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Federal COs to be issued vests

Fedearl bureau changes policy after slaying of Atwater officer.

By Michael Doyle Bee
Fresno Bee

WASHINGTON — Under a new Bureau of Prisons policy, guards at high-security federal prisons will now be provided the kind of stab-proof vest that might have saved Atwater correctional officer Jose Rivera.

Facing pressure from unions and lawmakers, the bureau has told union leaders the vests can now be worn by guards at U.S. penitentiaries. These are the facilities, like Atwater, that house the most dangerous federal prisoners.

And the new protective vest policy would be expanded even further under a bill introduced by Rep. Dennis Cardoza, D-Merced, that would require all 16,400 Bureau of Prisons guards to wear vests while on duty. Cardoza’s bill would provide the Bureau of Prisons $20 million to buy the vests.

“Like our soldiers and our police officers, these individuals help to ensure the protection of the American public,” Cardoza said. “This bill is a necessary step towards helping prevent another tragedy like the one that occurred at ... Atwater on June 20.”

Officials say two inmates at the high-security penitentiary stabbed the unarmed Rivera with prison-made shanks. He was a 22-year-old Navy veteran. The FBI is still investigating the slaying, which occurred when Rivera was single-handedly overseeing more than 100 prisoners.

Following Rivera’s death, the union that represents federal correctional officers began increasing public pressure for enhanced safety measures. Union leaders met with federal Bureau of Prisons Director Harley Lappin last week.

The new policy is “a good plan to start off with,” said Bryan Lowery, president of the Council of Prison Locals. “However, I feel the protective vests should be allowed for correctional officers at all security level prisons.”

Lowery said he has been advised that penitentiary guards will be permitted, but not required, to wear the relatively heavy outer vests now stocked for special purposes like subduing unruly inmates. This could start within a week, Lowery predicted. Over the longer term, officials will begin evaluating what other kind of vests might be bought.

The high-security federal prisons also will provide additional staffing on both the day and night watches and control inmate movement more rigorously, according to a briefing provided to union officials. Bureau spokespersons could not be reached by phone or e-mail Friday afternoon.

Cardoza and Lappin will meet on Capitol Hill next week to further discuss safety policies. Until now, federal prison guards have not been routinely equipped with the safety vests customarily worn by some state prison guards.

Federal prisons reported 1,362 armed and unarmed inmate-on-staff assaults in the 2006 fiscal year. The prisons also reported 1,780 armed and unarmed inmate-on-inmate assaults during the same period.

Copyright 2008 McClatchy Newspapers, Inc.

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