THE POINT WAS MISSED DURING WNPR INTERVIEW

Department of Children and Family Commissioner Joette Katz and Deputy DCF Commissioner Fernando Muniz were interviewed December 22, 2016 on WNPR radio at 9:00am. The first segment of this interview focused on the handling of clients within the care of DCF, mishandled cases, and systemic concerns. Then the interview shifted to discussing closing Connecticut Juvenile Training School in 2018. This facility houses adjudicated male residents in a secure locked down facility. Severe criticism about how CJTS Youth Service Officers handle restraining residents, high costs of maintaining the facility, and offering more therapeutic services to residents were offered as reasons for closing CJTS. Oh by the way all this chatter came from lawmakers over the last year or so.

However all of the chatter on WNPR missed the point. Both DCF Commissioners danced around real issues about CJTS and why it is closing. It is interesting how Deputy Commissioner Muniz answered questions about CJTS. I guess his commentary about a facility with mostly residents of color incarcerated gave the show authenticity. Muniz stayed on message by citing how  financial savings in closing CJTS might be transferred to other service agencies [ even though legislators will make that decision not DCF ], he then stated the need to change CJTS from a punitive facility to a more therapeutic one. Muniz did not discuss how  CJTS management ran a dysfunctional facility for years. Nor did this blog writer hear anything about allegations of racism at CJTS from employees of color that roiled that facility and led to a class action lawsuit, public protests outside that facility... not to mention unfavorable media attention. For some strange reason Joette Katz and Fernando Muniz are ignoring the obvious i.e. within DCF as an agency dysfunctional behavior is overlooked. Now Katz and Muniz will retort that their agency has taken steps to deal with instances of incompetent workers. Yet that same standard is not applied to the KeyStone Cops management that ran CJTS literally into the ground. It will make no difference if CJTS is moved to another area or there are more therapeutic services made available for residents in the future. When you have management that by their silence condones racial animus, embraces mistreatment of Youth Services Officers, allows overtime to be handed out to favored employees ... there will always be problems. When you have all white top management at CJTS turning away from honest dialogue about issues with employees .. there will always be problems.

It is noted how CJTS closing was discussed during the last segment of WNPR and people called to complain about their personal issues about child care. CJTS is a textbook example of how not to run a facility while maintaining the same top management for years.

And the band played on.

THE ALL SEEING EYE

This is dedicated to the Unit Leader who sees everything but reports only what white management wants to hear.

Like Argus in Greek mythology you are never asleep,
One eye remains open at all times roving.
You see injustices that occur but never speak up,
Instead you run to Cap' boss for another biscuit
and piece of chicken.

Does the eye see how Youth Service Officers suffer?
Will the eye take an honest critique of white management?
Can the eye continue to guide you up the stairs to Cap' boss
office where you grin like Sambo,
Or dance up and down the stairs like Bogangles Robinson.

Yes the all seeing eye goes up to heaven and down to earth.
Yet that eye blots out truth while embracing deception,
Wash away your hatred of black people.
Pour into that eye the liquid that Harriet Tubman used
Maybe then you will develop enough backbone
And not strut around like a plantation Mammy.

EMPLOYEE FROM UNIT 5D AT THE FRONT DESK/ CRITIQUE OF UNIT LEADER UNIT 6B/ INTAKE PROCESS HALTED FOR RESIDENTS

The story appeared on this blog within the last two weeks or so about how a resident on Unit 5D called 911 on a staff cell phone. After sneaking into the staff office a resident said on the phone "I have a gun and will shoot people at Connecticut Juvenile Training School." Police and Swat Team came to CJTS and entered the Unit 5D with guns drawn. Police departed after discovering what really happened. However the Youth Service Officer on duty at the time did not see anything suspicious while the resident slithered into the staff office. Now management in their infinite wisdom is trying to ascertain what the YSO -now under investigation for the incident- was doing during the time this cell phone was used. The Unit is set-up with a control panel in the middle of the floor and all should be visible to any YSO awake, alert, and not distracted. Well. At this juncture management has the YSO under investigation,  and sitting at the front desk where visitors and guests come in. Just hope this YSO took No Doze while the investigation is being completed.

There are rumors circulating around CJTS about the lack of clear cut and decisive leadership from supervisors on Unit 6B. This is nothing new, this has been reported repeatedly on this blog. However our story takes a different route due to an employee critique. A YSO mentioned to management at CJTS how there is no consistency on Unit 6B in terms of following policies or procedures. Residents are allowed to do certain things one week and not so the following week. Disciplinary measures are handed out willy- nilly confusing YSOs and residents. When a YSO offered critique to the Assistant Supervisor things started to change for the YSO. This particular employee submitted weeks in advance requests for time off during the holiday season. Now -after the employee critique- this second in command superintendent et al. slowed down the employee's request for time off. I mean slowed it down to snail pace. This kind of punishment is not uncommon on the plantation, management always seems to personalize critiques, suggestions or differences of opinion from employees.

Finally management at CJTS decided to stop the intake process of new male residents. In the past whenever residents were committed to CJTS staff read the rules to residents, told them about expectations and then placed them on Units. From what i'm hearing it is now just placing residents on Units with peers their age. What kind of logic dictates placing residents in unfamiliar environments without clear expectations for following rules and regulations. Oh yeah, it is reported the idea is to let residents tell incoming youth what to do. Have mercy... the blind leading the blind.

INVESTIGATION OF STAFF CONCERNING SWAT TEAM INCIDENT/ WHERE ARE THE VOICES NOW?/ DID RESIDENTS RECEIVE ANY COUNSELING AFTER POLICE VISIT UNIT 5D?

The rumors at Connecticut Juvenile Training School are swirling about how Swat Team / State Police / and other law enforcement officials bum-rushed Unit 5D with guns drawn last week. It is reported that a resident somehow got into the staff office, secured an employee cell phone. Then called 911 threatening to shoot people at CJTS. Now the drama is shifting to the staff that were on duty when the resident crept into the staff office. Sources report that an investigation is under way regarding those staff on duty i.e. where were Unit 5D staff and what the hell were they doing? This writer hopes any staff working on that Unit during this event has a lawyer and Union representation.

Where are those loud voices from the media, Childs Advocate Office, and lawmakers over the latest incident at CJTS? Let me be clear. When Youth Service Officer Dupree restrained a resident during a mini riot, all hell broke loose. State Lawmakers et al. were running around in a fit of spasms denouncing YSOs and Dupree especially for acting like thugs with incarcerated male residents because of physically restraining them during fights ... disruptive behavior etc. However when State Police / Swat Team members stormed Unit 5D with guns drawn - there are no voices crying out in anguish as if souls in Purgatory. You hollered against Dupree.


After the big fiasco on Unit 5D with the police did the residents get counseling? It is reported that several residents living on Unit 5D were traumatized about police with guns on their Unit. At this juncture no public word has been issued from CJTS about the residents mental status. The majority of residents at CJTS are youth of color. So, if CJTS administrators [ 95% white] do not get residents trauma counseling what does it mean? Well you could extrapolate and say this, white management do not consider counseling necessary-because those youth of color are use to police... guns... in urban America. I am just saying!!!!

SWAT TEAM / STATE POLICE DESCEND ON THE PLANTATION AFTER GUN THREAT BY RESIDENT

The sources within Connecticut Juvenile Training School report a tale that is hard to fathom but also highlight what goes on inside CJTS /Department of Children & Families. On November 27, 2016 on Unit 5D while a staff member was supposedly in a somnolent state, at the control panel a resident slithered into the staff office and stole a staff member's cell phone. Even thought the phone was locked the resident managed to call 911 and say " I have a gun and will shoot people." In order to cover what took place the resident opened the door to a resident bathroom while the incident occurred, thus blocking the view of this staff member who obviously took large doses of Nyquil while on duty. Where were people in Operation Unit who supposedly are monitoring cameras at CJTS?! Then it is reported State Police called CJTS and asked if an employee by the name of .... who owned the cell phone was at work. Operation staff replied yes. Police disconnected the telephone and proceeded to descend upon CJTS with a SWAT Team in tow.

From all accounts the scene at CJTS looked like something from a military training exercise, SWAT  Team / State Police came onto the property with guns drawn, flanking building# 5 before entering the Unit 5D. It looked like the invasion of Iwo Jima during World War II. Once inside the issue of threatening cell phone call got cleared up. However several troubling questions remain for this blog writer.

Why is it the issue of what took place never became public? When CJTS white administrators were looking for scapegoats to publicly vilify over supposedly resident illegal restraints by Youth Service Officers, going public with the name of YSO Dupree was damn quick. Why did no one in management at CJTS or DCF talk about police with guns drawn on the plantation property? Why did no management type discuss the failure of Operation staff in the main office with cameras on a console to see what this resident did.... or why staff let it happen?

Lawd have mercy!!

FEAR IS CAUSING THIS NEED FOR WHITES TO SEEK BLACK ACTIVISTS

The clarion call for black activists and people of color to join protests across America at this juncture is interesting to say the least. When BlackLivesMatter and Moral Monday CT tried to get white activists to join their movements hesitation occurred. White activists did not want to be associated to some degree with BLM. There were problems with tactics, agendas, targeted sites for protests. Also MMCT experienced great difficulty enlisting white people to help with systematic oppression of people of color in Hartford, CT. Again whites had to "consider" whether MMCT used "proper" tactics or if words were sufficiently utilized to white people's satisfaction. Now white people are singing a different tune. Oh yeah!! There is palpable fear circulating these days within the white community about the presidential win of Donald J. Trump. Draconian policies that Trump said would be implemented [ if he won.. and he did win ] affects whites and other groups. With such a revelation about what Trump's policies would mean for them, whites are stampeding to find black allies. Whites want blacks to march on Washington. Whites want blacks to protest with them in Oregon. Whites are showing up in droves at black meetings, begging for intersectionality on white issues. Whites are plugging in to MMCT's conference calls in record numbers seeking solidarity. Hold on Bubba. Why you love me now?

