:angry: :angry: :angry: i got a letter from my man today saying that a CO (i know his name but wont state it here) was messing with him by turning off his water from his sink and toilet and his lights. then he tried to flood his cell at 6am the next day!!! then my baby being how he is started telling him to go to his cell and not to play games and not to be a bitch. the CO went to his cell and told him to "suck his d!ck" and walked off, then told him that he'll see him in population cause he works the day shift. now my man told me to call albany and tell them to put a grievence against him....but doesnt he have to do that??? someone please help me on this cause i'm lost and i dont want this to go unnoticed.
if someone can help that'll be greatly appreciated!! thanx

wow, thats terrible!! i'm not from new york, but the rules can't be that much different....maybe he is supposed to do it, but maybe sometimes they dont want to cuz it could cause them more trouble........so that may be why he told you.......i would call the warden's office and maybe go from there..........if they need proof i suppose they could talk to your husband, or theres proof in the letter (oh wait, that may be a bad idea if he wrote other stuff, it depends!)..........if you can talk to your guy, ask him if he's sure thats what he wants you to do.........but if he told you too, then he must of said that for a reason ya know?
samantha

He needs to file the grievance as opposed to you doing it for him. If he does not get a timely response, he can write to the Supierintendent, Commissioner of Corrections and the Inspector General's office. None are a quick process. Is the CO bothering any other inamtes as well?

Hi, Frank and I are having a similar problem in Florida, but here's why he probably wants you to be involved as well...when the prison knows that he has someone on the outside who is willing to get involved, they may talk to the CO and get him to cool his boots. You won't be filing a grievance exactly like he does, but get the facts, and write some letters. Let the administration of the prison and the inspector general know that you are concerned that your loved one is being harrassed. Exercising your power will make you feel great about yourself, and your honey will know that he's not alone and that light from the outside is shining in. It will also make you two much closer. If he's asked you to do something, then he's aware that you will be mentioning names and events, so he's prepared for that. Also, even though he doesn't think it is going to do any good, he should file the grievance. There needs to be a written starting point so that if it begins to escalate, then there is a paper trail. Good luck! I'll be happy to help you with your letters if you would like me to.

Protect your man!

Hi, Frank and I are having a similar problem in Florida, but here's why he probably wants you to be involved as well...when the prison knows that he has someone on the outside who is willing to get involved, they may talk to the CO and get him to cool his boots. You won't be filing a grievance exactly like he does, but get the facts, and write some letters. Let the administration of the prison and the inspector general know that you are concerned that your loved one is being harrassed. Exercising your power will make you feel great about yourself, and your honey will know that he's not alone and that light from the outside is shining in. It will also make you two much closer. If he's asked you to do something, then he's aware that you will be mentioning names and events, so he's prepared for that. Also, even though he doesn't think it is going to do any good, he should file the grievance. There needs to be a written starting point so that if it begins to escalate, then there is a paper trail. Good luck! I'll be happy to help you with your letters if you would like me to.

Protect your man!

i completely agree also call albany talk to the head of the doc.... if you threaten and make the situation uncomfortable enough the problem will go away

This post must have been a precursor for my situation that has been brewing. I have some of the same garbage going on and I will be making calls and follow-up letters today. I am so angry and even more so I feel like I am so sick of always having to fight. It's like I can never let my guard down and relax. Maybe this is my pity party today but I am sick of folks thinking that they are suppose to represent the law and act as if they are above it. And more importantly just lack complete decency and respect for humanity. I am getting off my soap box, so I can make some calls. I want this resolved like NOW!!!! Because it's worrying me.:angry:

YEAH, YEAH, YEAH!! WOO HOO!!! Finally, someone with some WISE, SMART advice....

ESTABLISH A PAPER TRAIL....Not so easy to ignore if there is something tangible waiting to BITE YOU IN THE ASS!!!!


WOOOOOOOOOOOO HOOOOOOOOOOOO!

Something similar happened with my husband last year where guards where making comments, and holding his mail, and when I was there for a visit, they wouldnt tell him until I had been waiting for over an hour. I wrote a letter to the superintendant of the facility, and needless to say, we haven't had a problem since.

Made my phone calls and to say the least I am less than impressed. So, I have typed my follow-up letter which I will drop in the mail today. I hate when people are condescending like I must be an idiot. So, I gotta do what I gotta do. I just want my hubby to be safe and keep his cool. I am sure it is about provocation now on his end.

