August 2010 News
August 31, 2010
Money Yields Clout at the Capitol
An out-of-state company that contributed hundreds of thousands of dollars to Capitol politicians – has secured an exclusive contract with the State – worth nearly $700 million.
Critics say this deal is a prime example of pay-to-play politics at the Capitol – and it involves prisoners – who have become a very valuable commodity for Corrections Corporation of America – a private prison operator based in Tennessee.
California's prisons are costing taxpayers roughly $8 billion a year...
LINK - CBS13.com
August 29, 2010
Escape slows prison privatization
The recent escape at a for-profit prison in Kingman has slowed Arizona's rush toward privatizing corrections.
Even one of the Legislature's top supporters of private prisons, Rep. John Kavanagh, says the existing state-run complexes should remain public, not be turned private, as the state has tried to do.
But the fallout from the escape, during which two prisoners are accused of killing an Oklahoma couple, is so far limited enough that supporters imagine continued expansion by prison companies in Arizona...
LINK - AZStarNet.com
August 29, 2010
San Quentin inmate found dead in cell
A prison guard doing routine checks found a 70-year-old San Quentin inmate dead in his death row cell early Saturday, prison officials said.
George Hatton Smithey apparently hanged himself with his bed sheets, Lt. Sam Robinson said.
Smithey had been on death row since July 1989 for the 1988 murder and attempted rape of Cheryl Anne Nesler during the commission of an armed robbery and burglary, the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation said in a statement...
LINK - MariniJ.com
August 28, 2010
Update: Parolee accused of sexual assault
A parolee has been identified as the suspect in a sexual assault that occurred in Cathedral City Friday afternoon.
Willie Rashaw, 29, is accused of raping the victim about 4:10 p.m. in the 37-200 block of Palo Verde, according to Cathedral City police.
The Cathedral City man had been convicted for carjacking and was recently released from prison...
LINK - MyDesert.com (The Desert Sun)
August 28, 2010
Guards open fire during ‘major riot’ at California prison
Staff at California's Folsom State Prison worked Saturday to determine the cause of a "major riot" in the prison yard a day earlier that involved 200 inmates, officials there said.
The Friday night melee sent seven inmates to area hospitals with non-life threatening injuries, prison spokesman Lt. Anthony Gentile said Saturday.
There were no fatalities, said spokesman Luis Patino of the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation.
No corrections officers were injured...
LINK - CNN.com
August 28, 2010
Judge calls disabled inmate care in California poor
A federal judge says in a sharply worded tentative ruling that California's prison system -- which has two locations in Vacaville -- still does a poor job of identifying and caring for developmentally disabled inmates nine years after the state agreed to improve services.
U.S. District Judge Charles Breyer's preliminary order, dated Thursday, rejects corrections officials' bid to end court oversight of the 2001 settlement.
To the contrary, he tentatively ordered the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation to submit a new plan to improve employee training and to better identify developmentally disabled inmates, saying he doubts the state can correct the problems on its own...
LINK - TheReporter.com
August 28, 2010
San Quentin inmates get advice on ‘green’ careers
People leaving prison face daunting employment prospects, but a new kind of job fair may have boosted some prisoners' chances at a sustainable future.
San Quentin State Prison played host Saturday to about 60 "green" employers, advocate groups and job-training centers, many of them from Alameda County. The idea, organizers said, was to build relationships between employers in need of affordable, enthusiastic labor and those leaving prisons, a group that has been hit particularly hard during the recession.
"We kind of based this on the Van Jones ethic," said organizer Beth Waitkus, who runs the prison's Insight Garden Program. "Everybody should have a chance to succeed in the new green economy." Jones is a former green jobs adviser to President Barack Obama...
LINK - InsideBayArea.com
August 27, 2010
Riot at old Folsom State Prison sends seven inmates to area hospitals
A riot that broke out Friday night at the main yard of old Folsom State Prison left seven inmates injured. Officers fired on rioters in an attempt to quell the violence.
The injured inmates were transported to area hospitals, said Luis Patino, a spokesman for the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. It is unknown how many of those taken to hospitals suffered gunshot wounds, Patino said.
Patino said the fighting broke out about 7 p.m. and involved about 200 inmates...
LINK - SacBee.com
August 27, 2010
Bank-robbing parolee robs same bank 3 times
A Riverside man is accused of robbing a bank while out on bail for allegedly robbing the same bank before, as well as several others.
