Budget Passed/hold on to your wallets folks

To: The CCPOA Board of Directors October 8, 2010

From: The CCPOA Executive Council

Subject: California State Budget

Dear CCPOA Board of Director,

The California Legislature passed the State Budget early this morning. Members of the CCPOA Executive Council and the CCPOA Legislative Division held an all night vigil in the State Capitol during this process. We were successful in keeping the “pension reform” as written from achieving the required two-thirds votes for passage. However, in the early morning hours the Legislature gutted another bill, loaded the pension reform into that bill and passed it with a simple majority vote.

Considering the fiscal state of the state we made it quite clear, as we have all along, that we were more than willing to agree to pension reform and possible concessions in return for our work place rights (an MOU). The legislative leadership either would not or could not stand up to the Governor on behalf of the men and women in this profession.

This budget deal comes on the heels of record-breaking delays in budget negotiations. We are aware that all of you wish to know exactly what this budget means to you, your families and your careers. Unfortunately information is sketchy at best at this time.

What we do know is that the Legislative Councils Office (LAO) is currently writing the budget language that will pertain to employees not covered by an agreed upon MOU. The LAO has released a report today in their general fund budget, which lists the 2010/11 budget reductions. In the area of employee compensation the LAO reports a savings of 1.6 billion dollars. They state this will be savings from recent agreements with unions as well as 600 million from “future union agreements or other administrative actions.” Again no specific details have been released as to what those other administrative actions may be.

Additionally the budget calls for a 5% decrease in hiring, 200 million dollars in reductions to the state inmate population, a change to the inmate to staff ratio as well as a 1.1 billion dollar cut to the Federal Receiver.

However, the Supervisor and Manager picture is much clearer. Yesterday, October 7, 2010 the Governor issued Executive Order S-15-10 regarding exempt employees. The order calls for Supervisors and Managers, except for units 5 and 8, to take the same cuts that were agreed to by SEIU in their tentative MOU, i.e. one PLP (self directed furlough) day a month for 12 months, the savings achieved from furloughs July 1 through October 31, and for the employee to pay an additional 3% into their retirement. As well as the pension roll back to pre 1999 levels. In our case this is the 2.5 @ 55 formula.

Of concern to most of you affected by this Executive Order is the language that states if you are “hired” after November 1st you are subject to the new formula. We are seeking written clarification from DPA as to what they mean by hired, as we interpret it to mean the date you joined the department not a subsequent promotion date. The last portion covering appointments is quite clear; if you are appointed after November 1st you are subject to the new formula.

As more specific information is announced in the coming week we will update you further.

CCPOA Executive Council

Meg for governor?

Add by CCPOA, click on title to view.

Yahoo! News Story - Rural Tennessee fire sparks conservative ideological debate | The Upshot Yahoo! News

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Rural Tennessee fire sparks conservative ideological debate | The Upshot Yahoo! News

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FUNERAL FOR RETIRED SERGEANT JIM "SPEEDY" SPATARO WILL BE HELD OCTOBER 23rd @ 1300 HOURS AT THE ASSEMBLY OF GOD

The Final Fight, Apathy or Victory, Your Choice

by Ian Pickett on Sunday, October 3, 2010 at 9:58pm

You know, a lot is said about the "new generation" in CDC. They are often called the "Pepsi Generation", the "Pepper Spray Generation" etc.... In fact, being that I only have ten years in I am often lumped in with that very demographic by some of the older, saltier war hogs that still hump the tiers.

What I can attest to is this. In my short 10 years I have seen things change and I cant really say any of its been for the better. The thing I have seen the most is the collapse of "Camaraderie". When I started at Calipatria State Prison, my first partner (who happens to be here on face book, badge number 49292) looked at me when I walked into the building and walked right past me saying "when they come back from chow, lock em up", that was it, trial by fire, first day, first minute. I did and it was nuts. But as I earned my own bones on the yard those same Vets started to show me things, train me and trust me. Soon I saw a brotherhood born in blood and danger develop that was not unlike what I had experienced in the Marine Corps and I actually enjoyed getting up every morning to go to work in a Level 4 prison knowing full well I would probably get jumped or see a partner hurt. But after those said incidents I could depend on the fact that my partners and their families would be their for mine and I would do the same for them.

