CAN THE WEATHER BE THAT BAD??

Click here to access the data that we received from DCF which is June 1, 2012 to September 6, 2012 (a little over 3 months). However, we analyzed one day worth of data August 23,2012 (603 pages) and found that Weatherby logged on to a state computer at Connecticut Juvenile Training School starting 9:11 AM, logging off 1:55 PM. During this time it appears that Youth Service Officer Weatherby accessed many websites not allowed by DCF policy including Ebay.com, Facebook.com, Thompson.com, Infidel.org, Books.google.com, Gutenberg.org, Amazon.com, Powells.com, but there are other websites.
We are wondering if the computer infractions of former DCF employee Ruel were as severe infractions as Weatherby. Ruel lost a job, while Weatherby is still employed. Can it be that on the DCF Plantation there is a double standard? DCF employees of color severely punished while whites receive a wink & nod ? In conclusion it is worthy to note that when a person gets away with breaking rules and regulations he or she is called bad (meaning they beat the system). After reading this I ask can the weather be that bad?

COMMENTS & POSTINGS

Dear readers of DCF Plantation. We have changed the format slightly about posting comments due to a high volume of inappropriate comments. In the future people can still post comments, and they will first be monitored for appropriate content,and then posted if the comments are acceptable. You will no longer be able to post comments directly.

THE KAMIKAZE SPEAKS

I am employeed at Connecticut Juvenile Training School in Middletown, Connecticut. Most recently a person regained a job at CJTS after questionable involvement in a federal program that supplied storm victims with food vouchers last year. It is alleged this employee filed claims that were not true, thus gaining access to food vouchers. How did this person  get their job back? (a demonition at that). This person now has a Unit Leaders position and has taken away a chance for someone else to advance.
----Kamikaze

THE PLOT THICKENS AFTER A BLACK WOMAN IS ELECTED UNION STEWARD

The Youth Services officers et al. (and others) came to Connecticut Juvenile Training School (some on their day off) and voted for a strong black woman to be a union steward. Those people that were diametrically opposed to her being union steward (verbally and behind the scenes) are now singing a new tune ; praising this woman so ALL people can hear it. As they say in the black church when people turn from their evil ways "these people done gone and gots religion"(ebonics added). A black woman is elected union steward and now the Greek Chorus comes out to praise her? Truly the plot thickens at CJTS: management is lining up to shine this woman's boots,while some union stewards wander the hallways of the school looking to shake her hand and proclaim love of black folk. In the period of one week or so, this woman went from "being the tail and is now the head" (biblical phrase). Maybe the jazz singer Dinah Washington sang the song "what a difference a day made" for the strong black woman who is now union steward.

POINT OF CLARIFICATION ABOUT POSTINGS

I have been asked about postings on the DCF Plantation website. For those people that are confused or mentally challenged let me point out the following things. Some people send in material under a pseudonym (false name,or pen name) ergo, names like Ali Baba-Queen Sheba Deba-The Bad Negro are meant to provide privacy for the sender. Also, when items are posted under a title like 'anonymous' it also provides a type of privacy. The confusion comes in when people read "posted by Cornell Lewis." I merely post these items and ergo my name is alway at the bottom of the posting; hopefully these words are helpful in clearing up confusion.

ON THE DCF WEBSITE

On the DCF website, particular attention is given to the discussion of “Joint Juvenile Justice Strategic Planning”
DCF and the Court Support Services Division have embarked upon an initiative designed to examine and improve the juvenile justice system in Connecticut. One of the purported focuses of the initiative reads as follows:

“Workforce Development and Training – Both families and stakeholders involved in the development of the plan emphasized the importance of having a workforce that reflects the population it serves, and is competent to address the intricacies of cultural and gender related issues because race, culture and gender matter in service delivery. The planning process revealed that training, long considered of great importance in system reform, is insufficient in many essential areas including information sharing, court procedures, cultural competence, gender responsive services, the impact of trauma, and family engagement. The strategies in this plan seek to create a structure for developing effective training programs and recruitment efforts to provide clients with more informed and sensitive staff.”

Now, notice the words I have emphasized in bold print. The DCF claims it recognizes the importance of its workforce being reflective of the children in its custody, AND that it strives to provide an environment conducive to this goal. From the experiences of Black and Latino employees of the Connecticut Juvenile Training School, this seems to be about as far from the truth as possible.

If the DCF is truly dedicated to providing an environment for children where their cultural backgrounds are respected and reflected in the programming, then why has management of CJTS continually refused to treat their Black and Latino employees with a modicum of respect? Shouldn’t the DCF foster an environment in which Black and Latino employees can serve as mentors and positive role models for the predominantly Black and Latino children at CJTS? It seems like that would make a lot of sense right?

Instead, the DCF has consistently ignored the information provided by Black and Latino employees about the hostile work environment at CJTS. They have ignored the voices of their Black male employees, who have expressed frustration time and time again about unfair disciplinary practices. They have refused to address the dearth of Black and Latino representation in the upper levels of the managerial ranks.

