I'M JUST SAYIN...

OFFICER’S MESSAGE RE: WARDEN’S FINAL MESSAGE

2011-12-14T09:14:00.000-08:00

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…

AN OFFICERS POINT OF VIEW

2011-07-17T21:13:00.000-07:00

For the last several years it has been reported in many newspapers around this state, and the country, of the problems within CDCR. Many commentators have taken the position of that the majority of the problems stem from those who work within CDCR, and mostly named was the ‘prison guards’. Well, first and foremost, I am one of those ‘prison guards’ that blame is so easily thrown on.

To make one point regarding how those editorials belittle the work we do, they can’t even respectfully call us Correctional Officers. What our unions’ title characterizes is that we are trained and sworn peace officers, bound by oath and a code of ethics. The label of ‘prison guard’ was long lost when we received peace officer status. Are there bad apples? Yeah… everyone has a few. Out of 33,000 officers you can’t help but get a couple bad ones in the bunch. Unions with less than a third of our membership have their share also, but you rarely hear about them.

Now please understand, all members do not agree with our current union representatives. Because of the actions of our representatives, many do not trust them and wish for representatives from days gone by. The majority of the members are more conservative in nature than first portrayed by the media. Most of the members didn’t even like the contract we just ratified. Majority of the membership voted for the MOU in fear of possible repercussions if we did not ratify it.

We are trained to deal with the worst that society wants to throw away and forget about. Are we properly trained enough? I personally believe not. But with underfunding, understaffing, overpopulation, and constantly redeveloping better ways to handle constant situations which include the additional documentation that didn’t exist just 3 years ago, we do the best we can with what we are given. Yes, we believe on being tough on crime. In general, we believe in the three strikes law; not as it has been enacted, but how it was meant to be. If you commit three ‘violent crimes’ (violent crime as in rape or any l&l with a minor, battery, assault, armed robbery, attempted murder, etc.) you should be removed from society – period. Personally, if someone commits three sex crimes, I’d pay for the bullet myself… but that’s just a personal opinion. Not because of job security. We want a safe state to raise our families in. We have children, grandchildren, parents, grandparents, siblings, and extended family and friends that we work to keep safe by looking after those who were committed of a felony crime, many of those who are or become violent in nature.

We are given On-the-Job-Training (OJT), which is basically an acknowledgement sign-in sheet that is a record that we have been told about a given change or addition to our already strenuous duties. This OJT is only good for (and used by local administrations) to arbitrarily discipline line staff with the possible outcome of termination, or seizing an additional percentage (up to 10% for two years) of their wages. We are mandated by federal court decisions, filed by inmates and inmate support legal groups, to adhere to certain structures and outcomes that create a valued argument that inmates have more rights than the victims of those that committed the crimes. Some of which may be necessary, but the overkill has become costly to the state in more ways than first believed.

We have been mentally and morally beaten just because of a job we signed up for that many will not and cannot do. We only want the fair acknowledgement of what our treatment has been, to be left alone, and to do our equal patriotic share for the state. Many other state employees still have not suffered and contributed back to California in ways that CDCR employees have, and some still believe we should give up more.

Look at the treatment we received from the last State administration:

We were call non-essential workers.
Our peace officer status was called into question.
We were the only 24 hour peace officer/public safety department furloughed for three (3) days.
Then we were ridiculed because the furloughs affected our accrued vacation time since we weren’t able to take the additional three days off per month like many other state employees that work in an office building.

All of which was warned about during the initial court proceedings against the furlough program to begin with.

Except for when Officer Manny Gonzales was killed by an inmate at the California Institution for Men (CIM) in Chino did the previous Governor EVER addresse us in a professional, respectful manner. Neither has a single newspaper.

Now we face another dilemma forced on us by the Supreme Court. The courts are basing their decision on prison population numbers of 'one man per cell', which was the original formula some 20+ years ago. Except for SHU (Security Housing) and PSU (Psych Housing) placement, the majority of prison housing is double cell occupancy. Until adjustments are actually made we will continue to be scrutinized on outdated, non-factual data regarding the overcrowded prison population.

Let’s not forget that many of those inmates that received life without possibility of parole in the 70’s, 80’s, and 90’s are now older, weaker, and now face health problems, just like the baby boomer civilians. These inmates receive name brand medication (no generic meds in CDCR) that is not even covered by the majority of private medical plans. The only difference is that these aged inmates are on the states retirement plan and get the best FREE medical care in the land… well, it’s free to them.

The public believes it’s ok to question the pension that I’ve paid into for the last 14+ years and if I deserve it, but don’t dare question the level of care for an inmate. I do not deny that the incarcerated deserve some type of justifiable treatment as a human being. But being a person who has worked since the legal age and has not broken any misdemeanor or felony laws, I deserve what the state promised me for carrying out my duties as a sworn peace officer and law abiding citizen.

We do what’s necessary to get the job done in the most professional way possible. We may not agree, but we get it done. We are very aware of the problems within our current system. We face them every day. We also know that there is no such thing as a quick fix for such problems that have gone on for so long.

It sounds like such an easy fix to send so many inmates out of state to privatized prisons that costs so much less to take care of the inmates. But again, there is so much that is not known that should be. It is not known that the inmates are handpicked for out of state housing. They cannot have any major health problems, many times not even asthma. There is an age limit. The largest problem I see is that they do not receive the same treatment as inmates that remain in California. I have been told by many inmates about their living conditions after returning from an out of state facility. The day rooms are fully carpeted and climate controlled. The ‘cells’ are twice the size as our regular cells and usually individually housed. They brag about having a flat screen TV with their own Playstation - in the cell. Some have even claimed how they are allowed to watch porn late at night. These claims were told to me by several different inmates at different times. Is that punishment for committing a felonious crime? It’s no wonder why these young, impressionable inmates don’t care about returning into the system.

CDCR defines themselves as a reactionary department. As an officer, I cannot react unless something happens. Even though I may get information ahead of time, the information may be bad or a diversion for something much more heinous. For the most part, this is how it has always been and what we train for- when we can. We share information, train, and attempt to remain prepared. We react to maintain control. Many times we can accomplish this just by using our elevated communication skills. Sometimes more is needed.

Personally, I admire anyone who is willing to face such opposition. It doesn’t matter if one is a Police Officer, Sheriff, CHP, Marshall, or Correctional Officer. We all do our part to keep the public safe from harm. The police and Sherriff get most of the glory by the media because their job is in the public’s eye. They deserve every ovation they receive. But that’s only part of the justice proceedings.

My job is the one least heard about or seen. You don’t want to know about all that goes on. Those that are caught, tried and convicted now are removed from society. They are not frozen and placed on a shelf to be forgotten about. They’re needs must continue to be met away from society. That’s where we as C/O’s step in. These soon to be, if not already, hardened felons could not live by society’s terms and that does not change once incarcerated. Many can receive personal confirmation by their new peers by thwarting our authority or even assaulting one of us. The public don’t want to know that some people have certain actual traits of evil that many in society only read about in fictitious crime novels. There is a training video that sticks out and gives me chills every time I see it. During an interview, an inmate states; “We know you have rules and regulations you have to follow… We don’t.”

Many times there are things that cannot be communicated because it may fall in the wrong hands. Inmates receive newspapers also. Mainline inmates also have TV’s and watch and read the news religiously. I’ve seen some receive three or four different periodicals from around the state. Some end up knowing more about what will happen with my department than most of us that are members.

Is there a green wall in the department? Sure, I believe so. But I believe it exist in the hands of administrations than the officers who work the line. Everyone is watching what line officers do. Local Administrators, supervisors, co-workers, the public, inmates, in some cases even our families. More procedures are in place to turn in co-workers and staff than inmates who break laws while incarcerated. Local administrators attempt to point fingers and blame line staff for administrative gaffs to save each other that to find the truth and prosecute the guilty, if the guilty is on the management team.

Many out there may not agree with me and that’s fine. If you don’t think it’s like how I’ve stated here, I welcome you to fill out an application. If you can make it through the background investigation and the hiring practice, which on average takes up to a year, come work next to me and see what I see. We always need competent officers that will stand by their morals. If you are already hired, get from under the desk and go back to work on the line so you can see what everyone else can see.

The purpose of this letter is not for any sympathy. This letter is to expand the knowledge you think you may have regarding the job we do. Watching a ‘Lockup Raw’ documentary for research and reporting half of the truth in the story is a disservice to newspapers, readers, and all those involved – especially the victims. With all due respect, I think it should be known that our dignity will not be broken because of personal views that were given to you by a womanizing former Governor and ex-B-listed action movie actor through puppets that work in the media.

Although we may not receive the respect we deserve by reporters or the public, I could no longer stand back without voicing my words on the job I see being done. I understand newspapers need to be sold. That job may be tough at times. My job is to protect the public, staff and those incarcerated within CDCR – sometimes with full knowledge of the crimes committed and still remain without bias. Yes, my job is ‘the toughest beat in the state’.

I’m Just Sayin…

Where The Green Wall Lives

2011-06-30T12:12:00.000-07:00

It may be an interesting question with all of the notoriety and attention CDCr staff has received regarding a “code of silence” within the department but I think it is one that should be looked into a lot deeper than it has been. I personally believe there is a ‘code of silence’ that should be investigated. The crime about it is that, as usual, the investigation is in the wrong areas.

Every mass media outlet follows the buzz words that are bait on the hooks thrown out by CDCr state administration and investigations of an individual line staffer that it must be a larger problem within the department that begins and ends with the officers. Well once again they are only partially correct:

Is it a problem? Yes.
Does it happen with line staff? Yes
Is that where it ends? NO.
Has it been looked into any further than the scapegoat served up by local administrators? NO!
Are CDCr administrators on the state and local level more guilty and worthy of the blame? DEFINITLY!!!

There have been countless instances at several different institutions and departmental offices where improprieties have occurred only to have a lowest level staff member blamed and reprimanded. During training the importance of report writing has always been emphasized with the use of one certain phrase; “if it’s not written about, it didn’t happen”. That was supposed to be the battle cry to stress the importance to line staff on how important documentation can be. It can also be taken by administration how to curtail problems by lack of documentation.

