tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post1542143300075168177..comments2024-03-15T05:45:01.402-05:00Comments on Grits for Breakfast: Reflections on Turkey Day at TYC's Giddings unitGritsforbreakfasthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10152152869466958902noreply@blogger.comBlogger51125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-49685635356622456642008-01-07T21:00:00.000-06:002008-01-07T21:00:00.000-06:002:28 -- Another correction: "Illegitimi non carbo...2:28 -- Another correction: "Illegitimi non carborundum" means "Don't let the b-----ds grind you down." "...non disputandum" means something about no dispute.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-28713092612048885702007-11-25T14:28:00.000-06:002007-11-25T14:28:00.000-06:00Correction, my typing fingers got ahead of me. Tha...Correction, my typing fingers got ahead of me. That should read, "Non illigitimi disputandum."Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-21297369274376357332007-11-25T14:27:00.000-06:002007-11-25T14:27:00.000-06:00Good for you, Will! You did learn something in TY...Good for you, Will! You did learn something in TYC! Here's a Latin phrase for you - "Non iligitimi disputadum" - roughly translated: "Don't let the bas***ds get you down."Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-79642765869006970402007-11-24T22:50:00.000-06:002007-11-24T22:50:00.000-06:00ahahahahaha! That's a kid who learned. Score!!!!ahahahahaha! That's a kid who learned. Score!!!!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-10411384267585521382007-11-24T21:22:00.000-06:002007-11-24T21:22:00.000-06:00because we are getting off the subject and i see t...because we are getting off the subject and i see that me trying to defend myself to others around me i will say this to you 6:05 you are entitled to your opinions and even though i strongly disagree with you i will stand down and let you show what little you think of yourself and the people around you. i know what you are doing you just want to get me aroused and bring me down to your level. while i was in tyc i did report it to Austin and nothing was done about any injustice i reported. and along that lines i will leave you with this i am not a person who has to bring others down in order to make myself feel tall. are you? <BR/>-willAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-79012885357481230232007-11-24T19:00:00.000-06:002007-11-24T19:00:00.000-06:00I support the troops not the war so I guess I'm an...I support the troops not the war so I guess I'm an A-Hole.That Mr.A-Hole to you 6:05.You must have been in the Army.Your still a punk.<BR/><BR/>JoeAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-56383267417171517732007-11-24T18:11:00.000-06:002007-11-24T18:11:00.000-06:00WOW THIS COUNTRY IS GREAT. WE ALLOW ASSHOLES LIKE...WOW THIS COUNTRY IS GREAT. WE ALLOW ASSHOLES LIKE 6:05 TO COMMENT. I'VE POSTED SOME VERY CONTROVERSAL COMMENTS ON HERE. BUT DAMM 6:05 TAKES THE CAKE. GRITS SORRY ABOUT THE CAPS. I GOT YOU MESSAGE THE OTHER DAY. JUST DID NOT WANT PEOPLE TO SAY ITS THAT GUY. <BR/><BR/>Will, thank you for serving this country. Hurry Home.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-75592712168012111452007-11-24T18:05:00.000-06:002007-11-24T18:05:00.000-06:00Let me appologize for my "Hope you don't come home...Let me appologize for my "Hope you don't come home" comment. But 9:28 you are still an asshole. You see some injustice got damm-it report it. You should give back to this country. You have spent enough of my tax dollars getting free room and board at TYC. I did my tour of duty in the original Gulf 1991 Kid. So man the fuck up. I been to the same death services as you....infact I been to more. But that is nothing to brag about.<BR/><BR/>I dispise you people here. If you are going to be associated with something, no matter what your circumstances are or have been...work for change. Dont bitch and cry about direction. Just follow orders.<BR/><BR/>Young Will (the asshole), understands following orders. In the military you follow orders cause its about life and death utimately. That is the natural order. Yea I earned the rigt to say what I say. Some of those SOBs should not come home. They dont support the war...they are punks. Sound familiar young Will.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-70603048619222697902007-11-24T16:52:00.000-06:002007-11-24T16:52:00.000-06:00Tim O., I'm sorry that your experiences with Black...Tim O., I'm sorry that your experiences with Black staff at TYC have left you with such a low opinion of the race. Just as all white people are not like Ted Bundy, not all Black folks are like the rejects you apparently met while you were incarcerated at TYC. Trust me, white folks and Hispanics are just as likely to be corrupted by power as anyone else.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-24580103441717475142007-11-24T14:21:00.000-06:002007-11-24T14:21:00.000-06:00Good job Will, you are truley an inspiration to pa...Good job Will, you are truley an inspiration to past, present and future TYC youth. You have described an enormous problem in TYC and you have also stated it very well. As a former TYC youth and being white, I can second what Will has said. The biggest problem in TYC is there are not enough white and hispanic staff told control the corruption. TYC was run like an African county on viagra when I was there. Most JCO's were related or working on it. I like Black people but TYC is filled with to many gang members, blunt smoker's, welfare takers and crackheads that can't spell TYC. That left us kids to do what we wanted as long as we kept to ourselves. Will pay no attention to the trash that would put you down. I wish I could have known you. Best of Luck and be safe in Iraq. Tim O.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-39943748268023098112007-11-24T12:28:00.000-06:002007-11-24T12:28:00.000-06:00I think my ex-wife has a Borderline Personality Di...I think my ex-wife has a Borderline Personality Disorder with Histrionic Features. Sounds sexy - eh?