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Subject: Finally A Boss With The Courage To Speak UP !!!


Author:
Refreshing
[Edit]
Date Posted: 10:14:17 10/12/08 Sun
Chief: ‘Angry’ felons to be freed
Swamped prisons seek work-release programs

By Laura Crimaldi | Sunday, October 12, 2008 | http://www.bostonherald.com | Local Coverage

Photo by Nancy Lane
Faced with exploding costs and a record-high inmate population, the state prison chief is warning that Massachusetts can’t afford its incarceration rate and must alter laws or deliver “angry and unprepared” felons back to society.

“The message to policymakers is we have very limited resources to continue to incarcerate at the rate we’re doing so now,” Department of Correction Commissioner Harold W. Clarke said in an interview with the Herald. “As we speak, I believe we’re right about 144 percent of capacity in the DOC. All the sheriffs will tell you that they are also very crowded. Where are we going from here?”

Clarke is pushing to better prepare inmates to return to society by setting up more work-release beds, implementing a new method of tracking prisoners’ readiness for release, and promoting a Patrick administration proposal to let certain drug offenders participate in work release. The state’s Anti-Crime Council is supposed to develop a re-entry plan by December.

“As you well know, we are crowded and that’s why we need to better manage our system with an eye toward re-entry. That’s why work release is important,” said Clarke, who became prison chief last November. “We ought to be locking up folks we are afraid of, not folks that we’re mad at.”

The state’s inmate population reached a record 11,445 on Sept. 29, a 10 percent increase since 2005. Of those inmates, there is a waiting list of 120 prisoners vying for 250 full pre-release beds, said Deputy Commissioner Veronica M. Madden. The DOC’s budget is $530 million, a giant jump from last year’s $474 million spending plan.

Last year, 2,562 inmates were released from prison, including 158 that went to the street from maximum security, the DOC said. National studies show that 97 percent of inmates return to society.

Clarke cited statistics that show 50 percent of inmates were unemployed when they were jailed and 80 percent are drug addicted or in prison because of drug crimes.

Non-violent drug offenders convicted of a drug crime that carries a mandatory sentence are prohibited by law from participating in work release. As of Sept. 22, there were 1,917 inmates serving a mandatory minimum sentence for a drug offense, the DOC said.

Patrick filed legislation to let drug offenders serving mandatory minimum sentences participate in work release, but lawmakers did not take up the measure.

“We have seen again, not just in Massachusetts but elsewhere, that mandatory sentences can unnecessarily crowd systems,” said Clarke. “Inmates are not going to benefit from just sitting there. And it’s going to impact their attitudes as well. They are going to leave there angry. Who’s well-served then?”

Steve Kenneway, president of the Massachusetts Correction Officers Federated Union, said a push for more inmate work-release opportunities is risky.

“Although an inmate might be eligible to go down to a lower-security, he may not be suitable for moving down,” Kenneway said. “That’s how the Willie Hortons happen. Inmates can escape from lower security when they should not have been there in the first place.”

State Sen. James E. Timilty (D-Walpole), chairman of the Committee on Public Safety and Security, said it’s in the state’s “best interest to see a low recidivism rate,” but added, “I hope this effort isn’t just to solve overcrowding. I think the mission is always to punish and protect,” he said.

Leslie Walker, director of Massachusetts Correctional Legal Services, said “real work needs to be done with the governor and Legislature to modify sentencing laws.”

“If there were fewer prisoners in prison, the deparment would be able to devote resources to drug treatment, education and job training in an effort to prepare prisoners to reintergrate into their home neighborhoods,” she said.

Article URL: http://www.bostonherald.com/news/regional/general/view.bg?articleid=1125030

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Subject: State Worker Accused Of Stealing $100K For Weapons


Author:
Which heroes are next?
[Edit]
Date Posted: 18:04:55 11/19/08 Wed
BOSTON (WBZ) ¯ He worked for the Department of Correction for 25 years, but in just one year, 48-year-old Gary Mendes became a state employee accused of public corruption.

"Most of our employees are hard working and don't break the law," said Attorney General Martha Coakley.

She said Lieutenant Mendes, of Berkeley, Mass., who was in charge of buying items for the special operations division, stole more than $100,000. "He had the opportunity because he did the purchasing for the Department of Corrections to work with at least one particular vendor."

