over to the CIM administration building in front of the Manny Gonzalez memorial. We heard from Manny's mother, she thanked all the staff for never forgetting her son. Her words were very emotional, lots of tears in the crowd. Our new Warden Mr. Martel also said some nice words.

Moments later an alarm sounded on the entire facility, and a moment of silence was announced. "Yard Down" could be heard in the distance.

Manny "toothpick" Gonzo,
We will never forget you.

January 10 @1057

2012-01-07T11:07:00.000-08:00

Sent on behalf of Warden (A) Matthew Martel:

CIM Staff,

On Tuesday, January 10, 2012 at approximately 1000 hours, several members of the Gonzalez family will be on grounds in remembrance of the anniversary death of CIM Officer M. Gonzalez, Jr. The guests will be on institutional grounds for the moment of silence and prayer ceremony to be conducted at the CIM memorial, in front of the CIM I Administration Building. Guests will be escorted and arrive at the CIM Memorial no later than 1030 hours. Guests are authorized to attend the ceremony at the memorial site only. If Operational needs permit, you may attend with your supervisor’s approval.

At 1057 Hours, all employees are to cease all movement and conduct a moment of silence in remembrance of the tragic loss of CIM Correctional Officer Manuel A. Gonzalez, Jr. Following the moment of silence; CIM Chaplin will give a prayer and there will be the laying of flowers at the memorial.

Your cooperation in this matter is appreciated and if you have any questions please contact Lt. G.E. Pratt, Administrative Assistant/Public

Sergeants Beware you may work out of class

2012-01-06T00:22:00.000-08:00

If your a Sergeant attached to the watch Beware, when you call for a Sergeant position you may be directed/ordered to work out of your class.

We were given strict instructions months ago to hire appropriately for sick calls, non budgeted, unscheduled assignments ect.... The memo drafted instructed SAB to hire sick relief staff behind sick calls, coverage relief behind budgeted vacancies, ect..... then hire overtime.

At the cost of saving the mighty buck we are now violating DOM section 31080.3 Overtime for Supervisors. Even though you meet the criteria for obtaining the overtime vacancy you may get "Bumped" by a Sergeant who never requested to work out of class. Once again staff is taking the Hit for the mismanagement by CIM's upper management.

What worries me the most is the Officers will be next!

PICO/PIE hiring Suggestion

2012-01-05T00:32:00.000-08:00

I need some feedback on those impacted PICO's, as we move forward with the alphabetical rotation on the PICO hiring. I have heard from many (70 +) Officers and I hear your fustration. I can't tell you how many of you call and ask what Letter we are on daily??

We know your frustration, while at times we get busy in the SAB it's hard to field the many calls that come in asking were we are at on the hiring. After discussing it with my partner we kinda of came up with a possible solution. But we will need your help to contact your CCPOA reps and tell them what you think. If you like the idea pressure your union and ask them to discuss it with management.

Here is the idea:
We thought we could set up an information phone line in the SAB. Were each day beginning on with the 1/W hiring we will post the Letter we will begin hiring on for each day. This will let you know about were you are at on the daily hiring. So just maybe you could have a semi life outside of waiting by your cell phones.
We won't update it every shift, but at least the beginning of the day at least you will have an idea, were you stand on hiring. Kinda of like CIM posting status reports on Mod orders on the designated phone number.

Let me know what you think please comment! If you don't want to comment at least hit either BITES OR
THATS RIGHT

Have a Safe 8

Letter from the State Controller Office

2012-01-04T23:50:00.000-08:00

To: CCPOA State Board of Directors

A letter is going out to all members regarding a class action lawsuit in the San Francisco Superior Court. This is our Walk Time case. Members are being asked if they wish to be excluded from the case. If they wish to remain as part of the class, they don't have to do anything. The letter goes on to describe how to opt out of the case should a member not want to be included.

CIM Welcomes new Warden and CDW

2012-01-04T12:12:00.000-08:00

The following is the signature block for the Warden:

MATTHEW MARTEL
Warden (A)
California Institution for Men

The following are the signature blocks per each of the Chief Deputy Wardens:

B. M. CASH
Chief Deputy Warden, Operations
California Institution for Men

GARY SANDOR
Chief Deputy Warden, Reception Centers/Programs
California Institution for Men

Thank you and have a wonderful day. ;)

2011 Recap CDCR/CIM

2012-01-01T11:41:00.000-08:00

I think that a few of you would agree 2011 in CDCR and specifically CIM brought many changes, many of those changes were for the worst! I however, will remain positive that 2012 will get better for us. Here is a brief recap on 2011.

The biggest change came from the Governors office, CCPOA had us believe that Jerry Brown was the better choice. Looking back, I think we settle for the best of two evils.

The 2011 MOU gave us hope, unfortunately CDCr is doing what ever they want anyways! There should have been a section called NO ON AB109! Because AB109 seems to trump all.

The Governor decided to keep Matt Cate around for 2011, this to most was the biggest surprise. I'm still yet figure out what he actually does. Hey Governor, its not to late, defunct the position that Arnie started. We did just fine with a Director of Corrections.

We were left to defend our Pensions, this I'm sure will carry over into 2012. The one thing for sure, the pension scares did not create a mass exodus.

We certainly were in the headlines, we had some partners who couldn't keep their professionalism intact. They acted like the felons we are in trusted to keep watch over.

At CIM we had a major shake up in CIM management. CDCR HQ really pointed the finger on some mistakes that were made. Some folks got promoted by simply who they know, or should I say who they were related too!! We had retirements of all the top brass.
The biggest change was the reduction of staff and this leads to the safety of those that are to remain and run CIM. We had a couple of tough months during the SOMS transition. Our IST department felt a big hit with many training cuts, and of course staff will get the short end of the needed training.
CIM CCPOA decided to split the vote and re-elect CCPOA President Mike Jimenez, I guess they felt he was doing a terrific JOB!

I'm sure some of you will jump in and comment on some of the highlights I may have missed in 2011, feel free to fire away. Be tactful and your comment will make the cut!

I maybe one of the few that still loves his job, and despite what you read, I'm hopeful for CIM's future in 2012. I really wanted to shut this site down, but because of YOU my partners, I will remain on the keyboard for 2012. I can't make this stuff up CIM and CDCR and our Unions provide much comic relief and its hard not to find material for my rants!! Partners continue to shoot me the info I need to keep the blog fresh.

HAPPY NEW YEAR
&
HAVE A SAFE 8 (2012)

Happy New Years CIM

2011-12-31T10:14:00.000-08:00

I want to encourage all CIM staff to have a Safe New Years celebration. If your going to indulge please use designated drivers.

Here is a tip:
Tipsy Tow offered by AAA: You don't have to be a AAA member, from 6pm-6am on New Year's Eve/Day they will take your drunk self and your car home for FREE. Save this number!1-800-222-4357."

From CBS news LA:
For the 15th consecutive year, AAA will offer its free Tipsy Tow service in hopes of keeping drunken drivers off the road.

The program will be available to drunk drivers in the 13 counties served by the Auto Club of Southern California until 6 a.m. Sunday.
Motorists, bartenders, restaurant managers, party hosts or passengers of a drinking driver can call (800) 400-4AAA for a free tow to the driver’s home of up to seven miles.

Callers are asked to inform the operator they want a Tipsy Tow

CIM needs Stability

2011-12-29T09:16:00.000-08:00

As we come to another Years end, many uncertainty's are ahead of us at CIM. Yes, the rumors are coming true we will be getting a new Warden and CD Warden. The problem is that they are retired annuitants, this means another band aid.

More than ever CIM needs leadership, someone who will invest in CIM's future, not someone passing by. I hope CDCR HQ finds a permanent replacement soon. There is some really good talent at CIM that is not being tapped. Yes, there was some big mistakes made, send a couple more packing and we will be fine.

More importantly, the Shenanigans need to stop! Stability

2012 Holidays / Leap year!!

2011-12-28T10:51:00.000-08:00

2012 State Holidays

Monday, January 2 - New Year's Day (observed)**
Monday, January 16 - Martin Luther King Jr. Day
Monday, February 20 - President's Day
Saturday, March 31 - Cesar Chavez Day*
Monday, May 28 - Memorial Day
Wednesday, July 4 - Independence Day
Monday, September 3 - Labor Day
Monday, November 12 - Veteran's Day (observed)**
Thursday, November 22 - Thanksgiving Day
Friday, November 23 - Day after Thanksgiving
Tuesday, December 25 - Christmas Day

Notes

In addition to these holidays, most employees receive one personal holiday per fiscal year.
* Saturday holiday: You accrue holiday credit. Full-time employees accrue eight hours. Other employees accrue hours equal to their time base, up to eight hours. (If Veteran's Day, November 11, falls on a Saturday, the holiday is observed the preceding Friday.) ** Sunday holiday: Observed the following Monday

What is Leap year? The year 2012 is a leap year. A leap year is a year in which one extra day is added at the end of February and consists of 366 days. The extra day, February 29 is the leap day of the leap year and has been associated with age-old traditions, superstitions and folklore.

So if you have Mon-Tues RDO's your getting holidays off this year!!!!

Tis the Season at KVSP

2011-12-28T10:00:00.001-08:00

DELANO, Calif. -- The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation announced Tuesday that Kern Valley State Prison investigators are working with the Kern County Coroner and District Attorney’s Office to investigate the Christmas Day death of an inmate, which has been classified as a homicide.

Officials said that on Sunday, at 3:05 a.m., staff said they found inmate Scott McInnis dead in his cell, the apparent victim of a beating by his cellmate, Steven Lovely, who is considered the suspect in the case.

After removing Lovely from the cell, staff attempted life-saving measures on McInnis but were unsuccessful and he was declared dead at 4:56 a.m., officials said. Officials said the killing occurred in Facility A, Housing Unit #6 and the cell was secured and processed as a crime scene.

McInnis was a multiple term inmate serving a 45-year sentence from Los Angeles County for three counts of robbery in the 2nd degree, officials said. He had been housed at KVSP since January 17, 2008.

Steven Lovely is a 26-year-old inmate who was serving a 2-year 8-month sentence from Los Angeles County for disregard for safety. He has been housed at KVSP since May, 7, 2010 and was scheduled for release on January 18, 2012.

