-Physical/Mental Abuse, Medical Neglect, Denial of Due Process, racism, etc.

This information was reported to the Human Rights Coalition by way of letters, grievances, and lawsuits sent by people incarcerated in Pennsylvania and their families. Human Rights Coalition FedUp! Chapter 5125 Penn Ave Pittsburgh, PA 15224 email - hrcfedup@gmail.com phone - 412-361-3022 xt. 4

Reports of Human Rights Violations at Other PA Prisons-2007-2008

The following information is organized chronologically --Please note that some of these reports go into detail of physical abuse and may be upsetting Date of Incident Generalsummer 2008 and prior Date Reported June 8, 2008 & July 30, 2008 Name, #, Location of Person(s Larita Brown #OA1270 SCI Muncy Staff Involved Unnamed Type of Abuse Blocking parole; medical; deprivation of law library; psychological Description of Incident Larita Brown has been retaliated against by prison officals for filing grievances. Her parole is being blocked and she is being forced to max out her sentence, she is being denied access to the law library as well as treatment for severe tooth pain. These and other unnamed abuses are so overwhelming as to be causing severe depression. Grievance Filed, Date, # Yes Discrimination No

July 2008

July 30, 2008

Larita Brown #DA1270 SCI Muncy

Unnamed

Physical, denial of due process, deprivation of property, deprivation of food, medical neglect

July 27, 2008

July 30, 2008

Larita Brown #DA1270 SCI Muncy

Unnamed

Fabricated charges, denial of necessity

In July of 2008 Larita Brown had her cell invaded by two male guards and one female guard while she was naked and on the toilet. She was slammed into the wall repeatedly, threatened with being thrown off the front tier, and then taken to another cell while being slammed into and drug along the railing. She was left in the other cell with her hands cuffed behind her back for hours. She was threatened with further misconduct charges if she were to continue filing grievances (see above entry). The C/Os then confiscated her grievance reports. Furthermore, Ms. Brown reports that she and others are periodically denied meals and medical treatment and access to legal material. Ms. Brown was issued a misconduct charge on this day for requesting that prison staff provide mentally ill patients with

Unknown

no

Unknown

No

March 16, May 16, 2008 2008

Kevin Rex #AS2323 SCI Forest

C/O Wolbent; Lt. Gill; Sgts. Mckinney and Duncan

Sexual

April 18, 2008

April 28, 2008

Gary Burkholder #CB2051 SCI Forest

Captain Ireland; C/Os Burton and Park

Deprivation of mail

May 9, 2008

June 2, 2008 by Yassin Mohamad #CU0143 SCI Forest

Gary Banks #, Yasin Mohamad #CU0143, David Harris # SCI Forest

Unnamed

Physical

June 7,

June 11,

Anthony

C/O Asp

Deprivation of food

blankets. Mr. Rex was forced to undergo a strip search by Lt. Gill, Sgts. Mckinney and Duncan in the presence of C/O Wolbent, a female officer who handled the video camera. On this date Mr. Burkholder had legal mail sent to him withheld on fabricated pretexts. He was issued a misconduct, falsifying the contents of the package, by Cpt. Ireland and C/Os Burton and Park. Gary Banks was subjected to attack with chemical weapons and stun devices on this date, clubbed with the blackjack, stripped naked and left in a freezing cold cell for a week. The riot team then proceeded to attack and forcibly extract David Harris and Yassin Mohamad, again using chemical weapons. These two were placed in torture chairs with their clothes removed. Mr. Wead reports that

Yes

No

Yes

No

Unknown

no

Unknown

No

2008

2008 by Robert Wead #FM2131 SCI Forest April 29, 2008

Bussey # SCI Forest

April 24, 2008

May 2025, 2008

May 25, 2008

Marcus Washington #FN3117 SCI Graterford (now SCI Huntingdon) Anonymous SCI Graterford

Unnamed, medical staff implicated

Medical

Unnamed

Deprivation of food, clothing, shower, recreation

General July 9, conditions 2008 (daily)

Ronald Taylor #EX2412 SCI Graterford

Medical; mail tampering/withholding; denial of food; unsanitary conditions (water)

May 21, 2007

September Curtis 11, 2008 Thomas #AF5268 SCI

Unit Manager Duck; Counselor Shope; Sgt.

