Also seems that police departments all over have hired people and put weapons in their hands even though they had known histories of mental instability.
Demand your police department reject unstable persons and do needed testing to sort stable, non racists & sexists from unstable racist & sexist fools.
Demand your police department reject unstable persons and do needed testing to sort stable, non racists & sexists from unstable racist & sexist fools.
1
So much for Bloomberg’s metrics or maybe he did not pay attention to them.
It appears that DeBlasio has been left with some major messes to clean-up. Now this along with the recent report on the illegal use of the chokehold for which the offending officers were not properly disciplined.
There is no reason this problem should have been ignored. Maybe if it had been addressed, New York crime stats would have been even lower. Instead of a focus on Department of Corrections, Mayor Bloomberg’s decided to go to the mat for Stop and Frisk.
It appears that DeBlasio has been left with some major messes to clean-up. Now this along with the recent report on the illegal use of the chokehold for which the offending officers were not properly disciplined.
There is no reason this problem should have been ignored. Maybe if it had been addressed, New York crime stats would have been even lower. Instead of a focus on Department of Corrections, Mayor Bloomberg’s decided to go to the mat for Stop and Frisk.
This can be called anti-selection of employees... I want to make these recruiters ever were in place of prisoners in their own prisons. Actually, they deserve it for their crimes!
Not being said here, but I don't think it's about budgets or budget cuts. This is about unions and about minority quotas. In an effort for political correctness and cowtowing to the unions that run the city, these jobs were given away. Until we as a society are willing to admit that a quota system is a bad system for anyone that is hired for to work in jails, police, fire, IRS, schools, and any other 'public service' job (whether it is farmed out to the private sector or not), we are doomed.
Budgets go up every year, but the quality goes down with it. Why? Pure bureacracy under the guise of 'fairness.' Unacceptable!
The local paper did an investigation into the ATL hiring for city police dept. and found the same results - a good third of new hires were criminals, but the criteria for hiring was slashed in order to fill quotas. Made no sense at all, but it did explain what is going on with the police vs. residents. Sadly, I believe most of the police want to do a good job. Even more sadly, I don't believe those working in correctional facilities really care. At all.
Budgets go up every year, but the quality goes down with it. Why? Pure bureacracy under the guise of 'fairness.' Unacceptable!
The local paper did an investigation into the ATL hiring for city police dept. and found the same results - a good third of new hires were criminals, but the criteria for hiring was slashed in order to fill quotas. Made no sense at all, but it did explain what is going on with the police vs. residents. Sadly, I believe most of the police want to do a good job. Even more sadly, I don't believe those working in correctional facilities really care. At all.
Few white people apply for correction officer jobs. How do I know? I worked there.
1
"Given a (FAIR - my word) chance, even the most degraded and apparently worthless are capable of constructive work and great deeds. This is a faith founded on experience, not on some idealistic theory."
Eric Hoffer, THE ORDEAL OF CHANGE (1952)
It saddens me to read so much vitriol about the Corrections Officers, and the Inmates at Rikers. Like ALL groups (not only law enforcement, military, gangs, mafias, triads, yakuza, cartels, etc.) of people in the WORLD (not only those in OUR country), you will find people who are exceptional, and those who could be, and would/will be, IF they get extraordinarily lucky and are around the right people - many combat/SpecialOps veterans, people in the field in law enforcement, people from extreme harshness of "The Streets", ER medical people in gang areas, counselors, psychologists, psychiatrists, etc., who deal directly and indirectly with, and the aftermath of, violence, will attest to this fact. Life can be indescribably cruel, damaging people in ways that only PERSONAL EXPERIENCE can teach you, and I can assure you that none of you want that type of "experience". There is not enough room, nor time, to say much more in this comment, but don't be too quick to condemn people, nor feel they are not able, nor wanting, to change. Treat people like garbage, and you will get garbage back. Positive change can take place IF YOU DON'T GIVE UP, including YOUR changing.
Good work NY Times. Keep this issue in front of the people.
Eric Hoffer, THE ORDEAL OF CHANGE (1952)
It saddens me to read so much vitriol about the Corrections Officers, and the Inmates at Rikers. Like ALL groups (not only law enforcement, military, gangs, mafias, triads, yakuza, cartels, etc.) of people in the WORLD (not only those in OUR country), you will find people who are exceptional, and those who could be, and would/will be, IF they get extraordinarily lucky and are around the right people - many combat/SpecialOps veterans, people in the field in law enforcement, people from extreme harshness of "The Streets", ER medical people in gang areas, counselors, psychologists, psychiatrists, etc., who deal directly and indirectly with, and the aftermath of, violence, will attest to this fact. Life can be indescribably cruel, damaging people in ways that only PERSONAL EXPERIENCE can teach you, and I can assure you that none of you want that type of "experience". There is not enough room, nor time, to say much more in this comment, but don't be too quick to condemn people, nor feel they are not able, nor wanting, to change. Treat people like garbage, and you will get garbage back. Positive change can take place IF YOU DON'T GIVE UP, including YOUR changing.
Good work NY Times. Keep this issue in front of the people.
2
“Ten had been arrested more than once, and 12 had previously been rejected by the New York Police Department, six of them for “psychological reasons,” 79 had relatives or friends who were current or former inmates, no screening for gang affiliation, other disqualifiers for employment are a felony conviction, a conviction for a violent crime or domestic abuse and false statements on application forms.”
Just more ways for the system to not hire minorities.
Just more ways for the system to not hire minorities.
I believe a great majority of correctional officers are minorities as is their union president.
1
So what are you saying? Minorities are not capable of being mentally sound or not getting involved in criminal activities and associations? That's a rather insulting supposition.
1
Why Is your pool of applicants so low?
Corruption and incompetence = a toxic combination. So where is the ongoing oversight, and now that these failures are public, where is the political will to fix this?
1
Oh for crying out loud, do you really expect that normal people would apply for these jobs?
6
Yes!! and "normal" people also hope to become nurses, cops, firemen, soldiers, even sanitation persons (i.e. garbagepersons) people will do all sorts of weird things to make a life and a living.
“There are also plans to put in place a formal training program for staff members involved in the hiring process.”
I worked at a nonprofit museum with 100 full time staff. I have had formal training classes/workshops for interviewing/hiring people in my department.
At our own expense, our museum runs criminal checks on all employees and volunteers. (You’d think Riker’s might even get a discount if they wanted to check the criminal backgrounds of their applicants.)
This is so demoralizing to learn about. If I committed half of the stuff these people have, I'd be out of a job by the end of the day.
I worked at a nonprofit museum with 100 full time staff. I have had formal training classes/workshops for interviewing/hiring people in my department.
At our own expense, our museum runs criminal checks on all employees and volunteers. (You’d think Riker’s might even get a discount if they wanted to check the criminal backgrounds of their applicants.)
This is so demoralizing to learn about. If I committed half of the stuff these people have, I'd be out of a job by the end of the day.
6
It seems that wherever minorities are the ones being served, standards go down, or are not upheld. 90% get a three? Sounds like public school teachers, doesn't it? So many of them would be "evaluated," and get the equivalent of "satisfactory." I guess it's only in an ideal world where people who work with minority populations would be screened, trained, and equipped to do their jobs with professional excellence.
The comment about teachers was gratuitous and disrespectful. If you attended public schools and all incompetents taught you, I'd respectfully suggest that your parents were remiss in exercising their responsibilities. The fact is you probably have not attended a public school but feel compelled to judge others whom you don't know just as I have judged you! More fascinating to me in this reporting is the fact that these hiring practices occurred under those paragons of civic virtue...Giuliani and Bloomberg. Lay the blame where the buck really stops.
i brought up this issue with the NYPD hiring practices. Who checks on their applicants? Seems like they too are hiring questionable people, though typically clean cut white guys. Anybody interested in checking their hiring policies and standards?
1
Regarding the NYPD hiring practice's, there are so many "watch dog" committees, you could start a kennel!
1
"clean cut white guys".... only about 50% of the department is white.