Christmas Poem

2011-12-25T13:06:00.000-08:00

BEYOND A CHRISTMAS DAY

By Bill Heffner

Working on a holiday

Is not so very strange

To public servants everywhere

Cause something's never change,

They sacrifice, so we can live

In peace through out the land

Christmas day and everyday

We need their helping hand.

So don't forget to thank the Lord

When Santa's gone away

For all the peace these servants bring

Beyond a Christmas Day.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

CDCR Fire to lose 1,500 inmates

2011-12-24T22:50:00.000-08:00

When Gov. Jerry Brown and the Legislature shifted responsibility for thousands of state prisoners to county jails, some authorities said it would mean more offenders on the streets breaking the law. Few saw another possible peril: the loss of more than 1,500 inmate firefighters. Since World War II, the state has relied on nonviolent offenders serving time for such crimes as burglary, drug possession and welfare fraud to help clear brush, cut fire lines and stop infernos from spreading.

Fire officials say the prisoners, selected from a pool of those who exhibit ideal behavior in custody, can be as much as half the manpower assigned to a large fire. "When things get busy, it's the first thing we run out of," said Andy McMurry, deputy director of fire protection for the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. Now, the realignment of inmate custody, developed to comply with a U.S. Supreme Court decision that overcrowding must be reduced in state lockups, is expected to keep thousands of those low-level offenders in county jails, where many could be released early because space is scarce.

Fire officials say they can sustain the number of inmate crews for now, but their forces will begin to shrink in 2013. The reduction, if fully implemented, would cut the inmate firefighting ranks by nearly 40%, according to the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, which operates the program jointly with Cal Fire.

Blue Shield rebate checks in the MAIL!!!

2011-12-23T10:11:00.000-08:00

To All;

Yesterday the Trust began sending rebate checks to approximately 12,000 participants in the CCPOA Medical Plan. The checks are being mailed to individuals who were enrolled in the Plan at any time during 2010 and range between $130.44 & $436.37. The amount of the check was determined by Blue Shield based on the number of months enrolled and whether it was an individual or a family. Due to the large number of checks they will be send out over the next several days and we may begin receiving phone calls from members. Below is an excerpt from the letter the Trust received from Blue Shield.

“As a not-for-profit health plan committed to access to high quality care at an affordable price, Blue Shield of California announced our 2% Pledge in June. We pledged to limit our annual net income to 2% of revenue collected for both Blue Shield of California and Blue Shield of California Life & Health Insurance Company and to give back any excess to our customers and the community.

In 2010, we exceeded this 2% limit and now we are giving back $180 million to Blue Shield customers and the community….”

(Sent via Fred Stevens CIM President)

Christmas day Sick substantiation

2011-12-23T00:17:00.000-08:00

According to Article 10.02.C.2 d of the BU6 MOU, an employee may be required to submit medical verification if the employee calls in sick on Christmas Day.

The reason I posted this for clarification is that this year Christmas day falls on Sunday, however the state will recognize the Holiday for Monday. You will need your Sick Substantiation note for Christmas Day (Sunday)

(remember I post this info for your information only, I by know means want you to think I'm setting policy or implying what course of actions CIM management would take.) JUST AN FYI!

CIM Sick Policy

2011-12-21T21:06:00.000-08:00

Well we heard about it for months, here it is in writing!

State contribution going up

2011-12-20T16:54:00.000-08:00

CCPOA

MEMORANDUM

TO: Steve Weiss, Chief of Labor

FROM: State Board

Executive Council

Field Representatives

DATE: December 19, 2011

RE: Health Benefit Plan (Reference: PML 2011-034)

In accordance with the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) Article XIII, Section 13.01, Health Benefit Plan, the State’s contribution to health care will increase in January 1, 2012, in the following manner:

Employee: The State’s contribution increases from $377 per month to $452 per month.

Employee Plus one (1) dependant: The State’s contribution increases from $746 a month to $905 per month.

Employee Plus two (2) or more dependants: The State’s contribution increases from $968 a month to $1177 per month.

PICO update on hiring status

2011-12-19T21:42:00.000-08:00

Well, we started the hiring off the new PICO list this past Sunday night 3/W for 1/W (Monday). It's no surprise that the PICO's are answering the phone calls and ready to work. As of this writing SAB ran the list once and is on the second round and is on letter "H" right now. I'm told it's going smoother than expected, and hiring is getting done fairly quickly. However, as you can imagine the Over time is pretty much gone, unless there is last minute call outs or hiring errors.

I'm writing this just to give a heads up to the staff at CIM, many were wondering how it will work and how it will impact staff. Early indications are that PICO's will get their hours in, as of this writing. We will have to see once all the current transfers depart, how will it impact hiring.

Good luck to the new Crew of PICO's

Have a Safe 8

CIM's new Chapter

2011-12-18T10:20:00.000-08:00

Starting Monday the way business is being conducted at CIM is going to forever change. We are heading down a path that we have no control over, "its way above our pay grade". As you all can see, CDCr is doing everything at all costs to save the mighty buck! The OIG report of 2006/2007 means nothing at this point. All those recommendations go out the window, Safety and Security will now take a back seat, for the purposes of saving costs.

As far as I can tell, nobody contacted CIM's very own Response coordinators to ask about revising the Response Matrix. We battled during the riots of RCW, we went live during the RCE uprising, we saved one of our own who was held up in a roof hatch.
Now we will be called upon to hold the line until a delayed response arrives!!

The PICO's and Otaps will be implemented on Monday morning. Nobody is looking out for the PICO's, we received numerous calls throughout the weekend asking questions, about whats going to take place. All we can suggest is that you read 26.01 of your MOU, and even then I'm not sure if this truly applies to you, since the MOU is quit clear on the verbiage for PIE's. Since the local Chapter did not, as far as I know agree to any kind of agreements as it applies to hiring of the PICO's, we will follow alphabetical rotation lists starting 1/W on (Sunday night) for Monday morning.

There are rumors about outsiders coming in from the outside to take over CIM's top positions (retired Annuitants). While nobody likes change, this may be a welcome addition! I'm not sure why some of CIM's very own talent is not being called upon, but it does send a clear message, they want to get a handle on the way CIM does business.

Good luck partners,
Have a Safe 8

Calling all Riders

2011-12-16T09:42:00.000-08:00

I was contacted by Sergeant T. Lopez our Honor Guard commander, Lopez does alot for fallen Officers and their families. He is requesting our help to give assistance to Sergeant Ian Pickett, in the form of time bank. Many of you know or have heard about Ian, he is a very passionate Union and CDCr activist, you may not always agree with his politics, but one thing is certain the guy is a Rider!

Guys if you can donate some time to Sgt Ian Pickett, he worked at Calipatria from 2000 to around 2008, he then transferred to KVSP. He has numerous medical issues, and looks like he might have to medically retire. He has exhausted his time, and is not asking for any, but if you knew him, you know he is solid! If you don’t remember him, the guy is a soldier. He would run into a burning building, and save anyone of us. I am putting his info out on my facility today. If you can do the same, I would appreciate it. He has a statewide CTB you just have to go to personnel, his name is IAN PICKETT Thanks.

Sgt. T-Lo

Avoid Over time at all costs

2011-12-15T00:41:00.000-08:00

The talk on the yards and tiers this week is the attempt by CIM management to try and fix or should I say eliminate the Over time completely at CIM. If mistakes have been made in the past and people are now in the hat, why blame the rank and file line staff?

A Lieutenant who signed up for a second watch over time was granted the assignment based on seniority. He drove in and assumed his Facility Lieutenant position. Only to be called later in the shift, he was told he would be relieved by a Sergeant!!! His over time was being cancelled. The Sergeant in question I'm told did not request to step up, nor does he or she have a current memo on file to accept an acting Lieutenant assignment.

As you all may recall CIM tried this in the past, they tried to bump Lieutenants down to take Sergeant (community Hospital Sergeant) positions, to avoid over time. We met with management at that time and problem seemed to be resolved. This is a very dangerous practice, you can't order someone to step up in the cost of saving over time.

We are diminishing the chain of command and our ranks in general.

( brings to light, the bogus bulletin for acting supervisors, just hire the top ranked Sgt.s and call it what it was!)

Bonehead CDCr partners

2011-12-15T00:06:00.000-08:00

I posted months ago about CDCr staff being on restriction from Law Enforcement days at the Oakley HQ for great savings and deals. Well, Sgt. Wallace contact them, to see if CDCr would be allowed back in to participate on LE saving days. Here is the response he received.

Sergeant Wallace,

Unfortunately, we had recently had another incident involving a member of your organization which has forced us to permanently suspend the privileges for CDCR. The members of your organization can continue to receive the discount through the online program at USSTANDARDISSUE.COM.

This latest incident is another in a long list of CDCR members not adhering to the guidelines that are established for the LEO program.

Feel free to contact me if you have any questions.

Keith Gregrow

Security Supervisor

Oakley Inc

One Icon

Officer M. Gonzalez 7th annual Bike Run

2011-12-12T09:40:00.000-08:00

SEVENTH annual BIKE RUN In memory of

Officer Manuel A. Gonzalez Jr.

E.O.W. January 10, 2005

Date: Saturday January 14, 2012. American Legion Post 299 located off the 60 Fwy at 13759 Central Ave Chino, CA. Bus. # (909) 628-2080. 1st Meeting Location, The Green Frog, 08:00am Located at 7750 Palm Ave, Highland San Bernardino. 2nd Location: City Lights Lounge, in Hacienda Heights at 0800am, Located off the 60 Fwy immediately exiting Hacienda Blvd. Kick Stands Up at 9:30am. Will ride to the American Legion Where “Menudo” Breakfast will be served at 10:00am. Procession will follow to Resurrection Cemetery in South San Gabriel to Bow Heads. Will ride-back, to the American Legion to enjoy a live band & good food. Party starts at 1400hrs. $12.00 Donation: T-shirt & Food. Rain or Shine!

For further information contact Lt. Roque (951)751-8392, Sgt. Magaña (909)510-0821 or C/O Gonzalez DA, (562)762-7240 or Butcherman (951)809-5029

Vacant Sergeants and Lieutenants need apply

2011-12-10T00:59:00.000-08:00

I'm truly more confused than ever before! The deadline to turn in transfer request for Supervisor positions at Institutions with Vacancies was December 7, (Pearl Harbor day) maybe I should have figured it out?
A mere two days later CIM announces that they are canvassing for vacant out of class Sergeant and Lieutenant positions. For those that are on the current hiring lists.

