Families of Prisoners Support Group
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My son had a court appearance yesterday in Pinellas county. There is a co-defendant housed in a different unit on a different floor. He is actually an ex-con with a long record who cut a deal earlier to obtain less charges by blaming my son for things he didn't do. He also was able to originally stay out of jail on bond by blaming my son. He subsequently committed another crime and was arrested and incarcerated.
Anyway yesterday in holding cells and during transportation this man approached my son and started intimidating and pressuring him for addresses of witnesses and talking about deals that were offered to him by the prosecution and what he is going to do about it and informing my son he better be prepared for a long ride because he would rather serve time in county than up the river.
I can't believe that this is tolerated and doesn't this contaminate the case. This is all on film of course. I told my son to call his attorney today, but fat chance the man will actually see him. I called the office also. I hope they do something that doesn't hurt my son because he is making such good progress with a rehab program called 2nd chance and his bible studies that this guy is trying to also invade to get contact.
My son has no control over what others do.
Has anyone got any experience with how to handle something like this?
Anyway yesterday in holding cells and during transportation this man approached my son and started intimidating and pressuring him for addresses of witnesses and talking about deals that were offered to him by the prosecution and what he is going to do about it and informing my son he better be prepared for a long ride because he would rather serve time in county than up the river.
I can't believe that this is tolerated and doesn't this contaminate the case. This is all on film of course. I told my son to call his attorney today, but fat chance the man will actually see him. I called the office also. I hope they do something that doesn't hurt my son because he is making such good progress with a rehab program called 2nd chance and his bible studies that this guy is trying to also invade to get contact.
My son has no control over what others do.
Has anyone got any experience with how to handle something like this?
In any facility I was ever at, they took great pains to make sure that defendants and co-defendants were never in contact, even for a short period of time. Nothing good came come from those two being in close proximity to each other.
Your son cannot complain because he would be labeled a snitch---so that is out of the question.
I don't think you would have much success in reporting it either.
Here is what I would do. Call his attorney, explain the situation, and have HIM file a complaint or call the faciltity. Have your lawyer complain. Let HIM be the bad guy and shoulder the responsibility.
This takes all the burden or blame off you, your son, or the family.
Most lawyers will make a phone call, and this will most likely get this kind of thing stopped.
Your lawyer can even drop a subtle hint that if this is not corrected, there could be a civil suit if anything goes wrong.
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I have seen cases where staff members started to punish inmates even when their families complain. It is not right, of course, but it is just a fact of prison.
So let the attorney do the dirty work. That way nobody can blame your son for the complaints.
On another note, I did see a couple of times when the DOC accidently allowed a defendant and co-defendant on the same yard. One snitched on the other, and there was a terrible fight.
In the end, one guy got seriously injured (remember, this was at a MEDIUM security facility), the family sued the DOC and a monetary settlement was reached.
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Tampering with witnesses can only be punished if they can prove it, and in a jail setting, it would be difficult to prove at best. It would basically be your son's word against the career criminal's word, and your son cannot say anything as he does not want to be labeled a snitch. Being labeled a snitch is the LAST---LAST---thing your son wants.
Yes, the last thing I want is for any of my friend's guy to have to go to PC. That is a difficult way to do time. I am sure your son is new to the system, but the best thing to do is ignore this troublemaker. At some point, he will give up and make someone else's life miserable.
I can almost guarantee you that once the lawyer brings this situation to their attention, that this will stop. The DOC does not really care much about inmates, but the very last thing they want to deal with is a civil suit dealing with their negligence. That is the main reason they make every effort to insure an inmate's safety.
Your son will be fine in there as long as he: 1) minds his own business 2) does not snitch 3) does not ask personal questions of the other inmates 4) does not talk to staff unless spoken to first 5) does not get into debt from borrowning and gambling 6) and appears to be a good guy and "just another inmate" to the other inmates. He will win respect from the other inmates.
Inmates do not beat up other inmates they like.
You are doing the right thing here.
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The key to doing well in prison is not how big you are or how tough you are, but how you carry yourself, and it sounds as if you son is carrying himself well with pride and respect. I have seen 120 pound youngsters do very well in prison while big, husky guys get beaten up.
Inmates may not necessarily be book smart, but they are street smart, and they can easily disern the respected, good guys in there from the trash and riff raff.
The fact that he is well respected means everything---EVERYTHING. Other than doing his time, he will have no problems in there.
This other guy is what we referred to in prison as a "lop." Worthless. Piece of trash. Sooner or later he will mess with the wrong guy and get into a real wreck.
I am so happy that he is doing well and I know that makes mama breathe easier.
This is what this board is all about--giving support.
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