Prison Employees Feel Pressure Of Lockdown, Contraband Search
Prison Employees Feel Pressure Of Lockdown, Contraband Search Save Email Print
Reporter: By Paul Gately
Email Address: paul.gately@kwtx.com
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(October 27, 2008) - All 111 state prison units remain on lockdown this week as a result of the discovery of contraband and especially cellular phones.

The crackdown started after convicted Central Texas killer Richard Tabler was caught with a cell phone on death row that had been used to place threatening calls to a state senator.

But prison employees are adversely affected by such rules and many are saying they're being singled out more so than are inmates.

Michelle Lyons, public information officer for the Texas Department of Criminal Justice - Institutional Division, told News 10 Monday the lockdowns would continue until each prison unit has been carefully searched.

Units went on lockdown on Monday, Oct. 20.

Lockdown status means inmates are confined to the living and common areas of the units. That allows security personnel to inspect the buildings.

Work details, classes and other activities are suspended, Lyons said.

But some employees of units in Gatesville say the lockdown condition makes work extremely unpleasant.

One woman, who asked that we not reveal her name, said employees are not allowed to bring food or drinks - even bottled water - onto the units until the lockdown is lifted.

Lyons said employees may leave their lunches in their cars and must leave the buildings to go into the parking lot to eat.

Ray Stewart, president of the American Federation of State, County and municipal Employees (AFSCME) wrote a letter to officials at TDCJ-ID last week asking that some of the regulations be relaxed in the interest of employees.

In part is letter read: "Officers are not always near water to get a drink, and we do not want the good CO's to suffer. Even with "unit water", officers rarely get a break to get the water. I understand the problems we now face on the units due to the recent contraband found, but as I first stated "I do not want the good officers to suffer because of a few bad apples".

Lyons said employees and anyone else who enters the units are subject to search.

Of the 111 units in the state, 22 are equipped with built-in metal detectors. The others have portable hand-held wands. In the event there is cause, those who enter may be patted down, Lyons said.

TDCJ-ID employs 38,000 persons, 28,000 of whom are security officers. The system houses 155,000 inmates.

The lockdown so far has netted 63 cellular phones, 56 phone chargers, 5 SIM cards and various other items such as homemade weapons, tobacco and cash.

Anyone caught with contraband could face a series of issues.

Employees could be immediately discharged and if the items found warrant charged with a felony.

It is, for instance, a felony to possess a cellular phone inside a prison unit.

An inmate could face disciplinary action depending upon the type of contraband found and, is applicable, could be charged with a felony.

Gov. Rick Perry ordered the lockdown and search just hours after Tabler as caught making a call from his illegal phone.

Authorities said Tabler also shared the device with at least nine of his fellow condemned prisoners.

