Corcoran Guards watching Super Bowl as Inmate DIES

[Kathy]

http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la...nes-california

California Prisoner's Gruesome Death Probed
Officials want to know if Corcoran guards, who were watching the Super Bowl, were negligent.
By Mark Arax
Times Staff Writer

February 5, 2004

FRESNO — All through the night, the howls kept coming from the cell of inmate Ronald Herrera.

More than one guard at Corcoran State Prison thought something was terribly amiss. Herrera wouldn't stop screaming late Sunday, and he had covered his cell window in a curtain of toilet paper soaked in blood.

One guard had seen Herrera, a dialysis patient suffering from hepatitis, pull out the medical shunt from his arm, corrections officials said. But when the guard later tried to check on the inmate, his sergeant told him not to bother, they said. "He's not dead," the sergeant was quoted by officials as saying. "Just keep an eye on him."

The next morning, the howls had given way to silence. As a new shift made its checks, a guard saw what he said looked to be "raspberry Kool-Aid" streaming out from the cell. Inside, he found Herrera slumped over on the floor, lifeless.

Much of the blood had drained from his body, corrections officials said. Blood filled the toilet bowl and washed over the concrete floor of the 8-by-10-foot cell.

On Wednesday, Kings County and state investigators began a probe to determine if Herrera's death resulted from criminal negligence by prison staff too busy watching the Super Bowl.

The probe comes on the heels of state Senate hearings and other revelations that have shone an unflattering light on the state's vast prison system, challenging the new administration of Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger. On Monday, he promised to make reforms and to "clean the place up."

A coroner's autopsy of Herrera had not been completed by early Wednesday, but corrections officials said there were signs that Herrera, a 60-year-old mentally ill burglar and rapist, had been trying to staunch the bleeding with a wad of toilet paper.

It was unclear if Herrera was trying to commit suicide and then changed his mind or if something more sinister happened, corrections officials said. His desperation, they said, played out for nearly 10 hours without any intervention from staff.

Of all the horrors that have taken place at Corcoran State Prison over the last decade, one official said, the death of Herrera was particularly ghastly — and preventable.

Fearing retaliation for breaking the prison system's pervasive code of silence, the officials requested anonymity. "Corcoran has seen a lot," one said, "but for an inmate to literally bleed out his body, it was one of the goriest crime scenes."

A media spokesman for the prison said he could not comment on the case because of an ongoing investigation.

Steve Fama of the watchdog Prison Law Office said he doubted whether the Kings County district attorney's office would hold staff accountable. He noted that Dist. Atty. Ron Calhoun had been elected in 1998 partly on the strength of financial support from the California Correctional Peace Officers Assn., the union representing state prison guards.

"When it's this serious, you want an aggressive, independent investigation," Fama said. "I'm not sure if the district attorney in Kings County is capable of that given the significant role that the CCPOA played in his election."

Patrick Hart, Kings County's chief deputy prosecutor, acknowledged that his office had a "fairly good working relationship" with the guards union, but he said it would not hinder the independence of the probe.

"We're not satisfied with the written reports we've gotten so far from staff," he said. "One of the things we're looking at is whether staff knew he was in trouble and failed to take the proper steps."

Herrera's case is only the latest in a series of inmate deaths at Corcoran that have raised questions about the correctional system's care of mentally ill patients and its response to suicide attempts.

In December 1998, a Corcoran inmate who had been taken off suicide watch was seen hanging in a dark corner of his cell. But rather than pop open the cell door and determine if he was alive, guards remained outside for 18 minutes while 32-year-old Michael van Straaten dangled from a noose made of bedsheets and shoelaces. When officers finally did enter and cut him loose, he was dead but his body was still warm, according to prison reports.

Two years later, on Christmas Day, an inmate with three suicide attempts succeeded in killing himself in the prison's Security Housing Unit. A lawsuit filed by the family of 26-year-old Thomas Mansfield alleged that staff negligence had allowed the suicide and that guards tried to cover up the incident by doctoring the record of cell checks. Last year, the state settled the case out of court.

And just a week before Herrera's death, corrections officials said, three inmates in the Security Housing Unit entered into a suicide pact to protest what they called brutality by Corcoran guards. One inmate, "Tiny" Walton, went through with the pact and hanged himself.

"What I've found is the so-called suicide watch is a joke," said Bob Navarro, a Fresno attorney who represented Mansfield's family and has filed suit in a recent suicide at the women's prison in Chowchilla. "The cells are not being checked according to written procedure."

A detailed account of Herrera's medical condition and death was provided by two corrections officials. Herrera was taking mood-altering medication at the time, but had not been seen by a psychiatric case manager since December. They said that violates prison policy, which dictates a one-on-one clinical evaluation every 30 days.

