tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post6239442146131102952..comments2024-03-15T05:45:01.402-05:00Comments on Grits for Breakfast: On the relationship between high employee turnover and contraband smuggling at TDCJGritsforbreakfasthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10152152869466958902noreply@blogger.comBlogger36125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-1588016595263427992011-03-30T20:30:48.047-05:002011-03-30T20:30:48.047-05:00On the topic of Nigerian officers...
TDCJ needs t...On the topic of Nigerian officers...<br /><br />TDCJ needs to stop hiring officers who don't have the ability to effectively communicate in English. I am talking about verbal communication.<br /><br />I am tired of having to intervene when one of my officers calls me, only to find out the inmate simply didn't understand the orders he was being given.<br /><br />Prison is a place where race and other cultural issues are magnified. The officers from other countries, for the most part, just don't get it. They don't have a clue and never will. With so many of them in the system now, they don't even have to assimilate. They form a clique. They are not Nigerian-Americans. They are Nigerians living in America.<br /><br />There is an obvious problem with the screening process. Sadly, I am starting to suspect there is significantly lower turnover among these officers from beyond out borders. I worry people in Huntsville are more focused on the potentially lower turnover than the fact that very, very few of them will ever be effective correctional officers.<br /><br />Prison is about people. People who do not understand the language or culture of a place have no business being employed in a position of authority.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-39414088676465606742011-03-23T13:17:03.383-05:002011-03-23T13:17:03.383-05:00My father is incarcerated and he tells me that the...My father is incarcerated and he tells me that they get a new shipment of foreign guards (mostly from Nigeria) on a regular basis. The majority of these guards cannot even speak English. He has been in prison for over 7 years and has seen wave after wave of these foreigners come through his unit as it is a "training" ground for new guards. It is rumored that these guards also receive US citizenship as part of their benefits for working for TDC. Have you heard anything about this practice? Since Nigeria is notorious for it's unethical practices (such as email schemes, treatment of prisoners, etc.), it concerns me greatly that our country is bringing in people to work in our prisons that aren't much better than the prisoners themselves. If we don't have enough people available locally to fill the positions, then it is definitely time to look at the benefits and make changes necessary to fill out the roster with locally-based citizens. I will remain anonymous to protect my dad.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-81038215982079325072011-03-22T03:48:52.130-05:002011-03-22T03:48:52.130-05:00I think they should allow usage of cell phone jamm...I think they should allow usage of cell phone jammers as they could help to prevent prisoners from escaping.Jammerhttp://www.jammer-store.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-30479919998136034542011-03-19T14:34:21.544-05:002011-03-19T14:34:21.544-05:00Yes, inmates are separated from their families. In...Yes, inmates are separated from their families. In some cases, I'm sure, it's the inmates own fault. Some of them left the state or went to the other side of the state (Texas is a big state) to commit their crimes. Some even came up from Mexico. They should have known that this would cause them to be away from their loved ones once they got caught. Most inmates were smart enough to act locally and save their families all that pain and lonesomeness as well as the long bus trips.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-52629911537457362522011-03-18T13:47:39.304-05:002011-03-18T13:47:39.304-05:00TDC needs to transfer all inmates away from close ...TDC needs to transfer all inmates away from close proximity to their families. The pay phone idea was an expensive failure, as those whom no one listens to tried to warn in the first place. Officer ARE DEFINITELY a big issue here. Unit rank ignores warnings and information about inmate infractions and often overlooks them in order to cultivate their snitches. Inmate janitors who have been caught with cell phones and work in the segregation units are not punished and remain working in maximum security areas because they act as snitches for rank. You can't expect the COs to do their jobs when their ranking officers don't care and TDC management wants to ignore certain issues so that they don't look so bad. The good COs get fed up and leave because they are punished if they attempt to make inmates follow the rules. TDC is run more like TYC anymore. COs can't do a thing to control inmates anymore because they will be considered as being mean and disciplined instead of the inmates being expected to comply. Lockdowns are a joke and have been for a long time. TDC stands for TEXAS DAY CARE. There certainly isn't any fear of consequences for their actions anymore amongst inmates.