Escape follow up-back in custody!

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) — A man who escaped from Hennepin County Public Jail custody Wednesday morning has been found.
 The suspect, 57-year-old Michael Simon, broke a 7th floor window of the Hennepin County Public Safety facility at around 7 a.m. Wednesday. He then climbed out of the window to make his escape.

Sources say that at one point, Simon was seen walking across a downtown skyway to get away. ADVERTISING Around 10 a.m., Simon was located and taken into custody after a traffic stop in Little Canada. michal simon 2 Suspect Back In Custody After Breaking Out Of Hennepin County Jail Michael Simon (credit: Hennepin County Jail)

 According to the Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office, Simon was booked into the Adult Detention Center on Sept. 25, 2018 for financial transaction card fraud and a MN Department of Corrections hold for burglary. The Hennepin County Public Jail is located on 401 S 4th Ave in downtown Minneapolis. This is a developing situation, so check back with the latest information.

Escape today!

Saw this press release. Waiting for details.

Press Release: On-going search for wanted individual 

Hennepin County sent this bulletin at 11/28/2018 08:54 AM CST

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page. Press Release FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Media Contact: Jon Collins, 612-919-5918 On-going search for wanted individual  November 28, 2018 (MINNEAPOLIS) - The Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office is asking for the public’s help in locating a wanted individual who escaped from the Hennepin County Adult Detention Center. The wanted individual, Michael Frank Simon (DOB 07/19/61), was booked into the Hennepin County Adult Detention Center on September 25, 2018 for financial transaction card fraud and a MN Department of Corrections hold for burglary.  At approximately 7:00 a.m. Simon escaped from the Hennepin County Adult Detention Center. The Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office immediately notified local law enforcement and began a coordinated search which is ongoing.  The Sheriff’s Office is asking for anyone with information about the whereabouts of Simon to please call 911 or the HCSO tip-line at 1-888-988-TIPS (8477). - HCSO -  Simon, Michael Frank - Hennepin County Sheriff's Office

2019 Retirement Benefit Increases Announced

2019 Retirement benefit increases announced

October 12, 2018

Good news for retirees

Retired members of the PERA General Plan will receive a 1.4 percent increase in their PERA retirement benefits, effective Jan. 1, 2019.

The 1.4 percent increase reflects 2018 legislative changes to PERA’s retirement plans. The General Plan cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) will be equal to 50 percent of the increase announced by Social Security. Social Security announced a 2.8 percent benefit increase for 2019. The 1.4 percent increase is good news for PERA retirees since the previous increases were at 1 percent for many years.

Members of the Correctional Plan will receive a 2.5 percent increase in their PERA retirement benefits, effective Jan. 1, 2019. This increase is a result of the legislative change calling for the Correctional Plan COLA to be equal to 100 percent of the increase announced by Social Security, with a maximum 2.5 percent increase.

The Correctional Plan can provide a larger increase to plan members since the plan is relatively better funded than the other plans PERA administers.  In the future, the Correctional Plan COLA maximum could be reduced to 1.5 percent if the plan’s funding status declines.

The Police & Fire Plan members will continue to receive a 1 percent increase in their PERA retirement benefits.  The Police & Fire COLA is not currently tied to an inflation index.

Source: MNPERA.org

I again must point out that AFSCME, Teamsters Local 320 and LELS all had agreed to the lower 1.4% for the Correctional Plan as "shared pain".  And that without ever bringing it to their members! 

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.

Happy Veteran's Day

Thank you for your service!

via GIPHY

Dave "Hutch" wins as Hennepin County Sheriff

Congratulations Dave Hutchinson on your victory in Hennepin County as Sheriff.

As a retiree with over 25 years in that Department I wish you luck. There is a lot of rebuilding to do after 12 years of Richard Stanek.

My advice, surround yourself with good people!



https://minnesota.cbslocal.com/2018/11/07/by-the-numbers-dave-hutchinson-tops-stanek-in-race-for-hennepin-co-sheriff/?fbclid=IwAR3ow1Tr-geMrX5TrTw1IGSjO5QZG4FFic7GpO-88xT1gMphHMAEMCBgnXM

2 CO's Assaulted at Fairbault MCF

WCCO is reporting that:

Two corrections officers are recovering after being injured during an assault at the Faribualt prison.

According to the Minnesota Department of Corrections, the assault happened Sunday at approximately 6pm. The two officers injured in the assault were taken to the hospital, treated, and then released.

The DOC says the offender who was responsible was placed into restrictive housing.

The prison is still locked down.

There has been a rash of injuries to corrections officers at Minnesota prisons this year, which have resulted in the deaths of two officers.

Oak Park Heights MCF CO Parise ruled a homicide

The death last month of Oak Park Heights CO Joe Parise has been ruled a homicide,

In other Oak Par Heights news, 2 CO's were hospitalized yesterday after an altercation with 2 inmates.

The Star Tribune article goes on to say that the inmates involved were placed in restrictive housing  and Oak Park Heights is on lock down.

Let's hope the 2 inmates don't get the early release treatment from seg MCF OPH has been famous for lately.

Officer safety should be the top priority.