I have good young Sergeants and Lieutenants asking me everyday, whats the word on the Supervisor reductions? Someone please explain, why are we allowing Sergeants to transfer if we have vacancies? Is this what they discussed at the Wardens meetings this week in Sacramento? Is this what the brain trust came up with?

How is it the memo was released on Friday and CIM has chosen two Sergeants to step up already? Canvassing Really!!!

CCPOA local Chapter President Elections

2011-12-09T09:28:00.000-08:00

Results for the Local Chapter elections were released and the results are showing that members wanted change. There will be approximately 9 new board of directors to CCPOA (newly elected Chapter Presidents) This should be a wake up call to all Chapter Presidents, you need to vote the wishes of the members. Here is a list of the new Chapter Presidents, congrats to the incumbents that got re-elected.

CMC Herschel Keel
CSP SAC Tim Stewart
HDSP Truman Toon
KVSP Glenn Stailey
MTA Randy Kell
Mule Creek Dennis Greenhalgh
PBSP Mary Statham
Pleasant Valley Jose Lopez
SQ James Gary

Been there done that!

2011-12-08T09:07:00.000-08:00

A couple of years ago the 12 hour shifts were be thrown around up in Sac HQ, there was even an institution targeted for the Pilot Program. Most rank and file Officers were opposed to the suggestion of 12 hour shifts.

As I recall during the MOU contract negotiations this was thrown in the mix, and part of the contract deal was to throw out the 12 hour shift plans. So please CIM do not revisit something that was opposed by CCPOA, and already agreed upon. Is there nobody left that knows our history?

New Folsom Riot Shots fired

2011-12-07T23:04:00.000-08:00

FOLSOM, Calif. (KCRA) -- Four of 10 inmates injured during a riot at the California State Prison in Folsom have been released from hospitals and are back at the prison, said a spokesman for the prison. One inmate was admitted at a hospital and five others are either being examined or waiting to be examined, said prison spokesman Sgt. Tony Quinn.

Corrections officials said guards shot at least two prisoners as they broke up the riot Wednesday involving 50 inmates.

The riot -- which started at about 12:30 p.m. -- was contained about 12:40 p.m.

Quinn told the Associated Press the conditions of the two inmates hit by gunfire aren't yet known, but they are among the 10 wounded prisoners. He said the other inmates had stab wounds and blunt force trauma.

Several staff members were treated for minor injuries.

Most of the prison's 2,800 inmates have been locked in their cells while the disturbance is investigated.
"There is always tension inside here. There is a number of reasons these things occur," Quinn said.
Whenever gunfire is used, that means "imminent loss of life," Quinn said, adding that the 10-minute riot was "an extremely long time."

A news release issued about 2:45 p.m. said prison staff used pepper spray, rubber projectiles and also fired shots to stop the riot.

In addition to stab and gunshot wounds, people were being treated for blunt-force trauma, as well, the release said. It added, the prison has been placed on lockdown pending further investigation.

The UC Davis Medical Center in Sacramento said it received three patients from the prison riot, but cannot comment on their injuries or conditions.

Quinn said officers recovered five "manufactured weapons" by late Wednesday evening, but did not describe the weapons.

The prison houses about 2,800 inmates, including many who are serving long sentences and have caused trouble at other facilities.

Correctional Peace Officers Association spokesman JeVaughn Baker said there are several factors that contribute to the recent riots, including lack of staffing within all state prisons. He said the problem will eventually affect everyone.

http://www.kcra.com/slideshow/news/29946051/detail.html

Click the above link (Photos)
The report does not say but if you check out the photo's images, it appears to be Black and Browns. The photo's show good skirmish lines and detention areas. Good job Folsom Staff!!!!!

.

The same week fire camps annouce openings???

2011-12-07T00:16:00.000-08:00

A third of California's inmate firefighters could be lost as the California Department of Corrections moves its lower-level criminals from state to county lock-ups. Only minimum custody inmates may participate in the CRCD's "Conservation Camps" Program, which allows nonviolent offenders to be deployed on fire crews.

During the next two to three years, the state could lose 1,500 of the nearly 4,500 inmates who work on firefighting crews, according to Richard Subia, a deputy director with the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. It's the first time officials have said how many inmate firefighters might be lost to the realignment.

The state is relying on counties to send some prisoners to state-run fire camps to keep them out of local jails, officials told members of the Legislature's Rural Fire Protection Working Group.

But most sheriffs say their counties can't afford the $46.19 a day the state plans to charge for each prisoner sent to the camps, said Curtis Hill, a lobbyist for the California State Sheriffs' Association.

However, the Corrections Department can't afford to charge less without losing money at a time when the state is facing another multibillion-dollar budget deficit, Department of Finance analyst Justyn Howard said.
Lawmakers approved the realignment to save the state money and to comply with a federal court order that California reduce prison crowding.

Several lawmakers said the state should consider absorbing more of the cost because of the overall benefit. Inmate firefighters are paid far less than professional full- or part-time firefighters. Plus, the state benefits when inmates go to fire camps instead of state prisons.

"We've got to have fire crews out there," said Assemblyman Kevin Jeffries (R-Lake Elsinore), chairman of the working group. "We've got to find a way to have that happen."

Subia said the Corrections Department does not intend to send more dangerous inmates to fire camps. That means the state will have to reduce its current 196 fire crews in two years if the counties don't supply enough prisoners, officials said.

Officer Positions available in Fire Camps

2011-12-05T11:30:00.000-08:00

The SCC has announced several opening's in fire camps for Officer positions. Please contact CIM assignments for details and flyer's. I posted some of the opening semi close to CIM.
MUST APPLY BEFORE DECEMBER 15

Camp #49 Fenner Canyon
Camp # 15 Pilot Rock-Crestline
Camp # 5 Miramonte
Camp # 36 Buatista- Hemet
Camp # 16 Holton- San Fernando
Camp # 35 Oak Glenn

*To be considered for an interview, eligible Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation Correctional Officers must submit an approved Employee Opportunity Transfer package per DOM Section 33010.21 (current eligible SCC Correctional Officers must submit a completed state application with original signature and recent performance evaluation) postmarked or in person by the final filing date to the following address only:

Sierra Conservation Center

ATTN: Personnel / Kelly

5100 O’Byrnes Ferry Rd.

Jamestown, CA 95327

OP 55 - Time off for Supervisors

2011-12-03T00:24:00.000-08:00

I'm just putting this out there so that "We" supervisors can look out for each other! When submitting for holidays PLEASE try and use Vacation time (1/W), so that your position will be hired behind. Our Safety and the Safety of the Institution depends on it. On 12/3 1/W a Sergeant took a holiday off on Facility "D" and it was covered by internal coverage!!

This leaves many safety issues with the new response procedures on 1/W on facility "D". I will leave it at that! Management refused to follow OP 55 and hire behind the position.

Level 1 riot @Calipatria

2011-12-03T00:05:00.001-08:00

About 100 inmates at Calipatria State Prison rioted Friday evening, leaving one correctional officer and multiple inmates injured.

Some of the inmates of the level one minimum support facility were involved in the incident about 7 p.m. Friday, said Administrative Lt. Jorge Santana, public information officer for the prison. There were about 300 prisoners housed in that unit on Friday night.

Officers were able to quickly regain order, using less-than-lethal force, he said. There were no life threatening injuries known as of 9 p.m

SVSP escaped inmates captured

2011-12-02T00:14:00.000-08:00

CIM former Lt. "G", brought one in custody to CIM!! Good Job!

Two minimum-security inmates who escaped nearly two weeks ago from the Salinas Valley State Prison near Soledad have been captured, the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation announced today.

Omar Ramirez, 32, was taken into custody Tuesday night in Compton, the department said, and transported to the California Institution for Men in Chino. They said the second inmate, Yovanni Peralta Diaz, 22, was apprehended following a brief chase this morning in Madera. Diaz was transported back to Salinas Valley State Prison, the department said. The two were captured by the department’s Office of Correctional Safety and Special Service Unit, they said....

Whos says SNY's wont go off, ask Avenal

2011-12-02T00:10:00.000-08:00

The following info comes from Avenals FB site:

Housing Unit 450 went to a code 2, then a code 3. All housing units on "D" yard went "off" at the same time. Details are sketchy, this is all I know at this time.

The paisas removed the majority of the 25ers from the yard. Final count was 24 paisas vs 14 25ers. Every house went off close to the same time at about 1430 hours. No weapons and no serious injuries that i seen, just lots of OC. Staff handled their business as usual and did a great job. No staff injuries that i am aware of. Big props to 4 yard staff and responding staff."

CIMriders local news

2011-11-30T09:20:00.000-08:00

Next week many management changes will be taking place the first week of December. I'm hoping that these changes will be a positive change for CIM. We welcome Ms B. Cash as the new CDW.

The SOMS program now seems to be up and running at CIM. Staff have done a great job in adapting the SOMS program. It started out kinda of rough, but it seems this was a result of the limited training that we received. I hope that management recognizes the Officers that have stepped up and accepted the redirects to Central Control to help the Sergeants implement the SOMS program. Great Job guys you know who you are!

Also on the AB109 front, all the day rooms are now closed on "C" facility. Staff are being placed in OTAP positions and some are experiencing redirects. The Central Gym ("B" facility) has also been closed for sometime. You can really see the effects these days if you work Central, the movement is definitely down!

A Sergeant was assaulted in Palm Hall (ASU) A inmate being interviewed became combative and assaulted the Sergeant. Staff quickly subdued the attacker and returned him to his Ad-Seq cell. The Sergeant is home recovering from his injuries.

A Officer on Facility "D" was monitoring the inmate movement, during yard recall and noticed an inmate entering his housing unit. The inmate was acting very nervous and was trying to avoid eye contact with the Officer. The Officer, pulled the inmate over and discovered that the inmate had a large number of contraband items. The Officer called for additional staff, the inmate was discovered to have a large amount of Tobacco, drugs, cell phones and a bottle of Hennessey! Great job Officer "I"!!!

Thanksgiving several Officers were ordered over, its never fun getting ordered over, but on a major holiday it really S...ks!! However, I did want to recognize Sergeant Crosby for going out of her way to bring a Thanksgiving dinner in to staff. She also did her best to send a dinner over to the staff that were ordered over. She did not have to do this, Thanks Sergeant Crosby!!!