Let me be clear. Whites are showing up by the hundreds to meetings in Hartford like Standing Up For Racial Justice [ SURJ ] a white group that trains other whites to be allies against oppression, for one reason only -FEAR. It is clear a Trump administration in the White House is dangerous not only to people of color but whites and "others" caught in the sights of those administrators, surrounding Trump, who are capable of making policy decisions. So now a clarion call goes out to the black community et al. from whites for collaboration, unity, intersectionality, understanding, and lockstep protests in the streets.

However my reply to white folks is this.
Where were you when blacks needed you?

WHITE ALLIES STABBED BLACKS IN THE BACK

Moral Monday CT

Statement Regarding SURJ-Hartford November 19, 2016 After a time of prayer and deliberation, the executive leadership of Moral Monday CT has decided to sever ties with the Showing Up For Racial Justice, Hartford (SURJ-Htfd) organization.  Our executive leadership met with SURJ-Htfd core leadership for an extended time of conversation and could not reconcile inconsistencies/barriers that compromise our ability to work together.   Moral Monday CT is a black-led organization representing a broad cross-section of people of faith and conscience, whose work is centered around how our deep moral values relate to the movement for black lives. We seek relationships (both individual and organizational) of mutuality and common interest. As leaders in the movement for black lives, it is our duty and responsibility to name abuses.  It is for this reason that we are obligated to speak truth from our prospective to SURJ-Htfd. SURJ has primary stated goals. They are to organize White people for racial justice through community organizing, mobilizing and education while being accountable to People of Color. MMCT executive leadership was asked to hold a relationship of accountability.  SURJ-Htfd core leadership understood checks and balances within itself, however, they were unable and/or unwilling to articulate an understanding of such terms to MMCT, all the while acting in ways that attempted to usurp and undermine our leadership.  Racial justice work must be done from a position of humility.  Zeal and ambition with unchecked and uninterrogated white supremacy is a reckless and dangerous recipe for this moment in time. Trusting white people to have the capability on their own to step outside of whiteness, outside of white supremacy in and of itself is extremely ambitious.  And to do so without mutual regard and a definite understanding of the responsibility of checks and balances is a detriment to the movement of Black Lives.  We will not endorse empire building in the name of racial justice. Moral Monday CT will continue to welcome anyone who seeks to be engaged in the struggle for racial justice and our arms remain open to any individual involved in SURJ-Htfd.

A MEETING CALLED BUT FEW CAME / UNIT 5B MOVES TO A RAT INFESTED SPOT / # 136 COMPLAINT AGAINST UNIT LEADER

The Connecticut Juvenile Training School Superintendent called a meeting on November 15, 2016 for Youth Service Officers to attend. The CJTS Superintendent wanted to explain a few things as it relates to ..the possibility of overtime funds running out in December 2016. The front line YSO staff are called to fill in certain areas when needed, this is overtime pay. However only two YSOs showed up to the meeting. Why? The answer is simple, YSOs do not trust what the Superintendent says at any given time. In the past this same leader at CJTS Plantation accused YSOs of being responsible for all the ills at CJTS including unlawful restraints. The same Superintendent et al. threw YSO Dupree under the bus during an investigation about resident restraints. Dupree [ a black man ] was made the poster child for restraints at CJTS; Dupree won his job back through arbitration but is not being called back to work. Also the Superintendent mentioned inordinate amounts of Worker Compensation claims by YSOs but failed to mention the queen of Worker Compensation use is a female Unit Leader who goes out injured-supposedly- monthly [ this same Unit Leader is well enough to sit at the black jack table at Foxwoods Casino while out on WC ]. Yeah another YSO meeting by the Superintendent is scheduled for Thursday. Maybe two jack rabbits will attend.

The Unit 5B moved to Unit 5C because the former supposedly had plumbing problems. Then while in Unit 5C residents noticed baited and set rat traps in the day room for residents. There are rumors circulating that maybe 5B did not have plumbing problems at all, and the rats Ben / Willard came to live as squatters. Residents in 5C report rats running out of their rooms.

It is reported that a Unit Leader in building #6 is not allowed on the Unit due to a resident complaint. The resident filed what is know as a #136 document. The document was passed on to administrators at CJTS for investigation. Meanwhile the Unit Leader in building # 6 cannot enter the Unit when the resident is inside. Only when the resident is not around can the Unit Leader come around. Well maybe all of this will be cleared up soon about the Unit Leader. But hold on, when YSOs have #136s filed against them by residents or management ... YSOs are barred for months -in some cases- of being on the Unit. Is there some double standard at work here??

WHITE EXISTENTIAL ANGST OVER TRUMP; NOW YOU KNOW HOW IT FEELS, YOU GAVE THE VAMPIRE A TRESPASS RIGHT

The sounds for several days of white existential anguish over the victory of Donald J. Trump for United States President is interesting. In the distance one hears cries reminiscent of souls in Purgatory in Dante's Inferno, it is white folk lamenting the end of their so called Democracy. It must be noted that these same people going to get therapy from psychologists / healing places for solace are beyond being consoled. White people now want to know what to do, how to fight someone they perceive as a threat not to America but to a white population that has basically for years enjoyed standing on the sidelines, while people of color fought tooth and nail against racism. Now to be fair some white allies have been fighting with people of color to end racism for years, but in my experience most whites questioned tactics of black leadership, strategy and whether or not to get involved. All of that hesitation and obstructionism ended with the advent of Trump as "the strong man on horse back" to lead the mixed rabble. Now you know how it feels.

The days after Trump's victory were like being on a super fast train ; whites calling me asking for advice, whites rioting in Oregon because Trump won the election. I gave those whites a few lines from Dante's Inferno about how they related to the black struggle "let us not speak of them; but look, and pass on." Yeah you looked white people when the BlackLivesMatter and Moral Monday CT organizations were seeking help. Now you want to ask me for help. In the words of the old rapper from Public Enemy Flava Flav ..."I can't Do Nothing For You Man." It is time for whites to understand that their inaction led to the situation called Trump. Let me be clear. If whites had been willing to unite behind black leadership as one force the outcome of this election might have been different. If whites had not been angry / vindictive about Bernie Sanders not winning the primary for president the outcome of this election might have been different. Whites et al. held back their vote as a protest, some even voting for third party candidates, how many of you crying over Trump now had your underwear in a bunch because events did not go your way? You withheld  millions of votes, you looked the other way... and now Trump is lord and master. Your river of tears mean nothing to me whites in existential anguish.

In the vampire movies the one known as Dracula is depicted as a blood thirsty creature. There are many ways to get rid of vampires... holy water, stake in the heart, holding up a cross symbolizing Jesus and Christianity. However the most effective way to thwart a vampire is not to let it in your home... etc. In the movies a vampire must be invited in to your dwelling and this is called a trespass right. The lack of whites voting and reluctance to get behind black leadership to fight for social justice gave Trump a trespass right, now the vampire is in the White House. Dracula or vampires seek blood of victims; Trump et al. will seek blood in the form of cutting benefits for elderly, poor and disadvantaged, placing people on the Supreme Court that will erode hard fought legal victories for Americans, scuttle rights and freedoms Americans have taken for granted. Dracula is in the house and now you cry out for solidarity with blacks that you did not want to follow or support. Whites now take to the streets asking for support to protest with them. Whites frame their arguments saying "we are all in this together" and hurriedly form coalitions making sure that in agendas at least the black cause is mentioned [ third or fourth ] in the platform. March to Washington in December / January for social justice is the white folk cry, there must be solidarity or else perish is the white mantra.Meanwhile back at the ranch, black people are openly saying " man this is a white problem." White folk are jamming telephone conferences with black lead groups wanting advice, their voices raw with emotion, invoking words from Martin Luther King, Gandhi and agents of non violence. However violence in the form of Donald J. Trump and Draconian policies he is planning seems to be the epitome of violence. Whites have been in a Rip Van Winkle slumber as it relates to helping in the black struggle. Now it appears as if whites are fully awake. Well. Black people have been awake to the racism in America for years while other folk embraced their white skin privilege and did nothing thinking "let us not speak of them; but look, and pass on."

In closing the white existential angst over Trump is somewhat amusing to behold. Wait, let me get my popcorn.

The waking have one world in common; Sleepers have each a private world of their own.
--Heraclitus, Fragments

SCHOOL SAFETY AND CUTTING BACK ON OVERTIME

The Connecticut Juvenile Training School has recently discontinued In School Suspension for residents during academic time. ISS was used to help students study more, deal with acting out behaviors during class, or for other offenses. During ISS Youth Service Officers were present to help the teacher maintain order and redirect residents if needed. That meant staff usually worked overtime shifts in order to keep enough YSOs monitoring hallways and classrooms. However KeyStone Cops management discontinued ISS to save the overtime dollars. Now let me continue with the story.

When a resident at CJTS acts out in school, that person now is escorted to their Unit by one staff, and that staff stays with the resident. This means there are not enough YSOs in the school to handle disturbances that occur daily. Now let us say three to four residents from different Units fight in class. Now four YSOs must accompany residents back to their Units. So as you can see this is an issue of safety ...for teachers and staff. If the management at CJTS wanted to save money how come that Unit Leader -that management is always protecting- in building #6 has not moved to bldg. # 5 like all other Units? Because of not adhering to the program and moving that Unit, money is being lost that could be used for keeping ISS open. Well dysfunctional management has done it again. Closing down ISS and increasing safety hazards while the Unit Leader in bldg. # 6 continues to stay put and buck dance like Bill Bogangles Robinson for white management.

WORKER COMPENSATION QUEEN AT IT AGAIN / NOT MOVING INTO BUILDING # 5 AND THE GOOD NEGRO

The administration at Connecticut Juvenile Training School is universally considered to be dysfunctional at best incompetent and blind at worst. In the past several years numerous mistakes or lapses in judgment have been recorded by this blog that CJTS made. For example allowing a right wing male employee to be the attack dog for management and keep employees of color in line. Oh let us not forget how management did not know or looked the other way while a female Caucasian supervisor was arrested several times for drinking under the influence of alcohol, then stripped of a driving license-but still she came to work for almost one year [ no drivers license ]. Now administrators are continuing to enable a white supervisor to -once again- be out of the facility on Workers Compensation. At CJTS where on hands restraints are common, it is possible to become injured and therefore need time off. However this female supervisor- a Unit Leader- takes advantage of the Workers Comp situation : in five years or more this Unit Leader at CJTS has not worked more than 60 complete days. Other employees must report to work or be disciplined by management, not the Workers Comp queen though, she is like Casper the Ghost... showing up for one week, then claiming injury just from walking through the CJTS front gate and doors. Say what ?

