National: Prison Abuse Commission Holds Third Hearing

The Commission on Safety and Abuse in America’s Prisons, formed after reports of prison abuse in US prisons abroad that can be traced to problem in US prisons, has held its third of four scheduled public hearings. This hearing focused on corrections officers, their work environment, and the impact of that environment on safety and abuse.The Commission on Safety and Abuse in America’s Prisons, formed after reports of prison abuse in US prisons abroad that can be traced to problem in US prisons, has held its third of four scheduled public hearings. This hearing focused on corrections officers, their work environment, and the impact of that environment on safety and abuse.

In two days of testimony in St. Louis, MO, the commission heard from a former prison chaplain who is also the mother of a corrections officer; a former deputy who participated in the beating of a prisoner and later assisted in the prosecution of other deputies who participated in the beating; a former prisoner who gained multiple degrees while incarcerated; the author of “The Prisoner’s Wife,” asha bandele, who talked about visiting issues; former corrections workers and managers who talked about the code of silence among corrections workers; current leaders of state corrections departments; and an attorney who is currently suing the Florida Department of Corrections, who showed photos of prisoners who had been pepper-sprayed while in custody. Altogether the commission heard from close to two dozen speakers who were organized onto panels including “Interpersonal Dynamics that Influence Safety and Abuse,” “Use of Force and Related Training,” and “Personal Accounts.”

The proceedings were transcribed, totaling over 500 pages. Transcripts of this and the two previous hearings are available on the prison commissions' website. The fourth of the scheduled hearings will take place February 8th and 9th in Los Angeles, California and will focus on oversight, standards and other issues.