The officer didn’t respond to his complaint but instead he was told to go back into his room. When the officer failed to grant his safety request, my son was upset and showed the office a most popular finger expression. The language of the United States Constitution First Amendment guarantees us the freedom of expression, religion, assembly, and of the press and they shall be free from government interference as long as it’s peacefully done.
The C.E.R.T. Team was called and he was slammed down to the floor and was secured with shackles strapped around him and was repeatedly slammed to the wall. He was sent to the isolation room.
While in the isolation room, there were two correction officers assigned to monitor the safety of my son. Instead of acting responsibility to care for his safety, the two officers assaulted and battered my son. He was strapped to the chair and slapped around. My son again was not only slapped physically with there hands but using their handcuffs as a weapon to slap my son’s facial area. During this physical abuse he stated that he was threatened to be poked in the eyes by using their fingers. He was slapped repeatedly with the handcuffs by the sergeant while still being strapped against the chair. The sergeant’s last words to my son were “This prison is mine; I can do whatever I want.” The last hit to my son was done by the other officer leaving him with his blood dripping from his ears and was left alone for about an hour in the isolation room.
Is this what happens to our children when they are in the custody of correction officers? This institution was supposed to be in compliance with the U.S. Department of Justice consent decree mandate for orderly, healthcare and safety requirements. The two officers responsible for the act of excessive use of force and brutality were identified to be a ranking sergeant and a correction officer II.
The following day, as a result to his brutal attack by the two officers, my son was brought to the emergency room for treatment. My concern is why did they have to wait till the next day? Here I am, the mother of the assaulted party calling the correctional facility to inquire about my son’s well-being and was told that he was doing fine. He was beaten by the people who were supposed to be responsible for his safety and the safety of others. I fear for the safety of my son. Anything could happen to him. It is frightening that the most trusted persons by the public are the ones causing injury to our loved ones. What assurance does a concern mother has for my child’s safety and protection when officers themselves are not given professional training in the care and safety of all inmates. I am pleading to the secretary of corrections to take action against those officers who are not professionally fit to work as a correction officers in safeguarding our families who are serving time.
My son is only serving his 30 days sentence for assault and battery case. He is not even half way through his sentence and this happens? By the time his 30 days is over will I have him in one piece or will he be limping out of the gates — or will he be returned to me disabled or dead?
The most fearful message was to hear my son stating threats from the officers that he would be beaten up again if he would report this incident to the authorities. These kinds of threats and silence in the facility must end. This administration has to change if it cannot find an individual who is willing to clean up government abuses and corruption and place a competent and qualified individual who would be accountable and responsible in assuring that the facility is at least safe for public accommodation. The public is entitled to honest government free from corruption and employees abusing inmates.
JENNY MAE PALACIOS
Dandan, Saipan
