princesskittypoo
10-04-2005, 10:40 AM
To all Parties concerned,
This letter is written in hopes of more humane treatment and fairer practices of the faculty here at the Henry County Jail concerning the inmates.
The first of our concerns is that we are refused grievance forms. We ask for them because of section 6VAC15-40-130 in the inmate handbook provided by the Henry County Sherrif. Section 6VAC15-40-130 reads:
"The purpose of written grievance procedure is 1) to assure that an inmate's complaint is given full opportunity for a fair hearing, consideration and resolution. This formal procedure is tended to supplement, not replace, informal methods of complaint resolutions at all levels; and to assist jail administration in identifying facility problems."
"Definition
1) a written complaint concerning the substance application of any written policy or regulation, absence of a policy or regulation.
2) Behavior or action directed toward an inmate by a facility employee or other inmates.
3) complaints about conditions at confinement."
The next section of the handbook goes on further to say...
"A written grievance procedure shall be developed and made available to all inmates
with the fallowing elements:
1) Frievance shall be responded to within (9) calendar days of receipt;
2) written responses including the reason for the decision shall be made toall greivances.
3) a review shall be made by someone not directly involved in the grievance.
4) All inmates shall have access to the procedure with guaranty aagainst reprisal; and
5) All inmates shall be afforded the opportunities to appeal the decision to the Sheriff of Henry County, whose decision is final."
Because we are denied these forms, we (inmates) can not have a fair hearing, consideration or a resolution. We only hear, "it's not grievanceable" and are told in many different ways to give up seeking a grievance form. Because of this an inmate whom did attain a grievance form sent it out to have family make copies of it and mailed them back to the inmate. The copies were confiscated.
Which brings us to the next problem; mail. The inmates handbook on page 27, part 6, paragraph 2 states,
"Incoming mail maybe opened and examined for contraband in the inmates prsence, but the letters will not be read or censored."
The grievance form was not copy written, so this could not have been their reason for it being confiscated. We feel that if the letter sent to the inmate had only been checked for contraband then it couldn't have been read and would have been allowed.
The next subject of dire importance is the emergency call button. In our cell block and numerous others the call button is located out of reach throught the bars. Sometimes we have a broomstick to reach through the bars to push it, but more than 50% of the time they take the broomstick away for "safety precautions" to the inmates. If an inmate was to have a serious medical condition like a heart attack or stroke that required immediate medical attention there would be no way to call for help. When an inmate asked for a grievance form about this, Henry County Guard Dale Mills said, "You don't think ya'll could make enough noise to get help?" and that "it's not agrievable." This is absolutely absurd.
Our next concern is the overcrowdin in the Henry County Jail. It is not only a health hazard, but a major fire hazard also. Our cellblock has 12 beds, 2 toilets, 2 tables that hold 6 people each, and 1 shower. Currently today, there are 22 people in one cell, with as many as 23. Within the last month the jail has failed to provide essential bedding and towells; ex. sheets, blankets, pillows, pillow cases, bathtowell, and washclothes. The inmate handbook page 29, part 7 states:
"Prisoners will be allowedtwo sheets, one blanket, one mattress, and one pillow case."
Inmates are coming in with one sheet that is two peices tied together to make one. When meals come there is only enough room for 12 inmates to sit down; the rest have to stand or sit on the bunk or floor to eat. The jail facility is in poor condition. There is extensive mold in the showers with peeling paint that may, as far as we know, contain lead. Mice come out in the middle of the night and eat inmates canteen ( inmates purchased food). Security cameras are not in working order in all cells, posing a safety risk to inmates. Hot and cold water faucets on sinks are not functioning. In the kitchen, the dishwasher air-dry system does not work therefor trays and cups are dried by towel which is in direct violation of VA state health code. The overall running and condition of this jail facility is down right absurd. No human being should be treated or housed like this.
Our next concern is the prevention of disease spread. We are provided "jail house clippers" for hair and beard trimming. The clippers are not sanitized. Fingernail clippers are provided also, one set for the whole cellblock that are also not sanitized. If one person in a cellblock had an infectious disease (ex. HIV) and nicked themselves with the hairclippers or fingernail clippers, it would be spread to the next person who might accidentally nick themselves. Q-tips and cotten swabs are a basic hygeine supply that should under no circumstance be denied to inmates requesting them.
