Editorial by: B-Polished
There is a lot of talk and even more misinformation regarding the rise of incidents within the state institutions since the implementation of AB109 realignment and the correlation between inmate population realignment and staff reductions. Many of us working behind these walls have noticed and watched the incidents increase over the last year.
When speaking with members if institutional administration concerning this issue, it sounds like a pre rehearsed monologue that almost word for word repeats a press release by either a CDCr Press Secretary or Institutional Public Information Officer. Unfortunately, underneath those well chosen words lives the truth of what has taken place since AB109 implementation.
We talk among each other and our thoughts echo through the corridors, buildings and yards with the same apprehensions of what we witness every day during our shifts. The pendulum has swung back to where the violence once again has increased. Unfortunately, it is happening during a time of state mandated staff cuts. This along with the adjustment of classification scores that lowers the points of higher violence prone inmates into a lower classification increases the possibility of aggressive incidents at more than just the level IV institutions.
We feel that our concerns fall on deaf ears when they are brought up to administration or our union leadership. The most common retorts that have been regurgitated are:
Inmates inherently display some form of higher violent tendencies.
It comes with the territory of prison life so lower officer staffing wouldn't change anything.
The violence has not increased on the street or in the prisons.
AB109 has not had any effect on the increase of street crime or institutional violence.
To debunk some of these statements, there have been several studies by outside agencies, including the FBI, which states street crime in California has increased over the last year including violent based crimes. Most of this is due to inmates released by AB109 that has taken the mortal stance that they will not go back to prison and would rather "go out in a blaze of glory" (that was a quote told to me by an inmate that tried just that, but was unsuccessful). So these un-rehabilitated, so-called nonviolent, AB109 released to non-revocable paroled felons are squandering their second chance in life and committing more crimes. Their mentality now is to rather take out the innocent by-stander, witness, victim, or cop than go back to prison.
As far as inside the prisons, only the recent riots at Folsom and Solano has shed any light of violent incidents increasing behind the prison walls. Sadly, those were only the last in a wave of incidents that were reported, yet ignored in totality, within CDCr. The recent riots are not the only events that have increased over the last year. Homicide investigations and escapes/ walk-aways have also increased. Since January of this year, 2012, throughout California prisons there have been:
17 reported incidents classified as riots (large group of involved inmates)
15 homicide investigations (suspicious deaths; not due to illness, suicide, or natural causes)
14 escapes / walk-aways
At first glance one may look at these numbers and think they may be high, but we are talking about prison. By public standards (due to TV shows and movies) these are occurrences' that happen all the time. On the contrary; going by information gathered from the CDCR Today website (http://cdcrtoday.blogspot.com) and postings on this blog site (http://therealchit.com), there has been a major increase in riots and we have already surpassed homicide deaths and escapes/ walk-aways from last year's totals, at least that's been reported on a CDCR website. And by the way, these figures do come from the "official CDCR Today Blog Site. I'm using their numbers.
Reported in 2011:
3 riots
13 homicides
13 escapes / walk-aways
To verify that this is an upswing trend of prison violence, I also looked at what was reported for 2010:
4 riots
7 homicides
7 escapes / walk-aways
*Scroll below to see reported institutions*
Staff assaults were purposely not included in this editorial due to the information on staff assault numbers were not reliable from the CDCR Today website. I did not want to come across bias by only using the real chit as a source for staff assaults. Staff assaults posted on CDCR Today was that at the most violent levels (i.e. attempted murder of a Peace Officer, inmate orchestrated attacks on multiple Officers, etc). As an example of the amount of staff assaults common in CDCR, in another editorial stated that 8 staff assaults occurred within one month at DVI. None of those incidents were reported by CDCR Today. The public believes this is what we get paid to deal with. Wrong again. We are paid to facilitate the needs of the incarcerated while enforcing the rules of CDCR, not to be a punching bag for an inmate. As a whole, we attempt to remain prepared for anything and trained to respond to any emergency situation, but we do not live in a Prison Break episode.
If you paid attention, you may also notice that none of the female institutions were listed. That is not because these types of incidents don’t exist in a women’s prison… they do. They are not reported because CDCR believes the public do not want to here, nor will they comprehend that female convicts have some of the same violent tendencies as their male counter parts. Although some living conditions may differ, a women’s prison can be just as violent as some of the men’s institutions.
Correctional staff are trained "if it's not on paper, it didn't happen". Well, as Officers, we have been saying for some time what the media is now reporting. It’s an easy equation; less staff means more mandated work and less available time to police your area. Inmate see this do what they do best; take advantage of the situation. Up until this point no one looked into gathering the information to actually see if there is an increase of violence or just staff paranoia. It cannot be ignored that the increases of violent activities and escapes correlates with the beginnings of AB109. I am not naive enough to believe the increase is all based on AB109, but it does add a major amount of fuel to the existing fire.
As Peace Officers, our primary mission statement (in part) is to ensure the safety and security of "the public", not just those that work for or is remanded into CDCr custody by a court of law. So our concerns are not just for our safety behind the walls, it is mainly for the public like our Spouses, grandkids, children, family members and friends.
Yes, we are also concerned about the safety on our jobs. Reason being is that although we attempt to address the safety issues that AB109 has created, it falls on deaf ears. It is only a matter of time before the costs of AB109 is paid by an unnecessary loss of life or limb. Safety of the public, staff, and inmates alike should outweigh the so-called financial savings that will be eaten away by lawsuits against the states implementation of AB109.
It is agreed by all that our judicial system is broken and needs an overhaul. It needs fixing on all levels. But when it is known and hidden that the implementations are flawed to the point of creating an unsafe environment in both the streets and in prison, something must be done. I just share my prayers with so many others that too many will not pay the ultimate price before common sense prevails.