I was never a big "union guy" but I kept abreast of issues that mainly affected our local work conditions. For my first 5 years I could not have picked out our State Wide President or anyone else on the street. I was mainly concerned about my friends, my yard and our life. Then, OIA came knocking and I got my first real taste of "real brotherhood" and "real betrayal" and my friend list shrunk immensely, as it got purged of those that claimed to be there for better or worse but were no where to be found when the rounds started coming down range.

Having your career, your position, your life and possibly your freedom threatened and attacked behind false allegations can go along way to making a "Union Activist" and for me, it lit a fire that no one could put out, even if I was sometimes wrong.

I began to fight every battle, no matter how small and no matter how trivial. I fought them like they were battles for absolute survival and I didn't care if I burnt bridges along the way because I was blowing them up. I pledged to not let any attack or injustice dealt to any partner go unanswered or be swept under a rug. I often would put myself and my families security at great risk fighting those very fights and there were some times that i was either wrong or misinformed and had to have my ass pulled out of the fire for what I had done in protest. I quickly got a name for being a "torpedo" like Mikey, who would eat anything. I would walk into any office, any forum any place no matter how private or public and create a scene that would demand some attention be paid to whatever was taking place. Along that road, I would often look behind me and see the "mob" that originally pledged support through the battle had again dissipated and I would be facing what ever I had created, alone. Along the way, I did some people wrong that didn't deserve it and I can never take any of that back.

Soon, the department knew who i was, the state knew who I was, Wardens knew, staff knew and the there were two types of people in this world, People that Loved Ian Pickett and People that Hated Ian Pickett. Often, I didn't know either of them personally but it would effect my life in almost every way.

I got lucky and met a guy that started to teach me to "calm down". To still fight but to choose my battles and put all my effort into battles that mattered, without him, I would have probably been fired over a year ago. No matter what, I can always look behind me and he is still there not only for me but for my family as well and THAT is a true friend, a true partner.

So where am I going with all of this? I will tell you. I am tired, not so much physically and not even so much mentally. I am tired of giving everything I have and seeing others do it as well and having people call into question my "intentions" for doing such things. I am tired of people trying to say we or I, do what we do to further our own personal goals and nothing else. I am tired of being labeled an abuser because I finally had to ask for assistance, the very same assistance that I fought tooth and nail to see that everyone else was afforded in a fair and impartial manner.

That same person that took me under their wing has also taught me that no matter what, people are going to question your intent, "their still going to talk" and I understand that now and I am cool with it because, I no longer care. From now on I will help those that want to be helped and WANT TO HELP THEMSELVES. I will do it with the same ferocity and stubbornness that I always have because helping people is what truly makes me happy. I have seen a lot of pain inflicted in this world on many different lands and in some cases I have been the deliverer of that pain and I just want to help people succeed, nothing else, nothing more. Along the way, I intend on making sure my true friends and family are well taken care of to.

So listen up. No matter how you feel about me or what you think about what I do. You all will soon face things like 12 hour shifts, a Governor that is up to YOU to choose, a department that will be up to you to mold. Your lives, your sanity and your safety depend on the success of how YOU all handle it. I took a week of vacation earlier this year to walk around the prison registering people to vote, I cant do that anymore. Its up to you to register, its up to you to vote and it will be up to you to fight.

I will respect your right as an American to vote how you choose. I will respect however you guys decide to handle the impending 12 hour shift battle. I will respect whatever you guys do as long as you guys finally UNITE and DO IT TOGETHER!

Its time that everyone ask themselves who the true ABUSERS are. Is it the guy that calls in sick a lot, the guy that is on Catastrophic Leave, the guy that goes around starting trouble? Or, is it the guy that sits back, bitches and moans, does so from the very safe and secure environment that those out their fighting provide, yet never once, steps out in an effort to help provide it himself?

