:angry:My brother who is in Seg was visited by my mother and sister today and they were so upset to see how dirty his whites were he said he can only wash his clothes in the toliet and it has not been cleaned in 6 months because they have nothing to clean with. He said they are being fed white beans that have rat droppings in it and dried roaches stuck to the bottom of the trays . the shower that 14 men use are filthy and not being cleaned. How can we help him and the other men in there.:angry:

I am not calling your son a liar by any regards please believe me, but the accusations he is making are pretty severe.

I would suggest you call the warden tomorrow and politely discuss your concern about the situation. I would BEGIN with asking specifically about their policy regarding laundry, how often the cells and restrooms get cleaned, and the policy regarding what food is served to them. After he has told you what the policies are, then I would confront him with your brother's concerns. Then ask him to check into these concerns. Tell him that you will be visiting your brother next weekend, and hope to recieve a report that these issues have been reconsiled.

Then if they don't get better contact the regional director and go up from there.

Good luck! I'm sorry this is happening to your brother.

Karen

My brother had issues like this out at Lindsay State Jail...he told mom to just leave it because at that point he only had a couple of months left. He already knew he had made parole.
I agree, call the warden. My brother was telling mom he would mail the maggots to her out of the food if they'd let it get past the mailroom. You may have to take it up with the ombudsman also.

my brothers whites he had on tells the truth he is one that has always had great hygeine and always were clean clothes. They were on lock down the 22 of feb. for e coli out break and now we know how they got it.

It's not uncommon for them to wash their own clothes in the toilet. They want to keep their own clothes and who can blame them? I'd want to keep my same underwear and socks, too. If they send them out to be laundered, they won't get the same ones back. I have heard all kinds of stories about bugs in food, not enough food, etc. and I have several pen pals. If it was just one person stating this, I'd question it, but I've heard a lot of stories. I don't think it's far from the truth. I've also heard that a lot of the showers are really nasty, so I'm sure he's truthful about that, too. If you call the Warden, he/she is just going to deny it and if you call the Ombudsman, they'll investigate, which means they'll call the Warden and usually side with them. Sadly, there's not a lot to be done about the conditions inside and if you complain, it usually makes it worse on the inmate. And, they clean their own cells, but I'm not sure what they're given to clean it. The probably just use a bar of soap and one of their own rags. It's not like they have a cleaning crew come in and clean the cells or the showers.

yes you are right about all you said and it is so sad that they are just a bunch of animals to TDCJ God help all inmates who have to bare this

pams lilsis,

did you call the warden? What did he/she say???

It's not uncommon for them to wash their own clothes in the toilet. They want to keep their own clothes and who can blame them? I'd want to keep my same underwear and socks, too. If they send them out to be laundered, they won't get the same ones back. I have heard all kinds of stories about bugs in food, not enough food, etc. and I have several pen pals. If it was just one person stating this, I'd question it, but I've heard a lot of stories. I don't think it's far from the truth. I've also heard that a lot of the showers are really nasty, so I'm sure he's truthful about that, too. If you call the Warden, he/she is just going to deny it and if you call the Ombudsman, they'll investigate, which means they'll call the Warden and usually side with them. Sadly, there's not a lot to be done about the conditions inside and if you complain, it usually makes it worse on the inmate. And, they clean their own cells, but I'm not sure what they're given to clean it. The probably just use a bar of soap and one of their own rags. It's not like they have a cleaning crew come in and clean the cells or the showers.


THis is why I wanted her to ask the warden FIRST what the policies were. Get the warden to state what the conditions SHOULD be, so that when he is confronted then he can't go back and blame it on the inmate.
Of course, things are not going to get taken care of by the warden, but it is like you are setting him up. When things are not improved , then you can take it higher up to the regional director, and then Brian Collier. Keep your documentation on everything, so that when you go to Whitmire; you have proof showing that you have tried to solve this by following the right channels, etc. The important thing is not to be defeated before you even try! We are the only advocate our loved one has. But you have to have your I's dotted and your T's crossed. Have your loved one write you a letter specifically telling you the conditions so that you have that documentation. Okay, I'm starting to repeat myself....