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-80817643686646280312011-03-18T12:52:59.269-05:002011-03-18T12:52:59.269-05:00I can't speak for all units, but on mine there...I can't speak for all units, but on mine there is not an atmosphere or conditions like some of the commenters here would have folks believe. Most officers are conscientious and treat inmates as people. Inmates get fed the same basic foods that officers are fed. Sometimes the food is sub par as far as imaginative prep goes, but it is still edible. I work in General Population, so I can't really speak to what happens in the Ad Seg or High Security areas. But I know that we officers work under multiple threats. The threat of physical violence is always present when near inmates. Threats from manipulation and con-games are constant. We don't work at the Hilton. Our customers are not honest folks. After two years of employment, I can say that I've encountered one or two inmates that I would not expect to lie and cheat if it would benefit them. There are probably more out there, but I haven't met them. By and large, these men are child molesters, rapists, murderers, and thieves. They live in an environment that makes them worse. I would have a tough time trusting a person who I knew was previously incarcerated. Prison is just such a different place. There is always deception going on. Always something afoot. Their eyes are opened to all kinds of tricks and scams that they might not have been privy to before. It's unfortunate to think that there are folks who have been wrongly convicted, but the whole system isn't going to change for them. <br /><br />If you really want to see what it's like, sign up to become an officer. I would think that a lot of folks that have sharp words for the prison system and its employees would have their eyes opened. Like Ted Conover, the author of Newjack: Guarding Sing Sing.<br /><br />http://www.amazon.com/Newjack-Guarding-Sing-Ted-Conover/dp/0375726624<br /><br />I think it would be pretty cool to see someone do that same thing in the Texas system. You up for it, Flo?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-38008734568551926632011-03-18T08:23:41.487-05:002011-03-18T08:23:41.487-05:00I was a correctional offier for almost 7 years. C...I was a correctional offier for almost 7 years. Contraband issues have nothing to do with a convict's proximity to his family, visitation, etc. Because of the continued low salary levels for correctional officers, there will always be someone that is vulnerable to bribery. It starts off with small favors that a CO doesn't see as a big deal, and once a convict has something to blackmail a CO with, it's down hill from there.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-40158492578156175952011-03-18T07:34:21.144-05:002011-03-18T07:34:21.144-05:00The problems will forever be present inside the pr...The problems will forever be present inside the prison system in Texas. I believe the biggest problem with the contraband issues are with the CO's. I have first hand knowledge of the problems because I lived it. Offenders for the most part are just doing their time and trying to go home. The vile conditions and the way the offenders are housed and treated, it's not surprising that problems between inmate and rank exist. Let's get on the same page here. "Joe Public" has no fricking idea of what happens inside the prison system in Texas. The inmates are treated like "feed-stock" and the CO's are to blame. I spent the better part of the past 7 years being disrespected, strong-armed, and treated as if my life didn't exist at all. Being housed away from my family was the absolute worst. 850 miles away? Yes, and one visit in 2 years, that is unexcuseable. My family suffered the most. I am a survivor and made it out with only the grace of God. I lost my right eye because of the lack of proper medical attention. I blame the CO's and the rank they report to. The whole system is corrupt and I want the public to know about it. I have first hand info on just how bad things are inside the prison system, however, nobody wants to listen. "Out of sight, out of mind" is the feeling I'm getting. Living in the prisons in Texas is harsh and at times, pure hell.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-507571714976945782011-03-18T07:05:50.727-05:002011-03-18T07:05:50.727-05:00hell all thay have to do is to do like the most do...hell all thay have to do is to do like the most do just dont be a crook to start with.im 78 years old and find that it is not that hard to do.put them on the chain gang and see how many comes backUnknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10908648283428446757noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-42633379951746631682011-03-18T05:32:53.874-05:002011-03-18T05:32:53.874-05:00A voice of sanity, that solution would help treat ...A voice of sanity, that solution would help treat a symptom of the problem. However, it won't treat the cause of the problem, introduction of contraband. And, it brings it's own set of problems to the table. <br /><br />We need a cure for this cold, or at least an inoculation that will prevent future infection.