Herrera, who was not on suicide watch, began "ranting and raving" around midday Sunday, they said, and medical personnel examined him near halftime of the Super Bowl. It is not unusual for guards and inmates to watch football on weekends. At the time, the shunt that allowed him to hook up to a dialysis machine was still in place.

But Herrera's howls continued, the officials said, and he began to cover the one window in his cell with toilet paper. He used his blood to adhere the toilet paper to the glass. That alone, corrections officials said, should have prompted a team of officers to enter his cell.

"When your view into the cell is obstructed and you don't know what's going on inside, you initiate a cell extraction," one official said. "This wasn't done. In fact, there are several notations from staff indicating concern for Herrera. But the superior officers never let them check on him."

One officer became so alarmed he called his sergeant, who took a quick look from outside the cell. "This is the same female sergeant who told the officer not to bother," the official noted.

Third watch began at 2 p.m. and ended at 10 p.m. During at least some of that time, Herrera could be heard kicking at his cell door. After the Super Bowl game ended and the first watch took over, Herrera was still making a fuss, officials said.

It wasn't until shortly after 6 a.m. the next day — when the second watch began its shift — that an officer who knew Herrera decided to check in on him.

"The closer he got to the cell, he could see this pool of 'raspberry Kool-Aid,' " said one corrections official. "They popped open the door and he was lying on the ground with the shunt on the top bunk. He was pronounced dead five minutes later."

A corrections spokesman said Herrera had a long rap sheet that included convictions for burglary and rape in San Bernardino County.

Because of his status as a sex offender, he was housed in the prison's administrative-segregation unit. In recent months, he had been the victim of an inmate assault.

[kreepsgirl]

That is soo sad. My fiance used to be in that prison. Makes you think.

[Kittie]

The staff is paid again (100,000) to protect an inmate and that's how they protect them. Let them bleed to death. All the institutions need to come under investigation.

Originally Posted by kreepsgirl

That is soo sad. My fiance used to be in that prison. Makes you think.

[CET]

absolutely infuriating that a man would be screaming for hours on end, and no one even looked in on him. And how horrible for the other inmates to hear and witness that.

[Kittie]

They are not doing their job the way the use to. Not every inmate screaming in pain is faking it in fact 99% of them are not faking it.

This is not good for Corcoran. Now it's in the paper and they just had this political arena. Oh my.....

Originally Posted by CET

absolutely infuriating that a man would be screaming for hours on end, and no one even looked in on him. And how horrible for the other inmates to hear and witness that.

[justvicki]

This is inhumane.......absolutely, without a doubt, inhumane!

[Kittie]

Kreepsgirl:

I still want that man? Maybe you need to change pictures. He is just to fine and I keep looking at him :fb:

Originally Posted by kreepsgirl

That is soo sad. My fiance used to be in that prison. Makes you think.

[jenjocson]

somehow some people can just get so cold, so damn heartless. of course it could've been prevented if he got proper care. that is such a big negligence on the prison's part. I hope this will open some of the government officials' eyes , the ones that choose to keep them shut. But one day they will be judged and I hope they are prepared

[grammyk]

I've been posting the saga of my son, Chad and life in the "Hell Hole" the call PC at Corcoran for 5+ months in Parents with Children in Prison and other Forums. He was attacked and raped in his cell by 4 Inmates when he got back from work one night. His cell-mate told him of the Guard who was in on it. He tried to just deal with it because he knows what happens to "Snitches" in Prison. But, 3 days later he lost it and spilled his guts. He was moved to PC for his own "Protection" immediately. All of his property was put in storage and he could only receive writing materials and books. The mental and physical abuse started almost a week later. He wrote to tell me what had happened and he couldn't stress enough at how ashamed he felt. I called the Prison and one kind Lt. allowed him to call me back a few hours later. He said it really helped him feel better about himself. What I didn't know at the time was that he had tried to commit suicide and was stripped of all of his clothes, put in a cold cell with a pad to sleep on for 3 days. When they let him out their comment was, "bet you don't try that again". After all "we" have been through these past 5+ months, the Super Bowl Death doesn't even surprise me. Corcoran is tied for first place as the most corrupt and charges of abuse from the Guards and "other" Personnel. 50% of all illegal drugs are brought in by the same people. My son has finally been moved to an area where he is getting mental and medical care and therapy as an outpatient in the SHU area. EOP. I talked to the Officer in charge Monday and, he obviously not only knew what Chad had been going through but, also knew who I was, and expected a call from me :~). He was very nice and Chad's property arrived as we were talking. Yes, these guys and gals are in Prison "doing the time for doing the crime" and that's the way it should be. But, something is very wrong when we have Criminals who have the title of a C/O or Guard or even Warden who are in charge of running our Prisons. If you feel your loved one is really being abused, call the Prison, the Ombudsman Office, their Counselor, write or e-mail your Senators, Congresspersons, Governors, the Warden, the Editor of the paper in the County, etc. Contact Christian Prison Organizations. A complaint to the DA's Office is a joke. Contact the PD Office. I've done it all and will continue to fight for the right for a Prisoner be treated in an humane way. Yes, there may be some "animals" in there, but treating them as such serves no purpose except making them more violent. My son and I did get some compensation through our fight and so can you. Instead of being transferred farther away from me, he is being transferred as close as they can place him and he is getting the medical treatment our family has been fighting for. Well as I always say, thank you for listening.
P.S. Thank you Kathy for keeping us informed as to what is going on inside those "Walls".