Occurrences have happened at several institutions where incidents have happened that were minimized by management that ended up being swept under the rug. This ends up creating several different problems by undermining staffs’ authority, escalating inmate involvement, removing fear of reprisal of actions, and breaking the chain of escalating events which led up to a larger disturbance.

We have witnessed improprieties by administration and management that has had grave consequences only to have blame place on the wrong party because of a lower rank and an easier mark as a scapegoat. Even after being found not responsible the powers that be still find a way to punish the innocent and protect the guilty… all in the name of position.

Why would this happen? There are several reasons why management would take this stance. One of the more obvious comes down to self promotion. As part of the management team, your worth has to be proven by showing the drop or minimized amount of incidents in your area of responsibility. The easiest way to do this is to either minimize the type of reports, outcomes, and severities. This can be accomplished by either dropping the report types to the lowest possible or inform staff that reports are not necessary. The lack of documentation creates a falsehood of control in a given yard or program by the management team. This gives the administrators the same falsehood of ability and influence.

Another reason this happens is that administrators will not admit a bad choice of the management or supervisory team. With their position of authority over line staff and experience, they could not possibly be capable of making, or admitting, to such an egregious mistake in supervisory or management personnel placement. This can be found all the way up the chain to Sacramento. Just look at our recent history for examples. There are many examples with many inaccurate reasons and explanations to back their positions of support. Unfortunately for them, their argument does not hold substance.

There are certain things that are in common with these practices. First off, the only ones who suffer the most in reprimands and admonishment are line staff. Not often enough do you hear of management or administrators being walked off for improprieties that we all know exist.

Another common denominator is that there is no such thing as transparency in the department. Just like during a rain storm, the higher you go up the mountain the worse the weather and visibility. Those placed in higher positions of authority are also in greater positions to control the information that is sparingly leaked for public consumption.

Another thing to think about is very simple in theory. It comes down to who knows, or owes who. Think of it a stereo system. For the stereo to work you must use all the right ‘connections’. Only the main pieces of a stereo have proper connections for the speakers, CD player, receiver, DVD player, and amplifier to work. The higher you are in position and the longer you are in the department, the more connections you have.

As line staff, the longer you are in this department the more we learn how small this department actually is. As you promote it gets even smaller and smaller. Administration lives in a very tiny bubble of peers so they must watch each other’s backs to keep their own skeletons in the closet. Unfortunately, because of the lack of room, there is a deficiency of integrity and ethics.

Add all this up and yes, you end up with ‘a green wall’. A green walled code of silence by administration carried out by management. Line staff is looked at as the expendable pawns in their game of thrones. As line staff, we know that some information should not be shared because it jeopardize security or even worse, cost lives. Administration knows this and uses it to their advantage just to boost their own stature and secure the ‘connections’ needed to create a career safety net.

If that’s what it takes to get ahead in this department, I will remain content in my position as line staff. I may not make a big name for myself or create a better financially stable career, but I will keep my integrity and my ethics will remain in tack. A wise person said ‘those you step on to reach the top will witness your climb and your fall’. Here’s looking at you.

I’m Just Sayin…

'Disconnected' Operation Disconnect

2011-03-20T11:00:00.000-07:00

We are all aware of the CDCR special operation to disrupt the smuggling of illegal contraband into the state institutions officially known as ‘Operation Disconnect’ where all CDCR staff is searched before entering the institutions. It was named that because it was to target specific items, mostly cell phones, which were being brought in to the institutions at an alarming rate which ultimately found their way into inmate hands. It has been widely reported about the amount of cell phones discovered and confiscated at all of the institutions. It is also known that there has been a major problem with the smuggling of tobacco products as well as illegal street drugs.

Our very own security squad (ISU) has become busier than I have ever seen here at DVI. The crackdown has increased on inmate movement, information, and accountability of their associations with illegal acts for/and with known prison and street gangs inside the walls and outside the walls at the ‘Ranch’, Dairy, grounds crews, and back roads surrounding the institution. There have been several busts of inmates and private citizens driving on and by the grounds. For some time several ‘drops’ have been monitored in specific locations where inmates are able to pick up contraband without detection or suspicion. Well, no longer. The DVI ISU has run stings, and put a major dent in the smuggling of ‘dangerous’ contraband on and by institutional grounds. The ISU officers have done an outstanding job. You’ve proven your one of the best in the state.

This brings me back to my topic of ‘Operation Disconnect’. As an officer, I have no problem being searched to make sure I am not bringing in ‘dangerous contraband’ to my job site. Let’s face it - if I’m bringing in contraband it should be questioned if I am worthy to keep my position. There are so many new employees (officers, medical staff, Office Techs, etc.) who are complacent enough to bring in cell phones and other items that it comes into question how thorough the background investigations are being done.

Some veteran staff is guilty of complacency also but for a different reason. The seasoned staff has been on the job for so long, and has become so comfortable with their surroundings that they no longer think of it as a problem to keep their personal cell phone in their pocket with them. Not that they would even think of giving it to an inmate, but having the artificial level of comfort of the surroundings is problematic. Not only has Operation Disconnect discouraged that practice and increased the level of awareness back into the veteran staff but in some ways lifted the solidarity between officers, checking each other before they enter the walls to make sure a phone is not forgotten in a pocket and inadvertently brought in.

Unfortunately, the reasoning and the goal behind Operation Disconnect has been lost and misplaced in the minds of the administration. Administration is using this ongoing operation to harass and demean the employees, not just to seek out illegal contraband.

On Friday, March 18, we were subjected to another search on 3rd Watch as we entered the institution. Since this has been going on for some time now, to my knowledge no major articles of contraband was found on staff. This is a good thing right? WRONG! Administration is now pinpointing certain items that they do not want staff to bring in. some of the items that are being pinpointed include but are not limited to:

1. Gum

2. Number of Credit/ ATM cards carried in your personal wallet or purse.

3. Cash over $50.00

4. Personal check books

5. Medication that exceeds the amount needed during your 8 hour shift.

6. Periodicals (current news papers)

7. Fingernail clippers

These items are not on any current list of non-acceptable items. Administration refuses to come out with such a list so they can change items they consider contraband at any time.

Here are a few personal thoughts about these ‘other items’ staff are receiving Letters of Reprimand (LOR) over:

1. Gum - It does not state in the DOM, Title 15, Penal codes, local agreement, or IST training hand books that staff may not have or chew gum. INMATES are not allowed due to the possible usage to destroy state property (locks), or create a template (mold) for other security devises. If my piece of spent gum is so detrimental to the institution, I would hate to see what else could be found in the trash that inmates handle every day (Oops, there goes the inmate trash crew, culinary workers, tier runners, and porters).

2. Credit/ATM Cards - What is carried in a wallet is personal – the reasons behind it are just as personal. One person may have a long commute and needs the ‘just in case’ of those cards (I know it saved me when I was at Corcoran). If you can carry two separate wallets, good for you. That’s not how I was raised and I’m too old to learn that trick.

3. $50.00 Max Cash - Not everybody carries a lot of cash any more. I used to keep a hundred dollar bill in my wallet for ‘emergencies’. After losing 15% of my pay, I don’t do that anymore. But if I did, that’s my business. There’s no damn way I’m going to bring my hard earned money to an inmate.

4. Checkbooks - Most women I know carry their checkbooks. Again, that’s their business. If any staff member is stupid enough to write a check to an inmate to cash or put on their books, they want (and need) to get caught.

5. Medicine - Many here in the valley suffer from several different allergies and have other health issues. With the fact of never knowing IF we are going home on time (due to emergency or overtime), amount of meds is no concern to administration. They are not doctors and they are wobbling in the verge of breaking HIPAA laws. Next they will require staff’s medication to be in original container with prescription information on it (just like inmates).

6. Newspapers - We can’t bring in newspapers that inmates have subscriptions for. Some inmates get three or four papers every day. If an officer is trying to read a paper while there is major inmate movement going on, again bad on him – not the best way to watch your partners back. I know newspapers are considered a distraction, but so is my lunch. If I’m on the job and the opportunity arises I guess I shouldn’t stop and eat or go to the bathroom either.

7. Nail Clippers - Fingernail clippers are passed out in ADSEG during showers and sold at the canteen for GP inmates, but MY clippers are contraband… Yeah, whatever.

The next question for many may just be what is the local union doing about this ill treatment? Answer: from what we can see… NOTHING! There has not been one union representative present or available during any of the searches.

The union and Sacramento should be more involved. If you willfully submit to a search and someone belittles you and treats you unprofessionally regarding items that they are not specifically looking for is staff harassment. They are harassing you due to your position of employment. Remember, Operation Disconnect was supposed to look for drugs, tobacco products, cell phones, and other ‘dangerous’ contraband. Not to demean professional Peace Officers, Nurses, Technician or any other staff that passed the so-called background investigation or swore to a code of ethics. Speaking of ethics – where’s theirs?

If it sounds like I got my feelings hurt, nope that’s not it. I don’t bring my feelings to work. I’ve been caught in the searches when they first started and wrote about it here on The Real Chit when it happened (Titled: Falling on my sword). It is what it is. But if you harass me, you’re going to read about it. Someone very dear to me once told me; ‘if you don’t stand for something, you’ll fall for anything’.

One female staff member informed me of the events during her search. An administrator instructed her to empty the contents of her purse onto the table, which she did. After placing her wallet down, the administrator (a woman) picked up the wallet and opened it without receiving permission first. The administrator then questioned the staff member about why she had her checkbook with her, how many credit cards were in her wallet and how much cash she had on her person, which needed to be counted to prove the amount was under $50.00. Is this how we are supposed to be treated during this state sanctioned ‘operation’?

Bottom line:

If an inmate is allowed to have it, so should we. You don’t want us to have it, take it from them. We have lost 15% of our pay for the last couple of years. Overtime calculations are adjusted for any additional time off. People have lost homes and families. Who can afford to give any type of money to an inmate? I guess it makes more sense to either limit your resources for the ‘emergency’ scenario or lock your ID and Credit/ATM cards in your car on state grounds. Where, if desperate enough, an inmate from the ranch with auto theft knowledge can possibly steal your car, identity, and access to cash through your credit or ATM. Naw… It seems safer to keep them on your person. Is that an outlandish scenario? Weren’t we trained to constantly run scenarios through our mind to stay aware and prepared to respond? That’s how I was taught.

