The Caesar Rodney Institute, a Delaware Think Tank, continues its investigation of the Delaware Department of Corrections. There seems to be an ongoing problem with inmate medical treatment despite the change in Governor and the change in control of the General Assembly. Voters heard a lot on the campaign trail about improving government services and making government more accountable. If what the Caesar Rodney Institute has discovered is accurate, voters were lied to.
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Why have our state legislators taken no action on this report? Also why has the News Journal not publish any information on what is being reported?
My take:
It’s not as simple as getting rid of or even fixing CMS. This problem is growing by leaps and bounds. 6,900 Delawarians (and counting) are in prison. We need an approach to this that can address all the aspects of the failures in our correctional system. We need to reduce the number of inmates, increase rehab and reintroduction services, reevaluate the healthcare delivery system and retrain our corrections staff to maintain order AND inmate dignity without sacrificing safety.
We need to engage non-profits, business, religious groups and citizens to be the active and productive citizenry that existed in the 50′s and 60′s. We can’t just heap blame (and I know CRI isn’t doing that but some are) on “the system” or CMS and expect the problems to be fixed. We need solutions and when you need solutions instead of band-aids you turn not to the government but to the people. The question is will the money be there for all the areas it will be needed?
Community organizations will need the money to get counselors on the streets of our “hoods” and gang units will need the money to go after our rising gang population. Police departments are already cutting back but they need more boots on the ground. Schools need more resources to reach out to our troubled kids. Our streets need to be cleaned up which means revisiting that homeless problem we discussed a couple of weeks ago. Our buildings need to be renovated, our sprawl reduced (build up, not out) and our smog cut. Corruption, fraud, waste and abuse at all levels of government has to be stopped. How can we look to a government who’s corrupt at nearly every level for answers? We can’t. Government needs to clean its own house and God willing next year we citizens will begin that process. We must look to the individuals, communities and to businesses to fix these problems. Everyday I go to work in one of the largest buildings in Delaware. From my office I am able to see most of the city of Wilmington and what I see are businesses who have enjoyed some of the best corporate tax incentives in the world. I see banks who have (thanks to Delaware’s limited consumer protections) made trillions on the backs of hardworking Americans. I see small business owners struggling to survive due to a deteriorating cityscape and culture. Taxes are not the answer as government would waste it and it would violate our founding principles. Redistribution isn’t fair (but neither is a $58 billion bonus for Ken Lewis while employees with BofA see their bonuses cut) and again violates our founding principles. We’ve got to find a way to bring the money into the community to mutually benefit everyone.
The fact is that much of what was in the Cesar Rodney Institutes “report” was inaccurate. First I think we need to understand “who” the CRI is ??? A think tank, or a political action group cloaked as as group of concerned citizens. There is an “agenda” driving anything that comes from that organization. Do operational, budgetary and medical service issues exist within the DOC, sure they do. Is it a “Rouge” agency in which offenders are in constant danger of mistreatment, abuse or civil rights violations ??? I think not. The “report” issued buy the CRI is a hatchet job, to the lay person it sends a veiled impression that an “investigation” was undertaken by the author. When it is dissected, it seems to be a completion of snippets of depositions (taken out of context), Hearsay and what appears to possibly be a misleading information as to how “documents” presented are interrupted. In the end if it was as “bad” as reported I think the FBI along with other Federal agencies would have stepped forward and made there presence known. As for why the News Journal refused to print Mr. Williams “work” maybe somebody should ask him why this is publicly ?? Rumor has it he is a bit of a “rouge” himself.
Me:
It doesn’t matter if the Caesar Rodney Institute is Republican or Democrat. It doesn’t matter if it has an agenda–everybody has an agenda–as long as that agenda is to truthfully expose corruption and mistreatment of prisoners.
Yes, it does matter if CRI has presented the facts inaccurately, but you don’t say which facts you consider inaccurate. Please tell us in what ways CRI erred–what facts are incorrect?
But in the long run, the only question that really, really matters: Are the prisoners receiving inadequate health care under the auspices of CMS?
If not, politicizing the issue will serve no purpose. Something should be done about the abuse immediately.
Fay Voshell
“It doesn’t matter if it has an agenda–everybody has an agenda–as long as that agenda is to truthfully expose corruption and mistreatment of prisoners.”
It does, matter. The key word in your phrase is “truthfully”. The piece that came out of CRI is inaccurate. I will not go any further then that for reasons that are my own. To this point it has been shown to be largely inaccurate (I use that word loosely) because we are not seeing this story of EXTREME PRISON BRUTALITY splashed across National News Broadcast. Is it not reasnable to believe, “IF” the allegations of widespread “abuse” were true Correctional Officers and the administrators whom supervise them would be facing indictments. Where is Rev Al, or Jessie Jackson ??? Can you tell me with a straight face that the kind of abuse that was “documented” is going unchecked in a free society ??? Are we to believe that the “Blue wall of silence” is so impregnable within an agency that has such high turn over rate ??? Are stating it is OK to smear hard working men and woman, painting the staffing within an entire institution with such a broad brush as “ROUGE” under the heading of “truthfully exposing corruption” ??? These people have to live in the community, have kids that go to school there and have to face the neighbors.