This blog documented several instances where the female Unit Leader seemed to be milking the State of Connecticut dry , gaining filthy lucre through deception or out right lies. Yet at the CJTS Plantation it is business as usual; hen house unguarded, foxes running off with chicken eggs.. while management is sleep at the wheel of the facility.

Hey it was reported that during negotiations about CJTS layoffs and closing the facility, cutting costs might help ease the burden of operating the facility. It was decided that every Unit at CJTS would move into building # 5. But hold your horses folks. Directives from KeyStone Cops management in June 2016 made it clear ALL Unit Leaders were to move residents etc into building #5. At this juncture there is one Unit Leader in bldg. 6 moving slower than molasses in obeying directives to move, hell all the other Units moved into bldg. #5. There is speculation why Unit in bldg. 6 has not moved, it is due to receiving special favor from ol' Massa in the front office. Let me be clear. White administrators within the DCF apartheid complex are quick to embrace, support or promote Negroes who "know their place" and buck dance to ol' Massa's tune. Also it is possible the numerous trips this Unit Leader makes to see administrators is not only about discussing Unit issues but tattling on employees. In other places it is called dry snitching... dropping dimes... being a rat fink etc. Now it is also reported how moving into bldg. # 5 with other Unit Leaders could expose all of the "dirt" or irregularities committed within the Unit constantly. Very few people working at CJTS know for certain what occurs in Unit  bldg. # 6, and moving to bldg. #5 just might turn on lights that will cause cockroaches to scurry.

DUPREE WAS FIRED QUICK, BUT DCF SLOW IN HIRING HIM BACK

This is a story that has appeared on the DCF Plantation Blog several times. Resean Dupree is a 33 year old black man that is still waiting for justice within Department of Children & Families ... Connecticut Juvenile Training School. Dupree was a Youth Service Officer at CJTS without any blemish on his record for years. To be honest in ten years of working for various state agencies Dupree's record is spotless. However while working at CJTS Dupree, in order to quell a fight between several youth.. placed them in an unauthorized hold or restraint. Dupree is an avid weight lifter built like a Greek god, he certainly was not trying to hurt the youth he restrained at CJTS. However in April of 2015 Dupree was placed on paid administrative leave for placing the youth in a so- called unapproved hold. We need to understand that what happened to Dupree came after The Childs Advocate office conducted a lengthy investigation about resident abuse through unauthorized restraints by YSOs. The resulting circus from this investigation included tours by legislators in Hartford, news stories, and white administrators looking for scapegoats. Well white folks found and targeted Dupree as their victim-"the usual suspect.. blame it on the huge black male." Dupree received notice on September 2, 2015 of being terminated from CJTS.

Now if we fast forward there seems to be a happy ending to this sordid tale of targeting another black male for harsh disciplinary action within the DCF Plantation. Dupree through an arbitrator's decision was reinstated to his job, with full back pay etc. Hold on. Why is Dupree still not back at the job ? He received the fair arbitration hearing decision Sept. 1, 2016, yet white administrators are slow in placing the black man back on his job. Dupree has been vindicated in some respects but feels betrayed. When administrators needed some sort of sacrifice to appease the Child Advocate and howling mob Dupree became expendable. Throughout the history of America black men and women were used to justify racist practices. In the past lynchings or other means were used to keep black people in line. In 2016 the white power structure uses policy and procedure in workplace settings to justify racial excesses against people like Dupree. DCF / CJTS fired Dupree before the world in hideous fashion, making him the poster child of beast like restraint at CJTS. Now these same people have the unmitigated gall to move slowly in giving the brother his job back.
Please forgive me readers, this is just to much to take.

Please call CJTS Superintendent William Rosenbeck at (860) 638-2420 and ask for Resean Dupree to be reinstated immediately.

WHITE ACTIVIST THOUGHTS ON POLICE SHOOTINGS OF BLACK PEOPLE

How many Black people will die before police departments police themselves in America?

Terence Crutcher, an unarmed father of four, walking slowly away from police and toward his stalled car with his hands up in the air, is the most recent victim who died for being Black. Killed in the streets by Tulsa police.

Their police department claims he was not complying with officer's orders; yet police don’t have carte blanche to kill anyone who doesn’t show perfect compliance. In fact, a ruling in Boston Tuesday by the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court stated that blacks in Boston who escape run-ins with police officers may be justifiably motivated by a desire to “avoid the recurring indignity of being racially profiled,” and their flight should not be automatically interpreted as evidence of “criminal activity.”

Can Hartford citizens count on their Police Department to do the right thing? Will Hartford speak out about this latest tragedy by issuing a clear and timely statement condemning rogue police actions and police departments that perpetrate or condone racially-motivated profiling, predatory policing and overreach, brutality, and killings in the streets of US cities? 

It’s long past time to change the policing culture and practices of silence.

JoAnne Bauer, Hartford

THE CLERGY'S INTERFERENCE STIFLES THE PROTEST OF FREEDOM FIGHTERS

The recent civil unrest in Charlotte, North Carolina over the shooting death of a black man by police has people on edge. For two days freedom fighters took to the streets and during the process some property destruction took place. It is clear that after watching black men, women and children dying at the hands of police over a three year period, people have expressed outrage and are beyond being consoled. However something I saw on the CNN News service caused a moment of reflection inside my brain. Clergy in the city of Charlotte went out on the street and formed a boundary between police and freedom fighters. What is interesting is how on television pictures of the clergy hollering at freedom fighters and protesters displaying anger at clergy came across. What the clergy did during one night of protest is offensive to the idea of people trying to free themselves from oppression. Clergy seem to come out in cities only when there is civil unrest, and then clergy want to impose their "love, peace, and Jesus" worldview on the unwashed masses. If the religious community would come out of their churches daily to interact with the people perhaps there might be some manner of connectivity. However how can religious leaders come out of those religious sanctuaries to quell righteous indignation of an abused population, and stand with religious garb on in front of the very oppressor that has unleashed death upon the people?

The philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche wrote in Thus Spoke Zarathustra how people feel about the clergy "churches are places of putrid air and words of empty meaning." These select words from Nietzsche are reflective of protesters feelings in Charlotte toward clergy. How can preachers go into the streets during moments such as the rebellion in North Carolina and preach love and harmony? What shibboleth do the clergy hold up as justification for  standing between the police- who historically used force on black folk- and angry citizens. The clergy's interference in affairs of freedom fighters smacks of hubris and disrespect. These holy ones show up at civil unrest situations and proclaim a God that has not shielded the masses from injustice in America. These same preachers stand shoulder to shoulder with locked arms in front of police and ask the unwashed masses to embrace the state. Nietzsche writes in Zarathustra "the state ? What is that? Well then ! ... The state is the coldest of all monsters. Coldly it lies, too; and this lie creeps from its mouth: I the state am the people."

Then on this same CNN News broadcast there were clergy speaking about how they brought calm to the city and no rioting occurred. Let it be noted that during this interview a black male preacher and white female clergy were present. However it was the young white female clergy doing most of the talking. In other words white folks who have no idea of how it is to live or die black, talking about bringing peace to a largely black community in the depths of despair over yet another shooting death. Not only is the clergy's interference in affairs of the unwashed masses offensive but a white female is the one to articulate feelings of natives in their natural habitat. Give me a damn break !

In closing let me state that at this juncture in history it is clear America has declared open season once again on the destruction of black people. There is no longer any time for the same tired strategies from religious leaders or  foolish people getting in the way of righteous indignation over killings of black people by police.

And to be sure it is no longer necessary for clergy to come down and interfere with righteous indignation of people being oppressed. And black people damn sure do not need well meaning white clergy -who do not suffer as black people do in America- to explain reasons for standing in front of the police and angry demonstrators.

WHITE FOLKS COMMENTING FROM WHERE IT IS SAFE

I know and have worked with lots of dedicated white activists over the years. These white male / female / transgender / lesbian & LGBTQ, religious/ non religious activists are wonderful people seeking social justice in America. However there is a segment of white folks in America commenting on issues from where it is safe. Let me be clear. I recently saw on Facebook the video shooting of a black man in Tulsa, Oklahoma by white police officers. The shooting occurred last week but the video footage was just released. The man did not have a gun and was walking towards his car that broke down on the road. After viewing the video I made a few comments and then pondered what I had seen on the video. Well it did not take long for white folks from different parts of America to comment on my words. Of course one white person said "all we need in America for healing is to embrace Jesus." Next came the "there is not enough evidence to conclude what happened in the video." Oh really? What is interesting is how many of the white folks looking at the video commented on it from the safe haven of white privilege somewhere in whitopia. When white people make their remarks and then couch it in their worldview, I ask where is my parallel to that type of thinking?

For the most part the responses to my comments about the shooting of this black man by police were not received with enthusiasm or appreciation by white people. That is okay with me. What is troubling is how whites in various geographical locations in America can comment about healing, prayer, meditation, and working with the police when black folks are literally being hunted by people sworn to protect them ... dat be da police. It is bad enough to wait for the predictable response from black activists over this murder - marching, singing ol' man river spirituals,  black clergy calling for independent investigations that yield verdicts on the side of police, begging for God to come down from heaven and stop the killings. The response of white folks however is an exercise in how to comment from where it is safe; not having to worry whether their lives are valued or not based on their skin color. So let white folks continue to have conversations about the National Anthem and Colin Kapernick, or whether to get involved in social justice issues, or whether black activists tactics are too divisive for white tastes. In the mean time back at the ranch, black people are shot with hands in the air by police officers and "white folks are commenting from where it is safe."