<br /><br />Like the cold busters we give at the pill window, it does help you feel better though.<br /><br />Thanks for listening,<br /><br />Marty LeyAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-32833617939234351282011-03-18T01:47:28.124-05:002011-03-18T01:47:28.124-05:00Texas prison chief Brad Livingston has responded b...<i>Texas prison chief Brad Livingston has responded by calling for a test of cell-phone jamming technology, however the Attorney General has already told the agency that installing jammers on a permanent basis would require a change in federal communications law first enacted in the 1930s.</i><br /><br />Silly 'solution'. Have the state install its own "cell tower" in each prison. As the nearest antenna, it will capture all signals which can then be recorded, along with full details. The guards and visitors will have to be warned of course.A Voice of Sanityhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11285284153694191831noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-23690961682626880652011-03-18T01:18:37.772-05:002011-03-18T01:18:37.772-05:00Just because Marty doesn't agree, doesn't ...Just because Marty doesn't agree, doesn't mean that he can't see any other side of the argument.<br /><br />It comes down to impulse control, or the lack of it, in most inmates. We talk a lot on Grits about those who are innocent yet imprisoned, but the majority are guilty of their crime and one of the reasons they are there is poor impulse control. They still have a choice while in prison of saying no to the contraband, or of joining in with others. There are temptations everywhere, and it is not helpful to always take the easy path or facilitate the easy path, because it does nothing to improve the impulse control of the individual.sunray's wenchhttp://www.helium.com/items/1458601-the-most-dangerous-jobsnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-16567253146811984342011-03-17T22:10:50.304-05:002011-03-17T22:10:50.304-05:00:-), yes you're right. I may be a bit biased. ...:-), yes you're right. I may be a bit biased. Like I said earlier, I've been in this business for going on 29yrs. During that time I've worked as a correctional officer, a shift sergeant, an STG sergeant, and now a regional safe prisons coordinator. So, security is in my blood. <br /><br />I don't disagree the inmate phone system is far from perfect. But, it is the only lawful system we have right now. I'd rather see inmates do their best to work with it, rather than risk getting locked up in seg for possessing a cell phone. That would not help the inmate or any family members.<br /><br />As discussed earlier, our contraband problem is very complex. There are no easy answers. And, it will take a combination of factors to come together in order to reduce the problem. I say "reduce" the problem because you will NEVER totally get rid of contraband in prisons. We've been fighting it forever, and will continue to do so.<br /><br />I appreciate your comments and insights. Discussions such as this help all of us understand the view points from all sides. <br /><br />Thanks for your understanding,<br /><br />Marty LeyAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-9292121931028630842011-03-17T21:51:24.338-05:002011-03-17T21:51:24.338-05:00Marty Ley - I guess we have to agree to disagree. ...Marty Ley - I guess we have to agree to disagree. You are on the other side and refuse to see this side and maybe I can't see your side. Anyone with any experience knows those phones are not a success. I know the inmates, not just through my husband but through others. I know what a majority are using the phones for. You assume that because they are not using the TDCJ phones it must be for something illegal. You have refused to even open your eyes to it. They must be doing something illegal because they are inmates. For me - the TDCJ phone was an expensive headache that required me to have the extra expense of a landline. The phone constantly disconnects. The phones are usually in high traffic areas, like the dayroom by the TV. You can't hear them, they can't hear you. Not everyone has a phone in their name. When I moved I didn't even bother transferring my landline. <br /><br />I understand your position and why you view things the way you do, but you do not have a complete grasp on why cell phones are such a problem in the prisons. I know why they can't be there unmonitored. I know if 100 inmates have them and only 1 uses it to commit a crime it is too dangerous of a risk, but you are blinded by your bias if you think it is all for illegal use because they have access to monitored lines.