By now everyone here at DVI has had an opportunity to read the final ‘Warden’s message’ in the monthly bulletin. I wanted to respond accordingly, but decided to wait to ensure proper circulation of her message. There are several topics that are on our minds right now and many decisions I can speak on. Eventually I will address all of our concerns, but first a few words regarding Warden Salinas’ final message.
This Officer’s message will be written with the intent to remain professional and not go into personal attacks. Although taking that route would be easy, it is my position to remain above the fray and merely answer some of the comments within the Warden’s final message. It could possibly be easy to come across as drone, as the Warden’s message did, but that has never been my position nor shall I start now.
It is obvious that the Warden took it personal that her policies were met with resistance. It sounded like she actually believed that anything she wanted to do was going to be applied without any negative feedback. Well, we are not sheep. As many in any society, a level of respect and admiration was sought out for the attempts to complete the tasks with minimal allotted time and resources. Instead we received no recognition and stronger threats of adverse actions from administration.
The scrutiny of this Warden has nothing to do with prior administrations. The level of personal respect and admiration was received at the same amount as given… none. Every month we were spoken to through several pages of a Warden’s message with obvious loathing for the correctional staff. Although a couple ideas may have had merit, the way they were applied through subordinates showed nothing but contempt for the effort presented to complete our jobs, the positions we hold, and the personal work ethics we strive to live up to.
If an outsider would read the monthly Warden’s messages they could come away thinking that the DVI correctional staff are financially irresponsible, have drinking problems, cannot drive, law breaking, out of shape, uneducated, lack decision making skills, not trustworthy, unethical, and have no proper upbringing or morals. That has been the tone of key points from several messages. “Food For Thought”à If I need any words of wisdom or support, I will go to my family, pastor or priest, friends, doctor, EAP, or even a stranger and get more sound advice and support than what those messages had in them.
No one has doubted the sense of intelligence the Warden holds. It is a requirement for that position. But the level of astuteness does not define what is essential in being a good leader. We all may, and do, respect the position of Warden. That portion is deserved for anyone who holds that title. For line staff that’s as far as it went because that foundational level of respect was never returned. There was once a poignant bond in camaraderie that was attacked and attempted to be replaced with fear of unwarranted reprimand and despotism. And yes, we were battered, but never beaten.
At not one time have anyone on the line been spoken to without it becoming an opportunity for impertinent personal achievement instead of showing real interest for the line staff. In my section of the prison we had an ongoing joke on how many I’s or references about professional accomplishments would be in the message. The usual guess was always around 42 - 48. The number never went under our guesses. That spoke volume to us who the main concern and favorite topic was. Even though the messages said different, we could read between the lines.
What was never understood, here at DVI or any other visited institutions, is that it was never needed to undermine staff to make a point. Expectations were made of us to be robotic with our judgment. When addressing line staff it was Administration that came across robotic by actions that could be viewed as cold, fake, and at times emotionless. Hearing the Warden speak, when she did speak, during staff meetings raised more questions than it answered. From my understanding that was the same response during the supervisor meetings also. This told us that though it may be understood how to read a manual, it was never ascertained how to communicate and implement the information within. Staff felt spoken down to instead of listened to. Even though the questions of how things were going were asked, our concerns were never heard without backlash, job changes, or an opportunity to again boast about personal accomplishments as a response to our uncertainties. Questions even began to circulate who actually wrote the monthly messages.
Our previous administration hand delivered a personnel package that was loyal and proud of our local history and achievements. We were not perfect and never claimed to be, but we were respected. We were then turned into the laughing stock of the state. I know of officers that at one point planned to transfer or return to DVI but decided not to due to our administration. Some institutions laughed at DVI because of Administration’s stance toward us. Other institutions shared their condolences because they knew and understood what we were going through.
A perfect storm brewed over DVI that handed what the warden needed to strive even further. With Schwarzenegger as governor, CCPOA leadership in turmoil, and we lost a local president that was willing to keep administration accountable for their actions just as they attempted to do with us – without remorse. What was received after the elections was a local chapter president that believed in his prior relationships and work history with other administrators was enough to find common ground and accomplish the local needs by using closed door deals and/or without grievances. Now our local reps look either as weak or untrustworthy. Some are still drunk by Jimenez’s kool-aid and are using their ‘representative’ position to look as if they are conducting union business to get out of their regular or overtime workload obligations (Those can go back to where they keep bragging they came from because they are not doing us any favors by staying here). Some are waiting for their retirement dates and don’t want to kick up too much dust before they leave, probably due to a side deal with administration when they leave. Others are so confused and frustrated of being kept out of the loop of local business decisions that they can only be silent in embarrassment. I’m just speculating, but we have nothing else to go on when we never hear information any local issues until after a deal is made in the administrations favor.
On one issue, I do agree that those should be held accountable for their actions. Accountability and punishment should be based on the totality of the findings of information which should include but not limited to the source of information, reliability of source, history, and severity. Transparency is not just for line staff. There should not be a use of scapegoats if and when such findings reach a level of position higher than Sergeant. The truth will come out and I hope accountability will not only reach those ultimately responsible, but to those who attempt to hide such information also. This is the level that I work under and so should everyone in the department.
At the end of the day, I personally want to thank Warden Salinas. If it was not for her administrative aptitude, we the line staff would not rely on each other as much as we have grown to. We now know that administration is not concerned with staff interests. Because of this Warden, some of our local representatives have been exposed for only assessing their own personal benefits. We only have each other to rely on and that lesson has brought us even closer together. We know that WE CAN, AND WILL, go down fighting! That is the DVI tradition. There has been an attempted to put us down in every way possible by this administration. At every turn we have proven our intelligence, determination, strength of will, level of work ethic, and personal morality that has surpassed any amount in any topic that has been shown to us. I can only hope that that next administration will do a better job ascertaining the needs of DVI and its staff. One of our own home grown may lead the new administration and I, personally will do my part to welcome the new DVI leadership. But they will be welcomed with vigilance and trepidation.
I’m Just Sayin…
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