The important thing is don't be afraid to fight for him. Of course, he will have to keep his nose really clean, because you will be drawing attention to him. But in all honesty he should be doing his best to behave and get home as fast as he can anyways. If he wants things to be different, you can make it happen...but he will have to do his part as well.

Otherwise, ya'll can just vent and gripe and that will be all that gets done.

Just my opinion...
Karen

Oh, they do have SSI's that go in and clean the showers.

Suggestions:
Always follow the chain of command- -Captain, Major, Asst. Warden, Warden, then district supervisor- -never go higher right off, one can always go UP- -not down.
Two, the cellies clean their own cells with a cleaning agent that is pasted out every single night to each cell.
Yes, if they WANT to they clean their uniforms in the toilet- -but each day they are given new uniofrms that are clean.
three, after each shift of showers, it is scrubbed down, inmates wear showers shoes when they take a shower (flip flops, rubber made)
As far as the food part- -inmates have been know to exagerate a tad- -OK? POINT- - ALL officers eat the SAME food as inmates, (in officers dining room, where ALL rank eats also, including the wardens) so that might clear a few stories here and there.

Be safe.

Suggestions:
Always follow the chain of command- -Captain, Major, Asst. Warden, Warden, then district supervisor- -never go higher right off, one can always go UP- -not down.
Two, the cellies clean their own cells with a cleaning agent that is pasted out every single night to each cell.
Yes, if they WANT to they clean their uniforms in the toilet- -but each day they are given new uniofrms that are clean.
three, after each shift of showers, it is scrubbed down, inmates wear showers shoes when they take a shower (flip flops, rubber made)
As far as the food part- -inmates have been know to exagerate a tad- -OK? POINT- - ALL officers eat the SAME food as inmates, (in officers dining room, where ALL rank eats also, including the wardens) so that might clear a few stories here and there.

Be safe.

My experience has been that if you start any lower than the warden, you just very quickly get referred up or you get a song and dance routine, with nothing being accomplished. So I have quit waisting my time on lower rank. Regarding ODR.... sorry, I worked at TDC I know the officers do not eat the same food as the inmates. They eat much better, plus they can bring in thier own food if they want. When inmates are locked down and eating Johnnies COs and staff are usually eating regular food. At the unit I worked at there was an ice cream machine in the ODR. I promise you there wasn't one in the IDR! ( While I do agree that the stories of roaches and dirt etc. in the food is probably exagerated....)Sorry, Small... I know better. And as much respect as I have for you, I'm a little disappointed that you actually came on here and tried to pass that whole "officer's eat the same food as inmates" claim off.

I agree karen he does not make it up he has money to buy at the store so he isn't just trying to get more money . Also at this unit the medical doctor sucks she practically threw him out of the office when he came in for shoulder pain getting worse because they still have not gotten his steroid shot started I was told it was ordered for him almost 2 months ago Small you are wrong about officers eatting the same food I bet you don't. I did not mess with the lower rank I have been there done that with Pam and got no where but the run around so I went almost to the top but I bet it does not get taken care of it never does!!!!!!! But I have to keep trying

I have a lot of penpals in TDCJ, friends, a cousin, and my hubby. I should send them a questionnaire about the food in there. I know the COs can't eat the exact same food the inmates eat. It might get prepared in the kitchen, but I'm sure it's not the same and I bet the COs get bigger portions, too. At the unit my hubby is at now, he said the portions are really small and don't fill him up. I'm dang sure the COs don't eat those god-awful Johnnies during lockdowns, either.

I'll also ask about the cleanliness of the showers and cells. I do have one penpal who fell in the shower and broke his wrist, after complaining about it for several months. He says it was slippery and there was a crack that was never repaired. I really don't know how anyone can defend the conditions inside. They're terrible!!!!