Investigators determined some 2,800 calls were made from the phone from inside the Polunsky Unit near Livingston.
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Posted by: macarena Location: livingston on Dec 11, 2008 at 09:30 PM
Well, some employees are complaining because they ALL must have pat searches like the inmates because of a few bad apples? What about the inmates? Because of a few bad apples who work on death row and smuggle the contraband inside, they ALL must be on lockdown and suffer over it. So what is the difference? The cell phones cannot be passed on by visitors through glass, so how do they get there?? Right for big money they are brought inside. And have been before a Senator was called with one and probably will after. So this fuss is all because of a senator was called. Good for him and bad for all others.
Posted by: Old Officer Location: Gatesville on Oct 30, 2008 at 07:26 PM
I wonder if the "higher powers that be" have thought about what is going to happen when we start pat searching the offenders visitors. I bet it will be another whole big mess. I can just see it and hear it now!
Posted by: Old Officer Location: Gatesville on Oct 30, 2008 at 06:29 PM
Just so you'll know Uncle L, I am professional and respected by my peers and supervisors, thank you. I can say I have had a pretty good 20 yrs. I still have several yrs left. Then I just might return for another go at it. I also have an education. I could pursue another job as well. The benefits and security of TDC have been good for my family. At times it was a big sacrifice for me. I've sucked it up and kept going just like I do now. My co-workers will do the same. It is a slap in the face when this kind of stuff goes on. Some of my co-workers are true friends. We are there for each other at work and outside of work. I guess maybe you didn't get that where you worked. Usually people with bad attitudes don't. I bet you did plenty of whining just like everybody else. The heat just got too hot so you had to catch-out. Oh well. See ya bye-bye! It ain't for everybody.
Posted by: Uncle L Location: Waco,Tx, Mcconnel Unit on Oct 30, 2008 at 11:48 AM
Old hand. I'm not here to beef with you or anyone else. I just post my comments. People working for TDCJ know that every unit has its problems. Administration varies. Some good, some very bad. TDCJ has been political for a long time. It is (was) frustrating when you go to your Sgt., LT., Capt., Maj., and Wardens and nothing gets done or taken care of. While I worked for the agency, I didnt care what anybody called me, I tried the chain of cammand. If it didn't work, I went higher. You might be surprised that what you think those regional directors might know about your unit and other units in their area, that they really don't know what's going on. Everybody knows that when they come to the unit and make their tour, everybody is told to have your area looking good and in order. In other words, putting up a front to make it look like everything is good when it is not. When I got promoted, those things that I and others like me complained about, I fixed them or at least tried.
Posted by: an old hand Location: Gville on Oct 30, 2008 at 10:47 AM
in response to Unlce L--r advise to talk to somebody about problems! Apparently you have no knowledge of how it works today= when administration is TOLD that an inmate is going to kill somebody, has threatened to do so repeatedly, is asked to have the inmate removed from the unit, or at least seged after he has assaulted and officer, and less than one month later a boss is cut up, what good does it do? Do you really think anybody listens? The administration of each and every unit has no clue as to what goes on, and the POWERS THAT BE do not ask the people getting spit on, have feces thrown on them, beat down or cut up...THEY DO NOT WANT TO KNOW
Posted by: Uncle L Location: McConnel Unit on Oct 30, 2008 at 03:33 AM
As a continuation of my reply post to Old Officer, Have you even been to Houston's 5th Ward, Or did you hear about it from some inmate? While you sit up and stereotype about who may or may not be from the 5th Ward, you should be trying to help teach these people how to be professional officers. It's people like you who give TDCJ the image it has now. A bad image. There are people in 5th Ward who make good money. Legal money. More than what TDCJ pays you every month. So many officers abuse the authority they have over the inmates because they can't tell anybody else or anywhere else what to do. In turn, so many won't even bother to help train their co-workers. I have seen officers who came from nice families and nice backgrounds in the Woodlands get terminated. I currently have family working for TDCJ. There are problems everywhere in the system. Have been for a while. There is more complaining than fixing going on. Complaining about mediocre issues. I moved on. So there.
Posted by: Uncle L Location: Waco,Tx on Oct 30, 2008 at 02:52 AM
