BOP employees

[Callme_CO]

I'm just curious how many of us work for the BOP? I know of a couple.

[buda]

I'm just curious how many of us work for the BOP? I know of a couple.

:eek:

I'll check in.

Buda

[SkyPilot]

Watch call!

[buda]

Another argument of LEOSA

http://www.news12.com/NewCDA/articles/media_pop?region=NJ&id=198568

[dell]

LEOSA? I know what LEO stands for. What is SA?

[buda]

LEOSA? I know what LEO stands for. What is SA?

HR218 Law Enforcement Officer Safety Act

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Law_Enforcement_Officers_Safety_Act

The BOP is to a certain extent challenging the HR218 of 2004.

[dell]

Roger that.

Dell

[squalebear]

F.C.I. FAIRTON, N.J. HERE !
"Just remember, any day can be my Friday"

Still Proud, Still Working, so I won't have to
do control movements from my wheelchair at
80 years old. (LoL)

Glad to see a few fellow Officers and Staff on
board to make some TSP money.
:blink::cheesy::laugh::worried:

[Callme_CO]

I forgot about this thread glad to see others as well. How's everything going on at your perspective institutions?

Hate to say it but theres a feeling in the air that something might kick off here.

[squalebear]

I forgot about this thread glad to see others as well. How's everything going on at your perspective institutions?

Hate to say it but theres a feeling in the air that something might kick off here.

After 18 years, it's never been worse and it won't get any better. We have
the largest number of STG's then any other FCI across the country. Maybe
the coccaine law change (inmate friendly) could hold them off just a little
longer before finding something else to riot over. Unlike the National Lock
Down of 1995. Anyway, stay strong and stay safe! I don't know which
Institution you work at, but it really doesn't matter. We must go home
each day to make those Interfund Transfers to offset our inadequate
government salaries. Keep your chin up and make some TSP money !

[KentuckyBOP]

USP Marion checking in on this end......If this market doesn't do something quick,,,,,,,,,I might need a job in retirement.................

[KentuckyBOP]

USP Marion checking in---------I hate watch calls....

[squalebear]

USP Marion checking in on this end......If this market doesn't do something quick,,,,,,,,,I might need a job in retirement.................

(LOL) KentuckyBOP,

I'm sitting on the (G)Lilly Pad since mid last week. If Tuesday looks
unchanged or down, I'm jumping to stocks (but not 100%). Capitol
Preservation is key until a bottom is established. It may be close or
right around the corner, but caution is warranted.

USP Marion, wow, a real prison it is ! Watch your back & Back your watch.
;)

[squalebear]

USP Marion checking in---------I hate watch calls....

I never make them ! (LoL)

[47 Dodge]

FCI Greenville checking in..........

[squalebear]

FCI Greenville checking in..........

(Green)ville, the only acceptable color for our portfolio's.
(Fair)ton, the only acceptable weather for the Market.
Good luck in your investments !
:nuts:

[KentuckyBOP]

I agree that (ideally) capital preservation is the objective in today's volatile market, but , in my particular situation, I feel the need to , also, be aggressive and try to hit more upswings than downswings. I will retire at the end of next year and , hopefully, will add a few more dollars to my balance.

[squalebear]

I agree that (ideally) capital preservation is the objective in today's volatile market, but , in my particular situation, I feel the need to , also, be aggressive and try to hit more upswings than downswings. I will retire at the end of next year and , hopefully, will add a few more dollars to my balance.

kentuckyBOP,

(The following represents the opinion of a Correctional Officer with no
professional experience in finance nor investing. It's just my opinion)

Risk vs. Reward ! If you plan to leave your money in the TSP throughout
retirement (say, monthly withdraws) you'll have time to recover losses
and do better over the long haul. Not a bad idea at all ! Many others do
this to extend the life of their TSP balances due to longer living.
;)
If your taking an immediate annuity, "aggressive" for "a few more dollars"
is down right scarey with your retirement so close. Have you figured out
what your TSP balance would be with a 15% gain over the next year. If
so, compare it to the G-Fund 4.75%. Take your balances and see what
the increase/decrease would mean through the TSP Annuity Calc on the
TSP website. You'll see that the Annuity won't be all that rewarding when
comparing the differences. If the Market has developed a Down Trend
from its all time highs (and it has), caution my friend, caution is the word!
:worried:

[KentuckyBOP]

If your taking an immediate annuity, "aggressive" for "a few more dollars"
is down right scarey with your retirement so close. Have you figured out
what your TSP balance would be with a 15% gain over the next year. If
so, compare it to the G-Fund 4.75%. Take your balances and see what
the increase/decrease would mean through the TSP Annuity Calc on the
TSP website. You'll see that the Annuity won't be all that rewarding when
comparing the differences. If the Market has developed a Down Trend
from its all time highs (and it has), caution my friend, caution is the word!

