September 9, 2011

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This is CCPOA's 5150 information hotline and today is Friday Sept. 9, 2011.

CCPOA NEWS

The latest edition of the Peacekeeper is out and should be landing in mailboxes over the next two weeks.  This edition features a story of heroism by CCPOA members from Wasco, a message from CCPOA state president Mike Jimenez, an update on DJJ from vice president Daryl Lee, a legislative summary from legislative affairs director Stephen Walker, supervisory information from vice president Kevin Raymond, legal and labor updates, and a “fourth watch” profile, among other articles.  Please take a few moments to read the latest publication from your union.

CDCR NEWS

COMPAS “Risk Assessment” blasted by Auditor– The state auditor is recommending that California’s corrections system shut down tests that determine what rehabilitation prisoners need, calling the tools unproven and little used.  Since 2006, CDCR has developed and repeatedly revised the COMPAS risk assessment instrument. In a report released Tuesday, auditors found numerous shortcomings in how the department has used the assessment scores and that the department often fails to use the scores when deciding where to place inmates, and few inmates even receive the exams. State prison officials acknowledge problems highlighted by the auditor, but strongly disagree with the overall conclusion. The department plans to continue, upgrade and expand the assessments. The state Auditor report and an accompanying news story are posted on the CCPOA website for your review.

SHU Changes– CDCR officials are studying changes in the classification system used to determine which inmates are locked in the state's controversial Security Housing Units.   The move could mean more inmates are assigned to the SHU, but for shorter time periods, provided they participate in special programming and remain "disciplinary free." Corrections officials recently conceded they had unfairly denied inmates personal items such as calendars, sweats and exercise equipment. Officials also promised a broad re-assessment of rules and procedures governing the units.  CDCR says it already has notified prison wardens that inmates in the SHU will be allowed more personal items as "earned privileges" beginning Oct. 1.

CDCR Fails to Notify Victim of Pedophile’s Release  –  The mother of a boy molested by a registered sex offender was shocked to see his attacker out of prison and back on the street, having received no official notification of his release.   Last Saturday, the inmate was released from Chino and on Tuesday of this week, he was spotted on Tumbleweed Way in Canyon Country, where one of his victims still resides.   The state had told the mother of one of the victims that they would notify her in advance about when her son’s attacker would be released.  Instead, she found out about the inmate’s release from neighbors who said they spotted him on the street. The news story is linked on our website.

CA Removing Inmates from Michigan Private Prison (GEO Group)–  The GEO Group’s North Lake Correctional Facility pink-slipped its workers this week after the state of California decided not to renew a contract to house inmates there.  The Baldwin facility, Michigan’s only private prison, originally operated as a maximum security youth prison but sat dormant for six years before reopening in May with a plan to house more than 2,500 California inmates.  It is unclear at this time where the inmates will now be sent for housing.

CAPITOL NEWS

End of Collective Bargaining, Retirement Age Increase Ballot Measures –  A UC Santa Barbara economics lecturer has been given the green light to begin collecting signatures for three ballot initiatives that would eliminate public employee collective bargaining, create higher tax rates for six-figure CalPERS and CalSTRS pensions and raise the retirement age for public employees in both systems.  The Secretary of State's office announced this week that proponents have until Feb. 3 to collect more than 800,000 signatures for each of the measures to put them on a statewide ballot.  CCPOA will be monitoring these initiatives and will be prepared to educate the public about the harm posed by these faulty measures.

Cell Phones– Legislation banning cell phones in prisons is now headed to Gov. Brown’s desk to await his action.  SB 26 by Senator Padilla would also allow CDCR to block cell phone usage in prisons, fine cell phone smugglers up to $5,000 and possibly send them to jail for up to 6 months.  CCPOA has been a vocal supporter of this bill and hopes to see it signed into law.  A couple news stories on this topic are linked on the website.

SCR 28– A bill to create the “Federal Correctional Officer Scott Williams Memorial Highway” in Lompoc was approved in the Assembly yesterday on a 77-0 vote.  SCR 28 By Senator Tony Strickland and Assembly member Katcho Achadjian will be enacted once approved by the Senate since no governor’s signature is required for this type of bill.  The Senate is still in session as of this report and hasn’t taken the measure up yet.  We’ll provide an update next week.

Legislature Wraps-Up– The legislature concludesits final week of the 2011 session today.  It’s been a busy week in the Legislature with hundreds of bills being created, passed and defeated.  A summary of the action taken during these past two weeks will be provided soon.

Governor’s Appointments–  Governor Brown this week appointed Adele Arnold, Lee Baca, Carol Biondi, Dean Growdon, Susan Mauriello and Sandra McBrayer to the Corrections Standards Authority.  He also appointed Askia Abdulmajeed to the Board of Parole Hearings, juvenile division.

NOTICES

Attica Riot 40^th Anniversary– This month marks the 40th anniversary of the Attica uprising, the deadliest prison revolt in the nation's history. On the order of Governor Nelson Rockefeller, state police took back control of the prisonand by the time the uprising was over, at least 39 people were dead, including ten correctional officers and civilian employees.

9/11– This Sunday marks the 10^th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks on the World Trade Center, the Pentagon and United Flight 93.  Ceremonies will be held throughout the country and across the state.  A number of television programs will be aired in remembrance of those killed on Sept. 9, 2001.  We’ve linked a news story on our website that lists some of the 9/11 programming for this weekend.

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.