To old officer. Actually, the L stands for Love. You and TDCJ can get along fine without me, just like TDCJ can get along fine without you. When you take a day off, your unit doesn't shut down until you come back, does it. Didn't think so. Now then, I am not employed with TDCJ because I decided I wasn't going to put up with or go through what you and a lot of other people are complaining about here. I found another line of work, (not McDonalds), and I am working towards a degree. No offense to any McDonalds employees who may be reading. I don't plan on "coming back". I like to think that I am capable of finding a job somewhere other than TDCJ, which I have. When I did work for your beloved TDCJ, I called up the regional director and told him my problem, and I made an appointment and drove to his office to talk with him about it. That didn't make me special, but I didn't sit around and whine about stuff either. Furthermore, I'm no cowboy. I don't ride horses.I ride pickup trucks
Posted by: Old Officer Location: Gatesville on Oct 29, 2008 at 08:04 PM
Evidently you (Uncle Loser) have been gone for awhile. Some of the officers we get look like they just came from the 5th ward in Houston. They have fired a few from the pre-service after it was found in their background check to be gang affliated. Just because they don't have a rap sheet doesn't mean they are upstanding citizens either. We don't need anyones pity. However we have been made to look bad by some idiots who can't go by the rules. I'm wondering, if you were such a wonderful officer, how come you are no longer employeed by TDC? You seem to know everything. How do we make it without you? Maybe you need to come back. If you know everything, then you would also know that we are told not to air our greivances when we have visits from the higherups. Some of the officers that work on the "Mickey Mouse" farms started out on the "Real" farms back when you were in grammar school. So get off your high horse mister.
Posted by: CoryellCountyChick Location: Coryell County on Oct 29, 2008 at 07:43 PM
Uncle L: if TDCJ requires some college or military experience as prereq's, they will never get any new hires. as it stands today, they are still understaffed at many units, offering sign-on bonuses. When the oil business is going good, it's especially hard to find people. Many of the ones that do come on board, probably feel somewhat powerless, because it's becoming tougher and tougher to do the job, with the constant scrutinty of of everything they do. Kinda like US Border Patrol Agents-the ones that do their jobs can end up behind bars-look at border patrol agents Campos and Rameon. Shame shame. Next thing ya know ACLU boxes will be all over the farms just like in some other states, inviting inmates to file frivolous complaints!
Posted by: nobodythatmatters Location: gatesville on Oct 29, 2008 at 06:09 PM
TDC is violating the civil rights or each person worked there==why humilitate, disrespect, and degrade all of the employees, when they know who the bad ones are...I don't want anybody reaching in my crotch area...come on Perry and Whitmire, give it a shot...let some dude grab your crotch
Posted by: Uncle L. Location: Waco,Tx on Oct 29, 2008 at 06:04 PM
I wanted to add that it is not that difficult to be a correctional officer. If so, why doesn't the state require a certain number of college credit hours, degree, or military experience as a prerequesite. It seems like a lot of "anonymous" people here are current correctional officers who want somebody to feel sorry for them. Like one person said on this board. You knew what could happen in any given day prior to taking the job. Units like Coeffield, Michael, Mcconnel, Those dudes(and women) earn their money. Every day. Some of these other "mickey mouse" farms are nothing compared to those. Officers at the more relaxed farms just sit up and complain about what the officers dining rooms serves, that you can't bring in a pot of stew or 12 bologna sandwiches. I didnt feel sorry for them then, and I don't feel sorry for them now. Go get in shape so that you can really perform your job. I have seen some 400 pound officers at units. How could they help save somebody's life?
Posted by: Uncle L. Location: Waco,Tx on Oct 29, 2008 at 05:50 PM
It seems there are a lot of correctional officers airing out their frustrations towards their job on this board. That senator who got the inmate phone call is the one you all should have been writing to. Go talk to your wardens, write some some administrators or some regional directors. They tour the units. Instead of just standing around smiling, take a stand and tell them what is really going on. If you don't get a break, let them know. If rules are being broken, let them know. These regional directors didnt get that position because they smelled good. When new officers come to your unit, take the time to tell them and show them the right way rather than sit back and laugh at them. One person made a comment about incoming officers being "gangster". Maybe they want to be "gangster", but I have never known any gangster to be a correctional officer at a prison.
Posted by: PAST,CO 4 Location: Freestone,Co on Oct 29, 2008 at 12:06 PM
Past CO4,until you have been on a max. security farm you'll never know what takes place,their are some bad officers that slip through the cracks and when assigned to their unit that's when the offender manipulation begins,it's called "Downing a Duck" real cleaver inmates, very stupid co's..JUST SAY NO!!Take pride in the gray uniform and what it stands for..those inmates are put there for a reason,I want to encourage all Correctional officer's, we or not guards,we are Officer's that represent the State of Texas.. Those dirty officers will get caught in the end ......