2
I think you failed to read the article.
1
The same lax oversight can be attributed to Mayor DeBlasio: (1) hiring a lady as wife's chief of staff, a lady living with a felon in New Jersey and who failed to fill out truthfully her hiring forms; and (2) retaining Sharton, a known rabble-rouser, race-bater, cop-hater, corporate shake-down artist, and Fed invcome-tax delinquent, as the mayor's go-to guy in race-related and cop-related issues.
9
even liberals are entitled to elect crooks into office.. remember back in the 1960's and 70's - NY was run to the ground by corrupt "liberal" democrats. And the cycle of corruption continues, no wonder less than 10% of African Americans turned out to vote last November.
Let me guess, Norman Seabrook had no comment at the time. Because he sure had a lot to say about the danger CO's would face under reforms announced the other day. But he has nothing to say about the dangers officers face from gang affiliated ones.
Privately run prisons would never be so slipshod in hiring practices.
The evils of trade unions exposed once again!!!
The evils of trade unions exposed once again!!!
2
Being a corrections officer isn't a "trade." And nowhere in this article is a union described as being part of the problem.
1
not true- they are even worse with their hiring practices- just read about the prisons that are run by the private companies... more shady and lax operations than in publicly run operations.
1
This is what the website says NYC Corrections officers are paid (doesn't specify starting salary)
Salary increasing to $76,488 after 5 1/2 years of service
$1,677 per year holiday pay increasing to $3,411 after 5 1/2 years
Uniform allowance of $1,100 per year
13 paid vacation days, increasing to 27 days after 5 years
11 paid holidays
Paid health insurance
Longevity pay ranges from $4,365 to $7,365 after 5, 10, 15, and 20 years of service
There are no Correction Officer examination until further notice.
Salary increasing to $76,488 after 5 1/2 years of service
$1,677 per year holiday pay increasing to $3,411 after 5 1/2 years
Uniform allowance of $1,100 per year
13 paid vacation days, increasing to 27 days after 5 years
11 paid holidays
Paid health insurance
Longevity pay ranges from $4,365 to $7,365 after 5, 10, 15, and 20 years of service
There are no Correction Officer examination until further notice.
2
Are these the correction officer group I have heard retire in their 40s and 50s on $80,000 a year pensions?
8
Someone really needs to look the hiring at City Hall. Look at hiring and training for city & state employees. Right now City Hall has a bunch of "progressive" ppl who helped out on a campaign, placed in the "appointments" area of City Hall and seem to have appointed themselves to better jobs. How the city doesn't recruit from some of the best schools nobody can figure out? How our state government hires currently is extremely shady under the Cuomo 3 men in the room making all the political appointee decisions.
2
Anyone know what the going "price" for these jobs?
Unions have to be reined in.. All of them at the moment. MTA, PSC , etc.
Unions have to be reined in.. All of them at the moment. MTA, PSC , etc.
7
never will happen- politics- Dems heavy rely on union support- oh well, they made their bed back in the 1960's and 1970's with them.. time to pay the piper.
No wonder that de Blasio faces such in remitting hostiliy from the law enforcement personnel; their corrupt union dominated system could not withstand any serious scrutiny, and one begins to doubt whether it will ever get any ... and it ain't just the City of New York !
12
There is absolutely no connection between the correction officers and the NYPD. The NYPD has a long history of protecting the citizen's of New York, whereas, the correction officers are simply custodians, and not very good ones at that!
1
It's nice to know that You feel protected. In my sixty years I have only felt protected by the police once, and that was a cop protecting me from another cop who wanted to beat me bloody for no good reason whatsoever. Before you think I look and dress like a hood or look for trouble, I have no criminal record at all and could literally not harm a fly.
2
Left unaddressed in this article - and one that must be looked in light of earlier stories - is what role the union has played in this morass. It is clearly evident that they fight tooth and nail against anything that imposes stricter standards and accountability on the staff. Have they also been a pressure factor in the dumbing down of the standards? In garnering the promotion and retention of incompetent managers and commanders? It is unconscionable, for example, that people in charge - people who doubtless rose through the ranks - can't even articulate the standards or norms they are supposed to be accountable for. Much as we need a lot of work on the actual guards themselves, the old adage that the fish rots from the head is certainly applicable here. You can't expect the guards to be exemplars of good and competent behavior when their leaders are so clueless and out of touch.
I commend the NYT for this on-going examination and hope they continue to pursue this. That is journalism at its finest and a service to the community.
I commend the NYT for this on-going examination and hope they continue to pursue this. That is journalism at its finest and a service to the community.
15
And Bloomberg got to ride off into the gilded Park Ave sunset with all the specious dignity of a successful leader.
This is proof positive that his administration was grossly negligent if not deliberately callous in its attitude toward (in their opinion) "throwaway" citizens (those incarcerated). What a STAIN he left. Everyone just pretends it isn't there. Pathetic!!
This is proof positive that his administration was grossly negligent if not deliberately callous in its attitude toward (in their opinion) "throwaway" citizens (those incarcerated). What a STAIN he left. Everyone just pretends it isn't there. Pathetic!!
9
Nonsense. This is about PC and hiring based on quotas and unions.
1
@ hinckley - It's Bloomberg's fault! One year into this mayor's term of office and what exactly has changed at Rikers? Or maybe it was Bush's fault?
1
What does Seabrook have to say about this, he is another union blowhard. Who sees his members as being infallible. Just as the NYPD and Lynch.
Thanks Bloomberg for parks in the middle of the street and "Citibike", all the things that make a society run efficiently.
As Giuliani, Bloomberg will go down as not being what everyone professes him to be. He was an ineffective mayor. Both caused long term damage. The only difference is, at least Bloomberg went somewhere else. Giuliani is like a bad recurring nightmare...
Thanks Bloomberg for parks in the middle of the street and "Citibike", all the things that make a society run efficiently.
As Giuliani, Bloomberg will go down as not being what everyone professes him to be. He was an ineffective mayor. Both caused long term damage. The only difference is, at least Bloomberg went somewhere else. Giuliani is like a bad recurring nightmare...
6
During the Bloomberg administration I worked in DOC's employment area as a stipend earning volunteer. There was next to no staff and no decent computer systems. Tests for correction officer were administered continuously downtown but those tests were not being "opened" and no one was being hired. Meantime at Rikers retirements continued apace. The guards who were left were burned out. They often had to work double shifts under the worst conditions. Eventually, the administration was forced to start hiring personnel to process applications but not to pay them very much or go for professionals. Why bother when you could get old folks like me to work by saying how great we are to volunteer. (Let me say, I have no personnel training.) So, the backlog of people who passed the test were processed. With the pressure on to fill the ranks, limited non-professional personnel, working without a contract, and with inadequate systems lots of folks were hired. The "Bloomies" could not could less about the problems they caused and exacerbated. I believe there wasn't even a head of corrections for a long while until Ms. Schiro was hired and walked into a situation in which she could only be a loser. So, here comes Mr. DeBlasio who gets stuck with all the contracts and the problems that have piled up over many years. And, of course let's all blame the lazy, union folks living the high life off of our tax dollars. Oh well, Americans are not known for thinking historically and analytically.
8
The people running the Applicant Investigation Unit should be prosecuted. Every organization might have a few "bad apples" but this level of corruption seems to be calculated and systemic. There is no way that many "unqualified" people were allowed to pass recruitment scrutiny unless orders from top down were given to let these folks become correction officers. It seems that some of the other problems that exist on Rikers, the nepotism, the hostile work environment, the ability of inmates and correction officers to engage in unlawful intimate acts, the contraband smuggling, all stem from the lack of screening procedures for incoming officers. The fox wasn't guarding the hen house, he infiltrated the hen house with the cooperation of the farmer.
18
Once again it's the unions that are at the center of this problem. The unions have no incentive to promote any changes that would curtail their complete control over the hiring and management of it's people, and as a result, the complete Corrections department.
