tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post953393159941581852..comments2024-03-15T05:45:01.402-05:00Comments on Grits for Breakfast: Grits comments submitted on TYC use of force policyGritsforbreakfasthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10152152869466958902noreply@blogger.comBlogger56125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-76073235726105905492007-12-06T22:59:00.000-06:002007-12-06T22:59:00.000-06:00Boy, that last one was a conversation stopper!Boy, that last one was a conversation stopper!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-88647412784817117422007-12-03T00:49:00.000-06:002007-12-03T00:49:00.000-06:00MaryJane...Pepper spray is cruel and unusual punis...MaryJane...<BR/>Pepper spray is cruel and unusual punishment as stated in the landmark federal court case known as Morales v Turman which were brought to light by judge William W.Justice. So TYC is above the law who does'nt follow there own policies abd laws!<BR/>Not to get off subject here is<BR/>the agency's roots extend in nineteenth-century in 1859 the Legislature acknowledged the need for seperate correctional facilities for child offenders, in 1887 funds were approve to build the Gatesville State School for Boy's. The age of adult criminal responsibility, which had been eight yrs.old in 1836 and nine yrs.old in 1856,was raised to age seventeen in 1918. <BR/>So how much longer does TYC and Legislature need to implement more policies,laws and not abide them but violate them with two options #1-resign or #2-retire?<BR/>These youth are not being treated like human beings muchless than animals.There was a case in SanAntonio,a man was being charged for killing his girlfriends animals99yrs. <BR/>This is a wake up call for our nation,once these policies and laws are implemented would it also be enforced in our SCHOOLS as well??<BR/>Look at the spanking issue now,now will we be told not to spank our child or discipline in a proper manner,Aw let's just send our kids to Bootcamp or TYC it seems that the Governments plans for our youths future is to walk them through the "PIPE LINE TO PRISON".What an Education.<BR/>What happen to"NO CHILD LEFT BEHIND".<BR/>Question for Mr.Hickman out of curiosity if a youth is put through a Level II hearing having the Caseworker,JCO guards as the Judge,Prosecutor and Advocate in which this youth has waived his presence and asked for his other(parent) to represent him as his Advocate but was forced in the hearing what would you say any different now since you are no longer with the agency?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-41252157430935464062007-12-01T21:54:00.000-06:002007-12-01T21:54:00.000-06:00I do know that a number of staff have been fired w...I do know that a number of staff have been fired where I work, and they did not get the benefit of a termination hearing - just a letter saying their case had been reviewed and the termination was upheld. It is not like the old days when you and I were often on the same side trying to convince an examiner that so and so's termination was justified.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-58369886523192503932007-12-01T11:58:00.000-06:002007-12-01T11:58:00.000-06:0012:40,The only outside lawyers hearing cases that ...12:40,<BR/><BR/>The only outside lawyers hearing cases that I am aware of were the SOAH judges that were on contract due to the mass of terminations caused by the crimnal records terminations. <BR/><BR/>Howard A. HickmanAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-82362553210569743192007-12-01T00:40:00.000-06:002007-12-01T00:40:00.000-06:00Howard, I agree with you about the Hearings Exami...Howard, I agree with you about the Hearings Examiners. I often thought one of them, at least, was for too pro-employee. The problem is that these termination cases are no longer going to Hearings Examiners. There is a lawyer who was brought in from elsewhere who reviews the terminations and makes a ruling without a hearing. Bing, bang, done! This person is not one of your former colleagues.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-89221851742895126032007-11-30T18:11:00.000-06:002007-11-30T18:11:00.000-06:009:10,I believe I know the hearings examiners bette...9:10,<BR/><BR/>I believe I know the hearings examiners better than you. I would not categorize them being in anyone's pocket. They follow the written policies and the law unlike the TYC administrators who in some cases take it upon themselves to ignore the policies and the law;<BR/><BR/>Howard A. HickmanAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-17213128265564163562007-11-29T21:10:00.000-06:002007-11-29T21:10:00.000-06:00Howard,I have to disagree with you about the heari...Howard,<BR/><BR/>I have to disagree with you about the hearing examiners, Pope has them in her back pocket.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-78289832268108815552007-11-29T06:46:00.000-06:002007-11-29T06:46:00.000-06:00Scott, apparently the two sides settled to keep th...Scott, apparently the two sides settled to keep the old use of force policy in place but this is a smoke screen based upon TYC's new policy they filed with the register last month. The new proposed use of force goes up for public comment this Monday. Basically TYC knew they could not reach an agreement and decided to wait for the new policy to unfold so they could legally spray any kid that moves. How can this new policy be stopped? And how can those that violated the old policy be held accountable for violating a court order and an agency policy?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-79263551481474922212007-11-29T04:52:00.000-06:002007-11-29T04:52:00.000-06:00Health Hazards of Pepper SprayC. Gregory Smith, MD...Health Hazards of Pepper Spray<BR/><BR/>C. Gregory Smith, MD, MPH, and Woodhall Stopford, MD, MSPH<BR/><BR/><BR/>http://web.archive.org/web/20000817004624/http://www.ncmedicaljournal.com/Smith-OK.htmAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-87627613454822684192007-11-29T00:28:00.000-06:002007-11-29T00:28:00.000-06:00Please take note: our primary opportunity for surv...Please take note: our primary opportunity for survival will come with grievances; grieving retaliation is a good example. By documenting that cost, the absence of OT that might have made it possible to pay for etc., we set the standard; any response can be seen as retaliation, but not if we don't set that standard. Of course, prayers, lighting candles and sticking pins in dolls might help too.