Posted by: Officer's wife Location: Gatesville on Oct 29, 2008 at 11:56 AM
Mother of three...you are correct that this would have continued had a Senator not been called. And that is BS! They would not have done anything had this man called my husband and threatened him! Please give these guys a break for a while. They are working very hard to keep us safe, and it seems more people are blaming the Officers than the offenders. When will everyone realize the Offenders are the ones that are locked up for breaking the law! I am so sick of everyone talking about the officers instead of saying maybe we need to execute these offenders that have been on death row for years (by the way...your tax dollars hard at work feeding them and housing them)and make criminals realize that when you break the law, you have to pay for it. This is just ridiculous. How about we just let them all go free and see how all you bleading heart liberals that are blaming officers, like dealing with these people out on the street, around your children and family members. Sorry just tired of it
Posted by: Mother of Three Location: Temple on Oct 29, 2008 at 08:22 AM
Anonymous in Gatesville: I wasn't saying to take it in. But that's how you keep it cold IN YOUR CAR. And I also said thank you to all of the good COs who keep my family safe. We all face less than desirable circumstances in our lives but you can either make the best of, or quit. That's all I was saying. But I do believe this would have continued if a Senator had not been called.
Posted by: CoryellCountyChick Location: CoryellCounty on Oct 29, 2008 at 01:53 AM
security aint consistent. that is one of the problems. they tell you in orientation that you cant bring your stuff in a clear bag bigger than an 8x11 piece of paper. i see bosses going down range with big ole clear backpacks and totes filled to the brim with all kinds of munchies to get them through the shift. ain't no tellin' what they got stashed in there. and yes, not just the bosses but all the other personnel...
Posted by: Correctional Officer 5 Location: Gatesville on Oct 29, 2008 at 01:04 AM
(Cont.) For those who have never worked in a prison, Mabee you should come work with us for one day and see the real prison world. It is not as easy as you think. To all of my Good co-workers: Keep up the good job that you do daily. Dont let this get to you so much. We will grow accoustom to all of these changes just as we have all the other changes we have gone through. To the Dirty officers: Do us all a favor and Admit to you illegal activities and quit!! To the public: If you have knowledge of something going on (like getting called from an inmate with a cell phone) Please call the Warden at that unit and let them know immediatly. That would help us to keep everyone safe. Oh and PLEASE PLEASE stop calling us gaurds, We are Correctional Officers, and deserve to be given at least some respect for keeping the criminals off the streets to help keep you safe! To the Officers who are going shopping in uniform: WEAR IT CORRECTLY! We all look bad when you wear it incorrectly.
Posted by: Correctional officer 5 Location: Gatesville Texas on Oct 29, 2008 at 12:42 AM
I have worked for the prison systom for 15 yrs. There has always been "dirty" staff and always wil be. I am very pleased to have the "new" policies in place. Yes, it is an inconvenance to have to be searched like we are BUT it is for our own safety as well as that of the public. Security is NOT meant to be convenant to anyone. I think that the screening for new employees needs to be revamped. Anyone with a drug/gang history should not be hired. We are being allowed to take food in clear baggies and 2 unopened plastic bottles of drink in with us. We may also bring in more when we go out on break if we need more. As for the searches being stopped, We will continue to get searched entering a unit even after everything is done, though some allowances for things we can carry may lighten up over time. For those who are so angry about this just think, If you are not dirty you have nothing to worry about to start with. This is more of an insurance of going home safely everyday. (TBC)
Posted by: chocolate Location: killeen on Oct 28, 2008 at 10:25 PM
Angie not all guards are dirty. I am not. There are others who also have contact with inmates, such as educators, church visitors, nurses, doctors, lawyers, who could've brought in a cell phone. I have no problem with being wanded or pat searched. I DO have a problem with not being able to bring in what I want to eat or drink. I choose not to eat at the ODR because of inmates throwing their tampons or kotexs in the ice makers and putting feces in pots cooking. Putting 2 bottles of water in a one gallon bag and a sandwich that has to be separated (cheese, meat, and bread in different little bags) is not enough for 12 hours. or even unopened potato chips must be opened and put in a clear bag, where does the stupidity stop. Also everyone does not have money taken out to buy on the commissary. And some just do not want to spend their hard earned money on the commissary.
Posted by: CoryellCountyChick Location: CoryellCounty on Oct 28, 2008 at 08:29 PM