5
I am a little tired of unions being blamed for everything. They only get what those in power are willing to give them. Governments in general seem lax about this either because those in power (and/or the general public) don't care or that the problem (e.g. pensions) will not come home to roost until someone else is in control. Since the public in general is indifferent to prison conditions, one would hardly expect the City's and State's past administration to care much about it either.
4
I hate to admit it, but I agree that politicians (and the electorate) let the unions, and their members, get away with this stuff. The politicians at least think they need the support of scourges like Seabrook and his people to get elected, and the electorate is by and large too stupid, distracted or uninterested to do anything about it.
Same thing with the NYFD and NYPD, only there we also have the specter of "our fallen heroes" complicating matters.
Same thing with the NYFD and NYPD, only there we also have the specter of "our fallen heroes" complicating matters.
And the other 2/3 were found to be nuts for wanting to work in a jail. Look, the reasons given are things that should not be a surprise. 79 with friends or relatives who are current of former inmates should not disqualify someone from working in corrections. You pick certain zip codes or minority demographics and you are going to find very high percentages of people with relatives or friends who have run afoul of the law at one time or another. If you want to hire into these roles, you have to be able to hire from this pool. Otherwise you are penalizing someone for an action of a family member, which sounds like something from a Kafka novel rather than a modern democracy.
5
I wrote a similar opening line yesterday afternoon, twice. That most normal people would rather work at Fukushima, implying that Rikers has a name brand that speaks for itself. That de Blasio would not solve this problem because he is the kind of politician which uses these venues and stories as a props e.g., he will have the walls painted by his re-election campaign. In my humble opinion, we need to ratchet down the comfort in prisons until it is proven to be The Deterrent it should be for a select few. Someplace inside Rikers, the shot callers are still too comfortable. That is whom de Blasio must reform. Corrupt officers, volunteers, unions and inmates notwithstanding, there should always be the second suspect list that identifies the average, law abiding, bread winning, staff member. Don't make it more difficult for them than it already is.
Rikers houses primarily people who have NOT BEEN CONVICTED OF ANY CRIME. They are awaiting trial and are too poor to pay their bail -- often as little as $500, You certainly should know something about a topic before opining.
Since you are so easily provoked into caps, I suggest if you're already associated with Rikers then perhaps a self realization is in order that you are not a good fit. Good luck!
A huge part of the problem - totally ignored here -- is that the job of correction officer is one of the most undesirable known to mankind. Among law enforcement jobs, it is easily the most dangerous. And if you get the job, you have voluntarily sentenced yourself to eight hours behind bars each day. The folks you supervise are mostly accused murderers, rapists, and other violent criminals. Many of them view you as the enemy, and are determined to make your life as miserable as possible.
If the DOC properly enforced employment standards, I'd want to know how many applicants would be hired. Considering those who get hired, it would be interesting to know about the highly-esteemed applicants who didn't get the job -- all the former star teachers, social workers, police officers and mid-level managers who woke up one morning and decided that their calling was to be Rikers guards.
If the DOC properly enforced employment standards, I'd want to know how many applicants would be hired. Considering those who get hired, it would be interesting to know about the highly-esteemed applicants who didn't get the job -- all the former star teachers, social workers, police officers and mid-level managers who woke up one morning and decided that their calling was to be Rikers guards.
4
Riker's is a jail, not a prison. Most of the inmates there are still awaiting trial. There are some convicts held at Rikers, but as a general rule they are those who have been sentenced to very short sentences (which would suggest their crimes were not violent ones.) While there certainly are some inmates who are charged with violent crimes, the vast majority are NOT, as you suggest, rapists, murderers or other violent criminals, but are rather charged with low-level, non-violent drug offenses, who are in jail because their families could not afford bail.
Unfortunately, however, there are a lot of people in this country who hold the same misperception about precisely who constitute the majority of inmates in America's jails and prisons, what crimes they have committed or have been charged with, and in what numbers, are currently guests of the state. And that misperception stands as a major barrier to much-needed jail and prison reform.
Unfortunately, however, there are a lot of people in this country who hold the same misperception about precisely who constitute the majority of inmates in America's jails and prisons, what crimes they have committed or have been charged with, and in what numbers, are currently guests of the state. And that misperception stands as a major barrier to much-needed jail and prison reform.
6
Jails hold accused murderers, rapists, and other violent offenders pre-trial , often for years. That was discussed in earlier articles in this series. Just google the statistics for jail inmates in NYC and you'll see what the earlier article was saying. You really should research before correcting those who have.
2
Jails also hold those charged with non-violent crimes who are unable to afford bail. They are not exclusively reserved for those accused of violent crimes.
I welcome this article and agree that we must aspired to a higher calibre of people to assume the responsibility of a CO. However, it takes a proven hacker to teach others where the flaws are in the system. One cannot fix something until one learns where the weak spots are. I doubt that a person with a clean record and a psychology degree would be more effective. Street savviness like the one police develop on the job is important.
4
Prisoners get little empathy from "citizens" (their name for the free, often said with scorn). It's hard to care much for thieves, junkies, gang members, etc. There are people who gleefully do harm, who can't live among the public. Yet....the prisoners themselves know who's who, if you ever asked them. And they all know who is who amongst the guards. I've had a guard scream at me for not standing still (moved about an inch) when her drug dog sniffed me. (Who stands perfectly still for that?) I was a visitor, an advocate, no criminal record, etc. but she felt it was her right to threaten me, again, a non-prisoner. She was 100% aggression, and it was hard not to respond to her ugly behavior. I've also met reasonable, responsible guards who treat it like a job, not their calling. Sit in a visiting room of a maximum prison and you can appreciate the level of stress for guards. But overall, I'd say that guards are a huge part of the prison problem. They make a lot of money, have a lot of power, aren't well trained or supervised (by the right people) often engage in behavior that the inmates are locked up for. But imo, the public ignores the US prisons -- the largest prison population in the world - while wringing their hands about Cuban ones.
28
A male client, a correction officer, of my friend's law firm received a $1 million jury verdict (later reduced by the judge) in Manhattan Federal Court for very serious harassment by a female DOC captain. In my opinion, she was not only unqualified for the job of captain in the DOC, but was unqualified to work as a supervisor in any job. In addition to the large payout to the male victim, the people of New York are paying her full pension for life.
23
our "civil servants" deserve the best pay and pension conditions. job performance doesn't matter. if the US is going broke because of pay and benefits to an ever growing government sector it does not matter. It is creeping socialism but who cares.
3
The unions for the DOC workers need to stop playing hardball when it comes to protecting all their members, for the sole reason that they happen to be union members. It seems that the union for the DOC workers are going to bat, doing whatever they can to shine up the image of an already-disgraced CO, one that has had documented reports of (many times unwarranted) violence against inmates and one rarely, if ever, hears about a case where the union distances themselves from a particular member - a CO, working at Riker's - due to overwhelming evidence of the COs guilt in brutalizing inmates, being arbitrary in their use of disciplinary measures, et cetera. Why isn't the union in this matter under more scrutiny? The union for the DOC COs, should be held accountable for the decisions they make and for the many rogue COs who hide behind said union in order to avoid getting fired and/or prosecuted for their parts in the huge list of assaults that have been caught on videotape, have documentary evidence from jail hospitals for the inmates who are seriously injured due to, sometimes, arbitrary assaults, retaliatory strikes against inmates, etc. The union for the COs who work for NY's DOC should not be bowed down to and given credence to the lies that their members repeat over and over, in order to justify their horrendous actions.
3
This is really no different from what routinely happens with regard to NYPD officers. What is the figure on the settlement of civil cases against the NYPD in the last couple of years -- $500 milion or something like that? NYPD officers misbehave, but just because no criminal charges are brought against them doesn't mean they didn't do something bad that somebody can sue over, and many people do. And the city routinely settles because it knows these cases have merit.
I believe that whenever the city settles such a civil case for $100,000 or more, an equivalent amount should be deducted from the lump sum value of the wrongdoer's pension.
I believe that whenever the city settles such a civil case for $100,000 or more, an equivalent amount should be deducted from the lump sum value of the wrongdoer's pension.
