Latest Post | Last 10 Posts | Archives
Previous Post: Prairie State Is One Of The Worst Polluters In The Nation
Next Post: I really do not understand US Rep. Mary Miller
Posted in:
I got a call from someone who told me about an infamous spot in one Illinois prison, where guards would beat incarcerated men. Then someone died. After years of digging, here is what I found. https://t.co/h2Jxan5WPZ
— Shannon Heffernan (@shannon_h) June 15, 2021
posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Jun 16, 21 @ 9:16 am
Sorry, comments are closed at this time.
Previous Post: Prairie State Is One Of The Worst Polluters In The Nation
Next Post: I really do not understand US Rep. Mary Miller
WordPress Mobile Edition available at alexking.org.
powered by WordPress.
I would think if you are installing camera’s to discourage violence, you would ensure ALL areas are covered. You know, like review every camera angle to ensure full coverage before the installers head out Berwyn or wherever. I’d hate to think this was anything other than an idiotic oversight.
Comment by Sayitaintso Wednesday, Jun 16, 21 @ 9:41 am
===I’d hate to think this was anything other than an idiotic oversight. ===
You gotta be kidding.
Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Jun 16, 21 @ 9:49 am
If you can’t read the entire thing, this excerpt gets to core of much of the problem. Who watches the watchers?
“Mark Vincent, the Brown County State’s Attorney at the time, said the evidence Latimer presented was credible and he looked into the allegations. But he also said there are many challenges in bringing a case against a guard. Vincent added it’s difficult for city or county police to investigate in the prison because of security concerns — so he’s forced to rely on the facility to provide evidence. He said he’s sometimes frustrated with the lack of documentation he is able to get, and quality video recordings are rarely available.
“There is video, but in my 12 years here … it’s actually not as good as you would think,” Vincent said. “They don’t have a lot of coverage in areas.”
Video is key evidence, Vincent said, and without video or other evidence, prosecuting a guard for abuse comes down to credibility. “Who will you believe? The offender? Or these three officers who were right there?”
Vincent said without strong evidence, he can’t ethically pursue a case.
“To prove anybody guilty of a criminal offense, offender or staff, guard or anybody, the burden is the same,” he said. “It’s proof beyond a reasonable doubt. And my jury here in Brown County would be made up of Brown County citizens. And they’re going to hear whatever evidence there is. And unless I’ve got something that proves guilt beyond a reasonable doubt, it’s going to be a ‘not guilty.’ ”
And there is an obvious chasm between the prisoners, many of whom are from the Chicago area, and the jurors in Brown County where much of the economy revolves around the prison and residents have close connections to the institution. Vincent himself has many close connections: His brother, sister-in-law and wife all work or have worked at the prison.
Comment by The Opinions Bureau Wednesday, Jun 16, 21 @ 9:49 am
I was disappointed that this impactful story didn’t get too much spread yesterday, with all of the stuff in Springfield going on.
Comment by NIU Grad Wednesday, Jun 16, 21 @ 9:52 am
Here’s the response we received from IDOC on the story from IDOC PIO Lindsey Hess yesterday:
Protecting the safety of staff and individuals sentenced to IDOC custody is the
highest priority of this administration. Under the leadership of Director Rob
Jeffreys, we have increased security measures statewide. These measures include, but
are not limited to:
* The installation of 79 new cameras at Western Illinois Correctional Center
over the last year.
* The institution of a unit management system at several facilities, including
Western Illinois, to create greater contact between counselors, security staff, and
people in custody. This approach increases opportunities for communication and
improves the Department’s responsiveness to the concerns of incarcerated people.
* The hiring of an attorney to serve as Chief Inspector. Chief Latoya Hughes
is charged with providing oversight of the statewide grievance system and
identifying needed reforms to ensure the process is fair, consistent, and responds
to the needs of the incarcerated population.
Due to pending litigation, no further information can be provided at this time.
Background:
Since the incident, all staff at Western Illinois Correctional Center have received
additional training on de-escalation techniques and effective communication. The
course has been implemented statewide and is a requirement for all new employees. In
addition, a new warden were appointed to manage the facility.