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-21894219896815057242007-11-24T12:23:00.000-06:002007-11-24T12:23:00.000-06:00The next to last sentence should read,"those that ...The next to last sentence should read,"those that have mental health problems..." not "mental health programs..." Old SaltyAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-88404622591008765952007-11-24T12:19:00.000-06:002007-11-24T12:19:00.000-06:00A few words about kids on suicide watch and the ne...A few words about kids on suicide watch and the need for mental health treatment. (1) the legislature has limited the number of mental health treatment program beds, and they have cut back the number of those beds available; this means that TYC has to triage the youth and provide based on two factors: degree of need and amenability to treatment. (2) There is currently no magic pill to treat people with personality and character disorders. Youth with personality disorders such as "borderline personality" are extremely histrionic and manipulative and are at a high risk for suicide gestures. We have to take these gestures seriously, because if we don't, they just might accidentally succeed in killing themselves. (3) The youth who are most ill, are also those who are most vulnerable to predation by those who have personality disorders. Therefore, some youth who have (treatable) mental health needs along with personality disorder, have to be removed from the mental health treatment programs because they are preying on other youth. It all gets back to the limited resources available. (4) there are some youth with real mental health needs who refuse treatment. By law, youth can refuse medication, and TYC cannot force them to take medication except in the case of a life-threatening emergency. <BR/><BR/>There are only two mental health treament programs in TYC: Corsicana and Crockett. Crockett runs a MHTP and a general population program - that is not a good mix. Corsicana has within its MHTP program a separate program for those who are acutely and severely ill called the Stabilization Unit. That program is extremely resource intensive; thus very expensive. <BR/><BR/>The bottom line is this: specialized treatment programs cost lots of money. Texas has not been willing to spend the money, either for incarcerated individuals or for those in the "free" who have mental health programs. (I personally feel that money spent on such treatment programs in the community would be money well spent, that in the long run would save the state much of the money it now spends to incarcerate people - but that is a whole other soap box.) Old SaltyAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-73793546167911154662007-11-24T11:30:00.000-06:002007-11-24T11:30:00.000-06:00Gee, 11:28, aren't you just a ray of sunshine on a...Gee, 11:28, aren't you just a ray of sunshine on a rainy day?!Gritsforbreakfasthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10152152869466958902noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-28326549289413490632007-11-24T11:28:00.000-06:002007-11-24T11:28:00.000-06:00Will H. is just for show and probably doesn't even...Will H. is just for show and probably doesn't even know it himself. Poor guy! No doubt he thinks he is doing a grat job for the kids but he is being worked! Everything at TYC is for looks Scott. Sad Will H. left a job for one at TYC that will fad away soon along with TYC. With his record of looking out for the kids in TYC he will not be making the transition to contract care.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-53102506290218533972007-11-24T11:08:00.000-06:002007-11-24T11:08:00.000-06:00This post is for Will -It does my heart good to he...This post is for Will -<BR/>It does my heart good to hear that a former TYC youth has turned their life around. I commend you for "stepping-up", both here in this blog, and especially, in Iraq. You a brave young man.<BR/>1:13 is an ignorant, hateful person and I hope is no longer working with any youth at TYC!! Or youth out of a facility, for that matter!! <BR/>Best of luck to you, Will. <BR/>God Bless.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-76759817406930635082007-11-24T10:26:00.000-06:002007-11-24T10:26:00.000-06:00Ayo and Brown will have Bills head handed to him o...Ayo and Brown will have Bills head handed to him on a platter. Leaders that follow blindly as does Ayo and Brown have no ethics and will do the bidding of the soon to be convict Humphrey. But, if the courts do nothing with Humphrey next week he will feel as if he is invincible which does not bode well for any one. We have the same problems here at Mart with Braley and King, once they removed Walters and Berry all of us willing to speak out are numbered.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-13488125317499907902007-11-24T09:48:00.000-06:002007-11-24T09:48:00.000-06:00WTSS getting stuck with Mr. Ayo and Mr. Brown has ...WTSS getting stuck with Mr. Ayo and Mr. Brown has lowered the campus morale pretty badly. Staff are afraid to return for fear of retaliation by Ayo and his ethnic attitude. They don't keep people because they are competent but because of race. This is what lowers the morale. The snapshot of Victory Field by Will is predominantly what has happened at WTSS since Ayo came on board with Harrison's blessings. Stories could be told that would curl your hair or straighten it, depending. Their secretary is one of the worst and admittedly states it. It's a shame that we have to endure this type of hostile work environment. Our only hope is that things will start turning around now that Hollis has returned. He does need to watch his back, as we know how the secretary, supt and Ayo dislike him and will tell lies on him, they worse that some of our youth at doing things under the table. But Hollis has many supporters lying low and watching for him. Good will prevail. WTSS emloyees are known for having stamina and backbone to report any suspicious behavior without hesitation. <BR/><BR/>To Will, stay safe and we thank you for serving. Our country is a free one because of men like you. May serving give you pride and the ability to become a productive member of society. Let go of your past. Those people will get what they deserve in due time. God Speed!