Have a Safe 8

More on Supervisors Bid

2011-11-29T11:57:00.000-08:00

While this whole process is changing from day to day as I reported when the Officers started the process. It is not different to now that the Supervisors are bidding due to reductions.

Currently our Assignment Lieutenant is in Sacramento going over CIM numbers and getting more direction. I am not attempting to speak for CIM or him, I just want to put out some of the information I have receive, as many Supervisors are confused.

The PSU has determined that CIM Sergeants reduction number is 9. They have considered retirement projections and this is how they got to 9. So unless a huge number of retirements hit in the next month or so, CIM will stay at number 9. (This is for this wave cycle)

S06 & M06 bidding Statewide

2011-11-28T20:46:00.000-08:00

Supervisors just a quick heads up the bidding started today for voluntary transfers to Institutions with current Vacancies. Pick up you bid forms in Personnel Assignments or contact a Union Representative.

On November 28, 2011, eligible staff may submit a statewide bid form to their local

Personnel Assignment Office (PAO).

All requests for transfer will be awarded utilizing total qualifying state service.

Staff shall rank their transfer preferences in numerical order on the bid form if interested in more than one institution.

An employee's participation in this voluntary process constitutes their acceptance of any selection made on the bid form and is binding and non-revocable.

Statewide bid forms will be accepted until close of business December 7, 2011. Late forms will not be accepted or processed.

Local PAOs will collect the bid forms and provide a date/time stamped copy to the employee.

The PAOs will submit the collected bid forms to CDCR headquarters via certified overnight mail on December 8,2011.

Final statewide results are anticipated December 23, 2011. Once the results of the voluntary statewide transfer process have been determined, staff will be contacted to notify them of the awarded selection and report date (if any). These results will also be posted at the institutions.

Report dates will be assigned by CDCR headquarters and may vary according to population changes and staffing needs.

Tour for trouble youth end up getting kissed by Inmate

2011-11-28T15:39:00.000-08:00

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. (WKMG) - A teenager claimed he had been kissed on the cheek by an inmate during a court-ordered tour of an Orange County jail, according to a press release sent out by Orange County Corrections Department.

Orange County deputies recommended to the state attorney that Tyrell Staffine, the inmate accused of kissing the teen, be charged with assault or battery by a person who is being detained in a prison, jail, or other detention facility upon visitor or other detainee.

Allen Moore, a spokesman for the Orange County Corrections Department told Local 6; "Our investigation did find policy violations for which one officer received a two-day suspension without pay, another officer received a written reprimand. The tours coordinator received a one-day suspension without pay for allowing the juveniles to be separated from their parents while inside the jail." In addition to the kiss, inmates had yelled at the tour participants, the Corrections Department said.
Moore also said, "our investigation indicated that policy was violated on a tour on February 2, 2011 when officers permitted abusive language to be used by inmates who were allowed to yell at the tour participants."

Three of the 10 teenage participants made serious allegations about the tour, but an investigation by the Sheriff's Office and Corrections Department found them to be without merit, according to the release

Capt./ AW shuffle

2011-11-25T11:13:00.000-08:00

CIM Riders Happy Thanksgiving

2011-11-24T08:37:00.000-08:00

The house smells wonderful this morning as the Bird went into the oven. I'm very fortunate to have today off from work. To all my partners that have to spend the day at work, I wish you a safe 8 today. As I reflect over the past several months, I guess I'm thankful to be employed , as so many our not. On this day many of my partners futures are un-certain.

As I talked to some of my partners last night we talked about the days when the Prisons administrators would hit the yards during the holidays. While many complain about the superficial visit, it did mean something to the boots on the ground. On a day when you may be assigned to the steam line window, only to hear many inmates complaining about the turkey and heavy meal they will receive today. They forget that free law abiding citizens are receiving a meal today from a mission, soup line or by donations.

Be Thankful Partners for your Families and Friends. And take a moment to be friendly to each other today, because when its all said and done We have a common goal; that's to make sure we all go home safe together.

Happy Thanksgiving and have a Safe 8

PS take a moment to think about our brother Rob McGowan and his incredible wife Lorraine, who is spending her day getting the word out!!!

CRC Sgt. J. Taylor

2011-11-23T23:19:00.000-08:00

It is with deepest regret that The California Rehabilitation Center (CRC) advises of the passing of Correctional Sergeant Jamar Taylor. Sergeant Taylor was involved in an automobile accident this morning (tuesday) on The Cajon Pass which resulted in his untimely death.

Our thoughts and prayers are with his family during this difficult time in their lives...

Information concerning memorial services will be posted when received from the family.

F. Durand

The following post was from the CRC retired group on FB.

SO6 and MO6 reductions

2011-11-23T09:27:00.000-08:00

To : Correctional Supervisors (S06)

Correctional Managers (M06)

Subject: CORRECTIONAL SUPERVISORS AND MANAGERS VOLUNTARY STATEWIDE BID PROCESS

Statewide Bid: As a result of Public Safety Realignment, the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) is implementing a voluntary statewide transfer process to balance staff vacancies and overages at impacted institutions/locations.

Eligibility: All Correctional Supervisors and Managers at institutions/locations identified with overages will be allowed to bid to institutions/locations with vacancies throughout the State (Attachment A). These vacancies will be permanent full-time positions.

Process:

• On November 28, 2011, eligible staff may submit a statewide bid form to their local Personnel Assignment Office (PAO).

• All requests for transfer will be awarded utilizing total qualifying state service.

• Staff shall rank their transfer preferences in numerical order on the bid form if interested in more than one institution.

• An employee’s participation in this voluntary process constitutes their acceptance of any selection made on the bid form and is binding and non-revocable.

• Statewide bid forms will be accepted until close of business December 7, 2011. Late forms will not be accepted or processed.

• Local PAOs will collect the bid forms and provide a date/time stamped copy to the employee.

• The PAOs will submit the collected bid forms to CDCR headquarters via certified overnight mail on December 8, 2011.

• Final statewide results are anticipated December 23, 2011. Once the results of the voluntary statewide transfer process have been determined, staff will be contacted to notify them of the awarded selection and report date (if any). These results will also be posted at the institutions.

• Report dates will be assigned by CDCR headquarters and may vary according to population changes and staffing needs.

Benefits: ATO and Per Diems apply

No Guarantee: The Voluntary Statewide Bid Process is designed to provide employees with the opportunity to protect themselves against layoff. Employees are empowered with information regarding their seniority scores, the amount of institutional overages and the amount of institutional vacancies, so that each person can analyze where and whether s/he should move (taking into account his/her seniority and whether a county is more or less likely to be impacted ultimately).

As you know, if an employee moves to a location with a number of vacancies in a county where there are no overages, it is unlikely that s/he will be impacted by a layoff (as that county will not likely be in a layoff mode).

However, there are no guarantees in this process. Depending upon demotional bumping and one’s seniority score within an impacted county, an employee with low seniority within that county theoretically still could be laid off at the conclusion of the SROA/layoff process and/or permanently involuntarily transferred.

If you have any questions pertaining to this process, contact Jesse Cantwell, Correctional Lieutenant, at (916) 323-2450.

GEORGE J. GIURBINO

PBSP round 2 RIOT

2011-11-22T23:04:00.000-08:00

Dozens of inmates rioted at Pelican Bay State Prison on Tuesday, the second uprising in nine days.

The brawl involving an estimated 50-75 inmates began around 7 a.m. in the minimum support facility, a dormitory setting area housing non-violent offenders, said Lt. Christopher Acosta, the prison’s public information officer. Force wasn’t needed to stop the inmates, Acosta said. “Officers responded to the incident and when they responded all the inmates got down on the ground and stopped fighting with each other,” said Acosta.

The riot last about five minutes, he said. Four inmates were injured; one was admitted to Sutter Coast Hospital for a higher level of care and the rest were treated at the prison’s medical facility, Acosta said. He declined comment about the types of injuries, but did say no weapons have been found.

After the incident, an emergency count was conducted, revealing all inmates were present, Acosta, adding the entire prison has been placed on lockdown.
It appears this riot has no connection with Sunday’s, when 63 inmates attacked each other on the general population yard A, which houses maximum-security inmates, Acosta said.

The prison’s Investigative Services Unit and the Del Norte County District Attorney’s Office are conducting an investigation, Acosta said.

VR Officers 2012 Bids

2011-11-22T09:22:00.000-08:00

To :

All VACATION RELIEF OFFICERS

Subject: OFFICER VACATION RELIEF BIDS

The 2012 VR BID package will be available on November 28, 2011. Post & Bid V/R Officers must pick up the VR package on this date and begin making their bid selections. This V/R package will be due back in Personnel Assignments by 1600 hours on Friday December 9, 2011. Your VR package reflecting your bid results can be picked up in Personnel Assignments on Tuesday December 20, 2011. You will have to make a copy of your VR package.

You must complete the forms correctly. Any errors could result in not obtaining the desired schedule and/or being placed in a schedule at management’s discretion. Pay close attention to the dates. Mark your choices by placing a 1 (first choice), 2 (second choice), 3 (third choice) and so on until you have made all your selections for that specific vacation period. When you start with the next vacation period you will start again with the 1 (first choice), 2 (second choice), 3 (third choice) you will continue this selection process for each vacation period. Each vacation period is a 3-week block, whether it’s a 3-weeker or 1-weeker that totals 3-weeks. If you are unable to complete a 3-week block you will be assigned at management’s discretion for that open period.

If you select a 1-weeker on a certain date as your first choice, make sure you don’t select a 3-weeker that starts on the same date as the 1-weeker. You will be given the 3-weeker (the 3-weeker takes precedence over the 1-weeker).

If you start a 3-week set with a 1-week selection, then you must continue to select 1- weekers to complete the set. Do not breakup 3-week vacation assignments in any fashion.

The Master Assignment Roster is available on the Personnel Assignments link, which will assist you to find exactly what each relief position consists of.

It is your responsibility to read the movement sheets each week to check for changes due to the increased number of job changes as a result of the Continuous Post & Bid process. Check to ascertain if the person you bid for got a job change, retired, is out long term sick, etc. Also, you are encouraged to check with the person you bid for (preferably a month or more early) to ascertain if they canceled their vacation or any parts of their vacation, or if they got a job change or if they have a job change pending. In the event that any of the aforementioned situations occur, you must report to Personnel Assignments three weeks prior to the effective date of the assignment to make another selection. If you fail to report to Personnel Assignments and make no other selection you will be scheduled at management’s discretion without regards to watch and RDO’s.

