An Open Letter to Fred Duval

An Open Letter to Fred Duval

August 29, 2014

Presently the Arizona Department of Corrections has a fractured structure for all matters that falls under the umbrella of intelligence and or common sense.  There is NOT a funnel that captures all the data and formulates probability assessments of future issues on a macro or micro scale.  The objective is to find out as much as one can after an event to place it into context.  

Actionable intelligence scenarios are nearly nonexistent beyond the unit level. The same can be said about the absence of common sense and practical situational awareness assessments. Rarely is the information shared with shift personnel doing the day to day business. The art of acquiring human assets has diminished and is sorely lacking.  What mostly exists are lists of known high profile inmates who will go through a process after an issue and pull influential inmates out to play "catch up“ and discern the cause of whatever effect.  

The current system would focus on the dope users and be satisfied capturing dirty inmates during a UA as opposed to shutting down the venue by which narcotics are introduced. An active method of drug interdiction is non-existent at all prison complexes.  The way this has been conducted seems backwards; Intel should indicate the smuggler not the user is the focus of the intelligence effort.  

To be most effective an intelligence chief using counter insurgency techniques akin to the military effort and this chief would need hard soft and electronic assets for the chief. This priority is severely lacking. The process would subsume all Intel efforts from STG, CIU, and all efforts they control; tracking the hot spots at units trending where they will pop up, assess instigator and provide written report to DD for actions.

Lessons unlearned.......shifting direction in ADC 

There are 3 primary areas of generational concepts that have been underutilized and have contributed to unsafe working conditions within the ADC.  Sadly during unprecedented time when intakes have dropped and the department was able to close prisons due to a lack of need.  However the managing concepts have stayed in a generational mode when similarities to current conditions existed.  

The model of ADC is a retreading of the 1990s concepts without the same conditions existing.  

During that time frame we had severe overcrowding which required expansion of the physical locations and a new complex being added.  Additionally the concepts of classification were taking root along with the erosion of the standalone complex.  

These conditions plus a drastic change in the workforce created a division between Central Office, the individual complexes and their leadership and largely lost the support of the rank and file. To say the system is fractured is a gross understatement.

Presently there is a push at this writing to give a veneer of professionalization of the workforce through nearly mandated education enhancements for promotions without any focus on the issues facing the largest government body in AZ.  It is a gross fabrication ignoring the temperance experience gives the profession.

The greatest issues that reoccur for the rank & file are safety and a sense of worth.  It is a given that prisons by virtue of their clientele (which will never change) are expected to be challenging but not unsafe.  The present culture expects hazardous conditions to be a part of the job risks and therefore left at a very low attentive level for corrective actions and precautionary tactics.

To address these core issues and grievances 3 critical areas that need to be considered are a complete retooling of the department intelligence community (with an emphasis on future casting and being proactive  as opposed to reactive) , a new standard in human resources with the emphasis on employees first with personnel reform at the forefront having all disciplinary matters coordinated in this body, lastly a civilian review committee connecting the Governor with the Department via a secondary prism taking autonomy away from a single individual and allowing true transparency along with varying view points for the Governor to consider.  

These three areas will begin the process of professionalization of the department and rebuild the disconnect between the officers and management and unlearn lessons better identified for a generational workforce which does not reflect the current workforce. 

 The workforce presently requires a para-professional concept with elements of para-military but only in the linear delineation of rank for structure and emergency situations requiring the straight forward design.  

But beyond that the para-military comparison needs to end.  A more collegiate and technology based environment needs be established to best develop this work force.  The department is unique it works for the executive branch curtailing rights of citizens who violate laws as established by legislature imposed by the judicial with the; with a higher requirement to the mandates of the U.S. constitution.

In a sense beholding to all simultaneously.  But while there's a military appearance and a law enforcement perception the profession is drastically different but has taken on the aspect of these institutions.  

This perception needs to be laid rest and the department needs internal professionalization to be accepted by itself and other agencies as a respectable organization.  This has not been attempted in AZ and very few models available but with the largest workforce and commensurate budget it should be a mandate and standard befitting the responsibility.  To do so it needs to unlearn lessons and leap into the forefront of its profession and its place in AZ.

Respectfully, 

Richard A. Bock – retired warden  

Carl R. ToersBijns – retired deputy warden

Correctional Officers - Steel your Spine

Correctional Officers -   Steel your Spine

Walking among those dressed in orange or black and white uniforms and sentenced to those gates of hell step by step without a gun and only having the guts to do so, I have watched the unparalleled bravery and courage of the correctional officer up close and personal.

I have witnessed an unyielding determination to face friend or foe under the worst human conditions with bravery inside their hearts.  Each man or woman has courage in their soul, compassion in their hearts and spines of steel. 

Sitting here thinking about what most of you already know because you live the fury and hell of the unforgiven job you have chosen that casts you into society’s darkest pits and leaves you there unnoticed and very seldom appreciated for what you do. 

When we say you have steel in your spine it means you have the determination of an eagle to soar proudly above the rest of the crowd. You have the spirit that is undauntedly filled with the strength and responsibility to take care of others than no one else wants to touch or be around as they are castaways and lepers to society’s cultural standards. Regardless of how society feels, you are held at a higher standard to do your job and do it right.

Facing overwhelming opposition in your world of compliance and non-compliance you must possess steel in your spine to enter cells where danger lurks for you or others. Standing the wall you show the steel your spine as you deal with the adversities in and artificially induced after-life and the reality of knowing that danger lurks around every corner of this hell-hole of a prison.

