Thoughts of a California Correctional Officer About Prisons, Inmates, and Their Keepers

I have gotten pretty well addicted to the Progress Report, and pieces like this are among the reasons.

My husband works in a pretty "macho" field and I know that he and the guys he works with are reluctant to use the EAS program for much the same reasons touched on by the author... it had occurred to me before that the C/Os have an emotionally damaging job and it's a bloody shame that seeking to preserve emotional health would be viewed any differently than doing what's needed for their physical health.

The author, near the end, comments: " In many ways, we really are all in the same boat, the public, the criminals, and correctional staff. If we want to save our collective skins we should all start bailing together instead of endlessly fighting over who we should throw overboard to lighten the load without addressing the leak that is sinking us all."
... and my only thought upon reading that was..."He's right, but the solution would violate Title 15 because "the public, the criminals, and correctional staff" are not permitted to communicate with one another on a level that would make us all just humans with a problem to solve".

thank you for sharing your thoughts about how bad things are, for you ARE THE ONE THAT SHOULD KNOW....no one really cares is the problem UNLESS something happens to them or someone they know...I know I didn't KNOW...I just always cared, but was unaware of the debasing environment for all, not just the 'criminals'..and especially for the first-timers who are put in with the 'old-timers'....THAT I think is the FIRST GIANT problem that needs to be addressed...treat people like animals and worse and what do you expect? It just is that way...and who becomes how? The criminals adjust to the fair and justice? which is not meted out for so long it is not comprehensible to any there that it would be possible...to even begin to trust that things could be different...THEN....they are let out with NOTHING but the clothes on their back and expected to function in a society where they have not been in for how long? And most are back in due to probation violations and believe me, they can be as small as not being able to contact their PO...EVERYTHING ABOUT THE CRIMINAL SYSTEM IS CRIMINAL, NOT JUST THE CRIMINALS and the ones who work there are a miracle to stay sane...notwithstanding the ones who are in there to abuse their power and we all know that they are there just for that....WE NEED ACTIVISTS...we need to keep talking about it until something is done....isn't that sad...nothing is done until it is almost impossible to do anything because it has gotten so out of control....thank you for letting us know what you think and how you actually see it and just plain HOW IT IS!

It takes all kinds. I guess Josef Mengele wouldn't complain about CDC's healthcare either.

maria,"EVERYTHING ABOUT THE CRIMINAL SYSTEM IS CRIMINAL"
Yes it is, the criminals need to be treated like the criminals they are. There are many programs for this people to take advantage of, and some do.WE NEED ACTIVISTS,we do, to make prison a place you don`t want to be.Now your going to say I want to abuse the inmates, not. I can`t change your mind, Correctional officer is a challenging job. You deal with some of the worst people around, then go home and here how bad you are,over paid, criminal, badge happy, morons.
And you wonder why?

I enjoy the California Progress Report- the articles and comments are always right on. Thank you Delia- your last paragraph of your comment is absolutely correct-being human and "acting" human is a step in the right direction for any type of reform or change. People are sent to prison as punishment, not for punishment; The environment does not need to be overly harsh- kindness is proven to work wonders. Rehabilitation and programs would undoubtedly benefit both officers and inmates. We dont need more prisons- we need effective programs in place so that upon release, inmates have a good chance at making it in the world. If all sides worked together toward a common goal, think of the results.

Important point, Carol, "The environment does not need to be overly harsh- kindness is proven to work wonders. Rehabilitation and programs would undoubtedly benefit both officers and inmates. "

Those facilities that have programs available that allow inmates to do something real- foster shelter animals, work with puppies destined to become assistance or search and rescue dogs, participate in the few rodeo programs scattered across the country... a few facilities have peer counseling programs... almost anything that supports an urge to nurture... these programs WORK... so do the programs that foster creativity, such as the saddlery shops in Colorado and Oklahoma, art, choir and gardening programs all yield terrific results at a relatively small cost...A great many inmates never stood a chance out in the "real world" of finding out what they were really good for or good at and programs that serve some greater good are very valuable in convincing the participants that they are worthwhile, gives them something to truly be proud of... and since participation requires a fairly clean disciplinary file, it offers a solid reason to abide by policies.
I have 3 inmates scattered around California, so yes, my interest is personal, but I'm also a citizen and know that most of the men and women in our prisons today will be released... I'd like those people to be better, not worse, when they're out here sharing my streets again.

EVERYTHING ABOUT THE CRIMINAL SYSTEM IS CRIMINAL, NOT JUST THE CRIMINALS! I totally agree with this statement, made by Maria. I also agree with Delia and Carol, there has to be some give. I do agree that most of the inmates in prison today broke the law and went to prison for punishment. But on the same note, that does not make them bad people, it just makes them people who for what ever there reason, made the decision to break the law. Now I believe they need to be punished, but they also need guidance and counsoling that allows them to figure out the mistakes they made so that they don't repeat their mistakes. Whether that be classes that teach them a new trade or parole officers that see them more as just vermen. I've seen what power hungry CO's and PO's can do to someone, and it isn't pretty. These are human beings for whatever reason made some bad choices, that doesn't however make them bad people. Just my two cents. There does need to be total reform of the prison system and the criminal justice system as a whole. But if the men and women who are working with the inmates can't for whatever macho reason take care of themselves, how can they take care of those they are paid to watch over?

Bottom line, this isn't about the officers, criminals, and the justice system. It's the bigger picture. The responsibility mainly rests with the parents of California. You want reform, it starts at home. Families should ban together and watch over their children. Be active in your child's education, involve them in sports and activities to keep them busy. Do not let them run the streets or be without parental supervision. Know who and where your children socialize. Let them know you care. Children with no support system will look for it elsewhere. 90% of the inmates in prison are involved with gangs, whether it be for drugs, protection or a feeling of belonging. "Guidance and counseling" should come from your parents, not the prison system. The men and women working in the prison system are just that. Working in the prison system. Kindness in prison? Huh? Professionalism is all that is needed. You all need to watch the National Geographic channel on the prison system, instead of going to prison visiting rooms to listen to the inmates complain about their injustices. Wake up to reality. Kindness and comforts should come from home, not prison. Prison should be a deterrent. Education should come from the school system and college, not from select prison programming. The prison system should not be a substitution for mom and dad. I, as a California taxpayer, do not "OWE" criminals anything. They themselves and their families need to step up to the plate and take responsibility. Criminals go to prison "as punishment," not for boarding/finishing school.