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-40612859228175027572007-11-28T21:07:00.000-06:002007-11-28T21:07:00.000-06:00Howard, 651 here. Your imput is valued and thank y...Howard, 651 here.<BR/> Your imput is valued and thank you for posting and helping all with your knowlege. I was not trying to be mean, just the way I and others feel at this time.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-36086142805765675442007-11-28T19:52:00.000-06:002007-11-28T19:52:00.000-06:006:51,A grievance may not mean much to the current ...6:51,<BR/><BR/>A grievance may not mean much to the current TYC administration but it will mean a great deal to a jury who hears someone was fired because he could not afford a uniform or to the TYC hearing examiner who hears the termination case. I know the law and the personalities. I trust my judgment.<BR/><BR/>Howard A. HickmanAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-19694066374424774372007-11-28T18:51:00.000-06:002007-11-28T18:51:00.000-06:00Grievances are not worth the paper they are writte...Grievances are not worth the paper they are written on if your an employee back then and now. Especially if they involve a supervisor. I don't say this as disgruntle, just experiences that all have experienced with the old crew and the new crew.<BR/> I believe, Howard they would simply tell you to find away or find another job and it would be upheld. If that did not get you gone then they would find another reason to do it. This is sad.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-27088904328016980662007-11-28T18:03:00.000-06:002007-11-28T18:03:00.000-06:0011:15,If I could not afford the mandated uniform, ...11:15,<BR/><BR/>If I could not afford the mandated uniform, I would file a grievance to document it.<BR/><BR/>I doubt that any termination based on a failure to wear the required uniform after such a grievance would ever be upheld.<BR/><BR/>Howard A. HickmanAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-71067570139825663782007-11-28T06:17:00.000-06:002007-11-28T06:17:00.000-06:00TYC has always been run "my way or the highway." ...TYC has always been run "my way or the highway." The only difference now is that the ones who used to say it are the ones they are telling to take a hike. The problem with the present management isn't the change, but the lack of change. I'm still in "wait and see" mode, but I do know that bringing another bunch leaders at this point will not solve anything. If you still have a job with TYC, you are our only hope. You can quit, but if you stay you will be part of the new program eventually. Gov. Perry has bigger fish to fry, and he's not worried about us. These people are the new TYC whether we like it or not. Those of you who are already gone, I wish you luck in your future endeavors. You should do as Chip Harrison loved to say. "Go and be successful somewhere else."Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-69245925107229062232007-11-28T02:04:00.000-06:002007-11-28T02:04:00.000-06:00pepper spray is not a cure all thats right but it ...pepper spray is not a cure all thats right but it is a very big deterent Im getting real tired of all these people saying what is good and what is not when the people have never been on the floor with these so called kids.<BR/><BR/>After 17 years in corrections 14 as a supervisor Im only still at TYC for the kids the rest can go to hell. sorry but thats how the over worked and under payed and way not appriciated staff feel. There are alot of kids that are truly trying to change and alot are faking it to make it. But for the rest of those little bad asses peper spray is a must and for anybody who feels its not come work for me and show me how to do it please and help would be nice. We are not getting it from the adminastration there to busy killing there staff to llok good for the idiots in charge know and for the glorified case workes that are PS's lol lol what a joke we have supervisors that have never been a JCO telling us not showing how to get it done. wow what is happening to this agency that i have given blood sweet and tears to not to mention a marriage and time with my own kids.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-38515983617922381182007-11-28T01:50:00.000-06:002007-11-28T01:50:00.000-06:00here is an idea fire those worthless peices of @#$...here is an idea fire those worthless peices of @#$@$@ and bring back Don BrantleyAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-87076118827107205702007-11-27T23:56:00.000-06:002007-11-27T23:56:00.000-06:00When I first came to TYC over a quarter of a centu...When I first came to TYC over a quarter of a century ago, the facility I worked at had 3-5 people in the community applying for every job opening. The pay as adequate (not good, mind you...but more than MHMR paid at the time, benefits were extraordinary in comparison with most employers (except for some California and Yankee firms that brought their benefit packages with them, e.g. IBM, Motorola); in the rural areas where most TYC facilities resided there was little that could beat it. The exception was the oil patch in a boom. Now we have pay that hasn't kept up, even for the JCO's who got parity with TDCJ a few years ago, few merit raises outside of Austin, miniscule across the board raises from the legislature and mandated costs like uniforms. Even the benefits have deteriorated with the 3 month wait for medical coverage (wonder if that holds true for the legislature or the governor) and inferred threats regarding not being obligated to pay for retirees medical or even their retirement. <BR/>In the good old days, staff worked together by choice, were offended if another staff abused or neglected a kid, spent their own money to make sure students had extras, like bbq's and clothes to wear home.