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Welcome to the official CUSA (Corrections USA) website. CUSA is a not-for-profit corporation formed by correctional officers in 1998 to provide national representation to correctional officers employed by federal, state and local governments. We proudly represent over 80,000 publicly employed correctional officers from across this nation.
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Laredo attorney is Trial Lawyer of the Year
By John MacCormack
Express-News Web
Posted: 07/21/2010 12:38 CDT
A
Laredo lawyer who won a $47.5 million verdict against one of the country's
largest private prison companies over the beating death of an inmate has
been named the 2010 Trial Lawyer of the Year by the Public Justice
Foundation. Ron Rodriguez received the award, which is bestowed annually in
recognition of noteworthy legal victories in socially significant cases,
last week in Canada. Four years ago, he represented the family of Gregorio
de la Rosa of Laredo, who was killed in 2001, days before he would have
completed a six month sentence in a privately run prison in Willacy County.
At trial, Rodriguez argued that Wackenhut Correction Corp. officials
condoned the fatal beating of de la Rosa by two other inmates, which was
similar to other assaults at the prison. In 2009, the verdict was upheld on
appeal.
Scott unveils economic plan
July 21, 2010
GOP front-runner Rick Scott unveiled his jobs plan Wednesday, his first
major policy proposal in the race for the governor's mansion. The plan
promises 700,000 jobs in seven years. (And it's seven steps, so it's called
the 7-7-7 plan.)
“As governor, I’ll be Florida’s Job Creator-in-chief. I’ll be focused on
putting Floridians back to work not securing my next political job and I’ll
be accountable to taxpayers not beholden to special interest,” said Scott.
“My 7-7-7 Economic plan will grow the economy, create jobs and increase
wages.”
The seven tenets: Accountability Budgeting; Reduce Government
Spending;Regulatory Reform; Focus on Job Growth and Retention; World Class
Universities; Reduce Property Taxes; Eliminate Florida’s Corporate Income
Tax.
Among the ideas: cut state employee workforce by 5 percent (saving $300
million); veto all pork barrel spending; "market-based salaries" for
corrections staff; a freeze on all new regulations; reduce property taxes by
$1.4 billion, but protect school funding; and eliminate the corporate income
tax.
Posted by John Frank
Matt Puckett
Deputy Executive Director
Florida Police Benevolent Association
TN DOC Correctional Officer Stabbed in Serious Condition

Situation: Corrections Officer Stabbed
Time of Report- - 07.14.10 - 10:35:05 hrs EST
A correctional officer was stabbed by an inmate at Riverbend Maximum
Security prison Tuesday night. It happened around 8 p.m. at the prison on
Cockrill Bend Boulevard in West Nashville.
The correctional officer was taken to the hospital. He was alert when he was
transported however it has been confirmed by hospital and department staff
that the CO was in serious condition.
TDOC has not confirmed what kind of weapon was used but it was most likely a
"shank".
Inmate suspected of the attack was placed into ADSEG while an internal
investigation was being conducted.
Riverbend Maximum Security Institution (RMSI) opened in 1989 and replaced
its 100 year-old neighbor, the Tennessee State Penitentiary. Even today,
it's billed as one of the state's most high-tech facilities. RMSI, which is
made up of 20 different buildings with approximately 320,000 square feet of
operating space, sits on 132 acres located off Cockrill Bend Boulevard.
Riverbend's designated capacity is 714 offenders. Of that number, 480 are
classified as high risk.
In addition to housing the majority of the state's male death row inmates,
Riverbend is also home to approximately 600 maximum and medium security
inmates. The overall mission of the institution is to house and manage
high-risk male offenders, including those sentenced to death, to ensure the
safety of the public, departmental employees and inmates while providing
rehabilitative programs.