I'm Just Sayin...
CDCR Riots from September, 2012 To 2010
2012
1. 09-20-2012 CSP-SOL (multiple; 2 yards, 3 buildings - separate incidents)
2. 09-19-2012 CSP-SAC
3. 09-15-2012 SVSP *(Stabbing That Triggered Riot)
4. 09-05-2012 CSP- CAL*
5. 08-22-2012 HDSP* (Officers Injured)
6. 08-17-2012 CSP-COR*
7. 08-17-2012 SVSP*
8. 08-07-2012 CSP-COR*
9. 08-02-2012 DVI*
10. 06-30-2012 SVSP*
11. 06-26-2012 CSP-W*
12. 06-19-2012 SVSP
13. 03-13-2012 PVSP
14. 03-06-2012 CSP-FOL
15. 02-09-2012 SQ
16. 01-11-2012 KVSP
17. 01-10-2012 SATF
2011
1. 12-07-2011 CSP-SAC
2. 10-12-2011 COCF (Ok) wasn't called a riot: Ca Inmates – Investigated by CDCR
3. 05-20-2012 CSP-SAC
2010
1. 12-23-2010 Red Rock COCF (Arizona) Ca Inmates
2. 10-19-10 CSP-Calipatria
3. 10-10-2010 CRC
4. 06-12-2010 CSP-Calipatria
Inmate Homicide investigations September, 2012 to 2010
From most recent to oldest
2012
1. 09-15-2012 SVSP
2. 08-01-2012 CSP-COR
3. 08-01-2012 CSP-CAL
4. 07-16-2012 CCI (Security Housing Unit-SHU) -
5. 07-11-2012 SATF
6. 07-03-2012 CSP-COR (Assaulted 06-30-2012)
7. 05-29-2012 LAC
8. 05-26-2012 HDSP
9. 05-02-2012 SATF (Assaulted 04-28-2012)
10. 04-23-2012 CIVIC (Assaulted 04-21-2012)
11. 03-28-2012 CSP-SAC (Attempted Murder)
12. 03-06-2012 SVSP
13. 02-25-2012 CSP-FOL
14. 02-01-2012 SATF (Assaulted 01-31-2012)
15. 01-22-2012 SATF (Assaulted 01-19-2012)
2011
1. 12-25-2011 KVSP
2. 12-12-2011 CSP-SAC (Max Security Unit)
3. 12-04-2011 LAC
4. 10-18-2012 HDSP
5. 10-16-2012 CSP-COR
6. 10-10-2011 CSP-WAS
7. 10-07-2011 CSP-SAC
8. 07-25-2011 HDSP
9. 07-16-2011 CSP-WAS (Assaulted 06-19-2011)
10. 07-08-2011 CSP-WAS
11. 03-23-2011 CSP-WAS
12. 03-10-2011 HDSP
13. 02-21-2011 CSP-CEN
Walk Away & Escapes Reported To CDCR Today
2012
1. 07/29/2012 Julius Klein Conservation Camp
2. 07/28/2012 RJD
3. 07/27/2012 Julius Klein Conservation Camp
4. 07/01/2012 DVI
5. 06/22/2012 Owens Valley Conservation Camp (2 inmates)
6. 06/22/2012 Fenner Canyone Conservation Camp
7. 06/08/2012 Miramonte Conservation Camp
8. 06/04/2012 DVI
9. 05/01/2012 CSP-COR
10. 05/18/2012 DJJ Ward struggled away keys from staff @ outside hospital
11. 04/16/2012 CSP-SAC
12. 04/15/2012 Alder Conservation Camp
13. 04/15/2012 CSP-SAC
14. 03/11/2012 Salt Creek Conservation Camp
2011
1. 12/27/2011 Pine Grove Conservation Camp (DJJ Offender)
2. 12/27/2011 roadside cleanup crew Monterey County (DJJ)
3. 12/27/2011 Conservation Camp in Amador County (DJJ)
4. 12/27/2011 Sutter Creek correctional community service project
5. 12/20/2011 lshi Conservation Camp
6. 11/19/2011 SVSP
7. 11/15/2011 Delta Conservation Camp (2 inmates)
8. 08/05/2011 Ventura Youth Correctional Facility (2 DJJ Wards)
9. 06/04/2011 NKSP
10. 04/29/2011 CSP-COR
11. 03/17/2011 Owens Valley Conservation Camp
12. 03/14/2011 Delta Conservation Camp
13. 03/01/2011 KSVP
2010
1. 11/12/2010 Pilot Rock Conservation Camp
2. 1019/2010 CSP-FOL (2 inmates)
3. 07/15/2010 CSP-SAC
4. 07/10/2010 PVSP
5. 07/07/2010 Washington Ridge Conservation Camp
6. 06/22/2010 High Rock Conservation Camp CC4#32
7. 03/28/2010 Fenner Canyon Conservation Camp
Disclaimer: Information was pulled from the 'CDCR Today' website and the 'The Real Chit' (Gladiator School 'unofficial') blog sites. Information that was NOT received CDCR Today, but from 'The Real Chit' is marked with an asterisk (*). Some incidents were listed on both suites, but only a few. ‘The Real Chit’ get its information from printed and internet local, state wide, and national news sources as well as some multiple concerned correctional state employees that can verify or discredit reported or non-reported information for the purposes of safety, by sharing such information. The author of this editorial acknowledges that all factual information regarding every incident in the state institutions ARE NOT listed by the CDCR Today website. This knowledge is backed by an example of firsthand knowledge of a riot the author responded to at DVI that was not listed on the CDCR Today's site.Editorial by: B-Polished
There is a lot of talk and even more misinformation regarding the rise of incidents within the state institutions since the implementation of AB109 realignment and the correlation between inmate population realignment and staff reductions. Many of us working behind these walls have noticed and watched the incidents increase over the last year.
