It has recently been brought to our attention that inmates are suffering extreme abuse at the hands of corrections officers in Uinta Unit inside Utah State Prison in Draper, UT. There is proof that the abusive situation in this unit has been a long term problem that has yet to be corrected by the state of Utah in spite of multiple deaths and lawsuits. Former Utah DOC directors, Lane McCotter and Gary Deland both stepped down amid scandals of abuse and inmate deaths inside USP while under their direction and control. After leaving UTDOC both men went on to set up and manage Abu Garib where they created yet another torturous and abuse filled prison. This lends even more credibility to the claims that abuse in Utah prisons has been well documented and yet, ignored.
It has recently been brought to our attention that inmates are suffering extreme abuse at the hands of corrections officers in Uinta Unit inside Utah State Prison in Draper, UT. There is proof that the abusive situation in this unit has been a long term problem that has yet to be corrected by the state of Utah in spite of multiple deaths and lawsuits. Former Utah DOC directors, Lane McCotter and Gary Deland both stepped down amid scandals of abuse and inmate deaths inside USP while under their direction and control. After leaving UTDOC both men went on to set up and manage Abu Garib where they created yet another torturous and abuse filled prison. This lends even more credibility to the claims that abuse in Utah prisons has been well documented and yet, ignored.
To Whom It May Concern,
It has recently been brought to our attention that inmates are suffering extreme abuse at the hands of corrections officers in Uinta Unit inside Utah State Prison in Draper, UT. There is proof that the abusive situation in this unit has been a long term problem that has yet to be corrected by the state of Utah in spite of multiple deaths and lawsuits. Former Utah DOC directors, Lane McCotter and Gary Deland both stepped down amid scandals of abuse and inmate deaths inside USP while under their direction and control. After leaving UTDOC both men went on to set up and manage Abu Garib where they created yet another torturous and abuse filled prison. This lends even more credibility to the claims that abuse in Utah prisons has been well documented and yet, ignored.
According to numerous well documented complaints, copies of inmate grievances, corroboration from former inmates as well as sworn statements from inmates, the abusive conditions continue to this day. Inmates in Uinta Unit are in danger from corrections officers who are out of control and should be held criminally liable for their actions. Inmates have provided sworn statements and written permission to use their names publicly and have agreed to cooperate with investigators and media to stop the abuse that they have either been subject to or have been witness to that is being inflicted by the officers who are paid to protect them.
We are asking for these conditions to be exposed and for the public be made aware of what is being done to men who are living in sub-standard and sub-human conditions. Loss of freedom is the punishment prescribed by the court. Corrections officers who take it upon themselves to add more punishment on top of the court mandated imprisonment increase the odds of dangerous, angry and damaged people being released back into society and thereby, placing us all in more danger.
For questions or requests of copies of inmate grievances and statements, please contact Rebecca McFarland at prccstaff@yahoo.com.
Snail mail requests can be sent to:
Prison Reform Community Center P.O. Box 674 Las Cruces, NM 88004
We signed the "End Abuse at Utah State Prison" petition!
# 25:
11:09 am PST, Nov 19,Anibal Nuevo, Spain
# 24:
3:11 pm PST, Nov 18,Carl Rosenstock, Wisconsin
# 23:
10:52 am PST, Nov 18,Christy Chavez, New Mexico
# 22:
10:45 am PST, Nov 17,Mel Taylor, New Mexico
# 21:
5:01 pm PST, Nov 16,Name not displayed, Arizona
There is no reason to degrade or abuse prisoners. When 5this happens it lets the public know how corupt the wardens, guards, and other employees at the prison and jails are. This is when we the public make a change. Your job is paid by us and we can certainly get you unenployed!! We expect you to do your job honestly, fairly and never ever abuse anyone. We can easily can who is the govenor down to the prison administers. So wake up, we have had enough!! If you want your job do it right or get out. To many people who work in prisions are Uneducated (NO THE !3 WEEK COURSE YOU TOOK TO BECOME AN OFFICER DOES NOT MAKE YOU EDUCATED) nurses aids who chang bedpans have more education than you. This would be the perfect time to shake the abusers out. I have gotten rid of corrept people before. And we will make a difrence.
EDUCATED AND ALWAYS READY TO MAKE CHANGES IN OUR PRISON SYSTEM!!
# 20:
1:02 pm PST, Nov 12,Holly Kuehn, Colorado
If abuse against prisoners is condoned and, in fact, encouraged, it's difficult to explain to the inmates why they are locked up.
# 19:
11:28 am PST, Nov 11,Name not displayed, Kentucky
Please help stop this abuse. We are not Nazis, we are Americans. This is psychological, if not physical, torture.
# 18:
9:44 pm PST, Nov 10,Ann Sauter, New York
this has to end. we are becoming the people we had a revolution about. end this now.
# 17:
9:22 pm PST, Nov 10,Christopher Stanton, New Mexico
# 16:
5:59 pm PST, Nov 10,Kris Wirth, Idaho
# 15:
10:12 am PST, Nov 10,Donald Hinton, Sr., Nevada
Doesn't this information that American's treat their fellow man in such a disgraceful way--make you proud to be an American?
# 14:
6:50 am PST, Nov 10,Brandon Gardner, California
# 13:
8:12 pm PST, Nov 9,Margaret Plews, Arizona
# 12:
6:44 pm PST, Nov 9,Debra Sams, Louisiana
# 11:
6:31 pm PST, Nov 9,Mike Baldwin, California
# 10:
5:28 pm PST, Nov 9,Steve McFarland, New Mexico
# 9:
1:14 pm PST, Nov 9,Doug Tjapkes, Michigan
President, HUMANITY FOR PRISONERS
# 8:
12:13 pm PST, Nov 9,Jonathan Carroll, West Virginia
# 7:
11:05 am PST, Nov 9,Name not displayed, Ohio
# 6:
9:54 am PST, Nov 9,Constance Kosuda, Nevada
the soul of our country is at stake - we must end the abusive use of power running rampant in our prisons -
# 5:
7:18 am PST, Nov 9,Mercedes Maharis, Arizona
Allegations of abuse to USA prisoners in Utah and in all states continue to mount. Lawsuits and deaths will continue to mount until federal oversight mandates the adequate training of guards and staff. Thowing good money after bad to sustain failed incarceration policy and operation is unacceptable. Decent health care, education and rehabilitation must be implemented, or bankruptcy and complete loss of dignity are inevitable, in my opinion.
# 4:
6:13 am PST, Nov 9,Anja De Graaff, Netherlands
# 3:
4:29 am PST, Nov 9,Rebecca Mcfarland, New Mexico
We ask that the abuse at USP be stopped and that the guards be held accountable for their actions.