DUPREE IS VICTORIOUS AND GETS JOB BACK, BUT THERE IS A LARGER ISSUE THAT MUST BE EXPLORED

Youth Service Officer Dupree won his job back on September 1, 2016 after an arbitrator declared Connecticut Juvenile Training School fired him without cause. Now CJTS Plantation must give Dupree back pay plus any time lost. Let me refresh the memory of readers about the persecution of yet another black man at the CJTS Plantation. On April 1, 2015 YSO Dupree was working on the infamous Unit4D, known for  Supervisors who abuse Workers Compensation and are incompetence [ not to mention baking cookies while at work ]. A riot situation occurred in which incarcerated residents were out of control. YSO Dupree tried to restore rule of law on the Unit 4D and finally got involved in a hands on restraint. Dupree is a young muscular black man of over 200 pounds and has [in 4 years of working at that facility] never could be accused of being abusive toward residents, but all that changed on April 1, 2015. After the restraint took place a Greek Chorus led by Unit 4 D Supervisors- who are always applying overly maternal instincts to incarcerated males- and white male management, Dupree got singled out as the personification of the hulking black male out of control. The Child Advocates Office issued reports about Dupree's restraint, videos surfaced of supposedly bad restraints,while the local media showed up at Dupree's home looking for "dirty laundry" during interviews. Dupree lost his job, was found guilty in the court of public opinion, could not come out of his home because media trucks were outside.

For over one year Dupree languished in a Purgatory created by white management for the hulking black man. Instead of pointing out how the incompetence of Unit 4D Supervisors created unsafe conditions might be part of the reason(s) a riot took place- a time honored American tradition happened.. blame it on the big black male. If CJTS management and the Childs Advocate Office really looked into what happened on Unit 4D, empirical evidence would have pointed to Unit Supervisors more concerned with promoting motherly balms toward male residents and not rule of law. Ergo, the residents on Unit 4D were always in some sort of chaotic situation due to mismanagement by Unit Supervisors. Dupree provided cover for white management during all the uproar over improper restraints by YSOs. To be blunt white management covered their asses by sacrificing Dupree.

Now the moral arc of justice has swung in favor of Dupree, Sept.1, 2016 an arbitrator said "CJTS fired this man without cause." Yet the larger issue in this story is racism and how it pervades the CJTS environment. For over three decades the Department of Children and Families has faced allegations of racism from employees of color. For some unknown reason such allegations of racism at CJTS / within DCF are not addressed by the black or brown residents in Hartford. In 2010 five CJTS workers launched a class action lawsuit against DCF /CJTS alleging hostile workplace environment and racism. Disciplinary actions against people of color working within the DCF/ CJTS Plantation is hovering around 60%, while lower for other ethnic groups. While this blog celebrates the fact Dupree is reinstated to his job, what about the toxic atmosphere of white supremacy within the DCF/CJTS plantation allowing Dupree to be  lynched by policy / procedure?

BEAT DOWN AT THE CLOCK TOWER

The narrative coming out of Connecticut Juvenile Training School this week is about a fight between three residents. As the story is told two residents were outside near the clock tower and decided to beat down a resident from Unit 5B. Now fights between residents are not unusual at CJTS but this one resulted in severe injuries to the resident beaten by two peers. Now during the beat down assistance was called for to breakup the altercation, but the fight continued. There were no staff to respond due to several factors (1.) due to state layoffs of workers staff levels at CJTS are at an all time low, (2.) then the staff that are at the facility have worked double and triple shifts... ergo, cannot respond quickly.

Now the beat down continued at the clock tower for several minutes; no response from staff. When a group of female staff came on the scene they could not separate the combatants. Finally by some miracle the fight ended, but not before severely injuring one resident. This writer learned that the one resident beaten by two peers is in the hospital. When Youth Service Officers do not perform their jobs management investigate them. The dreaded mandated report called #136 is filed against YSOs who are deemed negligent when dealing with residents. With the depletion of YSOs on the CJTS Plantation an unsafe condition exists, why no #136 filed against management for a shortage of staff ? If that youth in the hospital dies who is responsible for not having appropriate levels of staff at CJTS to handle client safety?

JUST WHEN YOU THOUGHT IT COULD NOT GET ANY WORSE ON THE CJTS PLANTATION

Right winger still on paid leave / set to retire
The birds are chirping at Connecticut Juvenile Training School about the former attack dog for white management at that facility. For years KeyStone Cops management used a Caucasian employee to watch over, report  news about, and use policy / procedure to keep employees in line. It was a known fact this particular right winger informed management about black or brown employees, used grievances as weapons against Youth Service Officers and then walked around like Caesars's wife "above suspicion." However white management soon became aware of not being able to control the right winger and tried to terminate their attack dog. Sources report that the right winger played an instrumental role in providing data to lawmakers and media sources... that helped place CJTS in the position of being closed down in 2018 by lawmakers and the Child Advocate's office. Since all of this hit the fan the right winger has been investigated for over one plus years while being paid, they call it administrative leave... yeah right !! Behind the scenes rumors are being whispered that CJTS management is not going to let their former attack dog back on the property in Middletown, CT. Their plan is to let the right winger continue to be investigated and then retire. All of this of course is financed by tax payer dollars.

Ball of confusion with scheduling / seniority
The reduction in staff at CJTS is down to a bare minimum due to layoffs and YSOs being out on Workers Compensation leave. Ergo, it should not be problematic to maintain scheduling for the remaining 50 or so staff right? Well think again. Sources within the CJTS Plantation report how people in charge of scheduling are making mistakes. There are so many mistakes until the remaining YSOs are confused, while being forced to work double or triple shifts. Several YSOs were laid off because of administrative staff -who were also laid off- being wrongly given credit for being at the facility longer than others. However upon closer scrutiny it was discovered several YSOs were mistakenly(?) laid off and those jobs given to former Unit Leaders. Now the mistakes in those cases are cleared up; why is it the people at CJTS do not just put up correct lists of people and their seniority? This will clear up all confusion, relieve the angst of being laid off, and help that facility operate more efficiently [ if such a thing is possible ].

Object of intimate desire transferred to another facility-cover up ?
The sources at CJTS are babbling about how male management employed a female administrator and for years engaged in sexual peccadilloes on a weekly schedule. It was then revealed how these same males almost fought some years ago during their staff meeting because of encroachment on each other's schedule. In other words somebody hit on my hit. With the break down in secrecy at the plantation about such matters, someone made the decision to send the object of desire to another facility.. before CJTS closes in 2018. It is reported the female in question never feared losing her job, after all when you service 3-4 male administrators on the job that is better security than having All State Insurance.

Hiring more YSOs in spite of promises to close the facility
Since there are only 50 or so incarcerated youth at CJTS why is there need for more Youth Service Officers? There are at least 16 YSOs out on Workers Compensation due to injury. However the rank and file workers are saying how things like worker injury should have been factored into plans for closing the facility in 2018. Now KeyStone Cops management is scrambling around like chickens with no heads, all due to incompetence. So what else is new?

DOES DRACULA LIVE ON UNIT 6B, IS THAT WHY NOBODY WANTS TO WORK THERE? / OPERATION STAFF SIT IN OFFICE WHILE OTHERS WORK TRIPLE SHIFTS

The reports coming from Connecticut Juvenile Training School about Unit 6B are certainly interesting, yet problematic and troubling. While other Youth Service Officers are being asked to work on other Units one place people avoid is Unit 6B. From what this writer understands, the lack of leadership from supervisors on 6B makes that part of CJTS not easy to work in.  At the root or heart of the issue is that 6B supervisors do not have any control over the incarcerated residents ; fear of the residents or plain incompetence might explain why Unit 6B is in utter chaos, or as black folks say..off the hook. Another explanation might be is that a vampire named Dracula lives on 6B and scares away YSO's and other supervisors from working there. Now juxtapose the chaos existing on Unit 6B and NOBODY willing to work there with Unit 5 B. Reliable sources report how Unit 5B is an ideal place to work at i.e. the residents are not allowed to do disobey rules and run amok on the Unit. YSO's also have proper supervision on Unit 5B,  from a leader who is competent and listens to people working on that Unit.

If Unit 6B is dysfunctional as is being claimed by sources, why are supervisors allowed to continue managing it? Perhaps the answer can be found in the constant visits of 6B supervisors to CJTS Superintendent's office. For some people 6B supervisors trips to William Rosenbeck's et al. office has to do with more than talking about residents. Just maybe it is possible those visits to Captain Boss office is for nefarious purposes, trying to help white folks keep control over that dying CJTS kingdom.. scheduled to close in 2018. Well.  In the history of America it is documented how slaves were often spied on by other slaves. A reward for telling Captain Boss about field Negroes actions consisted of a biscuit and piece of chicken. Now if we fast forward to 2016 we might be able to say with a fair amount of certitude and modicum of rectitude, that information to white administrators in any state agency allows the informer to maintain a favorable status among other employees. In the words of brothers on the streets " the more your head is up the boss ass, the more useful that person is." However history also teaches that when Ol' Massa uses a slave, at some point the slave is no longer  an asset and turns into a liability. At that point Ol' Massa gets rid of the once useful slave / informant ; just look at the television series Roots to see how white folks got rid of the beloved black female slave Kissie and house Negro who thought he was safe during a slave rebellion.