If you have any questions contact Personnel Assignments at extension 4121.

Shufflin Shufflin....

2011-11-22T00:51:00.000-08:00

My crazy Bird just sent this down the wire. It appears that (CIM former AW) Ms.Tampkins his leaving her spot at CIW as CDW and is possibly heading to CRC to pick up Warden.
This of course is a rumor at this point, but if anybody has this info as a legit source please post the details.

I suddenly have a song stuck in my head Shufflin Shufflin..........

(That means there will be a CDW spot open at CIW!)

San Diego PAAC Meeting

2011-11-21T00:32:00.000-08:00

I was asked to post this on the site, for the Agents that check in from time to time. Very important meeting on Paroles future. Please pass the word about this PAAC meeting.

CDW R. Alvarado Retires

2011-11-19T01:01:00.000-08:00

It has been my sincere pleasure to work with all of you here at CIM. CIM has a solid team of professionals in all areas of the prison who have demonstrated their worth in the face of challenges time and again. I leave knowing that leadership abounds at all levels and all classifications. I’m proud to say, I worked the toughest beat in the state at chino prison, with a tough as nails team!

This next year will prove to be a bigger challenge than ever before, so please remember that you all are the difference makers and despite any setbacks and missteps, you’ll find a way to get the job done!

I will be on Vacation and Furlough time off until the end of December. All CDW matters will be handled by acting CDW S. Aref.

Please have a blessed holiday season…I’m gonna miss this darn place!

Richard A. Alvarado, Chief Deputy Warden, Ret.
California Institution for Men

Florida Corrections are going with the Teamsters

2011-11-18T11:48:00.000-08:00

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- Florida's prison guards and probation officers have dumped the Police Benevolent Association after more than three decades and are joining the Teamsters Union, according to election results released Thursday.
Teamster officials promised they'd be more aggressive in representing about 20,000 correctional and probation officers in collective bargaining with the state.

Like most state workers, corrections employees haven't had a general pay raise in six years. This year, they also are taking what amounts to a 3 percent pay cut due to a new pension contribution requirement.

"These are tough times and they wanted a tough union to represent them," said Teamsters general president Jim Hoffa during a teleconference with reporters. "This is Teamsters power."

The switch in representation will take place Dec. 1 unless an appeal is filed before then with the Florida Public Employees Relations Commission

AB109 will fail

2011-11-18T08:59:00.000-08:00

Even as Conrad Murray was marched off in handcuffs after his conviction last week for involuntary manslaughter, legal analysts and the district attorney himself pointed out that Murray was unlikely to serve an "appropriate sentence." The maximum sentence for his crime is four years, but even if the judge throws the book at him on November 29, it will be largely meaningless. The truth is that he probably will serve almost no time in jail.

Why? That's the easy part. Prison overcrowding. It's a problem not only in California but across the nation. To deal with the unconstitutional problem, the legislature passed a bill called AB 109, which provides that convicts such as Murray, with no criminal record, are supposed to serve their sentences in county jails and not state prisons. But the county jails are just as crowded as the state prisons, so they routinely release those sent there literally in days or weeks, or sometimes even hours.

Consider the case of another famous wrongdoer: Lindsay Lohan. After reporting for her fifth jail sentence arising out of two arrests for drunk driving and repeated probation violations, Lohan spent about four and a half hours of her 30-day sentence in jail before going home. She reported to the jail at 8:50 p.m. and was back home by 2 a.m. According to jail officers, she skipped the meal offered to her. Imagine: no dinner.

Then there are the other cost issues: If you're going to deprive people of their liberty, you have to feed them and take care of their health and protect them, all of which costs as much as a year in college. Talking tough is easy. Passing "harsh" laws makes politicians look good. Paying for it all is another matter.

Observers of the Conrad Murray case speculate that the judge probably ordered him to be marched off to jail pending his sentencing on November 29 because he knew that once he was sentenced, he wouldn't be spending much time in jail. The optics of seeing the convicted defendant taken away in handcuffs at least made it seem like the punishment would fit the crime. It won't. It usually doesn't.

Pass interference

2011-11-18T00:14:00.000-08:00

The CIM Shuffle part 2 may go into effect by years end. Mums the word this time around however, but like always my little birds on the wire keep feeding me this stuff. So for now I will assume it's all rumors!

And to you sir that reads this blog all the time I thank you. If the rumors are true the officials will pick up the yellow flag for interference. Lets put this guy back on the bench, or better yet lets put him up for free agency! There nothing worse than a rookie coming in and changing the flow of the game :)

Have a Safe 8

(sorry to the 90% of you that have no idea what I'm talking about! Those in the know KNOW)

Enjoy the Second part of your life

2011-11-17T12:30:00.000-08:00

CIM has lost a friend yesterday, as Sergeant Mary Vargas signed out for the last time. Sergeant Vargas started her career 32 years ago. She was the number one Sergeant at CIM for years. She was a fixture in RCC (Central Control), believe me when I tell you this post was most Sergeants worst nightmare. She taught many a new Sergeants how to run that Control.

Mary was looked up to by all staff at CIM, custody and Free Staff. Unfortunately, she was not allowed to go on her terms. This is were this department has gone, Thirty two years means nothing anymore!

Mary if come upon my blog. I want you to know that you meant alot to many many friends and partners at CIM. Your 32 year career is very admirable, and these days I can't see many getting past the 20 year mark. The people that matter wish you well, in whatever you decide to do with your retirement.

Good Luck Ex-Ray 1 / Mary Vargas

In case you missed it $$$$$

2011-11-17T00:24:00.000-08:00

CIM staff just an FYI, the uniform checks arrived a day early. So stop by the Watch office and pick up your uniform allowances!!

PBSP Riot

2011-11-16T09:34:00.000-08:00

Three taken to hospital after melee

A riot involving 63 inmates at Pelican Bay State Prison broke out on Sunday morning.

Inmates began attacking each other at about 9:15 a.m. in general population yard A, said Lt. Christopher Acosta, prison public information officer. Numerous correctional officers responded to quell the outbreak using pepper spray, pepper spray grenades, and guns that shoot 40mm rubber balls, Acosta said. A warning shot was also fired, he said, adding the riot lasted about eight minutes.

All of the inmates were checked and treated for any injuries and three were transported to Sutter Coast Hospital to receive a higher level of medical care, Acosta said. They were released from the hospital the same day, he said. A correctional officer injured his hamstring responding to the incident, Acosta said.

The inmates involved have been placed under lockdown, and the cause of the riot is still under investigation, Acosta said. The amount and types of weapons used by rioting inmates are also still under investigation, Acosta said.

The investigation is being handled by the Investigative Services Unit and the Del Norte County District Attorney’s Office, Acosta said.

He declined to comment on the ethnicity of the inmates and whether gang members were involved.

Pelican Bay’s last riot was in April 2009, involving 23 inmates, also in the A yard, Acosta said.

Co. Probation Officer's Unarmed to handle State Felons

2011-11-16T09:31:00.000-08:00

Alarmed that unarmed probation officers have been put in charge of violent criminals, the county Board of Supervisors on Tuesday demanded changes to Gov. Jerry Brown's month-old realignment plan.

"This was not the profile that the governor was telling the counties we'd be receiving and be responsible for," Supervisor Michael Antonovich said Tuesday.

"Our facilities and our personnel are not equipped to handle this type of individual. They belong under state supervision and control."

Under realignment, county probation officers are now required to supervise inmates released from state prison after Oct. 1 if their last offense was nonviolent, nonserious and nonsexual, known as N3. This was intended to leave state parole agents to supervise the most dangerous criminals and those with severe mental disorders.

Also under realignment, criminals sentenced since Oct. 1 for N3 crimes have been sent to county jails to fulfill a Supreme Court requirement to ease prison overcrowding. Antonovich argued the county Probation Department should not have to supervise inmates such as the one scheduled for release Friday whose rap sheet includes assault on a peace officer, arson, rape, robbery, possessing a weapon in prison, and indecent exposure.

Unlike parole officers, most probation officers are unarmed. They meet with parolees a few times a month, helping them get mental health treatment, drug abuse counseling, job training and other services to help them transition back into society.

The board said the law should be changed to consider the inmates' entire criminal history instead of just his or her last offense, but Antonovich noted the state has previously rejected that idea.

Correctional officer arrested for DUI

2011-11-14T15:27:00.000-08:00

An Avenal State Prison correctional officer was arrested early Saturday in Hanford for suspicion of driving under the influence of a controlled substance, police said.

Betty Walton, 35, of Hanford was booked into the Kings County Jail on suspicion of a misdemeanor DUI after she displayed many telltale symptoms of being under the influence of a “stimulant,” said Hanford police Sgt. Albert Cano.

So-called stimulants include methamphetamine and cocaine.

Walton was released after spending six hours behind bars, according to jail officials.

Police officers made a traffic stop on a vehicle driven by Walton on Ivy Street at 10th Avenue for expired registration. She had two passengers in her car, one of whom turned out to be a state parolee, Anthony Hernandez.

When asked about her association with Hernandez, Walton displayed symptoms of being high on drugs, Cano said.

“When we do a drug evaluation on a person, [we check to see if] the person seems jittery, has a rapid pulse and the dilation of pupils,” Cano said. “She had a lot of those symptoms common with a person under the influence of a stimulant.”

Her blood test results should come back within a month, Cano added.

OTAP/PICO bid Nov.14 - Nov. 18

2011-11-14T08:56:00.000-08:00

Today is the first day of the "Walk up Bid" for impacted staff at CIM, make sure you get your bid form into Personnel Assignments by November 18th.

As a reminder there will be 17 OTAP positions available and 52 PICO positions available. The cut off line for bidding is 243. Also remember there are NO Guarantees for staff who get a OTAP position!
If you are successful in the bid process, you wont be moved into the OTAP/PICO position until inmate reductions occur, you will remain in your original spot.

As permanent positions become available, the most senior OTAP officer will be offered a full time position. And the most senior PICO officer will be offered the OTAP position that becomes available.

Eligible staff who are not successful in the OTAP bid process, will get another chance in the third wave, this is were you get an opportunity to bid Statewide!

I'm trying my best to interpret the information available, if you have any questions please contact Mr. B. Pahel or Personnel Assignments.