That suspect is accused in a series of robberies in Riverside, including, most recently, when he was free on bail.
Detectives say they have absolutely no idea how many times this guy has allegedly tried to rob a bank. They say they can document at least eight attempts in the past five months, and there could be even more attempts...
LINK - ABCLocal.GO.com
August 26, 2010
Visiting On Labor Day To Be Cancelled In State Prisons and Camps
In response to the State of California’s continued budget impasse, the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) will not have visiting on Labor Day, Monday, September 6, 2010 in all institutions and camps. The visiting closure will save approximately $325,000.
Normal visiting will still be held on Saturday and Sunday, September 4, and 5.
“Because of the state’s serious fiscal condition without a budget in place, we must take this measure to preserve funds and ensure our corrections system continues to run safely and efficiently,” said Terri McDonald, CDCR Chief Deputy Secretary of Adult Operations...
LINK - CDCRToday.BlogSpot.com
August 25, 2010
State’s plans to send prisoners to county jails worry officials
The state’s plans to ship low-risk prisoners to local jails could cost counties revenue and are raising fears that inmates may be released early.
Transferring non-sex offender prisoners to county jails are centerpieces of dueling plans put forward by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and state Senate Democrats as they scramble to close a $19 billion budget gap.
The foundation of both proposals is to save the state money by offering counties incentives — including cash and greater alternative sentencing authority — to accept more prisoners....
LINK - SignonSanDiego.com (San Diego Union-Tribune)
August 24, 2010
Colton parolee charged with killing 83-year-old Rialto woman
Prosecutors on Tuesday charged a Colton parolee in the slaying of an 83-year-old woman, one of two Rialto homicide cases investigators say were solved after months of gaining the trust of reluctant witnesses.
Bryan Roy Thomas, 28, also known as "Youngster", was arrested Thursday morning by police and state parole agents in the death of Elizabeth Benson, Rialto police Lt. Joe Cirilo said.
"We're confident we have the person responsible for the brutal death of Miss Benson," Cirilo said...
LINK - SBSun.com
August 24, 2010
CDCR’s plans to reduce prison staffing in the news
A state proposal to lay off 3 percent of guards and employees at adult prisons has drawn the ire of union officials concerned about employee safety and staffing levels.
The plan, which has yet to be approved by state prison officials, was outlined in an Aug.10 memo to state prison wardens from George Giurbino, director of the Division of Adult Institutions for the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation.
About 1,100 positions - most of which would be correction officers - would be cut, said Joe Baumann, chapter president of the California Correctional Peace Officers Association at the California Rehabilitation Center in Norco...
LINK - DailyBulletin.com
August 20, 2010
CDCR Calls for Additional 3% Reduction
Due to the State of California's dire fiscal crisis, the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR), Division of Adult Institutions (DAI), is asking for your assistance in evaluating the impact of a three percent position reduction for the 2010-11 fiscal year. I understand this process represents a potentially significant undertaking; however, all viable options must be identified and explored as we work together indetermining alternative methods to safely reduce DAI statewide expenditures...
August 18, 2010
Court Orders “Stay” of the Furlough TRO
Today, CCPOA was back in Alameda Superior Court regarding the new round of furloughs. The presiding Judge has taken the matter under consideration pending a possible ruling by the California Supreme Court.
As this was being written, the California Supreme Court issued a "stay" of the TRO issued last week, and granted the Governor's request for review. The case is set for oral argument on September 8, 2010...
August 17, 2010
Arrest in slaying of reluctant gang assailant
A parolee accused of fatally shooting a man in Pittsburg who refused to carry out a gang-ordered attack has been arrested in Oklahoma, police said Monday.
Isaac McCuan, 29, was arrested Wednesday in connection with a residential robbery in Drumright, Okla., about 40 miles west of Tulsa, said Pittsburg police Lt. Brian Addington.
McCuan was sought in connection with the slaying of 25-year-old Giovanni Bey, who was shot in a home on the 2500 block of San Remo Way early Aug. 1, Addington said...
LINK - SFGate.com
August 17, 2010
Integrated State Prison Cells Still Distant
California’s sprawling prison system, the nation’s largest, retains deep racial divisions five years after a court-mediated settlement set in motion a plan to limit race-based cell assigning practices.
In 2005, the United States Supreme Court decreed that racial classification alone may not dictate cell assignments for new or newly transferred inmates in California’s prisons, but today inmates are still housed mostly along racial lines.
