I am appalled! I went to see my friend in there just this weekend and no one in there could tell me much of anything. How many visitors he gets during visiting hours, how many adults, how many children, etc. They didn't know if I should take my stud earrings off going through the metal detector. My friend has been to medical and has to wait for days before he even got a response and he was only given Q tips for a bloody ear, no medical screening or concern. He's always getting yelled at for using the phone when they corrections officer doesn't check his name on the list.
On a recent visit, neither him or I were informed of anything before we saw each other. Also, he was never told to stay seated after he received his paper to end the visit. He walked me politely to the front and was warned never to do again. The second visit a co yelled at him for not keeping track of his time. "Really" I didn't think inmates could have watches and there is no clock on the wall. Are these people stupid??? Oh I failed to mention that this institution failed to looked in my mouth on two occasions and under my tongue like stated on the internet. And they want to know why and how inmates get away with contraband transfers.
Please know that I've been to county jails and they can be more lenient because there is no contact. What about all the preparing they can do, so when the inmates make parole and or some other way be released. Why aren't there more programs to help prepare them for that and have support groups. That's why they return back to jail because they are leaving with nothing. No sponsors, numbers, money, what about money when they get out?
not sure what the complaint is. The writer's basically gave a description and history of the institution and then said they wanted the top brass replaced. If you want public sympathy tell us what your complaint is. I still don't what the "legitimate" complaint is.
my fiance is in there,and security to go see him was rediculous they took their sweet old time,DIDNT SPEAK ENGLISH VERY WELL!!! and then goofed off behind the glass were they call around to get the inmates.
my boyfriend hurt his ankle playin basketball and since then he hasnt been able to call me and i guess they didnt give him my letter because he hasnt written back...i dont kno wats goin on..i guess i wont kno until i visit him on christmas....
I am JC Ward from A&K legal service, we have had a rush of clients who have been treated unfair at this institution. A&K legal service is assisting inmates an getting them transfered. The problem is that the institution thinks that no one will believe them and the A.R.P. they file just get dismissed. And another problem is most inmates have no family members to help them when they get injured at the hands of a staff member. A&K is here for ALL inmates. Need help call us 301-740-0029
My child is there and there has been no help, nothing but trouble when it comes down to staff. The inmates are the ones who try to help each other, because the system there is full of it. The Warden and Head of Security are full of it and they really don't care. Treatment, that is a joke! Patuxent needs to be taken over by someone else, they need to get rid of the entire head staff and the Officers from Nigeria or wherever they are from, because they are a BIG, BIG PROBLEM and cause alot of the problems with these inmates, then laugh about it, because the inmate gets in trouble and they still have a job. Found out that the Warden laughs about alot of the situations that goes on there also when an inmate gets in trouble and just carries on as long as she gets a paycheck. Warden Goins-Johnson and Robert Nero why are they still there, with so many complaints, it makes us wonder does the Governor really care? Mmmm, makes you think. The inmates need real treatment, not this street mess they call treatment and someone who would really do a good job with the entire system. I guarantee someone is out there who qualifies and can do a much better job then they are. All we are saying is help, help, help, our loved ones are there for rehabilitation, so that they can come home a changed person, a better person, not depressed, on more medication, much worse than before. HELP THEM PLEASE!!
I can't seem to find out why my son is even in there. He was classified as minimum security, and sent to Patuxent for a 30 day evaluation, and that was over 2 months ago. All they would tell me is that he will be starting a program in November. He has told me that it was very hot in there this summer, but when the weather started cooling off he was having trouble keeping warm as they hadn't yet been issued blankets. He doesn't complain much, really, but I am just wondering why he's there with violent offenders and murderers with life sentences, when he has a minimum security classification. He would like to have some visits from our Church representatives, and I have left messages with the Chaplain there but my calls have not been returned. I wondered why my son hasn't been asking questions or being proactive in there, but I guess he's been observing what goes on and has decided it's better to keep a low profile than to risk offending one of the officers!
This place needs to be shut down immediately or taken over by someone who cares for the inmates treatment and safety. These Officers, especially the African ones who treat people like animals need to be gone right away also. The warden, head of security, all of the in charge needs to be fired and jailed themselves. Treat them the way they have been treating these inmates. No one deserves what is going on. The inmates are placed on lock up for a lie that was placed on them and then given no visits for long periods of time and/or taking their good time away. This place needs to be investigated and each inmates record should be checked an investigated for false charges given by this crazy place call Patuxent.