BON93 wrote: "The prison system should not be a substitution for mom and dad."

But the priosn system IS a substitution for mom and dad. People who were not adequately nurtured and disciplined in childhood grow up to be perpetual children incapable of making adult decisions and forever in need of our parenting. Yes, I do work in the prison system and we are forever sending these horribly damaged humans to their rooms.

BON93 wrote: "The prison system should not be a substitution for mom and dad."

But the prison system IS a substitution for mom and dad. People who were not adequately nurtured and disciplined in childhood grow up to be perpetual children, incapable of making adult decisions and forever in need of our parenting. Yes, I do work in the prison system and we are forever sending these horribly damaged humans to their rooms.

Bon 93. Your comments are great when it comes to parenting, but your statements about prison directly contradict what you say about parenting. You apparently contend that inmates had bad parenting and I am sure you would agree that they make bad parents. Then you want inmates put into prisons for punishment and you want the prisons to do nothing about their problems because the inmate's don't deserve it. What about society? what do they deserve? Whose side are you on?

CDC&R,,"EVERYTHING ABOUT THE CRIMINAL SYSTEM IS CRIMINAL"
Yes it is, the criminals need to be treated like the criminals they are. Rehab. programs, some use them to better themselves, most use them to hone their con. ways. Heathcare, they get better than I get. Over crowding it makes life difficult for officers and inmates alike.Why are prisons overcrowded? Do time, no sweat,(two hots, a sack lunch, rehab programs, heathcare, TV, library, store, sports, phones, visits, and much more) Rob me, beat me, and get 10 years, but you only have to do 5 years. They get good time off, WHY? You get 10 years you do 10 years. Your good, 10 years. your bad, add to the 10 years. Make prison a place you don`t want to be. What about the victims? What happens the them? What rehab. do they get? Officers, deal with this inmates day after day, and all you here is can I get this or that, why not? I`m going to the LT. Your not giving me what I got coming? Tell that to your victim. 3 strikes is a good thing. These people that don`t learn after 2 times, 3rd time throw away the key. Correctional Officers have to deal with the worst of the worst and go home to here you are a over paided, badge happy, no good, you should be here. You wonder why? Help the people that aren`t locked up. Spend my tax money them. Pray for the Officers that keep you safe, they need it working with the bad people of this world. Now twist my words into something I can`t even understand. I`m just glad I can speak my mind. This is a great country, stand behind her.

TOM-"I" did not put these CRIMINALS in prison as punishment, it is the law. These criminals committed the crimes. Society deserves to be safe. Society deserves to have their hard earned money go to programs to PREVENT crimes. Yes, I agree with your comment about bad parenting. Criminals do not make good parents. But we still have conjucal visits in prison. Tom, this means overnight visits. It's not about programs in prison, there are plenty for the ones who WANT help. You have to want to change. Prisons do not change people. People change people. Forget what happened to you as a child, or what didn't and move on. Not to use it as an excuse to rob, beat, abuse, or kill. The prison system is full of career criminals who like to play the "I'm the victim" game. Oh and by the way, I'm on every law- abiding, honest, hard-working, sick and tired of supporting criminal behavior California taxpayers' side.

Bon93. You still don't get it. If inmates didn't receive proper parenting to begin with, and we don't teach them those skills in prison and then let them out without them...that situation can't promote public safety unless you live in the twilight zone. You are more posture than substance. You demand that inmates change, you claim they can do so if they "want" to but you don't say how they are to do that after you make a whole case for why it requires proper nurture to be a whole person. I repeat, you seem to be advocating something that doesn't work, that upon reflection you should know can't work, and you don't seem to care because you think your moral high ground exempts you from being accountable for you own decisions and actions vis a vis this problem due to your current position. If you really believe that inmates can change their behavior by just wanting to, I suggest you share that gem with all your co-workers who have personality problems and who don't realize they just need to "get over" them to create a perfect work site. If those who have marginal personality problems find them hard to change, like smoking or overeating, what makes you think that individuals with deeply ingrained character deficiencies can overcome them by just "wanting to" without any help or support. And what makes you think that placing violent people in a violent environment, uncaring people in an uncaring environment or valueless people in a devaluing environment does anything but make them worse, before you turn them loose on that public you claim to care so much about?

Bon93. You still don't get it. If inmates didn't receive proper parenting to begin with, and we don't teach them those skills in prison and then let them out without them...that situation can't promote public safety unless you live in the twilight zone. You are more posture than substance. You demand that inmates change, you claim they can do so if they "want" to but you don't say how they are to do that after you make a whole case for why it requires proper nurture to be a whole person. I repeat, you seem to be advocating something that doesn't work, that upon reflection you should know can't work, and you don't seem to care because you think your moral high ground exempts you from being accountable for you own decisions and actions vis a vis this problem due to your current position. If you really believe that inmates can change their behavior by just wanting to, I suggest you share that gem with all your co-workers who have personality problems and who don't realize they just need to "get over" them to create a perfect work site. If those who have marginal personality problems find them hard to change, like smoking or overeating, what makes you think that individuals with deeply ingrained character deficiencies can overcome them by just "wanting to" without any help or support. And what makes you think that placing violent people in a violent environment, uncaring people in an uncaring environment or valueless people in a devaluing environment does anything but make them worse, before you turn them loose on that public you claim to care so much about?

The president for the National Association for the Mentally Ill (NAMI) estimates that at least half the prisoners are severely mentally ill. No matter how hard anyone tries, you cannot publish the illness out of someone. Often they can be healed, but punishing makes them much sicker. We need politicians who are going to be smart on crime, voters need to empower the treaters, the healers and put mindless revenge-based punishers in a lower position. It is predictable that the mentally ill cannot follow rules, cannot survive a structured environment and need hospitals instead of being locked in cages, which never has and never will deter them from acting out their crimes.