When I read that piece I thought I was reading about a prison in a third world dictatorship or some other REPRESSIVE society. It was/is a disgusting HIT PIECE. There is an Agenda here and the collateral damage is the fair minded hard working Correctional Officer whom work for you all, without a reasonable pay increase in some ten years mind you. I am very conservative and support less government. There is a place for activism, but lets not hide it behind phrases like “think tank”. I want to know PUBLICLY why the Journal, State News etc. refused to pick up Mr. William’s “investigative” piece ??? I but the people over at Fox news know why.
Me:
I can see you’re really upset, but if you can’t say what the distortions in the facts are, then dialogue isn’t possible. Correcting the record isn’t possible.
You feel that if abuse is actually happening, it will be plastered across all the media. Unfortunately, horrific brutality, corruption and abuse go on unreported, unchecked and unaddressed every day in our country and other countries.
–even when exposed.
You will doubtless recall, for example, that the US and other nations knew of the death camps and did nothing. On a more intimate level, neighbors often know of child abuse and don’t do anything about it.
As another example, on the political level, Chicago corruption has been known and investigated for years, but it continues.
And you probably know the left main stream media ignored the current ACORN scandal because the exposure came from the “wrong” sources. The media often doesn’t address corruption and abuse if the accusations come from the “wrong” source.
If I am wrong, please correct me; but it seems pretty clear you have a deep personal involvement in the prison system and feel personally attacked. I am sure there are honest, hard working people in the Delaware corrections system; and perhaps the officer you speak of is one of them; but that doesn’t mean abuse is not happening.
(BTW, the term is “rogue;” not, “rouge.”)
Best,
Fay Voshell
“I am sure there are honest, hard working people in the Delaware corrections system; and perhaps the officer you speak of is one of them; but that doesn’t mean abuse is not happening.”
I am in a much better position to understand what is and is not happening behind the wire at SCI then Mr. Williams. Please advise us when you get an answer as to why his “story” had no traction in the main stream media. In the end it was a flash in the pan that will never be proven to be a viable story because like I said before, Mr. Williams’ along with his “sources” have absolutely no creditability.
Me:
I don’t want to beat a dead horse, but if you are in fact in a “much better position to understand what is and is not happening behind the wire at SCI than Mr. Williams,” I really would like to read your article putting forth your side of the story. Put forth the truth as you see it. I and others on this blog are ready to listen.
Please write your version and let us all know the reasons Mr. Williams and his sources are incorrect? Otherwise, we remain in the dark as to what your concerns, your accusations and your version of the truth are because all we have are your accusations that those who have written the expose are unreliable liars. If they are unreliable and liars and there is no credibility to their expose, then tell us the why and the how.
Best,
Fay
P.S. I did give reasons and case examples explaining why main stream media outlets often do not carry exposes.
Jay,
If it is not obvious by now, I can not say more then I have because I believe I would be walking the line on DOC policy as it relates to communicating with the press. You are beating a dead horse with me, demanding more of an “explanation” for having the views I have. This is my last post on this blog, re-read the CRI report, then tell me this. If this is happening then EVERYONE in the State Government is corrupt for not STOPPING it….yes ??? no ???
I suggest you call Mr. Bonini and ask him why the hearings have not taken place on prison brutality ??? It seemed like it was a done deal until the “report” was vetted, then these hearings were quietly put off until the internal investigation could be completed. I am sure when it is completed there will be no fan-fair surrounding the findings of it.
Again for the final time why is it that the Fedaral Government, FBI, State AG’s office or State lawmakers did not act on this “report” ??? Are they all corrupt and in the pocket of the the other corrupt state officials ??? Why is it that NO (NONE) major news outlet, local or national covered this ?? They are all loyal to the State officials also. The New Journal his HISTORICALLY tough on the DOC, why not here ??? I think WBOC ran a short piece and then backed off of it the minute the “story” was vetted. All this while Mr. Williams paints a picture of unconscionable brutality which hit the internet like bomb, then fizzled out. It fizzled out because once Mr. William’s story was verified and his sources checked the air came out of the balloon. It seemed at least to some that a more cautious approach to his allegations was more prudent. Maybe we will get some hearings in Dover someday, I hope so.
I am willing to bet we will not brutality at SCI as a subject, because all the officials in the state government are corrupt and are sweeping this hennas brutality under the rug. That is almost as ridiculous as comparing the ALLEGED beating of inmates to Acorn which has been ingrained in the infrastructure of Government since the early 80′s. The bottom line and my last word on this is this. No in reality I am confidant that the internal investigation will show that the allegations of a pattern of Prison Brutality at SCI to be wholly unfounded and we’ll never hear another word about it. So left in the wake of this political hit piece are the reputations of the 99% of honest hardworking DOC employees that show up and keep our community safe day in and day out.
Me:
Yes, I agree we are probably at the end of this discussion and the limitations of this blog. So this will be my last post on the subject as well.