How can the Black and Latino employees of CJTS be effective role models and advocates for the children they are charged with taking care of when they are constantly bombarded with discriminatory practices? The employees of CJTS should be encouraged to provide a safe environment for the children housed there, rather than having to fight for even the most meager scraps of respect from management. Who can possibly function adequately as a role model when they are being victimized themselves by an unjust system?

The DCF needs to redress the complaints of their employees. If an employee does not feel safe in his work environment, how can he help promote a safe space for the children he is supposed to care for? It is a damn near insurmountable task! Yet the DCF refuses to see that there is a problem!

Until the DCF ameliorates the problem of discriminatory employment practices, both the employees of CJTS and the children at CJTS are in a dangerous, psychologically vulnerable position. All concerned residents of the community need to hold the DCF responsible to its employees and to the children of this state.

By-- Queen Sheba Diba

VOTE IS IN, A STRONG BLACK WOMAN WON

The union vote recently at Connecticut Juvenile Training School in Middletown,Connecticut was quite interesting. A nice rank & file turn out voted in a strong black woman that CJTS management and obstructionist Youth Service Officers tried to keep from representing  hoi polloi (greek," the common people"). It certainly did catch management off guard when the strong black woman gathered in numerous votes; on the day of her victory management et al.(and others) were attempting to shake the strong black woman's hand --as if this gesture meant something. Later in the day members of CJTS management were heard saying how they (management) wanted to work in harmony with a new union steward. Hold on folks. Not long ago the same pernicious management et al. sought to verbally muzzle this strong black woman, now since her victory management want to hold hands and sing black spirituals. Please, do not make me puke.

DOUBLE STANDARD FOR PLANTATION FAVORITES

This website has been publishing data about a blackman named Ruel that was fired from Connecticut Juvenile Training School for computer abuse (and ancillary items). However, Freedom of Information Act documents show that CJTS Youth Service Officer James Weatherby has abused state computers too. Weatherby did not get disciplined for misuse of a computer: Ruel is black and Weatherby is white. A double standard for DCF Plantation favorites? Let us look at what FOI Act documents reveal about Weatherby. It reads that between June 4,2012 through September 6, 2012 state computers used by Weatherby accessed FaceBook and other documents to a total of 1,961 pages. Hell, that is quite alot of computer use. The question must be asked why did Ruel receive terminaton from CJTS but not Weatherby ---a union steward? Did race play a part in why CJTS management is protecting Weatherby?

TALE OF TWO MEN: BLACK & WHITE JUSTICE?

The data below was sent by an anonymous person.James Weatherby works at Connecticut Juvenile Training School. A former employee (read Ruel Catching Hell parts 1 & 2) that is black was terminated for the same offence Weatherby is Caucasian.

The below FOI – Freedom Of Information Act…  Report shows that James Weatherby has been on Facebook multiple times at work, and during work hours. We have a listing from June 2012 through September 2012.  He had to many internet violations for us to list all of them.  So we gave you four examples out of the many were detected.  Has he been spoken too in regards to these violations?  Why is he allowed to do this and get away with it?  Will he get terminated?  If he was Black would he have been fired?

Below is a link to Weatherby's internet use while at work from June 1, 2012 to Sept. 6, 2012. I want you to view this material and determine if this was work related or not.
If all this is not work related then why is Ruel catching hell ?  (fired for internet use at work). Is there a double standard?

Click here to see the whole file.

VOTE IS CANCELLED: SOMETHING IS ROTTEN AS AN OLD FISH HEAD

The local Youth Services Officers at Connecticut Juvenile Training School looked forward to a union election during the week of October 3,2012. There was a tension in the air; "hope sprang eternal in the hearts of men." New people were up for election and a strong black female stood poised to possibly be elected Union Steward -in spite of obstructionism by the children of Jim Crow. Then as if by some form of magic the vote was cancelled -say what? I heard that a union official did not come in and therefore the vote was called off, leaving the YSOs without an opportunity for new union leadership.
Some people are saying the double cross by management caused the vote cancellation: no vote, something is rotten as an old fish head in the hot sun. It is no secret CJTS management does not want the black woman supervisor at CJTS as a union steward; a conspiracy? did someone put in a double cross? We know stranger things have occurred on the DCF Planation to YSOs, and it is no surprise, that a diabolical plot (worthy of the plot to kill Caesar) to keep a strong black woman out of a union steward position happened.

I PREPARE FOR THE BATTLES AHEAD. By Cornell Lewis

There are African Americans in the United States who have come to the conclusion egalitarian rights for people of color is cemented in a certainty –until a Trayvon Martin is killed, or Rodney King is beaten down like a damn dog. These same people of color of which I speak, enjoy benefits of good jobs, vacations, cars etc gained on the bones & blood of pioneers: many of whose names are forgotten by blacks. I am under no such illusion about blacks and our position in a still racist America. To this end for over 30 days my journeys have taken me to a bike trail in a suburban town; there my goal is bicycling daily 17-20 miles, in this manner I prepare for the battles ahead. For over two years a group of black employees on the Department of Children and Families plantation have waged a campaign to expose bias, racism, and bungling administrators within the DCF Plantation. With our white, lesbian -gay-bisexual- transgender, allies’ a tremendous fight is taking shape.