Another big problem is that the prisons are getting weaker, with offenders having more rights. Heck, even a hand layed on one of them can be considered a "use of force". The offenders get three hots and a cot, and free medical care with them getting access to more retrovirals for HIV and Hepatitis C than most free world folks can get their insurance to approve, and now have been approved to get free world eyelass frames!! I don't think they should have the right to more than the standard "BCG's" (birth control glasses), like our soldiers and Marines have to wear in boot camp!!! And then you got FEMALE Warden and too many female bosses. Sorry, I know some of them do a good job, but many of them are weak and more likely to be manipulated. I remember when Texas prisons were TOUGH and when "Don't mess with Texas" was the motto. Next thing you know, the TDCJ units will be scattered with ACLU mailboxes all over the farm, just like some other states have. No wonder CO's feel powerless.
Posted by: Anonymous Location: gatesville on Oct 28, 2008 at 07:59 PM
To "Tired of It"::VERY WELL SAID!!!
Posted by: Tired of it Location: Gatesville on Oct 28, 2008 at 06:29 PM
It's realy obvious who knows about the prison system and who doesn't. Officers are not the only people who see the offenders. How about wardens,asst.wardens, majors, captons, Lt., Sgt., teachers, chaplains, parole, office personel and many others. There are thousands of ways to get contraband into a unit. We will never beable to stop it all, but we do stop alot of it. No it is not always a physical job, but let me tell you it is always mental. We are around all the people you don't want to be around. The ones of you that critisize the most aren't out there working in the prison. Did anyone know that to apply for welfare you have to apply at TDCJ first. Now tell me TDCJ hasn't lowered there standards. When I went to work there 20 years ago, they had higher standards and and higher pay (for that time), since there has only been three pay raises in this time, no wonder the crooks are working there. If you haven't walked in the shoes, you don't know. So help solve the problems don't be 1.
Posted by: Anonymous Location: Gatesville on Oct 28, 2008 at 05:50 PM
Dear Mother of Three, we cannot take in anything like the blue freezer packs and we cannot take in a cup let alone a thermos. We can take a one gallon bag with everyting else in smaller ziploc bags. In the one gallon bag is our two sealed bottles; so this does not leave much room. Yes we signed on the dotted line and knew what we had to expect. But I do not think that you would like to have all your personal areas felt on each day, several times a day. Plus I feel very ackward having to do this to my co-workers. You have no idea what a correctional officer has to go through in a day. It is nothing like what you see in tv movies. I have 110% respect for all my fellow co-workers and rank and above. Yes there are bad apples everywhere; but I do not know of any of my co-workers that would bring anything to any offender. No I am not whining about my job; it pays the bills. But please do not assume things about us unless you know us.
Posted by: Anonymous Location: gatesville on Oct 28, 2008 at 05:44 PM
Phones are found all the time! So just because some big wig higher up on the chain gets a call, woooo its a BIG DEAL now! Thats a bunch of BS if you ask me. And another thing..this is not going to be lifted. It is now TDC policy that anyone entering the unit will be wanded and pat searched. There is no "when this is over." And no Guards are not the only way things get summgled in. They get stuff in through the mail and with family memebers at visitation. There have been times when a inmate has taken drugs at visitation because it was under their rings or hidden somewhere else on the family member .
Posted by: Old Officer Location: Gatesville on Oct 28, 2008 at 05:26 PM
OH CRY ME A RIVER! Sen Whitmire. Officers get threatened everyday face to face not by phone. Welcome to our world. Only difference between us and you is, you make alot more money than us. Why is Whitmire and Gov Perry acting so shocked. They have known about the problem for a long time. Ya'll should have done something about this when the 1st phone was found. Maybe Perry and Whitmire are clueless. Gov Perry wanted to build more prison when 1st got into office. We already had a staffing problem. TDC got too big too fast. The problem is TDC is scraping the bottom of the barrel for officers. Years ago it was hard to get a job with TDC. We are still understaffed. Some of the new officers we get are too young, gangster, or throwed off(crazy). Some don't last long. You higher ups need to put on a uniform and go work on the bad units i.e. Coffield,Darrington,Eastham. We aren't all bad officers. Most of us do a thankless job yr after yr and roll with the punches. This has gotten crazy.
Posted by: uncle L. Location: Waco,Tx on Oct 28, 2008 at 03:56 PM