When speaking with members if institutional administration concerning this issue, it sounds like a pre rehearsed monologue that almost word for word repeats a press release by either a CDCr Press Secretary or Institutional Public Information Officer. Unfortunately, underneath those well chosen words lives the truth of what has taken place since AB109 implementation.
We talk among each other and our thoughts echo through the corridors, buildings and yards with the same apprehensions of what we witness every day during our shifts. The pendulum has swung back to where the violence once again has increased. Unfortunately, it is happening during a time of state mandated staff cuts. This along with the adjustment of classification scores that lowers the points of higher violence prone inmates into a lower classification increases the possibility of aggressive incidents at more than just the level IV institutions.
We feel that our concerns fall on deaf ears when they are brought up to administration or our union leadership. The most common retorts that have been regurgitated are:
Inmates inherently display some form of higher violent tendencies.
It comes with the territory of prison life so lower officer staffing wouldn't change anything.
The violence has not increased on the street or in the prisons.
AB109 has not had any effect on the increase of street crime or institutional violence.
To debunk some of these statements, there have been several studies by outside agencies, including the FBI, which states street crime in California has increased over the last year including violent based crimes. Most of this is due to inmates released by AB109 that has taken the mortal stance that they will not go back to prison and would rather "go out in a blaze of glory" (that was a quote told to me by an inmate that tried just that, but was unsuccessful). So these un-rehabilitated, so-called nonviolent, AB109 released to non-revocable paroled felons are squandering their second chance in life and committing more crimes. Their mentality now is to rather take out the innocent by-stander, witness, victim, or cop than go back to prison.
As far as inside the prisons, only the recent riots at Folsom and Solano has shed any light of violent incidents increasing behind the prison walls. Sadly, those were only the last in a wave of incidents that were reported, yet ignored in totality, within CDCr. The recent riots are not the only events that have increased over the last year. Homicide investigations and escapes/ walk-aways have also increased. Since January of this year, 2012, throughout California prisons there have been:
17 reported incidents classified as riots (large group of involved inmates)
15 homicide investigations (suspicious deaths; not due to illness, suicide, or natural causes)
14 escapes / walk-aways
At first glance one may look at these numbers and think they may be high, but we are talking about prison. By public standards (due to TV shows and movies) these are occurrences' that happen all the time. On the contrary; going by information gathered from the CDCR Today website (http://cdcrtoday.blogspot.com) and postings on this blog site (http://therealchit.com), there has been a major increase in riots and we have already surpassed homicide deaths and escapes/ walk-aways from last year's totals, at least that's been reported on a CDCR website. And by the way, these figures do come from the "official CDCR Today Blog Site. I'm using their numbers.
Reported in 2011:
3 riots
13 homicides
13 escapes / walk-aways
To verify that this is an upswing trend of prison violence, I also looked at what was reported for 2010:
4 riots
7 homicides
7 escapes / walk-aways
*Scroll below to see reported institutions*
Staff assaults were purposely not included in this editorial due to the information on staff assault numbers were not reliable from the CDCR Today website. I did not want to come across bias by only using the real chit as a source for staff assaults. Staff assaults posted on CDCR Today was that at the most violent levels (i.e. attempted murder of a Peace Officer, inmate orchestrated attacks on multiple Officers, etc). As an example of the amount of staff assaults common in CDCR, in another editorial stated that 8 staff assaults occurred within one month at DVI. None of those incidents were reported by CDCR Today. The public believes this is what we get paid to deal with. Wrong again. We are paid to facilitate the needs of the incarcerated while enforcing the rules of CDCR, not to be a punching bag for an inmate. As a whole, we attempt to remain prepared for anything and trained to respond to any emergency situation, but we do not live in a Prison Break episode.
If you paid attention, you may also notice that none of the female institutions were listed. That is not because these types of incidents don’t exist in a women’s prison… they do. They are not reported because CDCR believes the public do not want to here, nor will they comprehend that female convicts have some of the same violent tendencies as their male counter parts. Although some living conditions may differ, a women’s prison can be just as violent as some of the men’s institutions.
Correctional staff are trained "if it's not on paper, it didn't happen". Well, as Officers, we have been saying for some time what the media is now reporting. It’s an easy equation; less staff means more mandated work and less available time to police your area. Inmate see this do what they do best; take advantage of the situation. Up until this point no one looked into gathering the information to actually see if there is an increase of violence or just staff paranoia. It cannot be ignored that the increases of violent activities and escapes correlates with the beginnings of AB109. I am not naive enough to believe the increase is all based on AB109, but it does add a major amount of fuel to the existing fire.
As Peace Officers, our primary mission statement (in part) is to ensure the safety and security of "the public", not just those that work for or is remanded into CDCr custody by a court of law. So our concerns are not just for our safety behind the walls, it is mainly for the public like our Spouses, grandkids, children, family members and friends.
Yes, we are also concerned about the safety on our jobs. Reason being is that although we attempt to address the safety issues that AB109 has created, it falls on deaf ears. It is only a matter of time before the costs of AB109 is paid by an unnecessary loss of life or limb. Safety of the public, staff, and inmates alike should outweigh the so-called financial savings that will be eaten away by lawsuits against the states implementation of AB109.
It is agreed by all that our judicial system is broken and needs an overhaul. It needs fixing on all levels. But when it is known and hidden that the implementations are flawed to the point of creating an unsafe environment in both the streets and in prison, something must be done. I just share my prayers with so many others that too many will not pay the ultimate price before common sense prevails.