 My rides on the bike trail causes periods of reflection as how to strike another blow to the arrogant DCF Plantation behemoth : while engaged in this struggle DCF leadership seeks to cast me as a villain of racism, in the words of French writer Emile Zola “I do not accept the label you paste on my back.” I prepare for the battles ahead by remembering all those people harmed by leadership in the DCF Plantation, and let us not forget the minions and lackeys oppressing employees of color for plantation managers etc. I prepare for the battles ahead by focusing on Denmark Vesey, who organized a slave revolt in Charleston, South Carolina (of over 9,000 slaves) and was intent to destroy emblems of oppression (until the plot was betrayed by house negroes-of course). I prepare for the battles ahead with the full understanding that the enemy will stop at nothing to silence me et al. I prepare for the battles ahead by recalling painful memories of how so called friends abandoned me after my first salvoes at DCF: many receive grants from DCF for their organizations, thus being an associate of Cornell meant losing their 30 pieces of silver.

 Finally, I prepare for the battles ahead with those words of anarchist Alexander Berkman ringing in my ears “he who crosses the threshold must leave all behind, even friendship, even comrades.”

“All means are justified in the war of humanity against its enemies.”.

AUDITORS’ REPORT DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN AND FAMILIES FOR THE FISCAL YEARS ENDED JUNE 30, 2007 and 2008

At the Connecticut Juvenile Training School there has been abuse of timesheets by supervisors as it relates to documentation of time worked (see statement below from State Auditors report for Department of Children and Families). In 2011-12 other incidents of CJTS management abuse have flourished on the DCF Plantation i.e. a building # 4 Unit Leader (UL) Supervisor was given time off by a superior even though the UL had no time occurred for such leave. Therefore, CJTS management is still playing games while making Youth Services Officers toe the line and be subjected to policies & procedures to a sickening degree. This is a form of discrimination that this website is dedicated to fighting.

13. The Department should institute procedures to ensure that all employees accurately complete their timesheets and work the number of hours for which they are paid.
Comment: Our review disclosed that a supervisory business office employee at the Connecticut Juvenile Training School worked an average of twenty minutes less per day than the hours recorded on his timesheet.  For one business office employee working an alternative work schedule, the hours worked did not match the hours recorded on the timesheet and varied between fifteen minutes to one hour for eleven of the twenty days reviewed.  We also noted frequent extended breaks and lunches among the business office staff.

RESIDENTIAL VS OPERATIONAL SUPERVISORS

This is a problem people need to address at Connecticut Juvenile Training School. Why is it Residential & Operational Supervisors are fighting over their schedules at CJTS? I was told that Operational Supervisors receive special treatment when it comes to scheduling i.e. days off duty. By the same token, Residential Supervisors have to work on the CJTS campus when management beckons. Maybe the reason for this special treatment is the Operational Supervisors are white & the Residential Supervisors are largely people of color. Has racism & bias raised its ugly head at CJTS?
signed----Caldonia

RUEL CATCHING HELL 2

Ruel Raphael

Dear Joete Katz  

                                                                                                                         

9-7-2012

This is Ruel Raphael and I'm writing to you again in regards to more allegations that I have towards

John Materra  / Administartion  / Human Resources at CJTS.  It's a shame how discrimination,

harassment, and unfair  treatment can still exist in the United States Of America, but it's more of a

shame that it exist within an agency that is suppose to be helping children and families.  I understand

that many people within the agency might not care about these matters.  I also understand that many

people within the agency might feel that discrimination, harassment, and unfair treatment is not illegal -

or  un Godly... But I care..  I've researched several instances, and I also have trunkload of

documentation that can prove the discrimination, harassment, and unfair treatment that I've been

subjected to.  These very instances show me that John Materra, Administration, and certain people in

Human Resources at CJTS are truely some discriminative, unfair, harassing people.

• They target certain certain employees and residents who they don't like.
• They give favor to certain employees and residents who they like.
•  They give harsher discipline to employees and residents that are minorities and who they dislike.

 My most recent allegations are;

If five Instructional Assistants are supervised by one supervisor ( Larry Avitable) - should'nt  he be the person doing the yearly review for each Instructional Assistant? The answer is YES...

So my question to you is, why did John Materra and Anastashia Pych (Human Resources) do my

review solo, which happened to be the worst review in my 5 years at CJTS  ---  but Larry Avitable did the

other four Instructional Assistants review?  Why was I singled out by John Mattera and Anastashia Pych

(Human Resources) ?  Why?     On the same day that they gave me notice of a 30 suspension, they also

gave me the review that they did wihout my supervisor , and then they had the audacity to give me a

Loudermill  hearing that they already ready had prepared.. So there I was with three things in front of me at the same time.. 

First of all, I should have got a written warning, and not suspended for an excessive 30 days.  ( I know

someone that had got a verbal  warning and not supended for a similar situation, but I won't state her

name at this time - although  she gave me permission to give her name).