Comment by WLDS News Wednesday, Jun 16, 21 @ 9:56 am
===additional training on de-escalation techniques===
That’ll work for some. But this isn’t a training problem. And AFSCME needs to stop defending these members.
Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Jun 16, 21 @ 10:01 am
Um… “de-escalation training and effective communication” training? Is that what will stop abuse of prisoners? How absurd. I guess they can write absurd things like this because so few people actually care about what happens to prisoners.
Comment by Hawkeye J Wednesday, Jun 16, 21 @ 10:11 am
“And AFSCME needs to stop defending these members.”
This, and defending many of the bad apples in DCFS, is why I could never get around to loving AFSCME when they were fighting back during the Rauner years. They’re basically running the show now…they should demonstrate that there are ways to work with them to hold bad employees accountable.
Comment by NIU Grad Wednesday, Jun 16, 21 @ 10:18 am
I believe AFSCME is pretty much obligated to defend its members. The defense they get is another story.
Comment by Original Rambler Wednesday, Jun 16, 21 @ 10:32 am
Great reporting on an important issue.
We are lucky to have reporters who stick with a storyline like this one and provide balance to government civil rights violations.
Comment by Back to the Future Wednesday, Jun 16, 21 @ 11:27 am
My experience is not to expect much from AFSCME.
Comment by Al Wednesday, Jun 16, 21 @ 11:47 am
===But this isn’t a training problem.===
If the attacks take place in areas not covered by cameras, the training is fine…the guards clearly know what the rules are and that they are breaking those rules.
===And AFSCME needs to stop defending these members.===
===I believe AFSCME is pretty much obligated to defend its members. The defense they get is another story. ===
AFSCME is obligated (morally, legally, contractually) to provide a competent defense for members of the bargaining unit (not just members). AFSCME should not defend the alleged actions. The union should also develop a professional culture that supports those who act appropriately and should provide support and protection for members who call out wrong-doers.
IDOC management needs to document and discipline COs who break the rules and stop being scared of possible AFSCME push-back.
The culture needs to change and AFSCME and IDOC management need to work together to make this happen.
Comment by Pot calling kettle Wednesday, Jun 16, 21 @ 11:57 am
AFSCME has a legal responsibility to represent the employees charged with discipline, but that doesn’t mean they can’t take a proactive approach to fixing the problems. The prison guards make up a large part of the active AFSCME membership, though, so I wouldn’t hold my breath.
Comment by Pelonski Wednesday, Jun 16, 21 @ 12:03 pm
Starting only… only with beatingS taking place where known blind spots to cameras exist… starting there… my gosh, it’s sickening and disgraceful… and as one who takes a great deal for being a pro-labor advocate, it’s incredibly troubling that labor feels more of a need to defend… than looking at members who are arguably criminally acting in their duties as still ones wanted in their ranks.
It’s not a showing of “brotherhood” when the acts done are inhuman to the victims.
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Jun 16, 21 @ 12:34 pm
===labor feels more of a need to defend===
A competent defense of the accused is appropriate and necessary and required. Anyone accused of criminal or otherwise inappropriate acts deserves a solid defense to ensure the accusations are true and that any punishment is in alignment with rules and regulations.
A defense of the alleged actions is inappropriate and unnecessary and not required. In addition, members covering up for other members needs to stop, and the union needs to support members who stand up against abuse. The union must work to change the culture of abuse and silence; however, it must also provide a competent defense anyone in the bargaining unit accused of malfeasance.
I think this distinction is important because the union can and must do both. When the defense of the accused is conflated with defense of actions, the union can dodge their responsibilities.
Comment by Pot calling kettle Wednesday, Jun 16, 21 @ 1:03 pm
=== A competent defense of the accused is appropriate===
Who is denying them that?
Let the accused hire attorneys, if the union wants to be a part of defending these folks…
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Jun 16, 21 @ 1:07 pm
Just a few bad apples, right? I’m sure the rest of the employees were shocked to find out.
Comment by Excitable Boy Wednesday, Jun 16, 21 @ 5:37 pm