I'm Just Sayin...
CDCR Riots from September, 2012 To 2010
2012
1. 09-20-2012 CSP-SOL (multiple; 2 yards, 3 buildings - separate incidents)
2. 09-19-2012 CSP-SAC
3. 09-15-2012 SVSP *(Stabbing That Triggered Riot)
4. 09-05-2012 CSP- CAL*
5. 08-22-2012 HDSP* (Officers Injured)
6. 08-17-2012 CSP-COR*
7. 08-17-2012 SVSP*
8. 08-07-2012 CSP-COR*
9. 08-02-2012 DVI*
10. 06-30-2012 SVSP*
11. 06-26-2012 CSP-W*
12. 06-19-2012 SVSP
13. 03-13-2012 PVSP
14. 03-06-2012 CSP-FOL
15. 02-09-2012 SQ
16. 01-11-2012 KVSP
17. 01-10-2012 SATF
2011
1. 12-07-2011 CSP-SAC
2. 10-12-2011 COCF (Ok) wasn't called a riot: Ca Inmates – Investigated by CDCR
3. 05-20-2012 CSP-SAC
2010
1. 12-23-2010 Red Rock COCF (Arizona) Ca Inmates
2. 10-19-10 CSP-Calipatria
3. 10-10-2010 CRC
4. 06-12-2010 CSP-Calipatria
Inmate Homicide investigations September, 2012 to 2010
From most recent to oldest
2012
1. 09-15-2012 SVSP
2. 08-01-2012 CSP-COR
3. 08-01-2012 CSP-CAL
4. 07-16-2012 CCI (Security Housing Unit-SHU) -
5. 07-11-2012 SATF
6. 07-03-2012 CSP-COR (Assaulted 06-30-2012)
7. 05-29-2012 LAC
8. 05-26-2012 HDSP
9. 05-02-2012 SATF (Assaulted 04-28-2012)
10. 04-23-2012 CIVIC (Assaulted 04-21-2012)
11. 03-28-2012 CSP-SAC (Attempted Murder)
12. 03-06-2012 SVSP
13. 02-25-2012 CSP-FOL
14. 02-01-2012 SATF (Assaulted 01-31-2012)
15. 01-22-2012 SATF (Assaulted 01-19-2012)
2011
1. 12-25-2011 KVSP
2. 12-12-2011 CSP-SAC (Max Security Unit)
3. 12-04-2011 LAC
4. 10-18-2012 HDSP
5. 10-16-2012 CSP-COR
6. 10-10-2011 CSP-WAS
7. 10-07-2011 CSP-SAC
8. 07-25-2011 HDSP
9. 07-16-2011 CSP-WAS (Assaulted 06-19-2011)
10. 07-08-2011 CSP-WAS
11. 03-23-2011 CSP-WAS
12. 03-10-2011 HDSP
13. 02-21-2011 CSP-CEN
Walk Away & Escapes Reported To CDCR Today
2012
1. 07/29/2012 Julius Klein Conservation Camp
2. 07/28/2012 RJD
3. 07/27/2012 Julius Klein Conservation Camp
4. 07/01/2012 DVI
5. 06/22/2012 Owens Valley Conservation Camp (2 inmates)
6. 06/22/2012 Fenner Canyone Conservation Camp
7. 06/08/2012 Miramonte Conservation Camp
8. 06/04/2012 DVI
9. 05/01/2012 CSP-COR
10. 05/18/2012 DJJ Ward struggled away keys from staff @ outside hospital
11. 04/16/2012 CSP-SAC
12. 04/15/2012 Alder Conservation Camp
13. 04/15/2012 CSP-SAC
14. 03/11/2012 Salt Creek Conservation Camp
2011
1. 12/27/2011 Pine Grove Conservation Camp (DJJ Offender)
2. 12/27/2011 roadside cleanup crew Monterey County (DJJ)
3. 12/27/2011 Conservation Camp in Amador County (DJJ)
4. 12/27/2011 Sutter Creek correctional community service project
5. 12/20/2011 lshi Conservation Camp
6. 11/19/2011 SVSP
7. 11/15/2011 Delta Conservation Camp (2 inmates)
8. 08/05/2011 Ventura Youth Correctional Facility (2 DJJ Wards)
9. 06/04/2011 NKSP
10. 04/29/2011 CSP-COR
11. 03/17/2011 Owens Valley Conservation Camp
12. 03/14/2011 Delta Conservation Camp
13. 03/01/2011 KSVP
2010
1. 11/12/2010 Pilot Rock Conservation Camp
2. 1019/2010 CSP-FOL (2 inmates)
3. 07/15/2010 CSP-SAC
4. 07/10/2010 PVSP
5. 07/07/2010 Washington Ridge Conservation Camp
6. 06/22/2010 High Rock Conservation Camp CC4#32
7. 03/28/2010 Fenner Canyon Conservation Camp
Disclaimer: Information was pulled from the 'CDCR Today' website and the 'The Real Chit' (Gladiator School 'unofficial') blog sites. Information that was NOT received CDCR Today, but from 'The Real Chit' is marked with an asterisk (*). Some incidents were listed on both suites, but only a few. ‘The Real Chit’ get its information from printed and internet local, state wide, and national news sources as well as some multiple concerned correctional state employees that can verify or discredit reported or non-reported information for the purposes of safety, by sharing such information. The author of this editorial acknowledges that all factual information regarding every incident in the state institutions ARE NOT listed by the CDCR Today website. This knowledge is backed by an example of firsthand knowledge of a riot the author responded to at DVI that was not listed on the CDCR Today's site.
