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News in Brief:
Alabama: On May 3, 2006, Peter Makres, 52, a prisoner was strangled and killed at the Limestone Correctional Facility inside an isolation cell. Police suspect Joseph Burns, 22, the only other person in the cell with Makres, may have committed the crime. Makres was serving a 20 year sentence for possessing child pornography. Burns is serving a 20 year sentence for theft, rape and sodomy.
Arizona: On May 4, 2006, Christopher Breiland, 36, escaped from the Correctional Services Corporation run Florence West prison, by scaling a razor wire fence. He was captured on May 17 after a chase by police when they attempted to pull him over. Police stopped the chase after Breiland reached high speeds but he nonetheless ran into three other vehicles, injuring four motorists and himself. He had been due for release on December 30, 2006. He faces additional charges from the escape and the chase. CSC will be charged for the expense of the search and arrest.
California: In August, 2005, James Davis, 51, an attorney from Rancho Cucamonga, was sentenced to 81 months in a federal prison for impersonating a Homeland Security employee so he could buy a discounted airline ticket at John Wayne airport in Orange County in 2002. While being investigated for that he was also eventually charged with tax evasion and witness tampering.
California: On May 2, 2006, Steve Felter, 35, a former guard at the Correctional Training Facility in Soledad was arrested on seven charges of fraud for submitting false workers compensation claims. Felter claimed he was injured by a prisoner while breaking up a fight. As a result he was allegedly unable to work as a guard and received training, at state expense to work as a real estate agent, while working at a Ford dealership and receiving disability and workers compensation payment. Fraud investigators video taped Felter performing tasks he claimed he was physically unable to do. When told to return to his job as a prison guard on February 1, 2006, he resigned. The state alleges he received over $67,000 in fraudulent benefits.
Colorado: Larry Schwarz is best known as a former conservative Republican state legislator and the chairman of the Colorado parole board from 1997 until his ouster in 2001. In 2001 he was fired from that job by governor Owens after police raided his home looking for child pornography. Schwarz was never charged but remained unemployed for 15 months until he was offered a job as a manager at Platinum X Productions, a producer and distributor of sexually explicit films and DVDs. His adopted daughter Stephany, is the star and co-owner of the company who performs under the stage name Jewel DeNyle. His wife Debbie is sales director.
Colorado: On May 13, 2006, Elizabeth Medina, 34, a teacher at the Federal Correctional Institution in Florence, was sentenced to two months home detention after pleading guilty to having sex with a prisoner over a four month period last summer.
Florida: On May 25, 2006, Robert Stenlunk, 32, a guard at the Charlotte county jail engaged in sex with a female prisoner at the jail. The prisoner told police the sex was consensual but Florida, like all other states, criminalizes sex acts between prisoners and staff. Stenluck was arrested and charged with sexual misconduct between a detention employee and a prisoner.
Florida: Prisoners at the Marion county jail sew all the logos, stars, patches and name tags onto the uniforms of jail guards and sheriffs deputies in the county. The sheriff claims this saves the county $8,000 a year, news reports did not state how much, if anything, prisoners are paid for their labor.
Georgia: In early May, 2006, Christopher Kubiak, 21, pleaded guilty to methamphetamine possession, DUI and vehicular homicide for striking and killing a state prisoner picking up trash alongside U.S. Highway 129 in Jackson County. Kubiak admitted being high of methamphetamine when he struck and killed the prisoner. Jackson county superior court judge David Motes sentenced Kubiak to five years in prison and ten years probation.
Germany: On May 25, 2006, the federal government passed a law making it legal for the government to jam mobile phones during major events and in prisons. Telecommunications industry companies opposed the law stating the jammers will interfere with legitimate communications nearby.
Guatemala: On May 19, 2006, prisoners at the Mazatenango prison fought with gang member prisoners leaving five prisoners dead and 13 injured, mostly from gun shot wounds
Illinois: On May 23, 2006, Clarence Howard, 24, a guard at the St. Clair county jail pleaded guilty to two misdemeanor charges of smuggling drugs into the jail for prisoners who bribed him to do so. Howard was sentenced to two years probation and a $1,500 fine.
Illinois: On May 23, 2006, the city of Chicago announced it would contract with Collectors Training Institute to collect unpaid traffic fines, water bills and similar debts owed to the city. CTI is a non profit agency which employs ex prisoners whom it trains. Mayor Richard Daley has earmarked over $8 million for ex prisoner retraining and job programs.
Michigan: On May 25, 2006, Walter Born, 34, a prisoner in the Bay County jail died after overdosing on heroin smuggled into the jail by another prisoner. One unidentified prisoner was in a coma and four others became violently ill after ingesting the heroin.