The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation implemented an integrated housing program at Folsom State Prison in Sacramento County five months ago, but a snapshot of the historic outdoor yard yields no clue of any change in the racial climate...
LINK - BayCitizen.org
August 16, 2010
Parolee Arrested After Police Chase in Cathedral City
A wanted Cathedral City parolee was arrested Tuesday in connection with stealing a car from Palm Desert.
David Olivera, 29, was driving a stolen truck in the area of Van Fleet and E streets when police tried to pull him over at about 8:30 a.m., according to Sgt. Dave Hatfield of the Cathedral City Police Department.
At that point, Olivera got out of the car and ran from police, Hatfield said. Police found the man, though, about 15 minutes later in the 68600 block of D Street...
LIN - KPSPLocal2.com
August 16, 2010
Alaska inmate, 44, dies in private Colorado prison
An Alaska inmate being held at a private prison in Colorado died Sunday, Alaska corrections officials said today.
The death at Hudson Correctional Facility is being investigated by Colorado authorities.
The man's name is not being released until his family is notified. He was 44 years old.
The prison was built by Cornell Companies Inc., which recently merged with another private prison provider, The GEO Group Inc.
LINK - ADN.com
August 16, 2010
CCPOA First Watch 8/16/2010
CCPOA First Watch Episode #12
Posted: August 16, 2010
Flash Video - Full Screen Available
August 12, 2010
Furlough Case Update 8/12/2010
Today at 11:00 CCPOA was in Alameda Superior Court for our TRO hearing regarding the newround of furloughs. As we were assigned to be heard in Judge Roesch's Court, the State exercised an objection and our case was assigned to another judge...
August 11, 2010
Supervisory Update: August 11, 2010
Dear Supervisory Member,
The date for the first CCPOA supervisor information forum has been set for Friday September 17, 2010 at CCPOA headquarters in West Sacramento. This date was chosen to allow a time frame for members to request time off, agree to a swap etc. An RSVP is requested from those planning on attending to ensure we have enough room in the large conference room at CCPOA and do not need to move to another location.
This will hopefully be a kick-start to regional supervisor information forums around the state. Participation will dictate the frequency and location of these meetings as we move forward. You should be receiving an informational flyer, which may be placed on your institutional bulletin board. You must be a CCPOA supervisor member to attend the forum.
As more information becomes available on these and other issues I will continue to update you.
kevin.raymond@ccpoa.org
August 10, 2010
Furlough Case Information
Late yesterday, the Alameda Superior Court issued an injunction against the State relative to the imposition of the latest furlough order. This injunction DOES NOTapply to Unit 6, however we also plan to be in court this week or early next week, seeking the same injunctive relief...
August 10, 2010
State must take a hard look at prison issues
Arizonans want two questions answered: How did three violent inmates break out of a privately run prison? And what can prevent it from happening again?
On Monday, 10 days after the escape, authorities captured murderer Tracy Province in Wyoming. They'd caught Daniel Renwick, convicted of second-degree murder, on Aug. 1 in Colorado.
But John McCluskey and his alleged accomplice, Casslyn Welch, are still on the lam, desperate and dangerous...
LINK - AZCentral.com
August 10, 2010
Arpaio: “I am against private prisons”
Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio says he won't second guess what happened in the escape of three inmates from a medium-security prison in Kingman.
"I don't know all the details. It's sad. I hope they catch these guys."
But Arpaio said he had something to say about private prisons...
LINK - KTAR.com
August 9, 2010
BREAKING NEWS: Judge says Schwarzenegger can’t impose new furloughs
An Alameda County Superior Court judge Monday temporarily barred Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger from imposing new furloughs on state workers beginning Friday.
Judge Steven A. Brick ruled after hearing more than two hours of arguments over the governor's demand that about 144,000 state employees take unpaid time off.
The judge granted a temporary restraining order, saying that it appears that the governor's executive order is inconsistent with various provisions of state law...
LINK - SacBee.com
August 9, 2010
Parolee arrested in Twentynine Palms armed robbery
A 24-year-old parolee has been arrested in connection to an Aug. 2 armed robbery in Twentynine Palms, during which one employee was shot and a second employee was beaten.
A tip last Friday led detectives to Brandon Hibler, a Twentynine Palms resident, according to an announcement today from the San Bernardino Sheriff’s Department.
