OT. Sad day for Bureau of Prisons.

[want2bAbronco2]

A federal correctional officer at U.S. Penitentiary Atwater is dead after being stabbed by inmates at the facility on Friday, according to Merced County Coroner Mark Pazin.
Although details are still sketchy, Pazin said the officer, identified as Jose Rivera, 22, was transported to Mercy Medical Center Merced after the stabbing. The FBI is conducting the investigation into the incident and Pazin said his office will conduct the autopsy.
Rivera was taken to the hospital at 3:30 p.m. and was pronounced dead at 4:15 p.m., Pazin said.
Pazin said Rivera's death underscores the dangers that correctional officers face every day.
“Our hearts go out to our fellow officers at the federal prison,” Pazin said. "Any time you lose an officer, it’s always traumatic.”
Prison officials said little about the stabbing. A statement released by the prison said two inmates stabbed the officer with "homemade weapon(s)."
“I cannot release any information at this time,” said Jesse Gonzalez, a spokesman for the prison.

(from a BOP Lieutenant)
Open letter to the Director, Federal Bureau of Prisons: I am the Training
Lieutenant at FCC Victorville, having served 28 years with the BOP. I have
provided training to many of the BOP staff who are reading this letter. In
every class, I stress policy, procedure, and that taking "short cuts" can
get someone killed. Tell me sir, how do I explain to the new staff members
that a brother officer was killed because the Bureau is taking "short cuts"
to cut costs? Tell me sir, how do explain to them that they can't have a
stab vest, carry an ASP Baton, or carry pepper spray that could save their
life, when every state correctional facility in the U.S. makes those items
mandatory equipment for every officer? Tell me sir, how did you explain it
to the dead officer's wife? I look out into the class room full of people,
and most of them are young enough to be my grand-kids. I want to protect them, but all I can do try to teach them "right way" of doing the job, show them my scars and tell them my war stories. I can only hope that you will change things before another officer has to give their life. In the "Art of War" Sun Tzu said: "Treat your soldiers as your family, and they will follow you into the darkest valley. Treat your soldiers as your own beloved sons and daughters and they will follow you even unto death." To the family of Officer Rivera: He is a silent hero who still now, stand his watch with VALOR and HONOR. Lt. R. L. "Gunny" Torix :: 06/21/08 8:16pm - Gunny24Fox

I work for the BOP at the ADX maximum security at the Federal Complex (also has a USP, FCI, and Camp 4 total prisions). Words cant say how I feel, I have friends and family that work at all 4 prisions. I am sick and tired of being understaffed. I haven't found the website yet, but there is one that talks about it and has staff from Atwater commenting about how understaffed they are. 1 staff in a pod with 150-250 inmates walking around them with NOTHING to protect themselves is beyound stupid. Sorry, I could go on and on.......

[Kaylore]

That sucks. My condolences.

[kmonty]

A prison guard is not even allowed pepper spray? How are they supposed to maintain order?

Condolences.

[Los Broncos]

Very sad, thoughts out to his family.

[That One Guy]

My dad works as a corrections officer... they definitely carry pepperspray as a defense mechanism and are encouraged to use it anytime they feel it necessary. I can't imagine it any different.

[cutthemdown]

I can't imagine a worst job. I'd rather be a cop in Compton then have to be a guard anywhere in the western USA. The prisons are about as bad of an environment as there is in this country.

[BroncosinDC]

My thoughts and hopes are with him and his family. You go to jail you should be given a 3' by 5' cell with a shower, a pisser, and a way to get food and that's it. Thank you want2beabronco2, stay safe. Be brought up on brutality before you put your life in danger better o be tried by 12 then carried by 6.

[Dukes]

Only 22. The s***** part whats the worst that can happen to the assailant? He's already in prison and now will be touted as a hero by those thugs.

[Broncos4Life]

Thats pretty sad man.
I was watching one of those prison shows and it was the same thing that want2bAbronco2 is talking about. Hundreds of inmates walking around a single CO. Thats just insane. When Prisons run those kind of operations, its only a matter of time until someone assaults an CO.

[Kid A]

Thats pretty sad man.
I was watching one of those prison shows and it was the same thing that want2bAbronco2 is talking about. Hundreds of inmates walking around a single CO. Thats just insane. When Prisons run those kind of operations, its only a matter of time until someone assaults an CO.

I was thinking the same thing about those TV programs they have. The officers who work at those facilities are incredibly brave, but it sounds like some common sense measures would put them in a lot safer situation. Hopefully some sort of change will come from this.

[Popps]

I work for the BOP at the ADX maximum security at the Federal Complex (also has a USP, FCI, and Camp 4 total prisions). Words cant say how I feel, I have friends and family that work at all 4 prisions. I am sick and tired of being understaffed. I haven't found the website yet, but there is one that talks about it and has staff from Atwater commenting about how understaffed they are. 1 staff in a pod with 150-250 inmates walking around them with NOTHING to protect themselves is beyound stupid. Sorry, I could go on and on.......

