5150 Hotline
September 2, 2011
This is CCPOA's 5150 information hotline and today is Friday Sept. 2, 2011.
CCPOA NEWS
Supervisory Update – Representatives from the CCPOA Supervisory Division met with Ron Yank, Director of the Department of Personnel Administration (DPA) and with Matthew Cate, Secretary of the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) on Monday August 29th regarding the elimination of the POFF II benefit to SO6/MO6 members. CCPOA’s Supervisory Vice President Kevin Raymond issued another “Supervisory Update” this week, providing details of this meeting where, Mr. Raymond reports, Mr. Yank and Mr. Cate, “. . . stated that they strongly believe supervisors and managers deserve something in return for the POFF II benefit.” For more on this meeting and information on other issues of importance to supervisors, including open enrollment, dental coverage through the CCPOA BTF as well as RTB for supervisors, please go to the CCPOA website to read the entire update for yourself.
Also this week, CCPOA’s Chief of Labor Steve Weiss reports that a number of meet-and-confers have been requested by CCPOA to discuss and resolve issues impacting CCPOA members. The topics include:
1. Realignment and post release community supervision for Correctional Counselors
2. Southern Youth Correctional Reception Center and Clinic Facility Closure
3. Activation of the new 64-bed Intermediate Treatment Program at CMF
4. Revised policy and procedures for parole apprehension teams to facilitate the location and apprehension of parolees-at-large
5. DJJ intent to reissue the Suicide Prevention, Assessment and Response mental health policy
We will keep you updated as these discussions move forward.
CDCR NEWS
Medal of Valor – CDCR and Governor Brown honored 48 employees during the department’s annual Medal of Valor Ceremony this week. Governor Brown praised the award winners and their tireless dedication to public safety, saying, “These men and women exemplify what it means to serve the people of California,” and “On behalf of all Californians, we honor their courage, commitment and resolve.” The Medal of Valor is CDCR’s highest award, and was awarded to Correctional Officer Jesus S. Coronado of Calipatria State Prison. The Corrections Star (Gold) medal is the department’s second-highest award and was presented to Correctional Officer Jose F. Marron, of the Correctional Training Facility at Soledad and Parole Agent Margarita R. Montoya-Ortiz, of the Bakersfield Juvenile Parole Office. Many more officers were awarded Silver, Bronze and Distinguished Service Medals. Other awards for Correctional Supervisor of the Year, Correctional Peace Officer of the Year and the CDCR Director’s Special Recognition Award were presented as well. Please go to the CCPOA website to read more about these outstanding officers and the details which led to these awards.
Cell Phones – Staff at Avenal State Prison last week found cellphones, cellphone batteries and chargers and tobacco after a sergeant noticed a security fence breach on the south side of the facility, according to a story in the Sacramento Bee. CDCR reported that 2 bags of contraband items were discovered which held:
• 173 bundles of tobacco weighing approximately 17 pounds
• 25 cellular phones
• 26 cell phone chargers
• 11 cell phone batteries
• 5 cigarette lighters
• 1 pair of cell phone ear-buds
• 3 Micro SD memory cards
The full story from the Sacramento Bee is posted on the CCPOA website.
CAPITOL NEWS
SB 26 – Speaking of cell phones, Senator Alex Padilla’s cell phone bill passed out of two Assembly committees this week and awaits action on the Assembly floor. This bill would make it a crime to smuggle cell phones to inmates and make it illegal for inmates to possess cell phones. SB 26 also allows CDCR to implement cell-phone signal blocking technology at prisons.
SCR 28 – Legislation which seeks to designate part of California Highway 1 near Lompoc as the Federal Correctional Officer Scott Williams Memorial Highway cleared two legislative committees this week. SCR 28, authored by Senator Tony Strickland and co-authored by Assemblyman Katcho Achadjian will be brought up for a vote on the floor of the Assembly and the Senate this next week. A special
thanks goes out to CMC Chapter President Pat Campbell for traveling to the Capitol to testify before the Assembly Transportation Committee in support of this important legislation alongside Assemblyman Achadjian.
Legislature Wraps-Up – The legislature will conclude its final week of the 2011 session next Friday, September 9th. A flurry of bills will be passed and defeated this week. CCPOA’s legislative team will be working tirelessly this week to protect and advocate for your interests during the most hectic time of the year where anything can and does happen under the dome in Sacramento. We’ll give you an update as soon as the dust settles and the legislators return to their districts.
New Inspector General Appointed – Robert Barton was recently appointed Inspector General of CDCR by Gov. Brown. Barton served as the senior assistant inspector general in the office of the Inspector General since 2005. Previously, he was the supervising deputy district attorney for Kern County from 2000 to 2005 and served as deputy district attorney from 1988 to 2000. Barton received his Juris Doctor degree from the UC Davis School of Law. This position requires Senate confirmation.
The CCPOA offices will be closed on Monday, September 5th in honor of Labor Day. We hope you and your family have a safe and enjoyable Labor Day as well.
For additional information on private prisons, the latest news on parolee problems and up to date information on current topics, please visit the CCPOA website where we post the information as it comes in.
Thanks for calling the 5150 information hotline and have a safe shift.