My husband is at Patuxent (EPP) the conditions he lives in, you wouldn't put a dog in. A few months back when it was cooler out, the hot water in the shower was broke for over a week, he had to take a bucket of warm water from sink to bathe. And now when the Real Feel temp outside is like 120 degrees, its about 140 for them. They have no relief what so ever, now they can't even get any sort of relief from the shower because its auto set with a push button and its really hot now. And they are redoing the screens and they have no air flow at all. No matter what a human being doesn't deserve this. I want help for them and I don't know who will listen. They hear a few people then they think, oh they'll shut up. IT MUST STOP!!!!!!!!
If the state offers cooling centers when it is hot l (108( outside, why dont they have a cooling area for inmates since its always hot inside where they are housed on a daily basis
Put into protective custody without any phone calls or access to mail. He is the one that is punished after someone tried to attack him. We did not hear from him for 30 days. Something really should be done.
My child is there and because one of the African officers decided to pick that day and get him in trouble he received 6 months with no visits and the officer was believed by whom it mattered to, but other officers knew that my child would not have caused any problems. These people are cruel and don't care. What happened to the help the inmates are suppose to receive, but instead they are being abused, which makes matters worse.
Its has gone on long enough...the Warden herself is a wack job and should stay home to manage her domestic issues! Dr. Nero is simply spineless. The abuse is un-Godly and many cannot figure out why the Governor have allowed this institution to continue to exists! The employees/CO's behave as if they are God themselves...A suggestion and please share this information: A word to the wise....Stay out of jail and never accept a plea agreement to be in the Eligible Person Program. If the courts recommend that a child under 18 is remanded to Youth Program, they will NEVER, NEVER EVER get rehabilitated.
How they treat inmates is inhumane and absolutely ridiculous! Just because they are criminals and each one varies in their crime does NOT mean you can treat them like animals! I have witnessed how inmates are treated by the CO's, administrators, and "medical" personnel and it is absurd! I pray that the state reevaluates there criteria for the medical employees. Half of them can barely speak english and god forbid someone has a serious health issue, you'd be lucky if they see you. I understand that SOME may abuse the privilage of the medical unit however I believe every medical complaint needs to be taken seriously. And as far as the CO's, if they are going to be biased and degrading they need to NOT work in this area!
I am very pleased to see that people are taking a stance against the atrocities occuring at Patuxent Institution. My younger brother is an inmate, and has been subjected to harm directly inflicted by the staff . The correctional officers are on a massive power trip, and in urgent need of regulation, or termination. When I first learned of my brother's acceptance to Patuxent, I was elated that he would be serving his sentence in a rehabilitation center with a youth offenders program and mental health division. I have never felt such deciet or disappointment; my brother has not been rehabilitated or attended to in any way. The staff at Patuxent does far more to defile the inmates than they do to reform them. I never imagined that my brother would be in need of protection from those who are paid to insure his safety. I hope and pray that the right person reads these testimonies, and takes the necessary action to end the injustice and corruption that has been overlooked for too long.
My husband is currently at this facility. They have the most ridiculous CO's I have ever seen. They make him hang the phone up before the 30 minute cutoff. During visits each guard has different rules. My 2 year old stands up out of her seat and they try to end our visits. My husband is called a white boy by the guards but if he says something about it they overlook it. When you call to speak to someone they give you the run around and you never get a clear answer. While his tier was on lock down they denied my husband the ability to call his lawyer before his court hearing. THIS PLACE SUCKS and should be closed down or under better management. I can not wait until they move him. That place is a **** hole.
I have a best friend that is currently incarcerated here, and I am in total aggreance with the facts. I can not wait for the day he walks out of there a free man. That place is such a sh*t hole! He was recently misdiagnosed by one of the Physicians Assistants there, he had told me that they were not allowing him medical treatment. So after several calls and visits, he was seen. Unfortunately no one there speaks clear english so who knows what will happen. I hope one day they can get their stuff together there. Until then I pray every day and night.