One man or a small group of men can make a difference and be remembered as such after they die but a UNION, a collective effort of partners setting out to do whats best for everyone involved can be remembered as FOUNDERS, REVOLUTIONISTS AND HERO'S. Your fate, is in your hands and its up to you to effect positive change for you and your families lives.

Be safe

Ian Pickett

p.s. Thank you to all that have helped me, I cannot thank you enough. And to those that I have offended over the years, I apologize to about 50%. I figure that is about the amount that didn't have it coming and got caught up in my fury of doing what i thought was right "by any means necessary".

CCC RETIRED STAFF MEMBER PASSES AWAY LAST NIGHT

"speedy" Jim Spataro passed away last night. We do not have any details yet from the morning meeting. As soon as information comes in we will post it. RIP JIM. You will be missed

September 25, 2010

Inmate fatally shot in fight at Susanville prison

By Sam Stanton

sstanton@sacbee.com

A fight this morning among three inmates at the High Desert State Prison in Susanville left a 40-year-old inmate dead after a prison officer fired a rifle to halt the altercation, authorities said tonight.

The inmate's name was being withheld pending notification of relatives and an investigation into the incident, but the state Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation said he was serving a life term out of San Francisco for first degree murder, attempted murder, rape by force and first degree burglary with a weapon.

The inmate had been at the prison since May 1, 2007, the department said.

The incident began at about 11 a.m. Saturday in the recreational yard at the prison when two inmates attacked a third, the department said.

During the attack, one of the inmates choked another until he was unconscious and "in an effort to prevent significant bodily injury and possible death" an officer fired a rifle round that hit one of the inmates in the upper body, the department said.

He was taken to the prison's treatment and triage area, where officials worked to save him until he was pronounced dead at 11:50 a.m, the department said.

The incident is being investigated by the state Office of the Inspector General Bureau of Independent Review and the prison's investigative services unit. Prison officials also notified the Lassen County District Attorney's Office.

One of the surviving inmates was described as a 25-year-old serving life for first-degree murder out of Contra Costa County. He has been at the Susanville prison since April 8, 2008.

The other is a 35-year-old from Kings County serving a 52-year to life sentence for attempted murder and shooting into an inhabited dwelling. He has been there since March 8, 2005.

Authorities say no prison staff were hurt in the incident at the prison, which houses about 5,000 minimum, medium and maximum-security inmates.

Read more: http://blogs.sacbee.com/crime/archives/2010/09/inmate-fatally.html#storylink=fblike#ixzz10bQk1YXj

Available no more?