Sergeants Vacancies vs. Excess Sergeants

2011-11-12T00:16:00.000-08:00

County Inst. AVAILABLE                                                    County Inst. EXCESS

Del Norte PBSP 2                                                                   Amador MCSP 5

Imperial CEN 2                                                                        Imperial CAL 1

Kern CCI 11                                                                            Kings ASP 6

Kern HQ 3                                                                               Lassen CCC 2

Kern KVSP 1                                                                          Madera CCWF 2

Kern WSP 10                                                                         Madera VSPW 3

Lassen HDSP 8                                                                       Marin SQ 5

Los Angeles LAC 9                                                                 Riverside ISP 10

Los Angeles SCC 1                                                                 Sacramento FSP 1

Monterey SVSP 4                                                                   San Bernardino CIM 9

Riverside CRC 3                                                                     San Bernardino CIW 3

Riverside CVSP 3                                                                   SB DESERT View 1

Sacramento HQ 3                                                                   San Diego RJD 3

Sacramento SAC 3                                                                San Joaquin DVI 10

San Bernardino HQ 2                                                            San Luis Obispo CMC 1

San Joaquin HQ 2                                                                  Tuolumne SCC 3

Solano CMF 10

Solano SOL 4

Total Vacancies = 81                                                             Excess = 65

The following shows the Vacancies for Sergeants, the total is 81. Institutions with excess Sergeants is 65. Even after Sergeants with excess staff transfer to the Vacancies, there will still be 16 total Vacancies. If you are a junior Sergeant there may still be hope, if your willing to transfer. Now we will see how the State interprets these numbers!

Parking lot firestorm

2011-11-11T00:17:00.000-08:00

WOW, was staff burned up today, as they talked about the Parking lot fees. I want to stress to all of you that apparently this was just a suggestion. I hope management reconsiders the suggestion and finds other ways on paying for new paving!!

For years staff complained about the IST parking lot. I never understand why we are still after all these years parking on a dirt lot. When it rains, it is a mess! Not to mention the rocks that kicks up.

So for now partners lets pump the brakes!! Its just the work of the bean counter.

CDCR pays 2.5 million in settlement to inmates family

2011-11-11T00:07:00.000-08:00

California prisons have paid $2.25 million to the family of an inmate left severely brain-damaged after she tried to hang herself in the mental health unit of the Ventura Youth Correctional Facility in Camarillo.

The family's lawsuit alleged that a guard violated the prison's suicide prevention policy by allowing then-16-year-old Shanelle Crawford to cover the window in the door of her cell in May 2008, making it impossible for staff to see inside.

In a 2009 deposition, the male guard said he occasionally let girls cover their windows for "a minute or two" while they used the toilet or undressed for the shower.

The extent of Crawford's brain trauma suggested that she could have been hanging for eight to 10 minutes before guards forced their way into the cell and freed her from the noose she'd fashioned from a bedsheet, according to a neurologist hired by the family's lawyer, Ronald Kaye.

Robert Crawford, the girl's father, said he learned of the suicide attempt when an inmate advocacy group tracked him down in Texas a few days later.

CIM in need of "Cash"

2011-11-10T00:11:00.000-08:00

Christmas may come sooner than expected for CIM. Warden Brenda Cash (A) LAC will be joining the CIM team December 5.

Many staff members have worked with Ms Cash at LAC and she will be welcomed with open arms. I’m assuming she will be assigned as CDW, as part of the CIM management team. I can tell you she is a boots on the ground manager, who has paid her dues coming up the custody ranks. Those that attended Officer Conley’s funeral sometime ago, Warden Cash offered much support to CIM during the arrangements of the funeral.

I’m hoping this is just the change CIM needs to get back to where we were!

Have a Safe 8

CCPOA packing the Sun Tan Oil

2011-11-09T09:14:00.000-08:00

Reporting from Sacramento— With temperatures dropping in Sacramento, some state lawmakers are migrating to the sunny beaches of Hawaii this week for a conference at a luxury resort, subsidized and attended by special interests that lobby the Legislature.

About 15 lawmakers are scheduled to attend the annual gathering in Maui, where they will stay at the Fairmont Kea Lani hotel on the tab of the Independent Voter Project, a nonprofit policy group largely funded by business and labor interests. The group's financial supporters include cigarette maker Altria, Southern California Edison, Pacific Gas & Electric, the California Beer and Beverage Distributors, the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers Assn., Chevron and the state prison guards union.

"It provides an opportunity for powerful interests to wine and dine the elected officials and make the case for policies that benefit prison guards and corporations but may not benefit ordinary Californians," said Derek Cressman, regional director for Common Cause.

Those planning to attend the conference include Assembly Speaker John A. Pérez (D-Los Angeles) and state Sens. Tom Berryhill (R-Modesto), Curren Price Jr. (D-Los Angeles) and Ron Calderon (D-Montebello).

The prison guards union, the California Correctional Peace Officers Assn., also will be represented. Its emissaries want to talk to lawmakers about the state's effort to keep many felons in county jails instead of sending them to state prisons, said JeVaughn Baker, a union spokesman.

That realignment of responsibility "is going to be a huge topic of discussion," Baker said.

Red Zone Parking at CIM

2011-11-09T00:13:00.000-08:00

From the “You have to be kidding “ File. Bird on the wire says that CDCr has really hit tough times. Well the brain trust thinks a good idea to collect funds to pay for a improved parking lot at CIM would be to charge all staff members a monthly fee! How’s $50.00 to $60.00 a month sound? I guess we got hammered during the commuter surveys and now “We” will have to pay.

Here is the question, would you have to pay the monthly fee, or do you have a choice to park in the surrounding area and walk in. I’m sure Chino would love us for parking on their streets and dressing right out in the community.

Here is a thought, why not have the weekend visitors pay for parking? Better yet lets get those level 1’s to actually do something constructive and help build a new and improve parking lot.

The Bird on the Wire also says that Uniform checks are due to come out after November’s overtime checks are release.

Have a Safe 8

CDW wife sentenced for helping an Inmate Escape

2011-11-08T09:48:00.000-08:00

MANGUM — Bobbi Parker, the wife of a former prison warden found guilty Sept. 21 of helping a convicted murderer to escape, was sentenced Monday to a year in prison.

Bobbi Parker sentenced to a year in prison Authorities alleged Parker helped Randolph Dial in 1994 to break out of the Oklahoma State Reformatory where her husband, Randy, worked as deputy warden. Prosecutors said she fell in love with Dial while the two worked at a prison pottery program, and she went on the run with him. Parker will be given credit for time served in the county jail since her conviction by a Greer County jury in Mangum.

The jury room was packed to overflowing Monday. With family and friends sitting behind her, Parker listened as Judge Richard Darby said, “Ms. Parker, you have an enormous amount of support, and I hope they continue to be there for you. The jury did return a verdict of guilty and suggested just one-tenth of the maximum available to them.” Parker also will have to pay the costs involved in the case. Before sentencing, Darby heard from the prosecution and defense in the case that began with jury selection May 16 and trial testimony July 5.

AB109 and Micheal Jackson

2011-11-07T21:32:00.000-08:00

I sat today watching the CNN news coverage as the Micheal Jackson verdicts were about to be read. I was having lunch at Tito's Taco, the crowd was glued to the TV while they ate their lunch. I heard many folks saying "I hope this guy See's a Prison cell, for a long time". Others said "I hope he rots in Jail".

Shortly, after the verdict of Guilty for Dr. C. Murray, the crowd cheered, then everyone started talking about his sentence. I then had to give some of the folks my thought on his sentence. I reminded everyone that just months ago Governor Jerry Brown started enacting AB109. I told some of the folks, that they have to remember Dr. Murray was not convicted of a violent crime. Which means that under AB109, he will be sentence to the County, and with their overcrowding he could be out in as little as 12 to 18 months. He will never see 4 years in a State Prison. He could possibly even get County probation!!

Later today I heard D.A Steve Cooley give his thoughts on the sentencing:

The district attorney noted that recent state legislation that calls for inmates in "so-called non-violent, non-serious, non sex offenses" cases to serve their sentences in county jail instead of state prison will "eliminate the potential for a traditional state prison sentence in state prison in this case."

Mr. Cooley added he was opposed to AB109, and that this is a prime example of how AB109, will not keep the citizens of California safe.

In my opinion this is the first high profile case to get AB109 attention, stay tune, we will hear many more case in the very near future.

Lt. Moore In Sac, fighting for the IGI Lt.

2011-11-06T13:39:00.000-08:00

CIM Meet and Confer:

The CCSO - CIM Chapter President Lt. Sean Moore fought in Sacramento over cuts at CIM, related to the AB 109 conversions, that he said will bring workload and more importantly safety issues to staff. Lt. Moore argued that CIM should reinstate the Institutional Gang Investigator to a Lt. Assignment. He argued that an additional sergeant to facilitate a code two alarm response and adequately fulfill the operational needs of the facility is needed. Lt. Moore further asked that CIM renegotiate and do maintenance for supervisors post and bid as a result of all the changes.

CIM representatives countered that the Department of Finance has changed the formula to a 6 to 1 ratio to obtain PY authority and funding. CIM Associate Warden T.J. Padilla said that on-going training of staff is being pushed to train that in the event of an alarm that staff must isolate and contain, and wait for response teams.

Lt. Moore, questioned what would happen if staff were involved, and the delay of having someone come from another yard, which could result in grave harm to the staff. There was no clear response to this question.

Adrian Peck, Associate Warden of PSU stated that assessment teams would be starting to go to institutions to assess baseline populations. They will consider the mission, physical location/plan along with the baseline population in making their final assessment of necessary PYs. The assessment teams will have 12 months to obtain the information that could result in some institutions receiving more PYs while others may have PYs taken from them and redirected. CCSO thanks Lt. Sean Moore for voicing the concerns of supervisors at CIM.

I think all CIM Supervisor's would argue that we need the IGI Lt. position, and having one Lt. in ISU, causes delays in conducting thorough Investigations. CIM should have never done the Shenanigan's move to get the Tool Control PY and give it to K9 Sergeant. CIM should have argued that the K9 PY should have come from a Southern Reg., being that we are the Southern Hub for CDCR K9. We should not take backward steps at CIM when it comes to our Investigative Unit, We "had" a great team the way it was!!