Full Cost of Living Raise for PERA CO's

Good news.

Social Security recipients will receive a 2.8% Cost of Living raise in 2019.

PERA CO's COLA is tied to the Social Security cost of living increase-100% of Social Security COLA capped at 2.5%.

This means PERA Correctional Plan Retirees will receive the full 2.5% increase in 2019.

Never forget Teamsters Local 320, AFSME and LELS had all agreed to a lower cap (1.5%) without ever consulting their members!

Beware LELS, Law Enforcement Labor Services!

Hey Minnesota CO's, all representation is not the same.

LELS has a pitch to Corrections Officers on their website.

That's funny because LELS (Sean Gormley and David Metusalem) , Teamsters Local 320 (Brian Aldes) and AFSCME all signed off on allowing PERA CO's to take a Pension cut just a few months ago. Thank God MNPEA and I caught it.

They are also pitching their Legal Plan. I'm not sure how it's working now, but back when Hennepin County Detention was with them it didn't apply to Detention Deputies, only sworn officers. I'm also sure it doesn't apply to off duty like MNPEA's plan does. Hell, they didn't even support the PERA Correctional Officers Pension when we were working on it. Dan Wells sat behind me at a meeting and laughed!

We are in a time when CO's are leaving the likes of Teamsters Local 320 and AFSCME, just be careful you go to a Union that will represent Corrections. Not just take your dues for Police only.

RIP CO CO Joseph Parise

RIP Oak Park Heights CO Joseph Parise. My heart goes out to his fellow CO's and his family.

OAK PARK HEIGHTS, Minn. - A corrections officer at Minnesota's Oak Park Heights prison has died following a medical emergency after helping a fellow guard who was attacked by an inmate. KARE 11

It's September 11

September 11^th, 2001. 17 years ago, I was working as a Detention Deputy at the Hennepin County Jail. I was working the Release desk that day listening to the radio. Suddenly the news broke in that a plane had flown into the World Trade Center.

I was shocked and remember thinking it was a terrible accident. A very short time later the radio was reporting a second plane hit!

I went up to staff dining to see a television. There I saw the images of the planes hitting the buildings. Soon word came that we were under attack.

Downtown Minneapolis was ordered evacuated. Us Detention Deputies like all law enforcement,remained on the job. There was no leaving work to be with our families. No one knew if any hijacked planes filled with our loved ones would be flown into the IDS or other tall buildings. All commercial flights were grounded. People were trapped in cities for days, unless they rented cars or found other modes of transportation.

I have never forgotten. I have never forgiven. We have enemies who when given the chance will attack. They will attack civilians, military, men, women and children. People just going about their business.

This caused our nation to pull together, and for a short time think about our borders, immigration and security. It didn’t take long for some to forget, to try and appease our enemies and even vilify those who are vigilant.

But I, and many of us know who you are. We will not be lulled into complacency or silenced by political correctness.

I am thankful I live in a country where we have the right to bear arms to defend ourselves, and the freedom to raise our voices. I am thankful we have a strong leader who believes in strong borders. Freedom and Liberty must always be defended.

Today is 9/11. God bless America. We will not forget.

CO's safety takes a back seat, again.

KSTP is reporting that  the industry area at Stillwater Prison is reopened.

It's the area where CO Joseph Gomm was murdered by an inmate with a hammer, while other inmates held the doors.

Stillwater CO's had complained for years about the lack of safety and it fell on deaf ears to both management and their union, AFSCME.

Well, the industry area is reopened and now KSTP is reporting some CO's are refusing to work there.
Now management is wanting business as usual, but AFSCME is actually, at least verbally, asking for more cameras in the area.

Tim Henderson, Associate Director for AFSCME is quoted as saying they want more cameras and a partner on rounds so no one has to go solo.

Sadly, before the death of Joseph Gomm, according to Stillwater CO's, AFSCME was more interested in releasing inmates early from segregation,even though it led to an increase in assaults on staff, supporting the Governor's staffing cuts, and backing BLM against law enforcement!

I have to wonder if AFSCME's sudden backing of members is because after years of ignoring them they suddenly care, or because of the Janus v AFSCME ruling they are losing money, err, I mean members?

I'm guessing the later.

Watch this site for big news on how some of the bigger Unions tried to work against Corrections Officer Pensions.

Big announcement coming in the first part of December!

Members blame AFSCME for problems at Stllwater MCF

As a retired CO who was extremely involved in my Union, my heart is always with the CO's and their efforts to improve workplace conditions. The following letter was forwarded to me from the CO's at Stllwater Prison in the wake of the murder of Joseph Gomm. It highlights the reason many of the larger Unions are loosing members.The members now believe AFSCME became more interested in politics than members. My hope is they form their own  Association to look out for their interests.

Subject: Stillwater

Cc: #DOC_CO-AllStaff; #DOC_FRB-AllStaff; #DOC_FS-Staff; #DOC_LL-AllStaff; #DOC_ML-AllStaff; #DOC_OPH-AllStaff; #DOC_RC-AllStaff; #DOC_RW-AllStaff; #DOC_SCL-AllStaff; #DOC_SHK-AllStaff; #DOC_STW-AllStaff; #DOC_THD-AllStaff
Subject: AFSCME responsibility

Mr. Westmoreland & Mr. Henderson,

I am demanding to know the process that I need to take to stop giving any of my money to this “union” immediately!! Not “fair share” but any money that I was forced to give so you could support your agenda.  The Supreme Court of the United States has recently ruled that I have that right.

