Francis Scarcella
The Daily Item
COAL TOWNSHIP — An SCI-Coal Township inmate is demanding an investigation and a transfer from the prison, alleging misconduct by guards and top administrators.
Draye D. Durham, of Philadephia, who is spending 35 years in state prison for various felonies, including robbery and illegal weapons charges, sent letters to the state Attorney General’s Office, Department of Corrections and prison officials in an attempt to plead his case that guards are accepting gifts from inmates for favors and passing around and abusing drugs.
Durham claims prison employees are accepting inmate purchased gifts from former inmates who have been released.
Durham also claims guards are abusing alcohol and prescription drugs and covering up the smell of liquor by spraying cologne on themselves when they arrive to work.
Durham claims guards moods swing and he noticed them popping pills.
Durham asked for the investigation because he said he fears for the safety of other inmates and when guards are questioned they retaliate against those inmates. Durham calls a group of guards and administrators part of the “good ole boys club,” and is asking to be transferred because he believes he is being retaliated against for speaking out publicly.
In a letter addressed to Department of Corrections Secretary John Wetzel, Durham claims there is psychological torture games being played with him for s speaking out against the prison.
Durham claims he can’t make phone calls to his daughter because someone restricted the number from his phone list for no reason.
Durham complained to guards about the phone situation and he claims he was told, “shut up and deal with it,” his letter states.
In another instance Durham claims he was to receive a visit from his family from Nashville, Tenn., but five days before the pre-approved visit, he was told part of his family was not on the visitation list.
Durham wrote to prison administrators and was told the visitation was approved but Durham said just one day before his family was to arrive he was informed that part of his special visitation was denied, the letter states.
In another instance, Durham was in the dining hall on Aug. 16 when he overheard two guards talking, he said.
The conversation took a turn for the worse and one guard threw another guard up against the wall and began to choke him, Durham stated.
Durham claims the prison is “sweeping these incidents under the table,” and administration doesn’t want the public to know what is going on behind the walls.
“We take these matters seriously and review every allegation,” said prison spokeswoman Trisha Kelley said. “These types of situations should be reported to the DOC, and anyone can do so at any time by following the directions on our website.”