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-49107863102646972892011-03-17T21:14:47.719-05:002011-03-17T21:14:47.719-05:00Mam, anon 08:10 and 1:00pm , I can understand your...Mam, anon 08:10 and 1:00pm , I can understand your view point. However, TDCJ has hard line phones that have been installed in all the living area's so that inmates may call their loved ones. They don't need TDCJ permission to use the phones. They are allowed to use them at specific time frames during the day. They don't need a cell phone to call their loved ones. The only reason they might need a cell phone is for unlawful purposes. So, I'm afraid arguing that an inmate will want a cell phone to contact a family member really doesn't hold much water.<br /><br />I do agree with you that a lot of inmates look forward to their visits. And, I'm sure many would like to live closer to home. And, I agree that our agency has to look at all sides of the issue. Ultimately, the agency administration has to make decisions based on what's best for the agency and will ensure our core mission is accomplished. Sometimes, that may not be convenient for the offenders family members, or the staff. (ie-the searches entering the units, many staff were unhappy with that decision) But, once the decisions are made we all do the best we can to make things work well, and smoothly.<br /><br />Thanks for listening,<br /><br />Marty LeyAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-58604605967470970192011-03-17T20:46:31.028-05:002011-03-17T20:46:31.028-05:00We could also use whips, tasers and chains to secu...We could also use whips, tasers and chains to secure for the facility. We could start water boarding inmates. Security at all costs is not always worth the price. There is a delicate balance that must be maintained. Most inmates have cell phones because they want more contact with their families. I don't care what hype there is out there about the phones. There are a few using it for illegal activity, but that can be done through numerous outlets, most use them to have that deeply desired contact with a loved one. When you move inmates further from their families the desire to obtain illegal cell phones is going to increase. I understand that you are looking at this from a guard's perspective trying to make it secure, but you must stop and put yourself on the other side too if you want to be effective at your job. I can see my husband every two weeks, if he were moved and I only saw him 3 - 4 times a year the temptation of a cell phone would be far greater. Take away visits or significantly reduce them and the temptation for a cell phone increases significantly. Your demand for the product would increase, not decrease with more distance.<br /><br />Annon 8:10 and 1:00 PMAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-86348608853838092932011-03-17T17:11:22.594-05:002011-03-17T17:11:22.594-05:00comments from 3/17/2011 08:10am-"For those of...comments from 3/17/2011 08:10am-"For those of you that are encouraging the offenders to be moved further from their families."<br /><br /> "I am outraged that people like you work with TDCJ with such an obvious disregard for the inmates and their families."<br /><br />"If you don't like it go find another job, I don't want you there anyway."<br /><br />Mam, I read your entire post, and I can see the frustration and anger in your words. Since I am the one who started the conversation regarding the distance of inmates family and their unit of assignment, I feel your comments are mostly directed at me. So, I would like to address them, if I may. <br /><br />I want to assure you that my comments were made from a security mindset. They were made in an effort to discuss ways to disrupt, and curtail, the flow of contraband in our facilities. They were not made from a disregard for offender families. They were not made with any ill intent toward inmate family members at all. <br /><br />As for my job, and you not wanting me there. I'm sorry you feel that way. I love my job. I've been at it for going on 29yrs. I want you to know that I try to be as security minded as I possibly can. While that may be inconvenient, and sometimes uncomfortable for offenders, family, and officers alike, that is how it must be. Good security is never convenient. And, good security is necessary for the safety of EVERYONE involved, including the offenders. <br /><br />It's a correctional officers job to keep offenders safe. You may not be aware of it, but MOST assaults that occur within the prisons are offender on offender. They are not offender on officer. Good security helps prevent all types of assaults. Good security helps to keep your husband safe, so he can come home to you and his young children some day. <br /><br />I'm sorry if my earlier comments offended you. They were not meant to. They were coming from an employee who wants to make our agency better, and more secure.