Riot in Mississippi

On Sunday, May 20th, 2012 there was a 9 hour prison riot at an Adams County Correctional Center run by private prison operator Correction Corporation of America located in Natchez, MS.  Some reporters have mistakenly reported this as an immigration detention center because of the population that is housed inside.  I just wanted to set the record straight.  This facility was commissioned by the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) and is run by CCA.  Like CCA's other prisons, it looks like it's in the middle of no where.

There are indeed illegal immigrants inside this facility but they are NOT being processed to be deported at this time.  They are being held at this facility for federal crimes they have committed (some for illegal reentry after deportation).  This story from Colorlines has the most accurate portrayal of what happened on Sunday.

It is understood that after the immigrants in this type of facility have finished serving their sentence in prison would then be transferred to a detention center while they wait to be deported, much like the planned Southwest Ranches ICE facility.  My question to the federal government is, "Why do we need another facility to perform this function since they are already imprisoned somewhere, why not just add an Immigration Court to existing facilities?  One that can handle the deportation hearing just as they are finishing their criminal sentence so the deportation can occur immediately after their 'release'."  It seems like this common sense solution has not been run up the flag pole of cost savings that the Obama administration has vowed to bring into our government operations.  Why could this be?  

The Natchez Democrat has also done a spectacular job reporting on this incident and has several pictures of the facility that all depict the facility at night lit up like a Christmas tree.  They quoted the local TV station WAPT that has an inmate as the source who sent photos from inside the prison to them while the riot was going on and released the following quote of the inmate,

They always beat us and hit us.  We just pay them back.  We're just trying to get better food, medical (care), programs, clothes, and we're trying to get some respect from the guards and lieutenants.

The inmate also reported to WAPT that they had held 9 guards hostage tied up along with three injured.  It seems as though the inmates are getting back at the guards for mistreatment while serving time inside this facility.  The Adams County Sheriff's office is awaiting word from the FBI for how to proceed.

The cleanup team reported by the Natchez Democrat was extensive and includes several different counties and law enforcement agencies cooperating to contain the riot and a dozen or so ambulances and two medi-vac helicopters.  Can you say COSTLY?  Who is going to pay for all of this?

Agencies responding to the situation included the Adams County Sheriff's Office, Tallahatchie County Sheriff's special operations team, Mississippi Highway Patrol, Concordia Parish Sheriff's Office, CCA's trained Special Operations Response Team from Adams County and other CCA prison, Wildlife and Fisheries, the Mississippi Department of Transportation Mississippi Highway Patrol SWAT team and possibly others.

A quick side note to compare to the Southwest Ranches site.
I can't even imagine having schools in any vicinity of a facility like this... Which they do not as noted earlier it is in the middle of no where.  My question as it relates to this Medium to High level facility they want to build here would be "How would they handle a lock down at the schools with the approx. 23 Thousand students surrounding an ICE Detention Center?"  I know we've all seen on the news how crazed parents get when students are in lock down.  A feeling I never want to have as a parent.  This is something that the "Secure Communities" initiative never brought into consideration when choosing to situate these new "for-profit" facilities so close to communities.

Could this be why the State of Florida doesn't allow schools near prisons?  Maybe Broward County should have looked at this before they approved the increase to 1500 from the 700 bed count CCA had when they purchased the property even though they already had two schools less than 2 miles from this facility?  Is this a typical lack of planning on Broward County's part?  Is the County planning and zoning department this incompetent?  We do know that CCA purchased their property in 1998 and both of these schools (Chapel Trail Elementary and Silver Trail Middle School) already existed...so why would they allow for an increase?

Enough with my sidebar, back to the riot... 
WAPT reported that the 24 year old slain guard, Catlin Carithers who was called in to help with riot suppression ,was beaten to death on the roof of the building.  From this one riot, we have this final count.  One 24 year-old guard dead. Five Guards and one inmate have been hospitalized.

Total Count: 16 guards injured, 3 inmates injured, 1 guard dead.  Are the savings to our federal budget with the Bureau of Prisons worth it?

Our prayers are with the families of the deceased and injured.

UPDATED NEWS!!  News Coverage from local WAPT discussing the push by Congressman to have the FBI investigate this relatively new facility ran by CCA.  

This compilation report was written by Ryann Greenberg. 
Citations come from those stories linked and I do not take any ownership over their misreporting however I did attempt to weed out the inaccurate reports.

Southwest Ranches Spiteful Road Closures and Cover of Darkness

On Thursday, December 22, approaching midnight, the Town Council voted 4 to 1 to close three roads shared by Pembroke Pines.  The only dissenting voting member was Mayor Jeff Nelson.