Send the letter certified return receipt requested. That way you can prove if you need to that it was delivered and you know who signed for it. I always do this now as there have been letters that "disappeared" mysteriously.

Good luck to all!

well he told me that he filed his greviance and now i should call albany to do a follow up. by now they should of recieved his part. he was also telling me how they searched his cell one day, then 2days later searched it again. basically he feels harassed...but i would to given the situation. i was talking to a guy that came into my job yesterday (he's from a prisoner assistance program here in albany) and he used to be in Elmira (as an inmate) and when i told him about my mans' situation he asked me if he was on a certain block because he says they ALWAYS do things like that on those certain blocks. now my man is doing real good and the guy i was talking to said that they are probably messing with him because he is doing so good. damn y cant they just let him be??? it boggles me sometimes lol. well needless to say i guess i should make some phone calls too and start bringing my pen to paper. but one question: where do i start? i never did anything like this before so any help would be appreciated!!! :) anyone just PM me with some info on where to begin and what do to...like i said this is my 1st time doing something like this so i need some guidence. thanx whole bunches!

NeNa I will PM you a format for a letter and you can fill in your blanks. Our situation has been escalated past the grievance process, and now we are dotting the I's and crossing the T's with the letters and documenting everything. I will also give your addresses. I don't have them with me today, so I will try to make sure I send it to you by Monday. I am feeling a little sick because he is feeling the brunt of the "process."

Good luck to both of youand your men!

NeNa, I pm'd you some contact information and a sampel letter. I hope this helps.

It would be so cool, if you could post the sample letter here :)

You ask Mrs G and here it is:

Dear Sir/Madame
Re: <His name and DIN#> and Complaint involving <Name or Grievance Issue>

On <Date and time> <describe the incident>. Upon filing a grievance on <date>, he has experienced further harassment from CO on <list dates and incidence>. I have notified the facility (List names of people you have talked to> and have not received a resolution.

I would like for <list what you want to happen (either move out of dorm, move to new facility or regulate the CO and his contact)>. I am looking for a timely resolution to this matter, as it is causing undue stress and concern to my love one.

I look forward to your response, attention and action to resolving this problem.

Sincerely,

cc: <List names that you copy letter to>

* Make sure to copy your letter to as many people that can impact the decision and as a matter of record.

*Send letter certified mail with delivery receipt.

* Keep the letter short and directly outline the incidence and suggestions for resolution.

I hope this helps.

Ok, let me ask you something. My man works at the tailor shop in Franklin. One of the other guys that work there had a Co beat on him so he filed a grievance. Yesterday, the Cos came into the tailor shop and told everyone that they will take them out 2 to 3 at a time by placing things in their lockers(the COs told the inmates this), putting them in the box for iffy reasons etc.My man only has a few months to go and doesn't want to be involved or targeted. he's afraid that they are going to do what they said and he wanted me to call the inspector general. I don't even want to give my name as I don't want it worse for him. I mean he told me what was going on so that I would know if anything happens to him as he always calls each day, so if two days go by without a call, I know he's in some kind of trouble. I know they tape the calls so they know what he told me. Is he in any jeopardy, if I call?????? He doesn't want a paper trail.

Here is what you can also do. Get the co name, badge number, keep track of the date,time that it happens, keep quite, put in a grievance, send a copy to your love one, keep it so you can sue that person for hassment. You can sue any co for harassment, as long as you have proff and witness.

this thread has been very helpful, thanks ladies...we do not need to put up with the stuff, I am frankly sick of this dam system!

thatwiz I certainly understand your fear and concern. Perhaps you want to utilize Prisoner's Legal Service. Here is the address:
118 Prospect Street, Suite 307
Ithaca, NY 14850

Sending a letter to them requesting that they make a notation of it brings someone else in the loop other than you two. Is he guaranteed to be out in a couple of months?

I know how difficult it is to sit by and know that someone else is being treated the way that they are. When they filed the grievance did they get a respone in a memo, etc. What has come fo their grievance?

My brother has been in the system 8 years and has been a model inmate. Recently he was attacked and injured by three prison guards for no apparent reason. Well, he had made a request to speak with a sargeant, and I guess, that they got pissed that he questioned their authority. According to him he suffered a ruptured ear drum and a cut above his eye. The guards did not write him up or gave him a ticket at the time of the incident. They told the sargaent that he had banged himself against the wall. It was only after our mother visited him a week later that they wrote him up and punished him by keeping him in his cell for a week.