Written by Megan Hansen, The Triplicate September 20, 2010 04:15 pm

Prison officers: shift changes could prevent volunteering Correctional Officer Sean Harper, left, and Sgt. Jesse Puente, both employed at Pelican Bay State Prison, coach kids during a youth football practice on Thursday. The Daily Triplicate/Rick Postal Correctional peace officers at Pelican Bay State Prison are asking for support in protesting shift changes they say will limit their ability to serve as volunteers in the community. Officers recently requested letters of support from the Del Norte County Board of Supervisors and the Crescent City Council to send to the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR). Paul Wenning, Pelican Bay chapter president of the California Correctional Peace Officers Association, said CDCR is proposing a switch from 8-hour shifts to 12-hour shifts. “Currently we work three 8-hour shifts,” Wenning said. “It will save money by eliminating one shift.” However, Wenning said the change will greatly impact more than a hundred officers who volunteer with the city’s fire department and local sports teams. He said some of the officers help out the high school football team. “I believe there’s a total of 10 officers that assist with that program,” Wenning said. Correctional Officer Sean Harper is one of many youth football volunteers. Harper said the new shifts would be from 5 a.m. to 5 p.m. and 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., effectively erasing time for afterschool activities. “I coach football and baseball,” Harper said. “The kids can’t wait around until 8 p.m. to start practice.” Harper said the new schedules would also rotate their work shifts every couple of weeks, making it impossible to have a set itinerary. He said workers will no longer be allowed to trade shifts either. “That’s how a lot of us accomplish getting days off for practices and games,” Harper said. “We will not be able to volunteer.” Peggy Bengs, spokesperson for CDCR, said the alternative work schedule seeks to deal with more than $1.2 billion in budget cuts during 2009-2010. “It’s a way to create more flexibility,” Bengs said, “and still keep the institution safe.” Correctional Officer and Coach Sean Harper runs drills with a youth football team. The plan is still preliminary and Bengs said nothing has been decided. “If the department does move forward, we will discuss appropriate options with labor (unions),” Bengs said. According to Bengs, 12-hour shifts have been successfully implemented in police and nursing fields, and throughout prison systems in other states. “Thirteen states use alternative work schedules in their prison systems,” Bengs said. “A number of California county jails are also on 12-hour shifts, including Sacramento County Jail.” The shift changes are proposed for Pelican Bay, High Desert State Prison and Salinas Valley State Prison. Bengs said these are areas where recruiting is difficult. According to Wenning, residents in these areas will suffer because officers are typically very involved in their small, tight-knit communities. “They need to take into consideration the impact it’s going to have on the rural communities,” Wenning said. Sgt. Jesse Puente is a Pelican Bay employee who also coaches youth football. Puente said without prison employees, many of the youth sports programs would cease to exist. Puente said kids would then miss out on an opportunity to learn how to be good, productive citizens. “We’re trying to teach the kids respect and discipline, not only on the field but in the community,” Puente said. CDCR is aware of concerns surrounding the work hour changes, and Bengs said the department is open to discussion. An aerial view of Pelican Bay State Prison.

Administration DOES NOT have your back

Think our administration at CCC has your back? WRONG!!! Politics is much more important than your safety or welfare! They could give a damn less if you get shot doing your job, hell they won't even put a light out at the entrance to make sure that the cop there does not get ran over! There is so much more to this than I can tell you at this time, as telling you would increase the danger that our administration has put you into already! Lets begin with the fact that I brought serious safety concerns to the Custody captain early this morning. What I was told was that I did not "need to know". The watch commander preceeded this by telling me he did not have time to listen. The Chief Deputy Warden will tell you that they considered all contingencies before deciding on a plan. Oh by the way, that plan must be secret also as it was not shown to me. I believe this is because as usual the administration was in reactive mode. CDC reacts but never acts proactively. I believe there was no written plan at all.

Please start thinking about your own safety and do not rely on what this administration thinks is safe for you. Want an example? How about the fact that the retired annuitants were sent on transportations for approximately 8 months without transportation training. Can I prove this? NO they refused to answer the information request that I authored. WHY? because they were guilty and knew it.

Why, I think it was in 2007 or 2008, Did they take all of the new cars that were bought for medical and hide them in a warehouse? Because the Grand Jury was coming for a tour and they did not want to answer them about all of the cars.

How about the fact that they have only answered one(1) of my information requests in three years (3). That was only after they had Conveniently lost the hand written note that I needed to prove them wrong. Yeah believe me they are really far from being the angels that you believe them to be! Watch you and you're partners back because they DO NOT HAVE IT!

I promise you will hear more about this when it is over, possibly "IN THE NEWS"

oops forgot this is not anonymous
R.L. Boulanger
CCPOA CCC chapter Vice President

Convicted killer to be housed in a Susanville prison during parole - My News 4 - KRNV, Reno, NV

Convicted killer to be housed in a Susanville prison during parole - My News 4 - KRNV, Reno, NV

Killer's Lassen parole likely to be moved to prison grounds

By Jane Braxton Little, Sacbee -- Lassen County officials battling to block a convicted killer from being paroled in their rural area were close to a partial victory Tuesday.

Loren Herzog, 44, initially convicted of three first-degree murders and implicated in several others, will most likely be paroled to property on the grounds of a state prison in Lassen County, said Ken DeVore, chief of staff for Assemblyman Dan Logue, whose 3rd District includes Lassen County.

