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April 26, 2006
Prison guards march against wardenBy THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Some guards also expressed concern about inmate program cuts made by NSP Warden Bill Donat after he took over the medium-security prison late last year - although rally organizers said the main goal was to press for a say in management decisions involving staffers. Scott MacKenzie, organizing director for the State of Nevada Employees Association, said the guards don't want veto power over Donat's decisions, adding, "Just give us a voice and maybe we can add something to the discussion." What Donat has done since becoming warden "just seems like a show of power," MacKenzie said. As picketing guards chanted, "We'll be back," MacKenzie and other organizers said demonstrations will continue until administrators become more receptive. John Carter, a longtime prison guard who's active in SNEA, said there was full support for administrative changes last year that resulted in Jackie Crawford being replaced as state corrections director by Glen Whorton and Mike Budge being replaced as NSP warden by Donat. "But all that good will is lost," Carter said. Mike Goble, another longtime guard, said the inmate program cuts instituted by Donat created problems because it's better when convicts have something to keep them busy. But, Goble said, some inmate programs are back in place, and the main concern now for guards is to have administrators "listen to our ideas." Whorton said he has been communicating all along with guard representatives on various issues, and will meet again with them May 5 - but controls to ensure prison security won't be on the table. "We are a paramilitary organization, and sometimes there are issues that aren't open to discussion," Whorton said. The director said contraband must be kept out of the prison, and limiting the size of guards' lunch boxes and any other items they bring to work is important. He noted a convict - Jody Thompson of Pahrump - used a smuggled cell phone to help in his escape last year, and that Thompson committed many crimes before he was recaptured. Whorton also said there had been problems with guards bringing in coffee pots, microwave ovens, coolers and, in some cases, even DVD players to improve their working conditions during 12-hour shifts. While coffee pots and microwaves are OK, DVD players and refrigerators aren't, he said. Whorton also said the Nevada State Prison is on track to overspend its budget this fiscal year, and tight controls on sick leave and annual leave must be maintained. "We have to live within our budget," Whorton said. "Everyone in this state knows how closely those budgets are watched." Donat didn't immediately return calls to his office. The prison currently houses nearly 900 inmates. |
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