Wasted Honor -

Carl R. ToersBijns is the author of the Wasted Honor Trilogy [Wasted Honor I,II and Gorilla Justice] and his newest book From the Womb to the Tomb, the Tony Lester Story, which is a reflection of his life and his experiences as a correctional officer and a correctional administrator retiring with the rank of deputy warden in the New Mexico and Arizona correctional systems.

Carl also wrote a book on his combat experience in the Kindle book titled - Combat Medic - Men with destiny - A red cross of Valor -

Carl is considered by many a rogue expert in the field of prison security systems since leaving the profession. Carl has been involved in the design of many pilot programs related to mental health treatment, security threat groups, suicide prevention, and maximum custody operational plans including double bunking max inmates and enhancing security for staff. He invites you to read his books so you can understand and grasp the cultural and political implications and influences of these prisons. He deals with the emotions, the stress and anxiety as well as the realities faced working inside a prison. He deals with the occupational risks while elaborating on the psychological impact of both prison worker and prisoner.

His most recent book, Gorilla Justice, is an un-edited raw fictional version of realistic prison experiences and events through the eyes of an anecdotal translation of the inmate’s plight and suffering while enduring the harsh and toxic prison environment including solitary confinement.

Carl has been interviewed by numerous news stations and newspapers in Phoenix regarding the escape from the Kingman prison and other high profile media cases related to wrongful deaths and suicides inside prisons. His insights have been solicited by the ACLU, Amnesty International, and various other legal firms representing solitary confinement cases in California and Arizona. He is currently working on the STG Step Down program at Pelican Bay and has offered his own experience insights with the Center of Constitutional Rights lawyers and interns to establish a core program at the SHU units. He has personally corresponded and written with SHU prisoners to assess the living conditions and how it impacts their long term placement inside these type of units that are similar to those in Arizona Florence Eyman special management unit where Carl was a unit deputy warden for almost two years before his promotion to Deputy Warden of Operations in Safford and Eyman.

He is a strong advocate for the mentally ill and is a board member of David's Hope Inc. a non-profit advocacy group in Phoenix and also serves as a senior advisor for Law Enforcement Officers Advocates Council in Chino, California As a subject matter expert and corrections consultant, Carl has provided interviews and spoken on national and international radio talk shows e.g. BBC CBC Lou Show & TV shows as well as the Associated Press.

I use sarcasm, satire, parodies and other means to make you think!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
































































































































Sunday, August 4, 2013

The Versatility of Sealed Hellion


The Versatility of Sealed Hellion

 

Sealed Hellion, the friendly dragon is not known for his high intelligence or his scholastic abilities. In fact, when compared to other intelligent dragons one could say that other than possessing common sense and a constructive ability to match his keen intuitive instincts with versatility in thinking or strategies, he is just another common dragon. He is challenged by the complexity of the human mind and the creation of evil within it and how to defeat such malevolence that is designed to enslave or control other dragons for use of war or sacrifice to give one the balance of power over another.

Neither a hero nor a supernatural, he focuses on the way things are done and reasons why they are done that way. Working hard to stave off fights he neither wants to conquer or rule any domain or kingdom. He likes to play and have fun but is challenged especially to invent, inquire or create adaptions to nature and mostly man’s way of thinking.

Sealed Hellion knows when to strike and when to wait. He has learned the ability to remain silent yet ready to strike out with his rough scaled body into the enemy with all his strength and power.  Sealed Hellion can breathe fire or he can pursue compassion. Learning the lessons of life has given him powerful insights and persuasive intuition.

Sealed Hellion has learned how to wait patiently and counter such an initiation provoked by baiting the human mind and teasing it to grasp onto the golden jagged edged hook on line with a silver sinker attached to it. He has seen and observed how men do their baiting. He has learned the traps of manipulative thinking and how to silence someone with fear and intimidation.

He has certain skills that apply like frosting as the dew lays on the wet green grass. Slowly it appears and rapidly it disappears as the sun heats the ground. Sealed Hellion is a practical dragon and is only really interested in those things that can change the past into a better future. He focuses on improvements as he goes along and allows his intuitive instincts to seek out the need or purpose.

It is true that Sealed Hellion has placed some self-doubts in his mind and still has to learn how to recognize or clarify misconceptions and other hostile predatory inputs. He is not without perfection but takes every lesson learned in stride. Walking tall among his triads of friends he seeks a common level of balance in everything he does.