She says through that vendor, Mendes would buy more than needed and then return the extra for a store credit or refund. "In some cases he would use the credit. In some instances he would be returned a check in the amount, in this instance that I give you as a hypothetical in the amount of $4,000 or $5,000 that he would pocket himself."

Mendes' purchases, which include a bow and arrow, a ball machine, a flat screen TV, and Sony portable picture printer and semi-automatic firearms, are now marked as evidence. "He in fact charged them to the Department of Corrections and would take the money they gave him to purchase it. We don't believe they're out in the back market as a result of this," said Coakley.

The investigation into Mendes started one year ago, but there could be more cases like this to surface because of the failing economy.

The Attorney General's office wants to send the warning now. "We hope that we can send a message that we will be active in these investigations, particularly in light of the economic situation."

Mendes, who is charged with larceny and procurement fraud, earned $75,000 a year.

He was arrested, but suspended with pay while the investigation continues.

Mendes pleaded not guilty during his arraignment on Wednesday and has been ordered held on $25,000 bail.

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Subject: E-Board members post under "No Text" (CHICKENS)


Author:
Board members insult the members and hide who they are
[Edit]
Date Posted: 09:41:41 09/26/08 Fri

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Subject: http://www.voy.com/193032/


Author:
http://www.voy.com/193032/
[Edit]
Date Posted: 06:56:04 11/23/08 Sun
http://www.voy.com/193032/

MCI-F board back up

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Subject: Has the union decided on who we want for U.S. President?


Author:
Sandman
[Edit]
Date Posted: 16:13:42 11/02/08 Sun
Only a little time left!

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Replies:
Subject: why


Author:
curios George
[Edit]
Date Posted: 17:11:17 11/10/08 Mon
Why is there no email or contact information on MCOFU's new site that we have waited years for. It seems to me it needs some more work.

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Subject: why with all the info given out @ the assembly why hasn't the hot line been updated for months?


Author:
ask JOEIE G
[Edit]
Date Posted: 07:30:43 10/31/08 Fri

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Subject: ANY NEWS ON A SHIRLEY MADDEN-PARENTS FROM MASS.


Author:
Danielle Ziegler Almes (CONFUSED)
[Edit]
Date Posted: 16:14:45 11/11/08 Tue


Hello,

I am sorry to contact you, I wish I didn't and had more answers. I got your emails off of ancestory search boards. I apologise greatly if this is of any discomfort to you.I would not do this unless I didn't have a reason. We are desperately looking for ANY information about my great grandfather Shirley Madden whom was born in Denver Colorado-parents are unknown but were born in Massachusetts. Shirley was born August 28 1889- yet other records show 1887? He did enlist in World War 1 on June 5 1917 on 1618 ? Philadelphia, pa. He had a natural birth. He had blue grey eyes and brown hair-yes I am not the milkmans kid!!! He was an iron worker/rivitor. He married my great grandmother Mary E Ashton (Madden) October 20 1882-January 13 1970 her social security number is 208-40-5102. In the 1920s they resided at 1419 Westmoreland Street Pennsylvania PA, with a Margaret Davis and Mary and Solomon Sinaberg. Down the street was a Stella Madden-whom we believe is a cousin, her parents were born in Ireland as she was as well. She resided at 1421 Westmoreland Street Philadelphia PA. She is the niece of the head of the household. The family members in the households names were: Celia Keefe, Kathryn Keefe, Mary Keefe, -whom were as well born in Ireland. and James Deverney?(last name is hard to read), his wife Susan and their son James whom were are born in Pennsylvania however James and Susans' parents were born in Ireland. Shirleys family was Episopolan we believe they converted from Catholisim. Mary E Madden (Ashton) and Shirley went on to have three children-one daughter-whom is my grandmother Ruth Shirley Madden (Forrest) November 14 1921-January 13 2000. She has two younger brother Robert A Linde (changed from Madden) born 1923 and a David whom was born approximately in 1924. Mary E Madden (Ashton) was told NEVER to have children, howver she did and had post partum depression, Schizophrenia, and possibly Diabetes. She was institutionalized into Norristown State Hospital. The children went to live with her family members. Ruth and David lived with their uncle John Ashton whom resided in the 1920s at 1014 Kerper Street however moved to 514 Kerper Street in the 1930s He never married. Robert A went and lived with his Aunt Edith and Uncle Harry Linde. Shirley was run out of town by Mary's family. We were told that Ruths parents-my grandmothers parents past in an automobile accident when she was younger and went to live with her uncle. We did not find out to recently however that her mother Mary was institutionalized and did not pass in an automobile accident. We have tried over and over again to get information about the family but ALOT is not known about Shirley Madden-things were not discussed when we were younger, it was almost taboo. We do know about the Ashton side of the family however. I really as well as his granddaughters and other family members want to know about this man, and his ancestory. If you can help out in any way PLEASE help us solve this crazy mystery. It will be greatly appreciated. Shirley DID live at 1618 Sommerset Street philadephia pa and VERY oddly enough Alexander Madden whom we believe may indeed be a relative resided at 319 Sommerset Street Philadelphia pa at a time!