Some things need to be treated extremely personal, like an extension of one’s self. Treat my wallet and checkbook as if it is my underwear. The only other person to touch them is my significant other. If that’s not you, then with all due respect, BACK THE F#&K UP!

I’m Just Sayin…

DON’T BECOME YOUR OWN LIABILITY

2010-08-21T21:51:00.000-07:00

I appologize for the legnth of this blog, but there was a lot on my mind to cover. Take what time (and breaks) you need to get through this one. I hope it will be worth it in the end.

As time passes it becomes more apparent of how much the attitude has changed towards state workers. Not only has it changed by the public, which I will get into in a minute, but look at how we are now being treated by those with a higher position or pay grade. I include medical staffing, paroles (whom most used to be C/O’s), Administration, and everyone who works in Sacramento that has an idea of what we do, but especially those who don’t have a clue which includes the Governor, his appointed department heads (including the Secretary of CDCR) and all the other figure-head ‘yes men’ that works in the other branches of state government. For the purpose of this article, I will start from the bottom-up of positions where responsibility lies as to where and why this change has happened. Believe me, there’s enough blame to go around.

Fault cannot be placed on the sheep that buys into all that they are being told or reported to about us even if the facts may be blurred to fit the story. Who might those innocent sheep be? The ones we took an oath of service to protect from those who committed crimes and were deemed not worthy to live in society and sentenced to be removed by the courts of law for whatever time period: the public, or what the governor likes to refer to lately as “the private sector”.

The spin of the story on C/O’s depends on the type of brush that we are painted with for the private sector. Either we are the fanatical, unsung hero’s on an MSNBC reality show that does a job no one in their right mind (including the CHP) will not do, or we’re the money hungry, corrupted, and uneducated non-essential ‘Peace Officers’ that should be fortunate that we even have a job. Well, here’s some news: some of us have filed bankruptcy, had houses foreclosed, cars repossessed, credit ruined and families torn apart, just like the private sector. We are Californians. Just because we are state employees does not mean we are immune to the economic turmoil of the Great Recession. But that’s another story…

The department and their leadership have not proven to hold the ability to understand what the ‘mission’ of our department is actually about or seemingly want to understand. They’ve changed the title of the department to sound more compassionate yet slashed and cut every program which may be helpful to cut recidivism. CDCR Secretary M. Cate has become a puppet just a waiting for his judge appointment. Not one time has this Secretary stood up for the department he heads or the men and women who work in it in any capacity. They throw statistics in the air showing that change is occurring but we still see the same faces enter our doors on petty violations. This shows the parole regions are cleaning up the streets but these violators end up being released to ‘Continue On Parole’ the very next week just to ease the stress of an overcrowded system. Obviously the Board of Prison Terms only cares about substantiating the necessity of their personal positions and not actual parole/rehabilitation reform.

The CDCR website reports that the number of parole cases will be cut in half from 70 parolees per agent to 48. This extreme cut can only be accomplished through hiring more Parole Officers, which the majority will be transferring Correctional Officers. Yeah, that sounds like it will save the state a lot. More criminals on the street for more parole agents to have to account for which I’m sure the max number on an agents case load will only increase from 48, not remain there or under. The reform, as sold, will be the paroles liability.

The governors’ office has shown the most obscene amount of abuse of power. Schwarzenegger has shown how possible it is to become drunk on the authority of the governors office. What amazes me is the attitude that he and those that surrounds him has when it comes to defining, understanding, and applying laws and state policies. Schwarzenegger has one basic thought process:

‘I vill devine dee codes uf law az I zee vit so I can do vut I vant to all doze zat dizagree vit me. Dee courtz vill cleen up da mezz aftur I am out uf office, but buy den it vill be too late vor doze zat uppose me’.

Unfortunately, the state courts and legislators have sat back and said nothing on the legality or morality of his actions. Governor Schwarzenegger has placed a price on public safety, moral judgment of law, and ethics of those who hold public office and that amount in his eyes is obviously very low. The abuse of the governor’s power and the lack of backbone to speak against him will be the leadership’s liability.

At the state level, departmental Administration has grown four times over the last five years all while cutting or redirecting positions on the line of every institution that has increased overtime, hold-over’s, and the number in frequency of staff assaults (average 9 per day by CCPOA statistics). The increase of staff assaults are never reported in the local newspaper. If it’s reported about an inmate, it’s a huge injustice of abuse of authority and power by officers. If it happens to an officer, it’s just part of the job and the question is asked ‘what did the officer do to upset the inmate’? Let’s not forget that these inmates are not in prison due to excessive good behavior. The Administration’s stance has become to believe and defend those who break laws and accuse those who are hired to enforce them.

Officers are treated as guilty until proven innocent and inmates are believed and coddled before the investigation even begins. It’s understandable that an investigation has to be done. Just look at the sources for what they are and place belief in them accordingly. Not everything is a conspiracy against an inmate or by fault of an officer’s action. Believe it or not, we get set up too. Our backgrounds were extensively cleared to be hired by the department. Their backgrounds are the reasons why they were incarcerated. If an investigation has to be done, go after the person where the responsibility lies no matter if he may be an inmate, officer, or administrator. Establish the facts and punish those at fault. Don’t look for the easy scapegoat, look at the truth. Assumption without investigation is a liability. So is turning a blind eye to the guilty party.

Many line officer positions have been cut or redirected while more and more administrative positions equivalent to Captains level or higher have been created at the local and state levels. What is a Captain or above salary compared to officers with an overtime cap and why are there so many new administrative positions in Sacramento and the institutions? Which is more worthy of their salary: The one who puts his safety and life on the line every day or the pencil pusher who creates policy without understanding the stresses of what necessitates running a unit or yard with rival gang members living, recruiting, and planning to attack each other all the while attempting to keep all sanctions free of harm and to go home unharmed yourself? The State Administrators have created an unsafe work environment, making themselves liable.

Administration at the state level has created more unnecessary positions to pacify the small amount of whiners that supposedly were not fit to have the same right as the public. At this time those same whiners seem to have more rights than the ‘private sector’. If you don’t believe it, look at the amounts that the medical costs have increased since the Federal Receiver came into power. Those lawsuits have cost the state millions upon millions of tax dollars and the cost to take care of inmate medical conditions and the momentum to grant those services are staggering. A C/O’s base pay has remained the same (before furloughs) for the last six years although the cost of all other services in the department has increased. The fear of lawsuits by inmates and thug huggers has state level administration themselves a liability.

With the local Administration, there have been so many added management positions that need to be justified that nit-picking everything from speed and cell phone use by staff driving onto grounds to where staff parks after business hours and weekends have become an offense where you may receive a Letter of Instruction. I’m not speaking about something that will impair the safety and security of the institution. I’m speaking of controlling staff even before they enter the gates of the institution, still on their own time – in their own car! And all that money, energy, and time spent on justifying an administrative placard on a parking space. As an example of impairing safety and security, some institutions have even cancelled quarterly qualifications for certain positions due to budget restraints. So tower positions, transportation and other positions will not remain qualified as required because of budget constraints. How many officers will be ready to ‘stop the threat’ if they can not even maintain the required qualifications for the post they work? Will the officers or warden be held liable?

CCPOA holds just as much responsibility as everyone else does. They forgot what their job was and what they were supposed to fight for. CCPOA leadership got greedy because they were able to get almost anything they wanted, including money, from previous ‘friendly’ governors. The union telegraphed their next move and the state was ready for it. With Schwarzenegger, too much emphasis was placed on posturing to prove who the toughest leader was between the governor’s office and CCPOA elected representatives. Like two Baboons shaking branches and beating their chests over control of the jungle no one wants responsibility for. They say the definition of insanity is repeating the same behavior and expecting a different outcome. I guess another definition would be to face the same opponent with the same strategy and expect to win again. The fight became personal between CCPOA’s leadership and the state administrative offices. Now there’s so many personal lawsuits flying around both offices neither side will take the other serious enough to actually sit down to hash out differences and we, the union members are caught in the middle.

They forgot that negotiating is not easy as Checkers. It’s more complex and strategic like Chess. CCPOA thought they were going to intimidate a self absorbed, union loathing governor and lost. What happened to the work that CCPOA was doing to show the public the job that we do in an attempt to win the support of the ‘private sector’? While the governors’ office places spin on whatever he wants in the press about us, we hear almost nothing from CCPOA to counteract any misguided information given to the press. No more advertisements in newspapers, magazines, radio, or television except for our own website and newsletter which is kind of preaching to the choir. We only hear small little snippets of out of context press releases that do nothing for our membership or our struggle for a fair contract. We have gone without a contract longer than any other state worker union in California. I can see that used as our next slogan:

CCPOA - Our job is so tough, we don’t need no stinking contract!

CCPOA’s inability to remain focused for what they represent has become a liability.

What hurts me more than anything is that we give them the ammunition they need or want to prove any case against us. Instead of throwing the rules and safety policies back at them, we cut corners so that we finish our duties. Even as they cut positions, redirect officers, and run units short staffed, we do what is needed to complete our daily responsibilities. We would rather shave some time to complete a task quickly than complete it safely or leave it incomplete and log the reasons why. We want to show our worth by being able to finish our duties even if our own complacency will make us do it in a less than safe manner. We’d rather fly under the radar so Administration will leave us alone than to point out a possible problem that may not be completed due to time constraints because of so many other duties which are mandated to be completed. But how can we show our true worth and fly under the radar when even to this day, as monthly staff searches continue, contraband is still being confiscated, giving the facade of proof that administration seeks to continue viewing line staff in the jaded way they have since the beginning of this new local administration.

How many times has this happened to you? :

You report to your assigned area to see that one of your regular partners called in. The person working has knowledge of other units, but to your knowledge has never worked in your area. You try to explain to them how things are done, but they still end up attempting to run their own program which goes against how things have been done in your area. Not only does this throw a monkey wrench into the program but it also creates a conflict between the working staff which inmates around are able to notice and possibly even attempt to exploit.