This is probably my last post on this because I don't want to beat a dead horse... but regarding the ODR and the IDR, the IDR has one crew of inmates that cook for them and the ODR has a separate kitchen and a separate crew that cooks for them. At the unit I was on, the ODR always had cloth napkins, there was a hot line that you were served off of that had two meat choices, and then there was a griddle that you could get a grill cheese sandwhich made if you didn't like what was on the hot line. They would use the griddle to fry up the pork chops fresh and you could have as many as you wanted. You could go back for as many plates of food as you wanted. Believe me the COs and staff ate well at that unit. There was a cooler that had bowls of chilled fruit that you just helped yourself to.There was always two dessert choices, and three veggie choices. And there were alway three inmates who were in there that were like waiters. They would bring you your tea or coolaide or coffee, they brought you your napkin and silverware and if you wanted refills you would just tell them what you wanted and they would go get it for you. I always made a point to be very polite and appreciative of them. I would get up to go get something myself and they would rush over to get it for me. Really nice guys. Anyways, the point is there is no way I will ever buy the comment that the officers and the inmates eat the same food. The food may come in on the same truck, but that is about as close as it comes to being the same!

This is probably my last post on this because I don't want to beat a dead horse... but regarding the ODR and the IDR, the IDR has one crew of inmates that cook for them and the ODR has a separate kitchen and a separate crew that cooks for them. At the unit I was on, the ODR always had cloth napkins, there was a hot line that you were served off of that had two meat choices, and then there was a griddle that you could get a grill cheese sandwhich made if you didn't like what was on the hot line. They would use the griddle to fry up the pork chops fresh and you could have as many as you wanted. You could go back for as many plates of food as you wanted. Believe me the COs and staff ate well at that unit. There was a cooler that had bowls of chilled fruit that you just helped yourself to.There was always two dessert choices, and three veggie choices. And there were alway three inmates who were in there that were like waiters. They would bring you your tea or coolaide or coffee, they brought you your napkin and silverware and if you wanted refills you would just tell them what you wanted and they would go get it for you. I always made a point to be very polite and appreciative of them. I would get up to go get something myself and they would rush over to get it for me. Really nice guys. Anyways, the point is there is no way I will ever buy the comment that the officers and the inmates eat the same food. The food may come in on the same truck, but that is about as close as it comes to being the same!

Granted my experice was 11 yrs ago but same as Karen said in the ODR we had the same thing. During lock downs we would pull out the ODR staff to cook. From the buildings, for us smokers, we would place the order into the ODR ahead of time and inmates would cook our order so we could rush outside grab a smoke and p/u dinner on the way back. If they liked you they would cook us some good dishes too. :p One inmate would even give us the heads up when thier was some good vittles in. Nothing like what the inmates get daily. Like Karen said may come off the same truck but not prepped the same. Also, we had Ice for our Tea, water and fruit punch, unlike the population. It's not right but straight facts. :mad:

Suggestions:
Always follow the chain of command- -Captain, Major, Asst. Warden, Warden, then district supervisor- -never go higher right off, one can always go UP- -not down.
Two, the cellies clean their own cells with a cleaning agent that is pasted out every single night to each cell.
Yes, if they WANT to they clean their uniforms in the toilet- -but each day they are given new uniofrms that are clean.
three, after each shift of showers, it is scrubbed down, inmates wear showers shoes when they take a shower (flip flops, rubber made)
As far as the food part- -inmates have been know to exagerate a tad- -OK? POINT- - ALL officers eat the SAME food as inmates, (in officers dining room, where ALL rank eats also, including the wardens) so that might clear a few stories here and there.

Be safe.

i just got out of TDCJ in june after serving 18 years and i can testify to the fact that the living conditions in most if not all units are pretty bad. they DON'T pass out cleaning agents every night nor do they pass out clean clothes after showers, the reason inmates wash their whites in the toilet is because the ones the laundry "washes" always come out dingy and smell bad. And the bosses DON'T eat the same food inmates eat, their food is prepared in the ODR and is ALOT better than our food. I worked in the chow hall for years and one way we were sometimes "rewarded" for working hard was to be fed out of the ODR, we all looked forward to those rare ocations when we got to eat food that was tasteful and prepared right. I've found bugs, string, and rocks in my food, it's NOT the same food bosses eat! Bippy "might" get passed out once a week(it comes in a small paper cup with only enough in it to clean your toilet once, maybe twice if your lucky)but usually it's not passed out at all. you must be looking at TDCJ through rose colored glasses, "BOSSMAN".