Checkpoint Charlie:  Berlin or Southwest Ranches?

This vote well reinforces a whole series of absolutely selfish, despicable, and very questionable legislative practices by this 12 years old town named Southwest Ranches.

Holiday Jubilee

Join us for a Holiday Jubilee!

Castillo Calls For Independent Counsel To Review Prison

LATE BREAKING NEWS... DATELINE DECEMBER 15, 2012 PEMBROKE PINES, FL, BROWARD COUNTY

 

PEMBROKE PINES COMMISSIONER CASTILLO DEMANDS CITY OF PEMBROKE PINES HIRE INDEPENDENT LEGAL COUNSEL TO ADVISE ON ANY METHOD LEGALLY AVAILABLE TO OPPOSE THE PRISON AND DEMANDS MOTION TO TERMINATE 2005 ILA CONTAINING 'NON INTERFERENCE WITH CCA CLAUSE.'

A Math Lesson For Attorney Keith Poliakoff

Keith Poliakoff's Twitter Feed has been an interesting source of "creative statistics."  He just posted a few Tweets regarding the AWESOME turnout we had opposing his immigrant prison at the SWR Town Council meeting last Thursday, December 8th.   There were over 150 area residents who came out on a rainy Thursday night to express their opinion on an item that wasn't even on the agenda and barely two weeks away from Christmas.

Take a look at the creative math used by our Attorney who will be compensated more than $600,000 this year by the Town for his apparent expertise.  He Tweeted on 12/12:

Since I was just asked, there are 2460 residential households in the Town. 16 households spoke against the CCA Facility, or .0065%.

12 Dec Favorite Retweet Reply

»

keith_poliakoff Keith Poliakoff

16 total SWR households spoke against CCA Facility at Town's meeting. Town asks CCA to reach out to households not spoken to yet.

Keith is negotiating our contract but apparently doesn't understand basic mathematics.  He claims that 16 households our of 2460 residential households equals a percentage of 0.0065%.  Of course, even an elementary school student knows this math is wrong.

One can only guess at the motive this allegedly smart man had in understating opposition by a factor of 100.  But, it should be a wake up call to the Town Council as to how consistently Keith Poliakoff plays fast and footloose with facts.  He has no compunction about shooting from the hip and emoting whatever is on his tongue at the moment.

The correct percentage of turnout of SWR households was 0.65% (assuming their aren't HUNDREDS of vacant houses in foreclosure in the Town.  But that's a different issue.)  This turnout should resonate with anybody who understands the nature of public turnout and activism.  It is the tip of the iceberg in terms of grassroots opposition.

When is the last time that Poliakoff saw 0.65% of his Town's residents turn out for ANY political issue, especially a non agenda item?  And if 0.65% is nothing to Poliakoff, then perhaps HIS turnout of 4 people at the ICE meeting which is 0.16% is even more telling.   It's more telling that on a widely anticipated and advertised meeting with ICE on 11/5 that took place on a beautiful Saturday morning at 10:00 AM, he was only able to get FOUR SWR residents to go on record supporting the prison.  One was former Councilman Aster Knight.  So really, he got three people who apparently didn't have a dog in the fight to come out.

THAT'S pathetic.

Shame on you, you feckless Attorney.  I hope you understand mathematics or the TRUTH better as you negotiate two prison contracts.  For the sake of us all.

Council take heed.  If you honestly believe that you have 75% of the SWR residents on your side, it's going to be FUN to watch the freight train of residents hit you in November.

Vice Mayor McKay says, "Do Your Homework."

Thank you Vice Mayor McKay.  Your warning to "do your homework" has been headed by Coldwell Banker.  They are now doing what they are obligated to do and informing their perspective clients to the fact that you all on the Council wish to DECIMATE property values for a mere pittance that you can squander on putting your names on parks or your $600K a year Town Attorney Keith Poliakoff's earnings.

Thanks a bunch for nothing Congresswoman and DNC party Chairwoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz, Senator Bill Nelson, Mayor Jeff Nelson, Vice Mayor Doug McKay, Councilman Gary Jablonski, Councilman Steve Breitkreuz, and Councilman Freddie Fisikelli.  Thank you Commissioner Angelo Castillo, Mayor Frank Ortis, Commissioner Carl Shechter, and Commissioner Jack McKluskey. 

Your magic is starting to work.  You all have worked tirelessly to ensure we get a nice immigrant prison in our back yard.  It's starting to pay off and it hasn't even been built yet!

