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WaitingOnMrCook · #1 11-11-2009, 08:18 AM

He is at Middleton in Abilene. He called me Monday night and said that he was called out by an officer who asked him if he 'knew the rules" and my husband answered Yes sir, I know the rules. He said he wasn't doing anything wrong when the officer grabbed him and said something along the lines of "I'm tired of all you mother f*ckers" and roughed my husband up. He pressed his forearm into my husband's neck and tried to choke him. I believe the inmates wear some kind of ID chain when they're at work and the officer twisted it around (like when you're hanging someone) and tried to choke him with it. My husband did not retaliate, instead he started calling for help. He said a few other officers and the sargeant came over when they heard him asking for help. When he asked the sargeant what he was gonna do about the attack the sargeant told him "You know sh*t happens in the pen."

I asked him if he was sure he didn't do anything to provoke the attack and he said no. I believe him because if he had he would have been in isolation, instead he was back in his room and able to call me the same day it happened.

Luckily he wasn't hurt badly, his neck is scratched up and he said his face rubbed up against the wall so his lip is busted. He has submitted a grievance and I've called Middleton and asked that the major be notified about the incident. I also called the chaplain and asked them to check on my husband to make sure he's really okay. I'm not sure what other action I can take besides filing a written complaint with Ombudsman.

Are the officers privy to when the inmates are going to be released? Because I think that's it's funny that this happened right when he's in parole review and doing all of his exit stuff. He's only got a month or so before he's voted on.

My man is 37 years old and hasn't had any write-ups or problems. He is in there trying to rehabilitate himself so he can get back home. Don't get me wrong, my hubby is not a wuss!! He's 6'0 and has gotten up to 220 lbs since he's been in. I know for a fact that he's changed because normally he would have busted someone up if they would have attacked him like that guy did. I'm very proud of him for using wisdom and calling for help instead.

I'm concerned for his safety. I'm praying against all retaliation..

Loveofmylife32 · #2 11-11-2009, 09:15 AM

Officers and inmates know when someone else is up for release. Louis and I just had this discussion this past Sunday.
Some of them will intentionally cause trouble or try to set your man off. Give false info to get him in trouble. I dont understand it, maybe jealousy, why someone would hinder the release of another. Sad.
Tell your guy he did good and dont let them get to him. Unfourtunately it will probably happen again before his release. I wouldnt do anything else, let it ride. Good luck to you and yours

CO5 · #3 11-11-2009, 09:33 AM

The only time Cos know about someone going home is when the inmate talks about it. COs (usually) have no way to check travel cards. The count room knows and they usually do the chain list the day before the inmate is to chain. Most inmates don't talk about their release dates because of the trouble that can be caused. Its strange to me that inmates seem to target the ones going home, I would think they would be happy for them. I know I like to see them leave but, I hate to see them return....Good luck to him when he does get home.

Drucifer · #4 11-11-2009, 09:38 AM

Knowing what I do about TDCJ, it is unlikely, but not impossible, that a CO knew your loved one is close to release. This information is not common knowledge unless your loved one has shared that information. It is more likely that another offender knew your loved is close to leaving and somehow baited him into a situation.

The bottom line is this. None of us, not one, knows what really happened. It is a situation that happened, apparently, between your loved one and an officer but the facts remain sketchy at best. It is good that you have made the calls you did so that rank can try to get to the bottom of what happened.

WilcoMom · #5 11-11-2009, 09:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WaitingOnMrCook

He has submitted a grievance and I've called Middleton and asked that the major be notified about the incident. I also called the chaplain and asked them to check on my husband to make sure he's really okay. I'm not sure what other action I can take besides filing a written complaint with Ombudsman.

I'm concerned for his safety. I'm praying against all retaliation..

This is a freightening situation. I'd be more than a little concerned if it was my son.

They do have rules about retaliation against an inmate when a grievance has been filed. I wouldn't trust that this particular CO would adhere to those rules.

I think you started doing what I would do, but I wouldn't let it rest there. If you haven't heard back from the Major that this situation has been taken care of to your satisfaction, I would call the Warden right now, and not stop calling until I spoke with him personally. I would also call Senator Whitmire's office and explain to them what has happened. I would let everyone I talk to know that this CO not only physically attacked him, but then openly threatened him with future attacks, and that you are concerned for his physical safety.

