Archive for the ‘CDC(R) Issues’ category
College programs at prisons in peril (Ironwood Included)
Severe budget shortfall is forcing California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation to withdraw its support for college programs at the prisons statewide.
While inmates take college classes through various correspondence programs, CDCR’s Office of Correctional Education facilitated enrollments and proctored exams to inmates. It was also involved in approving coursework, examining and distributing textbooks, as well as providing liaisons between inmates and colleges.
“They don’t have people to do it any longer,” said Felix Figueroa, spokesman for the California Institution for Women in Chino…
LINK - DailyBulletin.com
Program Helps Female Parolees Stay Out of Prison
…The FRMSC offers a variety of gender responsive services including case management, trauma treatment, substance abuse and domestic violence education, life skills development, family focused services, parenting classes, educational services, GED preparation, vocational training and family reunification services.
“The paths that women follow prior to incarceration are often very different from those of men,” said Debra Herndon, Acting Associate Director of Female Offender Programs and Services. “Most of the women in our prison system have suffered from physical and emotional trauma. Many turn to substance abuse to mask the pain. That can lead to crime to support their habit which in turn can lead to incarceration. This new program aims to get to the root of the trauma and break the cycle.”
When a woman arrives to the FRMSC she is assessed by the treatment team which includes an alcohol and drug counselor, family therapist, program director, vocational developer and parole agent. She is then evaluated in the following areas: substance abuse history, traumatic life events, family history, housing needs, legal issues, medical issues, employment and educational history. Based on these assessments, the team will identify strengths and needs and will try to maximize the potential of each individual woman…
LINK - CDCR.ca.gov
Bars Behind Bars: Inmates Using Cell Phones in Prison
From smart phones to cell phones worn on your wrist, more and more California prisoners are getting bars behind bars.
Chuckawalla State Prison in Blythe is one of those facilities where there has been a big spike in prisoners using cell phones.
The number of inmates found with cell phones doubled between 2007 and 2008, and most of them got caught after they have used them.
Prisoners have creative ways to transport their illegal electronics…
LINK - KESQ.com News Palm Springs
2009 Starts with a Bang: Governor’s Office Releases Proposed Budgetary Changes
Keep an eye on www.ccpoa.org (opens in a new window) for updates from CCPOA Headquarters regarding the recent events affecting the California budget and of course, state employees. The most recent update came on New Year’s Eve from the governor’s office as they released the latest proposed budgetary changes.
You can view the document online via CCPOA.org at: www.ccpoa.org/documents/proposed_budget_123108.pdf in Adobe Acrobat (.pdf) format, which includes a letter from CCPOA Executive VP Chuck Alexander. Other documents posted at the CCPOA.org main site include the letter from DPA regarding a meet-and-confer on the governor’s Executive Order, a couple of update-letters from Chuck Alexander and the CCPOA Executive Council, a summary of the governor’s proposed budget and more.
Also check out the 5150 Hotline - now available via the website in audio file or text - from Lance Corcoran. The latest update was posted on Christmas Eve, December 24th.
From State Secretary Matt Cate: “Modification of Cost Saving Directives”
Below is a copy of a memo sent by Secretary Cate to the Executive Staff at CDCR with regard to changes to the Governor’s Executive Order following the signing of the 2008-09 budget.
They may thank the wardens, but they sure didn’t thank the staff who bore the brunt of the true financial sacrifices handed down courtesy of the Governor’s Executive Order. No state employee - save for the Highway Patrol - will ever receive a “fair shake” as long as this governor remains in office.
CLICK HERE TO READ - .pdf (Adobe Acrobat) file, opens in a NEW window
Flu Outbreak at Chuckawalla - ISP: Pay Attention
Over the weekend, media from around the nation focused on the major flu outbreak at Chuckawalla State Prison. While Chuckawalla technically IS a separate institution from Ironwood, the fact that both prisons are SO close to each other, the fact that correctional officers from both prisons live in the same town (Blythe) and the surrounding area and the fact that inmate families also live in and near the area should put families all “on guard” with regard to this dangerous outbreak.
The Press-Enterprise says:
Two inmates’ deaths investigated amid massive flu outbreak
Prison officials in Blythe are investigating whether the deaths of two inmates are related to a flu outbreak that has sickened nearly 550 prisoners in less than a month. Chuckawalla Valley State Prison is in lockdown and accepting no more inmates, but Riverside County health officials said Friday that the flu outbreak at the facility near the California-Arizona state line does not pose a health hazard to nearby communities.
FULL ARTICLE
The Desert Sun says:
Flu outbreak reported in state prison in Riverside County
An influenza outbreak was identified at Chuckawalla Valley State Prison in Blythe around Feb. 23, the Riverside County Department of Public Health reported. Since that time, 10 inmates have been hospitalized with respiratory illness, while another 546 prisoners have exhibited flu-like symptoms. “We have been at the prison and have taken the proper steps to deal with the outbreak,'’ said Dr. Eric Frykman, the county’s public health officer.
FULL ARTICLE
Officials are saying that local hospitals are NOT reporting any instances of increased patients with extreme cases of the flu such as the inmates from Chuckawalla - but if you notice when they say they have closed down Chuckawalla to all visitors including attorneys and volunteers, that of course does not mean correctional officers and other staff.
Working in a state prison exposes you to all sorts of nasty germs and things that the general public will probably never understand. Sure, everyone’s had “some training” on prevention, but it never hurts to brush up on the facts. WebMd.com provides a quick guide that might help you remember the basics to flu (and other germ) prevention in this online article:
12 Natural Tips to Prevent a Cold
There are no known cures for colds and flu, so cold and flu prevention should be your goal. A proactive approach to warding off colds and flu is apt to make your whole life healthier. The most effective way for preventing the flu is to get the flu shot. It may not be natural, but it works better than anything else…
Points include: Wash Your Hands, Don’t Cover Your Sneezes and Coughs with Your Hands, Don’t Touch Your Face, Drink Plenty of Fluids, Eat Yogurt, Don’t Smoke, Relax - and more. To read the full article visit: www.webmd.com/cold-and-flu/.
Stay Healthy!
SacBee Article Says 2 Youth Facilities to Close: Dewitt Nelson & El Paso
In addition to the El Paso institution’s closure in July that we posted on the site earlier today, the SacBee.com website now shows that the state has announced that the juvenile detention center in Stockton will be closing as well effective July 31st.
State prison officials announced today that they are shutting down two of the state’s eight remaining juvenile prisons, one of them in Stockton and another in Paso Robles.
California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation Secretary Jim Tilton said in a statement that the state’s declining juvenile inmate population has enabled the closures of the Dewitt Nelson Youth Correctional Facility in Stockton and the El Paso de Robles Youth Correctional Facility in Paso Robles.
El Paso Youth Correctional Facility to Close in July
This article was posted today on the San Luis Obispo News Website. The article states that staff was informed of this decision on Thursday, just before the New Year.
El Paso de Robles houses:
Wards: 150
Staff: 350
Highest previous population: 1,000 wards
Opened: 1947 Annual budget: $35 million
The El Paso de Robles Youth Correctional Facility is set to close in July, its 350 or so employees were told Thursday, because of state budget cuts and declining ward populations. The former California Youth Authority facility is scheduled for closing as part of cuts contained in Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s draft 2008-09 budget…
LINK