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Busted? Officers Rant on Administration via the 'Net
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March 22, 2005 - The Bakersfield Californian (www.bakersfield.com) posted a report yesterday, revealing that the so-called "code of silence" among correctional officers is officially "anything but" on the Internet. Two websites were profiled - one the Wasco State Prison CCPOA Site (www.ccpoa-wascostateprison.com), which is sadly offline at the writing of this report - perhaps due to overflow of traffic from the news article, and the other is the infamous Paco Villa's website (www.pacovilla.com) - known for its frank discussion of industry issues.
On Wasco's site postings calling the warden's administration "thug-hugging" and "bone headed" seemed to amuse the writer - and one anonymous poster was singled out with the username of "Can't wait to retire."
On Paco Villa's site, the reporter noted Paco's nicknames for officials in administration - such as "Spud" for Rod Hickman and "Driftwood" for Jeanne Woodward.
Corrections spokesman told reporters that they "don't pay much attention to the sites," that they have been given printouts of the message boards, sites and blogs but that they won't read them because they "have far too much work to do."
Recently in the news, employees have been fired for blogging negatively about bosses or posting inappropriate photos on their websites. Corrections spokesman stated that "web site contributors shouldn't be in peril as long as they're not slandering anybody or committing a crime."
Union Representative for Wasco Darin Standiford said that the sites are "like a group therapy session." He agrees that contributors likely won't see any negative action due to their participation. "If they're not breaking the law," he said. "Who are we to say what they can and cannot say?"
Some harsh accusations have been made against administration in the Wasco posts, with regard to a case of inappropriate touching of an inmate by a high ranking administrative member - and other issues via the website. Standiford concedes that, "there are a lot of disgruntled employees right now."
But perhaps the worst thing to come out of the Bakersfield Californian's report was the unmasking of the owner and former correctional officer behind PacoVilla.com. On his website he states:
As of this writing, your never humble blogger hasn't seen the Bakersfield Californian article. I only know it identified Paco's alter-ego. It was expected as I was interviewed a few weeks back… Paco Villa, as previously note is not ME and I am not HIM. I run the site, pay the bills and compose most of the smart-assed content. However, the definition and concept of Paco Villa is not changed simply because my name is known… In any event, I pray your continued indulgence in tolerating the aka. It is hoped your enjoyment of my simple rants exceeds any disdain you may rightfully have for the "real me."
-Paco Villa (from Paco Villa's Blog: ccpoa.blogspot.com)
Lance Corcoran, VP of CCPOA agreed that the boards are a "great sounding board," but that he isn't certain if all the people posting/viewing the board are actual members. But he did say, "I don't want to give the impression members are universally angry. There are frustrations in some cases that the leadership really ignores them."
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