Every now and then he needs a helping hand in recognizing what is good and what is bad for those that believe in justice and righteousness. He must learn how to temper his aggressiveness and refrain from engaging in too many controversies at a time. Rationing his energy is the key to better choices and maintaining an extremely independent way of thinking.

Possessed with a storm like spirit he must utilize his vitality and conserve his power or ultimate desires to strike the preemptive strike. Yet there are times when his energy skyrockets into a higher gear to attack or protect those exposed to the acts of the evil ones.

Although Sealed Hellion insists he is not a hero or a supernatural being, it is apparent that his strength and versatility is important to his survival but he realizes that he cannot fly or wade the waters endlessly without tiring or giving himself a well-deserved break to avoid fatigue and self-destruction.

Hence he has focused his flexibility and adaptability on what is most obviously dangerous or benevolent in so many ways. His heart guides him what should be done first and what should be done lastly when the fight is over. Sealed Hellion is an efficient dragon that has matched the strength and wisdom of his opponents and natural enemies.

He knows what has to be taken first and what has to be excluded from harm. Sealed Hellion recognizes who to hit with optimal force and what to hit last with a tender touch. Knowing what is necessary and unnecessary influences his decisions and the end result depends on how the next influence inside his mind decides the wisdom of his actions and the rational for his choices.

Therefore, Sealed Hellion is a dragon that can give or take a certain effective damage and retain the ability to control his own equilibrium and emotions that others have forgone in deeds of the past. He can think quick on his feet with a spectacular versatile skillset that in his own personal experience has saved may a lives and countless times of misery or sorrow thus really useful.

Although he possesses no magic stick or wand, he can recover quickly the balance of power and the things he really needs to win or defend what is important to him. Striking out with one thought or strategy, he can quickly embrace and replace reasonable alternatives with force enough to tranquil the boots of those that depend on him.
Last but not least, Sealed Hellion gives a boost to those that need much protection from harm in the gladiator’s den or political arena. He distinguishes the times to play smart or when to play dumb. Hence he has also learned how to avoid the daggers that have been planted in his back so many times by others that pretended to be friend but turned out to be foe. Truly it is said that Sealed Hellion has attained a level of survivability because he has learned how to increase his existence through his divinely given versatility of his efforts delivered.

How did the Dragon get his scars


How did Sealed Hellion get his Scars

 

Sealed Hellion was born of a mixed lineation that confused many of other dragons as his configuration was a little different than those around him. It was true his eyes could change colors as it acted as a mood ring would for those that wear the jewel upon their fingers.

Sealed Hellion was partly Asian descent but had European bloodlines that came from the flatlands and the sea. He was mixed but that didn’t stop him from mingling among the others as his personality was outgoing and always a pleasure to be around.

The scars on his back and under his eyes were caused by an evil condition he suffered while in tenure of public service and doing those required and necessary deeds for his employer without unwillingness or delay.

 He had battled both demons and other dragons while encountering betrayal among his own ranks and often had to remove steel blades or other weapons lodged firmly behind his shoulder blades or buttock as they often missed their target and never once hit a vital organ that would incapacitate him or bring him down to his knees.

It was not without irritation or suffering as these scars represent a lifelong battle between the good the bad and the ugly. His body has grown accustomed to infections and other ailments that were caused by frequent attacks on his character and reason to carry out the will of those that seek goodness on Earth and Heaven. It can be said his over-active immune system has protected him from evil and these attacks that have scarred him for life but not his spirit.

Sealed Hellion started late in his thirties to battle the good and the bad within a setting often referred to as a gladiator’s den. He participated in scores of extractions and searches of criminals, fugitives and evil doers that would not or could not comply with the laws of men and produce lawful behaviors.

His actions produced positive results and earned him awards and recognition as one of the best of the best. He moved around to seek new ways and new challenges that kept him active and allowed him to roam freely as a dragon can go. Purging evil, these scars are identifiers that shows the toll of such violence and dedication to a cause that many others never experienced or even know about.

The scars hide much of what has happened and reveals nothing about how he felt the pain endured. He carries it like an insignia as others would carry it like a badge of honor. Designed by default and no cause of his own, he carries it proudly as a form of character that reflects the goodness inside his heart and soul.

