Cindi-lu
10-03-2004, 05:38 PM
Hey Boys and Girls, I'd appreciate some feed back on this thing before I send it and possibly get my neck in a noose, or worse, have it totally ignored by the DOC! :eek:
Jackie Crawford,Director:
Back in May I made my first visit to High Desert State Prison to spend time with a loved one. I was a little nervous, but everyone there was very friendly and
helpful, and made me feel at ease, the staff as well as the other visitors. I was impressed with how clean, organized and relatively punctual everything was. The officers in the visiting room were very nice, and should be commended.
On July 15, I made the 8 hour, 526 mile drive from Salinas, Ca. to Las Vegas. Friday morning, I drove out to HDSP only to find out that all visiting was suspended indefinitely due to a riot and lockdown. I was told to call back the next day, which I did, and also for the next 3 days. I was also assured that the inmates were receiving their mail as usual, and being allowed to make their phone calls, which I found out later wasn't true. Now, I understand the reason for these lockdowns, but what I don't understand is the need to punish the many for the stupid actions of a few. To deny the guys who play by the rules, have good behavior records and jump through all the flaming hoops required by the NDOC the time to spend with their families and friends is pretty unfair. For those of us who have to travel long distances, a trip like this takes a lot of planning and expense. We are only told to "call ahead first." That doesn't really help. It can be quite costly to cancel a trip at the last minute and really disappointing too! I don't know why a better policy can't be implemented so that the inmates who aren't involved in these problems on the yard, and their families aren't made to pay the price along with the trouble makers.
Now, I find that the time-keeper has finally been updated, and 5 extra days have been added to my boyfriend’s sentences. I went ahead and called Offender Management on Wed. 9/29 to find out why this occurred. I asked to speak to Bill Donat, who on previous occasions had been very helpful in answering my questions, but he was out. I ended up talking to Debbie, and when I asked her my questions, she told me that the inmates are “projected” to work a certain amount of days and if they don’t, the time is added onto their sentence. When I explained to her that it was a little impossible to work in light of the fact that High Desert has been locked down since July 13th. She agreed that this policy is pretty unfair and suggested I contact the caseworker to see if she could do something about it.
I called High Desert next and was informed that the caseworker assigned to my boyfriend had been transferred to another facility. I was then put through to a supervisor, Mr. Wallace. He was very condescending to me and in essence told me “tough”. It came down from Carson City and his hands were tied. I guess the buck passing begins! He was also very cavalier in his attitude regarding when a new caseworker would be assigned.
I realize that the NDOC does not have to play by the same rules that the rest of the world does, but a little help and compassion for those of us trying to find our way through the red tape would be appreciated!
All I’m asking for is an explanation as to why time is added to sentences when it is beyond the control of the inmates as to whether they work or not.
In closing, I would like to commend the personnel in Carson City that I’ve dealt with as they have been very pleasant and helpful in trying to answer all of my questions.
Thank you for your time,
Sincerely, Cynthia S. Jeffcoat
Jackie Crawford,Director:
Back in May I made my first visit to High Desert State Prison to spend time with a loved one. I was a little nervous, but everyone there was very friendly and
helpful, and made me feel at ease, the staff as well as the other visitors. I was impressed with how clean, organized and relatively punctual everything was. The officers in the visiting room were very nice, and should be commended.
On July 15, I made the 8 hour, 526 mile drive from Salinas, Ca. to Las Vegas. Friday morning, I drove out to HDSP only to find out that all visiting was suspended indefinitely due to a riot and lockdown. I was told to call back the next day, which I did, and also for the next 3 days. I was also assured that the inmates were receiving their mail as usual, and being allowed to make their phone calls, which I found out later wasn't true. Now, I understand the reason for these lockdowns, but what I don't understand is the need to punish the many for the stupid actions of a few. To deny the guys who play by the rules, have good behavior records and jump through all the flaming hoops required by the NDOC the time to spend with their families and friends is pretty unfair. For those of us who have to travel long distances, a trip like this takes a lot of planning and expense. We are only told to "call ahead first." That doesn't really help. It can be quite costly to cancel a trip at the last minute and really disappointing too! I don't know why a better policy can't be implemented so that the inmates who aren't involved in these problems on the yard, and their families aren't made to pay the price along with the trouble makers.
Now, I find that the time-keeper has finally been updated, and 5 extra days have been added to my boyfriend’s sentences. I went ahead and called Offender Management on Wed. 9/29 to find out why this occurred. I asked to speak to Bill Donat, who on previous occasions had been very helpful in answering my questions, but he was out. I ended up talking to Debbie, and when I asked her my questions, she told me that the inmates are “projected” to work a certain amount of days and if they don’t, the time is added onto their sentence. When I explained to her that it was a little impossible to work in light of the fact that High Desert has been locked down since July 13th. She agreed that this policy is pretty unfair and suggested I contact the caseworker to see if she could do something about it.
I called High Desert next and was informed that the caseworker assigned to my boyfriend had been transferred to another facility. I was then put through to a supervisor, Mr. Wallace. He was very condescending to me and in essence told me “tough”. It came down from Carson City and his hands were tied. I guess the buck passing begins! He was also very cavalier in his attitude regarding when a new caseworker would be assigned.
I realize that the NDOC does not have to play by the same rules that the rest of the world does, but a little help and compassion for those of us trying to find our way through the red tape would be appreciated!
All I’m asking for is an explanation as to why time is added to sentences when it is beyond the control of the inmates as to whether they work or not.
In closing, I would like to commend the personnel in Carson City that I’ve dealt with as they have been very pleasant and helpful in trying to answer all of my questions.
Thank you for your time,
Sincerely, Cynthia S. Jeffcoat