It must be frustrating to be under what is essentially a gag order from the DOC, but I believe you and I and everybody else are obligated to tell the truth regardless of orders to be silent and regardless of consequences. Otherwise we find ourselves in the position of “just following orders, sir” while abuse goes on behind closed doors. Further, refusal to cite the facts means that charges you level are essentially empty.
If you see evil and don’t expose it, you are responsible before God and the law. And while few understand the daily and undisputed difficulites of those who try to work honestly in an environment populated by criminals, the system itself has to be exposed to truth continually lest some fall into habits of abuse. Exposure to the light is necessary lest evil deeds continue to be done in secrecy and darkness.
While you and your associates may be walking in integrity–and I have no reason to doubt your integrity–as I don’t know you–others are most certainly not. That is just a fact of the human condition. There are always those who are corrupt. If only one in a hundred guards or officials is beating, having sex with or tormenting prisoners, it is one too many. He or she should be exposed and disciplined.
If CMS is neglecting to treat even one prisoner, that is one prisoner too many, and CMS should be exposed. If the corruption is systemic, CMS should be cut loose.
And, yes, government and media can become so corrupt that the cries of the people are ignored, particularly those who are on the periphery of society and who are deemed outside the realm of decent society. Government can also become so corrupt that even when the truth is exposed, it is suppressed or ignored–so much so that evil is called good and good; evil. To deny this possibility (and actuality) is to ignore history, the current trend toward corruption as well as the corruptibility of human beings.
I don’t know if Dleaware’s current government is at the point of being irretrievably corrupt, but there is always that possibility. I have not been encouraged to become an optimist when I consider the decade or so. I certainly do believe our national government is at a tipping point regarding corruption.
Last, while Charlie Copeland, Resolute, Williams and C.R. are perfectly capable of defending themselves and CRI–and I certainly hope they do–I would like to point out your accusations, if believed, would inevitably lead one to the conclusion that those who are involved with CRI, including Pete duPont and Mr. Copeland–as well as ALL those who work for CRI– are no more than liars and political hacks out to do a hatchet job for purely political gain.
You bring very serious charges; charges which you have over and over again refused to confront with facts. Your refusal to do so could well be interpreted as pure self-preservation cloaked as merely following the rules of a gag order. Meanwhile, you appear to have used the gag order to give yourself the freedom to level very serious charges and accusations without having to back them up.
I conclude with sincere appreciation for those in DOC who do walk with integrity while doing a difficult and necessary job that few, if any of us, would want to do.
Sincerely,
Fay Voshell
I have read alot of posts over the Delaware DOC corruption and of the code of “silence”……Well heres the real truth to it. I worked for DOC for a number years and I can no longer remain silent. I worked at almost all of the DOC’s prisons spending most of it at SCI. I have seen and have at times participated in inmate beatings, capstunings (for no rule violations) and verbal abuse. The code of silence that is spoke of is simple, what happens at SCI stays at SCI. This also goes in part of the fact that most of SCI white and black officers and admistration are linked to the Free Masons, this is no bull (I to am part of the AFAM). When something went the wrong “way” meaning officer involment at no fault of the inmate, reports we fabricated, copied, offical documents “disapeard”…Internal Affairs investigators where told half-truths and at the time when I worked even some of them were involved with the Masons. Now, out of the officers that work at SCi and throughout the DOC, many are straight-up and very honest, hard working persons who do alot for little pay but, for some….they get a thrill out of beating an inmate down, spraying them with pepper spray. I have heard stories that “back in the day” SCI handled all of there problems with beatings and humilation of inmates. Im not saying that I am an inmate advocate and they are there for breaking the rules of society but, some continue to get punished for no reasons other than mabye questioning an officer the wrong way, not moving fast enough, being in the wrong place.
Well, thank you, Benedict.
Actually, in spite of your handle, I’m inclined to believe you. There’s somethng about your post–a certain raw and unrehearsed quality–that rings true. Thank you for your honesty. You didn’t remain silent.
I and others are aware the sort of abuse you describe happens in just about every jail in the US.
I’m sure others who’ve been in the system could corroborate your stories.
I hope you go to the press and to CRI. Mr. Williams would be very interested, I am sure; plus he would be obliged to protect your identity if you chose to remain unamed.
Best,
Fay Voshell
Thanks for the input Fay. Lets just say, right now I’m on the “fence” about the whole thing. I still have friends within the system, but I have zero contact with any of my past “affiliations”…..This is very difficult for me. I have often thought of writing a book about my experience(s) but have not found the courage to do so. I guess this is the first step I can take.
Benedict,
Again, I’m assuming you are telling the truth. I’m choosing to continue to believe you. Besides, by now we’re on the back pages of this blog and probably no one is reading anymore.
Anyway…I’m sure you are in a difficult spot, but I sense you want to do the right thing. Surely the things you know and have experienced must weigh on your conscience.
You can go to the Delaware Attorney General with your information and have protection and anonymity as a “whistle blower.” He can decide if there should be an investigation. No one needs to know who you are.
As for a book, I think you should definitely write one.
This may be your opportunity to help reform the system.
God speed.
Fay Voshell