Every time I see this, I go back to a saying I heard a lot when at the academy – SLOW IS FAST. No one is trying to set up their partner and its not that you can’t do the job in the area. But if you aren’t used to the area you are working in, slow down and let the experienced officer run the show. He may have less time that you, but he may have more time in that area. Every one appreciates someone who is willing to step up and run the show, but it’s not your show. You don’t have to prove that you can work in any area and you’re the big man on campus no matter where you are. No matter who plays quarterback, it’s about going home safe and in one piece. Don’t become your own liability.

Sometimes we are our own worst enemy without even knowing it. All the while institutional and state administration as well as Sacramento is sitting back saying ‘See… I told you’. They may carry as much, if not more blame than we as line staff, but guess where the finger will be pointed. It’s time we get real. Forget Checkers, let’s play Chess.

I’m Just Sayin…

Dear ‘Representative’,

2010-07-05T19:38:00.000-07:00

As many of you, I have grown tired of being a door mat of the state just because I decided to take up a career that many, including Arnie's golden boyz of CHP, don't have the balls to do. I have decided, after a small time off, to become vocal once again. I composed this letter and posted it on THE REAL CHIT. I also copied and paste it to my representatives from the link that will help you find your representatives. I will also contact a representative from every state union and forward a copy of this letter so their members can also use it to contact their legislators.

I am a state worker who lives in your district. As a constituent, there are questions that I have regarding how I am being represented in Sacramento. I am one of the 230,000+ state workers that are being abused by the governor’s office and the legislature by the use of illegal furloughs and the threat of being forced to have our wages cut to the federal minimum wage. It seems that the state workers are being taken advantage of just because we work for the state of California. We did not create the problems in California. We too are the victims. Over the last few years, there has been a personal attack on all state workers simply because we are an easy target and the personal vendetta the governor’s office has with some of the unions that represent us.

Allow me to clarify and reassure you that I am a real person. I am not a pawn piece sitting on a chess board to be moved around or sacrificed, nor am I a percentage point or statistic that is read in a poll with a two or three percent margin of accuracy. I am a law abiding, taxpaying citizen of California who actively participates in the use of my voice through voting.

I am one of many state workers who have had a personal loss of home foreclosure, car repossession, degradation of credit standing, and/or the filing of bankruptcy. With the illegal practice of furloughs that was implemented by the governor, my wages were tampered with and reduced without any say so or vote on my behalf. I am aware of the financial difficulties that all state residents are going through. I am one of them. But, just because I am employed by the state does not mean I can be used as a political ploy and my livelihood adjusted to a wage that is unsustainable without any government assistance. Furthermore, it has been the governor and state offices who has broken contractual and federal labor laws by breaking the contracts of labor unions which you as part of the legislature signed and agreed too, which in my eyes makes you just as guilty as them by not standing up for what is right and just.

At this time I am confused. You were voted into office because we believed that you would do the job necessary by representing us in every possible way. How can you find it OK to go on break when your job has not been completed by negotiating a state budget? If I left my job site without completing my assignments I would be reprimanded, if not fired. I would not be voted out of my position, but chastised or terminated for lack of productivity. I believe all representatives should be held to the same standard.

Rest assured that if I take the personal time to sit and write you regarding this issue, that it is also important enough to me to remember what your stance is and what actions you take (or not) when it comes time for me to vote in any election that may include your name on the ballot. Please be aware that though you have only heard my voice, I am not alone. Thank you for your time.

It is far time that the legislators understand the number of constituents they are dealing with. Our voice must be heard that we are no longer laying down. The sleeping giant is now awake and the ones who sold us out and abused us must be held accountable for their actions and non-actions. As a state worker we are tied to everything that happens in this state. We do not want special favors. We want as all want. Job security and get paid for a days work. not to be screwed with just because we work for the state.

If you don' like us because we work for the state, then join us and get screwed because we live in California. We made a conscious choice to better ourselves for our families and take on a job many refuses to do. If you can't understand that, you must be one of the populous that I process into custody on a daily basis. And if you are, thanks for the job security.

I'm Just sayin...

What’s in a Name or Title

2010-02-07T22:12:00.003-08:00

In the last few years there has been a change in titles of leadership positions within the department. Some have been at the local level, but many have been at the higher echelon of the department. Even the name of the department itself was changed (adding the “Rehabilitation”) to make it sound as if we, as a department, changed our thought pattern to a more socially just department. Anyone with ties to CDCr knows damn well there is no such thing as rehabilitation in the department.

Was this done to look and be more productive by consolidating positions and responsibilities, or is it just a facade to make it seem like changes and improvements are being made to correct a lot of problems within the department? How much money was wasted just to add ‘rehabilitation’ to our name? Here’s real food for thought…

As the Director of a department, like the ones of old, you were held responsible for the training, expectations and abilities of the staff which worked under your leadership. You also ensured that you maintained the staffing, equipment, training and understanding of what the job consisted of to remain professional, effective and reputable while maintaining cost effectiveness to stay at or under budget. You also understood that as the Director, the buck stopped at you. Unless ordered by a court of law, what transpired within the department began and ended with the signature of your pen. The legislature, governor or anyone who did not understand the mechanics of our business did not have the right or audacity to meddle with the day to day functions of our objectives. Those were the days of old.

Now we have a ‘Secretary’. Buy definition, the Secretary is responsible to take ‘dictation’ and implement the wants and needs of their boss. He is the mouth piece of the Governor. They have no authorization, except for what is instructed to by someone (in this instance) who has no information or educated guess to what we confront and attempt to accomplish within our duties. The Secretary does not attempt to understand what our mission is or how to accomplish that mission within the guidelines of our operational manual or court orders. The Secretary is only concerned in keeping his boss happy no matter how it affects the effectiveness, stability or morale of the line staff that literally put their lives on the line every day while they stay safe in their plush, heated offices away from any street crime but closes to the largest criminal in the state. What’s even worse, our Secretary does everything to degrade every officer that works for the department that he possibly can to ensure his own appointed position - except fetch coffee and shine the shoes of the Governator, at least as far as I know. Not one time has Secretary Cates ever come to the defense of the department as a whole or for any individual cause. What you do hear is a bunch of ‘yes, yes, yes’ to anything that the Governator says that depicts us in the most negative light possible.

Another thing I am trying to figure out is where they get the leadership from and why. Think about it for a minute. CHP, any County Sheriffs department, any local PD, lets face it – any law enforcement agency; where do they get their leadership from? Do they hire any Tom, Dick or Matthew who is willing to take on the title? Or do they hire the deserved one from within the ranks? One who has worked up the line from deputy or officer to become Chief or Sherriff. The Sheriffs are usually an undersheriff and then decides to run for sheriff. So why wouldn’t they do the same thing when it comes to the head of a department? Every law enforcement or peace officer entity in the state answers to the Inspector General, except Correctional Officers. We have a Secretary who is an ‘appointed’ Cabinet member that was once a lawyer, who liked to investigate and burn cops, and probably looking for a judge appointment next.

There is an enormous amount of bureaucracy that slows down the ability to find a more efficient and concise way to handle the problems that riddles the department like having too many heads of different sub-departments or divisions with their own agenda than the main goal of the department as a whole. Part of this problem stems from too many administrative leaders that does not know, or understand the goal of the department. The secretary and undersecretary have their own support staff. How much money does that cost? Anyone with a calculator and a high appointed family member can become a hired bean counter. What’s needed is leadership that understands the common goal and mission of CDCr and what is needed to carry out that mission. Too many chiefs, not enough Indians? No… Too many chiefs!

In part, the problem lies with how you can promote. Most high end promotions ask for a certain amount of college credits, which looks good on a resume, but may have nothing to do with the job hired for. We generally deal with criminals and the part of society heavily involved in criminal activity. Wouldn’t it be more effective that the administration had furthered their academics in criminal justice or criminal law? It’s kind of like having someone who has a background as a nurse, or better yet an MTA (whom the federal courts mandated that their positions were so misguided and screwed up that they abolished the position*) become an AW or Warden at an institution because they have the ‘academic achievements’ or knowledge of the prison setting. That doesn’t mean they understand how to run a program or prison. Just because you have a bachelors degree in architecture doesn’t mean you know how to run an auto shop.

To take it one step further, you would want a Department Secretary to have the knowledge and personal strength not just to fight for what’s right and needed within his department, but to also defend and point out the good work of the employees. I for one would want to focus on the improvements, professionalism and un-paralleled work that those in the department face on a daily basis. I wouldn’t want to be known as the Secretary to a bunch of drunk, unprofessional, non-educated, unethical, low-morale staff. I’ve said it before – those that work for and with me is an extension of me. So how they are looked upon must be how I am also ‘perceived’. It’s wrong for the media to paint us in that manner and it’s even double the insult when the department heads looks at us the same way and refuses to defend us when we enforce the laws that we were hired to implement. There are always some bad apples in any bunch, but more apples rot at the top of the tree than at the bottom.

So it’s more than obvious to me that it doesn’t matter how you name the position. The truth still remains. Those of us on the line have proven their ability to perform their jobs and have excelled at it. Others have bargained their way into positions and don’t have a clue how to lead in their position. You don’t remain a yes man to keep you position or your respect. No matter how you say it, a slice of excrement is still a piece of $#!+.

I’m just sayin…

* We all know that most of the MTA’s were hard working, intelligent employees. The federal Receiver came into power due to complaints of a number of MTA’s at one institution that probably didn’t deserve to keep their jobs anyway. Thanks Harris, for the added food for thought.

Officer Message 01-10

2010-01-02T23:47:00.000-08:00

I can be one of the first to say I am glad that 2009 is over. A lot happened over the last year personally and professionally that made it a difficult time for many of us. As I began my annual ritual of bringing in the New Year, I reflected on things that happened over the previous year. Actually that is my ritual…

I take a moment to myself and think about things that happened, good and bad, and allow myself to appreciate that I am still here with the strength and ability to acknowledge that I have survived through another year. I also take a moment and acknowledge the loved ones and friends I was close to that was lost over the last year. And though I may risk sounding cliché, I do say a pray for those I have lost and all I was close to. I may even get a little emotional. And yes, I do pour a little drink out to send my respect and love to those who are with me only through my love and memories. With that said, I will speak to those we lost:

Miss Karen Holmes and my true partner Jerry Price, I love and miss you. I can say that I am a better person for knowing the both of you. I will always be blessed that I shared a part of my life with you and you both opened your life to me. Thank you.