Source: CORSPECOPS.Com | P.O. Box 5445 | Williamsburg | VA | 23188
Nominations for 2010 Medal of Valor Awards
CUSA's Buffie McFadyen appointed COLORADO's Speaker Pro Tem
STATE BILL COLORADO
There’ll be no Michael Bennet, out-of-the-blue style appointments for Colorado’s House speaker. Terrance Carroll today picked Pueblo Democrat Buffie McFadyen as speaker pro tem, succeeding Kathleen Curry, who affiliated away from the Democratic Party last week.
It’s a safe choice, based on a State Bill Colorado analysis published early today. To read that analysis, click here. As expected, Carroll elevated current agriculture committee vice chair Randy Fischer to the chairmanship, also previously held by Curry. In a second big appointment for Pueblo, Sal Pace was handed Fischer’s vice chair spot. Curry gets to keep her committee seats: ag and appropriations.
The speaker pro tem job technically is the No. 2 job in the House, but it has relatively few political duties and/or requirements and is seen as largely ceremonial. A bigger office is part of the lure. Bennet is the now U.S. senator whose appointment in early 2009 by Gov. Bill Ritter shocked Dem insiders.
REGIONAL: Somerset County, Md., bids for 1,500-bed federal prison
Somerset County officials could find out soon whether a proposed facility to house federal prisoners will be built on the Lower Shore or in North Carolina. The announcement is expected sometime after the first of the year, said County Administrator Sam Boston. "They’ve indicated it would be in early January,” he said.
If Somerset County is selected as the site for the facility, Community Education Centers Inc. of West Caldwell, N.J., will be awarded a contract for a 1,500-bed minimum security prison in Princess Anne. Click Here to Read More
Corrections USA Demands Justice for Fallen Officers Family
Highland Hills, Ohio: William Hesson, a 39 year old hero-Correctional Officer, military personnel, and dedicated family man was murdered in the line of duty at Cuyahoga Hills Juvenile Correctional Facility in Highland Hills, Ohio. He is the first officer to be killed during an assault in the 28 year history of the juvenile detention facility. His murder was the result of a severe beating at the hands of inmates. Read More
The Correction Officers' Benevolent Association, Inc., representing New York's boldest
The Correction Officers' Benevolent Association, Inc., representing New York's boldest, the 9000 men and women who patrol the toughest precincts in New York... the City jails joined Corrections USA. CUSA Chairman Jim Baiardi stated: " having COBA part of CUSA is like having the icing on the cake. It makes CUSA again the big dogs when it comes to representing Correctional Officers on a National level. I am happy that they have joined our team at CUSA!"
Corrections USA Recognizes Two of It’s Own for Their Heroic Actions in Saving the Life of a Fellow Officer
Corrections USA, the National Voice of Corrections Professionals, is recognizing Correctional Officers Anthony Valasa and Anthony Sanchez of Monmouth County, New Jersey, Sheriff’s Office and has awarded them their Valor Award on this date. This award is given out yearly to the Correctional Officer/Officers who have acted bravely in the line of duty across the nation.
In November of 2008, Correctional Officers Valasa and Sanchez responded to an incident at the Monmouth County Correctional Institution, where a violent career criminal was attempting to murder a Correctional Officer Poplawski, who foiled his plot to escape. Read More
Upcoming Events & Conferences
Our Annual CUSA Conference will be taking place at the Harrah's Hotel in Las Vegas, NV on February 7-9, 2011. Please complete the online form, download the form and send it by fax to 386-292-8133 or email to lynnwitt@bellsouth.net. For additional information regarding this conference, please contact Lynn Witt by email lynnwitt@bellsouth.net.
Honoring the men and women who patrol the toughest beat in law enforcement, our nation's professional Correctional Officers! Everyday day in our nation, Correctional Officers go above and beyond the call of duty to protect the safety of the public. It's time we recognize these courageous men and women.
The medal of Valor Awards ceremony for 2010 winners will take place at this 2011 CUSA Conference. Please submit your nominees to the CUSA Valor Award committee. Call 1-877-702-1022 or click here to view the flyer.

