DCD 110-33 implies that I am guilty of introducing contraband into state correctional facilities and that I cannot be trusted. This directive is a direct reflection of how Secretary Saar and Commissioner Sizer feel in regard to your correctional officers. My integrity is questioned and insulted every day that I report for duty. I need not remind anyone that there are criminals in these facilities, but the vast majority have had the luxury of being tried by a jury of their peers.
Not the corrections staff - we have been tried and convicted of introducing contraband. Where is the due process? These convicted parties are treated with much more dignity and respect than the correctional staff of these facilities. To be frank, Secretary Saar and Commissioner Sizer have made it a disgrace to be a state correctional officer and embarrassing to wear the badge representative of the division.
I and a vast majority of your corrections officers are hard-working and dedicated, trying to provide for our families and trying to live the American dream. It is an insult to permit Secretary Saar and Commissioner Sizer to treat your officers in this manner. We are ridiculed and laughed at by other law enforcement agencies.
No one is contesting the fact there are staff members who do in fact introduce contraband and engage in activities against state law. Having said that, do we consider all staff to be in violation?
And if we do, do we also look at all of our elected officials as being in violation of out trust? Do we as the voting populace propose and vote into law stronger restrictions and limits restricting your ability to conduct the everyday business of your elected office? As you, I am a public servant and I strive to live my life right and stay on the right side of the law. But Secretary Saar and Commissioner Sizer have clouded which is the right side and who in fact is the convicted party.
Sir, please forgive me for being curt; I am a registered Republican and I do vote a partisan ticket, but if Secretary Saar and Commissioner Sizer remain in their positions, I and the members of my family will be forced to vote against the party.
The Division of Correction is the largest employer in the state, and I am sure that number of votes could sway an election in either direction (of, by, and for the people.) I implore you to bring back honor and dignity to the correctional officer. There can be no pride when the nonguilty are oppressed with stronger and harsher guidelines than the convicted. The Division of Corrections has become a black hole of persons who have lost their better-paying jobs and need a place of employment. The Division of Correction is no longer a profession, but a job with a paycheck. And why is there no pride? It's because of Secretary Saar and Commissioner Sizer. If this job is so wonderful as headquarters propaganda would lead you to believe, then why have so many good officers left WCI for other venues? This is Commissioner Sizer's modus operandi, if he cannot control the inmate population he will flex his muscle and control the staff.
There are many who feel the way I do. Please do not let our pleas fall upon deaf ears. Thank you for your time and consideration in this matter.
Larry Reams
Rawlings, Md.
Go ahead, make right's day
To the editor:
The left has pulled out the impeachment card and is brandishing it as the weapon that will drive George W. Bush from the White House. This could be more than talk. Democratic Sen. Barbara Boxer is consulting with legal eagles as she explores the idea.
I must say, I am tickled at their efforts. I supported impeaching the perjury-prone President Clinton, but I also saw the damage done to Republicans who pushed to chase Clinton out of office.
But the Bush-haters won't heed history, not when they see an opportunity to relive the glory days of Watergate: Republicans evil, Democrats uncorrupted and reporters respected.
