Classification Supervisor at New River CI

Readers should know that the following announcement came over the DC e-mail net.  Sanda Bowen is the mother of James Bowen - The Major at Apalachee CI who is in all the trouble.  Is the DOC is still up to their same old games, or is this a legitimate, earned appoinment?

-----Original Message-----
From: Luther, Linda A. On Behalf Of Carter, Bradley D.
Sent: Friday, January 13, 2006 3:12 PM
To: EVERYONE-Region 2
Cc: Sapp, George; Events
Subject: Classification Supervisor at New River CI

It is my pleasure to announce the promotion of Senior Classification Officer Sandra Bowen at Union Correctional Institution to Classification Supervisor at New River Correctional Institution.

Please join me in congratulating Mrs. Bowen on her new assignment.

Linda Luther, Executive Secretary

On Behalf Of
Bradley D. Carter
Regional Director of Institutions
Region II

James Bowan was in trouble at the Softball banquet with A.C. Clark and Richard Frye.  They were placed on administrative leave and then a few weeks later they had to move out of state housing and were placed on administrative leave w/out pay pending investigation.  Bowan is charged with beating a man at the banquet but FDLE did not charge them with a Felony, but a Misdemeanor instead.  Their jobs are pending upon the outcome of the DOC investigation.  Bowen has a huge history of inmate beatings, and violence.  He has been arrested numerous times for different infractions.  Karen Voylees from the Gainesville sun has all the information in case you need an update.  You need to know how people are "rewarded" through their relatives for bad behavior.   ~An Officer

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I was employed at New River CI, worked all three units. One of the strangest things to consider is;

The institution began rationing Personal Hygiene items, as in Toilet Paper, Razors, toothpaste and tooth brushes.

We ran out of these and Plastic trash bags for approximately a month. But, the assistant warden, Nan Jeffcoat, a known lesbian (no offense, just fact), had an addition built on to her house. The money was not funded, it was found by these "cut backs". She had her carport enclosed to create a large master bedroom with walk in closets were made. Her lover, since she can not legally be married to a same sex person, resides with her which is against Policies set forth by the FDC.

I was forced to resign by Warden McRae, yet he does not burn leave time, is seldom there, and his time sheets reflect otherwise.

The Sergeant over the garden, which is suppose to help offset and supplement FDC's food cost was issued a subpoena for his bank records. It is rumored the produce harvested from the farm was being sold to help fund Crosby and Clark's ventures. As long as I worked there, I never saw any fresh produce delivered to or through the back gates for food service, which was not purchased by Aarmark.

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Sunday, November 14, 2004 6:44 PM

Hi Kay Lee. I just wanted to tell you in New River East in Raiford, Florida....last week they turned the phones off from Thursday night until Monday night....no reason!! They constantly do this and also send them out to rec. yard when it's raining and make them stay out in the rain for 2 hours...now that it's getting cooler in north Florida the guys are getting sick from this....and you know as well as I medical attention is not there for them.

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Report from New River East
Wednesday, November 03, 2004

Went to see my loved one at New River East in Raiford, Fl. last weekend.....the report was they haven't had razors for over 1 month now....he has had to use the same one all that time and also 1/3 of a bar of soap a week for each inmate...now come on how expensive can a bar of soap be???

Also he says "today we were supposed to have chicken but got turkey bologna, the same thing we had for lunch, cause they said we have NO GAS for the oven," which means no hot water cause the boilers run on gas which means no gas, so they had no clean clothes cause the dryers run on gas and he said they won't get any clean clothes till the gas gets back on. So he wanted me to update you on these things...

The state claims it costs so much to keep a inmate. Well soap and cheap dollar store razors aren't that expensive...that's all they get anyway, no name soap and razors...Unreal hey???

And also what about the fee per month on there canteen money any news on that?? At visitation now at New River East the prison has there own canteen and only 2 microwaves and 2 vending machines from outside vendors....now we are allowed to bring in 50.00 per person and the inmates can use there own cards to make purchases during visitation.... they claim the inmate can treat their relatives at visitation....well who the hell do they think sends the inmate the money to treat them??? This is just stupid!