"It's a 95 percent done deal," DeVore said.

That announcement mid-way through a Lassen County Board of Supervisors meeting drew a cheer from the emotional crowd of 450 people.

"None of us wants this scum here," said Supervisor Jack Hanson, whose district includes the community of Doyle, population 1,175.[continue reading...]

District Attorney phone #251-8283
Fax # 251-6292
Website with email comment section
http://www.co.lassen.ca.us/govt/dept/district_attorney/default.asp

CALL HIM AND EMAIL HIM, TELL HIM THIS WILL NOT BE TOLERATED BY YOU AS A CONCERNED LASSEN COUNTY CITIZEN TO HAPPEN IN YOUR TOWN

Supervisors listen to citizens concerns; Unanimously object to housing serial killer in Lassen County

Sept. 14, 2010 — UPDATE: Supervisors listen to citizens concerns
Unanimously object to housing serial killer in Lassen County

Barbara France
Managing Editor
More than 500 citizens showed up at the Lassen County Board of Supervisors regularly scheduled meeting to make their objections to having Loren Herzog, convicted serial killer, released on parole within the county’s borders. The supervisor’s chambers can hold 10 percent of that number. Therefore to make it fair that all citizens could hear the public comments and updated information on Herzog’s pending Friday, Sept. 17 release, the meeting was adjourned and then reconvened at 10 a.m. at Jensen Hall on the Lassen County Fairgrounds. According to the clerk of the board this is the largest turn out of a board meeting ever.

For nearly two hours Herzog’s parole was discussed and at the close of the public comment section of the meeting, District 2 Supervisor Jim Chapman made a motion that the supervisor authorize acting county counsel, Tracy Witry, to explore a writ of mandamus formally objecting to Loren Herzog residing in Lassen County once paroled. Jack Hanson, District 5 supervisor, seconded the motion and the motion was approved unanimously in a 5-0 vote. Herzog was originally to be released in Hanson’s district in the town of Doyle. Third District Assemblyman Dan Logue was able to negotiate with CDCR to have Herzog housed on state property outside of the California Correctional Center when his parole takes place.
Local officials, state officials who represent Lassen County and citizens have rallied together since word came Friday, Sept. 10 that Herzog, known as one of the “Speed Freak Killers,” was to be paroled this week. More than 2,000 petition signatures asking to keep Herzog out of Lassen County were signed in less than 24 hours. Those signatures will be forwarded to Logue’s office.
Herzog had three murder convictions overturned because of a botched interrogation. Herzog's 78-year sentence was reduced to 14 years. The prison system can no longer hold him because Herzog already has credit for time served from his 1999 arrest and his sentencing was reduced for good behavior.

UPDATE TO LASSEN COUNTY PAROLEE 9/13/10

Sept. 10, 2010 — Requests from victims and witnesses were considered and once convicted killer Loren Herzog will be released on parole in Lassen County rather than San Joaquin County.

According to Luis Patino,public information officer for the California Department of Corrections, by law, a parolee should be released to the county of last legal residence.

However, Patino said, victims, victims’ next-of-kin and witnesses have the right to file for special consideration as to the location of the parole releases of their offenders. All requests are evaluated on a case by case basis.

Patino said, “CDCR received additional valid requests. And an evaluation was made to determine what level of consideration was to be granted within the confines of the law. Based on those requests and the confines of the law, Loren Herzog will not be released in San Joaquin County. Herzog will be released in mid-September in Lassen County.”

Recordnet.com, a news sources serving the Stockton and the San Joaquin County areas, reported “Herzog had been sentenced to 78 years for three murders as conspirator to Wesley Shermantinte, who remains on death row for four murders.”

According to a press release from the California State Department of Corrections it says, Herzog was convicted in Santa Clara County, a change of venue from San Joaquin County, in December 2001.

In 2004, a state appellate court threw out Herzog’s three murder convictions and much of the evidence against him.