I agree with you completely in this regards...........I do plan to make monthly withdraws from my TSP Account. I will still try to obtain maximun gains in my account as I do now during my retirement.....

[tspgo_com]

Welcome aboard fellows BOP’eers. It is really good to know that some of us are meeting here. For security reasons, believe it or not, let me just say that I began my career in Phoenix, AZ, a long time ago. A great deal of my job consisted of being a “specialized detective” to determine if "they" really needed those “Idles” or they were just trying to get out of work. I also authorized the use several kind of “mm’s” to keep them happy.

I created www.tspgo.com. The idea of www.tspgo.com came about several years ago after going to a Program Review somewhere in the NER. A few of my friends were calling me at work to ask me for guidance on what to do with their TSP. When the number of calls increased and they were coming in at work, I figured it was time to find a safe way of sharing my thoughts without compromising my job or theirs. www.tspgo.com was borne. I began posting my TSP Funds analysis in the internet.

Just a note of caution. Be extremely careful when using the MB at work. I would not recommend to access it from work. They can track you and you can get in a lot trouble for it. I should know. I am above GS-11 supervisors.

Work hard, guard and invest your TSP. Look at it as your main source of income after retirement. Let it be two months or twenty years from now.

God bless you, guys/gals. .. And thanks for the outstanding job you do.

TSPGO!

[KentuckyBOP]

Thanks TSPGO.COM . It is refreshing to know that a fellow bureau employee above the GS-11 grade was actually capable of devising such a plan of action...Miracles will never cease....Thanks for coming out of the closet and sharing your info......My faith in the "family" is being restored..

[buda]

The thread is alive and kicking....nice

TSPGO I never knew your secret!

[tspgo_com]

The thread is alive and kicking....nice

TSPGO I never knew your secret!

Hi Buda:

No secret at all. Just keeping a low profile.

Wishing the very best to you and to the rest of the Bureau's finest posting in here.

Keep well!

[Callme_CO]

Hey "bop" brothers and sisters,

It's been awhile since i've been on. Just thought i'd check in to say i'm still kicking. Life's good...works ok. pay could be better.

[Callme_CO]

I'm curious how would you (bop employees) say your institution is being run?

[charmed855]

Excess Heavy Metal Levels Found in Federal Prison Industry; Health Officials Urge Immediate Closure of Electronics Recycling in Ohio Facility - PEER, December 12, 2007 By PEER, http://www.texasenvironment.org/news_story.cfm?IID=429

Federal health officials found staff and inmates are being exposed to concentrations of lead and cadmium far above permissible limits in a prison industry computer recycling plant located in eastern Ohio, according to a report released today by Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility (PEER). The officials urged an immediate shutdown of computer recycling operations at the Elkton Federal Correctional Institution and strict new anti-contamination safeguards if the factory is to reopen.

The November 15, 2007 report was written by officials from the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health as well as the Federal Occupational Health Service based upon sampling this February for only lead and cadmium in various parts of the Elkton electronics recycling industry complex. The report was submitted to the Justice Department Office of Inspector General as part of its system-wide review of all the recycling centers. That review was sparked by a whistleblower disclosure from a safety manager, Leroy Smith, documenting similar dangers in the federal prison at Atwater, located in central California.

The Elkton report noted that airborne lead and cadmium, both dangerous heavy metals, accumulated at alarmingly concentrations inside factory air filters and ventilation systems:
"[T]he data from the 'filter change-out' operation showed that that airborne exposures can exceed by a factor of 450 times the concentration adopted by OSHA as the Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) for cadmium and over 50 times the PEL for lead. Even though workers performing this operation wore respiratory protection equipment…these excessive exposures will exceed the Protection Factor afforded by this type of respirator."
Most of the heavy metal contamination springs from inmates breaking up computers with hammers in "the cathode ray tube glass breaking operation." Even outside the glass breaking area where exposures were relatively low, the health review found lead and cadmium residues on work surfaces where workers are not wearing protective equipment. In one factory section, "one [dust] sample…was as high as 16% lead."

"Ever since Leroy Smith went public with his revelations about conditions at Atwater, every one of the six other federal prisons with computer recycling plants should have been on notice that they are putting the health of their own people at risk," stated PEER Executive Director Jeff Ruch, whose organization assisted Smith with his 2004 disclosure which was validated by the U.S Office of Special Counsel.