[Kittie]

Jenjenson:

Your right God is going to judge them and it isn't going to be very pretty once "HE" steps in.

Originally Posted by grammyk

I've been posting the saga of my son, Chad and life in the "Hell Hole" the call PC at Corcoran for 5+ months in Parents with Children in Prison and other Forums. He was attacked and raped in his cell by 4 Inmates when he got back from work one night. His cell-mate told him of the Guard who was in on it. He tried to just deal with it because he knows what happens to "Snitches" in Prison. But, 3 days later he lost it and spilled his guts. He was moved to PC for his own "Protection" immediately. All of his property was put in storage and he could only receive writing materials and books. The mental and physical abuse started almost a week later. He wrote to tell me what had happened and he couldn't stress enough at how ashamed he felt. I called the Prison and one kind Lt. allowed him to call me back a few hours later. He said it really helped him feel better about himself. What I didn't know at the time was that he had tried to commit suicide and was stripped of all of his clothes, put in a cold cell with a pad to sleep on for 3 days. When they let him out their comment was, "bet you don't try that again". After all "we" have been through these past 5+ months, the Super Bowl Death doesn't even surprise me. Corcoran is tied for first place as the most corrupt and charges of abuse from the Guards and "other" Personnel. 50% of all illegal drugs are brought in by the same people. My son has finally been moved to an area where he is getting mental and medical care and therapy as an outpatient in the SHU area. EOP. I talked to the Officer in charge Monday and, he obviously not only knew what Chad had been going through but, also knew who I was, and expected a call from me :~). He was very nice and Chad's property arrived as we were talking. Yes, these guys and gals are in Prison "doing the time for doing the crime" and that's the way it should be. But, something is very wrong when we have Criminals who have the title of a C/O or Guard or even Warden who are in charge of running our Prisons. If you feel your loved one is really being abused, call the Prison, the Ombudsman Office, their Counselor, write or e-mail your Senators, Congresspersons, Governors, the Warden, the Editor of the paper in the County, etc. Contact Christian Prison Organizations. A complaint to the DA's Office is a joke. Contact the PD Office. I've done it all and will continue to fight for the right for a Prisoner be treated in an humane way. Yes, there may be some "animals" in there, but treating them as such serves no purpose except making them more violent. My son and I did get some compensation through our fight and so can you. Instead of being transferred farther away from me, he is being transferred as close as they can place him and he is getting the medical treatment our family has been fighting for. Well as I always say, thank you for listening.
P.S. Thank you Kathy for keeping us informed as to what is going on inside those "Walls".

[crstdrvn]

Thanks for posting this Kathy.

How sad. This just breaks my heart. My thoughts are with the family, friends, and fellow inmates of this unfortunate man.
I am impressed anew that all inmates need our prayers, not just our own loved one who is incarcerated.

Kathy, did you send a copy to Arnie? I'm sure he knows, but it would be nice if he knew that others knew and are watching what he is going to do about it....
Yes, maybe he has vowed to clean house, but you know what? Even one death is unacceptable and there isn't time to "clean the place up" slowly. How many more will die before the job is done, if it is done, if it even can be done? The whole system is nothing but a rats nest. I hope he knows that and makes some swift moves....this is just too much.

[bscotch55]

This is the type of inofrmation that needs to be sent to a federal regulation office. The Feds need to step in at this point. Lawsuits need to be filed. Bankrupt the CCPOa. That sergant needs to be relieved of her duties. Why was he in Ad-seg if he was mentally ill?

[justvicki]

[quote]pool of 'raspberry Kool-Aid

am i the only one who thinks congealed blood doesn't resemble Kool-Aid of any flavor?

[Kathy]

Editorial: Another report? No need
Existing reports tell the tale about prisons

Published 2:15 a.m. PST Friday, February 6, 2004
Memo to: Governor Schwarzenegger
Subject: Reports, old and new

Another day, yet another prison horror story. This time, it involves an inmate who bled to death in his cell at Corcoran State Prison on Super Bowl Sunday. Although he howled through the night and one guard asked a superior if he should check on the inmate, apparently no one bothered until the next morning. The inmate was found dead, in a pool of blood that had drained out of his body and seeped onto the floor outside his cell. The death is yet another graphic example of lethal incompetence and neglect in California's prisons.