You must be some self proclaimed psychologist who can "look" into peoples minds. To say my co-workers have personality problems, and you don't even know who they are, would suggest you believe all people have some type of problem. Thus you must be a psych or have family in prison. Bottom line is these overeating smokers you speak of can be encouraged to go to some type of counseling or support group, but not forced to change their habits. Same goes for any type of abnormal behavior. Contrary to your belief, my moral high ground does not exempt me from being held accountable for my decisions, if anything it keeps me accountable. It also makes me a better human, parent, and citizen. If half the inmate population had any type of moral high ground or conscious, there would be half the victims and a safer public. I do believe support is a commom thread for those who want to change and I did say how inmates can change. Prison offers support groups, church, education, work, and vocation programs. Not to mention free rent, free meals, and a caring few in the public who love to listen to inmate injustice. The only thing missing is mom and dad to hold their hands. It's not the job of the officers to fill that void. Nor mine.

I agree EVERYTHING ABOUT THE CRIMAL SYSTEM IS CRIMAL! I have read some of the blogs on pacovilla web site and I was in total dismay. One CO posted I just let the inmate fight why stop them L.A. well send another one tomorrow to replace him. tHERE SOMTHING REALLY WRONG WITHIN OUR PRISONS!

I agree EVERYTHING ABOUT THE CRIMAL SYSTEM IS CRIMAL! I have read some of the blogs on pacovilla web site and I was in total dismay. One CO posted I just let the inmate fight why stop them L.A. well send another one tomorrow to replace him. tHERE SOMTHING REALLY WRONG WITHIN OUR PRISONS!

Bon93. For a person who seems simple and straightforward and who claims the high moral ground, you not only seem to play "Jack be nimble" with your ideas but you don't hesitate to misrepresent things. Why are you the only person in the state that thinks that CDCR provides anything but minimal programs (totally insufficient according to the Hoover institute) and why did you duck the issue of addressing how an environment either supports or undermines positive changes? Is it because you like to play the game of "good guy" versus "bad guy" and you are committed to keeping the "bad" guys "bad" so you can keep thinking you are good. You say inmates have church available to them for their edification within the prison. Maybe you should try it outside the prison and find out what the moral "high ground" really consists of and what it means to take responsibility for something other than yourself.

Here's some facts from the Bureau of Justice - half the prisoners are mentally ill and/or addicts. You can't punish them into being good. Healing is required. This might mean that the guards need more education

http://www.nami.org/Content/Microsites140/NAMI_Austin/Home130/Whats_New57/DOJ_Study1/DOJ_Mental_Illness_Prison.pdf

Are you calling the Bureau of Justice liars? Do you think a guard is on the same level with a psych? HA - they're on the same level with a bar bouncer and only an inch from being inmates themselves due to their love of violence!

The bad guys being bad have nothing to do with my goodness. However, you are entitled to your opinion. My faith is in the youth of today, not the criminals with mile long rap sheets. I take responsibility for my actions not those who continue to rape and pillage innocent victims causing the great divide in our very state. Though you say I am committed to keeping the bad guys bad, I don't live in a perfect world and I know it. No misrepresentations here, but the truth does hurt. How many prison tours have you been on? Family members or did you serve? By the way, I did not run from your environmental statement. Where do you suggest we put violent criminals other than prison?.....Maybe you should start the adopt a criminal/parolee program. Really. You could "change" some lives. Good luck.

Well, Tom, I guess we can agree to disagree. I'll stay tough on crime while you coddle the very ones who commit the crime.

Stephanie-Comparing Peace Officers (you call guards) to bar bouncers in ludacris. Pathetic. Stay away from the alcohol it does you no justice. If half are mentally ill, what happened to the rest? Peace Officers do not need more education, the public does.

I've wasted too much time on this Democrat site.

Less than 30% of the prisoners are in for a violent crime. It seems to me you make a lot of claims without backing them up with statistics and then when the evidence is presented to you, everyone is a liar. The fact is that locking people in cages, especially sick people, has never done one thing to deter a mentally ill person from acting out his illness. Due to their bad treatment in California's prisons, people are returning much sicker to their communities than before incarceration. What percentage of the prisoners are in for rape? A very small percentage to be sure, and how do you know that they are actually guilty when the courts are as corrupt as the prison system?

It's plain stupid to insinuate that all prisoners do not have families who would love for them to come home. Why not send all the non violent prisoners home to their families, those who want them? I am sure you will find this is a big percentage of people.

Bon93. Change is difficult, really difficult. That's why you have a high estimate of your values...you have no intention of changing. That's why almost all inmates are in denial, they have no intention of changing. Those who propose that inmates should change are not "coddling" them and those who believe they shouldn't have to change, should not pretend to be "tough on crime". If you want to enable their behavior with yours, I can't help that. But don't call your position tough when almost all the inmates are thankful you hold it.

There are several ways to look at this:

Hate the sinner, hate the sin -tough guy
Love the sinner, hate the sin -religious
Love the sinner, love the sin -enabler
Hate the sinner, love the sin -Bon93

In the majority of cases when and if a violent crime has been committed, it is not a question of good vs. evil but more one of sick vs. well. Many people go into prison on the edge, but the treatment there pushes them over the edge. When the mentally ill can't follow the rules, the guards see it as their job to break their mind, body and spirit. It serves no public safety interest, wastes the taxpayers money and just simply doesn't work. Guards should be required to have at least an AA with training in mental health, first aid, anger management, cultural differences instead of just a bunch of bubba types

In the majority of cases when and if a violent crime has been committed, it is not a question of good vs. evil but more one of sick vs. well. Many people go into prison on the edge, but the treatment there pushes them over the edge. When the mentally ill can't follow the rules, the guards see it as their job to break their mind, body and spirit. It serves no public safety interest, wastes the taxpayers money and just simply doesn't work. Guards should be required to have at least an AA with training in mental health, first aid, anger management, cultural differences instead of just a bunch of bubba types

"Guards should be required to have at least an AA with training in mental health, first aid, anger management, cultural differences instead of just a bunch of bubba types "
They get all that training and more from the day they start the job tell they retire. OH yea why did the state close most all the mental hospitals and put the mentally ill people in prision in the first place. To save MONEY!
"It's plain stupid to insinuate that all prisoners do not have families who would love for them to come home. Why not send all the non violent prisoners home to their families, those who want them? I am sure you will find this is a big percentage of people."
Thats just great, do the crime, get convicted, go home to do it again and again!

