tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post8104573900959475090..comments2024-03-15T05:45:01.402-05:00Comments on Grits for Breakfast: TYC Heads to Court: Like Sand In a Carburetor, These are the Days of Their LivesGritsforbreakfasthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10152152869466958902noreply@blogger.comBlogger53125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-21451658600456929122007-11-23T09:31:00.000-06:002007-11-23T09:31:00.000-06:00JD Smith's comments should be a wake-up for each o...JD Smith's comments should be a wake-up for each one of you.<BR/><BR/>The powers that be have spoken by their silence or lack of activity.<BR/>Here comes the train! get on board or get off the tracks (or suffer).<BR/><BR/>Wow! that much talked about court hearing really resulted in some serious sanctions didn't it????Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-58652455005887319442007-11-22T19:52:00.000-06:002007-11-22T19:52:00.000-06:00J.D.Smith,I understand the concept of "No one runs...J.D.Smith,<BR/><BR/>I understand the concept of "No one runs off a good CO, that is unless those COs aren't as good as they think they are", but I think you are ignoring the fact that if a CO refuses to be 'run off' by a retaliatory/illegal termination notice the next step is a trespassing warning and a restraining order. Further refusal to be 'run off' will probably result in jail time.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-2917642689795786082007-11-21T08:16:00.000-06:002007-11-21T08:16:00.000-06:001. Howard has already addressed the reasons the ch...1. Howard has already addressed the reasons the change in policy is illegal. It is not the policy itself, it is the way it was changed that is illegal. There are some positives in the use of pepper spray if it is done right. <BR/>2. You obviously have not read all the written instructions that have come out, if you don't believe the instructions given to staff are contradictory and confusing.<BR/>3. The staff discipline has been inconsistent, because even the Superintendents are confused about what their instructions are. They have written instructions and they have verbal instructions. <BR/>4. If you think for one moment that the kids are stepping up in a positive way to fill the vaccuum of leadership, you must be smoking something other than tobacco. The predatory leaders are the ones stepping up. <BR/><BR/>The main point is that there is no way we can encourage kids to follow the law, when the leadership of TYC refuses to follow the law. We have to walk the walk, or the kids rightly judge us as hypocrites. <BR/><BR/>I myself resigned from a Federal law enforcement agency because I was asked to do something that was blatantly illegal under the guise of the end justifies the means. My late mother taught me that two wrongs never make a right. I have tried to pass that on to the kids I deal with. <BR/><BR/>As for why people post anonymously - retaliation is alive and well in TYC. I have been more publicly vocal than some because I have made the "rule of 80", but, I also know that if I am no longer in TYC, I can no longer work from within to support those who need support. (That includes supporting those kids who are the victims of the predatory leaders I mentioned above.)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-51013466217727854312007-11-21T05:29:00.000-06:002007-11-21T05:29:00.000-06:00J.D. - Thank God you're a former law enforcement o...J.D. - Thank God you're a former law enforcement officer and don't have the aptitude or the patience to work with kids. We have enough people like you running TYC right now. From your comments, you must have naked pictures of the Humpster in your wallet, or are related to him, or are his steroid connection. In the short time that these TDCJ folks have been in charge, staffing levels are dangerously low at most, if not all facilities, and getting lower every day; morale is in the toilet and the kids are receiving no treatment. It is obvious that you haven't got a clue about juvenile corrections, so in the interest of good taste and proper decorum, please keep your uniformed comments to yourself. Also, you need to note that Humpster has no balls, the steroids took care of them.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-36144371880943121542007-11-21T00:40:00.000-06:002007-11-21T00:40:00.000-06:00At first I thought you were going to say "I'm not ...At first I thought you were going to say "I'm not a JCO, but I play one on TV"<BR/>Sorry but I don't want to be a CO. I neither have he appititude nor the patience to work woth Juvies. There are plenty of good ones doing a difficult job. But If everyone who disagrees with your option is discounted because "only those who have been there can speak about it" then nothing in this world would ever get better. Your biggest knock on TYC present management is that they came from outside the TYC. But maybe that's waht's needed, someone from the outside who can take a fresh look at an old problem, Maybe the present management aren't the ones to do this. But they haven't really been given time to make it better. It wasn't broken overnight and it's going to take some time to fix it. But that doesn't mean the system doesn't need a shake up. I have to give it to Him, Billie has shook it up. But did he make it worst? I doubt