Second of all, Larry Avitable should have done my review like the rest of the Instructional Assistants. (John Materra and Human Resources can't lie and say that Avitable  was out of work that day because

he was there, and they can’t lie and say that he did the review  –  because Avitable never signed it)  

 Kindest Regards

VACANT POSITIONS AT CJTS

According to data from DCF as of August 2012, The Connecticut Juvenile Training School has 21 vacant positions, out of that number 12 are Youth Services Officers (YSOs). If you look at the graph below you see that breaks down to almost 46%. I maintain that on the DCF Plantation resources have been allocated by the Legislature, but not utilized for the plantation workers (YSOs) who are overworked, over burdened and overlooked. By not filling these positions YSOs, DCF management is putting employees, residents et al. at risk. Daily, YSOs are working overtime and during any two week pay period, employees might work an average of 32 hours overtime. Let me be clear, coming to this website soon, collected data of overtime analysis will be posted to provide clarification. However, my main point is when there is a shortage of YSOs,( and overworked YSOs) mistakes can happen: does DCF Plantation care? Maybe with more YSOs, CJTS residents will not be able to make home made shanks, make unauthorized telephone calls, or go on unauthorized websites to post gang messages or signs. Anon. said "Safety first has been the motto of the human race for half a million years; but it has never been the motto of leaders." Well. It seems as if this issue of safety at CJTS is not something considered by leadership -- at least as it relates to YSOs.

SEEKING TO KEEP BLACK FACES IN THEIR PLACES

A black female is considering running for union steward at Connecticut Juvenile Training School. However, a white male union steward is going around telling people to not vote for the black female-if she decides to run for union steward. This is not the first time the same union steward has acted to keep people of color from having a union voice, advocating for justice.Maybe the white union steward is seeking to keep black faces in their places.

UNION IGNORES RACISM ON DCF PLANTATION

There are members of the AFSCME union fighting racism on the DCF Plantation. The workers have yet to hear from any union leaders about what DCF/ Connecticut Juvenile Training School might be doing to bring union workers to the point of a class action lawsuit,hunger strikes,protests etc. It seems as if the union has lost sight of its historical beginnings of fighting for workers rights-no matter if they are financial or human rights. Seems as if the AFSCME leaders could be just ignoring people of color and going along with DCF management in order to not create disharmony; hey union leaders, your organization was forged in the heat of discord & animosity-or maybe you [AFSCME] have forgotten whom you work for, THE RANK & FILE.

WHERE ARE THE CLINICIANS OF COLOR?

I am a new writer to the DCF Plantation blog and wish to make an observation. Where are the clinicians[ esp. men] of color at CJTS? The residents at this Middletown CT facility are primarily adolescents of color (black, hispanic) but the majority of clinicians are white (females) and no one seems to think there is a problem. Just recently another white female was hired at CJTS to work in building # 4 and a familiar pattern is continuing at the facility. signed---- cash register

LEGISLATIVE HEARING ABOUT DCF/CJTS RACISM,BIAS

Juvenile Training School minister and activist begins hunger strike

Published: Monday, October 17, 2011

HARTFORD (AP) — Cornell Lewis is no stranger to activism.

He rallied residents of Hartford to root out drug dealers in their neighborhoods. He organized a protest against the planned closure of a post office in one of the poorest sections of Connecticut's capital city. And he formed a group mostly comprised of black and Latino men to escort fatherless children to school during a particularly dangerous time in the city's troubled north end.

But Lewis' latest demonstration is more personal. On Monday, the 61-year-old minister, who works as a youth service officer at the state-run Connecticut Juvenile Training School in Middletown, began a hunger strike. He is attempting to draw attention to what he claims is a racist attitude toward minority employees at the state's only secure facility for delinquent boys.

"I've been involved in a lot of different protests over the years, however, this one is intensely personal because who I am as a person is being attacked," Lewis, who is black, told The Associated Press. "I'm being objectified and marginalized by people within what I call the DCF plantation, the Department of Children and Families plantation, specifically the Connecticut Juvenile Training School." Click here to keep reading.

Connecticut activist ends hunger strike; plans protests

HARTFORD, Conn.

Black pastor and activist Cornell Lewis says he's ending his hunger strike protesting what he calls a racist attitude by mostly white supervisors toward employees at the state's only secure facility for delinquent boys.

Lewis says he ingested only fluids for seven days. He told The Associated Press on Monday that he now plans to meet with supporters and "form a strategy to put more pressure" on officials at the Connecticut Juvenile Training School in Middletown and the Department of Children and Families, which runs the facility. He said they are considering protesting outside the homes of supervisors.

Lewis' hunger strike came more than a year after he and four black co-workers filed a federal lawsuit claiming discrimination.

DCF officials have said they have not received specific complaints from Lewis. Click here to keep reading.

Lawmakers to Hold Meeting on Racism Concerns allegations of racism and discrimination at the Department of Children and Families in Middletown.

Two Hartford state legislators are organizing a public meeting to learn about allegations of racism and discrimination at the Department of Children and Families' secure facility for delinquent boys in Middletown.

Reps. Matthew Ritter and Douglas McCrory said they decided to hold the informational session on July 2 after being approached by employees at the Connecticut Juvenile Training School.