<BR/>Most of us can tolerate the changes in money and benefits. Very few are good at accepting the total disregard CO has for the field. If the use of pepper spray was really to protect staff, we might appreciate it; unfortunately, it is only to save money. Saw a great start today: 2 (yes that is 2, as in more than one) emails from D'Pope(okay, turned out somebody else sent them, but at least at her direction)... clarifying the pepper spray/use of force policy (back to the original...but admittedly better discription of under what circumstances) and 2) reinstating OT pay (albeit that one was a little flat since Wade Phillips' memo came out last week and was posted on buildings). The fact that these are the only 2 memos I have received since D'Pope came to the agency so many months ago (okay, she may have sent one telling us she didn't read her email),demonstrates a major fault in the agency these days. I remember calling Neil Nichols on at least 2 occasions; Linda Reyes on 2 or 3 and Corinne Sanders on at least a half dozen. I am essentially a peon who sometimes needs information, so if they weren't in, I would get a call back from them. In the absence of an organizational table, I have no way of knowing who to call; whole departments have disappeared with no notification that they are gone. <BR/>Is this anyway to run an organization?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-68872974092387804092007-11-27T23:15:00.000-06:002007-11-27T23:15:00.000-06:00Howard if a staff chooses not to buy black slacks ...Howard if a staff chooses not to buy black slacks or boots can they legally fire them or discipline them? We can wear the shirts since they bought them but the other seems to be a concerns from all the staff I speak with who cannot afford this extra cost.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-19702405336324123972007-11-27T23:08:00.000-06:002007-11-27T23:08:00.000-06:00Howard, So this is one of those, do it or hit the ...Howard, <BR/>So this is one of those, do it or hit the door resolutions to this subject? Its not the uniform it (well, yes it is) but the point of the matter that they are once again not following the law.<BR/> What adds insult to this uniform idea is that not everyone on the campuses are wearing them. Only the few that have recieved them actually have to follow the dress code, while others are walking around free of this directive due to the fact they do not have anymore or if they do, these people claim they want fit them.<BR/> So what can we do about this ordeal?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-86457720557027457842007-11-27T22:39:00.000-06:002007-11-27T22:39:00.000-06:009:11,There are legal problems with the uniforms. M...9:11,<BR/><BR/>There are legal problems with the uniforms. My initial concern is the lack of authority to purchase uniforms in the first place. Unfortunately the current administration has not shown itself to be concerned with legality.<BR/><BR/>I might add that I noticed this morning that TDCJ is adopting the black pants polo shirt uniform. I would bet that TYC did not originate the idea but copied it from long term TDCJ plans.<BR/><BR/>Howard A. HckmanAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-51392284359281773752007-11-27T22:36:00.000-06:002007-11-27T22:36:00.000-06:0010:05 I so agree with you. I used to love working ...10:05 I so agree with you. I used to love working at TYC and really felt like I was making a difference in some of those youths lives. However, it just gets worse and worse. I have worked for TYC for over 11 yrs and I honestly can't remember a low this low. Then, when I think we have finally hit "rock bottom", I'll be darn if it doesn't get worse. I am close to retirement, so I have no options but to hang on, however, I honestly would not recommend anyone to come work for TYC. I do not want anyone to endure what we endure on a daily basis. Talk about post trauma , oh my gosh I can't remember the last night I slept a full night. The stress is overwhelming.Almost everyone I work with is on high-blood pressure and/or heart meds. It is really a crying shame that we have sunk this low into the pits of hell.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-3326387333659574892007-11-27T22:28:00.000-06:002007-11-27T22:28:00.000-06:00I think everyone would agree that we are going dow...I think everyone would agree that we are going down quick. Their is a new directive daily. Their are a lot of chiefs with little knowledge. The legislature or governor need to say enough is enough and bring in executive leadership with juvenile justice background. It doesn't matter where they come from but the current leadership needs to move on to new careers.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-72563469088633619932007-11-27T22:05:00.000-06:002007-11-27T22:05:00.000-06:00I don't know of a single soul at TYC that isn't lo...I don't know of a single soul at TYC that isn't looking for another job. I am just dying to know who is going to watch the kids???? I am talking about people who loved working for TYC for years. It is so discouraging and depressing. I am really afraid for all the good people working there now, and for the kids, and for all of us who will be feeling the painful and frightening results of releasing a huge population of un-rehabilitated, angry young people back into the neighborhoods of Texas. I am ashamed of the leadership in this state and the mess they have made (the gov and lege). They took a broken ship and sunk it!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-90492248339813810522007-11-27T22:01:00.000-06:002007-11-27T22:01:00.000-06:00Today we get a memo outlining the how the use of f...Today we get a memo outlining the how the use of force policy should be intrepreted. This memo basically retracks all the stupid no policy drive directives given by Billy Humphrey on how to use force. When will someone take action on Billy? He does not follow policy, he use intimidation or threats to gain compliance if questioned. The executive director can not be blind to this? If this was a TYC staff hired prior to 2/07 they would have been gone long ago. Pope show some class and deal with him.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com