Very sorry about your colleague, and thanks for the work you do. Most of us understand and appreciate what you guys do.

[Atlas]

A federal correctional officer at U.S. Penitentiary Atwater is dead after being stabbed by inmates at the facility on Friday, according to Merced County Coroner Mark Pazin.
Although details are still sketchy, Pazin said the officer, identified as Jose Rivera, 22, was transported to Mercy Medical Center Merced after the stabbing. The FBI is conducting the investigation into the incident and Pazin said his office will conduct the autopsy.
Rivera was taken to the hospital at 3:30 p.m. and was pronounced dead at 4:15 p.m., Pazin said.
Pazin said Rivera's death underscores the dangers that correctional officers face every day.
“Our hearts go out to our fellow officers at the federal prison,” Pazin said. "Any time you lose an officer, it’s always traumatic.”
Prison officials said little about the stabbing. A statement released by the prison said two inmates stabbed the officer with "homemade weapon(s)."
“I cannot release any information at this time,” said Jesse Gonzalez, a spokesman for the prison.

(from a BOP Lieutenant)
Open letter to the Director, Federal Bureau of Prisons: I am the Training
Lieutenant at FCC Victorville, having served 28 years with the BOP. I have
provided training to many of the BOP staff who are reading this letter. In
every class, I stress policy, procedure, and that taking "short cuts" can
get someone killed. Tell me sir, how do I explain to the new staff members
that a brother officer was killed because the Bureau is taking "short cuts"
to cut costs? Tell me sir, how do explain to them that they can't have a
stab vest, carry an ASP Baton, or carry pepper spray that could save their
life, when every state correctional facility in the U.S. makes those items
mandatory equipment for every officer? Tell me sir, how did you explain it
to the dead officer's wife? I look out into the class room full of people,
and most of them are young enough to be my grand-kids. I want to protect them, but all I can do try to teach them "right way" of doing the job, show them my scars and tell them my war stories. I can only hope that you will change things before another officer has to give their life. In the "Art of War" Sun Tzu said: "Treat your soldiers as your family, and they will follow you into the darkest valley. Treat your soldiers as your own beloved sons and daughters and they will follow you even unto death." To the family of Officer Rivera: He is a silent hero who still now, stand his watch with VALOR and HONOR. Lt. R. L. "Gunny" Torix :: 06/21/08 8:16pm - Gunny24Fox

I work for the BOP at the ADX maximum security at the Federal Complex (also has a USP, FCI, and Camp 4 total prisions). Words cant say how I feel, I have friends and family that work at all 4 prisions. I am sick and tired of being understaffed. I haven't found the website yet, but there is one that talks about it and has staff from Atwater commenting about how understaffed they are. 1 staff in a pod with 150-250 inmates walking around them with NOTHING to protect themselves is beyound stupid. Sorry, I could go on and on.......

I truely think prison guard is the worst job in the world. How in the world do you not take that home with you at night is beyond me.

[cutthemdown]

Maybe we should pay them more then 30-40 grand a yr then more people would want to be correction officers.

Anyone have the numbers what is more dangerous per capita, Correction officers or police officers? IMO being a guard should pay the same as being a cop or more.

The first thing they should so is change the drug laws so we can have more room in the prisons.

[kmonty]

I still can't wrap my mind around this. No vest, batons, or pepper spray... I mean, geez, they were allowed guns, right? How in the hell else do they expect one guy to control 150 guys? Throw his badge at them?

[Beantown Bronco]

I still can't wrap my mind around this. No vest, batons, or pepper spray... I mean, geez, they were allowed guns, right? How in the hell else do they expect one guy to control 150 guys? Throw his badge at them?

Reminds me of one of my favorite movies:

Apone! Look... we can't have any firing in there. I, uh... I want you to collect magazines from everybody.

What the hell are we supposed to use man? Harsh language?

[cutthemdown]

I still can't wrap my mind around this. No vest, batons, or pepper spray... I mean, geez, they were allowed guns, right? How in the hell else do they expect one guy to control 150 guys? Throw his badge at them?

think about it any weapon would be taken by the inmates and used against the guards.

[cutthemdown]

You just can't have weapons in the yard when inmates are present. That's what guard towers are for and catwalks that can't be accessed by the inmates. The guards that walk the yard, cafeteria, etc have to get by on an understanding with the Prison gang leadership they won't be attacked unless someone orders it. Then some sort of deal can be made between the seperate powers that run a prison.

If guard gets whacked you can bet none of your contraband will be getting through. You can bet there will be a punishment for the race or gang that committed the act. It's that quid pro quo that keeps a prison from not killing the guards.