Dozens of officers of detainees at Riker Island have semi-criminal past. So such problems as violence, smuggling and bribery in prisons are interconnected with qualification of these workers.
10
Where does the buck stop? Ponte needs to provide progress reports that get published in the daily news. Our City prison system is a polluted sewer and all the political rhetoric in the DeBlasio administration is a joke until they clean this up. Is this the best that a democratic system can offer? Republican mayors seem to do better.
3
This all happened on the watch of Republican mayors. All this is coming to light because of what the DeBlasio administration is doing to clean things up.
14
A "republican mayor would do better"???? That is just blindly partisan and ignorant rhetoric. These atrocities which have been occurring at Riker's Island go a lot further back - and since Michael Bloomberg was mayor for three terms, I haven't heard anything that would indicate this problem with unqualified, gang-connected and/or mentally deficient COs started with the relatively new mayor, DeBlasio. What, exactly, is it that Bloomberg, a Republican, or his predecessor, Giuliani, did differently, increasing the safety at Riker's? Nothing - that's what. This problem is NOT a partisan political problem, it goes far beyond republican or Democrat. Things that are coming out now, via NYT investigations, etc, just because they happen to be going on while DeBlasio is the mayor, does not absolve previous municipal administrations of neglect or of coddling the union involved.
10
...and this reminds me of the opening of 1952 Kurosawa film, Ikiru--the meaningless busyness bureaucracy breeds. The best way to protect your meaningless spot is to do nothing at all. How familiar in municipal positions.
4
Why am I not at all surprised?
It's nice that Mr. Ponte is considering implementing stricter standards for hiring staff, but it sounds like they haven't implemented the current standards...
It's nice that Mr. Ponte is considering implementing stricter standards for hiring staff, but it sounds like they haven't implemented the current standards...
2
This will be corrected (no pun) at the same time the LIRR eliminates change at Jamaica and grade leve crossings.
1
BIG SURPRISE! They're part of the rightfully discredited legal justice system! Anybody going to do something about this, other than talk about it? Or just wait until the outrage cools down, which is what the NYPD (and all the otherPDs) is doing.
3
I was Director of Personnel for the NYC DOC in the late 70's. How sad to learn that all the recruitment reforms I and my colleagues labored to introduce have fallen by the wayside. Brought in by Mayor Koch and Commissioner Ciuros to reform the department in the face of riots on Rikers and court orders, we instituted psychological screening, extensive background checks, field visits, and personal interviews by selected COs. We also replaced the traditional written test with an evaluation of training and experience that focused on interpersonal skills, learned how to extract maximum flexibility from the civil service rule of one-in-three, and shifted the initial orientation session to the Brooklyn House of Detention. And we hired close to 1,000 new officers within one year, while screening out ten times as many poor candidates.
I suspect this isn't the first time that the department has lost its way due to lack of funding and leadership. A sad day, nevertheless, not only for those of us who gave it our all, but also for the stalwart and admirable public servants who work as COs, and for the prisoners as well.
I suspect this isn't the first time that the department has lost its way due to lack of funding and leadership. A sad day, nevertheless, not only for those of us who gave it our all, but also for the stalwart and admirable public servants who work as COs, and for the prisoners as well.
50
". And we hired close to 1,000 new officers within one year, while screening out ten times as many poor candidates."
this is an impressive statistic. for the one thousand candidate accepted 10,000 "poor" candidates were rejected
with that kind of ratio 1:10, it can be assumed that psychologically fit people were found for the job.
this is an impressive statistic. for the one thousand candidate accepted 10,000 "poor" candidates were rejected
with that kind of ratio 1:10, it can be assumed that psychologically fit people were found for the job.
4
I suspect that a prison guard job is not as desirable as police officer. Even if they had better recruiting, they might not be able to find good job candidates who would be willing to take the job.
3
Why can' t one unit screen for both NYPD and Corrections?
38
That's what I came to say. I'm sure that most of the screening is identical, so why reinvent the wheel?
2
it is the dregs of society being guarded by the near dregs of society. these near dregs cross the line back and forth to being dregs, themselves and then they become near dregs again.
7
Union leaders should be able to instill at least a small bit of pride and loyalty upon its members towards their employer, The City of New York. If you value your relationship to the union more than you do to your employer then there is a problem.
4
Prison is good business. Now I don't wonder why the US is a leader in the number of prisoners among all nations. Furthermore, I understand why we have so much violence inthe country, because the punishment system is working for increase of crime.
20
Most prisons are for-profit corporations. Do you wonder why all these problems and abuses? As long as there is a buck to be made...
3
Being a CO is a contemptible job. Think about it you must guard angry people who hate being there all day everyday. How can someone love going to a job like that? It has to take a psychological toll on you. There must be a better way to manage society's malcontents. What I find even more troubling is the US locks up more people than most countries its size.
3
Of course one would want to hire only highly qualified candidates to work at prison facilities, folks proven to have integrity from reliable information and background. A similar issue can be seen with police officers, with the suspicion that the hiring is shoddy and careless. All this, with well published data revealing how, when we are placed in a position of power, we tend to abuse it. That is why, in addition to stringent checks for suitability, a non-human system of supervision is necessary (video-cameras being one, among others, to ease such an essential burden); and only then, a community-based human "watchdog" to regulate the proper functioning at the 'office' (prison, in this case). Let us hope that further work on ideas already available goes on.
5
Just because you hear nothing from the US Attorneys office does not mean that they are not on top of this glaring situation. The NY Times was at the core of the two corrections cronies being promoted even though they doctored the report to the US attorneys office this past summer. To get real reform, the US Attorney needs to look at Seabrook. Its that simple.
10
Sure let's be "conservative": meaning give big tax breaks to the greedy rich, while we completely and irresponsibly let go of our entire societal and physical infrastructure in the USA including the situation in the prisons. We are now building a bridge to nowhere!
9
If such stupidity is displayed in hiring practices, those doing the hiring should be fired!
4
What a joke! Reminds me of the old D.C Police Department back in the 1980s.
1
Another great piece from Schwirtz and Winerip. Hiring is an important part of the Rikers puzzle. After a period of coverage that was quite critical of Ponte, the reporters seem to be presenting him in a more favorable light once again. I made some annotations here: http://genius.com/www.nytimes.com/2015/01/15/nyregion/hired-for-new-york...
1
Ther is a political subtext is filled by a long standing feud between the PBA and the COBA (Corrections Officers Benevolence Assoc.) headed by Joseph Seabrook. Both unions have more than their share of thugs and mugs who are where they are due to their fraternal connections.
Think back to the recent scandal surrounding the brutal assault of Alexis Lien and the terrorizing of his family in broad daylight on a Sunday on the West Side Highway by a social network engineered motorcycle gang that, it turns out, had several police members, including a detective who had worked undercover against Occupy Wall Street, and who, it turns out had a website that bragged of his sexual exploits in conducting his ''investigations.'' Sorry, I don't call that 'superior scrutiny of Social Networks.' Not even close.
It's very difficult to grow up in certain neighborhoods without having some contact with gangs. To a degree, part of the problem is that NYPD needs undercover who are street savvy, and yet they need to adhere and work for society's moral standard, not the street's 'snitches get stitches.'
Historically, part of the problem with limiting corruption in the uniformed forces is that their has long been a tolerance of 'gangs' within police, fire, and corrections. These gangs help enforce a code of silence and 'not snitching.' These gangs are called 'fraternal organizations.' 'Secret societies' are not conducive to clean government, that goes back to Tammany Hall.
Think back to the recent scandal surrounding the brutal assault of Alexis Lien and the terrorizing of his family in broad daylight on a Sunday on the West Side Highway by a social network engineered motorcycle gang that, it turns out, had several police members, including a detective who had worked undercover against Occupy Wall Street, and who, it turns out had a website that bragged of his sexual exploits in conducting his ''investigations.'' Sorry, I don't call that 'superior scrutiny of Social Networks.' Not even close.
