Spate of Violence Gripping Massachusetts Prison, No End in Sight
Protest Update Newsletter 9/28
Prisoners in the troubled H-2 housing unit remain in lockdown after the third incident of violence since September 18, and stabbing attack on Correction Officer Stephen D. Adams. An assault that could have been avoided but for administrative incompetence and negligent indifference.
On September 27, just minutes after the cellblock was opened up to the beginnings of regular movement. Two inmates who shared a cell, and with a history of fighting in their cell, took their beef onto the flats when one man sucker punched the other. A swift response from a waiting tactical team and army of Correction Officers flooded the unit.
This spate of violence could have been avoided had the Superintendent of Souza-Baranowski, Shawn A. Zoldak, conducted a proper investigation of the Correction Officer, Adams, who remains the catalyst for the protests sweeping this institution. In June, months before C.O. Adams was punched and stabbed 12 times in the H-2 cellblock, Shawn Zoldak was made aware of the mistreatment and abuse toward inmates in his care. Zoldak suffers no consequences over his administrative incompetence and official cover up of his broomed investigation.
The Massachusetts Department of Correction is in transition. Long time commissioner Carol A. Mici has been replaced. Interim commissioner Shawn P. Jenkins is facing his first crisis. A trial by fire. Jenkins could continue in the tradition of backing incompetent Superintendents and bad policy, or he can fire Souza-Baranowski Superintendent Shawn A. Zoldak and make essential improvements to avoid future violence.
Prison officials have constructed important scaffolding over the past decade to improve conditions of confinement. The Tablet program, for example, allows staff initiated contact, emails, between prison officials and prisoners. But, this feature of essential communication is disabled. Prisoners unable to speak out will act out. As was the violent case on September 18.
The Android Tablets which prison authorities provide inmates is a transformative tool which the Massachusetts Department of Correction does not fully exploit. Currently, every Massachusetts prison allows a weekly staff access period. Prisoners gather to speak with one senior staff official once per week. This ineffective display of staff access is called ''happy hour'' by inmates who deride the event as a hollow and useless pretense. But, the new commissioner Shawn Jenkins can immediately implement and enable direct email communication between prisoners via the Tablet program.
On September 18, immediately after Stephen Adams was stabbed Souza-Baranowski, the Correction Officers Federated Union pointed to these Tablets as a source of metal for making knives behind bars. This self serving manufactured lie is typical of an incompetent group looking to blame anyone or anything but their own failure, negligence and tactics.
Prisoner's have no voice. But, the Tablet device allows phone calls and emails. Prisoner's can now speak out. But, prison authorities don't take advantage of this progressive reformative tool. Right now, prisoners and prison staff could be communicating by email to work together and find solutions to the violence gripping these institutions.
The tools exist, but are currently disabled. On every Tablet is a function called ''Offender Initiated'' email. And there could be email communication between inmates and various departments instantly. This email communication could have made the difference on September 18th in the H-2 housing unit. Men had for weeks known C.O. Adams was targeted for attack. This Correction Officer used his authority and position to disrespect and demean prisoners in his care. It was just a matter of time before a disgruntled convict lashed out. When prisoners can't speak out, they act out.
Interim commissioner Shawn Jenkins can right the ship by firing Souza-Baranowski Superintendent Shawn A. Zoldak and implementation of direct email communication between prison authorities and inmates.
Right now there is a culture of violence and despair festering throughout Massachusetts prisons. And, the reaction by poorly trained Correction Officials is to carry on as in the past. Heavy handed tactics and brutal isolation. Collective punishment and taking privileges. But, these tactics have never worked. And, sadly, continue a tradition of repression that ultimately damages society.