Whats Next "Peoples Court"

2011-11-05T09:10:00.000-07:00

Sharon Rafferty v California Correctional Peace Officers Association

Plaintiff began working for Defendants in 1985 as a First Assistant to the two field
representatives, in the Labor Department Shortly thereafter, she began working for the
Chief Legislative Advocate in the Legislative Division of Defendants Plaintiff subsequently
became assistant to the President of CCPOA This position eventually evolved into that
of Communications Liaison. The evaluations assessing Plaintiffs job performance were
always extremely positive. She never received any criticisms of her work performance, or
any aspect of her job, until her husband, a Correctional Officer, revealed his decision to run
for President of the CCPOA.

After Plaintiffs husband revealed his decision to run against a candidate that Complaint for Damages favored by Management of the CCPOA, Plaintiff was subjected to unwarranted, unfair,discriminatory treatment by Management of CCPOA. This unfair, discriminatory treatment included, but was not limited to false, unwarranted accusations of dishonest, unethical conduct by Plaintiff and false accusations that Plaintiff was not performing her job duties.
This unwarranted, unfair and discriminatory treatment was an attempt to attack and undermine the candidacy of Plaintiffs husband, through Plaintiff.

I have to ask, when will it ever end?? Once again will the members have to pay for yet another lawsuit with our hard earned dues? At what point will the Board of Directors start to be held accountable for there voting actions? Our " War Chest" , should be first for protecting our members, during quality representations. And also importantly, insuring our wishes are met in Political Actions. Lastly, making sure our Labor needs are met, Fair Contracts ect....

What am I missing?

CDCR AB103 Reductions update????

2011-11-04T11:58:00.000-07:00

I was recently talking to a couple of staff members who may be impacted by the Staff Reductions. I have never seen so much uncertainty among my friends and partners. I think that has to be the worse, being told that you are impacted but yet nobody has the answers!

We all have heard that CDCr has put a hold on everything right now. This seems to be fueling the fire and rumors right now. Many staff are looking for answers and Nobody from the State or CCPOA seems to have the answers.

The CCPOA agreement clearly states that Local Management must give updates. I think the problems is at the local level they aren't being given direction. I hope that updates come soon, the troops on the ground need information!!!!

SVSP Riot 120 inmates involved

2011-11-03T23:13:00.000-07:00

About 120 inmates were involved this afternoon in a riot at Salinas Valley State Prison, a Level 4 maximum security facility in Soledad.

Terry Thornton, spokeswoman for the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, said the incident began about 3:15 p.m. in an exercise yard at the facility. Correctional officers used chemical agents, pepper spray and less lethal munitions in an effort to quell the disturbance. They later resorted to firing rifles. No inmates were wounded, Thornton said.

"The information I have at this time is very sketchy," Thornton said. "All I can confirm is that prison personnel quelled the incident, and all of the inmates have been controlled and returned to their housing."

Thornton said she had no information about how long the riot lasted, but said the last inmate was handcuffed and returned to his cell at about 4:45 p.m. The cause of the incident has not yet been determined.

"My first report of inmate injury is that four were hurt," she said. "Two suffered multiple head injuries, two others were stabbed."

Information on the extent of the injuries is not yet available, Thornton said. No prison employees were injured.

"Typically, after an incident of this size, that type of information takes a while to process and sort out."

Fill up the Gas tank

2011-11-02T00:50:00.000-07:00

Sometimes I wonder how decisions are made at the upper level, or why the "boots on the ground" are never asked for input? At CIM we started a new contract with Tri City Hospital in Oceanside, Ca, this I suppose was an alternative to RCRMC in Moreno Valley. Tri Cities is staffed with RJD Officers in a detention ward!

So now when we take an Inmate to Tri Cities this is a 77 mile transport for on duty staff. On a good day you can make the transport in 1.5 hours (one way). But I can tell you we have done transports on Friday afternoon, and staff tell me this doubles there arrival time.

A perfect scenario is that its just a drop off, and we go straight up and admit the inmate to detention. However, this most times is never the case, and our staff are there for more than 8 hours for ONE drop off.

Someone explain how this is saving money for the State. At a time when CIM is squeezing the overtime for mandated and required training, we most always spend the extra dough on a "sleep study" for an inmate!

I guess I should look on the bright side, it makes for a nice scenic drive down the coast, on the States dime!

CCPOA Supervisory Update 10-31-11

2011-10-31T14:34:00.000-07:00

From: Kevin Raymond

Subject: Supervisory Update

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Dear Supervisory Member:
Regarding the saga that has become the elimination of the POFF II benefit for supervisors and managers it has been well documented in these updates that we requested numerous items in exchange for the lose back in April of 2011. So far we have not received any of the monetary items we requested. However two weeks ago we received notice from the Department of Personnel Administration (DPA) Director Ron Yank that CDCR Secretary Matthew Cate has agreed to two additional items we requested.

Those items are the return of the CCPOA Supervisory Relief Time Bank and “super seniority” for our Supervisory Vice Presidents under post and bid (the Seniority Assignment - SA Agreement), just as the Chapter President and Chief Job Steward are given under the rank and fie MOU. We are attempting to secure a date next week to meet with CDCR Labor Relations to discuss just how and when the super seniority will be implemented.

As previously reported the third item we received was the ability for our SO6/MO6 members to return/remain with the CCPOA Benefit Trust for dental coverage effective January 1, 2012. Current supervisors and managers that wish to take advantage of this cost savings must do so during the open enrollment period, which is currently underway. With all that being said we have not and will not give up on our attempt to obtain the monetary items we requested as well.

CCPOA has requested documentation from DPA that shows the deletion of the PLP program and a return of full pay effective November 1, 2011 for our SO6 and MO6 members. We were informed that documentation should be issued in the first week of November in the form of a pay letter, which is currently being formulated at the State Controllers Office.

On Wednesday October 26, 2011 the CCPOA Supervisory Division attended a meeting with DPA and CDCR Labor Relations regarding the implementation of the AB109 realignment. I would like to thank Jeff Herring CCWF, Ernie Rausch CCC and Dave Swan CMF for their participation and dedication to the membership in this matter.

As you may be aware the rank and file reached a deal providing for “waves” of implementation through June of 2012. In those waves there are opportunities for employees to transfer to understaffed institutions etc. The state has indicated that supervisors and mangers will basically have one opportunity during this first wave. This opportunity will be for those individuals to transfer from an overage institution to an institution with vacancies. Following that opportunity supervisors and managers in overage institutions will be subject to the SROA process.

This opportunity to voluntarily transfer will take place in a two-week window between November 14th and November 28th. This is where the problem lies – the state was unable to provide specific numbers at the table showing which institutions were over and which were under staffed. We expressed our extreme displeasure in the state not having the documents to pass on to our members, considering the opportunity to transfer to an overage institution is a mere two weeks away. The state indicated that they would provide the documents ASAP.

We also inquired about the ATO and the travel money being provided to the rank and file members that voluntarily transfer. The state indicated that they had no intention of doing anything different for supervisors and managers that voluntarily transfer to an overage institution. The problem is the overage institutions in the case of supervisors and managers may be different than the rank and file. In other words it may or may not be HDSP, PBSP, CMF, CSP SAC and SVSP.

Meanwhile local management teams continue to cut positions under, according to them, the direction of the Program Support Unit (PSU). We have requested the basic respect of having input locally on which positions are to be cut. As these cuts in some cases are all bid jobs and from base packages instead of the actual overcrowding packages which are being taken down.

With the realignment we continue to receive numerous meet and confer notices for supervisory issues such as conversions of Reception Centers to General Population. We will seek dates and members to negotiate these issues as they come in.
I realize that this update is not optimum in content regarding the realignment, however I felt it was important to provide all the information that is available at this time.
Additionally we are scheduled next week to meet over the closure of SYRCC regarding our supervisor members.
As more information becomes available on these and other issues I will continue to update you.

Sincerely,

Kevin Raymond

kevin.raymond@ccpoa.org

CCPOA better fill the War Chest

2011-10-31T08:23:00.000-07:00

Petitions are being circulated for a ballot measure designed to end collective bargaining for California's public- employee unions.

The End Public Sector Bargaining Act would eliminate collective-bargaining rights for public employees such as teachers, nurses, police officers and firefighters. It is similar to a Wisconsin law passed this year.
The measure would apply not only to state employees, but to employees at local government agencies such as counties, cities and school districts.

The measure's sponsor, a UC Santa Barbara economics lecturer, must gather more than 800,000 signatures by Feb. 3 for the measure to qualify for the the Nov. 6, 2012, presidential ballot.

Jack Pitney, a political- science professor at Claremont McKenna College, called the measure "dead on arrival" because of the state's left-leaning politics and strong union presence.
"I'd be surprised if he can even get it qualified," Pitney said. "I doubt he can get enough signatures."
The measure's sponsor, Lanny Ebenstein of Santa Barbara, could not be reached for comment.
Ebenstein is a former board member at Santa Barbara Unified School District and an author who has written biographies of free-market economists Friedrich Hayek and Milton Friedman.

In a recent commentary article on the Cal Watchdog website, Ebenstein called public-sector employees overpaid and blamed collective bargaining for their "inflated" compensation packages.

"Ending public-sector collective bargaining would enable each local government agency in the state, and the state itself, to establish the pay cut-backs and benefit reductions that will make sense for it," Ebenstein wrote.

CDCr Secretary M. Cate on the Realignment

2011-10-30T19:31:00.000-07:00

How is realignment going so far?

It's going along as expected. We knew that changes of this magnitude and complexity weren't going to be easy. There are a thousand details to try to get right. We're working every day to smooth out the bumps in the road.

How will the public be able to gauge whether this works?

We were facing a prisoner release (court) order on the magnitude of about 35,000 inmates. That's (like) emptying seven prisons onto the streets. So if we avoid an early release order from the Supreme Court, that will be a sign of success.

We know prison spending has been growing at an unsustainable rate. If we see that coming down … that will be a sign of success.

And if we see recidivism rates reduced from the neighborhood of 70 percent, then we'll know the counties are fulfilling their promise, which has been, "We can do this better."

How is department morale?

As I talk to employees, they're concerned about their future. They're worried about their families.

But we've been able to work out (labor) agreements (that include) voluntary moves from overstaffed prisons to prisons where we're understaffed. We're also trying to reduce staffing levels over time, which will minimize the impact.

This is actually an opportunity to remake the prisons. For the first time there's a chance to run them the way they were designed.