During the armed robbery, at Del Gagnon Realty in the 73-900 block of 29 Palms Highway, a female employee was shot and a male employee assaulted...
LINK - MyDesert.com
August 9, 2010
Man Accused In Kidnap Attempt Pleads Not Guilty
A parolee accused of trying to abduct an Oceanside teen last spring as she was walking home from school pleaded not guilty Monday to false imprisonment, attempted kidnapping and possession of methamphetamine.
George McKesson, 53, was arrested last Thursday outside his Carlsbad apartment.
Vista Judge Marshall Hockett ordered the defendant held without bail because he was on probation for drug convictions at the time of his arrest, said Deputy District Attorney Katherine Flaherty...
LINK - 10News.com
August 9, 2010
Orchestrated Escape Raises Concerns about Private Prisons
Questions surround the escape of three violent convicts from a prison in Kingman, casting a shadow on Arizona's relationship with the private prison industry.
Officials are reviewing security measures at private prison facilities, and are looking into the future of private prisons in our state.
"My concern about this has been the manner in which the facility was operated. I do not believe that the physical plant itself from which these inmates escaped was the issue, it is the performance of the staff that concerned me," says Chuck Ryan, Arizona Department of Corrections Director...
LINK - MyFoxPhoenix.com
August 5, 2010
DPA Memo re: 2010 Furlough Program Effective August 2010
Per Executive Order S-12-10, DPA has adopted a Furlough Program effective August 1, 2010 for all State employees, except those in State agencies and departments identified below. Employees will have three furlough days on the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th Fridays of each pay period. The first furlough Friday is August 13, 2010. Salaries will be reduced to reflect the furlough days, but benefits will remain the same...
August 4, 2010
A Heartfelt Letter from CIM Officer Rob McGowan
First and foremost, I want to thank all of you who are sustaining me and my family during this unjust, unthinkable nightmare we are living through.
I also would like to thank CCPOA, Dan Lindsay, Dave Sanders, Chuck Alexander, and Mike Jimenez for their continued support of my innocence. Also, I would like to thank PacoVilla and Sittin Bull for their support through their websites so that all of our brothers, sisters, family and friends know the hidden dangers of the job.
As many of you know, I'm currently sitting in a box (cell). The little contact that I'm allowed is only by phone calls -- the time always goes by way too fast -- and only one visit per week (two at 30 minutes), through glass! I don't even get to hug my beautiful family! I spend most of the days eating breakfast at 4 a.m., lunch at 10 a.m., and then they bring dinner at 4 p.m...
August 3, 2010
Arizona cons’ private prison escape raises many questions
...While the manhunt continues, officials with the county, the Arizona Department of Corrections, and Management and Training Corp., the Utah-based company that operates the facility, are studying how the men penetrated several layers of security.
Unarmed prison officials sounded the alarm about 9 p.m. after Province, McCluskey and Renwick missed their head count, Johnson said. An hour passed before the Mohave County Sheriff's Office was notified that the men somehow had made their way through locked doors and avoided surveillance cameras, ground and fence sensors, guard towers and roving ground patrols before cutting a hole in fencing near a dormitory.
Officials are now investigating whether the escapees had inside help...
LINK - AZCentral.com
August 2, 2010
Life on furlough: Working 12 months for 11 months pay
...While some places ask workers to give up just a few days, elsewhere it can be much worse. California, for example, requires employees to take off three unpaid days a month, while Hawaii is mandates 18 days a year through mid-2011.
For the states, this effort is racking up big savings. That's helping to close the enormous budget gaps many states face. In California, the 14% pay cut has saved the state $2.8 billion in its first 17 months and $147.2 million per month now.
But for workers, the furloughs can be equivalent to losing as much as a month's pay each year. For Dwight Weatherford, it has meant filing for bankruptcy...
LINK - Money.CNN.com
August 2, 2010
Supervisory Update: August 2, 2010
The month of July ended with numerous interesting events. Although, considering the nature of those events, interesting may not be the proper word.
Gov. Schwarzenegger tried to implement minimum wage for state employees and initially appeared to be successful, only to have the courts put the entire deal on hold once again. Which, of course, lead to the eventual re-implementation of furloughs for all but the six bargaining units that currently have tentative agreements pending.
Speaking of tentative agreements, the state expressed a desire to bring the largest badge unit (Unit Six) in with a deal of their own. As recently agreed to by the Board of Directors, CCPOA attempted to explore the possibility of doing just that...