The question, governor, is what do you plan to do about it?

Earlier this week, you told a radio interviewer that you wanted to name another panel to examine prisons. You now appear to be backing way from that idea. That's good. Frankly, governor, you don't need a new report on the subject.

In the past decade, plenty of reports have been written. Those reports, now gathering dust in government offices around the state, document waste, fraud, abuse and outright criminal conduct in the prison system.

Before you order up any new reports, here's a suggestion: Check out the list of suggested readings below. Then, settle into a comfortable chair this weekend for some extended reading.

You should begin with the recent report by John Hagar. He's the special master appointed by a federal judge. His report depicts a prison system dominated by the prison guards union and alleges criminal acts by some of the Department of Corrections' highest officials.

That report should make it clear why the state simply can't afford to wait for you to assemble another team of "experts." As Steve White, the former inspector general for the Department of Corrections and now a Sacramento Superior Court judge, says, a new "commission will simply delay action already long overdue."

After you finish reading, you might want to spend a bit of time considering who advised you to form an "independent commission" on prisons. Was it the same advisers who counseled you to dismantle the Office of Inspector General? If so, you should get yourself some new advisers.

The Office of Inspector General has consistently investigated and reported wrongdoing within Corrections. Anyone who counsels you to shut it down wants to stall reform in the hope that the prison scandals will fade from the headlines, and that the public will forget.

If your advice came from legislators, check out who contributed to their election campaigns. Chances are the contributors included the California Correctional Peace Officers Association, the prison guards union whose members have benefited handsomely from the status quo.

Corrections is bleeding money that the state doesn't have. Inmates and correctional officers alike are in danger. There is no shortage of information about these problems. What's lacking is the political will to fix them.

You say, governor, that you want to stop "the corruption going on ... the overspending ... the code of silence." If you really want to do that, stop dismantling the Office of Inspector General and ask the federal courts for help. Ask the courts to send in a monitor with wide authority to help honest and capable prison administrators take control of a prison system that has gone badly awry.

But first, take a few hours and do some reading. You won't find the subject matter entertaining, but it certainly will be enlightening.



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

California's prison crisis: Recommended reading
Governor:

This list includes investigative reports and audits compiled by various agencies and institutions since 1994. It does not include more than two dozen investigative reports by the state Office of the Inspector General, many of which include allegations of criminal misconduct. Some of those reports have not been made public, but you and your staff have access to them.

* Draft Report Re: Departments of Corrections Investigations and Employee Discipline; Federal Special Master, January 2004.

* Back to the Community, Safe and Sound Parole Policies; Little Hoover Commission, November 2003.

* Survey of Educational Programs at California Department of Corrections Level IV Institutions; Office of the Inspector General, July 2003.

* Management Review Audit: California Substance Abuse Treatment Facility and State Prison Corcoran, California; Office of the Inspector General, January 2003.

* California Department of Corrections: A shortage of Correctional Officers, Along With Costly Agreement Provisions, Raises both Fiscal and Safety Concerns and Limits Management's Control; State Auditor, July 2002.

* California Department of Corrections: Its Fiscal Practices and Internal Controls are Inadequate to Ensure Fiscal Responsibility; State Auditor, November 2001.

* Department of Corrections: Though Improving, the Department Still Does not Identify and Serve All Parolees Needing Outpatient Clinic Program Services, but Increased Caseloads Might Strain Clinic Resources; State Auditor, August 2001.

* California Department of Corrections: Poor Management Practices have Resulted in Excessive Personnel Costs; State Auditor, January 2000.

* Wasco State Prison: Its failure to Proactively Address Problems in Critical Equipment, Emergency Procedures and Staff Vigilance Raises Concerns About Institutional Safety and Security; State Auditor, October 1999.

* Prisons Industry Authority: Its outside Purchase of Goods and Services is Neither Well Planned nor Cost Effective; State Auditor, September 1998.

* California Department of Corrections: The Cost of Incarcerating Inmates in State Run Prisons is Higher Than the Department's Published Cost; State Auditor, September 1998.

* Early Intervention Program: Flaws found in the 1997 Report On the Benefits of Early Intervention; State Auditor, April 1998.

* Beyond Bars, Correctional Reforms to Lower Prison Cost and Reduce Crime; Little Hoover Commission, January 1998.

* Prison Industry Authority: Has Failed to Take Significant Corrective Action on Many State Auditor Recommendations; State Auditor, August 1997.

* Prison Industry Authority: Statutory and Cost Control Problems Adversely Affect the State; State Auditor, April 1996.

* Boot Camps: An Evolving Alternative to Traditional Prisons; Little Hoover Commission, January 1995.

* Putting Violence Behind Bars: Redefining the Role of California Prisons; Little Hoover Commission, January 1994.

[cat1967]

WOW! I'm speechless! How absolutely horrible!