I have had other loses this last year, as many of us did. But Jerry and Karen are ones that we as the DVI family share. On a side note I also want to thank all of you at DVI, NTU, Paroles and all other institutions that showed the support for the Holmes and Price family. We pulled together and shown what an extended family Karen and Jerry have with us and as a part of that family I want to acknowledge the work that we did to support them and I personally appreciate everything that was done in the forefront and behind the scenes.

We saw the changing of the guard from the old administration to this new one. Transition is never easy, especially when it is from an administration that was well liked and respected. There may not have been complete agreements with the old administration, but when you see someone climb the ranks all the way to Warden (a), the respect of where he came from and that he never forgot it remains. Now I do not mean to nor am I attempting to condemn the new administration in this message. I’ll just say soberly, there’s work to be done. A lot more than a coat of paint can help.

There has also been a change in the chapter representation. To the new reps Pres. Cox and V.P. Burks, I wish all the best and success. You two have been around and seen a lot for changes at DVI. You’ve been active inside the union through the Casey Years and going back to the Heusel era. You’ve seen the good and bad of the politics that are played while negotiating at the local level and I am sure that you will be ready to fight for what is right. You have always tried to be a voice of reason. I hope this administration has the ethics to reason with you. Just remember Bob, you’re president now. Not Derek, not Debbie and you represent us, not M.J. and the rest of the union E.C. (Elected Crooks). Oops, I'd better be careful. I may lose my union membership.

Casey, I want to tell you job well done. You have a long history here at DVI. You have proven that your tenacity and personal strength cannot be waivered. You took on the chapter presidency and held office with dignity and intelligence. I am sure there were many times that administrators squirmed in their seats just because you sat across from them. I don’t always agree with you, but have always respected you. You carry a wealth of knowledge and I hope to learn what I can from you. I would advise anyone to do the same.

This last year has been very difficult also because of all the officers who retired. I couldn’t even tell you how many retired this last year. I just know that we lost a lot of experience and knowledge on the front line. I am glad for them but DVI will never be the same. For the ones who just left; Curley, Cotton, Reyes, Easterling, last but not least Sgt Stapp, and all those I did not mention, you will all be missed. I congratulate you on such a great accomplishment and god bless you all. I’m not mad at y’all for leaving; I just wish I was going with you.

On another note, my condolences go out to the Governator on the losses in the courts these last few months. Wow! Losing rulings and judgments for all five of the largest unions in the state in a matter of a month? Well here’s the good news Gov., you can continue to rule California like a Dictator from Austria or Auschwitz or wherever the hell you popped your first steroid and go ahead and ignore the ruling of the judge. That will just put more money in our pockets and increase your own fines and jail time for contempt. Just because you are the ’top cop’ in the state doesn’t mean you don’t have to listen to a judge and his ruling. It means you’re supposed to uphold it. But you’re a fascist so it doesn’t matter, yet.

Maybe the judge will ironically order you to time in state prison. Sorry CHP would be out of their jurisdiction, so no personal body guards allowed. But don’t worry; I’ll be gentle when I process you in. I may even let you keep the cookies in your bag lunch. And after your Ad/Seg time and debriefing to an SNY program, we’ll just send you to a COCF where the officers make less than half of what we do and is trained even less than that to keep you safe. Maybe then you will decide how much we’re worth. I’m just sayin…

Ultimate Power Corrupts Ultimately

2009-12-10T10:39:00.000-08:00

As peace officers and persons who hold authority over others there is a fine line that we all have to walk to remain in the boundaries of what our job and position states we are able to do. At times the ‘gray area’ has been beneficial. But it doesn’t take much for the ‘gray areas’ of what is appropriate and what is considered corrupt behavior.

No matter what your position, we are all subject to fall prey of the feeling of “Ultimate Power”. We want to feel that our presence makes a difference and nothing is the same without our input when it comes to decision making for our respective area of responsibility. We also want to be able to make decisions without being questioned in our judgment of why we do what we do. But we are accountable for our actions, decisions and judgment.

The increase in position and authority intensifies the risk of falling victim to ‘ultimate power’. Even being chosen or elected to a special position or assignment can open the door to fall in this trap. That’s where we must be able to check ourselves or have stronger checks and balances to ensure this problem doesn’t degenerate.

Some are able to keep in the forefront of their minds that they were placed in a certain position to benefit all and to be the voice of many. Some have lost sight of their mission. You were chosen because many believed in your ability to be able to represent us in a professional, respectable manner. We believed that you were able to keep your eyes in focus of what your job is supposed to be and the common goal for all that was supposed to be fought for. You were supposed to fight for what the initial fight was for. To maintain what was gained for us as professionals. To ensure that the respect that we had for the work we do (and no one else wants to do) is not tarnished in any way, shape or form.

But when you surround yourself with subservient ‘yes men’ who’s only goal is to ride the gravy train at any means, not only do you damage the position you hold, the crusade you fight for and your own personal character but you tarnish all those you represent. You have taken the trust of many and used it for your own personal gain. To me, this is a crime and should be punished to the fullest extent of the law.

For the record I will state again: I am not a company ‘yes’ man. I am not a ‘union can do no wrong, drinking the kool-aid’ follower either. I am for the workers. My co-workers; the ones who put their lives on the line every day to take care of some of the worst society has to throw at us. I am also a constitutionalist. I have the right, given by god first and then the constitution, to speak my mind freely without apprehension or threat of retaliation by anyone! With that said, I remind all that what you do in the dark always finds its way to the light. If you hide the truth, you are diminished by the truth.

You may or may not agree with what I say here or any other article I post, but you damn well know I am honest regarding my thoughts and not afraid to share them. It doesn’t matter to me if you are a co-worker, supervisor, administrator, politician or even the union president. We are expected to act, perform and look professional while at and away from our place of business. No matter in what capacity, I expect the same from those I represent and who represent me.

I appreciate all the information that is shared from other blog sites along with this one. I’m sure that some of the information that has been shared may not be completely accurate but I’ll bet that where there’s smoke, there’s fire. I guess we just have to stand by to stand by.

If anything I’ve said here hits close to home with either your subservient or corrupt actions, I suggest you ‘check yourself’ and get right. If this does not pertain to you, I suggest you become a ‘check and balance’ of those placed in power who cannot regulate their appointed authority. If we do not investigate the accused corrupted, we aid in the act of corruption. I’m just sayin…

The Great Enablers

2009-12-08T14:51:00.000-08:00

I’m a bit under the weather so forgive me if I ramble but I’ve been thinking about the attitude of inmates and how many act like spoiled children instead of adults. Many are demanding and have a difficult time with the words no, wait, later and even the infamous I’ll look into it and let you know.

We have become the ultimate enablers. What I mean by that is that our job and priorities have been blurred and changed to the point that what we do doesn’t have anything to do with corrections and the farthest idea from ‘rehabilitation’. Part of the problem is that as a reception center we treat unclassified level IV inmates as level II inmates instead of the other way around.

There is enough blame to go around to why this has happened. I blame most of it on two specific entities: CDCr State and institutional administrations. Let me break it down… At the institutional level there are many levels of how the enabling of inmates has increased, but what it comes down to is pride, self preservation and self promotion.

Pride is in the equation because no one can tell an administrator how to handle a situation. They have the best answer to any question and the position to order it carried out without being questioned, even though it may break current policies, procedures and protocols.

Self preservation is a problem due to the ongoing threats and fillings of frivolous lawsuits by inmates on institutional administrations and the department as a whole. It’s just easier to allow an “individual” bend of the rules in the ‘spirit of the law’ than to enforce the rules in its entirety and allow the laws to speak for them. Once so many situations are dealt with on an “individual basis” instead of by the matrix of rule violations that we are supposed to go by, not only do those rules get bent but broken and become unrecognizable which leaves the lines staff confused and disoriented on how to handle situations because of the digression of authority of officers by administration by lessening the seriousness of the rule violations reported by officers.

Self promotion is possibly the greatest problem. As a Lieutenant or Captain, it is not favorable when you enter the wardens meeting having to speak about problems or situations that happened on your yard or in your respective program. The only way to self promote how smooth operations are under your watch is to use the old CDC saying; If it’s not on paper it didn’t happen. The second unwritten rule is to minimize the seriousness of a given situation to show that everything is under control and whatever happened is not worthy of concern. Otherwise you can be looked over for a more favorable position or special assignment that can lead to a more auspicious career.

At the state level the problem is a bit broader. CDCr administration is in the pocket of the governor and has assumed the position as ‘yes men’ to ensure their administrated positions (self preservation), which has grown three fold under the Schwarzenegger administration. State administration is not involved in the day-to-day running in the institutions. But again as inmate lawsuits pile up against the department, the CDCr administration responds as they always do… they go overboard. Instead of seeing what exactly needs to be changed in what areas and why, they use a blanket effect to cover everything relying on line staff to sort out the problems of how to effectively do the job proficiently while also completing court mandated policies.

An example of this is the Federal Receiver. Instead of looking at where the original problem began, CDCr would rather an outside influence commandeer control of the medical department and screw up the problem even more by throwing money at a situation that just hired more unprepared medical staff without training or understanding of the differences between correctional medical care and a regular hospital. It doesn’t matter how you change the words, the ‘patients’ that are cared for are inmates. Inmates were deemed not fit to live in general society in a court of law. That does not mean they deserve better medical treatment than innocent law abiding citizens, victims, children or those who work for the department. Now we have the greatest financial responsibility forced on us by the feds because CDCr and the Governator was either too weak and inept to handle the problem or just didn’t want to tackle the situation and felt it easier to let a receiver do it for them. That’s kind of like allowing a lawyer to walk in your house to treat a common cold, take care of your house hold needs while tripling the cost of getting it done and you can’t say anything.

When I first joined the department the job during the shift was to ensure the safety of everyone inside the prison walls by enforcing the rules of the D.O.M. and Title 15. We made sure that the inmates got ‘what they had coming’. No special treatment or extra privileges. It seems that those times are now lost.

The concept of reasonable impartiality has been erased by the enabling of inmates and allowing them to receive what they do not deserve. Line staff is not to blame. I can say that because you never hear administration complaining that we are not writing up inmates for violations, serious or administrative, but you do here complaints of write-ups being dropped or dismissed without probable reason or just cause.