Sealed Hellion has never complained about his scars for they have formed into a positive feeling since he took on the battle with evil. He does not consider it an ailment or a disability for it was inflicted during battles for good causes. In many ways he appreciates them and although initially upset about their presence he now carries it as a design that represents his ethical ways and personal pride.

Sealed Hellion - the Dragon



Sealed Hellion

 


There once walked a dragon with an evil eye and an eye stare. Its eyes were like jewels in the dark shining with evil energy and often misunderstood.  There was no green or yellow in his eyes as the most common colors were red and blue. Red for the anger within him and the blue that bonded his soul to those loyal around him.

Dwelling mostly in the asphalt jungles he rarely took nesting in the forest or mountains where its heart was at peace with the Earth and the Moon but rarely stayed there long enough to heal. His scaled skin had ugly markings where it had been whipped by menfolk and scarred for life for being misjudged. Injured physically and psychologically, Sealed Hellion chose to remain in recluse for the most part of his latter part of his life to avoid misinterpretations, stress and confrontation.

Sealed Hellion was a man and not the evil dragon perceived by many to walk on its hind legs with thoughts of carrion on its mind. He was gentle yet strong enough to move boulders with a single swipe of his tail to clear the journey between goodness and evil. He has tired of battling greater demons and greater dragons. He still suffers from the fallout of standing up for the good that sealed his fate as a rogue dragon within other dragons.

His dedication to fight and protect for the weaker species has taken its toll as he has been locked away from the others who have constructed barriers above and beyond so no man can enter and no man can leave. Dwelling alone he has occasionally found another dragon that feels the way he does but he does not reveal such companionship in the open for the fear of retaliation and harm may come to that dragon as well.

This dragon was awakened by the morality that surrounded him. He took to battle the righteousness and demonic influences around him and fell short of his plans to seek a victory but has not yet experienced defeat. Locked away he continues to analyze and assess the things around him as he is yet to give up on the clash he had started. Time has been gentle to him as he becomes re-energized and awakened once again to use his new-found spirit to the name of the demon that sought hard to destroy him and those that supported his cause.

It seems like a thousand years have passed yet he remembers the pain as if it was yesterday. Sealed Hellion recollected leaving the nest with pain in his heavy heart and sorrow on his overburdened shoulders. He saw and felt the destruction around him and in the wake of the terror, he chose to leave and never return for he could feel the hurt killing him slowly from within and not outside him.

Sacrificing his own to save the others, he was considered most primal evil in life and put to waste by those that once hailed him as a dragon with good heart and good spirit. So easy to forget all the good that was done and so easy to deny that such a dragon had a purpose under the twinkling starry heavens.

Before he left he was soaked in blood of all living things slaughtered around him. There was no resurrection of these men’s soul as the hope for a real true spirit and morality dissipated right before his eyes. In the midst of his departure there were other sacrifices of heroes also considered evil dragons and misunderstood of both intentions and soul. Leaving behind good friends and loyal groups he walked away into the darkness of the desert and now freed of all bonds with what was once a life time dream and stairway to triumph.

The omen of destruction was within him; he could see the writings on the wall with his keen eye that was always considered an evil jewel by those that misunderstood him. The city and the desert knew his name. Seeking the recovery of the good and battling fellow dragons was his personal glory but in this battle his hope of shelter and refuge were lost.
His name was lost as well in the evil that was fabricated to hide the reality of his true purpose and as dark as the night in the cold desert he stealthy wandered out into the cold night and left the only true surroundings that had been twisted with evil so that he could never return again.

 

Saturday, August 3, 2013

Letter to the Editor of the Arizona Republic


This letter is most vital to all; the state and individuals employed by the state as correctional officers. Yes, although intense, it is a matter of life or death; a road to safety or a journey of harm. Either way, it is a subject of most urgent attention and cannot be neglected any longer.

We expect the Arizona Department of Corrections to be governed by rule of law and moral standards. We seek safety for all that work there and hold those in command responsible for such conditions. Today, the rule of law and those applicable moral standards are not in accord with public safety expectations or employee protection.

They are neglected by superiors and governed inadequately to control the milieu regardless of the threat to safety or lives. The administration lacks the wisdom, the sincerity and the courage to make changes to protect staff. They are in damage control that consists of distorted press releases while imposing extreme strictness and discipline of staff rather than those that commit the violence and crime within the prison setting.