It's very difficult to grow up in certain neighborhoods without having some contact with gangs. To a degree, part of the problem is that NYPD needs undercover who are street savvy, and yet they need to adhere and work for society's moral standard, not the street's 'snitches get stitches.'
Historically, part of the problem with limiting corruption in the uniformed forces is that their has long been a tolerance of 'gangs' within police, fire, and corrections. These gangs help enforce a code of silence and 'not snitching.' These gangs are called 'fraternal organizations.' 'Secret societies' are not conducive to clean government, that goes back to Tammany Hall.
17
Looks like the inmates are really running the prison.
7
With the cooperation of so many corrupt and vicious COs, whose misdeeds are always covered up by the COBA - the COs union. The city should not and must not tolerate being extorted by this union. Their heavy-handedness shows that they'll do whatever it takes to keep any CO from being fired - unless the CO murders someone on tape or is caught red-handed, embezzling money from the system, etc. The COBA has lots of blood on their hands!!
1
Pathology can help us understand health. We can learn from this. Damned us if we do not! -Rudy
I can say with certainty that no the government not politicians will not change the situation because it is good business. We must recognize that we live in a constant deception by politicians.
3
Much of this goes back to the Reagan Administration, who thought it would be good for the economy to end certain institutions dedicated to mental illness and homelessness. All of those problems skyrocketed under his tutelage. So many of those people ended up in prisons, and still do.
5
Being a Correctional Officer must be one of the more dysfunctional professions. Daily in charge of contemptible criminals who hate you. Only "normal" human interactions are with other officers and that's limited. Work daily in a depressing facility with minimum amount of windows and very unpleasant odors.
I don't know what these people earn but I would assume there are other career paths with similar salaries.
So why do people become correctional officers
I don't know what these people earn but I would assume there are other career paths with similar salaries.
So why do people become correctional officers
3
"So why do people become correctional officers?"
these people have character traits inclined to abuse other people. it is a great deal because you are being well paid in a culture that accepts brutality as the norm.
these people have character traits inclined to abuse other people. it is a great deal because you are being well paid in a culture that accepts brutality as the norm.
6
It gives them a feeling of power.
2
Can't get a better paying job? Like the "power" that comes with the job? Seems more outwardly respectable than joining a gang? You can act with impunity, at your own "discretion," just like cops?
2
Have the police department take over corrections if their systems are better.
1
Only a government entity could display such purposeful negligence in the employment process. It is not accidental, it is part of a plan made by politicians and the union.
6
In the 50 years of my career life, no one in my milieu ever considered working at a prison.
I lived near the Bedford Hills Women's Correctional Facility, certainly not the worst of the worst.
None of my friends wanted to answer the question, "Oh, what do you do ?" with "Oh, I work at a prison."
The perception was, that only the dregs of humanity would consent to working at a gaol/jail/prison/"correctional facility".
Even the term, "correctional", would seem a misnomer.
One can't "correct" a person. Only they, can do it from within.
Yes, soldiers come back from the wars with the "us" and "them" mentality.
Abu Ghraib was a "detention facility". Look what happened there.
We might do better to recruit from the ranks of the M.S.W. community.
We might do better to move all those $$$ to prevention, more mental health services and "guidance" counselors to catch 9 year olds from "distressed families", in middle school.
I lived near the Bedford Hills Women's Correctional Facility, certainly not the worst of the worst.
None of my friends wanted to answer the question, "Oh, what do you do ?" with "Oh, I work at a prison."
The perception was, that only the dregs of humanity would consent to working at a gaol/jail/prison/"correctional facility".
Even the term, "correctional", would seem a misnomer.
One can't "correct" a person. Only they, can do it from within.
Yes, soldiers come back from the wars with the "us" and "them" mentality.
Abu Ghraib was a "detention facility". Look what happened there.
We might do better to recruit from the ranks of the M.S.W. community.
We might do better to move all those $$$ to prevention, more mental health services and "guidance" counselors to catch 9 year olds from "distressed families", in middle school.
6
Jails are America's mental hospitals on both sides of the bars.
26
The de Blasio administration seems to be following the hiring practice of his hero, President Obama.
3
Psst, the hiring was under Bloomberg.
16
That's your take-away from this article??? Did you even read it? He had nothing to do with it. Now maybe in a few years, when he's had a chance to ignore the problems like Bloomberg and Guiliani... THEN you can blame him.
2
I wonder if the NYPD has had similar hiring practices.
2
did you read the article? it highlighted the differences.
3
Just a few years ago The Times was celebrating the hiring of Dora Schriro to run the Corrections Department:
"For a veteran correction director like Dr. Schriro, who led corrections in Missouri before tackling the Arizona prisons when Ms. Napolitano was governor there, fixing Rikers may be less challenging than refocusing immigration detention. "
I guess fixing Rikers was more challenging than you thought. Or maybe it's a bad idea to hire people because of their gender and political connections instead of their competence.
"For a veteran correction director like Dr. Schriro, who led corrections in Missouri before tackling the Arizona prisons when Ms. Napolitano was governor there, fixing Rikers may be less challenging than refocusing immigration detention. "
I guess fixing Rikers was more challenging than you thought. Or maybe it's a bad idea to hire people because of their gender and political connections instead of their competence.
13
One wonders if Dora Schriro got fired or sanctioned for her failure as Corrections Commissioner. One wonders what other New York City agencies are run by overpaid, underqualified boobs. Who besides the Times is even paying attention?
2
"The Correction Department disbanded its recruitment unit in 2009 because of budget cuts."
What do we expect? Any politician who wants to increase funding for prisons will instantly be accused of taxing honest folk to coddle criminals. Society seems to have a cruel tendency to feel that anyone who breaks any law deserves to be brutalized or killed, and it's just his own fault.
What do we expect? Any politician who wants to increase funding for prisons will instantly be accused of taxing honest folk to coddle criminals. Society seems to have a cruel tendency to feel that anyone who breaks any law deserves to be brutalized or killed, and it's just his own fault.
11
Prison is definitely not the most pleasant working conditions one can be in. I imagine going in and out of prison as a member of the staff would have adverse effects even on a stable mind. Put someone in that situation that is a little of kilt and chaos is bound to ensue. Much more funds would be available for the screening process if we dropped victimless sentences. Its time to actually start having proper staff assigned to the prisons that are eager and able to correct behavior as the title correctional officer implies rather than be a guard of the prison.
3
A sad and unfortunately predictable story. From what I know about prisons and jails around the country (though thankfully not from first hand experience) they all are defined by cruelty, callousness and greed. The purpose of correction facilities is to line the pockets of a select few. Nothing else matters.
17
If they still have their application forms, they can (and should) do a massive investigation and fire immediately any with false statements. Most, if not all, will have made false statements. Clear the deck.
Or, close down Rikers, lay off everyone, and open a new facility to be staffed by NYPD until a new city department can be formed to perform the duties of the current Department of Corrections. Its failure is so catastrophic all should lose their jobs. Find a way!
Or, close down Rikers, lay off everyone, and open a new facility to be staffed by NYPD until a new city department can be formed to perform the duties of the current Department of Corrections. Its failure is so catastrophic all should lose their jobs. Find a way!
56
"Clear the deck."
Seriously? Sorry but in the real world what you suggest as a solution never ever happens. Politically it is death for any elected official of any stripe. Reagan firing all of the ATC's in the 1980s is the last time anything like that occurred and that moment lives in infamy on numerous levels.
1
I seriously doubt if the Mayor would be deleteriously affected by ridding the Corrections Department of criminals. Who would be willing to make a public statement for the continued employment of a criminal or psychologically unfit person?
2
Why were these infractions ignored in the hiring process. Was it possibly in the interest of increasing diversity?
3
The department is primarily African-American so diversity wasn't an issue.
5
Most of the folks who apply for these jobs are so called minorities. White persons go to NYPD if they can. Maybe you are suggesting that they hire any white person who shows up to increase diversity.
1
Prior arrests or prior gang affiliations should not disqualify applicants now that we all know that innocent Black and Hispanic men have been routinely profiled and arrested in NYC for decades. Prior gang affiliations should also not disqualify applicants as many youths join gangs to protect themselves from other gangs.