The meeting comes eight months after a youth service officer, Cornell Lewis, waged a seven-day hunger strike to draw attention to what he called a racist attitude by mostly white supervisors.

Lewis is one of four black workers who filed a federal lawsuit in 2010 alleging they've experienced racially motivated disciplinary actions.

DCF's commissioner will not attend because of the pending litigation. DCF officials previously denied receiving specific complaints of racism. Click here to keep reading.

Connecticut lawmakers urged to investigate institutional racism concerns in Department of Children and Families

Published: Tuesday, July 03, 2012, 1:15 AM

HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) — State lawmakers were urged Monday to use their legislative powers to pursue allegations of racism and discrimination at the Connecticut Department of Children and Families' juvenile detention facility in Middletown.

"I'm here to ask the legislators to investigate cases of discrimination and injustice within DCF at the Connecticut Juvenile Training School," said Lynette Gaunichaux, a supervisor and 19-year veteran at the state's only secure facility for delinquent boys.

Gaunichaux was one of several past and current DCF employees who testified at an informational session at the Legislative Office Building organized by Hartford state Reps. Matthew Ritter and Douglas McCrory. Some spoke of being wrongly terminated, believing their race had played a role, or being unfairly reprimanded. Click here to keep reading.

Hearing Looks At Allegations Of Discrimination At DCF Detention Facility

HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) _ State lawmakers are holding a public meeting to learn more about allegations of racism and discrimination at the Department of Children and Families’ juvenile detention facility in Middletown.

Reps. Matthew Ritter and Douglas McCrory, both Hartford Democrats, are sponsoring Monday’s informational session at the Legislative Office Building in Hartford. It will run from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.

The meeting comes about eight months after a youth service officer at the Connecticut Juvenile Training School, activist and minister Cornell Lewis, waged a seven-day hunger strike to draw attention to what he called a racist attitude at the facility. Click here to keep reading.

ANOTHER VICTIM OF THE DCF PLANTATION

NOTICE OF INTENT TO SUE

under Chapter 53, Section 4-141 et seq. of the Connecticut General Statutes

   

                            June 30, 2012

   
    Dear Claims Commissioner,
I and my sons Ryan Anthony Holman, Justin Henry Holman and Christian Lee Holman have been victimized by the Connecticut Department of Children and Families repeatedly.  Most recently DCF has refused to be present at custody hearings at the Meriden Courthouse on June 12, 2012, May 29, 2012 and March 12, 2012.  I have repeatedly questioned heavily redacted reports by DCF in which I have been represented as mentally unfit or challenged,  and severely abusive to the mother of my children, Wendy L. Smith.  In these reports I have also found on multiple occasions where the children were in danger and I was not contacted, though the reports by CTDCF show that I was contacted by Jiovanni Morales, Louise Deleo, and others.  The points in the reports where it states I was contacted have been redacted, when in fact I have a legal right to such information.  On or about March, 2012 I requested and was granted an investigation by Ombudsman’s Office Stanley Kassanowski.  Mr. Kasanowski would later respond that he found no evidence of violations of our rights.  This contradicts recent actions(February 2012) by the U.S. Health and Human Services, Office of Civil Rights who first reviewed, then began an investigation of the Connecticut Department of Children and Families on my families behalf.  CTDCF has repeatedly refused to investigate reports by me of Social Worker malfeasance who are in support of the mother, which I suggest are because of the children’s aunt, Mrs. Robin Nohelte having worked in the clerk’s office of the Meriden Courthouse for over a decade in the past.  I have been denied access to Court Transcripts by Christine Elkins, Meriden Court Reporter,  in the past (2006,2010, 2011)in which the mother was told by a Judge that she would lose custody of her children if she again abused illegal drugs, something that Wendy, and now her sister Robin, have done so , and continue to receive Methadone from the state of Connecticut.  I also recently found DCF to have expunged a report of sexual abuse made to a mandated reporter to their hotline in July, 2011, as did the Meriden Police Department.  The Meriden PD also refuses to address multiple FOIA requests and Internal Affairs complaints, to the extent that the Constituent Services of the Mayor’s Office of Meriden has agreed to present on my behalf.  I have had my efforts to protect my sons from sexual, physical and emotional abuse thwarted in 2010, 2011 and 2012 by the Child Advocates Office, CTAG’s office, CPS office of Connecticut, the Chief States Attorney’s Office, who’s Christopher Alexi wasted no time in sending me a letter stating no crimes had been committed by anyone in any office in which I had filed a complaint.  Mr. Alexi conducted no formal investigation or established any facts through sworn testimony.  My son Ryan wound up in a coma in June 22, 2008, 13 days after I emailed concerns to the CTDCF, and CTDCF has offered no evidence as to what steps they took to look into my report, but I do have email confirmation that my concerns were presented to two different DCF workers 13 days prior to my son being left in a coma at Yale, New Haven Children’s Hospital.  The mother was found guilty of Physical Neglect but as usual the Meriden PD acted egregiously in not prosecuting the mother for multiple instances of abuse of my three sons.  A major drug bust occurred in 2007, I was not made aware though CTDCF reports state that I was contacted by Louise Deleo, I believe.  In 2009 the mothers oldest son, half-brother to my sons stabbed repeatedly a stranger, and again CTDCF did not contact me to inform me of the danger my sons faced in the mothers presence.  The Meriden Courthouse hid these instances, and steps were taken to expunge them from public record, all in an effort to help the opiate addicted mother to remain in custody of my sons, as a favor to the former court clerk, and aunt of my sons, Robin Nohelte and the Smith family.  I am seeking damages of $10,000,000.00 and other monetary benefits to cover future medical expenses for Ryan’s subsequent brain damage from Physical Neglect through inaction by CTDCF, CPS, Meriden PD and John and Jane Doe, employees of the CTDCF, Meriden Courthouse, CPS, and others.

