Winston Gatza was recently transferred to a medium security prison, after CBC RADIO exposed a story of how he had been set up by a PRISON GUARD at the Kingston Penitentiary, three years ago.

The guard planted a weapon in the inmate's cell, and Gatza subsequently A) spent two months in solitary confinement, B) had his transfer to a medium security prison turned down, and C)was handed a Parole Board Hearing decision, that ruled he must serve his FULL ten year sentence, without any possibility of parole!

All of this punishment for this inmate was meted out, despite the fact that the GUARD WAS A) CAUGHT, and B) FIRED and C) lost his appeal to the Labour Board, to get his job back.

Seems EVERYONE knew the story about the guard's firing. Everyone that is, but Mr. Gatza! He was NEVER informed, and certainly never had any of HIS "punishments" withdrawn.

But when CBC Radio aired this story, suddenly Gatza was moved to medium security, with only one hour's notice! Ususally the wait for a move to lower security takes 6 months. Gatza has yet to receive an apology or explanation as to why he was never informed that everyone, from the warden on down, knew he was never guilty of the weapons violation.

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When I hear stories like these, I get so befuddled trying to figure out which guys in Kingston Pen are the "good guys", and which are the "bad guys".

I have a second similar story to post in a few moments!

All My Love,
Menolly

P.S: NEVER UNDERESTIMATE THE POWER OF AN HONEST REPORTER!!!!!

You know folks, it always perplexes me...

When I post something silly and playful, a post gets 400 views and 100 responses.

But when I post something serious about the injustices in the prison system, or about the need for prison reform, or something, ZERO responses.

Why is this, folks? Any ideas?

All My Love,
Menolly

Hi
I have tried to find Winston in some search engines with no luck. Found some articles at CBC about investigations into the gueards. Where can I find the story please?
It never fails to amaze me but to be frank it doesn't surprise me.
Gillian

I am sorry I missed this story. I would have read and commented on it. This plain pisses me off. I am so very tired of guards (excuse my french) f*&^ing up peoples lives. How can someone sleep at night knowing this man was innocent and had to serve more time? I can't help but wonder if this man had anyone on the outside looking after him. So many guys have noone and the prison system counts on the fact that noone will question what they do.

Gillian:

One reason you can't find it, is because both this, and "Story B" that I also posted, were Labour Board Hearings, which are CONFIDENTIAL legal hearings. Media is not invited!

But once in a while "someone" leaks such decisions...

I'll see if I can find if the stories have been picked up anywhere.

Both of these were from last November or so... But I didn't have time to post them until now. I was a little pre-occupied in the last couple of months, with "personal business".

All My Love,
Menolly

Flygirl:

Funny that your point of having someone on the outside watching out for the guys, is a point I was just making to Danielle privately.

It is a frustrating job that falls to us, the loved ones, but unless we remain "the watchers", things like this start to surreptitiously happen, and no one is any the wiser!

All My Love,
Menolly

Thanks Menolly. I would like to read this story. Agree for sure that we need to be the "watchers". So many have no outside support.
Gillian