I'm now starting to see how sick and inhumane American prisons can be both for the inmates and the guards. I was surprised to learn that while the U.S. has 5% of the world population we have 25% of the world's prisoners. Something very wrong with this picture.

Here is the question. How do I advocate for my brother? I would like to have this investigated. Where do I start? Who do I file a complain with?

Thanks,

Will

My brother was recently attacked and injured by three prison guards. I would like to advocate for him but do not know where to start. Where do I file a complaint? Does anyone have any experience with this? Any advice would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Will :(

Here is an old thread addressing a similar problem. Hope this helps.

http://www.prisontalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=129929

Write a complaint to the Superintendent and Deputy Supintendent at the facility where he is located making them awae of the incident. Copy the letter to Commissioner Goord, and the folllowing places:

Prisoner's Legal Service
114 Prospect Street, Suite 307
Ithaca, NY 14850
Attn: Ms. Betsy Sterling

Inspector General R. Roy
Department of Correctional Service
State Campus, Building #2
Albany, Ny 12226

You may also want to compose a letter to Prisoner Legal Service requesting additional options for you.

Work on it immediately... and stay with it; until you feel your concerns are adequately addressed and rectified.

Tell your friend to file a grievance IMMEDIATELY. Also file a formal complaint with the Inspector General's Office of DOC's. Make sure you file the grievance all the way thru the steps to Albany. Without the proper procedure, the complaints will go nowhere so follow the steps to take for a formal grievance.

There are several recourses. The DOC has an inspector general. The Corrections Association in NYC advocates for abused prisoners as does Prisoner Legal Services and there are some private lawyers who bring lawsuits on prisoners' behalf. Lodge the complaint with the institution and try to speak to other prisoners who have had some success in processing their complaints. It's a difficult road to go down but don't give up. It is the only way the system changes.

You have this question posted in two places. ItsMeMario gave you information, and the addresses to what he has mentioned is in this post.

http://www.prisontalk.com/forums/showthread.php?p=1343454#post1343454

amy fisher wrote a book and she says how she was abused and raped in prison. maybe that book has some information in it

i am going through this over my son and let me tell you i have made more calls and wrote more letters than i can speak of and nobody will do anything while he is in prison

i have wrote every state official over the abuse my son has recived from co's and i am getting nowhere, i hope you have better luck

Have you tried contacting the State Attorney General's office? Also, if my memory serves me correctly Albany has its own Grievance liason. I hope this helps.

call an attorney

Dear PTO members,

I visit Clinton Annex to see my husband and my friend visit in the Main to see her fiance'. The other day she went to see her man and the guard treated her and her lil 2month old like crap! She brought in 3 diapers 2 bottles and some wipes. The CO was giving her attitude and telling her she brought in too much. This a new CO cuz the other CO's never say anything and she brings the same thing everytime. Mean while he is sitting there talking to another CO and swearing about her as if she wasn't even there and then refused to tell her where to sit. So the just went and sat somewhere as she was the only person in the visiting room.
well needless to say they took there sweet time getting her fiance' in the mean time the baby is sleeping soundly. The CO gets up walks over to the TV turns it on full blast and just walks away. Starting the baby!!! and she was the only one in the visiting room! This is aweful and I have never had a CO treat me like that! She wants to know what she can do to complain and see that it doesn't happen again.! Can anyone help me point her in the right direction! I would greatly appreciate it! God Bless Jamie

If she knows the CO's name and she can detail her complaint with the dates and times, I would write to the Superintendant at Clinton and cc Albany.
BUT....Just remember that CLinton CO's are very vindictive and can retaliate against her husband. I would let it go since nothing would probably get resolved. I would have complained right then & there.