Not all COs are bad, evil bullies. But it's these kinds of situations and this particular CO that gives all COs and TDCJ a very bad reputation. It's a shame, because I believe that the vast majority of COs are doing their job well. My hope is that by following up with vigorous complaints when these episodes happen, we're helping the good COs weed out a bad ones. I'm sure they don't want the bad ones there either, because they make their job that much harder.

WaitingOnMrCook · #6 11-11-2009, 09:53 AM

@Drucifer.. I thought that too, that maybe he told someone that he was gonna be out soon. He should know that NO ONE is to be trusted in there.

I'm stuck between letting it go because he's so close to his release and I don't want to make any waves or hinder anything. But at the same time I'm angry that this happened and want to pursue it because it's just not right. Just because these guys are in there under punishment does not give the officers the right to be abusive towards our loved ones.
On top of that I don't trust the TDCJ system, it would boil down to my husband's word against the officer's even though there were other officers and the sargeant that were witnesses.

WilcoMom · #7 11-11-2009, 10:01 AM

I understand your concern, and I would be concerned about that too. But just to play devils advocate a little, your phone calls would help document the 'files' on your husband's behalf. They would also clearly show the powers that be outside the unit know that there's something going on in that unit that should be investigated. The call to the Warden would let the top dog at the unit know their actions are being scrutenized, and may have a positive effect for your husband. If you do follow through with phone calls, be sure to get names, dates, times, and careful notes about what was said. Good luck. My prayers are with him.

Drucifer · #8 11-11-2009, 10:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WaitingOnMrCook

@Drucifer.. I thought that too, that maybe he told someone that he was gonna be out soon. He should know that NO ONE is to be trusted in there.

I'm stuck between letting it go because he's so close to his release and I don't want to make any waves or hinder anything. But at the same time I'm angry that this happened and want to pursue it because it's just not right. Just because these guys are in there under punishment does not give the officers the right to be abusive towards our loved ones.
On top of that I don't trust the TDCJ system, it would boil down to my husband's word against the officer's even though there were other officers and the sargeant that were witnesses.

This is a tough call. For me, if Chris' life was threatened OR the situation jeopardized his release date, I would step right into it and start making calls. I would be tempted to let it go if nothing came of it. As much as I detest situations like this, there is a time when it's best to let a sleeping dog lie.

WaitingOnMrCook · #9 11-11-2009, 10:42 AM

Thanks again for the support guys, makes things so much better to have folks that are in the same situation like yourself.
I'm definitely going to follow up with the warden because I didn't get to speak to him, only his assistant. I atleast need to know that either the warden or senior warden are aware of what happened.
I'm gonna take the rest of this into my prayer closet and ask for the Lord's direction.. can't fail with that

TXLAXDAD · #10 11-11-2009, 11:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WaitingOnMrCook

He is at Middleton in Abilene. He called me Monday night and said that he was called out by an officer who asked him if he 'knew the rules" and my husband answered Yes sir, I know the rules. He said he wasn't doing anything wrong when the officer grabbed him and said something along the lines of "I'm tired of all you mother f*ckers" and roughed my husband up. He pressed his forearm into my husband's neck and tried to choke him. I believe the inmates wear some kind of ID chain when they're at work and the officer twisted it around (like when you're hanging someone) and tried to choke him with it. My husband did not retaliate, instead he started calling for help. He said a few other officers and the sargeant came over when they heard him asking for help. When he asked the sargeant what he was gonna do about the attack the sargeant told him "You know sh*t happens in the pen."

I asked him if he was sure he didn't do anything to provoke the attack and he said no. I believe him because if he had he would have been in isolation, instead he was back in his room and able to call me the same day it happened.

Luckily he wasn't hurt badly, his neck is scratched up and he said his face rubbed up against the wall so his lip is busted. He has submitted a grievance and I've called Middleton and asked that the major be notified about the incident. I also called the chaplain and asked them to check on my husband to make sure he's really okay. I'm not sure what other action I can take besides filing a written complaint with Ombudsman.