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-81365891492538490592007-11-24T09:29:00.000-06:002007-11-24T09:29:00.000-06:00Glad you got to visit the Giddings campus as it is...Glad you got to visit the Giddings campus as it is the flagship of TYC. Excellent staff that work very dilligently to accomplish accountability and rehabilitation of incarcerated youth. As with any facility, it is not perfect but is the best of TYC. Continue to visit, observe and ask questions to both staff and students.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-88916924511376606662007-11-24T09:18:00.000-06:002007-11-24T09:18:00.000-06:00Thank you William Tramel for service to this count...Thank you William Tramel for service to this country. I'm glad you made it home safely. I'm sorry about the loss of your friends. I hope the outside world treats you better than what is written in this article. My husband, a vietnam vet I'm still waiting for his return.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-33932547458520518772007-11-24T08:28:00.000-06:002007-11-24T08:28:00.000-06:00I don't know about a "cover up." Being with Will H...I don't know about a "cover up." Being with Will Harrell instead of the PR staff, I seemed to have full access anywhere I wanted to go and to anybody I wanted to talk to. I initiated the trip (Will was going anyway, and my wife was out of town). Nobody at Giddings or CO even knew I was going until the day before, and the whole time I was there the Super was off site. Just because the kids weren't particularly misbehaved doesn't mean I got a "dog and pony show." People spoke pretty openly about the problems.<BR/><BR/>Maybe sometime when Will's headed up to Mart I'll tag along to get a sense of a more troubled unit. To folks in Pyote: I can only say I'll try. I used to travel a lot more for stuff when I was at ACLU, but I'm afraid right now your humble blogger has no employer and about a 3-digit blog budget. best,Gritsforbreakfasthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10152152869466958902noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-82373438799656902682007-11-24T07:48:00.000-06:002007-11-24T07:48:00.000-06:00Mr. GritsYes Sir, Mr. Grits you just experienced ...Mr. Grits<BR/><BR/>Yes Sir, Mr. Grits you just experienced the best Dog and Pony show in Texas. Where there balloons and cotton candy to available to? If you believe what you saw to be true and ongoing on a daily bases I would like to send you a free subscription to "CIRCUS LIFE." What you saw was typical TYC cover-up.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-12382545607483820122007-11-24T05:47:00.000-06:002007-11-24T05:47:00.000-06:00TYC is a disgrace to the State of Texas and the ci...TYC is a disgrace to the State of Texas and the citizens of this state on a national level. I am not a professional in this field but I am a tax payer and I am not happy. I have read enough to know millions of our tax dollars are being wasted at TYC by corrupt officials who are not providing the services they are paid to provide. In the world of business the TYC administrators would have been shown the door long ago or the organization would have been bankrupt. TYC continues to exist only because there is an endless flow of tax dollars into a failed system of management. TYC can not even decide if they are in existence to rehabilitate or punish the inmates. No plan of operation appears to exist at any level in TYC as indicated by the ever changing policies on different areas of operation. Key staff was fired without qualified replacements for their much needed job slots. TYC is in and out of court which tells me they are a road to disaster.<BR/><BR/><BR/>I have seen many people speak out against contract operation in this forum but I believe a business run operation in this field could be better than the current system. I think it is time that a business run system is put in place of the failed state government system. First the state needs to define its goals and write the contract requirements in line with the goals. The required money for operation in line with the published goals should be provided to the contractors. Multiple contractors should be selected to provide diversity should any one contractor fail to provide the required services. The business model I envision will not be cheap but it will cost less than the current corrupt waste ridden system in the log run.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-50033206659799891292007-11-24T05:25:00.000-06:002007-11-24T05:25:00.000-06:00Well, I commend "Will", the military guy, the ex-o...Well, I commend "Will", the military guy, the ex-ofender whoever he is. He nails it on the head and if your reading....everything that Mr Hansen saw and what the kids say...is equal to what the Youth in Mart is saying. He says "I have done my time, I haven't been a problem....TYC won't let me into a treatment program...because 1) they don't have one and 2) I can't confess to my crime....so, what can you guys say now? Inmates should get some input....but that is what the mother has been saying! You are guys are incredible.....Will - kudos son. I have nothing but prayers for you...inmate or military alike. Much love and blessings young man...Unbiased and Awarehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05703969944167751952noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-124148803545329772007-11-24T01:41:00.000-06:002007-11-24T01:41:00.000-06:00Spearshaker ~ I understand the security issuses be...Spearshaker ~ I understand the security issuses behind eating in silence, but at the end of the day these are still children and making them wolf down their meals in 20 minutes (I assume that's start to finish, not just the time they sit at the table with their food in front of them?) is not physically, mentally or socially healthy. <BR/>I absolutely agree that smaller 'cottages' as you call them are the way to go, and not big dorm-style warehousing. Smaller groups are easier to manage and treat, and it helps them understand healthy group dynamics as well.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com