Okay... I went to visit my baby today and I found out something that really disturbed me. We were sitting at the table and he goes, "Hey baby look, that's the f****t a$$ guard that beat me up." I said, "Uhhm... what?!??!" He goes, "Yeah, that's the #%!$ who beat me up when I went to the hole." I was like, "Please tell me you're kidding or that's some kind of slang or something." He wasn't kidding. He was dead serious. Apparently, when you get sent to the hole where he's at, the first thing they do is make you stand against a wall and "pat you down," except they don't really pat you down, THEY BEAT YOU UP!!!! :eek: :eek: He said the CO will sit there and rough you up and like punch you in the kidneys and stuff so it doesn't leave bruises. :eek: :confused: :mad: :eek: :mad: :confused: I was about ready to walk over to the guard and punch him in the face. And the thing that made me even madder was that my man acted like it wasn't anything to get upset about cuz it goes on all the time in there!!!!! I mean... I've heard the horror stories about what goes on in there, but hearing something like that from him just made it more real I guess. Come to think about it, I don't know why I am so shocked that something like that could happen. But it still infuriates me. How dare they lay a finger on him!!!!!!!! :angry: :angry: :angry: :angry: :angry: :angry: :angry:

Has anyone else's guy ever told them something similar??? How did you react to it??? Did you write a letter to the warden or someone??? Do you think it would even be worth it to make a fuss about it or would he just get picked on more??? :confused: I'm really upset about this for some reason and don't know what to do.

I am sorry but I don't have any advice on what you should do!!!! But I wanted to say that I am really sorry that happened!!! I would be beyond heated!! Even though I know it does happen...it still would be a reality check if it happened to my man! I don't know if writing the warden would do any good...but you never know. Hopefully someone will come along with some advice...but I just wanted to say that I am SO sorry to hear that! I know I would be HEATED:mad: to say the least!!!! Keep your head up girl! Hugs:p
-Jackie

He's never told me about this happening to him with the guards and I'm afraid to ask. It's the kind of thing that he won't talk about on the phone, only in person. So that makes me think that he has.

I really wish there was something we could do. I would be afraid that if I sent a letter to the warden the C/Os who beat him in the first place would do it again after they found out who I was. You know?

It's like there's no way to win in this system.

I'm sure you're going to get lots of stories about women's men being abused in the system, it makes me sick to read them.

I am sorry this happened to him....maybe reading this can help?

Be well! ;)
rywill...Here is an old thread addressing a similar problem. Hope this helps.

http://www.prisontalk.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=129929

Write a complaint to the Superintendent and Deputy Supintendent at the facility where he is located making them awae of the incident. Copy the letter to Commissioner Goord, and the folllowing places:

Prisoner's Legal Service
114 Prospect Street, Suite 307
Ithaca, NY 14850
Attn: Ms. Betsy Sterling

Inspector General R. Roy
Department of Correctional Service
State Campus, Building #2
Albany, Ny 12226

You may also want to compose a letter to Prisoner Legal Service requesting additional options for you.

Work on it immediately... and stay with it; until you feel your concerns are adequately addressed and rectified.

my man was beaten in Mohawk in 1996. I was informed by some friends that something had happened to him and that I should drive up for a visit. I drove 8 hours to find him beaten visible bruises and all. I was pretty hot. So when I left I informed the co`s that my man does get visits and that I was going to see how far I could take this. Well within the next week he was transfered into a max. Convenient huh? I would seriously not do anything You can`t win against the prison system

I'm afraid to say much in a post....my son is 19, first time in prison. A group of c/o's abused him the other night. I'm very worried about his safety and his mental/emotional state since this happened. I don't know what to do. If anyone has had experience with this, please PM me.

Uhm, what do you mean "abused" TRsMom? What were the circumstances?

The Nice CO

TRs mom,

please read all the above for help, I am sorry about your troubles ;) if you need further help come back here.

Thanks Mrs G, I didn't know this topic was here.
C/O-I really don't want to put it all out in public until I figure out how I want to handle it. I assure you though, it was abuse.....both mental and physical and it's some sick stuff to do to a person.

It's awful tantalizing to see the threat title "CO Abuse of my son" then NOT to tell anything! Makes us CO's look horrible and your sweet innocnet son look like the total complete victim! How about I put out a thread "Abused by an inmate for no reason"! Hmmm? :rolleyes:

The Friendly CO

I'm not normally one to agree with a CO but he makes a valid point.

For the most physical assault part is instigated by the inmate. Some inmates think CO's have to take their BS and not act on it. I've met CO's that demand respect and if they don't get it they're quick to come out with the billy club. Other's demand respect but also give it back. Then there are others who generally could careless unless we're killing each other.

It's wrong for anyone to act violently toward another human being, but sometimes a person has to be "checked" especially in the prison setting where every thing is about respect. That's irreguardless if it's another inmate or a guard.

I can tell you two things that will CO's will beat an inmate for.