"how do you know that they are actually guilty when the courts are as corrupt as the prison system?"
So the whole country is corrupt? Now I see.

Make prison a place you don`t want to go back to!

YES YES YES; THANK GOD FOR PLACING REV. CAYENNE IN THIS POSITION; AS WE FAMILY MEMBERS OF INMATES, AND THE INMATES WOULD NOT HAVE AN OUTLET OR A VOICE. FAMOUS SPEECH BY MLK- INJUSTICE ANYWHERE IS A THREAT TO JUSTICE EVERYWHERE.
WHERE ARNOLD IS FROM HAS SOME ISSUES ON FREEDOM, HUMAN RIGHTS AND FREE SPEECH. I DON'T THINK HE IS BOUND BY HEART AND SOUL TO FOLLOW LAWS PUT IN PLACE BY THE FOUNDING FATHERS OF LAWS OF AMERICA THAT SHOULD BE ACKNOWELEDGED AND ADHERED TO BY ALL WHO LIVE UNDER THE AMERICAN HAT. THESE PEOPLE ARE HUMAN BEINGS AND OUR TAX DOLLARS ARE TO ENSURE THAT THEY ARE TREATED HUMANELY. INSTEAD WE HAVE AN OUT OF CONTROL "WILD WILD WEST" EVEN THE GOVERNOR IS DEMONSTRATING ARROGANCE WHERE THE LAW IS CONCERNED, DUE PROCESS FOR THE INMATES, ELDERLY PARENTS AND FAMILY MEMBERS DEPRIVED OF VISITING THEIR LOVED ONES.
THIS IS NOT A FIX THIS IS ANOTHER FEEBLE ATTEMPT TO IGNORE THE LAWS AND CONTINUE BAMBOOZLING THE TAXPAYERS, HOODWINKING THE DISADVANTAGED PARENTS/FAMILY MEMBERS FROM VISITING. THIS WOULD ENTITLE THE STATE INMATES ARE TRANSFERRED OUT MONIES FOR MORE MODERN DAY SLAVE CAMPS BY THOSE TAXPAYERS, WITH THOSE SCARE TATICS OF THESE INMATES BEING MORE DANGEROUS AND THE WORST LIFE HAS TO OFFER, WHEN IN FACT THE WORST LIFE HAS TO OFFER IS THE GOVERNOR, THE CORRECTIONS OFFICERS THE CURRENT NIGHTMARE OF PUNISHMENT, RATHER THAN REHABILITATION.

Yes even you have an opinion such as it is, "BON" you obviously don't know your job or possess much insight into life or the different parodies of individual lives. Not everyone in prison is guilty, not everyone in prison is there because their parents did not keep a watchful eye on them and participate in their upbringing. You are a just one of the URGENT,MAJOR REASONS WE NEED TO CLEAN OUT THE CURRENT PRISON STAFFING. YOU SIR OR MADAME ARE HIRED TO UPHOLD THE LAW, AND TO MAINTAIN IT WITHOUT PREJUDICE, YOU ARE NOT TO INFLICT YOUR OWN MANIC PUNISHMENT ON THE INMATES, THE PUNISHMENT HAS ALREADY BEEN ISSUED IN THE COURTS OF WHICH YOU ARE REQUIRED TO RESPECT AND UPHOLD, RATHER THAN HAVING YOUR OWN AGENDA. AND IMPOSE YOUR OWN STUPID RULES WHEN IT IS CONVENIENT ON THE UNSUSPECTING FAMILY OR FRIEND VISITING; THE MOMENT YOU DECIDE A VISITOR DARES TO QUESTION ANYTHING OR DOES NOT MEET YOUR PERSONAL REQUIREMENTS/RUB YOU THE WRONG WAY.
THE BEATINGS THE MISTREATMENT AND ABUSIVE OF AUTHORITY, DEATHS UNDER QUESTIONABLE CIRCUMSTANCES "MUST STOP" YOU CORRECTIONS OFFICERS ARE OUT OF CONTROL, "WE NEED A NEW SHERIFF IN TOWN" AND BIG BROTHER TO LOOK OVER ALL OF YOUR SHOULDERS ENSURING FAIRNESS, CORRECT AUTHORITY, AND PUNISHMENT FOR THOSE CORRECTIONS OFFICERS/ALL STAFF WHO DARE TO DEFY THE LAWS. THAT ESPECIALLY INCLUDE THOSE IN THE CORRECTIONS DEPARTMENT, AS YOU STAND OUT MORE AS THE CORE OF WHAT IS SO WRONG, THE HEAD IS BAD SO WHAT ELSE CAN WE TAXPAYERS EXPECT FROM THE BODY, THE HEAD RUNS THE BODY. SO WHAT IF I OR ANYONE HAS A FAMILY MEMBER WHO IS AN INMATE, WE ARE NOT BLIND, WE SEE MORE THAN YOU THINK OR GIVE US CREDIT FOR, THIS IS JOB SECURITY FOR YOU TO HOODWINK THE PUBLIC, BEING BAMBOOZLED IS NOT NEW, WE ACKNOWLEDGE THAT IT IS YOURS' AND OTHERS AS YOURSELF TO LIE TO THE TAXPAYERS ABOUT WHAT REALLY GOING ON IN THOSE PRISONS, YOUR UNIFORMS ARE STILL FRESHLY PRESSED WHEN YOU COME IN AND WHEN YOU LEAVE, BECAUSE YOU UTILIZE THE LIFERS OR LONG TERM INMATES TO CONTROL THE FIGHTS YOU CORRECTIONS OFFICERS INCITE. IF YOU MISTREAT A DOG ENOUGH TIMES IT WILL SOON DECIDE TO BITE IN IT'S ATTEMPT TO STOP THE ABUSE BEING INFLICTED ON THEM, YET YOU WOULD HAVE THE PUBLIC TO BELIEVE THAT THESE PEOPLE FOR NO APPARENT REASON ARE JUST THE WORST BEINGS ON THE PLANETS FROM HOMES WITH NO SUPERVISION, TRUE SOME DID NOT HAVE PARENTAL CONTROL, YOU MUST KNOW ALL THE APPLES IN THE BARREL ARE DIFFERENT SHAPES, SIZES, TASTE, SOME HAVE WORMS,ALL CAN NOT BE LUMPED AS THE SAME.