If a matrix is to be used on how officers are reprimanded because of whatever they may or may not have done, why aren’t the inmates that were actually found guilty of a felony held to the same, if not higher standards? The correctional officer’s code of ethics holds us to a standard of performance that we must attain and as I see it, 98% of officers meet that goal. I guess administration see’s it that 99% of the inmates meets the inmate code of ethics and they can be judged on a case by case basis.

I’m just Sayin…

Acknowledge, Appreciate, Thanks

2009-11-26T11:07:00.000-08:00

Today is set aside, different than any other day, to give thanks to what is appreciated in our lives. We tend to look over the little things that mean so much in the end. I also need to acknowledge many things in my life that is unfortunately taken for granted. The act of appreciation may not always be shown or could possibly come across as overlooked. Though my personal list of what I am thankful for is just that, personal, there are some things that I want to share with my friends, co-workers and associates at DVI.

I am thankful to be a part of the DVI family. I have worked at a couple other institutions and the experiences there were unique in their own way. But the close, tight bond shared at DVI is in a class by itself. I was embraced by those who remain and many who have transferred, retired or passed on (ret. C/O Saulsberry, Curley, Sgt. Stapp, C/O K.V. Jones-MCSP, ret. Sgt. Silva, Gonzo-Corcoran, Luna, Sgt. Hassan-SQSP, C/O J. Price; I miss you my brother, and too many others to mention), thank you for sharing your life with me and allowing me to learn from you.

This has been a difficult year. We have suffered losses in our personal lives as well as our DVI and CDCr family. Hold on to the blessings for having those who we have lost as a part of our lives. I have learned from all that has been in my life, from good experiences and bad. I can say that I am a better person because of what I have learned to appreciate.

As I share my appreciation with you, I can’t help but think of the sacrifice we all make by volunteering to take on this employment. We signed up to willfully take care of the worst that society wants to forget. We ask for nothing special but to be recognized for the assignment that no one else would want to take on and be fairly compensated for it.

Though a small number of officers may be lucky enough to have a holiday off, many sacrifice spending holidays with family and loved ones to babysit the ones who, in general, hate us. Working the holidays or not, I want to thank you for the work you put in and the sacrifice made without acknowledgement or thanks. I would hope that the appreciation would also be shared by the Administration for the work and sacrifice we all make with the job we have. I’m just sayin…

P.S. Big C, God bless and get well soon. You’re in our prayers.

Don’t Forget Where You Came From

2009-11-22T21:58:00.000-08:00

The last couple of years I have seen a lot of co-workers promote. Some went from Sergeant to Lieutenant. Others took their first step into the supervisory pool to make Sergeant and even a few took a further leap of faith and joined the ranks of administration. For most of them I am happy to see them climb the ranks because they deserve it. They did their time in the trenches and remained level headed about the job that needs to be done. They witnessed the void of the supervisory staff that lacked the common knowledge to be effective and wanted to make a difference in a more positive way than what was done before. So to those who have proven themselves to have the knowledge and the ambition to stretch their necks out further and join the higher ranks I applaud you and wish you the best.

But that’s not who I want to focus on today. There is a smaller group of supervisors that we have. They exist in every institution and wreak havoc wherever they are. Some have been a C/O for some time, others have not. Both do not have the common sense to fill an inmate lunch bag. These supervisors that I comment on have created more drama among staff than most inmate conspiracies. The reason behind it is not only the lack of common sense but also because of a superiority complex that they take on once they sew on those chevrons and remove themselves from the rank and file. Another reason is that they don’t listen or learn from the line staff with superior seniority, knowledge and experience when given suggestions on how to better a situation going bad. Some of these ambitious supervisors have been blinded to the point that they can no longer remember that they were once officers (if they ever were officers) and don’t mind reaching their positions while stepping on the backs of others. Even though this is commonly encouraged by CDCr and Administration, I personally believe it shows how shallow one is if they can only promote by burning other co-workers. Someone once said ‘The ones you exploit on the way up are the same ones who will stand by and watch you fall’.

It’s not entirely all their fault. CDCr encourages all to seek promotion once the probationary period is over. Lately many officers have joined the ranks of Sergeant with less than 5 years in as an officer. Now depending on the personal experiences of where you have worked that may not be a bad thing. One can gain a massive amount of experience that could qualify them ready to promote if they weren’t coddled or ‘taken care of’. It was once an unwritten rule by most line staff not to promote until they hit 5 years on the job as a C/O. Now it’s about advancing as fast as possible without gaining experience or knowledge to back the position. You may earn the position because you have the book smarts and can test well, but do you hold the common sense of how to react in the middle of an incident or dealing with an unruly inmate? Some things can’t be taught from a book.

Now don’t get me wrong, I don’t have a personal axe to grind with any particular supervisor. I, myself, took the sergeants exam, and received letters to interview, but decided not to promote because it was not the best move for me at this time. I enjoy being a (so called) senior officer on the line for right now. What I do have a problem with is the ignorant ideology of supervisors, at any rank, who look at line staff as worthless and expendable unless they promote.

Guess what… Line officers keep this boat floating! We report the vital information. We respond to the emergencies and incidences. We maintain the day in and day out programs while YOU second guess our decisions when you weren’t even there. You don’t even have a clue on what we deal with to keep the program moving while performing the dozens of responsibilities you expect us to complete and you have no idea what it takes to complete them! We are not your lap dogs. As I once told a supervisor, “I look good ‘cause I make my sergeant look good”. I have respect from my supervisors because they know I will do the job. I may not agree, and they may have to listen to me bitch, but I do the job. No one wants to look bad and if my supervisors look bad, that reflects on me and my performance. I was brought up with the ideology that your work will speak for itself and it will reflect on how your co-workers and supervisors rely, respect and treat you.

So to those who want to promote or have promoted recently, I have some words of advice:
Know and listen to your line staff. If they are seasoned or have a solid reputation, they just may know what they speak about. Most of them will help without question because it’s their job. Again, if you look good, they look good.
Every tire has the possibility to go flat, so be careful what car you ride in. Everyone wants to be accepted but be strong enough to ride alone. You have a less chance of getting thrown under a bus that way.
Last, but most important…Don’t forget where you came from. Most supervisors began as an officer. The ones who have the most respect have changed positions but not their personalities. I’m just sayin…

OFFICERS MESSAGE 11-09

2009-11-08T00:12:00.000-08:00

Training

There seems to be a lot of finger pointing and blame being put on where and why we have some of the problems that we are facing within the ranks here at DVI as well as throughout the state. I have read the current messages in this month’s bulletin and I must say I was disheartened with what I read. Now maybe I’m just a bit sensitive, but it seems as though we are looked at as a bunch of drunks that don’t deserve to have the positions we are in because we’ve either been in them too long and need to step down for the less experienced to learn, or we are too complacent with the inmates because we have been in the positions too long and only due to Post and Bid is our lazy asses still in those positions. For the record, I want to state that I am not lazy…

So instead of pointing a finger and blame one or the other for the problems that we face I will state my opinion on where the solution and the problem both lay. To sum it up in one word; training. Training is the foundation of the solution and the lack there of is the problem. The lack of training is the cause of complacency, unprofessionalism, unsafe environments, manipulation, personal growth, incompetence, doubt and uncertainty in ones ability.

I will admit that some of the Off Post Training (OPT) has gotten better in the last few years. Training at the academy has even become more realistic with greater emphasis based in real situations and how to approach matters instead lectures in a classroom. With that said, there is still a long way to go. Especially if you look at DVI and the number of ‘missions’ that we attempt to accomplish day in and day out. Our work load has been stretched so thin that we cannot complete the day to day business of securing our wings (i.e. bar & window checks, cell searches, secured doors). So if we can’t complete or even begin the basic necessary tasks to ensure the institution is secured, how can we squeeze in time to train while on post, where we need it most?

I was surprised while at a level IV prison, pleasantly surprised to see an order come from the program Sergeant to shut down yard and program for staff training. Where the greater shock laid was when inmates asked why and was informed for training some grumbled, most didn’t, but returned to their buildings and locked up. How is it that the level IV inmates have a better time understanding the importance of on-post training better than the administration at a level II reception center? I don’t get it. What I also don’t understand is why this topic is not pushed by the union reps as important as it is.

How many additional jobs would it create?
How much more competent would we become about rules and regulations?
How much more alert would staff be on any given day at any given time and work as a team?
How much would morale increase?
Would staff know how to respond better, faster and be more effective during a Code 2 or 3?
If information is power, shouldn’t we have all the knowledge needed to maintain control over the inmates in our given area?

It is so easy to blame the line staff for not following through or messing up on certain things that they should know how to do, say for instance, like processing evidence. But every institution is different. Let’s face it, how they teach it in the academy is not exactly how it’s done at the institution. Some staff may not even know where to go or how to get there or what to do when you get there depending on the type of evidence you need to process. Is this the fault of the officer? NO! The supervisors should make sure that all staff knows how to process evidence following the institutional Procedures to ensure it is done correctly. Administration needs to make sure supervisors give this vital training in the appropriate manner, not just signing your name on an OJT sign-up sheet (that just acknowledges that you were talked to or read something regarding job-site training, not that you’ve been competently trained), even if staff must be walked through a ‘mock evidence’ processing.

The difference between CDCR and other state corrections is our training. Our training gives us our peace officer status, one of a handful in the country. Our training is why we earn the salary that we make. Many states design their training and procedures after us, not because our inmates are worse than theirs, but because we have an initial higher standard to uphold and in most cases we surpass our own standards, but with more line-training we can do better.

A wise man once said that we should train the way we fight so we can fight the way we train. In my opinion, once a year full training is not good enough. It’s not good enough in the areas of but not limited to baton, gangs, evacuation, response, use of force and especially weapons. I do not think alone on this subject. I have spoken with many who agree with me if not exceeds my words by training on their own to be more prepared on the job.

For once I just want the blame to go where it needs to be. Don’t blame me for not being sure how to respond correctly to a Code 2 with a 40mm in hand, not knowing the type of round I’m carrying and not donning a gas mask or riot helmet. Don’t blame me because I don’t know how to pull the pin out of a MK46, or replace it. Don’t blame me if I don’t know how to do a 'gun run' to Z-Dorm. You cannot blame me for something that I have not been trained on in almost a year. If we deal with level IV inmates every day, as we do, then why aren’t we training like a level IV institution?