Many times you are often left alone, trapped behind ribbons of razor wire and silver steel on high wired fences. The odds are overwhelming as you are left there with many more than any free man could imagine. In a dark world filled with pain, mutilations and death, you walk through the shadows of evil as you do what no man or woman would volunteer to do day in and day out but when it counts the most you know you never walk alone. There are others, sisters and brothers that stand by your side.

Correctional officers show steel in their spines because of who they are and what they do as they make the calls to handle whatever comes their way and because of the actions and decisions they make. They keep you safe and let you walk or sleep with no worries on your mind as they keep those dangerous to society in this place that’s nothing more than a pit of hell fire and brimstone any given day of the week.

Writing a Mood Journal (Diary)

Link to video

Militarize our Borders by Carl ToersBijns *Sarcasm*

Militarize our Borders by Carl ToersBijns *Sarcasm*

Only after a controversial police shooting and the aftermath of a riot and looting event that cause police to respond in masses as well as being heavily armed and protected by what has been described as surplus military war equipment convention and a scene that has been identified as an occupied city inside Iraq or Afghanistan, does the public understand the need for war equipment now belonging to local police forces.

Looking away from Missouri and focusing our attention on the borders we would welcome such masses of war equipment by police and border agents to protect our carnal infected borderlands. Perhaps giving the border the same consideration as our metro police departments we could have an effective border force presence.

Conceivably one of the most preferred use of such equipment would be to protect our homeland from illegal invasions that range from illegal aliens to cartel criminals all the way to terrorist using the gaps in the fence as an opportunity to enter our country.

We could even expand the use of such equipment to watch our railway stations, our highways and use the electronic devices for mass surveillance to detect or deter intruders into our homeland. The uses are endless and they wouldn't cost much using the existing grants monies that has stockpiled our police forces nationally.

Perhaps, our national security can be bolstered by such presence and keep our communities safe from unwanted intrusions by illegal immigrants who sneak over our border daily without any problems and often find their way into the hustle and bustle of our bigger cities where they find work and housing provided by those who are sympathetic to their plight.

This may be a sarcastic approach to the issue that is before us but the United States has changed so much it is becoming a nation of armored locked down streets and highways and on the contrary we leave our borders wide open for intrusions and illegal activities. It doesn’t make sense to clamp down on our citizens in the city and let the illegals enter without resistance or deterrence of being caught.

Call it a satire or call it a nightmare but we have a border crisis and its not being addressed by our federal government that appears to be stoking the fires by restricting the Border Patrol in their activities along the fences. Instead they have withdrawn them from the border and put them in offices to process paperwork rather than apprehension of illegal entries.

Perhaps these militarized police forces can augment their presence and do what the federal government should be doing? The militarization of the police has effectively diverted the attention from the border and other real issues. In fact, if you ask the media, they may ask you, "What border problem?"

Self-Loyalty

It has been often thought or said out loud many persons must first learn how to love themselves before they can learn to love others. In reality what this means is (s) he must value his or her own opinion of self somewhat less than those of others. Self-loyalty is not a politically correct perception or impression in today’s age and manners. It is often misjudged and distorted and confuses many people in the practice of such an idea.

One can say that self-loyalty is an attitude and not a behavior. On the other hand, to be in harmony with self-loyalty one must not lie to himself or herself  as it means you must remain honest and realize you can’t run away from who you are and what your own needs are while sacrificing them for the benefit of someone else. A paradox perhaps, but a reality just the same that self-sacrifice is an important of this process.

Facing these facts makes self-loyalty a complicated situation for many who strive to be someone accepted by many if not all. Hence they are often misunderstood or called selfish in nature. Self-loyalty is essentially being someone who can be a natural best you can be individual who doesn’t worry about the needs of someone else if they compromise their own.

Sacrificing comes at the price of being your own person and dealing with difficult situations sometimes and is often subject to much peer pressure or family admonishment. You cannot lie to yourself and you can’t undermine your own life or future giving in to the demands of others. You can’t or shouldn’t make excuses for your perceived personal failures as you refuse to enable others but realize you must first enable yourself to be strong and dependable for future needs or expectations.

You must learn to enforce and reinforce everything in your life and not run away from them no matter how difficult they may be for you. You must be honest with yourself and stop enabling others who may force the issue when the subject comes up. This applies to every aspect of your life, both physically and mentally. Don’t make excuses for your shortcomings and no matter what the reason, be honest about how to take your own responsibility for these shortcomings rather than making excuses. Those who understand your reasoning or motive will respect you as you become consistently better at this progression of taking care of yourself first.

Self-loyalty is not the same as being selfish. Putting your own needs first is done to bring wellness and helping yourself in order to maintain a positive spirit within yourself. One must honestly ask “how can I help someone else if I am not well?” Keep your obligations or promises in perspective and do them with the competences you have by helping yourself first to face the challenges and fulfill your own obligation while you are feeling better about yourself and what you do. Its’ the best way to show people who you really are and how you feel about yourself as you feel better about yourself around others.

America, I am asking a question?

Been keeping quiet on many things and not wanting to muddy the water any more than it already is. Murky to say the least I fear two things:

1. the government and its agents have all the sophisticated war military like equipment they need to control crowds and riots.

2. the government and its agents have done their best to strip Second Amendment rights where they can and limit access to specific ammunition by buying it up.

One has to ask one question? Is it for terrorist control or is it for controlling Americans sick of the way government handles everything? Just thinking out loud who the real enemy is inside America? I am sure this will draw fire from somewhere as its not of a popular approach but rather a caustic pessimistic one.