Tuesday, March 15, 2011

Stiles unit inmate Facebooked and made cell phone calls to set up escape plan

 By Tonya Peters, Backgate Website

 Mike Ward, a reporter with the Austin American Statesman has released information today that shows calls were made to a female friend of escaped and now recaptured Stiles unit inmate David Puckett dating back to September of 2010. TDCJ Office of Inspector General information confirmed that Puckett had used the cell phones capability to update posts on the popular social networking site Facebook. Accomplice Mattice Mayo, 25, was said to have been in contact with Puckett,27, using the FaceBook site as well as by phone.

Ward contacted Texas Senator John Whitmire  about the issue who stated, “This is absolutely outrageous,” Whitmire said. “Apparently the (Texas Department of Criminal Justice) is incapable of blocking cell phones from getting into prisons, and now one has been used in an escape. Before we experience a tragedy, this needs to be stopped.”

Whitmire demanded that Gov. Rick Perry authorize prison officials to immediately begin jamming cell-phone signals in state prisons.

“We need zero tolerance on cell phones in prisons. Whatever it takes,” Whitmire said.
“This state should do whatever it takes to stop cell phones from getting into prisons, and if the current leadership at TDCJ can’t do that, we need to find someone who can.”

Texas Senator John Whitmire
Whitmire echoed this same message during an interview with the Backgate just last year regarding cell phones behind bars. He stated to us then that he felt that TDCJ was not doing enough to combat the problems. Whitmire was instrumental in getting metal detectors placed on units for employee searches for contraband as they entered prison units after a 2008 Backgate, then KPRC channel 2 news Houston report on corruption and employee contraband issues at the Terrell prison in Brazoria County.

Whitmire also voiced concerns then during a special Senate hearing in which he publicly blasted TDCJ chief Brad Livingston, and OIG chief John Moriarty for their inaction in fixing the cell phone issues. It's come down to a point of hiring standards now. It may not be possible to do any more employee searching then the agency already legally does. Short of body cavity searches, I think the agency has done what it can to stem the flow of contraband in most cases, at most facilities. Jamming brings it's own issues, number one being the legality of it.

The ban against cell phone jammers isn't new. In fact, it's the musty old 1934 Communications Act that bans the jamming of any commercial radio communication, a law that predates not only jammers but cell phones themselves. The state of Texas would be in violation of the act if it attempted to use the jammers. The federal government can jam the airwaves in some cases, but states do not have that power or ability.  Movie theaters, Restaurant, and police agencies have all tried and failed to get permission to use jammers to stem unwanted cellular transmissions. It is said the the United States has the most strenuous jamming laws in the world. Canada, Mexico, Norway and a few others use jammers to stamp out cell phone use. And are using them successfully.

In support of Stiles unit senior Warden Richard Alford, who has been assigned to the unit for just a few months, open records information the Backgate obtained last month clearly showed improvement in contraband issues, and weeding out of corrupt employees. This escape may unfairly target him being he is at the helm of this perpetually troubled facility. So whats the answer ? How does the agency clean up or change the issues with contraband ? Does it all come down to hiring standards and the morals of those we hire for the little pay ?

12 comments:

  1. Well, when it comes to hiring standards and the morals of the employees, didn't our "esteemed" Governor say that a monkey could do our job?? When we are being thought of that way and possibly made shorter staffed to fix his budget deficit, why would people who are getting hired be worried about bringing in contraband? They are probably getting paid more to bring in the contraband than we are just coming to work everyday! I'm clean but I was brought up with good morals and I value my job because of my family, however there are many people out there that aren't like that. The State abuses the good employees they have and the when the bad ones are found out, nothing is done! What does that show the ones that are potentially going to bring in contraband? Well it shows them that all they will get is fired! If we start prosecuting them to the fullest extent of the law, maybe that would curb the contraband!

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  2. Good point. And its all over the state. Employees are all saying the same things. And then after unit based supervisors hold them accountable and manage them out of their jobs the regional offices are mediating them right back in. Those employees come back in laughing and making fun of the system. And then continue doing what got them fired anyway. All the while TDCJ keeps hiring trash, and abusing the few good employees they have. I see a meltdown coming soon.

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  3. I think Texas Senator John Whitmire should become TDCJ Director and show everyone how it should be done.

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  4. I love it. I love it. I love it. I'm at the Robertson Unit in Abilene, posting this via my T-Mobile HTC HD2. TDCJ will never get rid of these phones, and they know it. LOL

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  5. It has become almost a joke all around the state. The employees see the bad management. The people who are put into these management positions have no common sense. Then again, I guess you get what you pay for.

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  6. As long as there is no collective bargaining power no one will treat the hard working prison employees who make this monster run with respect. They will continue to take us for granted until they realize that the prisons will not run themselves and additionally they wouldn't be able to find people to run them if we were gone. Maybe they can go to the zoo and find some monkeys to run it.

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  7. It all starts at the top. Poor management, poor employees and poor pay!!!!!!!!!!!

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  8. Poor pay is no excuse. California COs make about 3 times as much as we do, and yet Charles Manson has been found with 2 cell phones and California confiscated 10,000 cell phones last year.

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  9. Thank you for this posting, you’ve got a few solid points but will you be posting a follow up to this?

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  10. imho jammers should be installed in all schools, universities and especially in prisons.

    Prisoners have no right to use cell phones so it's essential to block gsm connection there.

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  11. I can't believe that something link this can happen. See the power of social networking. Thank you very much.

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  12. Staff is corrupt in every way possible including abuse/ neglect. Tdcj has a huge cover up.... Nothing matters it will never change...corrupt from the top ... Down!!!!

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