My DVI ‘Brothers In Green’(B.I.G). My message to you: I am proud of the work you have done. I am proud of the work you are doing. There is still room for improvement and I invite you to join me and embrace the willingness to learn more. To the supervisors, I hope that you heed the call to prepare your staff. Train and train often. If a question comes up, utilize it as a training module to get everyone on the same page and react as a team when it’s time to respond. They may be responding to save our own. To administration, you have stretched us out as far as we can go and now you want to lash at us for not maintaining a level of training that you should be required to give us. Ask yourselves how many incidences could have been avoided or neutralized better if my line staff was trained properly? Once you’ve answered that, give us the training needed to remain at our peek while on the line… It may be you we save. I’m Just Sayin…

GOOD FAITH

2009-10-26T23:34:00.000-07:00

I have written this piece more times than I want to admit to. The reason is that when I attempt to speak about ‘good faith’ I go off in a direction I didn’t intend to, just to explain my point of view and become long winded about nothing interesting. So I will try to stay blunt and to the point.

Good faith is a farce. By the means of how it’s defined by DPA, CCPOA, Administration and the Governor, ‘Good Faith’ is a joke. I’ll explain how it is interpreted by everyone involved, in different ways and the only thing that is consistent is that we, the line staff continue to get screwed. ‘Good faith’ is a posturing ploy that is used to make the other person at the negotiations look bad, all with their own set of definitions, which I will break down here.

DPA: We will sit and listen, allowing you to complain to us about what you don’t like, but have no intentions to do anything about it.

CCPOA: I will show how powerful I am by painting you in a corner and using your own words against you in a court of law, three years from now, instead of getting to the basis of what my members need right now.

Administration: I understand what you are going through, and I have your best interest at heart as well as the institution, but the definition of the regulations that I want to use at this time does not substantiate your position, further my career or seems cost effective, so I have no alternative than to place you on administrative leave until the investigation is concluded.

The Governor: Even if you have to lie to them during negotiations, show them I’m the boss! Do everything you can to break up that union, even if you have to lie and break a few of our own rules and federal labor laws to do it. We’ll take it from them now because no one will stop us including the judges I appointed. Hopefully the feds will step in before I’m out of office and take that department over!

Time and time again we are reminded that CDCR is a reactionary department and does not believe the seriousness of issues that are brought up unless they bring it up. We all become witnesses to how complaints of not enough staff, faulty equipment, DOM violations or personal issues has ended up creating greater problems and costing more money than the fix of additional needed staff, replacing faulty equipment or violations that administration hides or the union bargains with.

What is bad about their little game is that our careers and livelihood rests in the balance of the dance they continue to do with each other. We are fed that safety and security is our main priority in our place of employment. But what happens when we bring safety or security issues to the table is that we are ignored by Administration unless a formal complaint is filed or something happens where someone gets hurt or killed, CCPOA ends up using us as a pond to get the things they find more important in their game of check and checkmate, the Governor and DPA believes we are just whining, don’t really need what is asked for and won’t take us seriously until we get a contract that they refuse to negotiate ‘in good faith’. I’m just sayin…

PERCEPTION

2009-10-19T10:34:00.000-07:00

This is another word that we hear a lot about especially during training and more specifically, the Sexual Harassment class during the OPT (Off Post Training) or IST Block Training. But recently I’ve been hearing it more on the line in conversations with supervisors and between staff. Again I question if the department, Administration or even our union uses the dictionary’s definition or if they’ve made up their own… again, let’s look and see:

The American Heritage Dictionary, Second Edition states;
PERCEPTION (per-sep-shen) noun 1. The process, act, or faculty of perceiving. 2. The effect or product of perceiving… {So I looked up the root word, perceive}
PERCEIVE (per-sev) transitive verb 1. To become aware of directly through any of the senses, esp. to hear or see. 2. To take notice of; observe. 3. To become aware of in one’s mind; achieve understanding of.

How are we trained when it comes to ‘perception’ or what is ‘perceived’? I thought long about it, even asked a few people and we were all in agreement with CDCR’s definition. These are the answers I received;
• To ‘perceive’ is to possibly have the wrong understanding or view of what was said or done.
• ‘Perception’ is the viewpoint of one which may not have a clear understanding of what was said, done or viewed.
• If you ‘perceive’ something, someone may take an occurrence out of context than what the meaning is without hearing the full statement or seeing the full activity.
• To have something taken the wrong way.
Does the definition by CDCR standards mirror what is in the dictionary?

Administration has a double standard in definitions in certain areas that need to be crystal clear. They are deciding on people’s lives, careers, reputations, finances and futures on the definition of a word that is flipped like a proverbial two headed coin that always favor against us. Intimidation is also used if you attempt to answer without a positive yes or no regarding what you saw or heard. This intimidation tactic will leave you feeling questionable on how you feel on what you report because as a so-called ‘trained observer’, you are led to believe nothing will get past those eagle eyes if something happens in your area of responsibility. Well I have news for you… before you are an officer, you are human and sometimes you can be unsure of what you see or hear, especially walking in the middle of the conversation or incident.

My advice to any of you is to be sure before you report. And if you’re not sure, say you’re not sure. No one can use the truth against you and it does not look bad if you tell the truth and admit you aren’t sure of what you saw or heard. It does look bad if you attempt to boost yourself up in the eyes of supervisor’s or administration by reporting what you think you saw and not what actually happened. Let’s face it, there are times when we may be in a position to see, but not hear what lead up to an incident. Your ‘perception’ may be different than what the accurate truth is if you are not in the immediate area from the beginning of an incident and you may end up with your own veracity in question. if you don’t have all the answers and aren’t sure what you saw or heard, own up and stick to the fact that you don’t have all the answers. You will become more credible than you realize.

The hardest part of our job is not what may happen and how we react to it, but how we face ourselves every day and have to own up to not only our own actions but also our shortcomings. Our honesty and integrity is the strongest character we hold and they are always under attack. They are attacked on all fronts by inmates, other staff members, supervisors and administration. We must remain honest to ourselves. I would rather throw myself under the bus and admit being unsure, than be wrong about what I saw happen or over heard. I may not be looked at as the best witness but at least I can sleep with my integrity in tack knowing I was honest of what I reported. Remember, what you report may not only be used in a court of law, it may also be used to burn a fellow officer. Understand what you ‘perceive’ before you report because the definition that supervisors and Administration use may not be the one you comprehend. I’m just sayin…

Officer’s Message

2009-10-16T10:42:00.000-07:00

As a military brat I was always taught to respect the position even if you can’t respect the person. Because of this view point I will refrain from speaking too freely out of respect for the position. But on the other hand there are some things I must address. After reading the Warden’s Message in this month’s bulletin (3+ pages… some message huh?), I felt compelled for comment after what I read.

To sum it all up, the basic “message” was, and I paraphrase; ‘Look at me, acknowledge me, fear me… I’m the new Warden and I hold your careers in my hands.’ Now maybe that’s not how it was meant, but that’s how it came across. I do agree with some statements that were made, but disagree on how they were made… I believe I still have the right to agree to disagree.

I agree the majority of the administration does good job. I can say this because I have worked with most of them during their career and have seen them excel to the positions they now hold and as a ‘family member’ would be, I am proud to see those that I have worked with climb the ranks from C/O to administrative positions. Those that I come in contact with show me that they have not forgotten where they started from or the job that we line staff face every day. Yes, politics comes into play when you hit those higher ranks, but maintaining an understanding of what is faced daily goes a long way.

What I disagree with is the forgetfulness of a common, highly utilized, philosophy. “A General is only as good as his troops.” What this means and what any supervisor in any company can attest to is that, and I’ll break it down:
• A Captain is only as good as his lieutenants.
• Lieutenants are knowledgeable about their programs as much as the Sergeants inform them.
• Sergeants are only as good as the Officers that run the programs and handle the day to day occurrences within those programs.

So if utilized all the way up the chain, a Warden is only as good as the line staff. To take it another step farther – respect is shown for the people holding title as respect is shown for the people doing the job on the front lines. As I first said, I will always respect the title; anything else has to be earned. Compared to many other institutions were doing damn good. there has not been an issue of inmates with cell phones (at least not yet). we have not had a major riot or staff assaulting in quite some time. No officers have been arrested for over familiarity, gang activity, brandishing fire arms in public, DUI’s or Jay-Walking. We have our issues but most of those are OJT training and complacency.

With that said, I must address an issue with “enforcing rules, regulations, policies and laws”. Yes there is importance of following these guidelines. What standards that are required by line staff must be magnified by administration. The idea of ‘do as I say, not as I do’ does not hold water any more. The age of “transparency” is upon us and the old ideology must change from above as well as from the bottom. If we are held to such a high standard with possible termination looming over our heads if caught being less than truthful or whatever terminology that is used for the situation, so should it be for those that are at the top of the ladder also. I think the term is called ‘Lead by example’. If you’re ready to hold us by those expectations, then prepare to live by them also. If my hand is to be cut off because I stole, then cut out your tongue if you lie! That seems fair, but how many administrators would be left?

We’ve all done things that circumvent the rules. It’s called the spirit of the law and if used correctly, is a part of our arsenal to use while staying fluid in our surroundings. But if you now want to hold that against us and go by the letter of the law, then let that hammer fall freely and accept your punishment as well.
Many of us comply with our job duties day in and day out and still end up with a shadow cast upon us. If procedure is followed and you don’t like the outcome, don’t change the policy, back us up and address the problem later.

There are always rogue employees anywhere you look. They are not in the majority and you have no reason to view all of us as though we’ve done something wrong. You won’t have to look for them. They will show themselves and when they do, handle them appropriately. Just remember you are dealing with human lives and people who signed up to fight, bleed and possibly die for their partners. So be sure before you act, and at least attempt to find out what went wrong so it can be stopped before it happens again.