Why were 4  members of The Operations Staff sitting on their well paid arses at CJTS while help was needed on other Units last week? That question is being asked as YSO's are being forced to work double and triple shifts. It is documented in many reports how working long hours without adequate rest will increase the likelihood of accidents, mistakes and bad judgment from employees of any company. Why is it then that last week 4 members of CJTS sat in the Operations Office in utter disregard of the need for co-workers to be relieved of working like slaves in Egypt under a biblical Pharaoh?? There are lots of staff at CJTS under the protection of Key Stone Cops management while YSOs catch hell from leadership and nobody seems to give a damn.
 Well this DCF Plantation Blog cares about the exploited working class at CJTS and will continue to support them.
If there is more information about injustice toward the working class at the modern CJTS Plantation.. please send news or tips to dcfplantation@gmail.com

ASSISTANT TEACHER BROWN AND THE INCIDENT / THEY VOWED TO REDUCE RESIDENTS BUT NUMBERS ARE INCREASING

This writer learned that at Connecticut Juvenile Training School assistant teacher Brown [ female ] was accidently pushed by an incarcerated resident to keep her out of a possible fight between inmates. She was in the classroom when two residents decided to square off for a fight. One of the residents who squared up, decided Ms. Brown might get hit, so he pushed her out the way. A truly noble act. However let me delve deeper into this noble act and the reasons it happened. The CJTS plantation is not working with appropriate staffing levels due to state layoffs. This means at the moment CJTS does not have enough people working to quell native uprisings ..like the one in assistant teacher Brown's room. In the past Youth Service Officers were omnipresent in the school hallways and on the lookout for trouble. Now as one supervisor put it is "like a ghost town" around here. One YSO contacted this blog and stated "on first shift [ 5:30am-3:00pm ] there are only three regular staff working. All other staff are being forced to work double or triple shifts." In other words the first shift is filled with over worked, bleary eyed, mentally exhausted, and spiritually dead YSOs. Will wonders never cease.

Hey this writer remembers not long ago that a proclamation came down from CJTS leadership and lawmakers. "The CJTS facility will be closing in 2018 and residents sent to other facilities. Ergo, at the present time CJTS will maintain only 40 residents. Out of this number a further reduction will occur until there are no more residents and the facility closes." Now it is reported that the proclamation thundered from the plantation- as if the Oracle of Apollo had spoken- is not being followed. At this juncture there are now 50 residents at CJTS with another one expected in a few days. At every turn CJTS management et al. have lied to the rank and file employees. What else can white management due to erode credibility and send workers into not embracing policies of Key Stone Cops management ? And they say Hillary Clinton has trust problems ! Well the CJTS Plantation management has Hillary beat.

RESIDENT ON UNIT 6B HAS HANDCUFF KEY / STILL WORKING 24 HOUR SHIFTS / BLACK SUPERVISOR HARASSED BY WHITE MANAGEMENT

Sources report that not long ago a male resident on Unit 6B was transported to court. This writer cannot say definitively what took place at court with the resident in terms of legal proceedings. However there is on thing that is known for sure, the resident returned to Connecticut Juvenile Training School with a handcuff key. Now let me be clear. Incarcerated youth are often transported to court in handcuffs from CJTS as well as other events. When the youth returned to CJTS the key was discovered. How in hell did he get the key to begin with?  Someone named Collins supposedly found the key, and for this, the resident expectorated [ spit ] in Collins face [ so it is reported ]. It is also reported the key was not the one used by CJTS and this blog cannot verify if it fit the cuffs or not. I again ask, how in hell did the resident get such a key? Once again the Key Stone Cops atmosphere of CJTS is on display for all to see.

Youth Service Officers are reported to still be working 24 hour shifts due to state layoffs of employees at CJTS. In the thinking of some the employees at CJTS, management is using mandatory overtime shifts as punishment. The rank and file are getting the blame for ALL of CJTS troubles.. including the proposed closing of this facility in 2018 after allegations of unlawful restraints of residents by YSOs. In addition it is reported that the Pueblo Girls Unit down the street from CJTS has closed.. and the woman in charge of that facility is no longer employed by CJTS. Hmmm !  This writer wonders if the dismissal of the female Pueblo  supervisor had anything to do with other things. This blog did report how the supervisor in question was hanging tough on the weekends with staff she supervised. Not to mention the imbibing that went on at these weekend club hopping jaunts. Oh yeah, and then there are those pictures of the supervisor, with her hand on the prominent arse of a staff member in the club. It appeared she was either rubbing the arse like a crystal ball [ looking for a message ] or fanning it due to heat being emitted. Oh well, hope she stops drinking and having her drivers license suspended ... so she can make it to work.

Finally it seems as if CJTS management has once again decided to harass a black supervisor as punishment for speaking the truth. The readers should know that white management at CJTS is using policy and procedure as cover in order to go after a black female supervisor. Sources report how white male management do not want anyone threatening to expose the favoritism, racism, and nepotism swirling around the CJTS Plantation. Not to mention the sexual escapades played by males in management with a white female administrator.

A CRITIQUE OF POLICE KILLINGS OF BLACK PEOPLE RECENTLY IN AMERICA

	Peter Goselin July 21 at 11:53am
Every department of local government may engage in "policing itself," but when it does not do so to the satisfaction of the taxpayers, it hears from us and is under pressure to change. For that matter, even police departments feel the heat when white suburbanites ("the taxpayers") complain about how they conduct themselves. But when it comes to black communities, there is some magical inversion. Instead of the community dictating how the police do their job, the police have the power to dictate the lives of the people in the community. Suddenly it seems outrageous to say "the police should do their jobs the way we tell them." In fact, it becomes controversial to say "The community demands that the police stop beating, shooting, and killing us." Is there really any other explanation for this phenomenon than the simple fact that police departments are the modern incarnation of the slave patrols that, pre-Civil War, hunted down runaway slaves and helped wealthy whites regain their "property"? And if that's so is there really any other demand that can address the problem of rampant, racist police violence than to demilitarize and disarm the police and make them accountable to the community? Peter Goselin is an activist and fighter for social justice in Greater Hartford, CT area. He posted this on Face Book after a series of police shootings involving the deaths of black people recently.

CONNECTICUT LOTTERY CORPORATION PREYING ON THE POOR IN IMPOVERISHED AREAS

https://www.vimeo.com/150933479

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 
Out of Luck Documentary Sheds Light on Reality of Lottery and Answers the Question: Where does the Money go?  

June 3, 2016 (New York) – Out of Luck, the first feature-length documentary film to examine state lotteries, will premiere Friday, June 3rd on Amazon Prime, iTunes and Google Play. Out of Luck is a compelling, informative and surprising look at the history and rapid expansion of a $68 billion dollar industry that is virtually unregulated, and an investigative look at the real people who are playing the most.  

“I’ve always been fascinated by lottery, but questioned the repeated promises that the money would go to improving schools and access to education.  Lottery was expanding all around me, but public education never seemed to be benefitting,“ said Bert Klasey, film director. “After a brief lesson into state run lotteries, I was astonished to learn how much money each state generates from their lotteries and the amount that comes from the financially desperate – people who feel they need to play just to pay the bills. I wanted to tell a story that not only explores where the money is going, but exposes the reality of who is playing.” 

Over the past 50 years, lotteries have expanded to become the largest casino in America, raking in billions of dollars, with little or no oversight at the state or federal level. With more than 45 million Americans falling below the poverty line, it is not surprising many people turn to get rich quick schemes like lottery as a way of improving the quality of their lives.  With 28% of those below the poverty line believing the lottery is the best way to secure their financial future, and the overwhelming number of sales coming from low-income zip codes, it is clear that the lottery is impacting those who can least afford to lose.

Out of Luck follows the lives of four individuals impacted by state lottery and learns their stories of struggle, and gaining an understanding of why they play despite the long odds.  The most thorough study of state-operated lottery gambling ever put on film, Out of Luck strives to find out if running a gambling system an appropriate way to raise money for government.
 
Out of Luck features insights and commentary from leading economists, historians and authors such as Michael Medved, Taylor Branch, and Bryce Covert, and comedians such as Adam Carolla. 
Out of Luck is available on digital download at iTunes, Amazon.com and Google Play.

For more information go to www.OutofLuckMovie.com. 

Contact:  Bert Klasey, Director bert@flapjackfilms.com

RIGHTWINGER UNDER INVESTIGATION / RAY MONTERIO AND THE #136 INVESTIGATION AND THE WHITE CLINICIAN

There are sources inside the DCF Plantation that report how for over 13 months a right wing Connecticut Juvenile Training School employee is being paid while under investigation. Now this all sounds okay, no cause for concern.. or so it seems. However let me place this in context for the readers of this blog. For years this right wing employee was used by management to sow discord among employees, intimidate Youth Service Officers of color and keep the natives in line [ a bargain basement version of the new Tarzan movie]. Then the right wing white employee started losing value to the apartheid management at CJTS, so they tried to get rid of their attack dog. This tactic proved problematic because the right winger refused to go along with management's plan. The right winger turned on his benefactors and eventually went to the Child Advocates office with so called revelations about unlawful and harmful restraints of residents at CJTS by YSOs.  Then this investigation magically appeared and the right winger is being paid full salary -now get this- until the investigation is complete. We are told that in order to get the right winger off the property CJTS et al. came up with the idea of a prolonged investigation. Yet the person under investigation at one time was used as an attack dog by management; since turning on management however the right winger is persona non grata. As The World Turns!!

Ray Monterio is an employee at CJTS and has 30 years invested as state worker. From all accounts brother Ray as he is called has never been investigated, or deemed problematic; indeed, he put together something for residents to learn entrepreneurial skills called Icy Dreams. CJTS residents learned to sell slush cones from an ice cream wagon to employees and use the money for events etc. Ray came up with the idea and promoted it in spite of management opposition. Now Ray is suddenly under investigation for something that is murkier than the mud silted bottom of the Mississippi River. Sources report Ray was on Unit 5B when a white male resident refused to adhere to staff directives. According to reliable information Ray and another YSO tried deescalating the situation, but the resident continued hurling racial epithets at staff. There were two clinicians on the Unit 5 B during this time, but neither one came out of the office to see what the commotion was about. While walking to the laundry room the resident hit a staff in back of the head with a laundry bag. At this juncture the staff called for assistance. The resident was escorted to his room and that should be the end of this story. However a white clinician filed a #136 complaint on Ray for verbal abuse of the client and harsh handling. Say What ?? Ray did not know about this investigation until someone from management informed him. Why did a white clinician filed the #136- as a mandated reporter- and accuse brother Ray of these charges? Again context is essential in understanding this scenario.
First of all the majority of white clinical workers at CJTS are whites with very little interaction with staff. These social workers see themselves as a distinct entity and superior to YSOs. Then the white female social workers have also been overheard making negative comments about the male YSOs of color i.e. their character, work habits, lack of intelligence etc. But in the case of brother Ray there is another side to this story. Over one year ago white management decided to attack Ray by going after his son Barray -who worked at CJTS also. Some one in the Operations Office was called by a YSO and informed Barray was sleeping on the job[ Barray worked third shift the night before and now was working that morning ]. The person who called operations is a friend of the white clinician and this social worker resented that person being exposed by Freedom of Information documents posted on this blog. Yep, DCF Plantation blog posted the entire investigation of Barray on line and in the documents it became clear who said what, and who made the call to Operations. Then after this blog posted that information ...basically showing how ridiculous the investigation was... management dropped charges against Barray.
 Now it is speculated the white clinician has waited almost two years to strike at Ray. The theory is that the white clinician is upset over how the YSO that fingered Barray as sleeping on the job was identified in the documents. Now of course there is no proof this white clinician laid in the tall grass and ambushed brother Ray, however it is strange how the white clinician filed a #136 on brother Ray.
More shall be revealed.