I am aware of the cruelty and unusual punishment at Patuxent. I have witness officers yelling at inmates as if they are animals instead of humans. I have also heard from inmates horror stories that are just out of this world.
I HAVE NEVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE PAT. MY SON CAME FROM ANOTHER DOC. PATUXENT IS A RAT HOLE. NO ONE CARES ABOUT THESE MEN AND WOMEN. AGAIN WE KNOW WHY THEY ARE THERE BUT, ATLEAST TREAT THEM LIKE THEY ARE HUMAN.I HAVE HOPE THAT THEY WILL PUT MY SON OUT OF THE PROGRAM SO HE CAN BE TRANSFERED OUT. THEY TELL YOU THAT PAT WILL HELP CUT TIME OFF OF YOUR SENTENCE. WELL, THAT IS A TOTAL LIE. I HOPE SOMEONE FROM CONGRESS WILL TAKE THE TIME TO READ THIS AND DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT.
I thought my son was going to get treatment and education but I have neither seen nor heard of any programs that he is in. Some youth program! I would say this is a criminal in training program. Also the confiscating of items sent in that are on the approved list for what ever reason they want to give is very interesting. Never say that you don't want items sent back home or you will loose the most expensive items in your box. Now, you are no longer allowed to send boxes from home. My son is thousands of miles away from home with no one locally to visit him, but when his brother was on a military trip back east he tried to see him and did not meet the Patuxent visiting list criteria but he has a high security clearance in the military. He was put through all of the red tape, and pat downs and then turned away. My son might get one visit a year if he is lucky. Not even local clergy are encouraged to make visits. When we sent someone from our church it took him months to get cleared and then only as a plain old visitor with no extra clergy privileges or anything. Seems like religious discrimination to me.
Every human is entitled to their basic human rights, including health, education, nutrition, expression and safety. Our tax dollars are funding the inhumane treatment of undeserving people and overpaying those undeserving. Put yourself in the shoes of someone paying their dues but suffering everyday because they're voiceless. A lot of us know this feeling but not all of us are locked away and in constant danger. America leads the world with a 25% imprisoned population yet we are only 5% of the global population, and every institution has a case or more of unjust maltreatment. People are more than just criminals. If we let this happen to these people-- who's to say government authority can't or won't inflict any kind of treatment or environment on the rest of us. Just because you're guilty of something doesn't mean anyone as the right to rape, starve, torture or degrade you.
Con't-They protect the injustices inflicted on the inmates through fear, threats, intimidation and sometimes unwarranted physical abuse. Fact! Information that should be made public is contained internally and rarely released. Fact! During this time of economic chaos, it is important to maintain an income, so those who have seen the injustice first hand are fearful of retaliation. Fact! It’s a sad and pitiful place to work, and frankly undoubtedly quite evil. It’s the most depressing place witnessed in my lifetime. Inmates are not the problem there: management is and should be overhauled to put integrity back into the Patuxent Program. It has gone unchallenged for too long. Why…don’t know. But I will say this, what’s in the dark eventually comes to light: Continuing to keep faith that those people responsible for the atrocities will be dealt with accordingly one day, is the right thing to do. It may not be in our time, but be assured that the wicked shall perish. Don’t get side tracked by the witless chatter-chatter of nothingness: They can talk themselves out of a pits bull’s mussel because their tactics are supported and backed by their personnel department as well as other state Departments. The institutions programs are not what it should be. Inmates are not and will never receive the tools to be successful upon release. Fact!