6
Sorry, Safiya. Gang affiliations and arrests, especially for drug-related offenses and assault, SHOULD disqualify applicants for serving as correction officers.
10
Incredible. You simply can't run a professional department without quality staff. This places future management in an impossible position of trying to reform the agency practices and culture with a significant amount of subpar employees. These staff will, of course, invoke their ignominious union rights if efforts are made to weed them out.
2
It starts at the top. The man in charge surrounds himself with birds of a feather.
11
This and other articles about the severe problems in NYC jails (and similar problems in jails and prisons throughout US) does not discuss a core issue - that is, who would really want to be a corrections officer? It is a horrible, stressful job.
NY Times - Is there a reporter or editor on your staff who would advise a young relative to become a corrections officer?
Recruitment is further hampered in NYC because of the incredibly high cost/stress of housing in NYC.
NY Times - Is there a reporter or editor on your staff who would advise a young relative to become a corrections officer?
Recruitment is further hampered in NYC because of the incredibly high cost/stress of housing in NYC.
5
So who would want to be a fire fighter-so incredibly dangerous, carrying 100 lbs of gear on your back while dressed in a raincoat? Or a NYC police officer-a target just by wearing the uniform? Or, for that matter, my job-out in all weather, clients constantly missing appointments, so much paperwork! Why does anybody take any job? Because we have to pay our rent, buy groceries etc somehow, and this line of work has some appeal to us. That doesn't mean people should be hired to jeopardize the employers' goals.
Or because the union president wants to hire his cronies.
Or because the union president wants to hire his cronies.
7
If this problem was in a city run by a Republican administration the story would be different , right ?
Liberals would be crying for leniency and allowing for a " second chance".
Liberals would be crying for leniency and allowing for a " second chance".
2
As the NYT pointed out on 14 Dec 14, in New York correction officers are predominately African Americans [1], unlike NY police officer and fire fighters who continue to be dominated by Irish Americans.
Proposing easy solutions and oversimplifications based upon an absence of data and rigorous analysis are all too easy here. One of the best recent studies into this area was by Brenda Smith and Melissa Loomis in 2013 that looked at the increasingly important role of female correctional officers in supervising male inmates [2].
As the authors comment, 'Yet, female correctional workers in this powerful space are not behaving in ways we anticipate and confounding neat theories of power, equality, and vulnerability.'
1) 'At Rikers Island, Union Chief’s Clout Is a Roadblock to Reform'; Schwirtz and Winerip; www.nytimes.com/2014/12/15/nyregion/at-rikers-a-roadblock-to-reform.html
2) Smith, Brenda V., and Melissa C. Loomis. "After Dothard: Female Correctional Workers and the Challenge to Employment Law." FIU L. Rev. 8 (2013): 469-591. http://digitalcommons.wcl.american.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1257&...
Proposing easy solutions and oversimplifications based upon an absence of data and rigorous analysis are all too easy here. One of the best recent studies into this area was by Brenda Smith and Melissa Loomis in 2013 that looked at the increasingly important role of female correctional officers in supervising male inmates [2].
As the authors comment, 'Yet, female correctional workers in this powerful space are not behaving in ways we anticipate and confounding neat theories of power, equality, and vulnerability.'
1) 'At Rikers Island, Union Chief’s Clout Is a Roadblock to Reform'; Schwirtz and Winerip; www.nytimes.com/2014/12/15/nyregion/at-rikers-a-roadblock-to-reform.html
2) Smith, Brenda V., and Melissa C. Loomis. "After Dothard: Female Correctional Workers and the Challenge to Employment Law." FIU L. Rev. 8 (2013): 469-591. http://digitalcommons.wcl.american.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1257&...
1
I think we figured out where the real criminals are.
7
"Do you have any experience?"
"I just got of jail."
"Good, which one?"
"This one."
"Fantastic, when can you start?"
"I just got of jail."
"Good, which one?"
"This one."
"Fantastic, when can you start?"
36
Or how about this one?
Interviewer: "Have you used drugs in the past year?"
Applicant: "Well, yes."
Interviewer: "Okay, have you used drugs in the last 30 minutes?"
Applicant: "No."
Interviewer: "Good! you're hired."
Interviewer: "Have you used drugs in the past year?"
Applicant: "Well, yes."
Interviewer: "Okay, have you used drugs in the last 30 minutes?"
Applicant: "No."
Interviewer: "Good! you're hired."
2
Many of those same questionable people have an in when it comes to hiring within the police departments through out the nation. I believe it is time we re-evaluate all police personnel in the large cities to start. We need to get a sense of how extended this is.
10
In my opinion, having worked in prisons/probation/parole for 20+ years, the standard on promotions based on longevity and family encourages the culture of Not Knowing the computerized management of information. This is obvious in our Federal gov't as well. There is so much valuable information available on the inside--relatives, contacts, visits, civil matters, out of state court--but the notion of connecting all the dots is STILL too much to bother. My generation, who grew up without computers, are fading out. And the results are glaring when computer savvy people seem to be feared, jailed and misunderstood. Information is a scary thing.
21
It's not the "too much to bother". There are those who want the hiring power for their own ends (union president re-election?), and a thorough background check will thwart these ends. They want these employees to be beholden to them for their livelihoods.
4
Information on who and to what end? Seems to me your missing the point, that the guards need rethinking. All you seem to be doing is calling for more data on prisoners. That thinking is part of the problem. Why do prison guards have to act like they are CIA?
Fire the 153 so called correction officers; they were not even supposed to be officers in the first place.
Also, I'm bewildered by the lack of use of computers and other tools that would enable better screening. Where is the correction officers hiring department at? Back in the 80's?
I wonder if all of these missteps in the hiring process were deliberate. It seems shady, to say the least. I would hate to have a family member or friend staying under these crooks' supervision.
Also, I'm bewildered by the lack of use of computers and other tools that would enable better screening. Where is the correction officers hiring department at? Back in the 80's?
I wonder if all of these missteps in the hiring process were deliberate. It seems shady, to say the least. I would hate to have a family member or friend staying under these crooks' supervision.
24
Absolutely mind-blowing as well as revolting. And it leaves one wondering, with some trepidation and panic, how many other Correction Systems in America are like this as well. I grew up in NY, spent a third of my life there and the continuing exposures of the Corrections Department makes me sick. They need to dump it all and start again. I'm glad that someone has been put in charge that appears to be ready to do something. But, they're right when they say that until they change this system about who is employed there, from top to bottom, anything else is meaningless. I hope the investigations continue, that serious legal action is taken and that the NYT continues to expose the corruption. And, I want investigations of every Correction System in the United States. I find it very, very hard to believe that this rampant corruption only happens in NY.
12
Dear NYT:
Thank you very much for doing a great service to the country by publishing such articles, especially that shed light on the abuse of the disenfrenchised. While free people have various forums, inmates of jails or prisons are most of the time at the mercy of these "corrections officers." In the case of NYC, these "corrections officers" have worse records than many inmates who have been jailed for minor crimes.
The sense of duty, the power and the resilience of the fifth column is so missing nowadays. Articles likes these that shed light on the inner workings of our "government" are needed to keep the abuses and abusers in check. They also reaffirm our faith in honest and powerful journalism.
Keep on doing the great work, NYT. Hopefully, Mayor DeBlasio is paying attention to Rikers Island. If he does not do his job as the mayor, then we will need people like Preet Bharara to make sure that the Mayor of our great city does his job.
Thank you once again.
Thank you very much for doing a great service to the country by publishing such articles, especially that shed light on the abuse of the disenfrenchised. While free people have various forums, inmates of jails or prisons are most of the time at the mercy of these "corrections officers." In the case of NYC, these "corrections officers" have worse records than many inmates who have been jailed for minor crimes.
The sense of duty, the power and the resilience of the fifth column is so missing nowadays. Articles likes these that shed light on the inner workings of our "government" are needed to keep the abuses and abusers in check. They also reaffirm our faith in honest and powerful journalism.
