Prison (Guard) Corruption

Chapter 15

From last class….

• The current criminal justice system of retribution appears to promote recidivism, with as many as 66% repeat offenders.

• Restorative justice argues against the need for punishment and suggests restoration of a crime. For instance, if an item is stolen, it should be replaced at double the cost.

…to this class

• The prison system promotes more criminal behavior, with almost 2/3 repeat offenders.

• Prison Guard Corruption contributes to overall failure of the prison system.

• What motivates Prison Guard Corruption???

Black Guerilla Family gang leader Tavon “Bulldog” White reportedly impregnated four prison guards, involving 20 others.

“The former Marine’s goal was to start paying down debts, his bills and backed-up child support payments. It was a struggle, he

said, on $28,000 a year.”

The New York State Police have arrested 57-year old Clinton Correctional Facility Correction Officer Gene Palmer of Dannemora, NY. Palmer is charged with Promoting Prison Contraband 1st Degree, a Class D Felony, two counts of tampering with Physical Evidence, Class E Felonies, and one count of Official Misconduct, a Class A Misdemeanor. The arrest is the result of the ongoing investigation into the escape of inmates David Sweat and Richard Matt. Palmer pleaded not guilty and was remanded to the Clinton County Jail on $25,000 bail.

Joyce Mitchell (L), suspected of having smuggled contraband into the prison where convicts Richard Matt and David Sweat escaped last weekend, is arraigned in City Court in Plattsburgh, New York June 12, 2015.

More and more and more….

• At New York City's Federal detention facility, a priest and an officer conspired to assist in the escape of a prisoner with organized crime connections. Also at that institution, a corrections officer who worked in the records section was found to have accepted bribes to give inmates the prison designations they desired. Another officer repeatedly smuggled contraband to organized crime figures who were incarcerated. A former inmate of the U.S. Penitentiary at Atlanta revealed that narcotics, liquor, and gourmet food were smuggled to organized crime figures at Atlanta by prison guards

….and it gets worse!!!

Left, the Fishkill Correctional Facility, where Mr. Harrell was serving a drug sentence. Right, a photo of Rickey Rodriguez taken by a representative from Prisoners' Legal Services of New York shortly after he said he was beaten at the prison.

What? Why?

Prison corruption is a significant problem in the United States Federal Prison System.

WHY??

WHY??

1) Friendly involvement/nice coercion 2) Threats to family/person3) Lucifer effect4) Prisoners share duty and benefits (PWB)5) Low wage/ potential profit6) Expert manipulators / low esteem employees7) Everyone else is doing it.

WHY??

1) Low wage: ~$44,000 for guards/~$24,000 for all2) Overworked with dangerous work.3) Negatively influential/high-profile prisoners.4) Boring Routine5) Stigma against prison guards low esteem6) Experienced/Experts at manipulation.7) Friendly ethos creates opportunity/discretion/tit for

tat/8) Lucifer effect

What’s the fix?

Goal: What is the “job” of a prison guard

Deontology Retribution

Utilitarianism/Sub-Culture Babysitter

Care Ethics Educating/Mentoring

What’s the Fix??

Deontology RetributionProtecting Criminals with Laws: PREA, CRIPA

Utilitarianism/Sub-Culture BabysitterProviding Professional Training

Care Ethics Educating/MentoringIncreasing educational standards and pay of Guards

Deontology RetributionProtecting Criminals with Laws: PREA, CRIPA

1) Low wage: ~$44,000 for guards/~$24,000 for all2) Overworked with dangerous work.3) Negatively influential/high-profile prisoners.4) Boring Routine5) Stigma against prison guards low esteem6) Experienced/Experts at manipulation.7) Friendly ethos creates opportunity/discretion/tit for

tat/8) Lucifer effect

Utilitarianism/Sub-Culture BabysitterProviding Professional Training

1) Low wage: ~$44,000 for guards/~$24,000 for all2) Overworked with dangerous work.3) Negatively influential/high-profile prisoners.4) Boring Routine5) Stigma against prison guards low esteem6) Experienced/Experts at manipulation.7) Friendly ethos creates opportunity/discretion/tit for

tat/8) Lucifer effect

Care Ethics Educating/MentoringIncreasing educational standards and pay of Guards

1) Low wage: ~$44,000 for guards/~$24,000 for all2) Overworked with dangerous work.3) Negatively influential/high-profile prisoners.4) Boring Routine5) Stigma against prison guards low esteem6) Experienced/Experts at manipulation.7) Friendly ethos creates opportunity/discretion/tit for

tat/8) Lucifer effect

Summary: What’s the BEST Fix??

Deontology RetributionProtecting Criminals with Laws: PREA, CRIPA

Utilitarianism/Sub-Culture BabysitterProviding Professional Training

Care Ethics Educating/MentoringIncreasing educational standards and pay of Guards