Co-conspirators are as follows:

New Hampshire Town Selectmen’s of Madison, NH, Madison PD former Chief of Police John Pickering, New Hampshire, New Hampshire DCYF (Athena Rios/Justine Octavek), NHDOJ, former NHAG Kelly Ayotte,  New Hampshire CPS, Washington State DSHS Maureen Martin, Washington State AG’s Office, and former Boston FBI Supervisor Jay Fallon, among others.

                           

Sincerely,

                            Michael A. Holman

CLINICAL STAFF ARE TENDING TO NATIVES BUT IGNORE ALL ELSE

The clinical staff at Connecticut Juvenile Training School are tending to mental needs of incarcerated residents. Yet, these same enlightened clinicians are not addressing the bias or injustice that administration at CJTS heap upon Youth Service Officers. How can these enlightened clinicians ignore something so obvious to the understanding of a thinking professional? Well, it might be said that these clinicians are being paid good salaries (vacations, nice cars, insurance benefits,etc) therefore it is easy to turn away from a truth and tend to the natives, plus caring for CJTS residents is safer than confrontting real injustices. When asked by YSOs to help in the fight against bias on DCF Plantations these clinicans come up with verbal arguments worthy of the Greek Cynic Diogenes or the Roman orator Cicero. Ah yes, tending to the natives but ignore all else is their mantra.

FORGOT WHERE THEY CAME FROM

People working in authority positions within the DCF plantation forgot where they came from. A few select superviors are now giving orders to front line staff and assuming a moral demeanor also. I remember how some superviors did not perform their duties (while on the job) but now want to assume a high moral ground about certain issues. Hey, don't be sooo righteous, you were once like front line staff.
signed----Kamikaze

RUMOR HAS IT

Just wanted to let readers know what a liitle bird said to me about two union representatives at Connecticut Juvenile Training School in Middletown, CT. A grievance filed by two supervisors is being dealt with behind the scenes i.e. a deal is being cut with management. Oh it gets better, the original union steward that filed the grievance did not know he was cut out of the procedure. Say what? A union cutting deals with CJTS management? without letting the initial union rep.who filed the damn complaint in on what is going on?? All I can say is STAY TUNED.

RUEL CATCHING HELL

Dear Joette Katz      --  Commissioner  DCF       ,   Connecticut             8-14-2012

     My name is Ruel Raphael and I’m an Instructional Assistant at Connecticut Juvenile

Training School , and also a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc.  Currently I’m

going through unfair treatment, discrimination, and harassment at CJTS.  I’m

writing in regards to two unsatisfactory ratings that I received.  One was for this year, and

the other was from last year.  Currently I’m serving a 30 day suspension for computer use. 

I’ve been discriminated, harassed, and treated unfairly by John Mattera , his

administration, and human resources for the past two years. I have pages of

documentation that shows that I’ve been targeted by them, and that I’ve been subject to

retaliation from them.  I also did my own investigation in regards to my co-workers /  

administration, and it’s shocking how a person like myself can be treated unfairly /

different because of skin color, cultural background, or simply because I’m loved by

many and hated by few.  I did a FOI ( Freedom Of Information) on just 15 employees

at CJTS and the results showed that if everyone was suspended for 30 days in regards to

non-work related computer use, then the facility would have to be closed.

      The FOI  shows that many higher management and teachers are on non work related

websites during work hours.  One teacher has been on over 20,000 sites within a year.  I

also noticed that a higher management person was on a match-making dating web-site. 

Last year I was given an unsatisfactory for attendance, this year I was given a fair.  My

first three years I got a good for attendance, and my attendance was worse my first three

years than these past two years at CJTS.  If my co-workers attendance was pulled and

reviewed, it will show that my attendance was better than many over the past two

years, and they still got a better rating than me.  My second unsatisfactory was given

because I got this 30 day suspension that started August 13,, 2012 and ends September 24,

2012.  I’m not the first person to be suspended for thirty days, and probably won’t be the

last. But when I told one of my co-workers – whom is a white male-  that I was given an

unsatisfactory for getting a 30 day suspension  he said  “ that’s bullshit Ruel,” because he

got a 30 day suspension before along with some other folks and never got an

unsatisfactory rating. 

