Violent felons pose risk to public safety
Parole officers may face retaliation for going public
By DEBORAH A. MILES
Less than a month after PEF Division 236 members from the state Division of Parole (DOP) called for the resignation of parole’s executive director, Anthony Ellis, at a press conference in Albany, they reached out to the media in New York City.
This time their message to reporters was not only about their concern for community safety, but how the Ellis administration is reacting to their public outcry.
Near the Manhattan House of Detention on September 1, PEF leaders and parole officers aired their concerns.
“These officers are being retaliated against because of whistle-blowing. They are being investigated, interrogated, tailed, inspected and in many cases reassigned because of their attempts to bring safety to the streets of the city of New York,” said PEF President Roger Benson.
Long Island parole officer Wayne Spence said, “If you talk to the press about what puts the public at risk, you might not have a job.”
“Mr. Ellis is not concerned with public safety, just patrolling us. I was told he said, ‘I will not rest until I get officer Clemente’s job,” said PEF Division 236 Council Leader Manuelita Clemente.
“We need the public to call on state lawmakers to call the governor to demand Mr. Ellis’ immediate resignation,” she said. “He’s a menace to this society. He doesn’t care who he’s going to crucify, belittle or bring down.”
Re-arrests a farce
Benson also told reporters parole officers are being forced to do excessive paperwork and face an administrative roadblock in re-arresting parolees.
“Parole officers’ efforts to arrest parole violators are countermanded by the DOP, which prevents them from getting these parolees re-incarcerated. This is dangerous,” Benson said.
Parole officer Adreina Adams said three people — a parole officer, senior parole officer and area supervisor — decide when to lock-up a parolee.
“They are re-released in a short time. The public needs to be aware and alarmed by that,” Adams said.
Public at risk
Spence, who is assigned to the sex offender unit, said parolees in that group are not being monitored after 7 p.m., because the Ellis administration has parole officers returning to their desks to do paperwork.
“We used to go into the houses and check for pornography. We’re not doing that anymore,” Spence said.
“It’s like the patients running the insane asylum,” added Bronx parole office Michael Murphy.”
Clemente added, “The public is at a greater risk with pedophiles, murderers, rapists, burglars, and people convicted of assaulting the elderly at large and unsupervised.
“We’re going to continue fighting, no matter what Mr. Ellis does to hurt us,” Clemente said. “We are dedicated to community safety and just want to do our job.”
The
Communicator October 05
Features
NYS wasting $$$ on contractors
Go Public bill now law
PEF, groups fight for TCC jobs
Can't delay agency, union switch
Parole
targeted for
going public
Katrina
makes fed's budget
a mess
Departments
President's
Message
Member's
Mailbag
Health Notes
Member Mobilization
Retirees In Action
Member Highlights
PEF
Membership Benefits &Travel
Union Matters
More
$ for dependent care in 2006
Hutchings PC gains more beds
Reach out and help Katrina victims
Health care workers
salaries up
Region 12 backs Alessi and wins
Audubon Society honors member
Circulation
& Ownership Statement
PEF Audit 2005
Other Links
Professional
Directory
Members'
Classified
Member
Communicator Feedback
Do You Prefer The
Online Edition?
How To
Advertise Here
The
Communicator Staff
Questions on
this site?
Email the Webmaster