I'm spending too much time making comments. I have one last comment. In the 80's and early 90's there were stabbings and killings going on frequently in the Texas prisons. People were proud to work for TDCJ. Officers are always told not to do things like go shopping at your leisure while in your uniform, and don't go around half dressed (wearing either just the shirt or just the pants of the uniform) because it looked unprofessional. I have friends who work at units in the Houston area. They don't dare go into Wal-maart or other stores while in uniform because it is unsafe. In the Waco, Marlin, Temple, Gatesville areas, it is commonplace these days to see officers in their uniforms. Some even have the audacity to have their shirt tails out. Thats a fine way to represent the State. Officers buying beer in uniform. I thought officers were supposed to make convenience stops only. Not all out shopping sprees. I have never seen a sloppy or unkempt looking DPS officer.
Posted by: Just sayin is all Location: Ft Hood on Oct 28, 2008 at 03:41 PM
Well in the first place if an officers wife knows what the trustees do, the officers should as well. And any "good" officer should immediately report those "Bad apples". I have worked in a prison and it does suck, but thats no excuse for letting others break the rules you yourself uphold everyday. I bet if there was less looking the other way, you wouldnt be going through this right now. The one thing I will definetly side with the officers on is the pay, it is pitiful. Also, if you work for the military you are used to restrictions as well. There are certain areas we can not take, food, drinks, tobacco products, cell phones, Ipods, mp3 players or memory sticks. Sucks to go there, but that is the rules. Those rules are for Government workers as well as DACs....
Posted by: Marie Location: Waco on Oct 28, 2008 at 02:12 PM
None of this stuff amazes me. My daughters X-boyfriend is incarcerated and she told me he called her from a cell phone one night. He asked her not to call the number or he would be killed. Looks like to me there needs to be more searches done, ramdomly and without notice. The staff need to be informed of all the rules of working in a place where a cell phone could cost someone their life. Inmates can buy ANYTHING they want in prison, just ask one of them. Again, a GREAT judicial system we have here in Texas and wonder why its no big deal if you get out and have to go back. HEY! you get free room & board, meals, medical and dental while vacationing there.
Posted by: Mother of Three Location: Temple on Oct 28, 2008 at 01:15 PM
Do what I do with my kids' lunches and get those blue freezer packs. They keep sandwiches cold and thermoses (sp?) keep soups warm. And as far as there being bad apples in every business but the whole office not suffering, that's not true. We ALL suffer with higher ins. rates because of uninsured drivers, higher health ins. because people don't pay, and in most cases the bad apples are fired when they're discovered. Yes it sucks that you are being punished because of what others did but I was taught that was life. I may not like my situation but there are always options. And I teach my kids that you may not like what's going on but you have to deal with it until it gets better, or get out of the situation. I certainly would not want to receive phone calls from a murderer EVER, so I'm glad they're taking it seriously. And thank you to all of you COs, who are good and decent, for protecting my family.
Posted by: Officer's wife Location: Gatesville on Oct 28, 2008 at 12:01 PM
barb...apparently you are not familiar with the TDCJ system. Some offenders are allowed Trustee status and do jobs outside of the imidiate unit. They tell friends and family members to leave things on the side of the road, and then the offender picks the items up. This is a common occurence and is usually caught by the Officers that work in the field. I agree there are guards that for what ever reason, bring offenders things they shouldn't, but don't be so stupid to think that by a guard is the only way things get brought in. Most of the employees are taking this lock down well, as for the ones that aren't....maybee they have a reason for being so upsaet about it. But again, these offenders are in prison for a reason. Don't think that they are so innocent and a guard is the only way things are brought in.
Posted by: oh well Location: texas on Oct 28, 2008 at 11:01 AM
well, if things were being done right from the beginning, then maybe those few dirty guards wouldn't have ruined it for the whole bunch. what i want to know is why it takes a threat to the governors family to have searches and shake downs done right. you can't let the inmates know when its coming and expect to find contraband. i have family working out at the gatesville units and they all have said the inmates end up finding out before hand by dirty guards when the searches are going to be done. lets keep up these searches and inconveniences to all until those responsible are caught and then lets work to improve conditions for those who truly do good jobs. THEN REWARD THE GOOD GUARDS WITH MORE PAY.
Posted by: P Location: Gville on Oct 28, 2008 at 10:58 AM
I work for TDCJ as well, as a civilian employee. I understand why they are doing the searches, but as soon as it is lifted then things will start getting brought in again. All they are doing is delaying the contraband for a few weeks, and causing the rest of us a big headache. If they want to keep contraband out, then the searches should be a permanent fixture on all units, including visitors. A CO in Huntsville was fired because he got half way across the parking lot and realized he forgot his glasses in his car. He turned around and went back to get them. They said he "avoided a search point" by going back to his vehicle before he got to the front door, AND FIRED HIM!! Now that is bordering on ridiculous.
