Staff Misconduct
This topic features news, training and information related to cases involving potential or perceived misconduct in corrections. This section serves the important function of pointing out, not pointing fingers, when a CO has gone outside the lines.
Nathan Palmer admitted to lying on a use-of-force form in an attempt to cover up Messiah Nantwi’s death, prosecutors said
Staff also failed to complete mandatory paperwork while booking Ryan Wodziak, including conducting a mental health assessment to identify his psychiatric needs
Avelino Ramirez admitted to smuggling and planting cocaine, cellphones and other contraband items to appear effective and earn overtime at San Quentin and Vacaville
A zero-tolerance policy has been implemented for managers who fail to properly respond to sexual harassment reports
Baca was convicted of obstructing an FBI corruption investigation of jails he ran and of lying to federal authorities
COs are minimally supervised and possess immense discretion – it is important to remember that great responsibility comes with the authority we are given
When correctional officers are unsure about the protection of speech, existing case law should be examined
Irb Benjamin pleaded guilty to paying bribes for prison contracts to former state Corrections Commissioner Chris Epps
The fight had to be broken up by multiple people
The House of Delegates voted not to confirm state Inspector General June Jennings, whose office has been accused of not adequately investigating the death of Jamycheal Mitchell
Joyce Mitchell helped convicted murderers Richard Matt and David Sweat escape from prison in June 2015
The inmate attempted to write “God, please help me” on the jail walls in her own blood
Police believe the deputy was too drunk to drive and asked the inmate to drive for him
Some employees claimed they were retaliated against when they reported problems
Along with free state labor, the audit alleges that Burl Cain used his position to help himself to a variety of benefits
Documents show the Calif. agency received permission from county supervisors to shred potentially incriminating records
The state must disclose the number of deaths that have occurred since 1990 in Texas prisons, where less than a third have air conditioning in all housing areas
Cecil McCrory said his lawyer didn’t adequately represent him in his money laundering case
The U.S. Justice Department on Thursday opened an investigation into a long-running scandal over the use of jailhouse informants in Orange County, California
The COs are accused of assaulting inmate Ruben Garcia in July 2015
A CO kicked an inmate to death before persuading fellow COs to lie about what happened, a prosecutor told jurors
The incident happened after the inmate became intoxicated from homemade alcohol made from leftover fruit
Fear of retaliation is the main reason officers are afraid to step up to the plate and report staff misconduct
The former inmate said she told a CO her water broke but the officer laughed and ignored her
An attorney assigned to represent a CO charged in a drug smuggling scheme was removed after posting about it on Facebook
A federal judge revoked the bail of Christopher Epps and sent him to jail to await sentencing in a corruption case
The underlying offense being lied about is oftentimes less serious than the covering lie which results in a worse disciplinary penalty
Major Daniel Davis, Captain John Sanders and Captain James Savoy allegedly beat an inmate, who suffered bodily injury as a result
Torry Chambers was acquitted of sexual assault charges, and a mistrial was declared because jurors could not agree on his guilt or innocence
Judge David Hittner accepted the mediated $1.9M settlement Bland’s mother made with Waller County officials and the state trooper who arrested her
Prosecutors said “high-ranking officials” helped Police Chief James Burke silence potential whistleblowers after he beat a handcuffed man for stealing items from his car
Prosectuors say handcuffed inmates screamed in pain as deputies swung metal batons in a 2011 contraband sweep