Keep on doing the great work, NYT. Hopefully, Mayor DeBlasio is paying attention to Rikers Island. If he does not do his job as the mayor, then we will need people like Preet Bharara to make sure that the Mayor of our great city does his job.
Thank you once again.
14
Time for the Mayor to do house cleaning top to bottom. Needs to build a new culture from the ground up. This is going to take more than speeches it's going to take real effort.
9
We still haven't heard what the DOC plans to do about employees hired under the laxer standards. Mayor de Blasio probably needs to find money to buy out the jobs of those individuals; and how Norman Seabrook reacts to such an approach to cleanse the ranks will be a good indication of how much attention needs to be paid to his position by Preet Bharara and other state and federal officials.
And perhaps it's time that the public be given a rational explanation of how all this happened, and whose failures precipitated this outcome. The NYT at least should receive a Pulitzer nomination for their investigative work in bringing these conditions to light.
And perhaps it's time that the public be given a rational explanation of how all this happened, and whose failures precipitated this outcome. The NYT at least should receive a Pulitzer nomination for their investigative work in bringing these conditions to light.
11
Norman Seabrook fire union members who owe him their jobs? Not a chance!
WHAT can one say after reading this damning report?! I was especially REPULSED by the one unqualified candidate who's application read "family friend of Norman Seabrook". If THAT doesn't qualify as fodder for a criminal investigation then what does?! This is a huge BLIGHT on our city. I suggest that DeBlasio spend LESS time worrying about carriage horses who gingerly promenade through Central Park and more about fixing a system that is abusing the PUBLIC!
41
This is appalling. New York's "boldest" indeed. I have had a friend abused by these monsters.
10
Obvious problems in the hiring practices that need to be rectified; but let's not turn it into a witch hunt. Just what does gang affiliation mean. Does it mean that you know people in a gang but have not participated in illegal activity. I would hate to think that I would be judged on some of my past affiliations though I haven't done anything wrong. Additionally some psychologists wouldn't meet the profile for being psychologists and judgements should be taken with a grain of salt unless they can be backed up by tangible behaviors. The problems in hiring should be limited to those who have committed illegal or inapropriate behaviors not subjective judgements.
2
Actually heck no. Have you every been directly responsible for hiring? If someone has documented participation (of any sort) in a gang then the hiring manager placing people -- into a PRISON job -- should immediately move onto the next better candidate who has no documented gang participation. I am not sure, but from you say in your comment, you are trying too hard to excuse your own poor life behaviors and choices.
2
Actually affiliation can mean knowing people in lieu of actually being a member of an organization that engages in illicit behavior. Obviously if someone was an active member that advocated antisocial acts they should be disqualified. Most of us with lives have known people who have chosen the wrong path. Additionally psychologists
subjective judgments void of tangible behaviors that would substantiate their opinions should be taken with a grain of salt. As a practicing psychologist I have witnessed capricous judgements that have resulted in unjustified actions towards individuals.
subjective judgments void of tangible behaviors that would substantiate their opinions should be taken with a grain of salt. As a practicing psychologist I have witnessed capricous judgements that have resulted in unjustified actions towards individuals.
As with politics, the mice are guarding the cheese.
To the public, the incarcerated are to be out of sight and out of mind.
The incarcerated, as a group, have little to no political influence.
Little wonder they found the problems they found...suspect it is much worse than this article is letting on.
Unless this becomes an area of some serious political concern and attention, unlikely as there's really not much of an upside for the politician, once reporters move on and turn their attention elsewhere all shall return to continue as before.
To the public, the incarcerated are to be out of sight and out of mind.
The incarcerated, as a group, have little to no political influence.
Little wonder they found the problems they found...suspect it is much worse than this article is letting on.
Unless this becomes an area of some serious political concern and attention, unlikely as there's really not much of an upside for the politician, once reporters move on and turn their attention elsewhere all shall return to continue as before.
8
"The department has started screening applicants for gang membership and pledged to computerize the screening process, the report said."
Yes because "computerizing" the screening process is automatically a good thing that will solve things. Speaking as an IT guy who has seen how that can go.
Knowingly hiring gang members to work in a prison is kafka-esque.
9
Pathetic practices which I am sure will worsen under Mayor DeBlazio. I suggest the State take over for responsibility of running all correctional institutions in NY.
2
Huh? I think what you meant to say that is that all New Yorkers should be grateful that these practices were investigated and revealed - and are likely to be corrected - under the leadership of the mayor.
3
Maybe Sheriff Arpaio could be called in to revamp the system. Paint the cells pink, sir!
All the current hubbub over the city's Department of Correction is replicable by going to the NYTimes's own library and researching jail stories for the past 20 years or so. The reason there is nothing new under the sun, in this case, is that a city's correction system is a direct reflection of how much a city actually cares about doing something right. Politicians know that there are no votes in being in favor of improving jails or raising salaries for corrections workers. You simply can't get elected by being in favor of such things. The blame game goes on and on, and the outrage expressed by "Joe Citizen" could be written by a high school junior. The real issue, it seems to me, is to see if the community, i.e., the people of NYC, wants to have a correction system it can actually be proud of, and which it affirms as a human system of incredible importance not only to the city but to the citizenry of our city and country. I know of few instances in the nation where either state or local governments are leading the way in enlightened, disciplined management and operation of any correction facilities. Add to that the general scorn that most people feel about prisons and correction workers. and all you come up with is a society that has yet to come to grips with its own failures. In other words, we have met the enemy of correction reform and excellence, and he is us.
20
So this was a problem by the previous administration that de Blasio has to try and fix? This is what happens in budget cuts and no oversight.
12
Unless I missed it, no where does this article say whether this is all on de Blasio's watch or whether Mayor Bloomberg had the same problems. I'd like to know. Isn't that basic reporting any Times reader would want to know?
5
Reread the article .These people were hired before DeBlasio took office.
1
In this case, you are encouraged to have a single opinion of the problems, no matter which mayor is responsible.
It seems the deputy commissioner is looking the other way, dosen't personally screen applicants, and doesn't even know how the evaluation system works. Hiring gangstas, fellons, friends of criminals and other unsavory characters from the dregs of society to watch the inmates is obviously good reason to purge the ranks, starting from the top.
10
If one wants to be a good professional a person should be high class professional. Unfortunately reality shows us that there`re less and less such people in our society. Emploeyers must do everything to hire an appropriate candidates and applicants should be responsible and effective workers.
3
It's one thing to omit information on an employment application, but its another thing for untoward information to be ignored or overlooked by the people who are doing the hiring. One third of applicants who should not have been hired is inexcusable. That amounts to over 50 inept people making their inept mark on the system. And that is just from this review of applications. Who knows how many more have "slipped by" over time.
Throwing criminals in from the outside to overlook criminals on the inside doesn't make a whole lot of sense, does it?
Throwing criminals in from the outside to overlook criminals on the inside doesn't make a whole lot of sense, does it?
39
In my book, warning signs were also overlooked by us all in hiring (electing) the moronic Mayor and his relationship with Sharpton. Shame on us for not knowing the baggage he would bring to the office, along with total lack of consideration and common courtesy.
3
The class the report was based upon was screened, hired, and trained under Mayor Bloomberg.
4
Given the length of service (or, perhaps more appropriately, "employment") of the individuals in this article, it seems bizarre to attach these problems to DeBlasio as "baggage" he brought into office just a year ago. Systemic problems like this don't happen over such a relatively brief period of time - it takes years to achieve this level of corruption, ineptitude, and dysfunction.
Unless DeBlasio was a high-ranking DOC official up until his swearing in as mayor, the notion that this mess is "baggage" he carried into office is, at best, ludicrously far-fetched.
Unless DeBlasio was a high-ranking DOC official up until his swearing in as mayor, the notion that this mess is "baggage" he carried into office is, at best, ludicrously far-fetched.