STAFF WORKING TRIPLE SHIFTS / TROUBLE ON UNIT 5 B / ADMISTRATORS PROTECTING OPERATIONS STAFF

The Connecticut Juvenile Training School is chaotic, dysfunctional and treating Youth Service Officers like rented mules. Several sources inside the CJTS Plantation report how administrators are conscripting YSOs to work triple 8 hour shifts in order to supervise a diminishing number of incarcerated residents. You have to understand that the CJTS Plantation is in the death throes of closing in 2018 .. at least that is what local politicians are saying. Every since a white right wing disgruntled employee went to the Childs Advocate office with allegations of employee mistreatment of residents, there have been ominous clouds over the plantation. First inordinate amounts of media publicity on unlawful (?) resident restraints were shown on video, then management put the face of YSO Dupree [ a muscular young black man ] as chief culprit of these harmful restraints out in public. Yeah they did what America always does ... blame the black man. However the real culprit in this saga is dysfunctional management that allowed a toxic and racist culture to exist at CJTS that inevitably came crashing down, due to no real leadership from the ostrich like superintendent who always claimed " I did not know" what was going on. To be paid $130,000 yearly and be in charge of a facility but never know what is going on... is money not well spent. However let me not digress from the issues. Now since the facility is going down the crapper, management is forcing YSOs to work triple 8 hour shifts, this is becoming dangerous and a safety issue.

Sources report how on June 17, 2016 two YSOs were called upon to help restrain a male resident on Unit 5 B who did not follow staff directives. In the process of this restraint both YSOs Mala and Strachen were kicked in the groin, spit on, called names like nigger and even clinical staff got kicked. Now Strachen has been taken off the Unit 5 B and not told why. Strachen did nothing wrong during the restraint. Perhaps the real reason he is possibly being investigated by CJTS has nothing to do with a restraint but filing a class action lawsuit in 2010 with five people of color -employees of CJTS- about racial discrimination. The lawsuit is settled but CJTS white management still is harassing Kevin Strachen, and more recently a black female supervisor Linette Gaunichaux. Instead of wasting time and money on foolish errands like reprisal, CJTS management needs to run that facility with professionalism and not like the KeyStone Cops.

It has come to the attention of this blog that the superintendent of CJTS is protecting his  good old boy staff in the Operations Unit. He has brought back certain Assistant Unit Leaders -who were demoted under the new layoff plan for state employees- and given them safe haven to say and do whatever they want. A case in point is how a male Operations Unit staff made inappropriate comments about another colleague and management has done nothing about it. Oh it gets better, the superintendent is in full denial mode that he know anything at all about the remarks. When will white management at CJTS stop condoning white male verbal violence aimed at employees of color?? They [ white management ] allowed the right wing employee who blew the whistle on restraints- to go unleashed like Frankenstein for years, while harassing blacks and Hispanics at CJTS. So it is not surprising this type of behavior still goes on by members of the white inner circle i.e. good old boys.

ASSISTANT UNIT LEADERS / THE SUPERINTENDENT PROTECTS GOOD OLD BOYS / FRONT LINE STAFF SURPRISED THEY ARE LIED TO...AGAIN

The budget crisis in Connecticut has caused Governor Dannel Malloy to lay off dozens of state workers. This means that Connecticut Juvenile Training School also faced layoffs. It has been reported that Assistant Unit Leaders were laid off with the hope of coming back to CJTS, however with a demotion which means AULs would have to work on Units with Youth Service Officers. When the AULs came back to work the script was flipped, and now the once high and mighty AULs were just resentful and demoted people, crying about the injustice of their plight. Hey AULs you have jobs, so get your arse in gear.

Rumors from inside the CJTS Plantation are focusing on how the good old boys at CJTS are being protected by top administrators. For example the CJTS Superintendent informed the YSOs et al. that when AULs returned those supervisors would help alleviate the staff shortage... by working on the Units side by side with front line staff. The AULs demotion made it possible for them to receive their jobs back. However upon returning- rumor has it- the AULs did not want to work with YSOs. At this juncture sources told DCF Plantation Blog that AULs go into offices at work, put their feet on the desk and refuse to help YSOs on the Units. Say what ?? AULs are resentful of having to come back demoted and actually do some work for once. Oh let us not forget how most of the AULs are favorites of management and are mostly holed up in the Operations Unit, a bastion of favoritism and nepotism.  Seems as if the narrative never changes at CJTS. Like the Isley Brothers sang in their song Fight the Power..."i'm tired of all this bullshit going down.. hey."

Why are YSOs running around wailing and scratching heads over yet another lie told to them by management ? The head in the sand superintendent promised that AULs would work side by side with understaffed YSOs on Units at CJTS. When AULS did come back to work the promise was not delivered. People favored by management went back into the Operations Unit / girl's facility known as Pueblo Unit vowing not to do ANY work. It amazes this writer how grown men and women continually go for the fried horse manure served to them [YSOs] by management. For years one falsehood after another spoken by fork tongued management has been swallowed whole by YSOs. Is it just me or do YSOS feel like punching bags incapable of fighting back??

A LONG AND ARDUOUS JOURNEY

A Long and Arduous Journey

 The conspiracy against activist Cornell Lewis

The Department of Children and Families employed activist Cornell Lewis for over seven years. During this period at DCF and Connecticut Juvenile Training School, management erected barriers to hinder Lewis and expel him as persona non grata. This story is an attempt to tell the story of a black man entering into the toxic environment of agencies proclaiming to protect youth, while rejecting a man for no other reason than white management felt threatened. The following narrative has been collected from verbal and journal sources that this writer had access to.

ENTRY INTO DCF

Cornell Lewis initially was employed at another social service agency in 2007 when he decided to change jobs. His mother was diagnosed with colon cancer and he did not want her suffer the financial cost for treatment. Also there were structural concerns within the agency he worked at, that made it necessary to depart. Cornell talked to several people within DCF to get an idea of the workload and environment. He was told to come to the agency… enter the Child Protective Services department, then transition over to Community Liaison. After taking an entrance exam February 24, 2007 and passing it, Cornell was accepted as a new probationary hire within DCF in October 2007. However when word got out he was coming, there were rumblings from DCF middle management about this outspoken black activist being part of the agency. Would Lewis fit in? Would he conform to the agency milieu? It must also be noted that Lewis was assigned to the Hamilton Street office where a Director knew Lewis. They both were involved in anti-drug and violence campaigns in Hartford, Connecticut against drugs and gangs. This writer spoke with Lewis about entering DCF Hamilton Street office.  “I walked into the DCF office November 9, 2007 for orientation, and remember being escorted to some cubicle in back of a large area. People were looking at me. Due to all the publicity given to me as a result of the anti-drug campaigns, my face was well known. It was like being under some kind of microscope.” Lewis’ cubicle was located near an office that housed his supervisor. It was not until later that the reason for being placed so close to his supervisor became clear. He was being monitored more than other new hires. As Lewis settled into unfamiliar surroundings with the emphasis on volumes of production, people came to his cubicle to either gawk at him, or introduce themselves. When Lewis would talk to people in the office, either they replied cordially or gave him the cold shoulder. When Lewis worked at other social service agencies he often had contact with some of these same DCF workers at Hamilton Street who sought services for their clients. Now when he saw these same people their reaction was different… aloof…dismissive…. afraid.

All workers in the DCF basement worked on computers. Lewis did not receive a computer to work on initially for 30 days. He could only use a computer when another co-worker gave him access to her password. Again this was just another form of obstruction in order to befuddle or stymie Lewis in this new environment. Lewis met with a Director of Hamilton Street and mentioned the lack of a computer and being in possession of another password. At this point the Director said “what, no computer is not acceptable. Also having another employee’s password is prohibited.” The next day Lewis had access to a computer. It still did not dawn on Lewis that dark sinister forces within DCF were attempting to force him out of the facility. After all says Lewis, “I did not come to DCF with any agenda other than, trying to obtain enough money, to help pay for my mother’s cancer treatment in Detroit.” Soon the assignments were coming in for Lewis to   provide services for clients. This included, home visits or seeking resources for children removed from their homes. At the time Lewis did not realize he was being given harder assignments other co-workers could or would not be involved in. For example Lewis was sent to the home of Albanian Muslims. The official story on this family was that one of their boys had an injury that might be considered abuse. What was not told to Lewis is how all DCF workers up to this point had been run away from the Muslim home by the parents, or that DCF workers’ ignorance, and insensitivity to Muslim’s culture, made it difficult to gain entry into the home. Lewis said he went to the home and greeted the family in Arabic As-salamu Alaykum which means “peace be with you.” The greeting and reply from the family managed to get Lewis in the Muslim home. Then there was the time Lewis went to the home of a black female whose kids were removed from school due to allegations of neglect, and placed in a safe home in South Windsor, CT. At this woman’s home the excessive heat and infestation of fleas caused Lewis to end an interview and social history information collection. He had to go home, put his clothing in plastic bags, then shower before returning to work.  During this probationary period of Lewis at DCF, co-workers and management whispered about his outside activities. According to Lewis none of the community activities had anything to do with DCF work. Lewis claims to have shown up for work on time, accepting all assignments given to him. Still comments about him not typing fast enough to turn out several cases daily were grist for rumor mills. When the Director came down with another activist to visit Lewis the entire unit stopped and gawked. Being in the same office as the Director seemed odd to Lewis, he could not talk to his friend for fear of being accused of receiving preferential treatment. In addition to all the other nonsense, middle management in DCF monitored Lewis’ percentage of open or completed cases… always pushing for increased production.