Besides workers, families of staff members may have been routinely exposed to dust carried home in the staff member's clothing. While the report recommended that an immediate plan be "implemented in order to protect staff, inmates, contractors and the environment from lead and cadmium residues" it did not urge that staff and inmates, who have worked at the Elkton recycling center for years since it started in 1998, undergo medical check-ups and long-term health monitoring.

"Long-term exposure to lead and cadmium, even at low levels, can be expected to contribute to health problems down the line," Ruch added, noting that the current review by the Justice Department, which is in charge of the Federal Bureau of Prisons, has been going on for more than 20 months. "In addition to halting any further contamination, the Justice Department needs to oversee thorough health check-ups for everyone who may have been exposed at any of these institutions."


"Instead of behaving responsibly, the Bureau of Prisons has looked the other way, while the federal prison industry authority, UNICOR, opened additional 'computer-recycling' facilities without proper health safeguards in place," said Mary Dryovage, Leroy Smith's attorney, noting that Smith has filed a new whistleblower retaliation complaint since being transferred to a Tucson correctional facility. "The whistleblower laws need to be expanded to impose appropriate penalties to discourage official lawbreakers."

[squalebear]

I'm curious how would you (bop employees) say your institution is being run?

Mission Critical Rosters, Staff Shortages, Doing More With Less,
Releases Of Rival Gang Members on the Compund with "Kill On
Sight Orders", 1:323 staff to inmate ratio in M/W Housing Units.
"Can Anyone Say - RETIREMENT"
:confused:

[Gilligan]

Mission Critical Rosters, Staff Shortages, Doing More With Less,
Releases Of Rival Gang Members on the Compund with "Kill On
Sight Orders", 1:323 staff to inmate ratio in M/W Housing Units.
"Can Anyone Say - RETIREMENT"
:confused:

Inmate dies in Three Rivers prison riot
Guillermo Contreras, Robert Crowe and Sara Inés Calderon
Express-News
http://www.mysanantonio.com/news/metro/stories/MYSA032908.01A.PrisonRiot.3790e89.html
THREE RIVERS — A riot Friday morning that appeared to stem from ongoing tensions between rival prison gangs at a federal penitentiary here left one prisoner dead and 22 injured.

No employees were injured at the medium-security prison....

The violence erupted in two housing units located near each other. Each holds 150 inmates, and just one officer monitors those 300 inmates at a time, Wechsler said.

[Callme_CO]

Ok i have quiet a few peeves with the BOP right now and i don't think it will ever get better.

1) Some institutions have 1 staff member per 2 housing units on M/W and some even D/W

2) No weapons for the officers...Not even stab-resistant vest to wear. Higher ups state that it gives the message that we are hostle.

3) Any use of force seems almost frowned on. Now i will say excess is wrong but i work in a penn and you've gotta push sometimes to get through to some of these guys.

4) The lack of backbone from the higher ups. Unfortunately at the most i'll ever be is a 9-11 Lt. Becuase i will always have my spine.

5) Why does the region wanna run everything? Let the institutions run themselves.

6) When are we going to actually get some money, more staff, Better equipment?

Post if there's anything eating you up on the inside.

[Show-me]

I don't know how you guys do it. Not me! I would want AA-12 with #4 buck and 10 guys as back up on a catwalk and I would not go near the population.

Put shock collars on all inmates link to a transmitter on the gaurd. If you get 15 feet or closer to me, you go down from the shock collar. It would be the inmates responsibility to keep his or her proper distance from me. I still would want my defensive weapons.

[Show-me]

By the way thanks to all the BOP folks that keep the animals caged.

[squalebear]

Thanks Show, 2.5-6.5 years to go. Your collar system reminds me of
a movie, their heads got blown off. (LoL) I forget the name of it.

Call_me_CO, Correctional Workers First is dead. Just ask another Dept.
to man a unit during D/W and hear the screams from the top down.

167 i/m's per side, 334 in each unit, 1 officer opening their doors while
being locked in. Three Rivers kicked off at 7am the other day within 2
housing units. Piases & Azteca's are rumored to be the cause. Thank
goodness injuries to staff were avoided. 1 Dead & 22 seriously injured
on the other side of the tracks. (Oppps, mentioned below, sorry)

1 Officer counting "outside fence".
1 Lieutenat doing "new" search procedure "outside fence".
1 Officer left to run the joint and count in the housing unit.

"It's Beyond Reason" - Anyone have a 6 figure job to offer?