Sexual

C/O Asp has been denying meals to Anthony Bussey in the RHU in retaliation for the inmates alleged assault against another C/O. After a fall from his bunk which led to inuries to his neck and back, Mr. Washington has received inadequate treatment and still suffers from severe neck and back pain. A man in SCI Graterford has been sent to the hole where he was given only one meal a day and denied clean clothing, showers, and recreation. Ronald Taylor submitted a report describing staff coercing prisoners into giving blood needlessly, and in an unclean manner; staff depriving prisoners of food; tampering with mail and commissary; and a lack of air conditioning during the summer and foul drinking water. Mr. Thomas, on several occasions, spoke to Counselor Shope, Sgt. Victor, and Unit

Unknown

no

Unknown

No

Yes

Yes race

Yes

no

Smithfield Victor (SCI Greene now)

May 14, 2008

May 27, 2008

Robert Periu Unnamed #EK2071 SCI Smithfield

Medical

May 23, 2008

May 27, 2008 by Robert

Jesse Baker #DM4902 SCI

C/O Harper

Physical

Manager Duck requesting that a proposed cell arrangement that would place one inmate in a cell with another who had been pressuring him to perform sexual acts be canceled. When the two were celled together despite Ducks promise to do otherwise, Thomas filed a grievance requesting separation of the two inmates and the removal of Duck from his position as Unit Manager of the SNU. Following this Thomas was shipped to SCI Greene and sent to the RHU in retaliation. Upon returning from Unknown surgery at Altoona hospital Mr. Periu was denied medical care by the 2 to 10 shift, despite Dr. Romeo having ordered ice for the inmates throat. Furthermore, Mr. Periu is frequently given the wrong medications. On this day C/O Harper Unknown slammed Jesse Baker on his face while the inmate

No

no

Periu #EK2071

Smithfield

May 25, 2008

May 27, 2008 by Robert Periu #EK2071

Stein (# unknown) SCI Smithfield

C/O Harper, Powell, Sgt. Lear

Deprivation of food

August 14, 2008

August 22, 2008

Braheim Staten #GJ2070 SCI Smithfield

Dr. Dolphine

Medical; psychological

February 8, 2008

May 5, 2008

Bernard Lt. Wilt; Jerry Captain #AP3307 Pirozolla SCI Cresson

Deprivation of property/speech

was cuffed behind his back. Harper then taunted Mr. Baker, saying, say something now punk, and broke his eyeglasses. On May 25th C/Os Unknown Harper, Powell, and Sgt. Lear denied Mr. Stein his food tray. Mr. Stein consequently covered the window of his cell until Lt. Whitesel arrived three hours later and ordered the prisoner fed. Mr. Periu, who reported this incident, further states that deprivation of meals in the RHU is standard operating procedure. Mr. Staten was placed in Yes a cell without clothes, mattress, or an observation blanket after he informed staff he was having suicidal thoughts. The conditions of his cell led to a worsening of his mental state. Mr. Jerry had been Unknown working on a childrens book which was confiscated on the basis that inmates are not permitted to publish

No

No

Yes, racial

April 14, 2008

May 5, 2008

Bernard Nurse Rainelli; Jerry Lt. #AP3307 Bouterbaugh SCI Cresson

Fabricated charge

May 1, 2008

May 25, 2008

Timothy Dr. Dolphin Everard #GW3245 SCI Cresson

Medical

May 9, 2008

May 25, 2008

Timothy Nurse Rainelle Everard #GW3245 SCI Cresson Chris Balmer #GX5754 SCI Pittsburgh Unnamed, high officials implicated

Medical/psychological

SpringSummer 2008

June 28, 2008

Medical neglect; unsanitary conditions

written material. Mr. Jerry alleges racism is endemic at SCI Cresson as well. Mr. Jerry was issued a falsified charge of assault on the basis of testimony provided by Nurse Rainelli to Lt. Bouterbaugh. Bernard claims that racist motivations are driving the actions of both. Mr. Everard reports that he has been given inadequate medical attention while in the RHU, including being prescribed drugs that make him sick, thus preventing him from taking them. Furthermore, the inmate has multiple diagnoses of psychological disorders. During a blood test Mr. Everard was told that if he gave Nurse Rainelle any problems she would stick this needle all the way down [his[ vain. Mr. Balmer reports a total absence of psychological/psychiatric are at the Secure Special Needs Unit (SSNU) at

