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Causes of Officers Death
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California: Inspections shows major issues with out-of-state private prisons
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New York State Correction Officers stop proposed prison closures
July 2010
In these dismal fiscal times, many state governments are looking to close
prisons without any notice and privatize correctional officer positions
experiencing similar budget conditions as New York.
“The budget battle consumed five of the normal six month legislative
session”, said NYSCOPBA Legislative Director Chris Leo. “In spite of the
budget turmoil that was being reported in the press, we were able to
intelligently and professionally get our concerns addressed by the Senators
and members of the Assembly. The twelve year’s of relationships that we have
built at the Capitol are stronger than ever and are certainly demonstrated
year after year in positive legislative results. Since our 1999 inception,
NYSCOPBA has sought out and achieved 35 laws that directly affect our
members.”
Two laws that paid monumental dividends in 2010 were the one-year closure
notification law, that NYSCOPBA had passed and signed into law in 2005, and
the anti-privatization law that NYSCOPBA had delivered to Governor Pataki on
four separate occasions, but all were met with veto’s. Fortunately, Governor
Spitzer agreed with NYSCOPBA and signed the anti-privatization law in 2007.
“Being proactive, we were able to protect our members from emotionally
charged decisions made by those who do not fully understand the vital law
enforcement role our members perform every day of each year”, said NYSCOPBA
President Rowe.
In addition to the five (5) lobby days for our members, NYSCOPBA President
Donn Rowe testified at the joint Public Protection Hearings in February and
NYSCOPBA launched an aggressive ad campaign against closures, double-bunking
and the excessive administration that exists within the Department of
Corrections.
The combination of lobby days, existing relationships with legislators,
aggressive ad campaigns and the building of a replica double-bunked cell in
the Capitol led to four independent reports. Each of these four (4) reports
validated NYSCOPBA’s long held claims of abundant administrators and poor
management within the NYS Department of Corrections.
Reports issued by the Assembly Minority, Assembly Corrections Committee, the
Comptroller, Senate Majority. These reports culminated with Legislative
Director Chris Leo testifying during the Senate Task force Hearing of
Government Efficiency in DOCS. Most recently, a news report looking into the
excessive commissioners in DOCS was conducted along with Senator’s Klein and
Savino probing Superintendents housing. Senator Klein has even recommended
combining administrations at neighboring prisons as a way to save at least
ten-million dollars.
“Keeping members informed about the lawmaking process is a top priority of
the legislative department. Since our members work many different shifts,
ALL NYSCOPBA members have the same ability to track NYSCOPBA legislation
when it fits their schedule”, said Leo.
Chris Leo is the Statewide Legislative Director for NYSCOPBA
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.
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
Newsletter:
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E-Newsletter:
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Press Releases:
- Al Lawson receives endorsement from national correctional officers - June, 2010
- CUSA Condemns Rendell Administration - July, 2009
- Justice for Fallen Hero - May, 2009
- Prison Privatization - August, 2007
- Opposing Moorlach's Attacks - July, 2007
- National Law Enforcement Memorial - May, 2007
- State Criminal Alien Assistance Program (SCAAP) - February, 2007
Assaults:
There are no accurate statistics on the number of correctional officers assaulted by inmates. Some Department of Corrections do not keep records and others under-report. Correctional officers are routinely gassed, assaulted, injured, and sometimes killed in the line of duty.
To see a glimpse of the dangerous environment we work in behind the walls, please read the following news accounts:
Submitting Articles & Photographs for CUSA's Website and Newsletters
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