it. As far as the anonymous comments that:<BR/><BR/>"The problem with the pepper spray policy is (1) the change was made illegally," <BR/><BR/>Nothing has been presented that the pepper spray use was illegal. The agreement and court order stated that TYC would reduce the use of peperspray and did not forbid the use. As evident by the Judges lack of sanction on TYC, this issue seems much to do about nothing. <BR/><BR/>"(2) the JCO staff have been given conflicting instructions,"<BR/><BR/>I think the memo Billie sent out explained things rather clearly. TYC COs were still authorized to use pepper spray to prevent injury to the "Kids" and to the COs. It's in writting and you can't get nmore cleare than that. Also, I give him credit,He had the BALLS to put it in writing, so no CO could be charged for acting without authority. I kind of rspect tat type of action, even when it's not the most politically savy move. Sounds like wheter you like him or not, Billie got Gonads the size of Texas. Must be the Bulldog in him.<BR/><BR/>"(3) staff have been disciplined for failing to follow those instructions" <BR/>Finally the truth comes out. This isn't about the pepper spray or the "Kids", but about discipline actions against some COs and Managers. This is about those who got their hands slapped for what ever reason. I'm sure it wasn't because they refused to use pepper spray and put thier bodies at risk to prove a point. Could it be they were sanctioned because they used physical force and a "Kid" got hurt when ppper spray would have prevented it? Enquiring minds would like to know, just how many were punished because they refused to us pepper spray because they thought it was forbidden, and not punished because they used inappropriate physical force, where pepper spray was an option of lesser force? Did someone file workers comp for injuries on the job only have it denied because their injuries could have been prevented had they used pepper spray ratehr going Manno Manno with the "Kids".<BR/><BR/>and last but not least"(4) kids have stepped up to fill the vaccuum of leadership."<BR/><BR/>Excuse me but what's bad about this? What "leadership" are you talking about? We all know that the biggest risk in TYC are the "Kids" and a lack of leadership. But at what level of leadership are we talking about? Did the "kids" take over the centers? Did they issue out punishmnet? Did they hire and fire TYC personnel? Are the inmates running the asylum? Or did some of them grow up and start taking responsibility for their envoronment? Sounds to me like a good thing that they stepped up. Sounds to me like they were growing up and trying to better themselves. Maybe the stepping up replaced an employee who had that role previousely. Maybe this is about the employees and not the "Kids?"<BR/><BR/>Listen, if you are a CO and go to work eveyday and try to do your best and perform yur duties to the best of your ability, I applaud you. I think you're over worked and underpayed. However, there are no free passes, not for TYC employes or the "Kids". TYC is only as good as the folks who work there. If it's broke then everone in the system has a duty to stand up and say where it's broke. Maybe the Gov needs to do a clean sweep from the top down. Not sure if that's practical, or that he has the guts to do it, but maybe it's what's need. But what's also needed is for the emplyess of TYC to stand up and be counted. It a bad thing to have your job threatened, but if tellng the truth means your job is at risk then who wants a job where you ahve to lie to ourself and give up your dignity for a check.<BR/><BR/>It's been nice conversing with you. I wish you all the best. But I also hope that the changes the TYC management is making makes things better for both the "Kids" and the employees. I don't have the answers to these problems but some of you could make a positive difference. Those of you who have "a decade" in the system need to drop the "anonymous" and stand up and be counted. You'll find that many would respect you more for that than just talking about it.<BR/><BR/>Good luck and God give you the strength to face tomorrow. It's going to be a blast.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-36741597439820151612007-11-20T07:24:00.000-06:002007-11-20T07:24:00.000-06:00j.d. I am not a JCO, but I am in a good position ...j.d. I am not a JCO, but I am in a good position to observe what they go through. The problem with the pepper spray policy is (1) the change was made illegally, (2) the JCO staff have been given conflicting instructions, (3) staff have been disciplined for failing to follow those instructions (4) kids have stepped up to fill the vaccuum of leadership. If you are truly a law enforcement officer, I invite you to apply for one of the remaining three IG positions. There's an opening at Mart, at Giddings and, best of all, at Evins. Come on down!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-69404992224561163362007-11-20T06:51:00.000-06:002007-11-20T06:51:00.000-06:00Apparently there were no consequences to Pope and...Apparently there were no consequences to Pope and Co. The judge just told them to try and work out an agreement. <BR/><BR/>Ummm...isn't that what they did a couple of months ago? <BR/><BR/>Why should TYC now respect this latest instruction if it didn't respect the last one? <BR/><BR/>And if they couldn't come up with an agreement by this Wednesday, said the judge, then they could try and come up with one after the holidays. <BR/><BR/>No deadlines? Cmon! Where is the enforcement here? Judge Triana just made the judiciary look impotent. That has broad implications -- beyond any pepper spray issue.