ADDENDUM

At the Fire workshop at Pembroke Pines tonight, Mrs. Frank Ortis researched this document and found that the scope is applied to ALL houses west of I75, south of Griffin and north of pines.  Further, she indicated that she expected all major real estate companies would be protecting themselves with similar documents.

Debbie Wasserman Schultz in the Spotlight on WLRN

Good work, neighbors.  This radio clip aired over the past few hours both locally and nationally, we believe. Any readers who have heard this outside of the Miami market, please drop us a note.

In the audio, you can hear a clip of the Jimmy Cefalo WIOD interview, you can hear mention of the $1000 endorsement of the prison, and the November 5th ICE meeting. Listen to the audio below the image.

Only 2% of Nov 5, ICE Meeting Attendees Support Immigrant Prison

We are constantly being told by Southwest Ranches Mayor Jeff Nelson and Congresswoman Wasserman-Schultz (D-FL20) that they are listening to us and that they've had many public meetings on the prison.  Jeff Nelson says confidently that he is sure that the majority of SW Ranches residents actually support the prison.

That conclusion is not in evidence... not by a long long shot.

In fact, the data show otherwise.  On November 5, 2011, the ICE meeting that Pembroke Pines Commissioner Angelo Castillo got the ball rolling on, took place.  Even though a phalanx of armed Broward Sheriff's officers as well as Pembroke Pines Police created quite an intimidating presence, that didn't stop approximately 150 residents from being seated in the library auditorum with at least another 200 residents forced to bake outside in the sun and watch a malfunctioning audio visual retransmission of what was happening inside the meeting.  Actually, BSO and Pines police stopped and screened every car entering the facility and asked if they were "here to protest."

As an illegal (we believe) condition of entry to the public meeting, we were forced to fill out an entry card containing our name, address, telephone number along with our opinion on the prison.  Some people were threatened with arrest if they tried to enter without complying with this patently illegal request. A sample of a card is shown:

Sample Card from November 5, 2011 ICE Informational Meeting

Note that even on the card itself, the organizers are blatantly threatening to violate Florida's open records laws by claiming they are going to destroy records if you don't fill them out "completely and truthfully."   You'd imagine that all these politicians would be more mindful of the Florida Constitution and the constituents they serve as to actually OBAY laws, themselves.

So, the good stuff.  What did these cards tell us?  Well, there were 333 cards submitted.  Of those 333 cards exactly SEVEN cards indicated support for the prison.  That's right, Mayor Nelson, only 2.1% of the attendees indicated their support for the prison.  Only in Soviet Russia, Mayor, would THAT be considered a majority.  And thank goodness for active citizens opposing people like you, this won't be the Soviet Union just yet.  Are you embarrassed Mayor Nelson?  Or are you incapable of embarrassment?

A breakdown the attendees and their opinion is shown in these pie charts:

There is almost no support for the prison. The numerical opposition to the prison is similar to the opposition in the Miami-Dade recall elections which saw the Miami Dade Mayor and a Commissioner thrown out of office with near unanimous support of the electorate.  People are fed up with politics as usual and here in Broward, we have it in buckets.

We ran some simple statistics on the breakdown and distribution of the attendees and their views on the prison. This Excel table contains the results:

One of the 7 prison supporters was from Weston and had the surname Poole.  You tell me if this Poole is related to our Samuel E. Poole III.  The only Pines resident to support the prison was a person employed by Miami Dade Fire Department.  The other "not indicated" provided no contact information and this datum should have been discarded.

From Southwest Ranches, only FOUR people attending the meeting indicated support for the prison.  One of those was former Town Councilor Aster Knight who has repeatedly bashed those of us who don't support (90+ Percent of SWR residents) the prison.  Mr. Knight should remember this IF he tries running for Council again.

Also, it is surprising to find some names NOT indicating support for the prison.  That's a topic for another day.

The Congresswoman, her local staff as well as General Bob Butterworth supported a forum whereby the opinions the 7 pro prison group WOULD BE GIVEN EQUAL TIME IN THE MEETING as the 326 people that were against, neutral or indicated no opinion on the prison.  This is likewise an abomination in representative democracy.  Thankfully, our audience would have none of that Soviet style silliness from our elected politicians. 

So, you can see your gut instinct that a private prison for your community is vile and perverted is right on the money... 9 to 1.  It is the height of arrogance for Mayor Nelson, and the Town Council to double down on tone deafness as they did at the November 7th Council meeting. They promptly forgot or ignored OUR message two days before at the 11/5 ICE meeting and reinforced their unwavering commitment to shove this blight down our throats.

