N.Y. Correctional Fac. defies D.O.C directives, Prisoners rights

In a recently completed in-depth investigation conducted by The Weekly Stash, there has been gross misconduct by virtually all levels of employees at the Adirondack Correctional Facility in Raybrook New York. From Lieutenants all the way down to the cooks, we have found that on a daily basis rights of prisoners have been disregarded.

The grievance process is a fundamental right for prisoners to constructively address issues with the facility as a whole, or to give the population or an individual, a voice to air their differences with a particular staff member. This process is a pivotal part of the Department of Corrections. Not only does it give inmates a avenue to address issues in a constructive manner that teaches them proper etiquette for life in society, but it also fosters a sense of hope and shows the population that they can solve problems without resorting to crime, drugs, or otherwise illegal activity. Many of the inmates at the facility will be on parole with-in two years. That is why it is that much more important to these particular inmates.

However, at this facility, the process is thwarted due to the use of tactics by staff that "get even" with inmates that use the grievance process for it's intended purpose. If an inmate brings a grievance against a staff member who embellished on a misbehavior report, or blatantly lied for whatever reason, he is most often dealt with by staff by using one or many tactics such as repeated "random" searches where inevitably some of the inmates property will be taken as "contraband" or destroyed in the search process which is always destructive and disrespectful to the inmates themselves and their property. Their is also the tactic of influencing the inmates program facilitators so that they either fail required programs that are needed for attaining their parole, or loose their employment at the facility which provides most with the only funds they are able to muster in order to get essential items from the commissary. This kind of "persuasion" is intended convince inmates that it is much less troublesome to simply take verbal abuse such as racial slurs, than it is to address the issues properly. These incidents are not the exception, but the rule.

On a daily basis inmates rights (what little the have) are dismissed with a wave by even the most senior of correctional officers. There is a sense of disregard by the staff at Adirondack that is manifested in attitude and interactions with inmates. Often racial slurs are used openly by many of the corrections officers and in the presents of those they are aimed at. There are two things that are assured when staff acts in such an unprofessional manner 1: That inmates will hold resentment and anger at the staff involved. 2: That it belittles the idea of "correction" of any inmate in the facility. Inevitably, it fosters a stereotype that all "cops" are racist. That idea then translates to an already tenuous relationship between society and police officers. Since America has the highest number of imprisoned population in the world we have also have the highest number of family members of those who have been incarcerated, and friends as well. When loved ones come home with tales of issues such as those mentioned here, the distrust and anger at police officers carries over into daily interactions with them.

At Adirondack Correctional Facility there is also an issue with staff consuming food from the mess-hall that is marked specifically for inmate population. This is an offence that is suppose to be enforced by a $50 fine per-infraction. However, at Adirondack staff is openly observed taking food from the kitchen on a daily basis. There have been incidents where whole pizzas have been removed before the population can eat and then parts of the population are served sandwiches or whatever is quick and available. This kind of behavior is demonstrated by staff at all levels of rank and seniority. The Weekly Stash staff has witnessed this first hand and can attest to seeing Lieutenants walking out with several containers of food before the population even has a chance to eat.

It is the responsibility of staff at the correctional facilities throughout New York State (and the country as a whole) to foster an environment that is corrective in nature, otherwise what is the point of having a "corrections" department. Adirondack not only shows a blatant disregard for it's own policies, but it also demonstrates a disdain for even the most basic human rights afforded all human beings under the United States Constitution.