[Callme_CO]

Thanks Show, 2.5-6.5 years to go. Your collar system reminds me of
a movie, their heads got blown off. (LoL) I forget the name of it.



i remember that movie vaguely

[FUTURESTRADER]

John Travolta "Battlefield Earth"?

[Show-me]

3635

Wedlock, aka Deadlock

[squalebear]

[quote=Show-me;157929 Wedlock, aka Deadlock[/quote]

Thats the one I remember, a Rutger Hauer flick !
Thanks !

[Callme_CO]

I remember one scene RH character got into a fight with a big black prisioner and he ended up popping the collar open a bit. next thing you know two people were running for help and their heads exploded. That's the only scene that stuck with me.

[Gilligan]

OK,
Who is working and supposedly watching the inmates at USP Leavenworth Unicor? I just glanced at the GSA desk calendar and in the upper right hand corner there is a small January 2008 calendar. If you look closely you can see that there are two (2) 17ths in January but no 18th.:nuts:

[Callme_CO]

Hey that's good enough for government work.

[squalebear]

OK,
Who is working and supposedly watching the inmates at USP Leavenworth Unicor? I just glanced at the GSA desk calendar and in the upper right hand corner there is a small January 2008 calendar. If you look closely you can see that there are two (2) 17ths in January but no 18th.:nuts:

Go figure, that was my birthday ! I guess I'm a year younger then
I originally thought. Heeeey, put it back in ! That gives my yet another
year to do for the Bureau. Don't take my birthday away!
:nuts:

[squalebear]

Its sad that I must let everyone know that we lost another Federal Corrections Officer on Evening Watch Yesterday. While in Jose Rivera's probationary year (10 months young), the 23 year old Officer was doing his job when he was attacked and murdered, in F.C.I. Atwater, by an inmate. The entire Bureau is in mourning and our prayers for him and his mother are being heard far beyond our borders. God Bless Jose !
:(~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~:(~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~:(

[squalebear]

Please forgive me, I must vent. Other then A&E which brings America into
many State Prisons, I can't help but remember how the rest of the media
seems to always portray Correctional Officers (we hate the word Guards)
as on the take, corrupt and without morals. Well, I'm here to tell you
differently. You have young men (like Jose) and old heads (like me) who
get little to no recognition for putting it on the line every time we walk
through those doors and get locked up with the worst of humanity. We
have babies and loved ones at home waiting for our return. Sometimes
we don't make it back. Thats the reality of what we do. Jose never got
the opportunity to get married, have children or experience all that life
had to offer. Yes, we applied for the job and accepted the risks that are
associated with such an environment. And we're damn Proud of it. So if
you ever get the chance to meet someone who works at a prison, I ask
two things of every living, breathing person that reads this. Please, call
him an "OFFICER" and remember what I just wrote. It only touches on
few of my thoughts during this very sad day, but its all I could muster.
God Bless Jose and May He Rest In Peace.

[nnuut]

Sad to here about another Public Servant losing his life in the line of duty. That is really a tough job, to tell you the truth I wouldn't want to deal with the scum of the earth every day. We should all be grateful for the job you people are doing.
Norman

[Callme_CO]

I will pray for jose rivera. I agree the word "Guard" runs right threw me. Its just as bad as someone calling me lazy. I hope this will open the eyes of the Men/Women in charge and see that cut backs and staff reduction is not the way to go. That is what caused this problem. I've known for awhile now that an Officer would get killed soon. It's very sad.

[SkyPilot]

Its sad that I must let everyone know that we lost another Federal Corrections Officer on Evening Watch Yesterday. While in Jose Rivera's probationary year (10 months young), the 23 year old Officer was doing his job when he was attacked and murdered, in F.C.I. Atwater, by an inmate. The entire Bureau is in mourning and our prayers for him and his mother are being heard far beyond our borders. God Bless Jose !
:(~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~:(~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~:(

May God bless and console Officer Rivera's family, and be with the staff of FCI Atwater. May God protect us all who serve... <><

[Aviator_Guy]

1992-1995 USP Terre Haute, IN
1995-2001 FCI Greenville, IL :cool::cool:

[SkyPilot]

Watch Call!

1994 FCI Oxford, WI
1995 FLP-HI Florence, CO
1996 - Present FCI Waseca, MN

[squalebear]

"Begin 5 minute Rec Move"
"Begin 5 minute Rec Move"

1990 - Present (F.C.I. Fairton, NJ) ;)

[mamikin]

The news of officer Rivera's death sickens me. At our facility we got the news through the Union first .... there is still nothing posted on Sallyport. This is not the Bureau that I hired on to 16 years ago - too much has changed.