Thank you kindly,

Danielle Z Almes
dzalmes@aol.com

daughter of Marilyn Jean Forrest daughter of Ruth Shirley Madden.

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Subject: regarding the change in 40 hr. training


Author:
curious
[Edit]
Date Posted: 10:00:31 10/24/08 Fri
With the recent memo that came out this week regarding 40 hr. trng. downsized to 24 hr. trng.
My question is, how is it possible that the DOC can force us to work at possibly another institution on a wednesday for site-specific, then force us work at our institution on thursday and friday on the 7x3 shift if we own a bid at our own institution and own a bid on different shifts, if and what is the union going to do about this?
It seems the DOC is doing what they want, when they want with us and going against the CBA.
Most of us that work shifts other than 7x3 and will lose our shift differential just to accommodate the need of extra bodies on 7x3 shifts statewide.
This is absolutely wrong and does go way beyond our CBA, I do hope our e-board members step to up to the plate and fight the DOC all the way, if they don't and cowtail to the DOC's liking then I have lost 100% faith in our e-board and MCOFU...clearly, CLEARLY a violation against our CBA and what we have fought hard for to just let the DOC walk all over us like this.

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Subject: Budget


Author:
jim
[Edit]
Date Posted: 08:19:55 10/14/08 Tue
Heard that we might work 7 days for comp time to help out with budget or give up 5 holidays. What does our union say??

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Subject: MCOFU being sued by Officers , labor board date 11-3-08


Author:
Bristiol county
[Edit]
Date Posted: 16:22:57 11/01/08 Sat
Well Time to ask good old MCOFU why they are being sued by two officers from Bristol county for misreprestation for not filing paperwork in time that the Officers both lost their jobs by not doing so right, then tried to cover it up so they wouldn't find out as well and the rest of the Officers in BCSO, the Officers at BCSO want them out they don't do anything for them there but make deals they don't keep. Will keep all members updated of what happens Monday

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Subject: One year term for a Eboard job.


Author:
3D
[Edit]
Date Posted: 22:41:55 10/23/08 Thu
All the major nonprofits do it.

Don't tell us that it takes YEARS to learn the job you should know how to do the job before you can have it!

One year terms would move good union people into our blue line's fold and reward great work.

It would stop the union stewards' dog eat dog wars that have gone on to long at a great cost to themselves and more so to the membership.

What do you think?

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Subject: " Shall Not Be Used For The Purpose Of Avoiding The Payment Of Overtime "


Author:
Pretty clear to me
[Edit]
Date Posted: 09:50:58 10/27/08 Mon
believe it's Article 7 "Work Week and Work Schedule", Section 1 "Scheduled Hours, Work Week, Work Days", sub section C states:

The Employer shall, whenever practicable, give any affected employee whose schedule is being involuntarily changed 10 (ten) days' written notice of such contemplated change. The provisions of this subsection shall not be used for the purpose of avoiding the payment of overtime.

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Subject: How come no state trans link here?


Author:
?
[Edit]
Date Posted: 22:59:26 10/20/08 Mon

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Subject: New academy


Author:
curious
[Edit]
Date Posted: 18:03:56 10/07/08 Tue
Did the new academy start yesterday or did it end up getting cancelled?

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Subject: Concord guard's memorial road race to aid his son


Author:
Dylan Fan
[Edit]
Date Posted: 09:06:24 10/16/08 Thu
Concord guard's memorial road race to aid his son
By Dan Phelps, dphelps@lowellsun.com


LOWELL -- Jason Barnes went out for a run the morning of the day he died.