Posted by: Uncle L Location: Waco,Tx on Oct 28, 2008 at 10:33 AM
CiCi, It is a prison. Killers, thieves, child molesters are in there. If Officers want a job where it is so convenient for them to bring in apple pies, and four course meals, they can find another job. Everybody likes a pay raise, but that isn't the real issue here. It's called integrity and responsibility. What TDCJ is doing now and has been doing for the past 7 or 8 years is hiring any and everybody. If you want to work in corrections, work in corrections. You can't turn a prison setting into your own personal kitchen. Besides all this, most officers who bring in these huge bags of goodies everday march right on into the ODR (officers dining room) and eat some more free food anyway.
Posted by: Uncle L Location: Waco,Tx on Oct 28, 2008 at 10:10 AM
As a former Co and supervisor, I have done the job of a correctional officer. It is not that difficult. If it is, why doesnt the state raise the minimum age to 21 or 23 instead of 18. So many correctional officers bring in these giant bags filled with all kinds of food, and these giant 40oz cups. If you have all of this food and drink, how are you going to concentrate on monitoring offenders? If you have your hands full of food, or wrapped around a giant cup, how will you possibly defend yourself or your co-worker. A large percentage of officers are physically out of shape. If you complain so much about your job, pay and your rights, quit and find another job. The old saying goes in TDC that Mcdonalds is hiring. Truth be told, there are other jobs out there besides McDonalds. Go to school and get a degree or something instead of waiting for that check that you get every first working day of the month. That's what I'm doing. All TDC officers do is cry about this and that.
Posted by: cici Location: gatesville on Oct 28, 2008 at 09:58 AM
What is sad is that this has been going on for a long time. There has always been contraband getting into the prison units. It is just that they called a senator and got him upset and now the whole state is in an uproar because of it. There are always going to be some CO's who go sour and help the inmates. It's just too bad that people are that way. Pay increase would help but I don't think that "when the money's right" to help an inmate that it would change a "sour" CO. I feel for the employees who have to go through the car searches and the personal search. It's pretty bad when you can't take an unopened bag of Lay's chips in. You have to open the package and dump it into a ziploc bag so they can see what you have. If you take in gum or candy, you have to unwrap it and place it in a ziploc bag so they can see it too. It is sad that good people have to suffer because of the bad.
Posted by: Barb Location: Waco on Oct 28, 2008 at 09:40 AM
Visitors to prisons are wanded and told they can be subject to searches. If contraband is found, the only way it got there was through a guard. I'm sorry, but if there are that many cell phones and chargers, etc. then there is more than one bad apple. I work in a very nice office, but we aren't allowed to heat food up here. Figure out some other lunch options. There are plenty of ways to get by with the extra demands until this lockdown is over. It may not be fun or convenient, but obviously it's necessary. Life isn't always fun. Things aren't always "fair." It's all about growing up and facing things like adults. Besides, it won't last forever. For the record, I would like to see guards who are performing well receive better compensation. Some of them are outstanding, take their jobs seriously and are very level headed.
Posted by: ex co Location: gatesville on Oct 28, 2008 at 07:44 AM
There are units in this state that are so short handed that the officers are not even given breaks. How are these officers going to go to their cars to get lunch or water? Just because of a few bad apples the good officers are made to suffer.
Posted by: dude Location: texas on Oct 28, 2008 at 07:09 AM
prison employees should feel pressure, they are the reason inmates have all the contraban.
Posted by: CoryellCountyChick Location: Coryell County on Oct 28, 2008 at 06:00 AM
Not that there is ANY excuse for trafficking, if TDCJ paid CO's more, there would be less temptation to augment their paychecks. Look at California-they pay their CO's ALOT more, and I believe that they are all licenced peace officers. And to the one who asked if what TDCJ is doing is legal. Sure it is. It's just the same as when you drive into a federal reservation/installation-you and your vehicle are subject to search at any time. When it comes to ensuring the safety and security of our state and federal facilities, they can do what they need to do. It doesn't bother me one bit.
Posted by: Anonymous, Guard Location: Temple on Oct 28, 2008 at 04:55 AM