4 people in SWR came out to support the prison and it's still being ramrodded.  The council, Mayor and Debbie Wasserman Schultz should be embarassed beyond belief for their constant support of something that clearly no one supports.

Do you believe that these career politicians are capable of feeling embarrassed?

Partial Analysis of Debbie Wasserman Schultz's WIOD Interview

After listening to the Jimmy Cefalo interview of Debbie Wasserman Schultz it's apparent that Debbie has it wrong on many accounts, is perpetuating lying talking points, and sounds like Attorney Keith Poliakoff and Mayor Jeff Nelson.

Before the analysis begins, let's reflect on why the DNC Chairwoman and FL-20 representative is behaving this way supporting her immigrant prison.  She's taken a lot of money from all the parties involved.  They are all cashing in on our misery.  But, Southwest Ranches Town Attorney Keith Poliakoff laid it out best in one of his emails.  He said:

As you probably have seen we have remained incredibly quiet and have been working diligently with our legislative leaders on this matter without pushing the press angle.

As such, I have been fully advised by our DC contacts that we should remain fully quiet on this one and to let our DC Leaders help without sparking a fire that will make it more difficult for them to assist.

So, the motive and the conspiracy are all here on display for us all to see.  Now,  a number of the Congresswoman's quotes are analyzed here for accuracy:

DWS: You know, what I did was wrote a letter... a sort of cursory letter of support because...

She did not write it. It was on Senator Bill Nelson's (D-FL) letterhead and Debbie cosigned it. It did not even come from her office!  The letter was actually written by Southwest Ranches Attorney Keith Poliakoff and SENT to Nelson and Wasserman Schultz for endorsement.  Check the NT blog for the original email containing the letter sent off to them and proving that she's lying.  It's at the bottom of the article.

DWS: Southwest Ranches for many years has been planning on the property already zoned for things like a dump and a MAXIMUM security prison.

The zoning has been for a minimum or medium security prison.  Maximum security is specifically NOT allowed.  Yet ICE requires this as described in their Statement of Objectives. This inconsistency has never been adequately addressed by Debbie (who continues to lie on the issue), ICE, CCA or SWR.

DWS: There have been many many hearings lots of input.

This is patently false which is why Debbie wrote a letter admonishing Mayor Jeff Nelson for a paucity of public information on the prison.  Keith Poliakoff is well noted for gagging his Town's elected officials with a cone of silence and threats that their constituents may even have to register as LOBBYISTS to speak with their Councilmen about the prison.

She then goes on to describe the ICE meeting she set up (even though Pembroke Pines Commissioner Angelo Castillo already began securing this meeting days before).  What she did not tell you is that in clear violation of open meeting laws, residents were barred from entry unless they filled out a card containing their name, address AND position on the prison.  There were people who were threatened with arrest for trying to enter without filling out that card.   She AND General Butterworth should be ashamed for having their names on such a farce.

Further, after review of the public records, the people spoke loudly and clearly.  Of the 333 cards submitted, only 7 cards in total indicated support for the prison.  4 were from SWR.  One was from a Weston resident with the surname Poole.  4 people in SWR came out to support the prison and 1 from Pembroke Pines (who is a Miami Dade Firefighter).  Unreal.  And they are going ahead with the prison.

When an appropriate meeting was held with the public, near 100% unanimous opposition to the building of the prison was expressed.  Does Debbie sound like she got the message or does it sound like she's just aping SWR Attorney Keith Poliakoff's talking points?

DWS: And now I have urged and now it has been done for the Town to create a citizen's advisory council which will be both in Pembroke Pines affected and Southwest Ranches residents too as the facility moves forward give them input and feedback on what they think needs to be addressed.

This is outrageous sham.  What part of WE DON'T WANT A PRISON does this tin-eared politician not understand?  Further, it's NOT made up of we citizens, it's made up of the ELITE.  Not the proverbial 1%, but the 0.01% who are HOA presidents!  None of the opposition to the prison has been included in ANY of these meetings.  This is addressed in the article Announced Advisory Council... Who does it represent?

DWS: ..that many years ago when the town was first incorporated, that property was brought into the Town of Southwest Ranches and it was already zoned for things like a maximum s... there's a prison right next door to the facility...

Debbie, did YOU have anything to do as an elected legislator from the State of Florida for that special dispensation which allowed the town to bring in a non contiguous parcel?  We believe you did.  Your office believes you did as well.  You were an original part of the problem and you still are part of the problem.  Directly.

Again, no zoning of that land has EVER allowed for a maximum security prison to be built.  And the prison next door is a preexisting 700 bed Broward County facility built nearly 40 years ago.  It is not owned nor controlled by the Town.

