GEO's Reeves County Detention Center on Fire Again

Thu, 02/05/2009 - 18:22 — Bob

The GEO Group's Reeves County Detention Center caught on fire again earlier today, according to a story on KWES ("Fire out at Reeves County Detention Center," February 5).

A fire that erupted at the Reeves County Detention Center is out, but still smoldering.

The fire started Thursday morning in a recreational facility at RCDC. It is believed the recreation facility is part of building II. NewsWest9's Victor Lopez reports that the fire is out and fire crews were still on the scene. Some smaller fires started in a yard at the prison were also out.

Prisoners started rioting at the facility this past weekend. Inmates and family members of inmates have told NewsWest9 they are demanding better healthcare. At that time, three inmates were hurt, but those injuries were described as minor.

The fire started Thursday morning in a recreational facility at RCDC. It is believed the recreation facility is part of building II. NewsWest9's Victor Lopez reports that the fire is out and fire crews were still on the scene. Some smaller fires started in a yard at the prison were also out.

The facility suffered significant damage and three inmates were injured last weekend when a major disturbance rocked the facility, the second in as many months. According to multiple sources, prisoners rioted in protest of poor medical care and reported deaths at the facility. In the fallout of from the riot, 20 swat officers were called in twice earlier this week ("Swat officers enter W. Texas prison, Houston Chronicle, February 4). We'll keep you posted on the latest from Reeves County.

Update: Univision is apparently reporting that State Senator Uresti is headed to Pecos to invistigate.

Update II: Check out Tom Barry's interesting post Prison Dreams in Pecos over at the Border Lines Blog.

Comments

Thu, 02/05/2009 - 23:04 — Humanity (not verified)

It is inhuman to treat

It is inhuman to treat prisoners as animals. These are people that feel, breathe, have hope, and have made a mistake and deserve a second chance. What gives the government or a private entity to negate health services, do they not have next of kin who might need an ambulance or a doctor at one point in their life? We lost all of our values.

Wed, 03/18/2009 - 21:31 — Anonymous (not verified)

In order to run a facility

In order to run a facility and have no problems is to be firm but fair with the inmates... They are not animals.. I am C.O. and at the prison I work at so far has not had any problems.. You need to look into the medical staff.

Wed, 12/09/2009 - 17:35 — Anonymous (not verified)

You can't look into anything

You can't look into anything - they make it harder on the inmates. People get neglected there all the time and have even died in isolation. Who's head is on the block for that? Everything is hush hush and there seems to be absolutely no government help!

It disgusts me that my loved one is subjected to double, triple, and so on punishment. We need someone who can help advocate for better food and healthcare and perhaps better treatement.

I understand it need not be a hotel, but sometimes I wish the roles were reversed a little and then we would see who would be setting fire to what to get the medication they need, or at least an edible meal!

Please someone - help us! My heart and soul gets torn to shreds when I find out how miserable that place is and that you are better left for dead.

God help those human beings - they are being punished as it is!

Sun, 04/19/2009 - 11:36 — Correctional Worker (not verified)

Prison Conditions

In response to "inhumane to treat's" comment, until you have worked in a correctional setting, don't post such a comment. Inmates housed by the GEO group receive the best care. They have access to many things that some people in free society don't have. I suppose this is why so many inmates return to the prison system when they are released because once released, they don't have access to these "luxuries". They get free medical care, dental, hospitalization if necessarry, heat/air conditioning, three square meals, gym, cable television, ability to purchase items on the outside oreither inhouse commissary - to name a few. Of course they are housed at our, the taxpayer's expense. In my opinion , they have it made.

Wed, 12/09/2009 - 17:43 — Anonymous (not verified)

Are you kidding me? Perhaps

Are you kidding me? Perhaps in the prison you have worked at you have seen those things. Perhaps you have seen this on cable yourself? Get a clue - there are some pretty bad prisons in the United States and if it were at all possible for camera crews to go into each one un-announced I would bet a million dollars there would be hell to pay. I am not saying that there aren't nice or nicer facilities, but you cannot say that EVERY prison has good treatment or medical care.

I understand that you are a Correctional Worker - I ask you from the bottom of my heart to always remember that even though that is just a job with a pay check to you, that you be sensitive to the fact that there are some good people in prison who have made mistakes and their families miss them. It makes it that much harder to cope and deal with when even the visitors are being mistreated.

Thu, 04/23/2009 - 22:07 — Anonymous (not verified)

very concerned

I HAVE A VERY CLOSE FRIEND IN THIS PRISON AND I WANT HIM OUT HE SERVED HIS TIME AND JUST MADE A MISTAKE AND WALKED ACROSS THE BORDER TOO SEE HIS CHILDREN AND HE GOT CAUGHT. NOW HE HAS TO SPEND ANOTHER 3 YEARS IN THIS HORRIBLE PRISON. WE WANT HIM SENT BACK TO ILLINOIS. PLEASE SEND THEM ALL OTHER PLACES FOR THEIR FAMILY AND FREINDS.

Texas Prison Bid'ness

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