[CorMaGa34]

squalebear,

Originally posted this on your thread, but think that this may be a good forum for it as well:

Originally Posted by squalebear http://www.tsptalk.com/mb/images/buttons/viewpost.gif (http://www.tsptalk.com/mb/showthread.php?p=168761#post168761)
Please forgive me, I must vent. Other then A&E which brings America into
many State Prisons, I can't help but remember how the rest of the media
seems to always portray Correctional Officers (we hate the word Guards)
as on the take, corrupt and without morals. Well, I'm here to tell you
differently. You have young men (like Jose) and old heads (like me) who
get little to no recognition for putting it on the line every time we walk
through those doors and get locked up with the worst of humanity. We
have babies and loved ones at home waiting for our return. Sometimes
we don't make it back. Thats the reality of what we do. Jose never got
the opportunity to get married, have children or experience all that life
had to offer. Yes, we applied for the job and accepted the risks that are
associated with such an environment. And we're damn Proud of it. So if
you ever get the chance to meet someone who works at a prison, I ask
two things of every living, breathing person that reads this. Please, call
him an "OFFICER" and remember what I just wrote. It only touches on
few of my thoughts during this very sad day, but its all I could muster.
God Bless Jose and May He Rest In Peace.
Squalebear,

I for one, have a lot of respect for Correctional Officers. I do agree with you about the bad rap they get on the media, but so do the so-called minorities: the criminals and or suspects always used to be African Americans, but now they are called Hispanics. Well, here you have Jose Rivera, a Hispanic who was trying to contribute with such a tremendous responsibility to society and to this country. My heart and prayers go to him and his family, as well as to all his peers who put their lives on the line every day they go to work.

I used to work for THE BEST OF THE BEST DOD AGENCIES, sorry but it's true -our commander's "supervisor" is the President of the US. Almost monthly we attended funeral services for service members killed in the line of duty, or by friendly fire, accidents while on "enemy territory", but most of them were blown to pieces by "the enemy". (And yes, BLACK HAWK DOWN is the most accurate account of what we dealt with every day, for those of you who care). It really hurts to see young men who did not make it to adulthood, who belonged to ALL ETHNIC GROUPS, and to have to see the pain in their families receiving all kinds of honors bestowed on their children, medals of honor, flags and letters of condolence and appreciation for their valor, signed from the President on down to the Governor, to the "commands" they served under.

Excuse me if this sounds like I am venting also, but this is something that really hit home and I never had a chance (for lack of time or for honoring "the quiet professionals" code that I never had the opportunity to mention anything about it. But believe me Squalebear, I know what you mean and my heart and respect go out to you and all of your peers. Some people just don't know how lucky (or unlucky ?) they are to not have any idea of what goes on in some areas of work. I say unlucky also, because having full knowledge and understanding of what happens out there "in the real world" makes us appreciate even more all the blessings we receive day after day.

Thank you Squalebear, your feelings were heard, and we are here for you.

CorMaGa34

[SkyPilot]

The news of officer Rivera's death sickens me. At our facility we got the news through the Union first .... there is still nothing posted on Sallyport. This is not the Bureau that I hired on to 16 years ago - too much has changed.

Sad and true... :(

[squalebear]

Officer Rivera's Brother Posted A Picture Memorial

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=bso8Z1lumQk

[Callme_CO]

http://www.odmp.org/officer/19433-correctional-officer-jose-rivera

For those who have not seen it yet. I pray that his family find some sort of peace from this and that the bureau will look at this and analyze what they are doing wrong. I pray for this every day.

[squalebear]

Update from ABC News concerning Officer Rivera

http://abclocal.go.com:80/kfsn/story?section=news/local&id=6225995

The Unions message is clear. The Tazer and vests mention are questionable
solutions. First things first. Stop Federal Prisons from operating at 85% staffing
levels and get more Correctional Officers on duty. Mandatory O/T use to be a
duty 24/7 for every Correctional Worker. Now, Correctional Workers are above
doing what every officer does on a daily basis and mandatory work, based on
the Bureaus refusal to hire staff, is like taking someone from their family due
to lack of caring. Officer Rivera Rest In Peace.

[squalebear]

U.S. prison officials considering safety vests, union says
By Michael Doyle | McClatchy Newspapers

WASHINGTON — Bureau of Prisons officials are now considering equipping federal guards with safety vests following the murder of Atwater correctional officer Jose Rivera, union leaders revealed Wednesday.