     I’m putting all of my facts and documents together that shows that I’ve been subjected

to unfair treatment, harassment, and discrimination.  There has been a long time media

coverage of discrimination at the Connecticut Juvenile Training School, but never did I

think that I would be subjected to it.  To my knowledge there are multiple lawsuits

pending in federal court for discrimination at CJTS.  Currently I have no lawsuit pending,

because I’m all about justice at the moment, but my goal is to seek professional legal

counsel over these matters that is ruining my life.  Life is about freedom, peace, and

equality. If I’m suspended for computer use, then everyone that is guilty should be

suspended for computer use. What ever happened to whats good for the goose is good for

the gander?

      They have a goal to fire me, but at the end of the day, it was all a set up, and

is very unfair.  I could have at least got a warning.  This all happened in 2011, and I’m

just now getting suspended for it.  They dragged this out for almost a year.  With

consecutive unsatisfactory ratings an employee can be dismissed, but from the examples

that I have stated – I hope that you can see the unfair treatment, discrimination, and

harassment. The examples that I have given is nothing compared to everything that I have

documented.  Why does discrimination have to still exist in the American work  force? 

Is this the American way? Ms. Katz would you honestly agree with me?  I’m 43 years old,

and I’ve never been subjected to anything like this in my life.  Discrimination is illegal

within agencies that are federally funded.  This matter needs to be investigated from a

federal level, because people lives and families are being seriously ruined. Discrimination

/ Harassment needs to end at the Connecticut Juvenile Training School…

Kindest Regards

And Have A Blessed Day

Ruel Raphael

THEY IGNORE VOICES OF THE OPPRESSED

At Connecticut Juvenile Training School administrators are paid salaries to be informed about what takes place on CJTS property. However, when it comes to employees of color asking for justice from bias etc. then this is not considered. For a period of years people of color employeed at CJTS have made complaints, signed petitions,went on hunger strikes,protested outside CJTS and still management refuses to take these things seriously.What is curious to me is how a facility, with trained clinicians in it, cannot or will not acknowledge the pain of others. Surely the administrators at this DCF Plantation site are familiar with clinical teachings of sympathy and empathy for other people. Yet, any chance CJTS officials get to underscore or diminish the claims of the oppressed at their facility they do so. They ignore the voices of the oppressed at all costs.
In social work class 101 it is taught that people who ignore the pain of others do so for reasons; perhaps CJTS administrators do not want to open the complaint box, for fear of exposing a hideous side of that facility in which a culture of fear ins now normalized. Yes there is a culture at CJTS in which using policy & procedure to keep the natives(employees of color) in their places is standard operating procedure. When atrocities occur the employess hardly acknowledge what happened; like people in war zones CJTS employees are use to the legal violence taking place.However, the real crime is they (CJTS officials) ignore voices of the oppressed.

written by--Ali Baba

MAGICAL THINKING AT THE DCF PLANTATION

Not long ago a search of residents rooms and persons turned up a number of crude weapons called shanks. The Connecticut Juvenile Training School administration went into Keystone Cops mode; making statements but bumping into one another due to indecision about what to do. Finally, the powers that be made a decision that can be ranked among the finest in history-giving reisdents (where shanks were found) a pizza party two days after finding weapons.
Now, we fast forward to a situation in building # 4 where a shank was found by a resident. A search of persons and rooms were conducted and residents dealt with appropriately. However, a clinical decision was made to allow several residents to go off grounds on a trip the next day. It seems as if magical thinking by clinical staff et al. has no regard for safety of Youth Services Officers and seeks tolook after the mental well being of residents. Well, there is nothing like magical thinking on the DCF Plantation.

FREE WILL, NO WILL

The British philosopher John Locke once wrote about the concept of 'free will.' Locke basically said that the will is free, allowing you to do what is necessary, unless of course the will is hindered in some manner. He then goes on to use an illustration about a person sitting in a room looking at a door. The person at this point has free will, in so far as they can move toward the door. However, upon reaching the door this person discovers it is locked, now there is no free will due to an obstruction (locked door).
  The concept Locke writes about- free will- is in full effect on the DCF Plantation and it's satellite sites throughout Greater Connecticut. There are employees of color working on DCF Plantations that choose to exercise a God given right of exercising free will as it relates to denouncing, exposing, and demanding for bias-racial injustice to stop. But as Locke states, often, obstruction stops an exercise of free will. Let me list a few of the "locked doors" fighters for justice experience on DCF Plantations: (1) administrators do not acknowledge there are racial issues, (2) the unions representing employees of color negotiate with management on safe issues, (3) other employees side with management to betray their peers, (4) conditions of bias and racism are part of a culture that is normalized by management on DCF Plantations statewide. Now we can fully understand how /why there is really no "free will" on DCF Plantations in spite of mechanisms touted as giving a voice to employees (Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action, etc). Now a statemnt has to be made, there is a charade being played out on DCF Plantations called free will, no will.

A NEW VOICE CALLED THE BAD NEGRO (BN)

The comment from this person caught me off guard for a moment. It seems as if a new voice from the DCF Plantation has decided to contribute a periodic column  to the blog. When I asked what name this person will use as identification for their articles the reply was "the bad negro" (BN). So now there are a number of people willing to speak behind cover of this DCF Plantation blog, shedding light on bias,racism,and discrimination towards employees of DCF.Look to hear from the "bad negro" soon about discrimnation towards females etc.