Transfer to Connecticut Juvenile Training School-CJTS

Behind the scenes ominous forces within DCF conspired to remove Lewis out of the Hamilton Street office. A study of Lewis’ work was deemed not satisfactory during his probationary period in 2007-2008( this seems odd, due to the fact Lewis was told he was doing fine by two supervisors).However Lewis was not informed about this development, nor given an opportunity to remedy the situation. People waited until the Director was out of the office at a conference, then tried to ease Lewis out of the facility. Then the Director suddenly came back to the office and discovered the ruse.  At this juncture those detractors of Lewis backed off their position. DCF managers and Human Resources people now looked for cover; questions were asked about why no one informed Lewis about the decision to walk him off DCF property at the end of the work day. Neither was it explained to Lewis that during probation, there were little used clauses allowing this disqualification of the worker if performance requirements were not met. And this tactic is what those people tried to use to terminate Lewis without knowledge of the Director. Well. The word came down to allow Lewis opportunity to correct any problems. However the cabal led by a Latina in Human Resources emitted a Cri de Coeur [an impassioned outcry, as of entreaty or protest] claiming the head of DCF Hamilton Street facility could not be impartial with regard to Lewis. Several weeks passed and the HR Latina version of the hanging Judge Roy Bean, launched an investigation of Lewis on some trivial matter that was grounded in fiction and pixie dust. The trumped up investigation of Lewis ended due to insufficient evidence.

As time progressed, the DCF drama continued with Lewis being scrutinized about aspects of his work that other employees did not have to endure. Several co-workers were not proficient with typing, but they were allowed to get away with this due to inter-office relationships with top management officials. While Lewis always accepted all cases given to him, other workers refused to see certain clients deemed problematic, and no disciplinary actions ever occurred. Try as he might, Lewis could not satisfy those lurking enemies seeking to expunge him from DCF. To use an old phrase, “the handwriting was on the wall” and it was just a matter of time before Lewis succumbed to sinister forces around him. It is worth noting that the hijinks regarding Cornell at this juncture can be called a red herring. The Director made unpopular changes at Hamilton Street office, and ergo, was the real target of all of this foolishness and shenanigans by HR et al. Those low brow managers in DCF did not have courage to attack their Director face to face. Thus blindsiding Cornell Lewis proved another way of striking at the Director. At this juncture Lewis undaunted by the maelstrom surrounding him continued on, determined to save enough money for the cancer treatment of his mother in Detroit. Yet as the saying goes “the best laid plans of mice and men, often go astray.” Lewis soon had to make a decision about whether to continue working in the toxic DCF environment. Workers diametrically opposed to the Director used Lewis as a point of contention; they brought his name up in meetings and even went to the DCF Commissioner sounding portents of doom about Cornell’s activism causing issues inside the agency. One day while working in the office Cornell was informed Congressman John Larson and Hartford Mayor Eddie Perez called Hamilton Street management. Both politicians requested Lewis to attend a meeting May 26, 2008 concerning anti-violence, gangs and drugs at Weaver High School. No one wanted to tell these politicians Lewis is at work now, this led to management asking Lewis if he wanted to go to this event. Lewis replied to management “you make that decision.” Well Lewis went to the event but management resented his going, but also feared the fact politicians were seeking this black male for community activities. Soon HR went back to the DCF Commissioner asking to remove Lewis due to “being disruptive to the workforce.” Lewis claims that the time to depart from DCF seemed imminent. Lewis received telephone calls from friends inside DCF Central Office saying “middle management does not want you here. These people do not want an independent thinker in their midst. They have some type of negative performance report about you.” After hearing this portent of doom, Lewis asked for a transfer to another DCF outpost.

Friends in DCF contacted the Director of Connecticut Juvenile Training School about possibly hiring Lewis. The CJTS Director agreed to meet Lewis. In August of 2008 Lewis met the CJTS Director and was told “you are welcome to join our facility if that is what you want. Cornell, I know what happened to you at Hamilton Street and disapprove, but those people do not appreciate all the work you did to make sure drug dealing criminals did not take over entire Hartford neighborhoods. We can use someone like you at CJTS. We are seeking to change the culture at CJTS from what it presently is, to something more advanced than what it is now. Having you there is the beginning of a process to employ more educated people. If you stick it out for one year I can move you into a position in probation, working with youthful offenders.” Lewis accepted the offer to work at CJTS for less money but to be part of an organization where leadership actually embraced him. Upon hearing about the transfer to CJTS was indeed going to occur, management breathed sighs of release at Hamilton Street; by now Lewis’ co-workers had heard about management’s plan to ease Lewis out the door.  People started making comments about how railroading Lewis did not seem fair, and how Lewis came early and left late.  Now management trying to save face before office employees, set up this meeting with Lewis in an office at the head of several managers, telling people he decided to depart for CJTS.  When Lewis described intentions to transfer to CJTS management assumed the posture of Pilate in the Bible saying “my hands are clean.” September 11, 2008 was Lewis’ last working day at DCF. According to Lewis’ recollection and written sources, “people gathered in an office and gave me apple pie. I told them about the transfer to CJTS in Middletown, CT. Several people were visibly upset and a few women started crying. The supervisors responsible for my demise at DCF needed my help to quiet the natives.  People were not fooled about what was going on." They knew Lewis was hounded out of Hamilton Street office.  According to Lewis account, “it certainly was strange to sit and help your enemy –with kind words for them. Knowing this whole damn thing I went through was orchestrated by enemy forces.” Lewis would descend into another environment more toxic than DCF and with new challenges. Lewis’ first day working as Youth Service Officer at CJTS was on September 12, 2008, he stood outside of the facility and noticed incarcerated youth walking to breakfast dressed in brown pants and blue shirts. These youth marched in lockstep, throwbacks to Southern chain gangs or perhaps slaves destined to be sold at auction. Lewis would be placed in Unit 4-D and there face new perils and forms of racism.

The Conspiracy Begins

 Being on Unit 4-D caused Lewis to learn new systems of dealing with male residents, suspicious co-workers, and a toxic environment. Not to mention a Supervisor with an eighth grade education that felt threatened by Lewis’ presence. Lewis immediately noticed how the Unit Leader assigned another black male supervisor on the Unit to act as some sort of go between. All questions about the Unit were directed through the assigned black male supervisor. The Unit Leader tried to stay away from Lewis and used the black supervisor as a buffer. Perhaps this might be called the tale of two supervisors, one white and ignorant, the other black and politically ambitious. After several months of being monitored on Unit 4-D Lewis talked to some co-workers who explained the new CJTS culture. One male said, “Lewis if you want to work here it is best to follow our script. If you do not work with us, then when problems arise with residents, and you call for assistance-your help will come slow.” In other words co-workers issued their form of implied threat to Lewis. And so the gauntlet was thrown down to Lewis.

Shortly thereafter [2009] Lewis talked with the Director of CJTS. He explained to Lewis that “with your clinical skills it would be better to employ you in another fashion. The school comes to mind or perhaps in some clinical capacity since you have a Master of Education degree in Social Work.”  While the Director of this facility seemed to embrace Lewis’ gifts, other management types at this facility did not. A difference of opinion with another black male YSO brought the leadership running 4-D to exert authority over Lewis, they did this by giving him a letter of verbal warning. To make the point here let us highlight that CJTS management in the years to follow will investigate Lewis over every possible issue, including what he read. One supervisor from 4-D did not understand the contents of books containing political satire and branded Lewis racist. This vindictive supervisor encouraged HR to question Lewis, but no disciplinary actions were taken by CJTS. Every restraint of any resident Lewis engaged in brought management scrutiny [let it be noted top echelon management were white]. When Lewis sent management email concerns about safety issues on the Unit, it brought reprisals. When management discovered Lewis spoke by telephone with The Child Advocate in July of 2009 it only angered the hierarchy within DCF / CJTS. In addition, anarchists delivered letters to Governor Jodi Rell  and DCF Commissioner Susan Hamilton describing Lewis’ viewpoints about CJTS racism. Activists and Lewis met with Gov. Rell’s Chief of Staff to discuss CJTS. The year 2009 saw renewed attacks by white management on Lewis plus other workers of color at CJTS. Lewis needed allies to fight back against the toxic CJTS culture, and on October 2, 2009 help appeared in the form of a black female supervisor.

Help is Coming

In October 2009 Lewis and activists passed out flyers in neighborhoods of color in Hartford’s Northend about DCF /CJTS. A No DCF Zone was created in which posters proclaiming DCF workers were exploiting people of color were posted.

A female supervisor approached Lewis one day in October 2009 at work and said did you ever consider filing lawsuits about racism or hostile workplace against CJTS, Cornell?  The conversation lasted for 20 minutes. Lewis agreed that such a lawsuit would be of value. And so on that day Lewis crossed the Rubicon and there would be no turning back. It did not appear employees at CJTS were interested in legal action against CJTS, but eventually two women and three men obtained a lawyer who agreed to represent the group known as the DCF Plantation 5. That group had one goal in mind - use legal action to expose CJTS’ racism. The white hierarchy continued using black managers to attack Lewis in some fashion. In October 2009 a black Director of Residential Care (DRC) at CJTS called Lewis while he worked on Unit 4D and asked the following question: “Cornell, were you working on this specific day and time? There is someone at CJTS [female] who claims some male from your Unit answered the telephone when she called. This male then made remarks that she considered inappropriate.” Lewis listened to the remark this woman said was made, then Lewis answered NO. I never said any such thing. Lewis also asked why the DRC and woman thought he made such comments. The DRC replied after looking at the video tape of the Unit it appears YOU MIGHT be the only one around at that time, although we cannot be sure. To make a long story short, the lady never asked whom she spoke to and even waited 12 days before reporting this nonsense. The DRC actually met with Lewis and the Union Representative, then the case against Lewis was dismissed. In addition members of the gay community volunteered to assist Lewis in fighting DCF. For years Lewis wrote news stories in support of LGBT rights in the three black Hartford newspapers. Those people in the gay community did not forget Lewis as some so called friends would in the future.