<br /><br />Thanks for listening,<br /><br />Marty LeyAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-65652822160513411082011-03-17T13:00:25.409-05:002011-03-17T13:00:25.409-05:00In a perfect world maybe they would behave just be...In a perfect world maybe they would behave just because they want to behave. But in that perfect world they would be fed right or at least what the law says they should be fed. They wouldn't have to argue for the food that has been sitting out for several hours, they wouldn't be talked to like dogs. In a perfect world guards wouldn't bring in contraband and blame the families. Lack of visits may not be a "reason" for them to behave, but it sure does make them a lot more tolerant of the abuses that go on. The possibility of a case for defending what is right is not always worth it when your visits are at risk. I know how the guards treat the inmates. I have witnessed it myself in the visitation rooms and they have even tried to get treat me like they were better than me a couple times. I know I have only witnessed a fraction of what the guards say, but what I have seen has been very nasty and uncalled for. I know inmates that tolerate it simply because they don't want the case - due to the loss of visits. But if they did stand up for themselves, just verbally they will get a case and they will be harrassed. I wouldn't blame them. There is only so much you can take and sometimes that visit is what is holding them back.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-39602344889977292542011-03-17T12:37:41.292-05:002011-03-17T12:37:41.292-05:00The incentive for a 3g offender to behave is to no...The incentive for a 3g offender to behave is to not return to prison once they get out, if they get out. My husband is a 3g offender, and we see each other once or twice a year and have no phone calls - not because of his behaviour but because the system does not permit overseas calls. Lack of visits (he has maybe 3 or 4 total per year) is not a reason for him to misbehave. He hasn't had a case in his whole time in TDCJ (almost 7 years).<br /><br />You can't blame the Officers for policy made by the Administration.sunray's wenchhttp://www.helium.com/items/1458601-the-most-dangerous-jobsnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-87469965378485422692011-03-17T11:16:43.527-05:002011-03-17T11:16:43.527-05:0008:10- I drive 4.5 hours to spend 2 hours with my ...08:10- I drive 4.5 hours to spend 2 hours with my spouse. He is housed near where his court case originated. He has no family there. His only family are myself and his grandmother who lives in Lubbock. I totally agree with you about the need for prisoners to be housed near their families. Too bad they don't consider that a prisoner might have relocated to another county or area.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-43624483310181944652011-03-17T08:10:07.641-05:002011-03-17T08:10:07.641-05:00For those of you that are encouraging the offender...For those of you that are encouraging the offenders to be moved further from their families...Do you know what incentive the 3g offender has to behave? Visits with their family. Take it away and you have minimal incentive for that offender. There is no good time credits for them and anything else you take away is meaningless. I am outraged that people like you work with TDCJ with such an obvious disregard for the inmates and their families. You should encourage things that will make them more successful when ther return home, that is part of the job of TDCJ. Maybe TDCJ should stop hiring thugs. I promise you if they will bring it in for their homies here they are already compromised and will make friends from out of town and do it for them. Your compromised COs are not just doing it as a friend - they are making good money.<br /><br />My husband can not see his child grow up. He will miss his first steps, he will miss his first words, his first day of school. He will miss alot of things. My husband is isolated from us. That is his punishment. You are not there to incorporate more punishment or make it harder on any of us. I am permitted take my son on a one hour drive to see his father 2 HOURS once a week. I am only able to do that once every other week because of the drive and the wait to get in to see him. You are advocating moving him even further from me and our son because you can't maintain morality among your officers? You already have an issue with morals. My husband made a mistake and we are all paying for it. He has regret everyday. It is torture for him to just not be able to be home with us.<br /><br />You chose to work in your 30k job and you knew the terms when you signed up. If you don't like it go find another job, I don't want you there anyway. <br /><br />Do you really want a security problem? Make it a policy to ship people far from their homes, see how you like your job conditions then.