In what one participant termed a "heated" meeting, Bureau of Prisons Director Harley G. Lappin indicated knife-resistant vests could be a viable option for at least some of the nation's 16,000 or so federal prison guards. Some think a vest might have saved Rivera, who died June 20 after being stabbed through the heart with a prison-made shank.

"This is something that I think is pretty hard to argue with," said John Gage, president of the American Federation of Government Employees. "I think it's pretty much a no-brainer."

No final decision, however, has yet been made on obtaining the vests, at a cost of roughly $400 each. And in other areas ranging from staffing levels to the use of non-lethal weapons, Rivera's violent death has only underscored sharp differences still separating the Bureau of Prisons, members of Congress and the union that represents federal correctional workers.

The 22-year-old Rivera was the first federal correctional officer to be murdered since 1997. Assaults, however, remain relatively common. A total of 1,362 armed and unarmed inmate-on-staff attacks were tallied in federal prisons in Fiscal 2006, Justice Department figures released by the union show. This marked a 6 percent increase in assaults from 2005. Atwater's high-security penitentiary led the nation in armed assaults by inmates on staff members in 2006, with 10 such attacks, according to the Justice Department records. The union obtained the prison violence records from the department's Web site, which apparently no longer posts them.

"Every minute that goes by, the staff is in danger from the inmates," said Bryan Lowery, legislative coordinator for the AFGE's Council of Prison Locals.

Two inmates reported to be suspects in Rivera's murder, James Leon Guerrero and Joseph Cabrera, have been transferred and remain under investigation. Bureau of Prisons spokesman Mike Truman said no agency official was available to comment late Wednesday afternoon about the meeting with union leaders. Bureau officials stressed their concern to union leaders Wednesday that nothing be said that might interfere with the investigation.

Union leaders want an additional 10,000 federal correctional officers hired, starting with about 280 to boost staffing immediately at high-security facilities. They want officers who now carry only a radio to be armed with batons or Tasers or other non-lethal weapons. They want, politically speaking, Rivera's murder to serve a purpose. "We're hoping this event will really push the public, and the Congress, and the pencil pushers," said Phil Glover, legislative liaison for the Council of Prison Locals.

Glover, Gage and Lowery met with Lappin to present what Gage termed the union's "demands." It's a wide-ranging list that predates Rivera's death; in February, for instance, correctional officers picketed Justice Department headquarters to call attention to their grievances. Some of the union's renewed demands, like opposition to prison privatization, appear unrelated to the specifics of Rivera's death.

In some ways, the meeting Wednesday may have only confirmed pre-existing tensions. Lowery announced he was "highly offended" by the Bureau of Prisons' responses, while Gage used a mocking tone to say the Bureau was "poor-mouthing us" on the budget questions.
The agency, part of the Justice Department, has an annual budget of about $5.1 billion and employs about 34,000 staffers overall, not all of whom are correctional officers.

A recently passed supplemental spending bill includes an additional $178 million for the Bureau of Prisons. Rep. Dennis Cardoza, D-Merced, is preparing a letter urging the Bureau to spend at least some of the money on safety vests.

"We've heard from the Bureau that they will review the (vest) policy," Cardoza's press secretary Jamie McInerney said Wednesday.
McInerney added that Cardoza's staffers are brainstorming other ideas, potentially including addressing the pay disparity that shortchanges federal guards compared to their California correctional counterparts.

Nationwide, the Bureau of Prisons holds about 165,000 inmates in its facilities and another 35,000 in contract or privately run prisons. The agency reports that it's been hard to keep staffing up, citing budget problems and the loss of guards to reserve military duty in Iraq and Afghanistan.

[squalebear]

VERY LONG ARTICLE (VIDEO OF ASSAULT ON STAFF) AND INTERESTING
COMMENTS. HERE'S THE LINK;

http://www.mercedsunstar.com:80/105/story/330837.html

[Callme_CO]

thanks for the article

[Callme_CO]

According to the union at my institution vest are being authorized for Penitentiary's accross the country. Another staff member on D/W and E/W for rovers between the units. Not sure if this is one officer per side per shift or if it's actually one officer per letter unit ie (A1 and 2, B1 and 2,) per shift. We'll see.

[squalebear]

According to the union at my institution vest are being authorized for Penitentiary's accross the country. Another staff member on D/W and E/W for rovers between the units. Not sure if this is one officer per side per shift or if it's actually one officer per letter unit ie (A1 and 2, B1 and 2,) per shift. We'll see.