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-67431657086488522342007-11-20T03:35:00.000-06:002007-11-20T03:35:00.000-06:00j d smithIt does not appear you have much personal...j d smith<BR/><BR/>It does not appear you have much personal knowledge of TYC and its inner workings. Until you have been there and done the job for a decade or more your comments don't count for much. There are plenty of openings at TYC so why don't you show us how its done since you have all the answers. You could get a job at CO if you don't already work there.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-39712840961861080822007-11-20T01:23:00.000-06:002007-11-20T01:23:00.000-06:00As a former Law Enforcement Officer, maybe the use...As a former Law Enforcement Officer, maybe the use of pepper spray wasn't the best idea. I don't know. But from the comments on this blog neither do many of you. The fact that many of these "kids" would have been physically restrained by force seems to be lost in this debate. But then we are not debating the actions of the COs, we're condeming and slandering the TYC managers. Sounds like some folks got fired and they're just mad at those who fired them. No one runs off a good CO, that is unless those COs aren't as good as they think they are. <BR/>Politics aside, if you have information about what goes on in TYC, then step up and offer it to the judge. If you just dislike the TYC management, then this is the place for you. Setting out there in "internet world" cutting down the people who seem to be trying to change the system. Let's admit it, TYC wasn't perfect before this group arrived. And if the worst they have done is "authorise" the use pepper spray verses the "old school" beat down COs use to administer to the "kids", then we need more folks like them and less like the whinners on this blog. Sorry didn't mean to go personal, but then that's what this is all about isn't it. Personal vendettas at the expense of the TYC. Keep em flying boys, TYC is probably better off with Bronco Billy then it was with you guys. And if you're still employed by TYC, you know this is a bunch of crock. The system needed changing and a lot of the bad things that happened at TYC, was on your watch. So take some responsibility for what happened to those kids that brought Bronco Billy and his gang to TYC. It's time you folks manned-up or stepped a side. Either way you should stop the attacks, unless you want to step up and sign your name to a formal complaint. No, didn't think so!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-73008679994447665632007-11-20T00:58:00.000-06:002007-11-20T00:58:00.000-06:00WOW HOW BOUT THAT COURT ROOM ACTION TODAY. YALL ...WOW HOW BOUT THAT COURT ROOM ACTION TODAY. YALL JUST DONT GET IT.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-23536359443430234452007-11-19T23:26:00.000-06:002007-11-19T23:26:00.000-06:00how can anyone ask where the overtime is coming fr...how can anyone ask where the overtime is coming from. 300 hours of madatory training for all staff to be completed yesterday, not the mention of all the shortages.<BR/><BR/> Know one wants to work for TYC and very few want to remain working for TYC. These no leadership skilled idiots will walk in soon to and staff less facility and then what will they do?<BR/><BR/>Staff have been killing thems selves with stress home lives are bad because of the overtime, bad days off, working on hollidays, weird hours, and ect... The one thing staff was happy bout is the extra money from all the overtime they are working. But that was taken from the staff. Some one should really take a look at whats going on because the facilities are soon to be ghost towns.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-13657954589463296822007-11-19T21:27:00.000-06:002007-11-19T21:27:00.000-06:00Cause d'Pope got it going on! She'll never show yo...Cause d'Pope got it going on! She'll never show you the money, she gave it to Phillips and her cronies. To bad, so sad for you!! They are all laughing all the way to the bank while you eat beans for dinner every night!!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-5857519856334825022007-11-19T21:13:00.000-06:002007-11-19T21:13:00.000-06:00can we get some overtime, why they keep making the...can we get some overtime, why they keep making these dump made up postions. show us the moneyAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-22360429199517841392007-11-19T20:48:00.000-06:002007-11-19T20:48:00.000-06:00Due to the present overtime policy by Dapope. In w...Due to the present overtime policy by Dapope. In which she states that STAR team overtime hours will not be paid and banked at this time, or used for time off which some staff are unable to receive due to staff shortage. And with TYC violating policy PRS 19.23 by refusing to pay the overtime, 18 members of the Brownwood Star team today turned in their resignation from the team. Good luck to the state troopers who will take their place.