The administration has to commit to a specific operational plan to reign in gang behaviors and assertively step up efforts to interdict the efforts of introducing dangerous contraband (specifically cell phones and weapons and drugs).

These have been successful because of administrative slackness in staffing such security operations.  In deliberating these conditions, you will find a better prison environment and safer working condition in comparison to the present time.

Monday, July 29, 2013

Friday, July 26, 2013

Arizona Prison Unions remain Quiet about Assaults


Arizona Prison Unions remain Quiet about Assaults

 

One has to wonder why the prison unions remain silent as one of their own received a near fatal beating at the hands of two violent inmates in the Kaibab Unit in Winslow. Not a word has been said by the leadership of the union that represents the majority of Arizona correctional officers as they face what is a most difficult task under very severe staffing conditions.

The union has not yet met with media or other sources to address this violent trend inside Arizona prisons as they fail to publicly denounce the current practices of putting staff in harm’s way by short staffing them at every essential post inside their prisons.

The union relies on the DOC’s investigative units to reveal what went wrong last Friday afternoon when an officer was nearly beat to death. Hospitalized and suffering from serious injuries she was luckily rescued by her fellow officers that responded just in time from giving the inmates the opportunity to kick, hit and stomp her to death. 

Because no weapons were involved, the likelihood of charges being filed are slim but if they do, it is  likely not to be prosecuted as the record is weak on such follow up actions by county attorneys who review such cases. In fact the chances of filing and getting a conviction stands about at less than a 33 per cent change of happening.

Arizona prison officials need to be sensitive to the safety concerns of staff working there. They need to address the daily shortages that puts their officers in harm’s way whenever they try to do their job and enforce the rules. Shortages impact many things; they reduce the findings of contraband due to less searches, they reduce vigilance of compliance of institutional rules and regulations and they put staff at risk because the number of officers that can respond to an emergency has been severely reduced.

Secondary, the public should be aware and concerned as well as a shortage of staff impact community safety as well. There are many officers assigned to community hospital rooms watching convicted felons at reduced staffing patterns by combining supervision of inmates even when they are not assigned to a bed together in the same room. Sometimes this entails different wings or floors as bed space is not always available side by side.

Out of facility transports are being done by officers fatigued by overtime or lack of training in such specialized duties. The fact is that whenever there is a need for an emergency transport, they find the first available officers and send them on their way without checking their certification cards or knowing their skill levels and training proficiency as they hurry the process to avoid a delay and be criticized for not doing it fast enough by administration that quarterback their arrangements the next day.

Today, violence has escalated exponentially and is out of control. The DOC’s solution to the problem is to move the inmates to a higher custody level after they attacked someone. Some have been moved out of state but regardless, nothing is being done about the rising trend of violence on staff.

This violence trend leaves the prisons tense and consequences of being targeted are higher now than ever before as there are less officers on the floor to watch these felons on what their home turf is and where their rules supersede those of the administration and officers assigned.

 

This creates a conflict that most often results in a confrontation as the seizure of contraband and other violations lead to personal conflicts at staff doing their jobs. A job that is covered under the terms of their union agreement with management that reasonable and practical work conditions should exist to keep staff safe and at less risk than what they are experiencing today.

Is it reasonable to expect some sort of backlash from the system for speaking out on staff safety? I am certain there is. Backlashes are common reactions to criticism as it is designed to discredit the one doing the criticizing as speaking out on dangerous workplace issues is not tolerated and viewed disloyal to the system that hired them.

It is predictable that most employees of the estimated 10,000 correctional officers will remain silent as will their union leadership for they have proven that in the past. They may silently or covertly encourage documenting workplace deficiencies but in a whole will not cause an uproar or argument over these dangerous conditions that exist statewide.

Never mind that staff are getting hurt and maimed on the job; never mind that medical costs are rising and creating a higher expense for the state and never mind that the inmates go unpunished for their misdeeds while incarcerated. It is all tolerable in the name of silence. .

A few years ago, the union took a membership poll and found they had no confidence in the DOC leadership and while nothing has changed for the good, nobody is concerned that work conditions have worsen and violence has risen to the point that an officer can expect to be assaulted once every three days in the year and more to come. I guess it’s fair to say that this is a tolerable number of assaults for the union as it remains quiet.