Might this prod more long-serving employees to retire?

It might. That's a mixed bag for me. It makes room for some of the younger employees to stay on. On the other hand, you lose a great deal of experience.

One of the things that makes California unique is that we pay our officers and free staff pretty well compared to the rest of the country, so our longevity and experience levels are the best in the nation. That's how you're able to run a prison at 195 percent of design capacity. I hate to lose that.

What will work be like for those who remain?

There will be less overtime. … You'll have to adjust your lifestyle if you're making your boat payment with overtime every month.

(Prison employees) will have to get used to working in institutions without massive inmate turnover. Last year we had 47,000 inmates serve 90 days or less.

The first weekend of realignment, if you worked at (the prison) down in Chino, you would have expected 10 buses from LA County that weekend. Instead, we had four.

If you work in parole, you're going to have different responsibilities. The lower-level offenders won't be on your caseload.

Some of the guys hardest to supervise – the drug addicts and the property crime guys – will be handled by counties. We'll have the hard-core guys, and I think our team does a really great job with those kinds of people.

PACO's B. Walsh on the BOD

2011-10-30T11:29:00.000-07:00

The ballots for the Retired Chapter dues increase just went out. The proposal is to bump the dues up from the current $5 per month to $10 per month, with $7 going to the Benefit Trust for our benefits and $3 going to chapter operations. I urge retirees to support this change.

DJJ Parole is now officially dead. All DJJ parole officers have gone through their ten week transition and have been absorbed into DAPO. Also the DJJ officer transitional academy beings on November 14 and runs for two weeks.

The supervisor transfer option letters will be out on November 14 with a two-week open period. If you don’t join up you fall into the SROA process. The department is supposed to have the finalized seniority information and transfer option list available any day. The department has also approved super seniority for CCPOA (and CCSO) supervisory reps at the institutions.

Now for the main interest item, AB 109 implementation. Both Rich Subia, the #3 man at CDCr and Laura Powell, outside counsel, were at the meeting and talked and answered questions for about an hour. It was obvious that there is still a serious difference opinion about what is going to happen when. Also it is obvious that many of the institutions are keeping people in the dark and blaming it incorrectly on directions from on high.

Based on the presentation I really believe that the Department is going to some pains to maintain as much staff at their home institution as possible. Also, both the Department and CCPOA are still maintaining that there will be very few, if any, actual layoffs IF (massive IF there) staff are willing to relocate for OTAP and PICO positions.

OTAP positions will be regular 40 hour positions, very much like the old HRO officers. You will have regular days off, but not necessarily a fixed schedule. The union has not waived the 13 shift minimum for PIE officers, so unless things turn totally to crap you will get enough time in to maintain your seniority and your benefits. Working 13 shifts for good wages and decent benefits probably beats working 28 shifts at WalMart. (Yes I realize that relocation is a big issue, and for some a financial impossibility.)

Also the Retired Annuitants are supposed to be mostly gone. Subia was very definite that the Department does not want a RA taking up a regular job that some laid off cop is supposed to have.

Another issue that some people may not have thought about is that the retirement numbers are likely to jump when this kicks in. There will no doubt be some very senior people who will bail once the seniority overtime goes away.

Everybody seems to agree that the Department is in for a rough 2 1/2 to 3 years. After that, the situation should be stabilized. I hope all you youngsters out there with less than 3 or 4 years in find a place to land without too much drama.

Things that make you say Hhmmmm

2011-10-29T09:51:00.000-07:00

I borrowed this Post from a writer on PACO, I found it very telling and had to share it! I hope Mr Mason does not mind me sharing his thoughts.

BU 6, SO 6, MANAGERS OF BU 6 and SO 6

Are you fortunate enough to have worked at least 27 years in your classification? Are you fortunate enough to be over the age of 50 and have survived all that the corrections world has imposed on you and your family? If you have answered yes, I want you to know that the CDCR is going through a phase called PUBLIC SAFETY REALIGNMENT.

The State of California is making grand changes as to how criminals shall be dealt with. CDCR is about to begin downsizing and reducing the population of criminals that CDCR will supervise. With the reduction in convicted felons to be supervised by California Correctional Peace Officers comes a reduction in the number of Correctional Officers required to supervise the convicted felons. With this reduction of convicted felons, the State of California will need less Correctional Peace Officers to supervise the convicted felons during their incarceration. Therefore Correctional Peace Officers will be laid off in this process.

At numeros prisons, Correctional Officer positions have been identified as surplus due the forthcoming reduction of convicted felons. This means layoffs for California Correctional Peace Officers. They have begun receiving their layoff notices starting October 21, 2011. These layoff notices are very real and shall occur. These California Correctional Peace Officers have families and loved ones that depend on them so that they may continue to live day to day. They have spouses, children. parents, grandparents. bothers and sisters that depend on them in the trying economic times.

Did you know that a member of the Unit 6 family that has 27 years or more will receive a pay raise by retiring? You will pay less in medical. Pay less in union dues? Pay less in the cost of gas in the daily commute? Yet PICOs shall endure more expenditures waiting by the phone for work when they could be working at a job that pays less or collecting unemployment waiting for a call to work.

To the BU 6, SO 6 and Managers of BU 6 and SO 6 that have 27 year and over, you have the ability to ensure that these brothers and sisters may continue to provide for their familes. We once were a group of California Correctional Peace Officers that went out of their way to make sure we all got our issue and looked out for eachother, maybe it is time we started looking out for our own again.

Just sayin………

RMCII CorcoranII

CDCR Transfer Travel Tips

2011-10-28T10:26:00.001-07:00

In light of the first wave of our Department’s REALIGNMENT that is now upon us, it is imperative that the following steps be taken to ensure Voluntary Transfer per diem is processed as smoothly as possible. Please be aware, per diem will only be paid if the receiving institution is fifty (50) miles or more from your current institution.

All Travel Expense Claims (NOT TRAVEL ADVANCE) must be processed through CalATERS

• Before an expense claim can be processed in CalATERS, a user profile must be created. If you do not have a CalATERS profile, please complete the attached CalATERS Profile Form (page 2) and fax to 559.992.7035, attention Help Desk. VOLUNTARY TRANSFER must be written across the top of the form to expedite processing. (A modified copy is attached for your convenience)

• Once your profile is established, a CalATERS Travel Expense Claim must be submitted for the one time amount that you are entitled to.

EXAMPLE: If you are currently employed at CSP-Corcoran, transferring to Pelican Bay (over 50 miles), you are entitled to $125.00 per day, for 60 days. Your claim would be $7500.00 total. PLEASE BE AWARE, since this transfer allowance has been deemed taxable, taxes will be taken from the subsequent payroll warrant. This will be in addition to normal payroll taxes.

STEP BY STEP INSTRUCTIONS HAVE BEEN PROVIDED BELOW (AB109 ATTACHMENT)

• When entering your Travel Expense Claim in CalATERS please make sure the REPORT NAME begins with your agency/PRU, followed by, VOLUNTARY TRANSFER. EXAMPLE: 065-201Voluntary Transfer.

• Enter the amount of your claim for the total amount allotted for your particular move.

• Claims are to be authorized by approvers at your CURRENT LOCATION.

• In addition to the CalATERS electronic claim, an approved print out of your claim must be sent to RAO-Corcoran with a copy of your Voluntary Transfer memo issued by Headquarters (HQ). Failure to provide this memo will result in a non-issuance of funds.

• Funds will be issued as soon as possible within receipt of both the approved electronic CalATERS claim and a signed CalATERS transmittal printout with your HQ memo attached at RAO-Corcoran. Checks will be either Direct Deposited or sent to the address reflected in your CalATERS profile, depending on how your payroll is established at SCO.

OTAP/PIE bid was put on HOLD

2011-10-28T00:24:00.000-07:00

The big news on the yards today was the news about the Otap/Pie bid being put on hold until further notice. There is alot of information out there right now as to why. I heard you all give your opinions and frankly, I haven't heard anything from our local Chapter or the Management team.

The most logical news I heard was that CCPOA got involved in the process and wants clarification as to the numbers the State is using to calculate the numbers at each institution, for Pie's. I know that at CIM we had a 10% rule on ratios for full time versus PIE counts.

The Otap/Pie Bid was postponed at all institutions and not just at CIM. I'm awaiting a response and I will update this information as soon as it becomes available.

(10% Pie Chart)

Shaving Chrono UPPPP!

2011-10-28T00:08:00.000-07:00

California has settled a lawsuit filed by a man who was barred from becoming a prison guard because he refused to shave the beard required by his Sikh religion, officials said Thursday.

Civil rights organizations said the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation's policy amounts to religious discrimination. They say the state makes exceptions for men with certain medical conditions and should make similar allowances for Sikhs, Muslims, Orthodox Jews and others whose religion requires facial hair.

Under the settlement, the state will not change its rules requiring most men to be free of facial hair so they can be fitted for gas masks. But it is paying Trilochan Oberoi $295,000 in damages and giving him a $61,000-a-year job as a manager in the corrections department.

The 63-year-old, who once served in the Indian Navy, has worked at a Walmart store while he fought a six-year battle to become a guard at Folsom State Prison east of Sacramento.

He should have applied for the old Shaving Chrono during his yearly physical, like everyone else. The best one I heard was an officer told me he only gets shaving bumps in a perfectly manicured area around his mouth, that's why he wears an illegal "Goatee" Check the DOM out folks!

Who's your Buddy!

2011-10-27T09:59:00.000-07:00

Gov. Jerry Brown will propose a higher retirement age and less-generous pension benefits for newly hired state employees, sources familiar with Brown's pension plan said Wednesday.

The Democratic governor, who plans to release his pension plan today, will also propose prohibiting the purchase of additional retirement service credit, or "airtime."

The plan, as presented privately by the Brown administration to labor leaders Wednesday afternoon, includes increasing the full retirement age to 67 for most new workers not in public safety jobs.

The increased retirement age proposal is more aggressive than expected, and labor interests, which poured millions of dollars into Brown's gubernatorial campaign, are likely to bristle at the prospect.

Brown's plan includes replacing defined-benefit pensions for new employees with a mandatory "hybrid" system combining a smaller, defined benefit, Social Security and a 401(k)-style benefit

Well, I hope this Governor considers Correctional Officers as Public Safety! Was Don Novey on to something when he backed Meg Whitman? I wonder who is laughing now?