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Kay Lee, Please add my name to the petition against the double standard of justice.

My son is in New River West and from my own personal knowledge conditions there are at the best terrible.

Food in the Visiting Park is outrageously priced--that is if there is any in the machines, which usually there isn't! The food being served on the inside isn't even what is required for elementary schools, much less for a grown adult male. I have asked many inmates about this and have been told the same thing...very small portions, cold food, milk that is spoiled.

There are inmates that have tried and can't even get correct shoes, some are wearing shoes that are two different sizes, or size 13's when they need size 10's.

The Officers won't keep the windows closed, or have the heat on when it is freezing weather. I have heard of beatings to inmates for no reason other than to proclaim power.

It is sad that the people don't stand up for these inmates more. I myself would like to thank you for trying to help those that can't help themselves. If there is anything I can do to help with all the issues at hand please feel free to get in contact with me. Thank you again for what you are trying to do, and for your time.

An unnamed mother

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RE: New River West "O" Unit:

All that I have read on the web-site I know to be true. My son was just recently released and he couldnt eat and his hands shook for the first week he was home. He did not think he would make it out of New River. He told me "all of the stuff you see in prison movies...it happens here".

I thought that some of the things that happened would surely be in the papers, esp if it resulted in death or major injuries... he just looked at me and laughed and said "right mom".

My son is ADHD, bi-polar, and suffers from depression. He has been in counseling since he was small and rehabs and eventually prison at 18.......always back in for parole violation, possession of drugs or driving without a license...neither of which should go un-punished...but to [send him to]Fl state prison where truly you are in danger every-day?

My son had scabees (sp?) for 5 months and was not treated for it except with benedryl (which he, or I, had to pay for every time he went to the medical). He finally was diagnosed by a new male nurse who said when he saw him.. "I cant believe they are letting you walk around with this...I'll give you an appointment with the doctor but he probably still wont give you the cream you need because you ware getting out in a couple of months." The nurse gave him the cream after the doctor refused and it went away in two days.

Our prison system breeds anger and hostility on top of what they come in with...and Fla state has to be among the worst. Keep up the good work....
An out-raged mom.

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Was informed yesterday that 3 large boxes of grievances at New River East were sent to recycling. Reinforcing the need for numbered and accounted for grievances.

Feb 14 2003: "Was told that the last inmates to dinner one recent night were told by Aramark that the chicken was gone, and that they would have to have ham sandwiches. An officer told an Aramark employee to get off his lazy ass, and go to one of the prisons across the street, and get these inmates some chicken. Everyone has had it with the big A."

Feb 15 2003: "I have asked for a copy of a letter from DOC stating that if a particular inmate sues them, one who recently lost his forefinger and about one third of his hand from medical neglect, that DOC will counter sue for $50 per day room and board, with their promise to WIN."

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Reminder:
New River East is the prison where, even though mostly non-violent offenders live there, guards mean it when they threaten to "Take you across the street and beat you."
It's a minimum security camp for less serious offenders.

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To: kaylee1@charter.net
Sent: Sunday, January 23, 2005 9:29 AM
Subject: New River West

My son has just arrived at New River West "O" unit.  I have not read anything on articles about this unit.   He was transferred from Century to what he thought was an educational facility.  Now he has been there 5 days and no educational facility.  Can you please help us find more information about the New River O-Unit at Raiford, Florida?   Thank you kindly for all the consideration you have given for your information to the families.

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Here's a bit of info on New River West "O" wing that an FDOC officer sent me. Kay Lee

"Kay, The "O" unit is the old FSP work camp.  It basically is the same, but is under the Management of New River West.

"Educational........ In no way! This is a work camp.  These inmates will be assigned to do manual labor, some for Pride, but it is a work camp none the less.  Inmates that are assigned to this institution are considered to be "problem free" so that is one good sign that this inmate was transferred there.

"Things are fairly quiet at this camp and if inmates disobey any rules they are swiftly moved to the confinement units at New River West.  If I can be of any further assistance, please do not hesitate to contact me."