THERAPY?????? A joke!!! They have done and will do more damage mentally and emotionally to youth then the crime itself because a youthful offender is manipulated into believing that they will get the help they need at Patuxent. They have no choice to sign out of the Program as other inmates can do. Funding for them is provided at a higher rate. Fact! If the Governor of Maryland ever orders an investigation, they should start with the State employees who worked there: pass and present and inmates as well. There is a team of totally dysfunctional people disguising themselves as civil agents for the State of Maryland who are undeserving of any positive recognition or employment, and should lose their jobs. Disgruntled employee, I am not: employed I am. They have been granted too much power, and not enough oversight or monitoring. It’s been a free fall of absolute tyranny. God bless the inmates and all others still ther
Thank God my employment came to an end. What a frickin’ nightmare Patuxent Institution is. The comment that it’s about the money coming into the institution is so on the mark, although not the only reason for the abusive practices, but you hit the nail right on the head. At Patuxent each and every inmate in the program carries a higher bounty than an inmate at another facility. That’s another story, but it is extremely important to note that that they must continue the covert operation of oppression of Patuxent inmates and of non-participating state workers because the behavior guarantees their employment, FOREVER…and at highly paid salaries: there is a constant influx of inmates! It’s a vicious environment to work in or be an inmate under the guise of receiving rehabilitation. They treat people like animals. Therapists, including each chain of command benefit from the controlled chaos that support the management style of Dr. Nero and the Warden, Patricia Goins-Johnson. Not to mention the overtime figures that are phenomenal, and is testament to the gutter dragging morale that have plagued Patuxent for sometime. The behavior of those in charge, resemble persons who have become distinctively institutionalized, and are unable to decipher appropriate, professional and ethical treatment of others. Employees are treated like criminals, and inmates are treated worst. Anything or anyone who, in their minds, threaten their security is a target of unrelenting abuse of power and position. Their professional judgment is no longer pure or reliable but is clouded and jaded and is dictated by the need to vehemently control someone else at all costs, regardless of whether you are behind bars or not: Its overkill and nasty. It’s a white collar crime racket at the state level, and those willing to play the game, and know how to play their game, and participate in orchestrating their game, are getting paid by YOUR and MY tax dollars to rehabilitate no one! The more inmates who are recommended by judges and are selected to enter the program, the more job security these people have to maintain the racket. Most of them rely on lower level employees to do the menial aspects of their job. Male and female inmates enter the institution under false pretense and soon realize they are trapped. Anyone, including inmates who appear to threaten their security, is harassed, tossed out of the program, unjustly reprimanded, degraded, humiliated into quitting, or downright fired if you are an employee. That is a fact. They work under the good ole boy system which has been functioning quite well for many years. They (therapist) have created a system that protects themselves through silence, under the table deals, and belligerent actions that is supported by the personnel office, the director and warden. It then trickles down from there. They are bent on destroying people’s lives, including inmates who speak out against them. They protect the injustices infl
THIS FACILTIY IS MORE BASED THE HEAD COUNT FOR FUNDS THEN REASONING OF MENTAL HEALTH. CHILDREN ENTER THIS FACILITY AS HURT AND ABUSED AND MISGUIDED SOULS. THEN ARE TURNED IN TO ABUSED SURVIVAL OF THE FITEST MEN STILL WITH NO RESOLUTION JUST MORE ABUSE TRYING TO SURVIVE WANT TO BECOME A PRODUCTIVE MEMBER IN SOCIETY BUT HOW IS THAT POSSIBLE WHEN THE SYSTEM SET FOR THEM HAS NO RESOURCES. MEANING RESOURCES THAT ARE AVAILABLE TO PRE RELEASE MEMBERS ARENT GIVING HOW ARE INMATES GIVING 30 TO FIND WORK WITH NO SKILLS JUST SERVED 17 YR SENTENCE RESOURCE WORKERS HAVE NO LEADS BUT THE INMATE IS SUPPOSE TO TAKE THE BUS TO FIND JOB LEADS WITH OR WITHOUT A JOB RENT HAS TO BE PAID TO THE PRE RELEASE FACILITY AT PIJ
It's amazing how far someone will go when they realize they've been played even when they are in the wrong. The charges that your are throwing out are very serious. If you really had information why didn't you say something instead of posting this bogus assumption. Bitterness gets you nowhere. What's wrong did you see him with someone else in the visiting room. Did he move on after you sent him a package? Nothing worse than a person who is scared to come forward any other time but want to cause havoc when they feel as though they've lost something. This isn't about you and we can obviously see that you are hurt by the accusations you throw out. I want you to know everyone at this institution isn't like the man you befriended. Writing a message like the one below and not leaving your name clearly shows that your accusations are false, why did you even bother? Oh I know because you are a part of the problem. If you knew all of this information the entire time that you were coming there why does anyone have to go online to try to figure out who you are. Why didn't your report yourself and the person you were visiting when things were hot and heavy. It was you that allowed poor judgment