Date: Fri 13-Mar-1998

Publication: Bee

Author: ANDYG

Quick Words:

Garner-public-safety

Full Text:

Panel Concerned By Upsurge In Violence At Garner

BY ANDREW GOROSKO

In light of recent violent incidents at Garner Correctional Institution, some

members of the Newtown Public Safety Committee are questioning whether the

prison poses public safety hazards.

Last November, one inmate killed another prisoner by strangulation. In

December, a prisoner slashed another inmate with a razor blade. In January,

three correction officers were assaulted in a fracas with inmates.

Wendy Beres, a public safety committee member, said March 10 she believed that

the inmate who was killed in November was a "close custody" prisoner who was

kept in isolation.

Garner Warden Remi Acosta explained that there are two close custody inmates

kept in each close custody cell at the high-security prison.

In the close custody system, inmates are closely monitored while incarcerated.

"This is a dramatic increase (in prison violence). Is there an explanation?"

asked committee member Joy Previdi. Ms Previdi said that before the three

major incidents, the prison had been relatively calm.

Of the violence, Warden Acosta said, "We don't want it to happen at all. It

happens."

Ms Beres asked Warden Acosta whether conditions within Garner could endanger

public safety.

The warden responded that if there was a public safety threat posed by the

prison, it would be made known to public safety committee members.

First Selectman Herbert Rosenthal suggested that he be named committee

chairman. Committee members then unanimously obliged.

The committee last met in October when former first selectman Robert Cascella

was in office.

Ms Beres said she was concerned that the state Department of Correction (DOC)

was taking control of public safety committee meetings. Warden Acosta had

served as chairman at past sessions.

Mr Rosenthal said that if he is not able to act as chairman at a committee

meeting, either Selectman Joseph Bojnowski or Selectman William Brimmer will

serve as chairman in his absence.

Committee member Kevin Cragin, who also is chairman of the Board of Fire

Commissioners, informed panel members that the town's several volunteer fire

companies have reached a fire protection agreement with Garner, meaning that

the companies will respond to Garner when needed to put out fires.

David Hardt, a DOC correction officer who also has been designated the town's

special deputy fire marshal for Garner, explained that all DOC staff members

have been trained in the use of fire extinguishers.

The 265,000-square-foot prison is completely covered by fire sprinklers, he

added, greatly reducing the risk of a large fire.

The prison's extensive sprinkler system serves as its "primary response" to

fires, he said. Under the terms of the fire protection agreement, the town's

volunteer fire companies would serve as "secondary responders."

Mr Cragin pointed out that the town now monitors a special fire radio

frequency used at the prison for fire calls.

Mr Hardt files incident reports for fires at the prison, relieving the town's

fire marshal of that duty.

When daytime fires occur at Garner, both Newtown Hook and Ladder and Sandy

Hook firefighters would respond under the terms of the fire companies' "dual

daytime response" policy, Mr Cragin said.

The March 10 safety committee session was held in the Town Hall South

conference room. Mr Rosenthal said he decided to move the meetings from Garner

to Town Hall South.

"I thought the public, some people, might have concerns about going there

(prison)," he said.

The first selectman said he has confidence in the prison staff's ability to

keep the prison a safe environment, but added some members of the public may

be apprehensive about being at the high-security facility, so he decided to

change the location of the committee meetings.