[cutthemdown]

What they should do is segregate the inmate populations but thanks to the ACLU they can't do it. It's really the 2 Mexican gangs that run the prisons in the western USA. The guards don't run crap.

[Atlas]

What they should do is segregate the inmate populations but thanks to the ACLU they can't do it. It's really the 2 Mexican gangs that run the prisons in the western USA. The guards don't run crap.

I believe that too. There should be all black prisons and all white prisons and all Mexican prisons. The first thing you have to do whjen you get in is get hooked up with "Your kind" or you'll be a target.

Of course all these prisons will have to be run on the same budget to keep things fair of course.

[cutthemdown]

I believe that too. There should be all black prisons and all white prisons and all Mexican prisons. The first thing you have to do whjen you get in is get hooked up with "Your kind" or you'll be a target.

Of course all these prisons will have to be run on the same budget to keep things fair of course.

Obviously back in the day white prisons would have been country clubs and black ones holes in the ground with a grate over it.

I think now though we could segregate the prisons and make them all equally crappy.

[Broncos4Life]

Reminds me of one of my favorite movies:

Apone! Look... we can't have any firing in there. I, uh... I want you to collect magazines from everybody.

What the hell are we supposed to use man? Harsh language?

Not to go too far of topic, but this is one of my favorite movies of all time.

[Atlas]

Obviously back in the day white prisons would have been country clubs and black ones holes in the ground with a grate over it.

I think now though we could segregate the prisons and make them all equally crappy.

Yeah that would be the issure. Can we punish all the prisoners equally at each prison. The first time the white prisoners got chocolate pudding at luch and the black prisons didn't there would be hell to pay.

[cutthemdown]

Yeah that would be the issure. Can we punish all the prisoners equally at each prison. The first time the white prisoners got chocolate pudding at luch and the black prisons didn't there would be hell to pay.

I think I would rather have prisons segregated by severity of the crimes not race.

Put killers with killers etc. Having gang tattoos or known gang affiliation etc.

Then all the regular criminals who can change IE thieves, drug dealers etc in a different prison with tons of training.

Inmates could move between prisons by having either good behavior or bad behavior.

By the time your sentence is up you would in theory be in the cushiest of prisons and will have been trained to maybe do something when you get out. This way inmates won't leave prison with nothing to live for.

Prison reform is an issue I think gets ignored far too often.

[cutthemdown]

Yeah that would be the issure. Can we punish all the prisoners equally at each prison. The first time the white prisoners got chocolate pudding at luch and the black prisons didn't there would be hell to pay.

I think it would be ok to treat prisoners that are agreeable better but you are right doing it by race would be a really bad idea probably because it would no matter what seem to be unfair. It would stoke racial problems and that isn't what we need at all.

Act good in prison go to a prison where you have better facilities and treatment.

If you want to be a gangbanger and tattoo MS13, or a swastika etc etc on your face and be Al Capone then you can stay in the worst possible place you can imagine.

I also think we should work the inmates more get them out doing more good.

[Merlin]

I think I would rather have prisons segregated by severity of the crimes not race.
I have to agree. The era of clear race delineations is thankfully gone. Many of us are of mixed race, and segregation according to race would solve absolutely nothing. It would just create new forms of class differentiation. Violent behaviour and crime would seem to make much better sense.

Out of curiosity, is the prison in question a privately run prison? I'm a little lazy to look it up...does anyone know what the general breakdown of privately owned prisons is these days?

With regards to Rivera, may he rest in peace. A mere 22 yrs old...a pup just beginning to know life...sad day indeed.

[cutthemdown]

I have to agree. The era of clear race delineations is thankfully gone. Many of us are of mixed race, and segregation according to race would solve absolutely nothing. It would just create new forms of class differentiation. Violent behaviour and crime would seem to make much better sense.

Out of curiosity, is the prison in question a privately run prison? I'm a little lazy to look it up...does anyone know what the general breakdown of privately owned prisons is these days?

With regards to Rivera, may he rest in peace. A mere 22 yrs old...a pup just beginning to know life...sad day indeed.


I agree though it wouldn't be fair or American to segregate by race because in this country it's our actions that define us.

[Willynowei]

Its one thing to underpay people, its another thing to deny them of life preserving, critical gear.