IS THIS AN INVESTIGATION OR A WITCH HUNT?

There are a group of people brave enough to file a class action lawsuit against Connecticut Juvenile Training School and Department of Children and Families. Almost three years ago the DCF Plantation Five employed at CJTS threw caution to the wind and asked the law to correct possible racial injustice at a satellite plantation of DCF. Now it appears as if one of the DCF Plantation Five is under investigation for vague reasons that only a person consulting the Oracle of Apollo for an answer could understand. This male of color has been taken off his regular unit, while CJTS management determine if there are reason(s) for any disciplinary action. The rumor mill has it CJTS jumped on a chance to launch yet another investigation on this male of color. I am not hear to argue what dialogue transpired between this male Youth Service Officer and a resident while on a Unit in building #4. But, it would be remiss of me not to ask a simple question like "is this an investigation or a witch hunt?" Once before CJTS management investigated this same person with vigor- that intrigue fell short; is it possible management is crouching in the tall grass, like a ravenous beast, waiting to pounce on a member of a group daring to defy their hegemony?
Again tthe specific details of what the investigation of this man of color do not concern me. What is of concern is how quickly CJTS decided to look into this incident.

IS THIS AN INVESTIGATION OR A WITCH HUNT?

THE FIELD HANDS ARE NOW CRUCIFIED

The Department of Children and Families have long utilized a method to keep employees of color in their place. There are certain employees of color working undercover (or in a few cases in the open) to betray their peers. Now a different wind seems to be blowing throughout the DCF Plantation in which the field hands (undercover employees of color promoting ol' master's dirty work) are now in a precarious position. It has been brought to my attention by an employee of DCF Plantation that ol' master at Connecticut Juvenile Training School has decided 'the field hands' are now expendible. Historically we read how oppressors,tyrants, despots or powerbrokers use an ethnic group to betray others in the group; rewards for such dirty work range from an extra biscuit or piece of chicken (rewards in American South during slavery) to money,titles,or a pat on the head for luck. Yet, history also points out clearly how oppressors discard these villainous ethnic turncoats once an objective is complete.
The man of color approached me with these words in a parking lot on sunday at a DCF Plantation facility in Greater Hartford. He shared detailed stories of how management deceives or bullies employees of color by using ethnic traitors. Then he stood and laughed when saying "but the field hands are now crucified" because the DCF management no longer needs them. His words certainly gave me pause for reflection about injustices on the DCF Plantation and its satellite facilities..

CONVERSATIONS IN THE BACK HALL ARE MISSING THE POINT

The Connecticut Juvenile training School Youth Services Officers are fighting among each other (again) over nonsense. Seems as if a YSO filed a grievance about his peers et al. getting overtime to instruct residents in football practice, while other YSOs cannot get certain days off. My concern is how YSOs spend inordinate amounts of time discussing things that have nothing to do with the problems management is foisting upon employees of color. For example, why is there no discussion about management's unfair disciplinary actions towards YSOs that commit infractions of policy? Hey, YSOs, did you holler when one of your peers that is white placed hands on a resident of color only to be given a mild rebuke? Hey YSOs, did you sign those petitions circulated at CJTS about having clinincal staff and YSOs working in tandem, and not master (clinicians) slave (YSOs) relationship?Hey, YSOs have you informed management about the Unit Leader in building #4 that is always allowed to avoid inclement weather (snow-rain) due to schedule changes while forntline staff are mandated to be at work? There are larger issues YSOs need to confront with managent-not each other in order to bring justice to the DCF Plantation employees.

PUBLIC HEARING ABOUT DCF

The common people approached two State Representatives at the Legislative Office Building in Hartford and asked for a public hearing about racism within Department of Children & Families. These members of the hoi polloi (common people) were concerned about how policy & procedure is being used as a cudgel against employees of color that management deems a threat. State Representatives Matthew Ritter & Douglas McCroy set up a public hearing for July 2,2012 at the LOB from 4pm-7pm in order to give people a chance to voice their concerns. People spoke about bias, discrimination, and racism not only within DCF but at Connecticut Juvenile Training School in Middletown, CT. In spite of attempts by DCF-CJTS management to squash the voices of those seeking justice a beacon of hope shone through at the public hearings. The light within the LOB cannot be compared to that heavenly light shining down on baby Jesus in a manger, but this hearing certainly is a signiicant event for the oppressed lanquishing on the DCF Plantation.

VOICES FROM THE PLANTATION

I have talked with employees of color that work for the Department of Children & Families in the Connecticut. They have conveyed to me how DCF and Connecticut Juvenile Training School uses policy and procedure to punish employees of color. Until now their voices have been buried from the public domain due to fear, transfers,loss of employment and betrayals from peers. However, the oppressed shall not continue to suffer once the light of logic and reason shines upon evil people that are determined in the dark recesses of racism. As Goethe said "truth comes to us first in hideous mien." Ergo, I am speaking the truth for those people that cannot due so.