There is a lot of talk and even more misinformation regarding the rise of incidents within the state institutions since the implementation of AB109 realignment and the correlation between inmate population realignment and staff reductions. Many of us working behind these walls have noticed and watched the incidents increase over the last year.
When speaking with members if institutional administration concerning this issue, it sounds like a pre rehearsed monologue that almost word for word repeats a press release by either a CDCr Press Secretary or Institutional Public Information Officer. Unfortunately, underneath those well chosen words lives the truth of what has taken place since AB109 implementation.
We talk among each other and our thoughts echo through the corridors, buildings and yards with the same apprehensions of what we witness every day during our shifts. The pendulum has swung back to where the violence once again has increased. Unfortunately, it is happening during a time of state mandated staff cuts. This along with the adjustment of classification scores that lowers the points of higher violence prone inmates into a lower classification increases the possibility of aggressive incidents at more than just the level IV institutions.
We feel that our concerns fall on deaf ears when they are brought up to administration or our union leadership. The most common retorts that have been regurgitated are:
Inmates inherently display some form of higher violent tendencies.
It comes with the territory of prison life so lower officer staffing wouldn't change anything.
The violence has not increased on the street or in the prisons.
AB109 has not had any effect on the increase of street crime or institutional violence.
To debunk some of these statements, there have been several studies by outside agencies, including the FBI, which states street crime in California has increased over the last year including violent based crimes. Most of this is due to inmates released by AB109 that has taken the mortal stance that they will not go back to prison and would rather "go out in a blaze of glory" (that was a quote told to me by an inmate that tried just that, but was unsuccessful). So these un-rehabilitated, so-called nonviolent, AB109 released to non-revocable paroled felons are squandering their second chance in life and committing more crimes. Their mentality now is to rather take out the innocent by-stander, witness, victim, or cop than go back to prison.
As far as inside the prisons, only the recent riots at Folsom and Solano has shed any light of violent incidents increasing behind the prison walls. Sadly, those were only the last in a wave of incidents that were reported, yet ignored in totality, within CDCr. The recent riots are not the only events that have increased over the last year. Homicide investigations and escapes/ walk-aways have also increased. Since January of this year, 2012, throughout California prisons there have been:
17 reported incidents classified as riots (large group of involved inmates)
15 homicide investigations (suspicious deaths; not due to illness, suicide, or natural causes)
14 escapes / walk-aways
At first glance one may look at these numbers and think they may be high, but we are talking about prison. By public standards (due to TV shows and movies) these are occurrences' that happen all the time. On the contrary; going by information gathered from the CDCR Today website (http://cdcrtoday.blogspot.com) and postings on this blog site (http://therealchit.com), there has been a major increase in riots and we have already surpassed homicide deaths and escapes/ walk-aways from last year's totals, at least that's been reported on a CDCR website. And by the way, these figures do come from the "official CDCR Today Blog Site. I'm using their numbers.
Reported in 2011:
3 riots
13 homicides
13 escapes / walk-aways
To verify that this is an upswing trend of prison violence, I also looked at what was reported for 2010:
4 riots
7 homicides
7 escapes / walk-aways
*Scroll below to see reported institutions*
Staff assaults were purposely not included in this editorial due to the information on staff assault numbers were not reliable from the CDCR Today website. I did not want to come across bias by only using the real chit as a source for staff assaults. Staff assaults posted on CDCR Today was that at the most violent levels (i.e. attempted murder of a Peace Officer, inmate orchestrated attacks on multiple Officers, etc). As an example of the amount of staff assaults common in CDCR, in another editorial stated that 8 staff assaults occurred within one month at DVI. None of those incidents were reported by CDCR Today. The public believes this is what we get paid to deal with. Wrong again. We are paid to facilitate the needs of the incarcerated while enforcing the rules of CDCR, not to be a punching bag for an inmate. As a whole, we attempt to remain prepared for anything and trained to respond to any emergency situation, but we do not live in a Prison Break episode.
If you paid attention, you may also notice that none of the female institutions were listed. That is not because these types of incidents don’t exist in a women’s prison… they do. They are not reported because CDCR believes the public do not want to here, nor will they comprehend that female convicts have some of the same violent tendencies as their male counter parts. Although some living conditions may differ, a women’s prison can be just as violent as some of the men’s institutions.
Correctional staff are trained "if it's not on paper, it didn't happen". Well, as Officers, we have been saying for some time what the media is now reporting. It’s an easy equation; less staff means more mandated work and less available time to police your area. Inmate see this do what they do best; take advantage of the situation. Up until this point no one looked into gathering the information to actually see if there is an increase of violence or just staff paranoia. It cannot be ignored that the increases of violent activities and escapes correlates with the beginnings of AB109. I am not naive enough to believe the increase is all based on AB109, but it does add a major amount of fuel to the existing fire.
As Peace Officers, our primary mission statement (in part) is to ensure the safety and security of "the public", not just those that work for or is remanded into CDCr custody by a court of law. So our concerns are not just for our safety behind the walls, it is mainly for the public like our Spouses, grandkids, children, family members and friends.
Yes, we are also concerned about the safety on our jobs. Reason being is that although we attempt to address the safety issues that AB109 has created, it falls on deaf ears. It is only a matter of time before the costs of AB109 is paid by an unnecessary loss of life or limb. Safety of the public, staff, and inmates alike should outweigh the so-called financial savings that will be eaten away by lawsuits against the states implementation of AB109.
It is agreed by all that our judicial system is broken and needs an overhaul. It needs fixing on all levels. But when it is known and hidden that the implementations are flawed to the point of creating an unsafe environment in both the streets and in prison, something must be done. I just share my prayers with so many others that too many will not pay the ultimate price before common sense prevails.