Michigan: On October 3, 2005, David Green, 21, a prisoner at the Camp Cusino prison in Munising was stabbed and killed by another prisoner at the minimum security camp. Michael Melton, 43, and Andy Anderson, 20, were charged with murder in Greens death. Prosecutors claim they killed Green after a dispute between Green and Anderson which Anderson lost earlier in the day. The men were scheduled to go on trial in early June, 2006.
New Hampshire: On May 17, 2006, Joseph Panarello, 54, the superintendent of the Belknap county jail, was arraigned on misdemeanor marijuana possession charges and felony criminal threatening with a deadly weapon. The underlying incident began May 16 when Panarello did not show up for work and his deputy, Lt. R.A. Grenier, asked police to check on him. Hillsborough police officer Amy Collins went to Panarellos house and entered when no one answered the open door. As she was leaving Panarello came downstairs and pointed a pistol at her. Collins fled and called reinforcements. After a four hour standoff with a local SWAT team, fire department, three other police departments and the state Fish and Game Department, Panarello surrendered without incident. Panarello has been placed on leave from his $72,000 a year job.
New York: On May 16, 2006, Charles Peryea, 50, a guard at the Bare Hill Correctional Facility in Malone was charged with second degree murder, criminally negligent homicide and second degree manslaughter for charges stemming from his drunken driving accident that killed an 18 year old boy and seriously injured another teenager. Peryea had a blood alcohol level of .12.
New York: On May 3, 2006, state Department of Corrections commissioner Glenn Goord was stopped by Lake Placid police for chatting on his cell phone. Goord acknowledged having had a couple glasses of wine at dinner but denied being drunk. He was sent on his way after showing police his license, registration and badge, as a law enforcement officer Goord is allowed to use a cell phone without a hands free device.
Ohio: On August 25, 2005, Jeffrey Lisath, 45, deputy warden at the Ross Correctional Institution in Chillicothe was suspended for five days after he placed a video tape on the prisons closed circuit TV channel of an HBO boxing match and an unspecified sexually explicit movie that aired on HBO afterward. The showing violated HBOs copyright and the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation sent HBO a letter of apology. Lisath was officially suspended for not submitting the movie for review by the prisons movie screening committee.
Ohio: On May 17, 2006, Marion Smith, 30, a prisoner at the Mansfield Correctional Institution attempted to escape during a visit to the Ohio State University Medical Center by stabbing guard Gary Myers during the trip and attempting to flee. Myers gave chase and shot Smith in the head. Myers suffered minor injuries while Smith is expected to survive. Leon Hess, another guard escorting Smith, helped in the recapture. Prison officials are investigating how Smith took the knife with him undetected.
Ohio: On May 25, 2006, Lt. Shaun Wells and Sgt. Steven French were fired from their jobs at the Cincinnati jail for viewing pornographic internet sites while on the job at the jail.
Oklahoma: On May 18, 2006, Michael Edelin, 36, and Justin Reynolds, 24, escaped from the Bryan County Auxiliary jail. Reynolds had escaped from the main jail with two other prisoners a few months earlier and was recaptured the same day. This was the seventh escape, involving a total of 12 prisoners, from the same jail in the past 15 months.
Philippines: On May 16, 2006, police arrested two Navotas jail guards as suspects in the shooting death of journalist Alberto Orsolino. Both guards denied guilt but refused to take paraffin tests to determine if they had recently fired guns.
Texas: On May 22, 2006, David Pace, 35, a prisoner at the state prison in Cuero attempted to escape from a field work crew by running away. Guards shot at him and found Pace two hours later with gunshot wounds to his thigh and chest, he is expected to survive. On January 18, 2006, Pace began serving a 40 year sentence for DUI, unauthorized use of a motor vehicle and aggravated assault.
Texas: On May 24, 2006, Mario Lopez, 47, a nurse employed by Prison Health Services at the El Paso county jail, was arrested on charges of improper sexual activity with a prisoner.
West Virginia: On May 19, 2006, Frank Dunn, 65, a former guard at the West Virginia State Penitentiary and a McMechen police chief, was sentenced to 15 to 40 years after being convicted of four counts of incest for having sex with two of his 16 year old step daughters. Dunns attorney, Keith Hart, claims Dunn is concerned about safety in prison due to his law enforcement background and being convicted of raping his children. Hart used that to unsuccessfully argue for home detention and treatment for Dunn.
Wisconsin: On May 22, 2006, police arrested Mary Gilmore, 24, a guard at the Columbia Correctional Institution and charged her with theft, possession of a controlled substance and possession of same in a prison. Gilmore is accused of stealing methadone painkillers from prisoners with serious illnesses. The thefts came to light after prisoners complained their prescriptions, which were kept in a secure lock box in the prisoners housing unit, were running out faster than they should have.
