[nagdu] FW: Re: visit to a prison

Fri Feb 5 22:14:48 UTC 2010

I can see your point. However, I would think that in a maximum security such
a concern might be very real. My friend s=did not have any retribution
turned against him at all. As I think I may have shared, in the event I go
back for another visit, we will make appropriate arrangements in advance
which most certainly will allow me to use my guide and admittedly attend to
the concerns outlined in your response. I would never want my actions to put
my guide or anyone else at risk, but I will not have my liberties
compromised. When I first entered, the definitiveness of it all was
annoying, and insulting. With cool heads a compromise was made and going
forward, it makes sense to consider making arrangements for a visit which
would not complicate the security in any correctional facility. That they
took the time to consider options is what made me feel good about things. It
is after all about the options and choices in life.

Albert J. Rizzi, M.Ed.
CEO/Founder
My Blind Spot, Inc.
90 Broad Street - 18th Fl.
New York, New York  10004
www.myblindspot.org
PH: 917-553-0347
Fax: 212-858-5759
"The person who says it cannot be done, shouldn't interrupt the one who is
doing it."

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-----Original Message-----
From: nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf
Of Stepper
Sent: Friday, February 05, 2010 2:29 PM
To: NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users
Subject: Re: [nagdu] FW: Re: visit to a prison

Hello Albert
This may surprise you, however I disagree with the prison allowing. you to 
have your dog in the prison.
Here's why.
First of all I for many years have gone to several prisons and jails all 
over the northwest, for 30 years now.
The problem with you having your dog is that your dog could be hurt or 
injured or even held as a hostage by a detained prisoner to achieve 
attention, or worse.
Can you imagine the bind the prison would be in if that happened.
Please don't think it isn't possible. Just by the nature of the population 
the main job of the staff is to control the uncontrollable, and prevent the 
unexpected, and bazaar.
Remember, it doesn't have to make sense to us, only them.
Could you see this on the nightly news one night.
Guide dog held hostage, and threatened with injury if prisoner demands not 
met.
Especially if you were in a common visiting room where prisoners and family 
and friends can move about freely.
I think your imply threat to go to the political is what spooked them in to 
allowing your visit that time.
Also a long white cane, or folding cane or collapsing cane can be a weapon 
in a moment.
I believe your friend very well had something to worry about after he left 
the visiting area.
The staff may knuckle under at times, but most times the person visited gets

it taken out on them in one way or another.
Please I don't say this to criticize you, I am voicing my opinion and 
experience because I think sometimes we get caught up with fighting for our 
rights, and at times there can be other problems and dangers created we may 
not be aware of at the time.
When I visited prisons or jails, I never took my dogs in, because of the 
above possible problems. But they were explained to me ahead of time, so I 
had a clear understanding.
The same was true with my canes.
I turned my canes, shoestrings, belt, lighters, combs,and anything else that

could be used as a weapon  against me or others.
  I than went sighted guide to visit, or to carry on a meeting, or teach a 
class
Most times these issues are addressed before you can enter the first gate.
Its clear you caught these officers by surprise, as they admitted.
I would never want to be the one that gave a prisoner anything they could 
use to harm me, mine, or others.

Stepper

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Albert J Rizzi" <albert at myblindspot.org>
To: "'NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users'" 
<nagdu at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Thursday, February 04, 2010 10:02 AM
Subject: [nagdu] FW: Re: visit to a prison

>
>
>
>
> Albert J. Rizzi, M.Ed.
> CEO/Founder
> My Blind Spot, Inc.
> 90 Broad Street - 18th Fl.
> New York, New York  10004
> www.myblindspot.org
>
> PH: 917-553-0347
> Fax: 212-858-5759
> "The person who says it cannot be done, shouldn't interrupt the one who is
> doing it."
>
> Visit us on Facebook
>
<http://www.facebook.com/home.php?filter=pp#/pages/My-Blind-Spot/19374068832
> 8?ref=nf>   <http://www.linkedin.com/pub/albert-j-rizzi/13/142/0> LinkedIn
>
>
>
>  _____
>
> From: Albert J Rizzi [mailto:albert at myblindspot.org]
> Sent: Thursday, February 04, 2010 10:39 AM
> To: 'nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org'
> Subject: Re: [nagdu] visit to a prison
>
>
>
> I had what could have been a very frustrating experience, but with cooler
> heads prevailing, I was afforded access.
>
>
>
> Yesterday I went to visit a young man in my community who fell on the 
> wrong
> side of trouble and is doing a short stint in the local jail. I had heard
> tell of instances where people with walkers and canes were asked, or 
> should
> I say ordered to check their canes and walkers at the door before entering
> for a visit. I find this to be ridiculous but can appreciate the reasoning
> behind security and other concerns present with what could quickly turn to