Yes, even you have an opinion such as it is; "BON" you obviously don't know your job or possess much insight into life.
Not everyone in prison is guilty, not everyone in prison is there because their parents did not keep a watchful eye on them and participate in their upbringing.
You are just one of the URGENT,MAJOR REASONS WE NEED TO CLEAN OUT THE CURRENT PRISON STAFFING/SYSTEM. "YOU SIR OR MADAME" ARE HIRED TO UPHOLD THE LAW, TO MAINTAIN IT WITHOUT PREJUDICE, YOU ARE NOT TO INFLICT YOUR OWN MANIC PUNISHMENT ON THE INMATES, THE PUNISHMENT HAS ALREADY BEEN ISSUED IN THE COURTS OF WHICH YOU ARE REQUIRED TO RESPECT AND UPHOLD, RATHER THAN HAVING YOUR OWN AGENDA.
OR IMPOSE YOUR OWN STUPID RULES WHEN IT IS CONVENIENT ON THE UNSUSPECTING FAMILY OR FRIEND UPON ARRIVAL FOR VISITING; THE MOMENT YOU DECIDE A VISITOR DARES TO QUESTION ANYTHING OR DOES NOT MEET YOUR PERSONAL REQUIREMENTS/RUB YOU THE WRONG WAY.
THE BEATINGS, THE MISTREATMENT, ABUSIVE OF AUTHORITY, LACK OF ADEQUATE MEDICAL ATTENTION/TREATMENT, DEATHS UNDER QUESTIONABLE CIRCUMSTANCES INFLICTED "CONSISTENTLY/"DAILY" ON THE INMATES "MUST STOP" YOU CORRECTIONS OFFICERS ARE OUT OF CONTROL, "WE NEED A NEW SHERIFF IN TOWN" AND BIG BROTHER TO LOOK OVER ALL OF YOUR SHOULDERS ENSURING FAIRNESS, CORRECT AUTHORITY, AND PUNISHMENT FOR THOSE CORRECTIONS OFFICERS/ALL STAFF MEMBERS INCLUDING THE WARDEN; WHO IS THE HEAD OF THE PRISON; WHO DARES TO DEFY THE LAWS.
THAT ESPECIALLY INCLUDE THOSE IN THE CORRECTIONS DEPARTMENT, AS YOU STAND OUT MORE AS THE CORE OF WHAT IS SO WRONG, THE HEAD IS BAD SO WHAT ELSE CAN WE TAXPAYERS EXPECT FROM THE BODY, THE HEAD RUNS THE BODY.
SO WHAT IF I OR ANYONE HAS A FAMILY MEMBER WHO IS AN INMATE, WE ARE NOT BLIND, WE SEE MORE THAN YOU THINK OR GIVE US CREDIT FOR, THIS IS JOB SECURITY FOR YOU TO HOODWINK THE PUBLIC, BEING BAMBOOZLED IS NOT NEW, WE ACKNOWLEDGE THAT IT IS YOURS' AND OTHERS AS YOURSELF TO LIE TO THE TAXPAYERS ABOUT WHATS' REALLY GOING ON IN THOSE PRISONS.
YOUR UNIFORMS ARE FRESHLY PRESSED WHEN YOU COME IN TO WORK AND WHEN YOU LEAVE, BECAUSE YOU UTILIZE THE LIFERS OR LONG TERM INMATES TO CONTROL THE FIGHTS YOU CORRECTIONS OFFICERS INCITE.
IF YOU MISTREAT A DOG ENOUGH TIMES IT WILL SOON DECIDE TO BITE IN IT'S ATTEMPT TO STOP THE ABUSE BEING INFLICTED ON IT, AS YOU ATTEMPT TO HAVE THE PUBLIC BELIEVE THAT ALL INMATES FOR NO APPARENT REASON ARE JUST THE WORST BEINGS ON THE PLANET FROM HOMES WITH NO SUPERVISION.
IT WOULD BE PURE SPECULATION SOME HAD LITTLE OR NO PARENTAL GUIDANCE, SOME ARE MENTALLY ILL, OR WERE BEING TREATED FOR POST TRAUMATIC STRESS, YOU MUST KNOW ALL THE APPLES IN THE BARREL ARE DIFFERENT SHAPES, SIZES, TASTE, SOME HAVE WORMS,ALL CAN NOT BE LUMPED AS THE SAME.