Arizona: On May 4, 2006, Christopher Breiland, 36, escaped from the Correctional Services Corporation run Florence West prison, by scaling a razor wire fence. He was captured on May 17 after a chase by police when they attempted to pull him over. Police stopped the chase after Breiland reached high speeds but he nonetheless ran into three other vehicles, injuring four motorists and himself. He had been due for release on December 30, 2006. He faces additional charges from the escape and the chase. CSC will be charged for the expense of the search and arrest.
California: In August, 2005, James Davis, 51, an attorney from Rancho Cucamonga, was sentenced to 81 months in a federal prison for impersonating a Homeland Security employee so he could buy a discounted airline ticket at John Wayne airport in Orange County in 2002. While being investigated for that he was also eventually charged with tax evasion and witness tampering.
California: On May 2, 2006, Steve Felter, 35, a former guard at the Correctional Training Facility in Soledad was arrested on seven charges of fraud for submitting false workers compensation claims. Felter claimed he was injured by a prisoner while breaking up a fight. As a result he was allegedly unable to work as a guard and received training, at state expense to work as a real estate agent, while working at a Ford dealership and receiving disability and workers compensation payment. Fraud investigators video taped Felter performing tasks he claimed he was physically unable to do. When told to return to his job as a prison guard on February 1, 2006, he resigned. The state alleges he received over $67,000 in fraudulent benefits.
Colorado: Larry Schwarz is best known as a former conservative Republican state legislator and the chairman of the Colorado parole board from 1997 until his ouster in 2001. In 2001 he was fired from that job by governor Owens after police raided his home looking for child pornography. Schwarz was never charged but remained unemployed for 15 months until he was offered a job as a manager at Platinum X Productions, a producer and distributor of sexually explicit films and DVDs. His adopted daughter Stephany, is the star and co-owner of the company who performs under the stage name Jewel DeNyle. His wife Debbie is sales director.
Colorado: On May 13, 2006, Elizabeth Medina, 34, a teacher at the Federal Correctional Institution in Florence, was sentenced to two months home detention after pleading guilty to having sex with a prisoner over a four month period last summer.
Florida: On May 25, 2006, Robert Stenlunk, 32, a guard at the Charlotte county jail engaged in sex with a female prisoner at the jail. The prisoner told police the sex was consensual but Florida, like all other states, criminalizes sex acts between prisoners and staff. Stenluck was arrested and charged with sexual misconduct between a detention employee and a prisoner.
Florida: Prisoners at the Marion county jail sew all the logos, stars, patches and name tags onto the uniforms of jail guards and sheriffs deputies in the county. The sheriff claims this saves the county $8,000 a year, news reports did not state how much, if anything, prisoners are paid for their labor.
Georgia: In early May, 2006, Christopher Kubiak, 21, pleaded guilty to methamphetamine possession, DUI and vehicular homicide for striking and killing a state prisoner picking up trash alongside U.S. Highway 129 in Jackson County. Kubiak admitted being high of methamphetamine when he struck and killed the prisoner. Jackson county superior court judge David Motes sentenced Kubiak to five years in prison and ten years probation.
Germany: On May 25, 2006, the federal government passed a law making it legal for the government to jam mobile phones during major events and in prisons. Telecommunications industry companies opposed the law stating the jammers will interfere with legitimate communications nearby.
Guatemala: On May 19, 2006, prisoners at the Mazatenango prison fought with gang member prisoners leaving five prisoners dead and 13 injured, mostly from gun shot wounds
Illinois: On May 23, 2006, Clarence Howard, 24, a guard at the St. Clair county jail pleaded guilty to two misdemeanor charges of smuggling drugs into the jail for prisoners who bribed him to do so. Howard was sentenced to two years probation and a $1,500 fine.
Illinois: On May 23, 2006, the city of Chicago announced it would contract with Collectors Training Institute to collect unpaid traffic fines, water bills and similar debts owed to the city. CTI is a non profit agency which employs ex prisoners whom it trains. Mayor Richard Daley has earmarked over $8 million for ex prisoner retraining and job programs.
Michigan: On May 25, 2006, Walter Born, 34, a prisoner in the Bay County jail died after overdosing on heroin smuggled into the jail by another prisoner. One unidentified prisoner was in a coma and four others became violently ill after ingesting the heroin.