# 1: Refusing to lock in or go to your assigned area when instructed

# 2: Assaulting another CO

# 2 will get you handcuffed and then they beat the crap out of you.

I'm sorry, but I won't put it out there because if one of those c/o's reads it then it could make things worse for my son. I will say this-all c/o's are not bad. I have family members in corrections! In fact, a c/o walked in during my son's abuse and he stopped it from going any further.

I have a few questions:

-Are co's alllowed to carry "night sticks" while on duty? If so, are they allowed to threaten physical harm to an inmate?

-How many shift swaps are allowed in a week and how many hours straight are co's allowed to work?

-If a co had previous reports of harassment, what is done to him/her at the facility level?

-Is it more effective to write a complaint to the IG- Albany first or to the facility superintendant?

They're allowed to carry night sticks, it's their own choice. In maxes most CO's carry, in the mediums I've seen more w/o a night stick than with.

The purpose of the night stick is to defend themselves and crowd control. If there is a fight with more than 2 people they start swinging for the most part.

I don't think there is a limit on swaps, as long as all posts are covered command generally don't care.

For the most part, harrasment reports get swept under the rug at the facility level. I'd go stright to IG from the outside.

There are instances of inappropriate and unprofessional behavior that are both physical and mental that are done by CO's. Prison is not the best place to be, but also not everyone that is employeed performs their duties as required or instructed.

Complaints are often overlooked. Grievances are the most common ones. But you can get a resoltuion to the siutation if you do not give up and you assert that the situation was misappropriately handled. Often times it does not happen expeditously... I know all too well. But you can get the attention required to at least acknowledge the situaiton and then to rectify. I speak from personal expereince.

And unfortunately, the CO was not terminated but he was disciplined. Hopefully his circumstances will speak volumes to his peers that they are hired by the state to peform a job and execute it according to policy. Unfortunatley there is no universal policy fully detailing expectations on what is respect, both given and received.

Question for CO1989

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I have a few questions:

-Are co's alllowed to carry "night sticks" while on duty? If so, are they allowed to threaten physical harm to an inmate?

-How many shift swaps are allowed in a week and how many hours straight are co's allowed to work?

-If a co had previous reports of harassment, what is done to him/her at the facility level?

-Is it more effective to write a complaint to the IG- Albany first or to the facility superintendant?

great questions, and great input from all of you, thanks rywill...
Let's stick to this flow and maybe we can get those answered ...:) so we can help members who come to read this...thanks to all of you!

Yes Officers are allowed to carry nightsticks, and of course they are not allowed to threaten physical harm to an inmate.

Officers are now allowed to swap as many times a week as they like, and can work 16 hour days - 20 hour days in an emergency.

What do you mean by "-If a co had previous reports of harassment, what is done to him/her at the facility level?" ?????

It is more effective to use the "chain of command" - start at the facility and then if you don't get the answer you want then go up the chain, to IG if you wish. Looks better that you tried to settle it with the facility first.

I'm sorry, I didn't see that you had directed this message to me to answer.

The Nice CO

It is more effective to use the "chain of command" - start at the facility and then if you don't get the answer you want then go up the chain, to IG if you wish. Looks better that you tried to settle it with the facility first.


I agree and it allows time for the Superintendent or Deputy Superintendent to handle it. If there is an issue with a CO, it is directed to his supervisor first or at least that is what I have been told. If it is an urgent matter or you feel it is urgent call the faciltiy and ask to speak to the Superintendent. What I have found is it is usually the Deputy Super, but that is okay. After you speak with him, follow up with a letter outlining the dates, times of the incident.

It is also important for the inmate to file a grievance because that is the facilties formal way of acknowledging a (valid) issue. Keep in contact with your loved one and ask if anyone has come to speak to them or directed a memo to them in regards to their grievance. You can expect it to happen within a few of weeks. You may not hear anything from them as far as what their resolution was; so again ask your loved one if is has been resolved or addressed. If he and you feel that it has not, draft a letter to the Inspector General, etc. and copy the Superintendent and Deputy Super in on it.

Every facility has different leadership and various styles of dealing with issues; but all are required to follow same policies and procedures. Many times they are carried out differently; but just make sure that you stick with it, if you believe it to be against the safety of your loved one.

Sorry Mrs. G. I wasn't trying to get off the subject.

no rywill, you did not go off topic, ;) I enjoy your responses!

But not mine??? :-(

The Nice CO