Unknown

Yes, racial

Unknown

No

Yes

No

Unknown

no

June 11, 2008

June 28, 2008

Richard Boozer, Sr. #CS5766 SCI Pittsburgh

Unnamed

Fabricated charges/retaliation

June 2008 September Dane 4, 2008 Hamilton #GA6426 SCI Mahanoy August 1, 2008 August 8, 2008 Calvin Henderson #GW2370 SCI Albion

Unnamed, general practice

Deprivation of food

Unnamed

Physical

June 9, 2008 to July 23, 2008

August 6, 2008

Bryan Galvin #HH0064 Berks Co. (now returned to

Unnamed, warden implicated

Food deprivation/malnoursihmen t

SCI Pittsburgh. Inmates unable to take care of themselves wallow in filth while the guards do nothing and medical is understaffed and indifferent. Mr. Boozer was sent to the RHU on fabricated charges in retaliation for his legal efforts to seek redress against prison personnel and officials. Mr. Hamilton reports that it is a frequent occurrence for guards to deny prisoners meals for personal reasons or no reasons at all. Mr. Henderson was assaulted by his cellmate on this date, suffering injuries to his neck, back, and left leg. Mr. Henderson had previously made his cellmates threatening behavior known to staff, who continue to ignore his predicament. Mr. Galvin reports that Berks County Prison is serving solitary confinement captives a nutriloaf, which is unedible and so foul

Yes

No

Unknown

Unknown

Unknown

No

Yes

No

Greene); Corey Milligan #2008-0010 Berks Co.

July 15, 2008

July 23, 2008

Ricky Johnson #GZ1879 SCI Frackville Paul Rogers #BS6500 SCI Huntingdon

C/O Girardi

Deprivations; retaliation

Summer 2008

August 3, 2008

Unnamed

Illegal search; fabricated charges

April 28, 2008

May 25, 2008

May 2008 June 20,

Timothy T. Lt. Arkwrite Everard #GW3245 SCI Somerset (now SCI Cresson) Arnold King Physician

Deprivation of water

smelling and tasting that some, especially those with medical problems, cannot eat it. Mr. Galvin lost 42 pounds 6 weeks, and Corey Milligan has lost 22 pounds during the summer months at Berks County Prison. C/O Girardi has been Yes harassing Mr. Johnson in retaliation for the latters filing a grievance against him. On July 15 he refused Mr. Johnson telephone access. Mr. Rogers was Yes subjected to an illegal search of his belongings which resulted in the confiscation of his personal correspondence. He filed a grievance and in retaliation a C/O planted a lighter in his cell during a search and charged him with a misconduct. Timothy Everard had the Unknown water turned off in his cell for 24 hours. Lt. Arkwrite promised to investigate and did nothing. Mr. King has been Unknown

Unknown

no

no

Medical

No

2008

#AM3222 SCI Rockview

Assistant Thompson; W. Williams

April 2008

April 17, 2008

Sam Erwin #FH9324 SCI Laurel Highlands

Unnamed, high officials implicated

Overcrowding, unsanitary conditions

FebruaryMarch 2008

May 6, 2008

Richard Keyes #GK8846 SCI Greensburg

Sgt. Bridge

Sexual; fabricated charges/parole denial

refused diagnosis and treatment regarding a hard substance in the vein of his right arm. W. Williams falsely claimed that physicians assistant Thompson diagnosed him and provided appropriate medication. Supt. Tennis held to this story as well despite Mr. King only having been given medicine for an upset stomach. Mr. Erwin reports that Unknown conditions on B-unit afford only 30 sq. ft. of floor space to inmate, and this overcrowding has led to unsanitary and unsafe conditions. In the first week of No February, Sgt. Bridge sexually propositioned Mr. Keyes, telling the inmate that if he refused he would take what he wants after placing the inmate in the hole. On March 1, Sgt. Bridge fabricated a charge against Mr. Keyes, claiming the inmate called him a name, and placed him in the hole.