To my understanding, your right. USP's- High Admin's and alike for the
vests. 1 additional support officer is a play on words. We have 2 sided
units. 1 officer on each side. Say,,,,, Alpha Left & Alpha Right. Although
this won't affect my FCI, I can see them adding one officer for both sides
to act as a rover. It's easy to figure that, what ever way is cheaper,
thats what they'll do. It would seriously surprise me if the BOP would add
one additional officer for each side. Making it 4 officers for every unit.
Each side houses about 165 inmates. Thats 370:1 on M/W (lockdown) and
165:1 on D/W & E/W. My guess is they'll say we're safer then before with
a 165:1.50 ratio. But again, this won't happen with Mission Critical FCI's.

[squalebear]

4517

Thought You'd Like This ! :laugh:

[squalebear]

I’m having a long week at work. Although I can’t and won’t allow an inmate to intimidate me,
one inmate is doing his best to apply the pressure. He’s also on psychiatric medication and his
size alone is enough to intimidate any normal human being (6'4" - 375lbs). But dealing with
murderers is what I’ve been doing for over 18 years. Its what I do for a living. Its what my family
depends on. I can’t just up and quit, God knows I’ve wanted to. I’ve gone to work with
tears inside just waiting to bust out of me. But there’s too much at stake and so much of our future
depends on my ability to cope. The one and only place I can call refuge is my home. But lately,
I’m seeing more and more confrontations at home, then I am in the prison. I’m not the same
person I use to be. I’m not care-free. I’m not happy. I’m not fun to be around. All’s I want is
to have some peace, to be able to do what I want, when I want, all’s I want is to be left alone.
But responsibilities at home dictate otherwise. The love I have for my family can compare to
no other. However, responsibilities at home are becoming a source of anger. As much as I’ve
tried, some thinks just can’t stay at work and I bring some of those feelings home with me. I’m
not out of control, as one could surmise from such a scenario. But when you can’t bite your
tongue any longer, words can be just as hurtful as a ton of bricks. You end up hurting the ones
you hold dearest to you. You make decisions based on anger, frustration and exhaustion. You
seek guidance from professionals. You take medication to enable you to allow a little more
onto your already full plate. You do this, not because you honestly feel you need to. But because
you trust your loved ones, enough, to keep you on the right path. To tell you things, not to hurt
you, but to help you get through what ever it is that appears so troublesome. But even that tends
to ware you down and eventually stop taking chemical substances into your body.

With that all said, lets complicate matters just a bit, shall we. Your loved ones are human and
have flaws of their own. They have pressures, stress and everything that life has to offer in order
to dump on them. As hard as they try to cope with my problems, they have their own to shoulder
as well. They can only do so much, until life demands a release from their burden. The result is a
collision of like personalities and regretful confrontations. They can only do so much. At this
point, one might seek out counseling or turn to religion for answers. The only thing that keeps my
family together is the Love we share for each other and the hopes that the future will hold
something better then what is. Hope, its all that I have left right now. So when you hear of a
family member, friend, co-worker or a neighbor suffers from the "D" word, have a little more
understanding and compassion. Not just that individual, for his entire family as everyone pays
the price. Depression was never something that my dad truly believed in. It was a sign of
weakness and a opportunity to pull yourself up by your boot straps. But I’m writing this to
proclaim that its real for a great many people and for a variety of reasons.

Sorry this was off topic, but I needed to do this. :embarrest:

[luv2read]

We love you SB!

I have seldom seen my own thoughts and feelings so well put by another individual as you have done in your post. Your words describe perfectly my own situation at home right now, and I'm sure it's shared by many others here as well.

The MB has become a second family to me, and I know we are to you as well, Bear as evident by your willingness and "need" to share this with us. I'm touched beyond my ability to express it. We rant, we joke, we rejoice, we share, but most of all, we support each other. A family.:)

Now print out your post, go home, and let them read what you told US. They need to hear it - and the love that inspired it.

[mamikin]

Squalebear, I would just echo Luv2Read's sentiments, that we appreciate and value your input here on the message board. She has a great idea, to print your post and share it with your family.

Yes, depression is real, and far too many people in today's environment, especially in corrections, think that you should just be able to "snap out of it." I've been there too, and don't you think I would have snapped out of it if I could have? You mean you actually think I like feeling miserable and having zero enery and interest in life? No, the first step is to recognize it for what it is, then get help. The person who recognizes what he/she is feeling is not right, who seeks help, is actually strong and on the right path to resuming a normal life. Stay strong for your family who needs you, Squalebear, and don't forget the many friends you have on this message board as well.

[luv2read]

Success...

To laugh often and love much;

To win the respect of intelligent persons and the affection of children;

To earn the approbation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends;

To appreciate beauty;

To find the best in others;

To give of onself;

To leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch, or a redeemed social condition;

To have played and laughed with enthusiasm and sung with exultation;

To know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived.