when you knowingly met someone online, that you didn't have access to the internet. You knew I'm sure within the first week that he was using an illegal cellphone. The crazy part is now you are telling the warden how to do her job while incriminating yourself because if you saw it going on then guess what you are just as guilty as the people doing it. This is all because you feel as though he took advantage of you. I'm sorry to inform you that you my friend deserved it. I would also like to inform you and everyone that agrees with the message you left that every inmate isn't looking to use you. Every inmate isn't walking around with a cellphone and trying to disrespect women. Some are repaying their debt to society while doing the right things to ensure their release. Some have been raised by decent parents and family members and know what it's like to have a decent woman by their side. It's people like you and the man that you were dating that make it hard for women like me. I have loved ones that are incarcerated and every time a rule changes at this institution not only does it make it hard on the individuals that are following the rules it makes it hard on the family members that suffer through it with them. When you have someone with no infractions and hasn't been in any trouble,and you see all the damage that people like you and the person you were visiting cause, it's sad. It's people like you, the person who decided to write this and the individual that you befriended that make institutions like this. I will continue to pray for you and people like you that make it hard for people like me that visit this institution on a regular and for one has not seen anyone transporting anything in their mouth. You would have to be pretty close (or be the party involved)
Just reading da comment 4rum Jessup as well. Mah homegurl met sum dude offline n he actually played her. I did tell her don't meet anyone offline but that's wat she get. Dem dude jus want sum1 2 be here 4 them 4 now N y'all female R just blind 2 see they're sweet talkin y'all. But you all will see 4 real. Them dude did what dem did and have to pay 4 it.
The inmates at Patuxent Institution deserves it. They're the one that put themselves in this environment and that's just a lesson for them. I think the Institution should focus on getting rid of the cellular phones in there cause alot of these inmates have cell phones that they use to go online and meet females and then use alot of us females. It's not fair for us females to be helping them out and then they get up and keep disrespecting us. So to the Institution, they're alot of cell phones in there and for you guys to keep shaking them down and not finding them. Trust me it's all over on different tier, they have some crazy hiding spots that you won't even think a cell phone would be. And as far as food packages and other packages, the inmates are asking their friends to get it in there names and alot of CEOS are friends with these inmates and helping them out as well. Also they're people bringing things in their mouth and exchanging it with a kiss when entering the visiting room. So you guys need to get tougher on them cause they are breaking the rules and deserve it. On behalf of myself and fellow colleagues that got used and disrespect by these inmates at the Institution, i really do think it's time for the Institution to get tougher with the security system there and stop feeling sorry for these prisoners. I can be contact if the Institution needs more information.
Have a very dear young man in this facility, and have noticed lack of care and continuity in the programs for which he signs up to improve and continue to move forward. There seems to be a lot of discontent because what was promised is not being delivered, so this causes a lot of unrest and violence, and nobody is able to improve in this type of environement. Please review what this institution was set out to do and what is being done there, so things can change for the better for the improvement and rehabilitation into society for these inmates. Thank you.
I am a former Pretrial detention officer
and I am aware of the functions of this Institution. I urge the governor and his staff
to immediately address this issue as it
inevitably leads to violence and rapid decay of public safety.
I have a family member incarcerated at Patuxent Institution; he has been incarcerated at Patuxent for over six years. There has been a drastic, negative change in the way he's being treated.
Patuxent used to push rehabilitation, and they had a lot of faculty members that cared about these inmates and their future. I do not know what has happened in the past two years but the change in the way the facility is being run is not therapeutic. If anything, it's very damaging. The Warden and Dr. Nero are not running this Institution in the manner it's supposed to serve. Many of these inmates have worked hard to achieve reform and now the Institution is not fulfilling its obligation to run these programs to the fullest capabilities. We, the tax payers are being provided a false image of this Institution.
The inmates also have to endure the negativity and cruelty of the Guards, which is driven by the change in the way the facility is being run. I heard an officer speak in such a racist manner out loud to other inmates, the ignorance shown was sad. Then we, society, wonder why some of these people offend again.
If the Institution is not going to exercise the treatment programs, and it's going to be ran as a State Prison such as all the of other prisons than that should be announced publicly.
The drastic change in how the facility is being run is detrimental to the inmates that have worked hard to achieve reform that is now being left stagnant in Patuxent.
