So, as many of you read my last article, (Inside Fight) you know that I also went to Boot-Camp on December 2nd, of 2009. Needless to say, I was two weeks from graduation, and I got kicked out for using the grievance system, or should I say the retaliation that came from, using my legal right to a grievance system!
Let me take you for a walk through the Treasure State Correctional Training Center, and my personal experience:
On December 26th, of 2009 I was refused the right to use the bathroom, and made to defecate on myself. Sgt. Hoyt, who is a drill instructor there, put the whole platoon on deck and ‘disciplined’ us, as they like to call it, for 15 to 20 minutes, threatening us the whole time about us using the grievance system! Because, I had written a grievance. I was also denied the right to things that were ordered to me by medical staff!
These are just a couple of the things, that I personally experienced, while at the boot-camp! And this is supposed to be the ‘Miracle Program’ that DOC holds in such high regard! Not, because it is a good program, but because the drill instructors and staff are given the right to; “discipline you, and scare you into submission”. And in turn, don’t have follow their own policies, when called on them.
Don’t get me wrong, there are some good people there trying to make a difference. I would personally like to thank , Mrs. Lestes, Sgt. First Class Highley and Master Sgt. Williams, for their true dedication, and desire to help inmates.
I read Robert Rose’s article, on staff misconduct, and I thought this would compliment his. We become felons and come to prison, for breaking the law! So why should those who are put in charge of us, be any different when it comes to breaking the law?! It was my understanding that, NO ONE was above the law! I guess in Montana, thats a different story. You can lock me up, but you can’t break me. I’ll fight until the very end for positive changes, here in the Montana system! And I hope you all will too.
~ Jerod Goodman | MSP
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One doesn’t get kicked out of the boot camp program for filing a grievance. I’m wondering what Mr. Goodman did that caused him to be removed from the program. My guess is he acted out against what he perceived as an injustice. I could be wrong, but in this case, I doubt it.
To try and intimidate or dissuade them from their right to a functioning grievance process is obviously the wrong thing to do, for a multitude of reasons.
Also, it’s illegal in this State.
Why do you assume Mr. Goodman, ‘acted out against a perceived injustice’? Because he is an incarcerated citizen? Do you believe prison officials and staff are above reproach, and any wrong-doing?
Much like you, I was not there on the day in question, so i cannot say for certain what did happen to provoke his dismissal from the program. I can and will say this to you sir: I have received numerous letters and information, from both inmates and their family members, stating very much the same, if not exactly what Mr. Goodman has expressed here. Over and over.
This supposed grievance process, in its current incarnation, needs to be investigated and cleaned up by an impartial outside source in my opinion.
My last comment was based upon the knowledge I have of Mr. Goodman. From what I have observed, he is the type of person that continually breaks rules and has little regard or respect for anyone or anything but himself and his immediate desires. I am not the type of person that immediately assumes that a person in a position of authority is always correct (or should even be in authority for that matter), but when considering Mr. Goodman’s character (or lack there of) I am forced to take little stock in what he has to say. Sadly, there are people out there that do get screwed over in the prison system and I truly do feel sorry for them and wish the wrongs they have inflicted on them could be righted. I am not the type to believe that because someone has broken a law it automatically makes them a second class citizen with no rights. However, I do not feel that Mr. Goodman is one of those individuals who has been wronged. I truly do appreciate your feelings on this issue, Marc. It is an issue that should be looked into.