This “union” is directly responsible for what has happened yesterday.  This union has silently stood by doing nothing to help our members because they agreed with and promoted this extremely liberal policy of “stopping the harmful effects of long term segregation”.  Numerous officers have been injured and now killed so you could push your liberal agenda.

How many times have Officers spoke up about the harmful effects of short term segregation?  How many staff assaults need to happen for you to realize that this policy is extremely short sighted and utopian thinking?  And this is not the first time you liberal bias has harmed our members.  I will not sit by and promote this ideology by feeding it money.

Several years back you threw our members under the bus when you not only supported the Governor’s plan to lay off about 30,000 employees, you help facilitate it.  And for what?  Your liberal support of same sex marriage and illegal immigrant’s rights.  The first issue really doesn’t affect our membership as a whole.  It has nothing to do with members safety, salary’s or anything our union should be pushing.  The second issue, not only doesn’t affect us as a union, it harms us by taking jobs away from us and our fellow legal Americans.

You also said nothing when some of our fellow AFSCME members decided to protest, wearing ASFCME t-shirts and banners, members of our law enforcement community when a black man was shot by the cops.  You sided with the protesters over our law enforcement and us, as Corrections Officers.

I have done many things for this union.  Writing newsletters, acting as a Secretary, being a E-Board member.  I don’t think there has been one instance of our “union” doing something to benefit us.  Giving us a turkey for Christmas or throwing a bowling party doesn’t count.  Something that really matters is what we want and demand from you.  It’s your job to do that, and you have failed miserably. 

You blindly support one political party over the other and claim we benefit greatly from that support, which is so far from the truth, it’s laughable.  You tell us to vote them is so we get great benefits and pay.  Well, that has never materialized.  In my 26 years here, the largest raise I have gotten was when Tim Pawlenty, a Republican, was our Governor. When I started, Minnesota Corrections Officers were the second highest paid officers in the nation.  I don’t know where we stand today, but it’s nowhere near that.  But our “union” is more concerned with liberal causes than our own members.

I demand that you stop taking my money today.  I am officially denouncing AFSCME.  I will not be part of it or fund it.

Tom Schloesser

Former proud AFSCME Local 3607 member

RIP CO Joseph Gomm

Stillwater Corrections Officer Joseph Gomm had his last watch on July 18, 2018.
According to the Star Tribune he was murdered on duty by an inmate.

Everyday CO's go to work watching the 'bad guys' who were removed from the streets. Everyday they work a dangerous job out of sight and out of mind of Society.

As a retiree I know the long hours, the shift work and constant staff shortages that are a part of the profession. The article says Stillwater was short about 150 staff.

The Star Tribune reports there are over 1,600 inmates at Stillwater Prison and 527 of them are in for homicide.It doesn't mention the number in for assault, robbery, rape and how many are gang members or mentally ill.

Violence is all too common among inmates and towards staff in lock ups.

Joseph Gomm paid with his life keeping the rest of Society safe.
RIP brother.

Leonard Richards runs for U.S. Senate

When I worked at the Hennepin County jail one of our more notorious inmates was Leonard Richards. After being found guilty of 2 homicides he ran, and almost won a School Board seat. Now it looks like he's running for the U.S. Senate as a Democrat!

FULL STORY

BAD Cells from Hennepin County Jail

Portland Teaches Protesters a lesson

When anti ICE protesters blocked the entry to an ICE facility it didn't work out as planned!

News Stories of interest to Henn. Co. Detention Deps

Here's a couple of news stories Hennepin County Detention Deputies will find of interest.

Denny Hecker

One of our more famous former 'guests' Denny Hecker is out of prison.
https://www.twincities.com/2018/07/04/denny-hecker-free-from-federal-custody-minneapolis/

I can still see his privileged self coming back to the Court Staging area after a court appearance thinking he could just sit at the Court Staging desk and use the phone.

Of course he never saw a real Hennepin County Jail cell, maybe because he was 'high profile', maybe because he was a heavy Stanek Donor,  he was given a hospital bed in the Med Room and would ask the nurses for lemonade at 2 AM!

Story number two is a much more common story.

Due to lack of beds at State Mental Health Facilities a man suffering from schizophrenia was at the Hennepin Hilton for over 90 days
http://www.startribune.com/man-with-mental-illness-languishes-in-hennepin-county-jail-for-3-months/487453671/

The story says, "During Traylor’s time in custody, his mental state deteriorated substantially, officials said. He threatened to stab and murder jail staff and engaged in increasingly erratic behavior, such as smearing feces on his cell window, court records show."

Ah, the joys of the third floor!

Very few people realize the range of inmates Detention Deputies are required to deal with professionally. 

Happy Independence Day

Happy Independence Day

When in the Course of human events it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. — That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, — That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government....