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Update on Institution Closuresby Louie Adame, Rank & File VP, Youth Division On May 21, 2008, representatives of CDCR's Division of Juvenile Justice met with CCPOA representatives to answer concerns about the imminent closures of El Paso de Robles and DeWitt Nelson on June 30, 2008. CCPOA representatives asked many questions but got very few answers. They met again on May 28, wherein CDCR informed the CCPOA representatives that they could not provide the informational requests. They stated that CCPOA had requested information that was not relevant to the closures and had minimal–if any–impact on Unit Six members.With the last four facility closures, former DJJ management officials had met with CCPOA representatives one year prior to the closures of the institutions at El Centro, Fred C. Nelles, Karl Holton and NRCC. Now, not much more than two weeks notice was given to CCPOA, as the DJJ representatives stated that starting the first week in June 2008 they would be at Paso Robles to allow the officers to pick their choice of options of where to work, followed by the second week at DeWitt for their members' opportunity. DJJ never met with CCPOA on how or what the Academy would offer the members from the closing institutions, and they have not provided any information that would benefit the members who are part of the closures. They waited until the last month to meet with CCPOA, and have stated they don't have the paperwork we are requesting on the second meeting. DJJ is not concerned about how this closure will affect our officers' families. They could not care less about your seniority or how far you have to travel. They are not even concerned about uniform allowance for the displaced staff at Paso Robles or DeWitt. The Department wants to demote all youth correctional counselors to correctional officers. At one time, then-CDCR Secretary James Tilton stated the highly trained YCC would help the adult system, as they do the same paperwork as a correctional counselor 1. Now the department wishes to demote YCCs. They don't even want to redline the salaries for the YCCs, as they did for the El Centro DJJ staff and, most recently, the MTA classification. So, you'll demote and make less money. The Department is reducing the population to escape the financial burden of the Ferrell Consent Decree. In the last four years, DJJ has changed the mission numerous times, and lots of public money has been wasted hiring experts who have never worked in a prison. They come from different states that have never experienced gang problems, plus they have never worked with wards who are 25 years old and are convicted of drive-by shootings, murders, rapes, and have at least 10 prior serious felonies. DJJ houses the worst of the worst in California, these so-called “juvenile offenders.” Very little has been said about the financial burdens currently being experienced by every city in California. Be prepared, as most county juvenile programs will lose funding for the improvement of wards' education and health. The Fresno County lead prosecutor says massive budget cuts could jeopardize public safety. Just wait until the Youth Law Center and the Prison Law Office have to track 58 counties for failing to provide programs for their wards. DJJ did an excellent job in persuading state legislators that the counties could do a better job. Hopefully, these parolees will visit the neighborhoods of these legislators, or perhaps the child molesters will visit their children's schools. It has been said that wards masturbating in front of male/female staff have mental problems and therefore should not be held accountable for that unacceptable behavior. Let's see what the public says to that poor misguided ward who is 24 years old and is masturbating in front of children. It's going to get worse for the public in the near future. CCPOA has filed PERB unfair labor practice charges and we are examining all legal avenues to protect the interests of our members.  Print This PageBack to Volume 25, Issue 5 Back to PEACEKeeper Main Page |