> a
> volatile  situation at any moment. that thought being given I decided to
> take my guide dog instead of my cane.
>
> After waiting on line, checking in and having been there for over half an
> hour, we were called to the desk, but I had already overheard a call that
> had been made inquiring into the procedures to follow with a guide dog and
> his visitor. At first I was told it would complicate the drug dogs and 
> their
> ability to do their job. I quipped  they are both service animals with
> specific trainings  which each handler should in any instance be able to
> control their animal and keep them on task and under control. I let desk
> clerk know I felt my rights as a citizen were being violated and I was 
> being
> wrongly discriminated upon due to lack of knowledge of legislation in 
> place
> to ensure my equal access. I asked to speak to a supervisor and was told 
> he
> was transferred and there was no immediate supervisor present. I 
> questioned
> that immediately and then asked in his or her absence to speak to their
> supervisor, or better yet, could they get the warden on the phone? I was
> told he was a busy man and that the clerk did not have his number. So I
> suggested that the clerk call the same person he did when I was sitting 
> some
> 40 feet away who gave him the misinformation so that I might speak with 
> him
> directly. They then suggested that we all meet, myself, my dog and the 
> young
> man I was visiting meet in a contained area with a glass wall between
> ourselves. I felt that was unacceptable as no one else present was being
> asked to do that same thing during their visit. I insisted that the mother
> of the young man I was to visit go ahead while I waited to talk to someone
> in authority other then a clerk.  I advised the clerk that he was in
> violation of the ADA, hoping he was to tell you the truth, and that if I
> were denied equal access then I would be forced to take the matter up with
> my senator and assemblymen. I also let him know that the types of
> intimidation tactics used to maintain  order were lost on me as I come 
> from
> a long line of law enforcement officials and am immune to such things.
> Eventually, lutenent  Destefano asked me to step aside and discuss the
> matter in quiet. He understood my position and admitted that they had 
> never
> had a guide dog come to prison before and were completely taken off guard 
> on
> proper protocol. I thanked him for his honesty and let him know that this
> was my first time to a prison, and it was my first time as a blind man. we
> immediately fell into a dialogue which led to a simple request. That if 
> and
> when I were to come again, would I give them a heads up so they could make
> arrangements  much as they do for others visiting with children. We would
> have been afforded access in a manner that would not have to complicate 
> the
> delicate balance within the prison. His concerns were not lost on me when
> after having only been sitting with my friend and her son, without a wall
> dividing us, a man was handcuffed and led away as he was attempting to 
> pass
> contraband into the prison illegally. I left feeling I had struck a blow 
> for
> our community and will be writing a letter to the warden, copy the senator
> and thank the warden and lute ant Estefan for treating me with respect and
> in a proper fashion befitting any American. I will say that when I got to 
> my
> intended visit, the young man was fearful of retribution toward him once I
> left. I hope not, but will report back if and when I hear anything. I 
> would
> welcome opinions on how I handled myself as I take very seriously the
> responsibility of representing the blind in an empowered manner while
> educating others along the way. All in all it was a good experience. I 
> even
> got a pat on the back from two people sitting in the lobby who 
> complimented
> me on how I handled myself in a powerful way and how impressed they were
> that I did not bend to intimidation..
>
>
>
> Albert J. Rizzi, M.Ed.
> CEO/Founder
> My Blind Spot, Inc.
> 90 Broad Street - 18th Fl.
> New York, New York  10004
> <http://www.myblindspot.org> www.myblindspot.org
>
> PH: 917-553-0347
> Fax: 212-858-5759
> "The person who says it cannot be done, shouldn't interrupt the one who is
> doing it."
>
> Visit us on
>
<http://www.facebook.com/home.php?filter=pp#/pages/My-Blind-Spot/19374068832
> 8?ref=nf> Facebook  <http://www.linkedin.com/pub/albert-j-rizzi/13/142/0>
> LinkedIn
>
>
>
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