I'm Just Sayin...
CDCR Riots from September, 2012 To 2010
2012
1. 09-20-2012 CSP-SOL (multiple; 2 yards, 3 buildings - separate incidents)
2. 09-19-2012 CSP-SAC
3. 09-15-2012 SVSP *(Stabbing That Triggered Riot)
4. 09-05-2012 CSP- CAL*
5. 08-22-2012 HDSP* (Officers Injured)
6. 08-17-2012 CSP-COR*
7. 08-17-2012 SVSP*
8. 08-07-2012 CSP-COR*
9. 08-02-2012 DVI*
10. 06-30-2012 SVSP*
11. 06-26-2012 CSP-W*
12. 06-19-2012 SVSP
13. 03-13-2012 PVSP
14. 03-06-2012 CSP-FOL
15. 02-09-2012 SQ
16. 01-11-2012 KVSP
17. 01-10-2012 SATF
2011
1. 12-07-2011 CSP-SAC
2. 10-12-2011 COCF (Ok) wasn't called a riot: Ca Inmates – Investigated by CDCR
3. 05-20-2012 CSP-SAC
2010
1. 12-23-2010 Red Rock COCF (Arizona) Ca Inmates
2. 10-19-10 CSP-Calipatria
3. 10-10-2010 CRC
4. 06-12-2010 CSP-Calipatria
Inmate Homicide investigations September, 2012 to 2010
From most recent to oldest
2012
1. 09-15-2012 SVSP
2. 08-01-2012 CSP-COR
3. 08-01-2012 CSP-CAL
4. 07-16-2012 CCI (Security Housing Unit-SHU) -
5. 07-11-2012 SATF
6. 07-03-2012 CSP-COR (Assaulted 06-30-2012)
7. 05-29-2012 LAC
8. 05-26-2012 HDSP
9. 05-02-2012 SATF (Assaulted 04-28-2012)
10. 04-23-2012 CIVIC (Assaulted 04-21-2012)
11. 03-28-2012 CSP-SAC (Attempted Murder)
12. 03-06-2012 SVSP
13. 02-25-2012 CSP-FOL
14. 02-01-2012 SATF (Assaulted 01-31-2012)
15. 01-22-2012 SATF (Assaulted 01-19-2012)
2011
1. 12-25-2011 KVSP
2. 12-12-2011 CSP-SAC (Max Security Unit)
3. 12-04-2011 LAC
4. 10-18-2012 HDSP
5. 10-16-2012 CSP-COR
6. 10-10-2011 CSP-WAS
7. 10-07-2011 CSP-SAC
8. 07-25-2011 HDSP
9. 07-16-2011 CSP-WAS (Assaulted 06-19-2011)
10. 07-08-2011 CSP-WAS
11. 03-23-2011 CSP-WAS
12. 03-10-2011 HDSP
13. 02-21-2011 CSP-CEN
Walk Away & Escapes Reported To CDCR Today
2012
1. 07/29/2012 Julius Klein Conservation Camp
2. 07/28/2012 RJD
3. 07/27/2012 Julius Klein Conservation Camp
4. 07/01/2012 DVI
5. 06/22/2012 Owens Valley Conservation Camp (2 inmates)
6. 06/22/2012 Fenner Canyone Conservation Camp
7. 06/08/2012 Miramonte Conservation Camp
8. 06/04/2012 DVI
9. 05/01/2012 CSP-COR
10. 05/18/2012 DJJ Ward struggled away keys from staff @ outside hospital
11. 04/16/2012 CSP-SAC
12. 04/15/2012 Alder Conservation Camp
13. 04/15/2012 CSP-SAC
14. 03/11/2012 Salt Creek Conservation Camp
2011
1. 12/27/2011 Pine Grove Conservation Camp (DJJ Offender)
2. 12/27/2011 roadside cleanup crew Monterey County (DJJ)
3. 12/27/2011 Conservation Camp in Amador County (DJJ)
4. 12/27/2011 Sutter Creek correctional community service project
5. 12/20/2011 lshi Conservation Camp
6. 11/19/2011 SVSP
7. 11/15/2011 Delta Conservation Camp (2 inmates)
8. 08/05/2011 Ventura Youth Correctional Facility (2 DJJ Wards)
9. 06/04/2011 NKSP
10. 04/29/2011 CSP-COR
11. 03/17/2011 Owens Valley Conservation Camp
12. 03/14/2011 Delta Conservation Camp
13. 03/01/2011 KSVP
2010
1. 11/12/2010 Pilot Rock Conservation Camp
2. 1019/2010 CSP-FOL (2 inmates)
3. 07/15/2010 CSP-SAC
4. 07/10/2010 PVSP
5. 07/07/2010 Washington Ridge Conservation Camp
6. 06/22/2010 High Rock Conservation Camp CC4#32
7. 03/28/2010 Fenner Canyon Conservation Camp
Disclaimer: Information was pulled from the 'CDCR Today' website and the 'The Real Chit' (Gladiator School 'unofficial') blog sites. Information that was NOT received CDCR Today, but from 'The Real Chit' is marked with an asterisk (*). Some incidents were listed on both suites, but only a few. ‘The Real Chit’ get its information from printed and internet local, state wide, and national news sources as well as some multiple concerned correctional state employees that can verify or discredit reported or non-reported information for the purposes of safety, by sharing such information. The author of this editorial acknowledges that all factual information regarding every incident in the state institutions ARE NOT listed by the CDCR Today website. This knowledge is backed by an example of firsthand knowledge of a riot the author responded to at DVI that was not listed on the CDCR Today's site.Editorial by: B-Polished
There is a lot of talk and even more misinformation regarding the rise of incidents within the state institutions since the implementation of AB109 realignment and the correlation between inmate population realignment and staff reductions. Many of us working behind these walls have noticed and watched the incidents increase over the last year.