That led to a plea bargain and Herzog pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter. On Dec. 8, 2004, he began serving a 14-year determinate sentence for voluntary manslaughter, three counts of being an accessory to a felony and one count of transportation of a controlled substance. Credit was applied for time Herzog served in county jail and state prison.

707 Nevada Street at 10 AM tomorrow morning - come and help put a stop to the release of Loren Herzog in Lassen County! Its a meeting w/ local law enforcement and the county board of supervisors. Its a public meeting and all attendance is encouraged! EMERGENCY TIME CHANGE to 9:30 AM tomorrow!

Herzog To Be Released In Lassen Co. - Sacramento News Story - KCRA Sacramento

Herzog To Be Released In Lassen Co. - Sacramento News Story - KCRA Sacramento

Upcoming Elections

Elections~We will b posting any ppl who are running for the EC chair, and after you have decided who you want us to vote for, get with one of the Job Stewards or local Chapter and give us your input. So far, I only know of Mr. Walker who is running against C. Alexander.

As far as our local elections go, the deadline is this coming Sat. Sept. 11th. Tomorrow probably is the deadline to send your ballot in.

I have thought this decision over and feel it is in my daughters best interest if I do not run this time around. I need to be around my children % 150 for these next three years. I have gone back and forth on this for the past two months. I know many of you have talked to me about this and I do appreciate your "backing" of my position. I just cant give a %100 to being a Chapter President for the next three years. These past three years have been a good chapter in my life. I have stood for what I believe in, I have fought all my fights with honesty, I have met many good people around the state. If it wasn't for many folks down in Sac. and many of the Chapter Presidents, I don't think I could have made it without their help. Thank you guys and gals. And thank you to my peeps up here for all that you have done. There is no way I could have done this job without you. You all know who you are *grins*

During this time that we are going through, it does not mater if you have the "Chapter President" tittle under your belt. Anybody can fight the fight. Everybody is our union. Just remember that. Without no contract, and I.T. running out this month, things are just going down hill in our state. It is going to take years to get back what we had. But never give up that fight.

In closing, this is the latest I have on who is running for our local chapter. Remember, you can decide to put in a write in if you choose to do so. And there are several vacancies.

CHAPTER PRESIDENT: DON CATHEY

SUP/V.P. VACANT

V.P. VACANT

BOARD

JAKE WEARS

JASON AREY

LOYAL TAYLOR

RANDY WAGNER

TYRON DUNTEN

VACANT

VACANT

Stay Safe and Sane

Lori Olah

CCC Chapter President

We will be choosing our alternates for the Convention this next meeting in October, if interested you need to come to the meeting.

State prison officials considering layoffs

Wardens send ideas for cuts

Neil Nisperos, Staff Writer

Posted: 09/01/2010 05:23:00 PM PDT

California prison officials are reviewing recommended staff eliminations sent to them last week by prison wardens.

State Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation officials in August asked for a 3 percent employee reduction - about 1,100 positions - to save between $80 million and $100 million.

An analysis of the potential cuts is expected to be completed in about 30 days, state prison officials said.

Details on recommended cuts at California Institution for Men and California Institution for Women, both in Chino, as well as California Rehabilitation Center in Norco were not released by prison officials.

State prison officials will have to approve the cuts, following labor negotiations.

"The department is in the early stages of analyzing and evaluating the potential impact to operations as well as consistency between institutions," CDCR spokeswoman Peggy Bengs said.

"No actions will be taken prior to a thorough analysis. Should CDCR move forward with reductions, appropriate measures will occur internally and externally, including labor discussions."

The state request for cuts was outlined in a memo sent to state prison wardens earlier last month by George Giurbino, director of adult institutions for CDCR.

Giurbino asked the wardens to identify custody as well as non-custody positions for potential elimination.

Education and health care positions will not be eliminated.

Union officials have expressed concern about employee safety and staffing levels if the cuts are approved. CDCR officials said the savings are necessary during a challenging economy.