Yes, even you have an opinion such as it is; "BON" you obviously don't know your job or possess much insight into life.
Not everyone in prison is guilty, not everyone in prison is there because their parents did not keep a watchful eye on them and participate in their upbringing.
You are just one of the URGENT,MAJOR REASONS WE NEED TO CLEAN OUT THE CURRENT PRISON STAFFING/SYSTEM. "YOU SIR OR MADAME" ARE HIRED TO UPHOLD THE LAW, TO MAINTAIN IT WITHOUT PREJUDICE, YOU ARE NOT TO INFLICT YOUR OWN MANIC PUNISHMENT ON THE INMATES, THE PUNISHMENT HAS ALREADY BEEN ISSUED IN THE COURTS OF WHICH YOU ARE REQUIRED TO RESPECT AND UPHOLD, RATHER THAN HAVING YOUR OWN AGENDA.
OR IMPOSE YOUR OWN STUPID RULES WHEN IT IS CONVENIENT ON THE UNSUSPECTING FAMILY OR FRIEND UPON ARRIVAL FOR VISITING; THE MOMENT YOU DECIDE A VISITOR DARES TO QUESTION ANYTHING OR DOES NOT MEET YOUR PERSONAL REQUIREMENTS/RUB YOU THE WRONG WAY.
THE BEATINGS, THE MISTREATMENT, ABUSIVE OF AUTHORITY, LACK OF ADEQUATE MEDICAL ATTENTION/TREATMENT, DEATHS UNDER QUESTIONABLE CIRCUMSTANCES INFLICTED "CONSISTENTLY/"DAILY" ON THE INMATES "MUST STOP" YOU CORRECTIONS OFFICERS ARE OUT OF CONTROL, "WE NEED A NEW SHERIFF IN TOWN" AND BIG BROTHER TO LOOK OVER ALL OF YOUR SHOULDERS ENSURING FAIRNESS, CORRECT AUTHORITY, AND PUNISHMENT FOR THOSE CORRECTIONS OFFICERS/ALL STAFF MEMBERS INCLUDING THE WARDEN; WHO IS THE HEAD OF THE PRISON; WHO DARES TO DEFY THE LAWS.
THAT ESPECIALLY INCLUDE THOSE IN THE CORRECTIONS DEPARTMENT, AS YOU STAND OUT MORE AS THE CORE OF WHAT IS SO WRONG, THE HEAD IS BAD SO WHAT ELSE CAN WE TAXPAYERS EXPECT FROM THE BODY, THE HEAD RUNS THE BODY.
SO WHAT IF I OR ANYONE HAS A FAMILY MEMBER WHO IS AN INMATE, WE ARE NOT BLIND, WE SEE MORE THAN YOU THINK OR GIVE US CREDIT FOR, THIS IS JOB SECURITY FOR YOU TO HOODWINK THE PUBLIC, BEING BAMBOOZLED IS NOT NEW, WE ACKNOWLEDGE THAT IT IS YOURS' AND OTHERS AS YOURSELF TO LIE TO THE TAXPAYERS ABOUT WHATS' REALLY GOING ON IN THOSE PRISONS.
YOUR UNIFORMS ARE FRESHLY PRESSED WHEN YOU COME IN TO WORK AND WHEN YOU LEAVE, BECAUSE YOU UTILIZE THE LIFERS OR LONG TERM INMATES TO CONTROL THE FIGHTS YOU CORRECTIONS OFFICERS INCITE.
IF YOU MISTREAT A DOG ENOUGH TIMES IT WILL SOON DECIDE TO BITE IN IT'S ATTEMPT TO STOP THE ABUSE BEING INFLICTED ON IT, AS YOU ATTEMPT TO HAVE THE PUBLIC BELIEVE THAT ALL INMATES FOR NO APPARENT REASON ARE JUST THE WORST BEINGS ON THE PLANET FROM HOMES WITH NO SUPERVISION.
IT WOULD BE PURE SPECULATION SOME HAD LITTLE OR NO PARENTAL GUIDANCE, SOME ARE MENTALLY ILL, OR WERE BEING TREATED FOR POST TRAUMATIC STRESS, YOU MUST KNOW ALL THE APPLES IN THE BARREL ARE DIFFERENT SHAPES, SIZES, TASTE, SOME HAVE WORMS,ALL CAN NOT BE LUMPED AS THE SAME.

"BON" HUN, I BELIEVE YOU NEED TO HAVE A PSYCHIATRIC EVALUATION WORK UP DONE ON YOU, JUST THE RETHORIC ALONE AND I QUOTE; HATE THE SINNER, WHAT IS REALLY GOING ON WITH YOU??????? YOU IN PARTICULAR CONCERN ME "SOUNDS LIKE YOU SLIPPED THROUGH THE CRACKS "PRE-EMPLOYMENT; "PER" YOUR BACKGROUND CHECK", I AM CURIOUS TO KNOW SOME OF YOUR JOB PERFORMANCE EVALUATIONS.

BY THE WAY "BON" YOU ARE SO RIGHT, PEOPLE DO CHANGE PEOPLE, THE ABUSIVE AUTHORITY,THE DEFINANCE FOR THE LAWS YOU ARE HIRED TO UPHOLD, THE ARROGANCE, THE DEATHS AND ALL THE OTHER PROBLEMS THOSE PARTICULAR CORRECTIONS OFFICERS AND OTHER STAFF MEMBERS, COMPOUND WITHIN THOSE PRISON WALLS; IS THE VERY REASON WHY PEOPLE SUCH AS THE REV., MYSELF, FAMILIES OF INMATES, AND A HOST OF OTHERS ARE IN IT TO CORRECT IT, MAKE IT BETTER AND WORKABLE. WE ARE COMING TO YOUR AID. YOU AND THE OTHERS AS YOURSELF DESPERATELY NEED TO BE RELEIVED OF YOUR DUTIES, YOU NEED A REST, YOU ARE OUT OF CONTROL, YES IT IS TIME TO SEND BARNEY, FLOYD, GOOBER ON VACATION. "WE ARE ON THE TAXPAYERS SIDE TO".

BON I STAND CORRECTED, I AM WRONG ABOUT YOU MAKING THE STATEMENT OF HATE THE SINNER. THAT BEING SAID, I DO STAND BY MY OTHER COMMENTS OF THAT PSYCHIATRIC WORK UP BEING DONE.
HOW TOUGH IS YOUR JOB, WHEN THE INMATES ARE ON LOCK DOWN THE MAJORITY OF THE TIME, WHEN A FIGHT BREAKS OUT MOST ALL THE TIME YOU C/O INCITE, YOU HAVE THE LIFE TIMERS - LONG TERM INMATES DO THE JOB OF BREAKING UP THE FIGHTS. THAT IS WHY YOUR UNIFORMS THAT WE THE TAXPAYERS PAY FOR AND PAY TO HAVE CLEANED AND PRESSED ARE LOOKING THE SAME AS WHEN YOU REPORT FOR WORK.

