On Wed, 30 Jul 2003 22:43:54 GMT, "Jeff McCann"
wrote:


"Joseph Stachyra" wrote in message
...
those four soldiers, are from my area, N.E. Pennsylvania, near Scranton.
Locally, in my newspaper, they listed there names, and what they do for
a
living, besides being in the service.
one is a College Teacher
one is a Full Time State Trooper for Pennsylvania
one is a Full Time Prison Guard, at a State Prison
I think the fourth one is also a prison guard.
They are All GOOD PEOPLE, GETTING A SCREWING.


I don't have any special details, but just by knowing the occupations of the
latter three, and especially the last two, my suspicions as to the
probability of their guilt is raised slightly. The psychological, social
and intellectual makeup of the "average corrections officer" makes for,
frankly, pretty scary reading. You'd be surprised by the many ways that
jailors resemble jailees more than they do the general population.

The substantiated record of abuse of prisoners by CO's and especially their
propensity to stand aside and allow prisoners to abuse the weaker among them
is horrendous, and one of the great unheralded wrongs of our society, as
well as a contributing factor to inmates exiting prison more screwed up than
when they went in. It would not be difficult to imagine how the decrease in
perceived accountability presented in the Iraqi situation might lead to
abuse of prisoners by their guards.

But the accused are individuals, not necessarily anything like the "average
CO." Their willingness to serve in the Reserves (NG?) is to their credit.
I'll be interested in learning the evidence against them and their defenses.
Allegations of abuse of POWs is not like allegations of abuse by prisoners
in the local lock-up, a minor affair that can usually be safely ignored or
covered up. It is an international matter under the Geneva Conventions, as
well as a serious offence under the UCMJ. Are we talking just an occasional
shoving and harsh words, or midnight beatings, medical neglect and
systematic abuse? I hope they aren't being railroaded for political
reasons.

Jeff


Jeff- your response intrigues me a bit.

I've spent the last year on a construction project inside a maximum
security prison in New York State. Everywhere we go, we are
accompanied by a CO; the facility holds about 2,000 inmates.
Murderers, rapists, etc.

I'll concede that there is no "love lost" between the CO's and the
inmates, but I have seen no evidence of abuse from the CO's. On the
contrary, there is the "lockdown" gallery where inmates regularly
attempt to throw excrement and urine on the CO's. Certain inmates are
known as "****-spitters". That's right. They will mix excrement with
water, sip a mouthful, and spit it on the first available CO.

Whenever two inmates get involved in a fist/razor blade/garote fight,
the CO's have to jump in and break it up. Often, there is blood. Did
you know that CO's regularly undergo AIDS treatment because they
cannot force an inmate to take an AIDS test? What a gift to share
with your family. "Honey, I got blood on me. I'm sleeping on the
couch for a while. By the way, keep the kids away from me."

After spending 40 hours a week, for many months, inside this facility,
I am thankful that there are people willing to do the job. It sucks.
Nobody says "Thanks". It is dirty, there is "risk" everywhere, and
you get to deal with the worst of people every minute of every day.

I am a strong supporter of human rights, but these CO's earn their
paycheck every day, and put up with more "stuff" than you will see in
a lifetime.

Try another mocassin for a day.
noah

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