When speaking with members if institutional administration concerning this issue, it sounds like a pre rehearsed monologue that almost word for word repeats a press release by either a CDCr Press Secretary or Institutional Public Information Officer. Unfortunately, underneath those well chosen words lives the truth of what has taken place since AB109 implementation.
We talk among each other and our thoughts echo through the corridors, buildings and yards with the same apprehensions of what we witness every day during our shifts. The pendulum has swung back to where the violence once again has increased. Unfortunately, it is happening during a time of state mandated staff cuts. This along with the adjustment of classification scores that lowers the points of higher violence prone inmates into a lower classification increases the possibility of aggressive incidents at more than just the level IV institutions.
We feel that our concerns fall on deaf ears when they are brought up to administration or our union leadership. The most common retorts that have been regurgitated are:
Inmates inherently display some form of higher violent tendencies.
It comes with the territory of prison life so lower officer staffing wouldn't change anything.
The violence has not increased on the street or in the prisons.
AB109 has not had any effect on the increase of street crime or institutional violence.
To debunk some of these statements, there have been several studies by outside agencies, including the FBI, which states street crime in California has increased over the last year including violent based crimes. Most of this is due to inmates released by AB109 that has taken the mortal stance that they will not go back to prison and would rather "go out in a blaze of glory" (that was a quote told to me by an inmate that tried just that, but was unsuccessful). So these un-rehabilitated, so-called nonviolent, AB109 released to non-revocable paroled felons are squandering their second chance in life and committing more crimes. Their mentality now is to rather take out the innocent by-stander, witness, victim, or cop than go back to prison.
As far as inside the prisons, only the recent riots at Folsom and Solano has shed any light of violent incidents increasing behind the prison walls. Sadly, those were only the last in a wave of incidents that were reported, yet ignored in totality, within CDCr. The recent riots are not the only events that have increased over the last year. Homicide investigations and escapes/ walk-aways have also increased. Since January of this year, 2012, throughout California prisons there have been:
17 reported incidents classified as riots (large group of involved inmates)
15 homicide investigations (suspicious deaths; not due to illness, suicide, or natural causes)
14 escapes / walk-aways
At first glance one may look at these numbers and think they may be high, but we are talking about prison. By public standards (due to TV shows and movies) these are occurrences' that happen all the time. On the contrary; going by information gathered from the CDCR Today website (http://cdcrtoday.blogspot.com) and postings on this blog site (http://therealchit.com), there has been a major increase in riots and we have already surpassed homicide deaths and escapes/ walk-aways from last year's totals, at least that's been reported on a CDCR website. And by the way, these figures do come from the "official CDCR Today Blog Site. I'm using their numbers.
Reported in 2011:
3 riots
13 homicides
13 escapes / walk-aways
To verify that this is an upswing trend of prison violence, I also looked at what was reported for 2010:
4 riots
7 homicides
7 escapes / walk-aways
*Scroll below to see reported institutions*
Staff assaults were purposely not included in this editorial due to the information on staff assault numbers were not reliable from the CDCR Today website. I did not want to come across bias by only using the real chit as a source for staff assaults. Staff assaults posted on CDCR Today was that at the most violent levels (i.e. attempted murder of a Peace Officer, inmate orchestrated attacks on multiple Officers, etc). As an example of the amount of staff assaults common in CDCR, in another editorial stated that 8 staff assaults occurred within one month at DVI. None of those incidents were reported by CDCR Today. The public believes this is what we get paid to deal with. Wrong again. We are paid to facilitate the needs of the incarcerated while enforcing the rules of CDCR, not to be a punching bag for an inmate. As a whole, we attempt to remain prepared for anything and trained to respond to any emergency situation, but we do not live in a Prison Break episode.
If you paid attention, you may also notice that none of the female institutions were listed. That is not because these types of incidents don’t exist in a women’s prison… they do. They are not reported because CDCR believes the public do not want to here, nor will they comprehend that female convicts have some of the same violent tendencies as their male counter parts. Although some living conditions may differ, a women’s prison can be just as violent as some of the men’s institutions.
Correctional staff are trained "if it's not on paper, it didn't happen". Well, as Officers, we have been saying for some time what the media is now reporting. It’s an easy equation; less staff means more mandated work and less available time to police your area. Inmate see this do what they do best; take advantage of the situation. Up until this point no one looked into gathering the information to actually see if there is an increase of violence or just staff paranoia. It cannot be ignored that the increases of violent activities and escapes correlates with the beginnings of AB109. I am not naive enough to believe the increase is all based on AB109, but it does add a major amount of fuel to the existing fire.
As Peace Officers, our primary mission statement (in part) is to ensure the safety and security of "the public", not just those that work for or is remanded into CDCr custody by a court of law. So our concerns are not just for our safety behind the walls, it is mainly for the public like our Spouses, grandkids, children, family members and friends.
Yes, we are also concerned about the safety on our jobs. Reason being is that although we attempt to address the safety issues that AB109 has created, it falls on deaf ears. It is only a matter of time before the costs of AB109 is paid by an unnecessary loss of life or limb. Safety of the public, staff, and inmates alike should outweigh the so-called financial savings that will be eaten away by lawsuits against the states implementation of AB109.
It is agreed by all that our judicial system is broken and needs an overhaul. It needs fixing on all levels. But when it is known and hidden that the implementations are flawed to the point of creating an unsafe environment in both the streets and in prison, something must be done. I just share my prayers with so many others that too many will not pay the ultimate price before common sense prevails.