So it's only appropriate that when his friends and co-workers wanted to hold a fundraiser to benefit the education fund established for Barnes' young son, they decided on a road race.

If Barnes' unexpected death last October wasn't enough of a blow to his family and friends, he left a 4-year-old son, Dylan, who is recovering from two brain surgeries to remove brain tumors.

Dylan, now 5, was 16 months when the first tumor was discovered. His parents, Jason and his girlfriend, Dana Ashton, noticed Dylan was sleeping too much and they were having a hard time waking him.

The tumor was removed at Children's Hospital, but it returned and he underwent surgery again in November 2006. He has been fine since then, though his peripheral vision has been affected.

"He came through it like a trouper," said Hugh Barnes', Jason's father and Dylan's grandfather.

But as Dylan's health improves, he faces a future without his father. Jason Barnes, who lived in Lowell and was a corrections officer at MCI-Concord for eight years, died last Oct. 26 at the age of 29 from what his father said was ruled as acute intoxication.

"He made an error in judgment," Hugh Barnes said of his son. "It was a bad decision. It's a shame because he was healthy as a bull."

Jason Barnes grew up in Waltham and was a high-school football and wrestling star before he moved to Lowell after he became a corrections officer. He was a Marine who was activated in December 2001 with the reserves before being honorably discharged in 2005.

Regardless of the circumstances of his death, Barnes' son is still without a father and facing a difficult financial future.

That's where the road race comes in.

Shaun Cremin of Lowell, a friend of Jason and a sergeant at MCI-Concord, is planning the 5-kilometer race for Sunday, Nov. 2, starting at 11 a.m., at the Lowell Elks on Old Ferry Road.

Hugh Barnes said his family is overwhelmed by the generosity Jason's friends and co-workers at MCI-Concord have shown.

"It's fantastic that they'd do something to help ease Dylan's pain and give him a solid chance of having a good education," he said. "It's a real show of support from the guys in Concord, and not just financially. They've really supported us in a big way, and we still consider them family."

Pre-entry for the Jason Barnes Memorial 5K Road Race is $20; the fee is $25 the day of the race. Mail checks to Jason Barnes Memorial, 63 Shawmut Ave., Lowell, MA 01851. For more information on the race, go to www.coolrunningcom/major/08/barnes.

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Subject: Budget


Author:
Mae
[Edit]
Date Posted: 10:09:52 10/10/08 Fri
I think if the state and the doc needs money , they should cancel the academy class in now. Shave some management positions . Hearing they would like to take away 5 paid holidays or maybe furlough days again.

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Subject: Union Message Board


Author:
Moderator
[Edit]
Date Posted: 19:35:23 09/26/08 Fri
This board will be moderated until further notice.

I apologize to all officers for allowing the bickering on this message board to get out of hand. While all points of view are welcome, ongoing monopoly of the message board by a few people makes other issues nearly impossible to address here. The board will be moderated for the near future in a effort to address this problem.

If you find your messages not being posted and your wondering why, it's probably that your repeating yourself over and over or just calling someone names. Basically, make your point and move on. As long as your making some type of semi-intelligent argument and not resorting to just calling someone names or repeating yourself over and over (as we've experienced for far too long), your messages will be allowed.

Stay safe.

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Replies:
Subject: curious about CJ and SBCC


Author:
curious
[Edit]
Date Posted: 20:16:38 09/30/08 Tue
Is there any talk of a staffing increase for SBCC to handle the increase in inmates that will come from MCI-CJ?

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Replies:
Subject: new book being handed out by the union.


Author:
It's a self titled book of what they do at the office
[Edit]
Date Posted: 23:13:32 09/29/08 Mon
Image Hosted by ImageShack.us

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Replies:
Subject: Cleaning allowance


Author:
Dave
[Edit]
Date Posted: 13:20:56 09/23/08 Tue
I'd like to thank the leadership of my union for my $750 uniform cleaning allowance. I look forward to it every year and I appreciate the effort you made negotiating it on our behalf.

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Subject: Just heard that the state has a witness


Author:
knew this was going to happen
[Edit]
Date Posted: 03:41:23 09/26/08 Fri
Looks like the eboard might have some explaining to do after the witness agreed to cooperate in their many money scams.

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