Officer Down

[Jimd]

Yesterday, they took an officer out to a waiting ambulance. Shortly, I heard a firetruck barrelling down the road with lights/siren going. They secured an LZ for a medevac chopper to come in, which it did presently, to transport the officer to a nearby hospital.

It seems that an inmate work crew & supervisor were working on the ceiling of one of our cell blocks. An inmate somehow was on top of one of the trap doors in the ceiling, which gave way, and he fell about 20 feet from the ceiling, and the officer broke his fall. The crook landed right on his head!

No word thus far on how the officer is doing, but we're hoping for the best; he's a great guy.

[CKE]

Even in a accident those inmates will get you:( Hope the officer is alright. Take Care!!!

[Jimd]

Thanks, Craig. PA's prison population has increased by 6,000 inmates since 2002, and is at an all-time, current high of 41,000 inmates.

Despite this, PA's number of Corrections Officers has dropped by 151. At the institution where I work, we are about 75 officers short, and have been for about the last year, if not longer. We house well over 3,500 inmates at the prison where I work.

Less officers on duty means that inmates are more bold, and willing to try playing games. And the number of assaults is up at many prisons, including where I work.

[Simon G]

Jim,

My regards and thoughts to your colleague. Here's wishing him a speedy recovery.

I hear you on the staffing and prisoner population. Behind the wall is a forgotten place, especially with regard to those who don the uniform daily.

Best wishes,

Simon.

[DAYWALKER]

Damn...I hear ya also on the "new attitudes" these guys wear when there is a shortage of staff!

I have said a prayer for all involved in the incident...

Take care and God bless you guys!

[Ray.Hood]

Yeah, that's why Shomer-Tec offers bendable writing pens.
Hey, these guys are dangerous man. Drugs, murder, rape. Man,
not my scene. Gotta give a lotta respect to the guards. Tough job in my book. Nice toys to play w/ too.

[RAT 54]

20 feet thats - hum - 6 and a bit meters. Ouch!

Best wishs to your colleague. I will include him in my prayers.

It is sad to hear that you and other CO's are not getting the support you need. I think that the public sees other LEO's and therefore they get more funding. I guess that once the person is behind bars they are out of site and mind, and people forget about the effort it takes to keep them.

You take care Jim. God bless.

[Jimd]

So far, all I've bee able to find out is that he's home from the hospital, so I assume he's not doing too badly.