We are told in the inmate handbook; page 21, part 1#8 that we are responsible for cleaning our cell block. We are not provied though with no where near enough paper cleaning supplies to sanitize eating tables, sanitizing benches, phone recievers, bed rails, toilet seats, etc. As of September 20, 2005, indigent inmates have not received basic hygene supplies such as soap or shampoo. The jail is suppose to supply these things when they are indigent with no money.
The next subject of concern is food portion and canteen prices. Canteen is items that can be purchased by inmates that have money sent to them by their family to supplement food portions and hygiene supplies. The canteen item prices are way over priced. Example, Ramon Noodles which coast $.09 on the street, we are charged $.45 each. Stamped envelopes on canteen advertised to us as $.37 com in our invoice being charged to us at $.43. They cannot be charging $.06 for the envelope because we can get 5 plain white envelopes from the jail via indigent sheets for $.10. An inmate has to buy food themselves due to the portion sizes given at meal times. These portions are so small if a man did not buy from canteen he would stay hungry. We feel the prices and portions work hand and hand. Example; the jail serves small portions and the jail charges high prices so the jail can make money from the food an inmate has to buy in order to keep from staying hungry. We ask is this fair? Our understanding is that 15% of the total canteen order comes to the jail as profit, as does the Martinville City Jail/Annex has the same practice, but they provide cable tv, tv's, games, etc from this money. Here at Henry County Jail, we have to buy these things ourselves. None of these things are being provided by this facility, so we ask, where is this money going? This needs to be investigaed by someone who will be impartial and fair.
We are also told to keep the same plastic spoon indefinitely. We have no real way of cleaning the spoon after each meal. We believe this is unclean and is a health hazard. Should we not be given a new spoon? The Martinsville County Jail gives a new spoon with every nights dinner.
Still another subject is outside recreation. Inmates get outside for 15-30 minutes once every two or more months. When they do take us outside it's only because they want to search our cellblock for contraband (items not approved by the jail). They claim we don't get to go outside for exercise because of being understaffed. From prior trips ouside, it only takes 3 guards to take us outside.
And last but not least, on the early morning of September 20,2005, about 12:40 am an inmate slipped on water that had leaked out of the shower and fell on the concrete floor. For over two months the inmates have been making it clearly known that the leak was a problem and it was not fixed. We (inmates) got the guards attention and told them this accident happened. The guards on duty, Wayne Forbes and Dale Mills, turned the lights on in the cell at 1:00am, woke up every person in the cellblock, had us dress out in our orange jump suits, and pulled us out two by two to take statements of what happened. After finishing statements of what happened they put 11 people in one holding tank (approximately 8 foot by 9 foot) with no ventilation, urine on the floor, and no seating for almost 2 hours while they searched our cells for no other reason than punishment. Dale Mills said, " if we are going through the trouble of pulling everyone out at this time of the morning we are going to search the cell." One inmate was threatened by Dale Mills, he would be put into the hole if he asked for a grievance form one more time. All 11 people were threatened by Dale Mills that they would sleep in the holding tank (8 foot by 9 foot) because a person was banging on the door for fresh air after being detained in the cell for 2 hours. After returning to the cellblock that prepared inmate purchased canteen food (ramen noodles) had been confiscated and thrown away for no reason. A paper cross affixed on the wall above an inmates bunk was ripped in half, balled up and thrown on the floor. This was for no other purpose other than aggrivation because in other cell searches the cross went untouched. We feel guards behavior is uncalled for an inhumane. Yes we are inmates but we are also still human beings and should not be treated as having no rights and no voice. We feel these conditions are justly rectifiable with a small change in attitude and finance. We the undersigned are not complaining of petty things. We sincerely believe that these problems need to be addressed with due respect to all persons involved.
*you can read the signed names here* http://xc9.xanga.com/bc6812733025814113774/b10118177.jpg
*also if you want to read the entire letter in hand written form you can visit here....
http://www.xanga.com/item.aspx?user=mag_1&tab=weblogs&uid=360027584
*i took the liberty in proof reading*
This letter is written in hopes of more humane treatment and fairer practices of the faculty here at the Henry County Jail concerning the inmates.