Would your benefactors at CCA perhaps have their eyes set on taking over that facility too once they get a foothold in West Broward?  We know how you politicians on both sides of the isle are pushing to privatize prisons owned by the people, all over the country.

This is only one minute of her talking. We really can't take any more of her lies, so we will stop here.  She talks down to us and we are her constituents.  She refuses to meet with us personally.  When has a representative refused to meet with her constituents that have issues that are caused directly by that representative? This is unconscionable.  She doesn't care about the children, the women and the men who will be directly affected by this perverse facility going up DIRECTLY in our back yards that SHE supports 100%.

Addendum:

Debbie's defenders and sychophants in the media are doing full damage control for her now.  Check out Channel 10's Roger Lohose's softball report on Debbie Wasserman Schultz and the ICE prison: http://www.local10.com/news/Detention-center-critics-focus-opposition-on-U-S-Rep/-/1717324/4880330/-/view/print/-/oru1kp/-/index.html

Congresswoman, months ago you were given the opportunity to remove your endorsement of the prison.  You have steadfastly refused. You wanted your name on the project? And now you don't? Are we to believe that your's and Senator Nelson's endorsements had no effect on ICE's decision?   Were you born yesterday as you believe we were?

Announced Advisory Council... Who does it represent?

In reality, Congresswomen Debbie Wasserman Schultz's (D-FL20) Advisory Council is to provide our HOA presidents the opportunity to ask Prison, Inc. for the BEST prison we can get.  This is as if she's misunderstood our opposition to the entire project as a demand to select the color of the curtains covering the window bars or the genus of shrub that will surround the razor-wired fences.  It's a sham and a farce.

Sam Poole (Berger Singerman lawyer hired by CCA) has announced the Advisory Council will include the HOA Presidents from the following HOAs:

• Chapel Trail
• Rolling Oaks
• Sunshine Ranches
• Green Meadows
• Griffin 345
• Country Estates and Trails of Pembroke Pines
• Keystone Lake
• Laguna Isles 

View ICE Detention Center in a larger map


Deconstructing Debbie's shameless attempt to pretend she's encouraged our officials to listen to us;  here are some of the blatant flaws:

1. We don't want an immigrant prison. Her creation of an advisory council changes the question as to what TYPE of prison do we want.
2. She did not establish the council to make officials listen to the resident's demands to KILL the project.
3. Prison, Inc. has severely limited membership as HOA presidents only are on the council.
4. Prison, Inc. has included non affected HOAs such as Sunshine Ranches who are EAST of 75 nearly 10 miles away.
5. The Rolling Oaks, Sunshine Ranches and Green Meadows presidents support the prison and the federal tax dollars it will bring.  They are being sold a bill of goods. 
6. Prison, Inc. probably included Chapel Trail because a Master Board member is Todd Nelson, brother of SWR Mayor Jeff Nelson.

The bottom line is that Wasserman Schultz is trying to pull a fast one. Many of these presidents have been wined and dined by Prison, Inc. and have even been given an expense paid vacation to Prison, Inc.'s Potemkin Village in Tennessee.  Debbie, what part of "We Don't Want This Prison" don't you understand??

Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz on SWR ICE Detention Center W/ WIOD 610 Jimmy Cefalo

Good morning folks.  This morning, FL20 (D) Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz and DNC Chairwoman finally went on record regarding her continued support for her immigrant prison in Southwest Ranches and her refusal to remove her endorsement.  Just listen to the spin she puts on it.

Folks, notice she said an advisory committee has been formed so we can have input into OUR prison?  Notice how she mentioned the November 5th ICE meeting?  Notice how she didn't tell you that of the 333 cards submitted there were only 7 in support of the prison?  

Regarding the advisory committee, how many of YOU are on it?  We know that none of us are on it. Debbie Wasserman Schultz is up for reelection (along will ALL of the House) in November.  

Oh, if you think there's any sincerity to her, please read our blog posting of how it appears she took $1000 from CCA for the endorsement she speaks of.  $1000 Endorsement

Read an analysis of her interview with Jimmy Cefalo.

Wasserman Schultz Spanks Mayor Jeff Nelson

Paucity of Public Information

http://blogs.browardpalmbeach.com/pulp/2011/10/debbie_wasserman_schultz_letter_southwest_ranches_jeff_nelson_cca.php

Even though Debbie Wasserman Schultz is COMPLICIT in keeping opposition to HER Immigrant Prison away from the powers that be, she still took time to SPANK Southwest Ranches Mayor Jeff Nelson for his STUNNING attempt to push this prison through under the cover of darkness.