THANK YOU TOM FOR YOUR ATTEMPT TO AWAKE THE SLEEPING GIANT, FROM HIS OWN PERFECT SELF, REFERRING TO THE ONE AND ONLY "SIR BON93 ALOT"

THE INMATES DO NOT RECEIVE ADEQUATE HEALTHY/NUTRITIONAL FOODS TO EAT, THE TWO HOT MEALS ARE SLOP AT BEST, THE BAG LUNCH IS MERELY SOME OLD GREEN STALING BOLOGNA BETWEEN TWO PEICES OF BREAD MAYBE A PEICE OF OLD FRUIT AND A STALE PORTION OF SOMETHING SWEET. THERE IS TV IF THEIR FAMILY MEMBER IS FORTUNATE ENOUGH TO SEND INMATES MONEY TO BUY A TV.
THE INMATES ARE REQUIRED TO WALK ON CEMENT FLOORS FOR HOWEVER MANY YEARS THEY ARE HOUSED IN THOSE PRISONS, THOSE OF YOU WHO HAVE HAD A JOB THAT HAS CEMENT FLOORING KNOW WHAT IT DOES TO THE LEGS AND OR THE ENTIRE BODY.
ALL THE OTHER EMINITIES YOU THINK THEY RECEIVE IS A CROCK, THEY MOSTLY RECEIVE BAD TREATMENT,SAME AS THE VISITING FAMILY RECEIVE BAD TREATMENT, IMAGINE THE INMATES RECEIVING THE WORST, THERE IS NOOOO WATCH DOG EYE TO SEE THIS.
AND IF THEY GET ANYTHING NEAR HEALTHY TO EAT IT IS WHEN THEY BUY FROM A VENDOR THEY ARE FORCED TO BUY FROM, THERE AGAIN IF INMATE FAMILY IS CAPABLE OF SENDING MONEY TO INMATE TO PURCHASE THOSE INFLATED RATES BEING CHARGED BY THAT VENDOR, I AM TOLD MOST CASES THE VENDOR BUSINESS IS OWNED BY SOME CORRECTIONS OFFICERS.
THERE WAS A TIME WHEN FAMILY COULD SEND HEALTHY FOODS FOR THE INMATES TO EAT; DUE TO GREED AND LAZY PERSONNEL WORKING IN THE MAIL ROOM AND RESPONSIBLE FOR PACKAGE HANDLING, THIS SERVICE WAS DISCONTINUED.

Tom, thanks for contributing your KNOWLEDGE. It is obvious you know a lot about the human psyche. The development of a child/teenager that was brought up in an unstable, unsupportive, damaging environment is severely altered, whether that person is aware of it or not. A lot of behavioral/psychological problems later in life are due to abuses in childhood, such as neglect, physical and emotional abuse. A lot of it is biological, i.e. the chemicals in one's brain. THESE CONDITIONS DO NOT JUST CHANGE IF SOMEONE WANTS THEM TO. And by continuing to abuse inmates while in prison, one is only aggravating the problem. Someone who believes that people can just change if they wanted to must not have researched any human development or neuroscience in their life. Its really saddening to see that there are so many uneducated people blaring their opinions to the rest of the world. When stating an opinion, one needs to back it up with research and facts. There is so much research on the injustices that go on in the prison system. In fact, there was just a segment on 60 minutes a week ago that recorded in VIDEO the death of a 21 year old mentally ill inmate who was left to die of dehydration in solitary by the CORRECTIONAL OFFICERS of that prison.

BON93.has it.
RADO. has not, must be a parolee. give me , give me.
The door is open for you.:)

There is some very valuable work being done in the field of Restorative Justice which changes the paradigm from the perpetrator, victim and punishment to the person who does harm, the person who experiences harm and developing an agreement amongst all involved to establish a process of healing. This paradigm is both ancient and new - practiced in Native American cultures historically and developed more in the Truth and Reconciliation Forums in South Africa after the fall of apartheid. It is used for a variety of crimes although each situation needs sensitive and appropriate handling to assure the safety of the victim and a process that is fair to all involved.

New Zealand is closing its youth prisons and developing a restorative justice system to entirely address youth crime. Chicago is incorporating restorative justice into its system; Minneapolis has a non-profit that is referred cases for a restorative solution; many other jurisdictions are creating similar systems. In Oakland we are developing the infrastructure for restorative justice practices to be used for youth in schools, community and for alternatives to sentencing. Our steering committee, Restorative Justice for Oakland Youth (RJOY) is made up of community members, mental health workers, non-profit social service providers, judges, lawyers, city workers, policymakers and teachers. One of our members also works within San Quentin developing circles of support and responsibility. It's a system that is worth learning about, if you think our current system is seriously flawed as so many of the people who have posted here seem to think.

Recommended reading: Peacemaking Circles, from Crime to Community by Kay Pranis et al.

Most people do not have the slightest idea of what goes on inside a prison. Let me tell you this, the inmates are not deprived by far. Free healthcare, meals, training school and whatever else you can think of. You all say correctional officers are a inch away from a bouncer. Ya righr, and your an inch away from being an idiot. You try putting up with feces, urine, hot liquids, called every name in the book being blamed for why they are there. Not all inmates are bad pople just made bad choices. But let me assure you not one of you that are talking bad bout the prison system know nothing about it. These people chose to break the law noone forced them to. I'll tell you what try telling the elderly who cannot afford healthcare that inmates are deprived and treated bad. WAKE UP GET A CLUE.

my husband is a co. and i just want to comment on people saying they are so over payed. if you think they are so over paid jump in and join them so you can be paid well 2. wait o no you dont want to cuz its a RISKY job

hey i have a question about employment with the department of corrections.??? im undergoing my bsckgorund check. if i pass? i was wondering the type of question the oral POPE examination consist of so i can better prepare myself for it? i would appreciate any information i can get (websites, books ect...) thanks alot.