No

Yes, sexual

Unknown

June 13, 2007

Roger Lee Wilson #CK3847 SCI Greensburg K.W. Vitale #GZ7697 SCI Huntingdon

Unnamed

Medical

June 2007 June 29, 2007

C/O Jones, Sgt. Mirabella

Deprivation of bathroom, shower, clean clothes

This happened immediately prior to a parole hearing for Mr. Keyes, thus ensuring his ineligibility. Wilson was denied Unknown adequate medical treatment when his back and legs gave out on him while doing time in the hole. Mr. Vitale was denied Yes bathroom usage and forced to urinate down the overflow drain of the showers, resulting in a misconduct being charged to him. Subsequently, he was issued soiled clothing and both C/O Jones and Sgt. Mirabella denied the prisoner clean clothes, forcing him to wait two whole days. Mr. Vitale was also denied toilet paper, and forced to wipe excrement with his own hand. Ms. Acosta is being housed in the mental unit of the prison because of overcrowding. She has experienced No

No

no

August 2008

August 31, 2008

J. Acosta #670439 River Side Correction

C/O Harris

Deprivation of shower, phone call, overcrowding, physical abuse and verbal abuse

Yes (race)

General 20052008

August 27, 2008

P. Johnson #OC5652 Muncy, PA

Mr. Rauch, Mr. Faulty Inspections, medical Benson, Mrs. neglect, overcrowding, Egan retaliation, rush meals, sexual abuse, unsanitary conditions, forced cremation, too cold, malnourishment, deprivation of sanitary products

discrimination in work loads and food servings claiming there is favoritism by the guards. Acosta was physically attacked by a fellow inmate, experiencing injuries such as scratches. After reporting abuse she was deprived of a shower and phone call. The fellow inmate that attacked her also called her a racial slur. C/O Harris said the physical attack was on tape but refused to do anything about it. Ms. Johnson reported Yes that prisons were made aware of dates and times of inspections so they could prepare and cover up abuse. She reports of medical neglect, officers ignoring the ill and punishing patients for ringing the buzzer too much. She had to be housed in the med. Ward at times due to overcrowding. She reports that they are rushed through meager meals, some eating so fast they choke, while

No

March 2008

August 27, 2008

T. Young FC-6926 Coal Township

Superintendent Mr. Joseph J. Piazza, Chief Grievance Officer: Cindy Watson, Sgt. Hamilton, Lt. Moyer, Grievances Officer/ Unit Manager: Thomas McGinely,

Uncooked food, lied on reply to grievance, deprivation of food, verbal abuse (racial), retaliation,

officers take their time eating. Mr. Benson approached her to have sex with her while he was her boss; she filed a complaint that didnt receive attention. Building is not in healthy condition, bats fly in and out. Heard that an inmate was cremated without family consent to cover up medical neglect. Too cold in the facility, run a.c instead of heat. An indigent prisoner was deprived of toothpaste for up to three weeks. Mrs. Egan the P.A shows disregard for inmates conditions, telling them to live with the pain. Mr. Young was served uncooked sausage on 3/25/08. The sausage was inspected and deemed raw and taken away and they were not given replacement food. He filed grievances that were responded to by saying there was no proof they didnt receive replacement or the sausage was raw. Sgt. Hamilton referred to

Yes, Yes (race) grievance filed for uncooked food date unknown. Grievance for racist slur filed on 5/26/08, appealed to superintendent 6/11/08, 6/30/08

Superintendent: David A. Varano

General 2008

9/05/08

M. D. Piper Unknown J-49677 CTF Soledad, CA

Deprivation of water, unsanitary, extreme heat and prohibited from covering windows, limited space, one size fits all clothing, deprivation of family visits

multiple prisoners as fucking niggers. He reported this slur to Lt. Moyer and he said I should have known. Once grievance was filed C.O Schell denied hearing the remark and the grievance was dropped. Said to not have proper evidence of a tape or video of the evidence when prisoners are prohibited from possessing these items. Limiting water use, timers on the toilets- 2 flushes per 5 minutes. The system locks out for an hour if you go over the limit, creating unsanitary conditions. Cant cover windows with sheets, experience extreme heat because that cant cover it. Room space has been cut down to 6 cubic ft of property. Previous clothing replaced with one size fits all, family visits have been taken away.

another inmate appealed to Chief of Appeals.

No

No

JulyAugust 2008

10/27/08

C. Henderson GW-2370 Albion, PA