Michigan: On October 3, 2005, David Green, 21, a prisoner at the Camp Cusino prison in Munising was stabbed and killed by another prisoner at the minimum security camp. Michael Melton, 43, and Andy Anderson, 20, were charged with murder in Greens death. Prosecutors claim they killed Green after a dispute between Green and Anderson which Anderson lost earlier in the day. The men were scheduled to go on trial in early June, 2006.
New Hampshire: On May 17, 2006, Joseph Panarello, 54, the superintendent of the Belknap county jail, was arraigned on misdemeanor marijuana possession charges and felony criminal threatening with a deadly weapon. The underlying incident began May 16 when Panarello did not show up for work and his deputy, Lt. R.A. Grenier, asked police to check on him. Hillsborough police officer Amy Collins went to Panarellos house and entered when no one answered the open door. As she was leaving Panarello came downstairs and pointed a pistol at her. Collins fled and called reinforcements. After a four hour standoff with a local SWAT team, fire department, three other police departments and the state Fish and Game Department, Panarello surrendered without incident. Panarello has been placed on leave from his $72,000 a year job.
New York: On May 16, 2006, Charles Peryea, 50, a guard at the Bare Hill Correctional Facility in Malone was charged with second degree murder, criminally negligent homicide and second degree manslaughter for charges stemming from his drunken driving accident that killed an 18 year old boy and seriously injured another teenager. Peryea had a blood alcohol level of .12.
New York: On May 3, 2006, state Department of Corrections commissioner Glenn Goord was stopped by Lake Placid police for chatting on his cell phone. Goord acknowledged having had a couple glasses of wine at dinner but denied being drunk. He was sent on his way after showing police his license, registration and badge, as a law enforcement officer Goord is allowed to use a cell phone without a hands free device.
Ohio: On August 25, 2005, Jeffrey Lisath, 45, deputy warden at the Ross Correctional Institution in Chillicothe was suspended for five days after he placed a video tape on the prisons closed circuit TV channel of an HBO boxing match and an unspecified sexually explicit movie that aired on HBO afterward. The showing violated HBOs copyright and the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation sent HBO a letter of apology. Lisath was officially suspended for not submitting the movie for review by the prisons movie screening committee.
Ohio: On May 17, 2006, Marion Smith, 30, a prisoner at the Mansfield Correctional Institution attempted to escape during a visit to the Ohio State University Medical Center by stabbing guard Gary Myers during the trip and attempting to flee. Myers gave chase and shot Smith in the head. Myers suffered minor injuries while Smith is expected to survive. Leon Hess, another guard escorting Smith, helped in the recapture. Prison officials are investigating how Smith took the knife with him undetected.
Ohio: On May 25, 2006, Lt. Shaun Wells and Sgt. Steven French were fired from their jobs at the Cincinnati jail for viewing pornographic internet sites while on the job at the jail.
Oklahoma: On May 18, 2006, Michael Edelin, 36, and Justin Reynolds, 24, escaped from the Bryan County Auxiliary jail. Reynolds had escaped from the main jail with two other prisoners a few months earlier and was recaptured the same day. This was the seventh escape, involving a total of 12 prisoners, from the same jail in the past 15 months.
Philippines: On May 16, 2006, police arrested two Navotas jail guards as suspects in the shooting death of journalist Alberto Orsolino. Both guards denied guilt but refused to take paraffin tests to determine if they had recently fired guns.
Texas: On May 22, 2006, David Pace, 35, a prisoner at the state prison in Cuero attempted to escape from a field work crew by running away. Guards shot at him and found Pace two hours later with gunshot wounds to his thigh and chest, he is expected to survive. On January 18, 2006, Pace began serving a 40 year sentence for DUI, unauthorized use of a motor vehicle and aggravated assault.
Texas: On May 24, 2006, Mario Lopez, 47, a nurse employed by Prison Health Services at the El Paso county jail, was arrested on charges of improper sexual activity with a prisoner.
West Virginia: On May 19, 2006, Frank Dunn, 65, a former guard at the West Virginia State Penitentiary and a McMechen police chief, was sentenced to 15 to 40 years after being convicted of four counts of incest for having sex with two of his 16 year old step daughters. Dunns attorney, Keith Hart, claims Dunn is concerned about safety in prison due to his law enforcement background and being convicted of raping his children. Hart used that to unsuccessfully argue for home detention and treatment for Dunn.
Wisconsin: On May 22, 2006, police arrested Mary Gilmore, 24, a guard at the Columbia Correctional Institution and charged her with theft, possession of a controlled substance and possession of same in a prison. Gilmore is accused of stealing methadone painkillers from prisoners with serious illnesses. The thefts came to light after prisoners complained their prescriptions, which were kept in a secure lock box in the prisoners housing unit, were running out faster than they should have.
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