2
Does it take a brain trust to figure this one out? Fire the Deputy Comm and Ponte. Peter's praising of Ponte who has done zero rings as hollow as "good job Brownie" However, if you starve the Correcton Dept for funds, nothing will change except the names on the directory menu - still, fire them all!!!
10
"All of the officers described in the report were hired before the current correction commissioner, Joseph Ponte, took over last April." - from the article. So why should Ponte be fired.
3
This is a good example of how unions take over an institution. Hiring in all public institutions has always been political, a patronage system. Bill de will continue that process, he is a politician, a patronage provider. Wise up New York, you get what you elect.
5
Hate to burst your bubble, but all Correction Officers are hired off civil service lists. Both the unions and so called Progressives want to pretend that civil service tests are "fair" and avoid patronage, but anyone who thinks that multiple choice tests are a good way to pick employees is sadly mistaken. I would agree that unions support what they call "the merit system" (i.e. these tests), but civil service tests only measure your ability to take civil service tests.
Kind of funny how the current administration and the people who support it are all bent out of shape that the City's top High Schools use a single test to determine admission- that's supposed to be racist and a bad way to pick students. At the same time they seem to think it's a wonderful way to pick the people who actually run the City on a daily basis.
Kind of funny how the current administration and the people who support it are all bent out of shape that the City's top High Schools use a single test to determine admission- that's supposed to be racist and a bad way to pick students. At the same time they seem to think it's a wonderful way to pick the people who actually run the City on a daily basis.
One need only look downtown for where potential bloodshed can occur: in the very backyard of Mr. Lynch the NYPD Benevolent Association, not his and the union's scapegoat. Forgive this out of towner's ignorance if there is another union for the Sheriff's Dept, however, the significant numbers of NY law enforcement that all turned their backs to blame the mayor for "blood" on his hands for the death of the officers should look inward.
The failure to screen for gang affiliation is an invitation to a riot. Have they checked their common sense at the door or did they just leave their keys in the lock for entertainment value? As for screening applicants out with priors convictions & terminations that's in the unreal world of common sense. It's a miracle nothing serious such as a death inside has not yet occurred. And we were so admiring of the calm serene quality of the Big Apple. Inside, there's a big worm.
The failure to screen for gang affiliation is an invitation to a riot. Have they checked their common sense at the door or did they just leave their keys in the lock for entertainment value? As for screening applicants out with priors convictions & terminations that's in the unreal world of common sense. It's a miracle nothing serious such as a death inside has not yet occurred. And we were so admiring of the calm serene quality of the Big Apple. Inside, there's a big worm.
5
Mr. Ponte? hired in April? What has taken him so long to get around to this issue? Is this another 'Manager' who waits for reports rather than taking initiatives? In light of the 'issues' at Rikers, it is obvious that hiring practices, actually from Top to Bottom were not professional. I see little hope for change here, unfortunately.
9
"The corrections department disbanded its recruitment unit in 2009 because of budget cuts."
It would appear that the Bloomberg administration has left the city with some problems. These cuts are counter productive. The violence and damage to inmates will result in lawsuits at the very least.
It would appear that the Bloomberg administration has left the city with some problems. These cuts are counter productive. The violence and damage to inmates will result in lawsuits at the very least.
28
Sounds like the Corrections is run like the latter day Cosa Nostra.
11
muezzin,Leave that alone.Very poor comparison
1
Actually, judging by the actions of all too many guards at Rikers Island, perhaps those 'red flags' are, for all practical purposes, considered assets on the job. Of course, only a cad would even hint at saying that. I'm a cad, by the way.
4
This type of story should be done about every police department in this country. IF they turn out to be clean, well, that would be nice. But I wouldn't be surprised if similar information comes up, which might explain the violence against the citizenry.
33
Stunning incompetence and corruption at the DOC. Time to clean house, from top to bottom.
24
The article is absolutely a important one , it is the matter of sadness that the correction department is corrupt badly. but you can make it a strong issue by creating mailing lists
3
Undoubtedly warning signs are overlooked in most of New York's hiring practices, too.
The Times should keep looking.
The Times should keep looking.
27
I cannot believe that Norman Seabrook has not been charged for any of the problems and abuses at Rikers Island. So many of these articles bring his leadership into question, yet he seems to be immune to being held personally accountable for the policies he has put into practice.
66
Absolutely! One HUGE thing standing in the way of prosecuting injustices on Riker's is the BRONX DISTRICT ATTORNEY who is in charge of cases at the jail. He has repeatedly refused to pursue cases that were clearly criminal. Just like with the police, these things should be handled by special prosecutors who, we would hope, have fewer conflict-of-interest issues preventing them from doing their duty.
5
Norman Seabrook is not in charge of the jail. He does not make policy. He represents the 9,000 or so correction officers who staff the facility. If he has more influence than he should, it's the fault of the Mayor and the correction commissioner.
I think the problem is not just sloppy hiring practices. This country has been at war for over a decade. The effect on the population is bound to show up in myriad ways, including mental health. Many ex soldiers end up in police departments, etc. Privatized prisons are another area which deserve increased scrutinization in their hiring practices. Like the contractors hired in the fighting in the Middle East, they are not held to the same standards as the US military.
40
" Many ex soldiers end up in police departments, etc. Privatized prisons are another area which deserve increased scrutinization in their hiring practices. Like the contractors hired in the fighting in the Middle East, they are not held to the same standards as the US military." I'm confused. Are you condemning the hiring of ex-soldiers or speaking well of the military standards that trained them?
3
Where does the article state that any of the applicants cited had military service? And please reference the factual data that supports your theories that vets gravitate to policing jobs and that the service of 2% of the population negatively impacts the overall mental health of the broader population.
5
I'd like to know what standards are used for hiring correctional officers in all the state prisons, as well as in for-profit prisons--and whether those standards are implemented or ignored.
62
And the quality of cops at all levels........bet NYPD unions would fight such a review.........
2
Incompetency seems to permeate every area of the insular Dept. of Corrections. A CO position is a well-paying job with excellent benefits. Further, this demanding and very stressful work requires that the CO be psychologically mature stable and able to remain calm in an emotionally charged and sometimes physically threatening environment. Not a job for just any Joe or Jill. The Department can afford to have high standards for candidates. Instead, negligent disregard of screening criteria and nepotism appear to be the practice in hiring. Strong, independent oversight of this agency having authority to enforce reforms and adherence to good policy is long overdue and should continue indefinitely.
75
Good comment David. I would add that incompetency DOES permeate EVERY area and level of business, politics, and government, and I would include lying, greed, ignorance, naivete, fear, and cowardice, ESPECIALLY at the executive levels. This happens because the lazy and uninvolved (except a few with their mouths) public allows it to happen by not using their enormous power to stop it and put REAL leaders in our most important leadership positions. As the quote goes: "Power corrupts the few, WEAKNESS corrupts the many."
3
In other words, the corrections department is corrupt from top to bottom. Time for a complete shakeup in management, new policies and procedures, and no more patronage jobs.
C'mon, Mayor! Do your job and get rid of all the incompetents in Corrections!! What more must be uncovered before you act to bring integrity and honor to this institution?
C'mon, Mayor! Do your job and get rid of all the incompetents in Corrections!! What more must be uncovered before you act to bring integrity and honor to this institution?
107
Maybe you should ask Mayor Bloomberg where he was during his 12 year reign.
4
There's no recruitment process, no public info on applying for jobs, and little oversight in hiring. Sounds like it's run like a family business by the Correction Officers union, who hire friends and family and cronies with impunity.
120
DiBlasio is busy maligning the NYPD and fawning over his over protected son. In between his bodacious anti-police rhetoric, he can hardly fit a mayoral duty in edgewise. When does he have time to address correctional department incompetence? NYC's correction department is rife with corruption. Which NYC government agency isn't?
1
Joshua, almost all of the COs in the report came from one class. The class was tested, evaluated, hired, and trained under Mayor Bloomberg your comment about the current mayor has no relevance.
10
Organized and deliberate, all of these groups, such as those correction officers, have lost complete sight of what their purpose is.
They are dangerously delusional....