Detention Deputies be careful! PSF attacked!

After working as a Detention Deputy for over 25 years at the Hennepin County Jail, I know it can be a dangerous job.

But in the current political climate it's added a new element. Before there was always the possibility of a jail assault or of running into a former inmate who had a beef with you outside and in public. Now it's grown political.

In NY John Jeff an off duty Corrections Officer who worked at Rikers Island was shot and killed. 

Last night rioters angry over a Kenosha Wisconsin shooting, attacked the Hennepin County Public Safety Facility (PSF). They broke windows, tried to breach the lobby, were gassed and subsequently 11 were arrested.

In a Star Tribune article reporting the event Sheriff Hutch says:

"“We fully support peaceful protests, but we cannot — and will not — allow demonstrators to destroy property or jeopardize the safety and security of our inmates, our deputies and our jail,” Sheriff Dave Hutchinson said in a statement."

My advice to my former co-workers and current Detention Deputies is twofold. 

1. Be extra aware of your surroundings.

2. Conceal Carry.

In the early 90's when MPD Officer Jerry Haaf was executed, the jail began receiving calls that 'a brownie is next.' We wore brown uniforms back in the day so we were referred to as brownies. This was also painted on the Security Garage of the jail and on a wall near a parking lot many of us used. (This was over a failed United for Peace negotiation with MPD. Side note, current MN Attorney General Keith Ellison supported the killers).

An inmate pulled me aside and said 'they' were planning to take out a brownie next. He proceeded to tell me where I parked, what streets I walked to work, and even told me the exact car I drove. He said, I don't want it to be you. He advised varying my route, don't walk alone, not to walk past the welfare building (stood where current PSF is) because "The brothers waiting outside are watching deputies, they ain't there for welfare." *Actually a lot more to this story. 

I took his advice and also got a permit to carry.

I always prided myself on treating inmates fairly and that went a long way both inside the jail and out. Those days may be gone.

The new dangerous element is political. As Detention Deputies you represent Government and Law enforcement so to many, regardless of your professionalism you are a target.

Be careful!

Hennepin County Board Considering cuts to Jail!

According to this Star Tribune article the Board is considering cutting $2 million from the Sheriff's Office.

Outgoing Commissioner Peter McLaughlin initially proposed cutting 9 Detention Deputies from the jail! Apparently assaults on Corrections/Detention Deputy staff recently in the news don't matter. After all those years in Office you'd think he realized the DOC requires a staff to inmate ratio.

"Much of the overtime expenses comes from jail staffing when inmate populations run high. While the numbers have declined in recent months, the jail had record inmate levels last spring.

“The study found that the jail is now down to its functional capacity and we can keep those numbers down,” said McLaughlin. “The new budget numbers reflects that we don’t need funding for a full jail.”

The number of jail beds available daily is 755, and Stanek said the jail staffs for 680 inmates. On Monday there were 780 inmates, so he had to force deputies to work overtime “because you just can’t say the inn is closed.”  - Star Tribune

I love McLaughlin's quote that, "we can keep those numbers down...we don't need funding for a full jail." Is the Board planning on putting a cap on arrests in Hennepin County?

For years I've advocated for the Jail to be staffed 100 % by Detention Deputies. Much money could be saved by eliminating the use of higher paid Licensed Deputies and their higher rate overtime in the jail. Not to mention training and POST costs.

Incoming Sheriff Hutch wants the Board to hold off on cuts until he gets the lay of the land.

This will be an interesting fight. Both the new County Board and the Minneapolis City Council seem to be farther to the political Left. They both seem to be anti-law enforcement.

Something to watch. The Sheriff Office is a Constitutional Office which requires funding. Not like the tent city local government has no trouble throwing money at.

http://www.startribune.com/sheriff-rich-stanek-irked-lame-duck-county-commissioner-cutting-budget/501933522/

Hutch campaign manager attends MNPEA meeting

Sheriff Hutch's campaign manager attended the last MNPEA union meeting. Here is a synopsis from some members who were there.

WADE!!! In a nutshell, this is what D. B. told me. Hutch's campaign guy is Austin Sable out of Radio. According to him, Hutch wants to return to a more traditional Sheriffs Office with a predominately Civilian staff while focusing on Jail, Radio and Records/Courts. Stanek over-extended Radio's service perimeter while not providing the staff and resources needed to handle it. There are 15 stations manned while a 16TH goes unmanned. Although Waterways is still a mandate, he sees no real issues there. and I would agree. Seems that most, if not everybody out there is content. He wants to see that budgeted moneys go to where they are appropriated to go. The last two idiots were notorious at asking for money to fund 'this' and end up spending it to fund 'that.' We both have seen plenty of BS. He also wants to address both retention and incentives for both new hires and existing staff. I am hoping he takes a more reasonable and sensible approach to hiring. This 'mass hiring' approach that Stanek had a love affair with is neither practical or economically sound. There is a balance between paying your existing staff OT (far cheaper) and hiring new staff (more costly). A approach that would benefit everybody. Finally, he is open to Labor Groups. He both appreciates and recognizes Labor Groups. I realize this is all lip service so far, but it sounds promising. If I were speaking directly to him, I would put it this way.."Dude, you are in a very good position. Stanek had taken just about everything away from us. If you could restore even some of it, you could be viewed very favorably. Do you want a good movie or a bad movie??? It is totally up to you!" 

I forget to mention, he is all about Mental Health and not servicing ICE. I am not sure what he is after with the Mental Health thing. I do hope we don't continue to warehouse inmates for these M/H institutions. Once committed, send them!!! We should not be sitting on them. As far as ICE is concerned, not sure what he means by that either. He could mean we are not going to warehouse inmates for ICE while they drag their feet on what they are going to do. I would agree with that. 

I REACHED OUT TO SHERIFF HUTCH TO WRITE AN UNEDITED MESSAGE IN THIS BLOG TO DETENTION DEPUTIES.

The I.A. Blues

Based on a true story! Enjoy.

Rich Stanek Speech to MNPEA 7/29/14

Thanks to Dave Bentzen for providing audio wav.