Are the officers privy to when the inmates are going to be released? Because I think that's it's funny that this happened right when he's in parole review and doing all of his exit stuff. He's only got a month or so before he's voted on.

My man is 37 years old and hasn't had any write-ups or problems. He is in there trying to rehabilitate himself so he can get back home. Don't get me wrong, my hubby is not a wuss!! He's 6'0 and has gotten up to 220 lbs s ince he's been in. I know for a fact that he's changed because normally he would have busted someone up if they would hke ave attacked him like that guy did. I'm very proud of him for using wisdom and calling for help instead.

I'm concerned for his safety. I'm praying against all retaliation..

I am a bit confused here. You said you talked to him on Monday. When did this take place? I would think he would have been placed in seg, even if he was the one who was attacked, for his own safety. The only thing an inmate can wear around his neck besides religous items is a chain to hold their id. This chain is like the ones that come on a rabbit's foot. They break very easily. This is by design, so they cannot be used for chocking. Like co5 said, we do not have access to parole info, unless an inmate has shared his info with someone else. I wish you had more info. I have witnessed only one attack initiated by a CO in my 10+ years. So in my experience it is not very common. Contact as many folks as you feel you need to, hopefully you will get more info. Be aware it might not be the info you are expecting.

WaitingOnMrCook · #11 11-11-2009, 12:40 PM

Hi TxLaxDad,
It happened sometime Monday and he called me that same evening. No he was not placed anywhere different, he was still in population when he called me Monday evening. Also when I called the chaplain Tuesday morning he was still showing to be assigned to his cell. Like you, the chaplain questioned that as well. And yes the rabbit foot chain is what he described to me. He didn't tell me whether or not the chain wound up breaking, only that his neck was scratched up from the officer pulling it up around his neck.
I do believe a few of his cellies know that he's homeward bound. He saw parole twice a couple of weeks ago, then last week he was called out again to do his exit stuff for project RIO. I'm not sure if he's telling them what he's doing or if they're catching on when he's being called away.

I want more information myself.. I'm going to visit him Saturday so I'll definitely get more details then.

TXLAXDAD · #12 11-11-2009, 03:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WaitingOnMrCook

Hi TxLaxDad,
It happened sometime Monday and he called me that same evening. No he was not placed anywhere different, he was still in population when he called me Monday evening. Also when I called the chaplain Tuesday morning he was still showing to be assigned to his cell. Like you, the chaplain questioned that as well. And yes the rabbit foot chain is what he described to me. He didn't tell me whether or not the chain wound up breaking, only that his neck was scratched up from the officer pulling it up around his neck.
I do believe a few of his cellies know that he's homeward bound. He saw parole twice a couple of weeks ago, then last week he was called out again to do his exit stuff for project RIO. I'm not sure if he's telling them what he's doing or if they're catching on when he's being called away.

I want more information myself.. I'm going to visit him Saturday so I'll definitely get more details then.

OK now it is making more sense. See if I ask the right questions I can get much needed info. Please let me know what you find out. If he wanted to press the issue, he could make his way to the infirmary , and show his injuries. Medical would be required for any injury to be documented by a security supervisor, which would then start the ball rolling on who was to blame. If it is found that he was a responsible party in this incident, he could get denied on his parole. You have to pick your battles as with everything else in life. It is far better to pick ones you have a good chance of winning. I know others mean well when they tell you to call Sen. Whitmire, but if so many people call him with unsubstantiated claims, I feel he will be slower to help folks in the future. This is just my opinion.

ShoesHappen · #13 11-11-2009, 04:23 PM

In cases such as this I would think it's best for him to try and get to the infirmary immediately, not only to get open wounds cleaned but also to get some kind of documentation of the injuries. Yes, the nurses have to document any treatment administered. If he can get them to take pictures, even better.
And always, always, always TAKE DOWN NAMES OF ALL INVOLVED AND ALL WITNESSES!!!!!

WaitingOnMrCook · #14 11-12-2009, 08:18 AM

That makes all the sense in the world, I wish I would have told him to seek medical attention when I spoke to him Monday. I would think (and hope) that he had the common sense to do that if he's serious about pursuing it and like you said had no fault in it.. thanks TxLaxDad and Rad.
I will keep you posted TxLaxDad.