"There are plenty of other places in the department where they could cut people that don't have day to day supervision of inmates and that wouldn't put the staff, the inmates, or the public in jeopardy," said Joe Baumann, chapter president of the California Correctional Peace Officers Association at CRC.

"You would think that someone in the Legislature or the governor's office would frown on cutting safety positions in light of all the recent riots and incidents across the state ... these cuts are just going to exacerbate those problems."

CDCR have not finalized a date for when labor negotiations would begin.

"When you start cutting staff, you start eliminating the ability to do all the functions throughout the day and continue to keep the number of alarm responders at a sufficient level for emergencies," said Fred Stevens, California Correctional Peace Officers Association president at CIM.

"They're asking us to do more with less and that's a difficult thing to do when what you're in charge of is security."

A riot at CIM in August 2009 injured more than 200 inmates and gutted one of the prison's reception centers.

"I understand that this assessment process may create some concern in our facilities and want to assure you no decisions and/or actions are being taken at this time," Giurbino wrote to the wardens.

"However, please understand we are facing an unprecedented fiscal crisis, and resolution will require all of us working together in meeting this challenge."

My name is Walter (Wally ) Tucker out of PVSP.I'm now an offical candidate for
the seat of Executive Council Vice President. I believe the time is now to give
the VP seat back to the membership. If we make the same mistake as the past two
years then we the BOD, have failed the membership once again. The existing
leadership has proven how incompetent and self-serving they can be, failing to
realize that they work for the membership. Without the right To vote on the EC,
the membership only has us, the BOD, to depend on. We need to prove to them that
we work them by ensuring that Chuck Alexander does not occupy the VP seat on
Jan.1st 2011. Please go to my web site, www.waltertucker.com for a basic
overview of my bio and agenda with more to come in the future.
Thank You............W. Tucker VP PVSP

as we get more info on who may be running for this position, we will post them for your review.

12 Hour Shifts

To: Fellow Board of Directors
From: Salinas Valley State Prison BU6 Chapter
Subject: 12 hr shifts

I wanted to give each of you a copy of the 12 hour shift plan written by CDCR. If you take a minute to review the plan you will quickly realize the plan is not designed for pure application of program at SVSP but more as a foot print for any institution. I wanted to share with you the realization that this change in working conditions is intended for all of us. Unfortunately it is coming quickly. It is rumored that CDCR will notice CCPOA within the month.

With the plan for 12 hr shifts fast approaching it is imperative that we collectively decide what we need to do and what direction we give our BU6 members as well as the executive board. We must chose to fight this together or come up with implementation strategies we can all live with. I urge you to question your members as to how strongly they are willing to fight and how much compromise they are willing to endure if this fight rises to another level. Let's face it CDCR has little or no concern how opposed our members are or how negatively this will affect them therefore they are unlikely to back off the issue without political influence. We can't express our concerns one prison at a time and make a difference. It's time to show a more united front. It is time to decide how dedicated we are to stop the 12hr shift plan and how hard we are willing as an organization to fight. Is this the issue were we finally say we have had enough! Is it time for a large picket or are we ready for a strike vote! Please contact me with your opinions and any ideas you may have! Be prepared to discuss this issue at the State Board. This cannot be a local issue.

Thank You on behalf of SVSP CCPOA Chapter.

Brenda Gibbons
SVSP Chapter President

[Click here to view document]

Cell phone smuggling is major concern at state prisons

By Eric Woomer, Visalia Times Delta -- Gang members are using cell phones to orchestrate crime from behind the walls of California's most secure prisons, law enforcement officials say.

Cell phones have been smuggled into prisons via cereal boxes, shoes and body cavities, officials say. Sometimes they're broken into pieces and reassembled by prisoners.

"Cell phones have become the contraband of choice, California Corrections Secretary Matthew Cate said last year.

State Attorney General Edmund G. Brown Jr. said this week that gang members in Pelican Bay State Prison use cell phones to relay orders to Nuestra Familia associates on the outside. Some of those associates are in Tulare County.[continue reading...]