Trying to Organize the Masses

Cornell Lewis attempted to organize CJTS workers during 2009-2011 to no avail. YSOs were so accustomed to being victimized by white racist management inside CJTS that fear had been expertly inserted in employees. There were no employees brave enough to stand against the many forms injustice took at that facility. Oh a few brave souls signed Lewis’ petitions to management about certain issues, but nothing else. Fear stalked CJTS; in addition people only wanted to work overtime, nothing else seem to matter. Disgruntled YSOs would grumble in the hallways during school hours or in their particular Units. Lewis told this writer “I never saw such mentally beaten down people like the YSOs working at CJTS.” Some of the workers complained Lewis tactics to expose management only made things at CJTS worse. A few employees even suggested Lewis stop “stirring up trouble.” In November 2009 the DCF Commissioner contacted Lewis through a high ranking black official located within Central Office which is the main headquarters… 505 Hudson Street. This black official said the commissioner wanted to meet and discuss issues such as the No DCF Zone created by activists in Hartford’s Northend. By now the office of Governor Rell issued an order that ALL DCF offices and facilities hold Courageous Conversations about race. In exchange for the conversations on race Lewis agreed not to disrupt the upcoming Veterans Day Parade in Hartford.

Challenging White Supremacy

The DCF Plantation 5 met with an attorney to begin the process of launching their lawsuit against DCF / CJTS over racism issues. According to Lewis this lawsuit was meant to shake the foundations of white supremacy and challenge people in the white apartheid DCF system. Finally in July 2010 the lawsuit was filed in court with sighs of relief from the DCF Plantation 5.  Now the fight was really on. In order to inculcate into the thinking of CJTS white apartheid management Lewis et al. were serious, a series of strategic actions were taken. Lewis also accessed Freedom of Information documents from DCF which revealed how leaders in state agencies viewed him. There were emails from CJTS to DCF asking how to supervise Lewis, and to be careful in responding to his inquiries. In addition Lewis’s Unit Leader asked for meetings with CJTS management to discuss methods of interacting with Lewis.

Oct. 14, 2011 An Associated Press reporter interviewed CJTS Superintendent about Lewis proposed hunger strike. Such actions by the Fourth Estate challenged white supremacy inside the CJTS Plantation and made Cornell Lewis number one on management’s hate list.

Oct 17, 2011 Lewis began hunger strike to protest racism at CJTS that ended after 8 days.

Oct. 22, 2011 Two State Representatives agree to host public hearing in June about Lewis et al. complaints of CJTS racism.

Jan. 5, 2012 two white female anarchists deliver letters to CJTS / DCF hierarchy describing racism

 Feb 5, 2012 rally outside CJTS with megaphones and multi- ethnic group about Lewis

Note: Lewis met with DCF Commissioner once in her office and again at CJTS over racism complaints

In 2011 Lewis appeared on several radio programs discussing racism at DCF / CJTS.

Agency Retaliation

In Oct. 2012 two residents fought in a room at CJTS. Lewis and two YSOs were looking at a computer screen during the fight at non work related issues. The trio of YSOs continued working until on Nov. 9, 2012 white management placed all three workers on paid administrative leave over the incident, citing Neglect of Duty as the cause. In reality this move by management was an attempt to get rid of Lewis. What made the maneuver of placing these men on administrative leave an acceptable risk is this, one YSO was Hispanic, the other Caucasian. Ergo if questioned about whether the move could be construed as racism, management only had to point out the ethnicity of the three YSOs. However the real motive was to get rid of Lewis at all costs. After secretly hatching their viper like plans, white management made a decision Nov. 9, 2012 to act upon three YSOs so-called neglect. Lewis continued holding DCF /CJTS accountable for promoting racism. Cornell gave a speech at Central Connecticut State University Dec. 8, 2012 in New Britain about racism in both state agencies. In the midst of all of the intrigue something happened that caught Lewis’ attention. Someone called from DCF Central Office on Dec. 12^th and said “CJTS administration is going to terminate all three of you over this incident on Unit 4-D. But Cornell they [administration] really are targeting you.” Lewis was also put on DCFs Central Registry as being a threat to children. This disqualified Lewis from working with children or earning a living. By this underhanded move, DCF tried to make Lewis submit to a settlement. Now the plot thickens because while Lewis et al. were waiting for the fatuous nonsense from management to proceed, other ripples began to surface within CJTS.

 Rats deserting the Ship

Lewis felt that management’s revenge was the only card playable by desperate people. Then another sort of problem arose when friends of Lewis basically abandoned him at CJTS and in the community. Lewis recounted how on Jan. 5, 2013 a teacher working at CJTS said this to him “your activism is causing backlash from management. Cornell, innocent people are paying for management’s witch hunt.” Lewis told this writer “man, those comments caught me off guard. Never thought this friend would say that to me. I knew this person 15 years, had been to their home and met the spouse. We were friends at least in my mind. It did not enter my thinking as to being rejected by my friend.” However the person [who is white] did what would become a familiar pattern, fear and threat of possible loss of income through DCF, fueled what was happening. In the months to follow more so called friends –black and white- would shun Lewis like he possessed leprosy. In the Greater Hartford Community agencies depending on DCF for grants or funding did not want to associate with Lewis. When Lewis applied for jobs he got rejected. One black run agency head said during an interview, “the subject has come up in meetings how you are working against DCF in the community. You know, Cornell, we receive grants from DCF and have to be careful.”  [translation-they were saying white folks will cut us off if you are hired]. This writer asked Lewis how being rejected by friends affected him. “At first my mind felt numb with disbelief, then it made me angry. Later I decided to keep pushing on and crossed all those betrayers off my friend list for life. To hell with all of them.”

Buried Alive Under Paperwork

The next phase in this DCF melodrama came in the form of meetings / paperwork by DCF. Lewis’ lawyer Lewis Chimes went to several meetings with Lewis about what supposedly happened on Unit 4-D when two youth fought. DCF /CJTS claimed one of the residents suffered a concussion even though no data was presented to bolster their claim. At the DCF legal lynching Lewis listened ad nauseum to DCF officials [primarily white females], describe what he did and the need for him to show remorse. What intrigued Lewis was how all these meetings and paperwork were used as cudgels to beat him into submission. At some of these Kangaroo Court proceedings the administrators trotted out black people to participate in Lewis’ legal lynching. During meetings on Capitol Avenue Lewis sat in front of a black man who was nothing more than a modern version of Buckwheat. In DCF Central Office white management trotted out some smiling black female during legal hearings and let her lead the charge against him. However it was not that black folks were sent against Lewis that bothered him so much. Those white females who sat before Lewis at certain hearings continued to say how he did not show true remorse for what happened. Yet Lewis did say he regretted not paying attention and that this fight took place. What these white female Kangaroo Court leaders really meant was Lewis did not grovel enough before white supremacy to satisfy them. Lewis said no matter what he did, these people were hell bent on using process and procedure to lynch him. He decided not to bow down. When Lewis went to file for unemployment benefits, DCF sent the head of Human Resources to oppose it. At every turn white supremacy tried burying a black man who confronted racism within DCF /CJTS.

Day of Reckoning - Lewis Terminated

Charades continued against Lewis for over a year before DCF finally made the decision to fire him. On July 1, 2013 Lewis was summoned to DCF disciplinary hearing at 1:30 pm at 505 Hudson Street, Central Office. During another dog and pony show Lewis listened to the CJTS Superintendent utter verbal swill about Lewis’ neglect of duties at CJTS. After listening to both the Human Resources person and Superintendent of CJTS it was Lewis’ turn to speak. He read a statement that was hard hitting and denounced the people sitting across from him as distorters of the truth. Then management stood and walked out of the room. On July 3, 2013 the Union representing Lewis called and said “as of today DCF / CJTS officially fired you.” This action came on the same day a black newspaper published a very strongly worded article Lewis wrote for the Hartford Inquirer. However the other two YSOs in this case did not get terminated. One of the YSOs was given back his job after DCF found him guilty of minor infractions. Let it be noted the other YSO made some kind of agreement with DCF for minimal disciplinary action.

Home Stretch-Arbitration

DCF decided to remove any offers made to Lewis since him being placed on administrative leave and seek arbitration. The white supremacists obviously thought they could win in arbitration, then shut Lewis out in toto. During the time of 2013- 2014 the arbitration hearings dragged on with DCF presenting 12 witnesses against Lewis. It was the purpose of hostile DCF management to try and overwhelm the arbitrator with so-called facts. The arbitrator however said she did not need all those witnesses and could read some of the documentation presented instead. In the end DCF decided not to cross examine Lewis. The Union representing Lewis questioned him and laid out their case that social activism about injustice at CJTS was the catalyst for Lewis being terminated. All kinds of documentation against Lewis was presented and finally the decision came down. On July 11, 2014 it was announced Cornell Lewis won his arbitration against DCF/ CJTS. Now the racist organization would be faced with placing Lewis back on the job or making some sort of settlement. Lewis said to this writer about the arbitration victory. “It [firing and final arbitration victory] certainly did take a lot out of me to fight these people. However my conviction not to quit carried me through this ordeal. I achieved lots of insights about how so called friends betrayed me and who stood with me during these perilous times. A few gray hairs suddenly showed in my beard but it was worth it." DCF management let it be known any settlement offer would include Lewis not returning to work. This stipulation came about because CJTS workers were elated over Lewis victory and awaited his return. YSOs asked Lewis to be the chief Union Steward at CJTS, and management did not want this to occur.

DCF finally paid Lewis a financial settlement not to come back to work. He accepted the offer and moved on to another job.

When Lewis’ victory over the DCF apartheid organization became public knowledge, people in the black / Hispanic communities were elated. Lewis was congratulated by people of color in public places and through private conversations. For many years DCF / CJTS rode roughshod over people of color in the community and at their facilities. Finally someone [Lewis] beat them at their own game.