A prison firefighter died in the line of duty May 24 after a 3,000-pound, 105-year-old tree fell and struck him in the head while he was clearing brush in the Hoopa Valley area in Northern California. Matthew Beck, a 26-year-old prisoner serving a six-year term for burglary, was operating a chainsaw at the time and did not hear his Cal Fire captain shout, according to articles by KQED and the Los Angeles Times. When the 120-foot Douglas fir tree fell, the captain rushed over and asked one of the other firefighters to get Beck out from under … [Read more...] about Inmate firefighter dies in the line of duty from fallen tree
Iowa elementary schools uses isolation as punishment
Elementary school children are being placed in makeshift prison cells. Multiple Iowa school districts are using this controversial isolation as punishment, according to a website article at ScaryMommy.com. A controversial new type of punishment, tiny pine boxes with little to no light or ventilation called “seclusion enclosures,” is designed to confine children and discipline them, said the article, written by Cassandra Stone. “If I was to do what they did, it would be child abuse .Why is it OK for the school district to do that to a … [Read more...] about Iowa elementary schools uses isolation as punishment
Pups on Parole celebrate its 10th anniversary with 478 dogs adopted
The Pups on Parole program at California Correctional Center (CCC) celebrated its 10th anniversary, with 478 dogs adopted so far. The program partners dogs with firefighting inmates. Seven dogs are allowed in the program at a time. However, the program is not intended to benefit only the cuddly canines, according to Lassen County Times. “I love this program. In my opinion, this is one of the most rehabilitative programs California Department of Corrections has to offer,” said inmate Randy Elson. When not fighting fires in the area, Elson … [Read more...] about Pups on Parole celebrate its 10th anniversary with 478 dogs adopted
Sierra Conservation Camp hosts Special Olympics softball game
As part of an effort to reach out to the Special Olympic athletic community, inmates at the Sierra Conservation Center (SCC) hosted Northern California Special Olympics athletes in a friendly exhibition softball game. “People don’t expect a warm welcome when they come to prison,” but that’s exactly what the Special Olympics athletes got, according to a recent article in the Modesto Bee. “This is part of our amends and a way of giving back, it’s also finding skills we had within ourselves that we never realized we had,” Ralph Contreras said. … [Read more...] about Sierra Conservation Camp hosts Special Olympics softball game
Inmates train rescue dogs to become adoptable
Prisoners who train therapy dogs have made a supportive connection with a teenage cancer patient through a program called Pawsitive Change. Dogs are the link between a group of inmates at California City Correctional Facility and a 14- year-old girl battling cancer, according to a People website article by Amy Jamieson. “Trying to turn this frown around, but today has been a rough day,” said Chloe, the 14-year-old cancer patient, in a Facebook posting. She made the post after undergoing a bone marrow transplant and suffering frequent nausea, … [Read more...] about Inmates train rescue dogs to become adoptable
Prison officials provide tablets to reduce violence
California prison officials say they are working to improve inmates’ access to modern technology, while ensuring they won’t abuse the changes. “Technology in prisons can provide inmates education, diversions from harmful behaviors, and a lifeline to family support that can ease the emotional stress associated with incarceration,” according to Jason Shueh’s Feb.8 story on the statescoop.com website. “Our job is to figure out how to control it,” said Russ Nichols, chief information officer for the California Department of Corrections and … [Read more...] about Prison officials provide tablets to reduce violence