...This is to have succeeded.

----Ralph Waldo Emerson
You have. You are. You will continue.

[SkyPilot]

Hang in there, bud! Check your messages and let's talk offline...

[XL-entLady]

... You take medication to enable you to allow a little more onto your already full plate. You do this, not because you honestly feel you need to. But because you trust your loved ones, enough, to keep you on the right path. To tell you things, not to hurt you, but to help you get through what ever it is that appears so troublesome. But even that tends to ware you down and eventually stop taking chemical substances into your body....

SB, I know this is a repeat of some of what I PM'ed you, but it is a soapbox issue for me so I'd like to repeat it for the MB with your indulgence.

For some reason there is a school of thought that SSRI's (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) aren't needed in the world because people should just be able to "put on their big-people pants and grow up." If that person was diagnosed with diabetes instead of depression, would you ever hear someone say, "You don't need insulin, you just need to get real." ?????

SSRI's provide a needed chemical adjustment to the body just like insulin does, and they are every bit as important to some people's health. My husband and my daughter have a life because of SSRI's. I wish that people could just realize that some people need glasses to adjust their eyesight and some people need SSRI's to adjust their serotonin.

I'll get down off my soapbox now. (We love you SB!!! Hang in there for us too....)

Lady

[nnuut]

We're with you all the way SB, persevere!
Norman

[Show-me]

Wow, I'm with you all the way. You hang in there and I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers. I will add that I am not a professional but IMO you should share this with your family. I find that organizing and writing how I feel is easier than to talk in person. For me it is like releasing a burden into the air. I hope you feel better and thanks for keeping us safe.

[Frixxxx]

Hang tough SB,

Just got back from my two weeks for the reserves.....Wonderful Humid and rainy South Korea. Only saving grace was that the Olympics were in real time rather than taped. I have a newer appreciation for dedication and perseverance.

Just a bud with a pat on the back!

Frixxxx:cool:

[squalebear]

I'm Embarrased, Honored and Humbled by the messages which have been
sent to me on this thread and PM'd to me. I guess this mornings post must
have been seen as a cry for help. I guess it was in a sense. I was trying
to find an outlet, a release if you will. Its been a tough week and I opted
to do something totaly out of character. I talked about family business in
public. I guess I really needed to do so, because I still can't believe that
I did. Even though I'll be in the "Dog House" for some time to come, I want
you to know that I'm going to be fine. I'm going to try to find some time
to answer the PM's I received, but not tonight. I wish to say Thank You
to each and everyone of you for your thoughts and correspondances. It
helped more then I could bring myself to tell you. Again, I'll be ok. ;)

[ATCJeff]

You and your family are on my prayer list.

Jeff

[Show-me]

Cool, now you know your friends and family circle is bigger than you thought. Coast to coast.;) Be well.:D

[squalebear]

You and your family are on my prayer list...Jeff

Cool, now you know your friends and family circle is bigger than you thought. Coast to coast... Be well...

I'm overwhelmed with the spirit and care thats been shown to me today.
Thank you both, I will never forget ! :)

[alevin]

SB, sent you a PM.

[squalebear]

SB, sent you a PM.

Thanks Alevin, I'm going to read them in a few. Your The Best ! ;)

[luv2read]

Now for a bit of humor.

http://www.tsptalk.com/mb/showpost.php?p=177173&postcount=1

[squalebear]

That was awesome. Can I be on the ticket ?
Maybe I could be Secretary of Defense !

I already know how to turn sand into glass ! :laugh:
After the Troop Withdraw, Of coarse ! ;)

[Callme_CO]

Busy day up here at hazelhood...we're on lockdown.

[squalebear]

Yesterday, a good friend and Lieutenant at FCI Fairton, NJ lost his wife.
She was trapped in a fire several weeks ago and made it out bearly alive.
After spending weeks in the Hospital, she was taken out of the Induced
Coma, had a blood clot removed from her lung and started to recover.
On Tuesday, she was doing well, walking around and was transported
to a local Rehad Center. The following morning, she was unresponsive
when they attempted to wake her up. God Bless Ricky Brown, his family
and may Carol Rest in Peace. I'm honored to be a Pole Bearer at her
Funeral Services come Tuesday. The staff at Fairton have come together
to donate clothing, money and leave for Ricky and his family as the fire
took everything. This is what the Bureau means when its says "Family".
Its uplifting to see that it really exists. :(

[Callme_CO]

i'm so sorry i'll keep them in my prayers.