We're not the ones who harmed your family, or the ones who stold your credit card, or the ones who robbed your house or store, we're the ones who keep you and your family safe at night so cut us some slack! There are bad apples in every business but you don't see those companies punnishing the whole office because of one bad employee. TDCJ is hiring anyone with a pulse these days so they get what they pay for. There are a lot of officers who do their job but don't get recognized for their good work. How about acknowledging us for a change. Those of you with negitive comments would probably never be able to do the job we do. So how about a little support for those of us who show up to do it right?
Posted by: Angie Location: Belton on Oct 28, 2008 at 03:39 AM
It's simple, the Director of the TDCJ ordered a lockdown because cell phones were found, this is serious! A victims rights are violated when they get threatening phone calls from an inmate in prison, not to mention the orders a gang member can give to hundreds on the outside! It's pretty obvious the employees are being watched with these new rules! The only reason the new procedures are in place is to make it so difficult for those crooked guards or 'bad apples' they will just leave and the contraban will stop. As for feces, 'guard' you should try working at a nursing home, mental institution, or sewage plant, somebody has to do the job, atleast prison guards get paid more than minimum wage!
Posted by: Don Location: Texas on Oct 28, 2008 at 01:15 AM
The metal detectors and pat downs even for guards is just a normal course of business in today's world. Get used to it. That contraband doesn't walk into prison on its own. Anyone coming into a prison even to visit should be put through the same search to keep the contraband out. Sounds like the state hasn't been doing their job.
Posted by: Officers girlfriend Location: Temple Tx on Oct 27, 2008 at 10:23 PM
The saying goes one bad apple spoils the bunch. Crying shame about that, My boyfriend works for a jail that is affiliated with TDCJ policies. It is hard on them to be able to come to work and go through all this because some officers choose to be dirty. I mean yes they could quit but then someone else would just come along and make things worse. All the good officers out there keep your chin up hopefully it will get better. Also all the people that are not affiliated with any prison gaurds until you take a step in there shoes you should keep the negative comments to your self.
Posted by: anonymous on Oct 27, 2008 at 10:21 PM
is what tdcj doing even legal? Don't employees have any rights? I know inmates have alot of rights.
Posted by: Guard Location: Gatesville on Oct 27, 2008 at 09:45 PM
Angie you must not work at a prison. Offenders are able to have contact with wardens. Things will really start changing when the public has to be pat searched by the guards when they come to visit the offenders. We are having to be pat searched every time we go in and out the gates. We have to empty all pockets, which do not contain much. We cannot even take in a stick of gum, unless it is not in a wrapper. We are treated just like the offenders or sometimes worse. Most people have no desire to work at a prison; who wants to be treatened everyday or had the possibility of urine or feces thrown on them everyday. We work to serve and protect the public. Why do we have to be treated like an offender because one offender messed it up for all of us. Just remember there are just so many things that you can bring in in a ziploc that you have to fit in a one gallon ziploc bag.
Posted by: Anonymous on Oct 27, 2008 at 09:37 PM
you are not in the army, you can QUIT whenever you get ready!! oh, i forgot , you can't get a JOB anywhere else!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: Anonymous Location: Gatesville on Oct 27, 2008 at 09:37 PM
I just want to ask one question..okay, maybe two.. Who are the people bringing in contraband? Guards Who are the people searching you as you enter the unit? Guards
Posted by: No Name Location: Gatesville on Oct 27, 2008 at 09:00 PM
I understand I work at a prison and go along with some of the things that carry on there. I dont work at HEB or WalMart, so yes I should be seached for contraband, but this has gotten out of hand! I thought I was an employee of TDCJ not an inmate housed there!!! When you walk into a unit you are 'wanded' and then pat seached from head to toe. Just like the inmates are. If I pass through a metal detector, why should I have to be patted as well? And as the comment for bringing your lunch..HELLO ARE YOU SERIOUS?!?! How the h_ll are you suppose to heat up your food? What about the stuff that needs to be kept cold? Youre not even allowed to bring in SEALED fruit in a clear container.
Posted by: Angie Location: Belton on Oct 27, 2008 at 08:36 PM
Who else is giving the prisoners the illegal items? It't not the warden, no-one else has contact with the inmates except the guards and the visitors, and ALL inmates are searched after visitations. The only people to blame are the guards who don't do their job and those guards who are corrupt.
Posted by: Summer Location: Gatesville on Oct 27, 2008 at 08:19 PM
The employees are pat searched upon entering and leaving the unit. They also must remove their shoes before walking through the metal detector. I understand the reason but it is a shame when all employees are treated like the offenders because of a few dirty employees!
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