[Broncos_OTM]

They took the job. they knew the risks. i cant feel sorry for them. but i do wish his family the best

[want2bAbronco2]

OTM ignore
<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-comhttp://www.orangemane.com/BB/ /><o:p></o:p></FONT></P><P><FONT color=black>I hope that they change some of the rules and allow ffice:smarttagsCOs</st1:place> to carry mace/ASP/rapid baton. One of the things I don't understand is how it wasn't reported on the news??? We had a riot 2 months ago and 2 inmates were killed and it was everywhere. One of the biggest problems are the "hug a thugs" that write articles, come on tours, defend inmates etc... Inmates all the time yell/curse/threaten you, but if you tell them to shut the F up, they file, sue, and win. Inmates throw urine/sh!t at staff and all that happens is they go to a different cell and lose a few privileges. Don't get me wrong, I don't agree with the Cowboys (just jumping inmates in there cells for no reason), but something has to change.<o:p></o:p>
<o:p></o:p>
Pops, I think it takes "curtain" types of people to work at a prison and not take it home. I know lots that do, and lots that don't. Wife and I talked about it before I started and I have never brought it home in 2 1/2yrs. Most people don't know I work at a prison unless I tell them. That makes it safer for my family. Know lots of people that have had calls at home with threats or inmates family seeing you at a store and yelling/fighting with you. Also know people that have there kids pictures not shown in school newspapers etc.. Have to be careful.<o:p></o:p>
<o:p></o:p>
One of the hardest parts is going to be the 2 "inmates" that did this will most likely 99% come to my prison. I'll just stay out of there unit, don't want to look at them. Well, thanks for the kind words. I just wanted to get it out in public since it seems to be going under the rug.<o:p></o:p>

[Atlas]

Another guard killed.

SoCals Link: http://www.wesh.com/news/16713238/detail.html
Police: Inmate Kills Daytona Correctional Officer
Fitzgerald, 50, Worked At Correctional Facility For 15 Years

POSTED: 11:53 pm EDT June 25, 2008
UPDATED: 7:18 am EDT June 26, 2008


DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- An inmate killed a correctional officer on Wednesday in Daytona Beach, police said.

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/media/photo/2008-06/40404215.jpg

Related Content: Video | Crime Tracker




The officer, Donna Fitzgerald, 50, was killed in the line of duty at Tomoka Correctional Institution. Police said the officer had been raped and killed.

"Words cannot express the sorrow I feel over the loss of our correctional officer," said Department of Corrections Secretary Walter McNeil. "The entire department grieves the murder of one of our finest officers, and we pray for the victim's family during this difficult time."

Fitzgerald, who lived in Port Orange, had been working at Tomoka Correctional Institution for 15 years.

Police said the officer was overpowered after lockdown. The officer worked in the area of the institution known as Pride, a vocational training facility.

Authorities identified the inmate as Enoch Hall, 39, who was sentenced to life in prison for sexual battery with a weapon and kidnapping charges in 1993.

To comment on this story, send an e-mail to Craig Lucie.

[want2bAbronco2]

Thoughts and prayers to the family.

[Popps]

OTM ignore
<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-comhttp://www.orangemane.com/BB/ /><o:p></o:p></FONT></P><P><FONT color=black>I hope that they change some of the rules and allow ffice:smarttagsCOs</st1:place> to carry mace/ASP/rapid baton. One of the things I don't understand is how it wasn't reported on the news??? We had a riot 2 months ago and 2 inmates were killed and it was everywhere. One of the biggest problems are the "hug a thugs" that write articles, come on tours, defend inmates etc... Inmates all the time yell/curse/threaten you, but if you tell them to shut the F up, they file, sue, and win. Inmates throw urine/sh!t at staff and all that happens is they go to a different cell and lose a few privileges. Don't get me wrong, I don't agree with the Cowboys (just jumping inmates in there cells for no reason), but something has to change.<o:p></o:p>
<o:p></o:p>
Pops, I think it takes "curtain" types of people to work at a prison and not take it home. I know lots that do, and lots that don't. Wife and I talked about it before I started and I have never brought it home in 2 1/2yrs. Most people don't know I work at a prison unless I tell them. That makes it safer for my family. Know lots of people that have had calls at home with threats or inmates family seeing you at a store and yelling/fighting with you. Also know people that have there kids pictures not shown in school newspapers etc.. Have to be careful.<o:p></o:p>
<o:p></o:p>
One of the hardest parts is going to be the 2 "inmates" that did this will most likely 99% come to my prison. I'll just stay out of there unit, don't want to look at them. Well, thanks for the kind words. I just wanted to get it out in public since it seems to be going under the rug.<o:p></o:p>

God bless you, dude. You're a bigger man than most of us, and like I said... your work is appreciated.

[Popps]

Its one thing to underpay people, its another thing to deny them of life preserving, critical gear.

Why would you care? All of these guys are scumbags. You suddenly care that one was killed?

Pretty predictable. You talk your big game about how anyone in law enforcement is a piece of ****, and then when faced with someone who is... you're not such a tough guy.

Go on, Sillynowei. Tell this guy what a piece of garbage he is, and his friend that passed on. Hey, he's just another "criminal in blue," right?

Laughably pathetic.