Letters to the Editor – Westword

Letters to the Editor – Westword

June 10, 2003

Guarded opinions: I try not to draw conclusions without knowing all the facts, so I intend to comment on things I do know about our institution and the Federal Bureau of Prisons. First off, I have never worked at the United States Penitentiary in Florence, nor do I know any of the alleged “cowboys.” I have worked at FCI Englewood for almost eighteen years, and currently hold the position of Drug Treatment Specialist, GS-11. It is important to note that I am not speaking for the agency.

It appears that at the time these alleged beatings occurred, inmate violence and abuse against staff was out of control, or close to it. Administrators were restricted and/or negligent in responding to the conditions, so they indirectly encouraged “old school” justice, then bailed out when the shit hit the fan. This is not to say that I would condone abusing inmates. That would be an inexcusable abuse of power. I thought Alan Prendergast’s article offered a balanced portrayal of the prison conditions and the situation, but again, I was not there. Based on reports that these “beatings” never resulted in serious injuries, most union officials are taking the position that these correctional officers were railroaded.

Original link: http://www.westword.com/2003-07-10/news/letters-to-the-editor/2/