I'm Just Sayin...
CDCR Riots from September, 2012 To 2010
2012
1. 09-20-2012 CSP-SOL (multiple; 2 yards, 3 buildings - separate incidents)
2. 09-19-2012 CSP-SAC
3. 09-15-2012 SVSP *(Stabbing That Triggered Riot)
4. 09-05-2012 CSP- CAL*
5. 08-22-2012 HDSP* (Officers Injured)
6. 08-17-2012 CSP-COR*
7. 08-17-2012 SVSP*
8. 08-07-2012 CSP-COR*
9. 08-02-2012 DVI*
10. 06-30-2012 SVSP*
11. 06-26-2012 CSP-W*
12. 06-19-2012 SVSP
13. 03-13-2012 PVSP
14. 03-06-2012 CSP-FOL
15. 02-09-2012 SQ
16. 01-11-2012 KVSP
17. 01-10-2012 SATF
2011
1. 12-07-2011 CSP-SAC
2. 10-12-2011 COCF (Ok) wasn't called a riot: Ca Inmates – Investigated by CDCR
3. 05-20-2012 CSP-SAC
2010
1. 12-23-2010 Red Rock COCF (Arizona) Ca Inmates
2. 10-19-10 CSP-Calipatria
3. 10-10-2010 CRC
4. 06-12-2010 CSP-Calipatria
Inmate Homicide investigations September, 2012 to 2010
From most recent to oldest
2012
1. 09-15-2012 SVSP
2. 08-01-2012 CSP-COR
3. 08-01-2012 CSP-CAL
4. 07-16-2012 CCI (Security Housing Unit-SHU) -
5. 07-11-2012 SATF
6. 07-03-2012 CSP-COR (Assaulted 06-30-2012)
7. 05-29-2012 LAC
8. 05-26-2012 HDSP
9. 05-02-2012 SATF (Assaulted 04-28-2012)
10. 04-23-2012 CIVIC (Assaulted 04-21-2012)
11. 03-28-2012 CSP-SAC (Attempted Murder)
12. 03-06-2012 SVSP
13. 02-25-2012 CSP-FOL
14. 02-01-2012 SATF (Assaulted 01-31-2012)
15. 01-22-2012 SATF (Assaulted 01-19-2012)
2011
1. 12-25-2011 KVSP
2. 12-12-2011 CSP-SAC (Max Security Unit)
3. 12-04-2011 LAC
4. 10-18-2012 HDSP
5. 10-16-2012 CSP-COR
6. 10-10-2011 CSP-WAS
7. 10-07-2011 CSP-SAC
8. 07-25-2011 HDSP
9. 07-16-2011 CSP-WAS (Assaulted 06-19-2011)
10. 07-08-2011 CSP-WAS
11. 03-23-2011 CSP-WAS
12. 03-10-2011 HDSP
13. 02-21-2011 CSP-CEN
Walk Away & Escapes Reported To CDCR Today
2012
1. 07/29/2012 Julius Klein Conservation Camp
2. 07/28/2012 RJD
3. 07/27/2012 Julius Klein Conservation Camp
4. 07/01/2012 DVI
5. 06/22/2012 Owens Valley Conservation Camp (2 inmates)
6. 06/22/2012 Fenner Canyone Conservation Camp
7. 06/08/2012 Miramonte Conservation Camp
8. 06/04/2012 DVI
9. 05/01/2012 CSP-COR
10. 05/18/2012 DJJ Ward struggled away keys from staff @ outside hospital
11. 04/16/2012 CSP-SAC
12. 04/15/2012 Alder Conservation Camp
13. 04/15/2012 CSP-SAC
14. 03/11/2012 Salt Creek Conservation Camp
2011
1. 12/27/2011 Pine Grove Conservation Camp (DJJ Offender)
2. 12/27/2011 roadside cleanup crew Monterey County (DJJ)
3. 12/27/2011 Conservation Camp in Amador County (DJJ)
4. 12/27/2011 Sutter Creek correctional community service project
5. 12/20/2011 lshi Conservation Camp
6. 11/19/2011 SVSP
7. 11/15/2011 Delta Conservation Camp (2 inmates)
8. 08/05/2011 Ventura Youth Correctional Facility (2 DJJ Wards)
9. 06/04/2011 NKSP
10. 04/29/2011 CSP-COR
11. 03/17/2011 Owens Valley Conservation Camp
12. 03/14/2011 Delta Conservation Camp
13. 03/01/2011 KSVP
2010
1. 11/12/2010 Pilot Rock Conservation Camp
2. 1019/2010 CSP-FOL (2 inmates)
3. 07/15/2010 CSP-SAC
4. 07/10/2010 PVSP
5. 07/07/2010 Washington Ridge Conservation Camp
6. 06/22/2010 High Rock Conservation Camp CC4#32
7. 03/28/2010 Fenner Canyon Conservation Camp
Disclaimer: Information was pulled from the 'CDCR Today' website and the 'The Real Chit' (Gladiator School 'unofficial') blog sites. Information that was NOT received CDCR Today, but from 'The Real Chit' is marked with an asterisk (*). Some incidents were listed on both suites, but only a few. ‘The Real Chit’ get its information from printed and internet local, state wide, and national news sources as well as some multiple concerned correctional state employees that can verify or discredit reported or non-reported information for the purposes of safety, by sharing such information. The author of this editorial acknowledges that all factual information regarding every incident in the state institutions ARE NOT listed by the CDCR Today website. This knowledge is backed by an example of firsthand knowledge of a riot the author responded to at DVI that was not listed on the CDCR Today's site.
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