This story was written for black owned Hartford newspapers in 2011. It is meant to question the silence of fellow workers at CJTS in light of allegations of bias / racism against administrators.

A GREAT SILENCE ON THE DCF PLANTATION

                                By Cornell Lewis

I have worked at the Department of Children and Families for five years and noticed a repeated pattern among employees. When there are disproportionate disciplinary actions handed out to employees of color, there is great silence. This silence comes not from DCF administrators who continually choose victims (66% of disciplines are handed out to employees of color, see dcfplantation.org) of a dark or brown hue but employees. Since 1970 it is documented how this mammoth state agency continues not to address in a meaningful way allegations of bias or racism; of course DCF has conversations about race and studies to bolster claims of “how they seek a more diverse workplace.” Still the bodies of disciplined employees continue floating downstream in full view of lawmakers, DCF employees, and activists / NAACP officials-but there is still a great silence.

 At Connecticut Juvenile Training School in Middletown, Connecticut inquisition type punishment is often handed out based on who management likes or dislikes. There is no uniformity of procedure, only the whim of petty potentates with Napoleon type delusions. At some point the historians write people, being oppressed, will rise against injustice. Why is it that at CJTS there are Youth Service Officers sitting in silence as their co-workers (for years) are led to the slaughter and disciplined out of proportion to infractions? Fear is part of the reason a great silence exists on the DCF plantation; management has been known to dismiss anyone challenging administrative policies. While people in Connecticut begin a new year full of hope, there is little hope for some DCF employees of color. For in 2013 even more victims are being prepared to face a fate of standing bias within DCF plantation compounds in CT.

If people want something to pray about, look no further than a great silence on the DCF plantation.