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-50646265447747757462011-03-17T07:07:01.159-05:002011-03-17T07:07:01.159-05:00Geographic distance is not the problem. County ja...Geographic distance is not the problem. County jailers state-wide have maintained custody of their neighbors for years. The true problem is the moral, social, cultural distance between 'keeper' and 'kept' that has diminished significantly over the past twenty years. The line between 'us' and 'them' is not as evident to newer staff members, and they cross back and forth over that line with little concern. The future looks dim. God help usAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-43613548157121409602011-03-17T06:31:59.997-05:002011-03-17T06:31:59.997-05:00Sunny, as you know, the agency already has policie...Sunny, as you know, the agency already has policies in place to address offenders who have family that live further than 300 miles from their unit of assignment. Now, I do understand the hardships that this may cause family members. My wife has a cousin who is incarcerated. The young man had two brothers who were traveling long distance to visit him. They were both killed in a car accident en-route to the unit. Tragic for the whole family. So I do understand the hardships that distance causes. But, that still doesn't change the fact that it would be better, security wise, to NOT house them close to home. <br /><br />Of course, the debate could go on and on about all of this. And, I agree with the poster above who said that there will be no QUICK answers. It will take time. <br /><br />Thanks for listening,<br /><br />Marty LeyAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-28955363589691612662011-03-17T06:22:07.322-05:002011-03-17T06:22:07.322-05:0011:11:00pm, I understand totally. And, that's ...11:11:00pm, I understand totally. And, that's one reason the agency allows employee's to do that. It helps with recruitment and retaining employee's. And, good officers should notify their supervisor if they come in contact with an offender with whom they've had a relationship in the past. <br /><br />I had that occur to me once. Saw him in a cell block I was working. I notified the warden the same day. The offender was shipped the next day. I knew him from high school. Unfortunately, we have officers who won't do that. They think the inmate is still their friend, and they're not. Those officers are easy targets for the inmates. <br /><br />When I first started we weren't given a choice as to the unit we were assigned. You got a letter with a report date for the academy in Huntsville, and a unit assignment. If you wanted the job you accepted the assignment. After working at least 6 months you could put in for a transfer to your unit of choice. The system seemed to work well back then. <br /><br />I agree with most of the comments that were made above regarding some of the problems. If the agency, and the legislature, fails to appreciate and compensate the staff competitively the problems will continue. If the standards are not raised the problems will continue. If our training is not professionalized and certified with some sort of licensing, the problems will continue. <br /><br />Folks, one thing I learned early on in my career is that it's the inmates jobs to try and beat the officers. By that I mean they will ALWAY'S attempt to hide contraband. They will ALWAY'S try to get away with breaking the rules. That's what they do. It's OUR job as correctional officers to try and stop them. That's a daily task that we MUST perform without fail. We have to learn how NOT to get beat. We have to learn how to be BETTER convicts, than the convict himself. That takes time, experience, knowledge, and team work. Sadly, we have a lot of young officers with little time in the system, little experience, and very little team work sometimes. Makes for a tough situation. I can't emphasize enough that our experienced, older, officers have got to take the initiative, and HELP the younger staff. The experienced officers have got to pull their boot straps up and take the youngsters under their wings and show them the ropes. Without that help, some of these younger and less experienced officers will become a security problem. If it weren't for the older fella's that took me under their wings back in '82, I wouldn't still be working for the agency. <br /><br />We got a lot of good officers out there. Stick together, and GET'R'DONE!<br /><br />Thanks for listening,<br /><br />Marty LeyAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-14340652405024414052011-03-17T05:50:26.358-05:002011-03-17T05:50:26.358-05:00I wonder how many officers we are short now? It is...I wonder how many officers we are short now? It is hard to know because positions that were empty were cut. How many more guards are employed by TDCJ now than in 2003-2004 when they said we were like 3000 guards short? Cutting vacant positions might look good on paper, but in reality, it still leaves them short=handed.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com