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-89357294676184691882007-11-19T14:38:00.000-06:002007-11-19T14:38:00.000-06:00Headline'sBRAKING NEWS:JUDGE SENTENCES POPE & HUMP...Headline's<BR/><BR/>BRAKING NEWS:<BR/><BR/>JUDGE SENTENCES POPE & HUMPY :<BR/><BR/>FIRST: Be sprayed dailey for two weeks.<BR/><BR/>SECOND: Put into shackles for two months.<BR/><BR/>THIRD: Sent them to Mart for a two year BMP in solitary.<BR/><BR/>FOURTH: Go into the real world and get a real job and pay the tax payers of Texas back all of the money you owe tem for being a failure as a public servant.<BR/><BR/>NEXT: Perry, Whitmire, Madden........Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-522948883948354062007-11-19T13:27:00.000-06:002007-11-19T13:27:00.000-06:00I would like to hear if there was any squirming.Th...I would like to hear if there was any squirming.<BR/><BR/>These people seem to be masde of teflon. I remember when CRTC nicknamed Freeman "Teflon Don". I don't suppose he is now. I also remember a JCO VI who was nicknamed KY for he slick he was.<BR/><BR/>The new bosses at CO are just chips off the old teflon block.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-80061097317446355852007-11-19T06:04:00.000-06:002007-11-19T06:04:00.000-06:00Anybody going to court today and watch them squirm...Anybody going to court today and watch them squirm?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-56109720156064860182007-11-19T03:38:00.000-06:002007-11-19T03:38:00.000-06:00I use to love working for this agency. But this so...I use to love working for this agency. But this so called new admin. has just made a mess of everything. They have the admin. so jacked up that the ones that are not dictators are being run off. The US. has been putting dictators out of office for decades , lets do the same here at home.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-33217174661478952442007-11-19T00:32:00.000-06:002007-11-19T00:32:00.000-06:00Don't panic.Human Resources and Payroll moved to t...Don't panic.<BR/><BR/>Human Resources and Payroll moved to the annex.<BR/><BR/>Treatment is just down the hall where Human Resources used to be.....<BR/><BR/>Treatment will be sharing close quarters with the group previously known as Juvenile Corrections.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-2264600235535487272007-11-18T22:19:00.000-06:002007-11-18T22:19:00.000-06:00Madden needs to call them on the carpet for moving...Madden needs to call them on the carpet for moving Treatment to the Annex. I don't think that's what he had in mind.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-16564986930731447702007-11-18T21:27:00.000-06:002007-11-18T21:27:00.000-06:00If you like the "Humpster", nickname, he is also k...If you like the "Humpster", nickname, he is also known as B-Hump in the TDCJ hip-hop world. His latest soon to be released CD is entitled "Let's Bust a Cap in Some TYC Ass".Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-64475245799556600482007-11-18T19:26:00.000-06:002007-11-18T19:26:00.000-06:006:15, while nothing official has been said as to w...6:15, while nothing official has been said as to why treatment has been kicked across town to the annex, my own thoughts are that this new regime from TDCJ truly considers these kids to be "little adults" and may consider treatment to be a waste of time.<BR/><BR/>Since their arrival, they've certainly spent more time and money on becoming more of a corrections-oriented agency than a treatment-oriented agency. They (the TDCJers) probably consider treatment to be a nuisance and would rather not be bothered.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-84810522542511159962007-11-18T19:18:00.000-06:002007-11-18T19:18:00.000-06:00Just a thought, could it be that in the near futur...Just a thought, could it be that in the near future that UTMB is going to be handling all of the Treatment?<BR/> There is a rumor going around that CRTC will no longer be treating the ones with mental illness.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-32888924206939317162007-11-18T18:15:00.000-06:002007-11-18T18:15:00.000-06:00Why do you think TYC moved the treatment offices o...Why do you think TYC moved the treatment offices out of CO??<BR/><BR/>They will not be in the treatment biz before long. It has been sold out.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-37455288148237148372007-11-18T17:10:00.000-06:002007-11-18T17:10:00.000-06:00Couple recent issues I haven't seen brought up...1...Couple recent issues I haven't seen brought up...<BR/><BR/>1) As many in Central Office are aware, the treatment branch of TYC has been kicked out of the main office at 4900 North Lamar across town to the Annex. The symbolism is perfect - I can just see these ex-TDCJers think to themselves, "Treatment? These kids don't need no stinking treatment." The disconnect between treatment and the new executive staff becomes even more pronounced.<BR/><BR/>2) Speaking of TYC spending money frivoluously and become more corrections-oriented, our campus is soon going to have (I've heard) dozens of new security cameras - even offices (clerks' and treatment staff) will have these security cameras. I recognize the importance of surveillance on a secure campus, but c'mon...putting a camera in Sally the clerk's office (who never has a youth in the office)? Give me a break.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com