The first of our concerns is that we are refused grievance forms. We ask for them because of section 6VAC15-40-130 in the inmate handbook provided by the Henry County Sherrif. Section 6VAC15-40-130 reads:
"The purpose of written grievance procedure is 1) to assure that an inmate's complaint is given full opportunity for a fair hearing, consideration and resolution. This formal procedure is tended to supplement, not replace, informal methods of complaint resolutions at all levels; and to assist jail administration in identifying facility problems."
"Definition
1) a written complaint concerning the substance application of any written policy or regulation, absence of a policy or regulation.
2) Behavior or action directed toward an inmate by a facility employee or other inmates.
3) complaints about conditions at confinement."
The next section of the handbook goes on further to say...
"A written grievance procedure shall be developed and made available to all inmates
with the fallowing elements:
1) Frievance shall be responded to within (9) calendar days of receipt;
2) written responses including the reason for the decision shall be made toall greivances.
3) a review shall be made by someone not directly involved in the grievance.
4) All inmates shall have access to the procedure with guaranty aagainst reprisal; and
5) All inmates shall be afforded the opportunities to appeal the decision to the Sheriff of Henry County, whose decision is final."
Because we are denied these forms, we (inmates) can not have a fair hearing, consideration or a resolution. We only hear, "it's not grievanceable" and are told in many different ways to give up seeking a grievance form. Because of this an inmate whom did attain a grievance form sent it out to have family make copies of it and mailed them back to the inmate. The copies were confiscated.
Which brings us to the next problem; mail. The inmates handbook on page 27, part 6, paragraph 2 states,
"Incoming mail maybe opened and examined for contraband in the inmates prsence, but the letters will not be read or censored."
The grievance form was not copy written, so this could not have been their reason for it being confiscated. We feel that if the letter sent to the inmate had only been checked for contraband then it couldn't have been read and would have been allowed.
The next subject of dire importance is the emergency call button. In our cell block and numerous others the call button is located out of reach throught the bars. Sometimes we have a broomstick to reach through the bars to push it, but more than 50% of the time they take the broomstick away for "safety precautions" to the inmates. If an inmate was to have a serious medical condition like a heart attack or stroke that required immediate medical attention there would be no way to call for help. When an inmate asked for a grievance form about this, Henry County Guard Dale Mills said, "You don't think ya'll could make enough noise to get help?" and that "it's not agrievable." This is absolutely absurd.
Our next concern is the overcrowdin in the Henry County Jail. It is not only a health hazard, but a major fire hazard also. Our cellblock has 12 beds, 2 toilets, 2 tables that hold 6 people each, and 1 shower. Currently today, there are 22 people in one cell, with as many as 23. Within the last month the jail has failed to provide essential bedding and towells; ex. sheets, blankets, pillows, pillow cases, bathtowell, and washclothes. The inmate handbook page 29, part 7 states:
"Prisoners will be allowedtwo sheets, one blanket, one mattress, and one pillow case."
Inmates are coming in with one sheet that is two peices tied together to make one. When meals come there is only enough room for 12 inmates to sit down; the rest have to stand or sit on the bunk or floor to eat. The jail facility is in poor condition. There is extensive mold in the showers with peeling paint that may, as far as we know, contain lead. Mice come out in the middle of the night and eat inmates canteen ( inmates purchased food). Security cameras are not in working order in all cells, posing a safety risk to inmates. Hot and cold water faucets on sinks are not functioning. In the kitchen, the dishwasher air-dry system does not work therefor trays and cups are dried by towel which is in direct violation of VA state health code. The overall running and condition of this jail facility is down right absurd. No human being should be treated or housed like this.
Our next concern is the prevention of disease spread. We are provided "jail house clippers" for hair and beard trimming. The clippers are not sanitized. Fingernail clippers are provided also, one set for the whole cellblock that are also not sanitized. If one person in a cellblock had an infectious disease (ex. HIV) and nicked themselves with the hairclippers or fingernail clippers, it would be spread to the next person who might accidentally nick themselves. Q-tips and cotten swabs are a basic hygeine supply that should under no circumstance be denied to inmates requesting them.
