Date: Fri 12-Apr-1996

Publication: Bee

Author: ANDYG

Quick Words:

Garner-Crose-DOC

Full Text:

Garner Warden To Take New Assignment

B Y A NDREW G OROSKO

Warden Frank Crose of Garner Correctional Institution has received a promotion

from the state Department of Correction (DOC) and will be moving on to the

larger Cheshire Correctional Institution.

Warden Crose started work as head administrator at Garner about four years

ago, preparing the 722-prisoner high-security facility for its opening in

November 1992.

Cheshire Correctional Institution, one of four DOC facilities in Cheshire and

one of the state's largest prisons, houses about 1,275 inmates.

Warden Crose is expected to start work in Cheshire in late May, according to

DOC spokesman William Flower. The warden's post at Cheshire is opening with

the retirement of Warden Christopher Pelkey there, Mr Flower said.

In moving from the wardenship of Garner to Cheshire, Mr Crose will be rising

in rank from Warden 4 to Warden 5 in the state prison system.

Remi Acosta, who is currently the warden at Brooklyn Correctional Institution

in Brooklyn, will become Garner's new warden, Mr Flower said. That promotion

elevates Mr Acosta two steps in wardenship from Warden 2 to Warden 4.

Garner, which was rocked by prison rioting and prisoner escapes in its early

days of operation, has quieted down considerably during the past two years as

DOC officials instituted a system of tight controls over inmates there known

as "close custody."

In April 1993, six months after Garner opened, local residents were shocked by

a protracted riot that resulted in injuries to dozens of inmates and

correction officers. Crimes of violence and extensive damage to the prison by

inmates resulted in rounds of arrests and prosecutions.

In August 1993, two inmates made nighttime escapes across the prison roof from

an exercise courtyard in a prison cellblock. One inmate was captured soon

after his escape.

But the other escapee eluded authorities for two weeks before being captured

in New Haven. The escapee had made his way from Garner to the center of

Newtown where he stole a car and reportedly went on a crime spree before later

being arrested.

Following the escapes, DOC officials stepped up efforts to create an

electronic security zone on the prison roof and along the prison perimeter to

prevent inmates from leaving Garner.

Also, the DOC instituted "close custody" prisoner handling measures for many

Garner inmates. Under close custody, the worst inmates' movements are strictly

limited, with almost all of their prison day spent within small cells. Inmates

who are moved from their cells are placed in physical restraints and escorted

by correction officers. The close custody method is used to control the

leaders of gangs such the Latin Kings and Los Solidos.

Approximately 390 of the inmates at Garner are being handled as close custody

inmates, according to Mr Flower.

So far, more than 200 inmates have successfully proceeded through the close

custody program and have been able to move back into a general prison

population, according to the DOC spokesman.

Warden Crose's promotion comes "in recognition of his professionalism and

expertise" throughout his overall DOC career, including his implementation of

close custody at Garner, Mr Flower said.

Warden Crose, who is in his early 50s, has been with the DOC for more than 20

years. He wasn't available for comment.