I have had several conversations with previous Patuxent staff members who have recently resigned from the institution because of these same reasons. They felt that there was no reason to stay at the Institution if they could not do their job because of the internal politics that has arisen.
Many of the inmates are being severely punished because of this petition.
Some of the inmates that were involved with the direct initiation of this petition are being removed from the program and others have been demoted from their tier level.
I ask that the appropriate officials get involve and show these inmates that just as they have to be accountable for their actions so do the Institution.
They have drugged my daughter through sheer hell and she's a state worker!. The entire chain of command is corrupt and it will be revealed in time. My daughter is strong to have tolerated such abuse and if the can do what they have done to her and other state workers, there's no doubt in my mind that they are abusing the inmates.
I forwarded the petition to Barbara Mikulski and she replied back she will not look into this issue because it is not under her federal jurisdiction. I don't agree! She advised me to contact someone on a state or local level. She will not get my vote again! We shall not be passed off that easy! Continue to sign the petition2congress, call the jail, news stations, and everybody else in the world!
Citizens Against Cruel & Unusual Punishment at Patuxent Institution
149 People Have Sent 144 Letters and Emails
Sign the Petition
Some recent comments: these messages are published with permission of the signer.
On a recent visit, neither him or I were informed of anything before we saw each other. Also, he was never told to stay seated after he received his paper to end the visit. He walked me politely to the front and was warned never to do again. The second visit a co yelled at him for not keeping track of his time. "Really" I didn't think inmates could have watches and there is no clock on the wall. Are these people stupid??? Oh I failed to mention that this institution failed to looked in my mouth on two occasions and under my tongue like stated on the internet. And they want to know why and how inmates get away with contraband transfers.
Please know that I've been to county jails and they can be more lenient because there is no contact. What about all the preparing they can do, so when the inmates make parole and or some other way be released. Why aren't there more programs to help prepare them for that and have support groups. That's why they return back to jail because they are leaving with nothing. No sponsors, numbers, money, what about money when they get out?
THERAPY?????? A joke!!! They have done and will do more damage mentally and emotionally to youth then the crime itself because a youthful offender is manipulated into believing that they will get the help they need at Patuxent. They have no choice to sign out of the Program as other inmates can do. Funding for them is provided at a higher rate. Fact! If the Governor of Maryland ever orders an investigation, they should start with the State employees who worked there: pass and present and inmates as well. There is a team of totally dysfunctional people disguising themselves as civil agents for the State of Maryland who are undeserving of any positive recognition or employment, and should lose their jobs. Disgruntled employee, I am not: employed I am. They have been granted too much power, and not enough oversight or monitoring. It’s been a free fall of absolute tyranny. God bless the inmates and all others still ther
and I am aware of the functions of this Institution. I urge the governor and his staff
to immediately address this issue as it
inevitably leads to violence and rapid decay of public safety.
Patuxent used to push rehabilitation, and they had a lot of faculty members that cared about these inmates and their future. I do not know what has happened in the past two years but the change in the way the facility is being run is not therapeutic. If anything, it's very damaging. The Warden and Dr. Nero are not running this Institution in the manner it's supposed to serve. Many of these inmates have worked hard to achieve reform and now the Institution is not fulfilling its obligation to run these programs to the fullest capabilities. We, the tax payers are being provided a false image of this Institution.
The inmates also have to endure the negativity and cruelty of the Guards, which is driven by the change in the way the facility is being run. I heard an officer speak in such a racist manner out loud to other inmates, the ignorance shown was sad. Then we, society, wonder why some of these people offend again.
If the Institution is not going to exercise the treatment programs, and it's going to be ran as a State Prison such as all the of other prisons than that should be announced publicly.
The drastic change in how the facility is being run is detrimental to the inmates that have worked hard to achieve reform that is now being left stagnant in Patuxent.
I have had several conversations with previous Patuxent staff members who have recently resigned from the institution because of these same reasons. They felt that there was no reason to stay at the Institution if they could not do their job because of the internal politics that has arisen.
Many of the inmates are being severely punished because of this petition.
Some of the inmates that were involved with the direct initiation of this petition are being removed from the program and others have been demoted from their tier level.
I ask that the appropriate officials get involve and show these inmates that just as they have to be accountable for their actions so do the Institution.
Sign the Petition