We are told in the inmate handbook; page 21, part 1#8 that we are responsible for cleaning our cell block. We are not provied though with no where near enough paper cleaning supplies to sanitize eating tables, sanitizing benches, phone recievers, bed rails, toilet seats, etc. As of September 20, 2005, indigent inmates have not received basic hygene supplies such as soap or shampoo. The jail is suppose to supply these things when they are indigent with no money.
The next subject of concern is food portion and canteen prices. Canteen is items that can be purchased by inmates that have money sent to them by their family to supplement food portions and hygiene supplies. The canteen item prices are way over priced. Example, Ramon Noodles which coast $.09 on the street, we are charged $.45 each. Stamped envelopes on canteen advertised to us as $.37 com in our invoice being charged to us at $.43. They cannot be charging $.06 for the envelope because we can get 5 plain white envelopes from the jail via indigent sheets for $.10. An inmate has to buy food themselves due to the portion sizes given at meal times. These portions are so small if a man did not buy from canteen he would stay hungry. We feel the prices and portions work hand and hand. Example; the jail serves small portions and the jail charges high prices so the jail can make money from the food an inmate has to buy in order to keep from staying hungry. We ask is this fair? Our understanding is that 15% of the total canteen order comes to the jail as profit, as does the Martinville City Jail/Annex has the same practice, but they provide cable tv, tv's, games, etc from this money. Here at Henry County Jail, we have to buy these things ourselves. None of these things are being provided by this facility, so we ask, where is this money going? This needs to be investigaed by someone who will be impartial and fair.
We are also told to keep the same plastic spoon indefinitely. We have no real way of cleaning the spoon after each meal. We believe this is unclean and is a health hazard. Should we not be given a new spoon? The Martinsville County Jail gives a new spoon with every nights dinner.
Still another subject is outside recreation. Inmates get outside for 15-30 minutes once every two or more months. When they do take us outside it's only because they want to search our cellblock for contraband (items not approved by the jail). They claim we don't get to go outside for exercise because of being understaffed. From prior trips ouside, it only takes 3 guards to take us outside.
And last but not least, on the early morning of September 20,2005, about 12:40 am an inmate slipped on water that had leaked out of the shower and fell on the concrete floor. For over two months the inmates have been making it clearly known that the leak was a problem and it was not fixed. We (inmates) got the guards attention and told them this accident happened. The guards on duty, Wayne Forbes and Dale Mills, turned the lights on in the cell at 1:00am, woke up every person in the cellblock, had us dress out in our orange jump suits, and pulled us out two by two to take statements of what happened. After finishing statements of what happened they put 11 people in one holding tank (approximately 8 foot by 9 foot) with no ventilation, urine on the floor, and no seating for almost 2 hours while they searched our cells for no other reason than punishment. Dale Mills said, " if we are going through the trouble of pulling everyone out at this time of the morning we are going to search the cell." One inmate was threatened by Dale Mills, he would be put into the hole if he asked for a grievance form one more time. All 11 people were threatened by Dale Mills that they would sleep in the holding tank (8 foot by 9 foot) because a person was banging on the door for fresh air after being detained in the cell for 2 hours. After returning to the cellblock that prepared inmate purchased canteen food (ramen noodles) had been confiscated and thrown away for no reason. A paper cross affixed on the wall above an inmates bunk was ripped in half, balled up and thrown on the floor. This was for no other purpose other than aggrivation because in other cell searches the cross went untouched. We feel guards behavior is uncalled for an inhumane. Yes we are inmates but we are also still human beings and should not be treated as having no rights and no voice. We feel these conditions are justly rectifiable with a small change in attitude and finance. We the undersigned are not complaining of petty things. We sincerely believe that these problems need to be addressed with due respect to all persons involved.
*you can read the signed names here* http://xc9.xanga.com/bc6812733025814113774/b10118177.jpg
*also if you want to read the entire letter in hand written form you can visit here....
http://www.xanga.com/item.aspx?user=mag_1&tab=weblogs&uid=360027584
*i took the liberty in proof reading*