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H.R. 6462, The Jose Rivera Correctional Officer Protection Act
- This item is from the 110th Congress (2007-2008) and is no longer current. Comments, voting, and wiki editing have been disabled, and the cost/savings estimate has been frozen.
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Visitor Comments
USP Lompoc
July 12, 2008, 8:56pm (report abuse)Its great that they care considering stab vest, but what about self protection gear like mace, and batons. Our job requires these things so that we can defend our selves from an attack. These inmates have weapons that can kill us and yet we have nothing. please, to the people that have the power to do somthing. " help us we need were dying in here " 24 officer have given there lifes for this job 4 in the last 21 years. Give a fighting chance in here.
Federal Hack
July 13, 2008, 9:47am (report abuse)This is a great start. The vests are needed an greatly appreciated, thank you.
There are many many other things that need to be addressed as well.
Staffing is a major issue. Our (officers) numbers have steadly decreased while our inmate population continues to rise. This within itself creates a very dangerous working enviroment for all.
Our staff contine to be assaulted both in physical altercations as well as being assaulted with weapons. The FBI, ATF, DEA, Border Patrol follow up with their assault with felony charges. However, the Bureau does not. We are fair game for these convicted felons.
Again, thank you for your HR for the vests, it is a much needed start. I hope the trend continues.
MWRanger
July 13, 2008, 9:51pm (report abuse)Thank you for putting this forth, we could really use stab vests!
Also, consider : We're trusted to carry up to a 3-cell, D battery flashlight...surely it isn't too much to add perhaps mace or an asp. Realize, that our system has many camera's and as I said,we're trusted with up to a 3-cell, D battery flashlight. Mace or an Asp would go a long way. Thank you!
MDC Guaynabo
July 15, 2008, 6:33pm (report abuse)I think this is a great idea, but please , please take the advise of officers and front line staff when trying and approving this gear. Please do not do like the new uniform. They took the advise of people that don't wear uniforms and they suc#! The vest should be protective and and the same time comfortable. Thank you.
mdc Guaynabo
July 15, 2008, 10:22pm (report abuse)MDC GUaynabo the administration could care less as what happens to the staff since they know that if one falls in the line of duty some one else will be hired to replace him . Most of the people making this decesisions do not work the front lines like we correctional officers do .We put our lives in danger every time we cross the doors of the institution. So we should be the ones to let the directors know what we need to use and what to do in those situations. We need more staff since the population is growing and the population is getting younger and more ignorant inmates that do not care what the consecuenses are of there actions. We are ordered to pull a doble shift mandatory two or three times a week I know that a person in those conditions can not give a 100 perxcent of his performance but the administration does not care they just want a body to fill that position it does not matter if i am in conditions to work or not.
MDC BROOKLYN VET
July 16, 2008, 8:55am (report abuse)IT'S A START BUT WE NEED A MEANS TO DEFEND OURSELVES TO KEEP THE THREAT AWAY FROM US INSTEAD OF JUST A VEST. I GUESS WHEN THE NEXT OFFICER IS MURDERED BECAUSE HE GETS STABBED IN HIS NECK THEN THEY'LL PROPOSE MACE OR THE PR-24'S THAT WE WERE TRAINED ON BUT NEVER USE. THE BOP IS RE-ACTIVE NEVER PRO-ACTIVE UNFORTUNATE BUT TRUE.
the one there
August 2, 2008, 10:46pm (report abuse)I have to agree with USP lompoc on his comment. Its just like a police officer on the street how can yu ask him not to carry his gun or baton and mace. We officers are dealing with convicted criminals they are in here for not being able to function in society, what makes people think that they can function properly in prison. We need vests, mace , and batons as mandatory equipment. RIP Corrections Officer Jose Rivera
Shrt Ringer
September 14, 2008, 12:36am (report abuse)I just wanted to thank all of the folks who have worked behind the scenes in getting this bill organized. This is only the 1st step at getting others to realize how out of touch Harley is when it comes to Officer Safety. Can you believe it took the death of a fine Officer then Senate and Congressional intervention to give us a tool that will make us safer. Its amazing the D.O.J. has a program to pay 50% of the cost of a bullet proof vest for L.E.O.. Yet BOP leadership refused to buy staff stab resistant armor years ago. Congress needs to take a hard look at the BOP upper echelon, they are out of touch!
ahackswife
September 15, 2008, 10:13pm (report abuse)Thank you for all your help. kissing your husband bye as he goes to work has a different meaning when he works at an understaffed USP without the proper protection. I just can't imagine how you can show any wife and children your true compassion for their lose when you know the stats and the weapons issue. This post is much needed...Thank you fellas.
LawMan
October 28, 2008, 2:18pm (report abuse)All I have to say is that the administrators of the Bureau of Prisons needs to wake up and realize that their institutions are not safe. The need for additional staff is a must! All Federal Officers need to write/call your U.S. Congressman/Congresswoman and let them know this is serious business here because we are keeping the most dangerous felons inside the wire. The vests are great, but it is time to take it up a notch and start to add charges to every inmate that assaults a staff member. Not only the charges need to come, but additional equipment like OC and Batons should be a everyday equipments especially in the Penitentiaries!
Shrt Ringer
November 18, 2008, 3:03pm (report abuse)When Congressional inquiries begin talk to line staff who work directly with the inmates, the Correctional Officers. They will tell you the real truth!
Correctional Officer USP Lompoc
November 25, 2008, 5:26pm (report abuse)Help us by voting for this bill. These prisons that we work are'nt getting safer they are becoming more dangerous than ever. R.I.P MY BROTHER Correctional Officer JOSE RIVERA