We have not had a good run lately at DVI. Two outstanding officers passed on (Karen and Jerry, your still in my/our prayers), eight officers including a sergeant were walked off in one month (Black August), countless investigations, a staff search (which we knew was coming), morale in the tank and nobody seems to care and just recently a DVI family member decided to end her own life (My prayers and condolences to her family). Not the best time to put a thumb on someone’s back but if an impression was meant to be made, that it was. It wasn’t a very positive impression, but we got the point.

I’ll end with my own message:

We at DVI are very close. Were not as close as we used to be, but we are still family. I’ve never seen such a response time to alarms as we do at DVI. Yes it can get better, but we are unmatched. Training has improved and I can see it getting even better. The care that we show for our fellow co-workers is impeccable. For anyone who comes from the outside it is hard for them to grasp how we get things done with so many programs, escorts and screenings. We constantly show the undefeatable spirit that we will not be beat.

Ask any administrator who began or worked at DVI for the majority of their career and they’ll tell you there’s no other place like it. We do have history here. Good and bad, we have history that separates us from everywhere else. Anyone can recognize that but you can’t fully understand it until you’ve been here for a while. So before any more judgment is made, I hope all that is new to us learns more before they decide to make DVI into what they believe we should be. We may not fit into the ‘professional’ text book, but we get the job done with very little paperwork following it.

We took this job to do some good. To make good money, have a ‘respectable’ career, make a difference in our lives and do this without thanks, appreciation, gratitude, or acknowledgment. We may be looked at as the bastard department of the state, but no glorified traffic cop would ever change positions with us. We do more with less and get talked about and ridiculed for doing our jobs. Thanks for the support. I’m just sayin…

COMPLACENT

2009-10-16T10:37:00.000-07:00

This is a word that is thrown around a lot especially when administration or the department wants to prove a point of mistakes by an officer becoming too comfortable with his or her surroundings. So for me to continue I have to make sure I understand what the definition is.

Encarta dictionary: “Complacent (adjective) [kum-play-sant]; satisfied / eager to please – self-satisfied and unaware of possible dangers”. U.S. Thesaurus: Satisfied, self-satisfied, smug, unworried, content, self-righteous.

So, now knowing what the definition is, let’s look at how it is used by the department. To go into it a little deeper than stated earlier, the word complacent is used to describe the actions, or non-actions of an officer who has been on the job or in a position for some time and neglects to be as thorough in his duties as he should be. Does the departments use follow the definition of the dictionary?

How and why does an officer become complacent? Most commonly used scenario is about the officer with 18 years experience on the job (seasoned is the term used the most) who has worked in his current Bid position for 5+ years. He has supervised the inmates on his work crew for quite some time and they have become knowledgeable in his personality, routines, quirks even what he brings to lunch on certain days, if not every day. Now if you want to admit it or not, when you work or supervise anyone, including an inmate, you end up having a rapport (a working relationship) with them, but this is also why they will work for you and not bring or have issues while on the work site with you. It’s the respect and rapport they have for and with you. But is this truly the most common scenario? Are officers the only staff members who prone to become complacent? Are supervisors subject to become complacent? Once you become an administrator, are you immune to it? “Food for Thought”.
So what is the most common scenario for officers to become complacent as defined by CDCR? You tell me how many times you’ve heard this or something like it and tell me where the complacence rests:

1. Two inmates fight while playing basketball during night yard. Responding officers clearly reports that inmate Smith assaulted inmate Jones first and without provocation. After being interview, the yard supervisor does not send inmate Smith to Ad/Seg, and the incident package is dropped to a 115 for mutual combat because it’s getting close to the end of shift…

2. While conducting cell searches you find several contraband items in inmate Smith’s cell including a TV that has another inmates name and number stenciled on the side and a walkman that has been altered. You confiscate the items and leave a receipt for all the items taken including the TV and walkman. When the inmate comes back from work, he refuses to lock-up until he gets his ‘property’ or speaks to the Captain. You place the inmate in handcuffs and escort him to the program office. You are later requested to return the questioned TV and walkman until the property sheet for inmate Smith is checked…

3. You are the Ad/Seg floor officer processing an inmate who was just placed in Ad/Seg housing. The inmate refuses to submit to an unclothed body search stating that he was already stripped out in the program office and shouldn’t have to strip out again. After going over the policy, the inmate still refuses to strip out. The Ad/Seg sergeant tells you to put him in the cell anyway…

4. You work the entrance building and an Associate warden walks through. You’ve known him for years so you acknowledge and say hello before asking for his state ID. He looks at you like your joking and becomes irritated and gives you attitude because you still ask for his ID…

5. An Ad/Seg inmate demands his property and boards up his cell. An extraction team is formed while a lieutenant speaks with the inmate. After reviewing the policy for Ad/Seg inmates to receive their property and clearly sees that this inmate should not receive property yet, the lieutenant orders for the inmates property to be delivered…

Some of these scenarios are minor and could be understandable if far and in-between, but when it becomes a regular occurrence, most officers get fed up having their authority and correctional judgment questioned day in and day out without any backing by supervisors or administration.

It’s difficult not to become ‘complacent’ when the latitude is so much in the inmates favor. You always look like you’re doing too much and the administration thinks they have ‘problem officers’ because they will sit and listen to inmate complaints, with their jailhouse legalese, and take the side if the wolves instead of the sheepdogs. So what’s a C/O to do? I guess we should just continue on and have every write-up questioned or thrown out.

Maybe I’m wrong but it seems to me that it has come to the point where if we don’t do our jobs we are lazy and complacent. If we do our jobs we are mean, heartless and abusing our authority. But at the same time supervisors and administrators can circumvent rules and policies at will, when it fits their needs, but that’s not being complacent. That’s just being understanding…

So going by definition we all are complacent. If we do our job we are complacent by being ‘eager to please’ the administration and show that the rules and policies are being followed. If we don’t do our job we are complacent by being ‘unworried’ or ‘unaware of possible dangers’. So again I ask; are officers the only ones complacent even though we face issues and dangers every day just by showing up to work… or could it be possible that some supervisors and administrators are “smug” and “self-righteous” by not backing their staff or following rules and policies… Wouldn’t that make us all complacent?
I’m just sayin…

Strike Or No Strike

2009-07-20T09:44:00.000-07:00

It's real easy to show your frustration and want to strike to send a message to Sacramento and our union 'leadership' that we are willing and want to pick up the picket signs and protest. It's just as easy to say 'put up or shut up' to members that have complained but may not back a strike.
As public servants we must be very careful to make sure that the correct message is sent to the right people without them being able to twist the meanings of our words or actions.
It is very apparent that the union leadership is only concerned in fattening their pockets by fighting for a raise for us so they can get a larger 10% of our dues while letting our medical coverage and retirement sit as a side note. NOT GOOD ENOUGH!
It is apparent that the lame duck governor will do anything it can to break the 'once' most powerful union on our state. NOT GOOD ENOUGH!
It is known that the public has bought into how we have been portrayed in the media. NOT GOOD ENOUGH!
It’s a fact that more and more members are losing the houses, cars, credit rating, income and families that we all worked so hard to get because of the personal vendetta that MJ and AS has against each other. NOT GOOD ENOUGH!
The feds are in our yard because of the medical receivership watching and waiting for an opportunity to also prove their case right, as wrong as it may be that they need to come in and take over. Arnold would love that to. Why? One less burden he would have to deal with that would go back to federal responsibility without him (Arnold) take any responsibility himself. NOT GOOD ENOUGH!
So what are we to do? Is a strike the answer? Do we show the governor, media and public that we are so tired of being treated like the neandrathol MJ portrays us as being by representing us and not having the professionalism or personal respect to shave and wash his hair before he sits at the bargaining table that we are willing to risk losing the job we fight every day to maintain? Would a strike change their mind of us and gain sympathy of how we are being treated and portrayed or prove their case?
We are not the only union in Arnold’s cross hairs, but we are the main one. And the one thing that he has on his side that we don't is an ear from the media waiting with baited breath for his next comment to prove what heartless, greedy, uncaring, money grubbing 'guards' we are, and as untrue as that statement is - they will believe him. They will believe him because the one thing that Arnold is good at is spinning the blame on how negative we are especially when our leadership gives him more ammo to use against us and the media looks for.
So what do we do?

First off, our spokesman MUST CHANGE. Not MJ change, WE MUST CHANGE SPOKESMAN!I suggest that every member in earshot of Paco villa, CCPOA or our cheesy Peacekeeper e-mail, write or call so it is understood that MJ is no longer needed or wanted in any position of leadership. We don't need a vote. Just show that as members we will not put up with faulty leadership anymore. Allow MJ the time needed to get the rehabilitation he portrays that he needs. A good twelve step program is just a phone call away...
Next we need to reach back out to the other unions (SEIU, Teachers, etc.)And let them know even though we were not supported, we support them. Our strength is in our numbers. If and when the time comes that THEY decide to strike, we will be there to support them. We will support their picket lines to increase the number of bodies holding up signs in solidarity. This would help put a face to our union and a reality check to the media and public that we care about teachers and health workers and all other state workers because what happens to them affects us and our families. We do our share to keep them safe by putting our lives on the line and doing our jobs behind those walls, keeping the bad guys in and we don't want the thanks that we deserve, we just want the respect we deserve.
The media blitz must return. What happened to getting the word out of what and who we deal with on a daily basis? Why can't we show that not only are we professionals in what we do but we are also law abiding family oriented fathers, mothers, sons and daughters that contribute to our local economy from girl scout cookies to the local WAL-MART that we shopped in down the street.
Why is our salaries always in question but no facts are released about how much is actually spent on an inmate with our without health care? Let the truth run out. Let the media get accurate information on where tax money is actually going -'cause it's not in our pockets, it's in the inmate’s medication. I'd love to read that in the SAC BEE! I'm tired of threats of possible layoffs and furloughs without the federal courts looking into anything but the answer remaining 'we're working on that too'.
We are dealing with a wanna be- union buster lame duck on one side and a once upon a time fiery Don Novey without the hat, connections or couth wanna be!
Arnold's intension from day one was to break the unions and destroy PERS.
All I'm saying is whatever we do, think it through. It sounds good that we are willing to take a risk of losing our jobs to make a point, but being one who's gone through that in the past, I just warn that the feeling changes after standing in the unemployment line. I'm ready to do something too. But calmer heads must prevail. If we take the offense we need to make sure that there will be pay offs - not layoffs.