we do a job that society wants done, but most are not willing to do themselves. until they have done a shift in my boots don't bitch about how much money i make doing it. i bet they would have a totally different way of looking at the situation after being involved in a riot fighting for their lives and those of their partners,or having feces tossed on them! society has no idea how the courts have made a mockery of the prison system as well as them selves for not being tough on criminals.

oh yea, the california department of corrections recently changed it's name to the california department of corrections and rehabilitation. rehabilitation only works for those who want to change, not those who refuse to change. i think a condition of parole should be for a convicted felon to parole to your house pam and delia and you rehabilitate them!! then tell me they can be rehabilitated!! wake up and smell the coffee!!!

i see alot of bitchin about the ca.dept of corrections not providing adequate psychiatric/medical care for convicted felons in california. remember the state hospitals that shut down because they could not handle them? the department did not ask for these inmates. maybe judge henderson should reopen them and let prisons be places of punishment not hospitals!!!!!!

dr and bon93 you guys rock!!! as far as what to do with violent criminals, the victims families should decide their fate!!! oh , and by the way gang bangers of any gang should not be entitled to any rehabilitation programs until they debrief from the gang and criminal activities they conduct while in prison.

Sir,

Thank you for your enlightened approach to corrections. The governor has mandated rehabilitation, and yet, very little seems to have happened in that respect. Rehabilitation requires more than just providing weight training. We need to deal with the WHOLE person and the WHOLE prison population. Providing more beds is proof that it isn't working! It would be nice if we could ALL help, but where do we go to do that? I am willing.

well in order to start you have to understand the WHOLE problem. most of the inmates incarcerated in the cdcr are involved in gang activity which means that they are conducting illegal activities from inside the prison walls which dierctly affects the safety of the streets of the areas from which they come from. not to mention the illegal alien inmates who are not even suppose to be in the united states to begin with. start by deporting their sorry asses and open some bed spaces.

continued...
The problem in a nut shell is that there are too many people in this country that are too soft on crime and those people believe that everyone who gets sent to prison can be rehabilitated. Well let me clue you in on something ok, hold on to your hat, that is total BULLSHIT!!! People who come from the gang or criminal lifestyle set before them by their parent(s) or who ever is suppose to be their legal guardian only know one life style and nothing else. We are now at a point in this country where it is time to quit worring about hurting someones fricking feelings and treat criminal for what they are!!! THEY DON'T WANT REHABILITATION!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I know bacause I work in a prison and see it every day. They want to make the easy money selling dope or running guns,or what ever fits their pistol. Why waste time and tons of money on rehabilitation when there are hardly any frickin jobs in this country anymore because there all over seas or abroad for them to occupy when they get out. The solution is to make prisons in this country so tough on criminals that they wont "EVER" want to come back "if" they were to parole. Those who have no chance of "EVER" getting out should have the option of leathal injection at their desired wish,not rehabilitative programs they cant use because they are "never getting out", again creating more bed space in prisons. I know that I could go on and on till I am blue in the face but facts are facts, rehabilitation is not the solution. Shutting down the borders and taking a hard line stance on criminals is, and until people start to realize this it is only going to get worse not better for us as a nation. People have to be held accountable for their actions again, not given upteen chances to try and be a productive member of society. The three strikes law should not be "THREE STRIKES AND YOUR OUT", it should be "THREE STRIKES AND YOUR THROUGH MISTER", again creating more bed space in our prisons.

The inmates at CDCR Facilities are not the victims here, the victims are the people they robbed, molested, beat, or murdered. Prisons should not be made into to vacation resorts where the resident of the resort is pampered for committing horrible crimes on society. Prisons should be places where inmates that are released never want to return to and where everybody living in free society says, "hey Im not going to steal, deal, rape, molest, or murder because prison is horrifying". The way we accomplish this is by investing alot of money into our currently ridiculous prison system, then we use this money to put each and every prisoner into solitary confinement. The inmates should only be allowed these luxory's: beds, sinks, toiletes, food, medication, clothes, sheets, and absolutely nothing else.

The real issue is not that CDCR or the CO's don't want prisoner's to be rehabilatated, it's that the state of California either does not want to invest any more money than they already have into a failing department, or they don't have the money to invest into this department and if they don't have it they don't want to have to raise taxes to get it. With this in mind, most Californian's feel they are paying to much taxes as it is, So I hope it's not the ladder.

correction ( so I hope its not the latter), not Ladder.

Further more it is not our responsibility to educate these prisoner's any more than we already have. they had the oppertunity to become educated and learn a trade so they could provide for themselves and there family and they chose a different route. We Can not force education, good morals, or anything else a person does not wish to have onto them. However we can make those people who choose to be the opposite of productive and good in society to live behind bars, then inform them that they had a chance to become something other than what they are and chose not to.

why do you think the department is failing? i don't see it. and why should the department be held accountable? society as a whole is to blame, not cdcr. the prisons are over populated because we as a society do nothing to curb criminal behavior, and have absolutely no control when it comes to immigration. if we had friday night floggings televised from one of the institutions or made these inmates work on chain gangs again, you can bet that more people would think twice about goin to prison. "make examples of them", and they would not want to commit crimes! better yet, if the prison system and cdcr is such a drain on taxpayers, society should propose that anyone who has a relative incarcerated should have to pay the state of california for every single meal, their clothing,and medical care for that inmate. if they can afford to pay extra for rehabilitative services for their loved one it should come out of their pockets, not tax payers. the only bill the state should have to pay is the salries for the custody staff to ensure inmates stay in prison, and the electric bill. everything else comes out of the inmates families pockets. to lay the blame entirely at cdcr's feet is the stupidest thing anyone can say or believe! "BRING BACK CORPORAL PUNISHMENT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Here is a situation: A man is released from prison and deported to Mexico. How much money is he given from the state upon his release? He has had dress out clothing sent to him.

Here is something to think about. In California there is a fault called the San Andreas Fault, It is a piece of land that hasnt moved scence 1906 when the san fransisco city was left with 60 million dollars in damage and 12 people dead well they predict in a few years that there will be another earthquake i say its within these 5 years what is going to happen then? will there be tsunami's?

how safe are we?

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