[nagdu] FW: Re: visit to a prison

Tue Feb 9 18:38:55 UTC 2010

I've missed some of this thread, but if the prisons won't allow guide
dogs and any type of equiptment that might help a disabled person (canes
walkers and the like) how come the prison system is okay with the
prisoners writing to disabled people? ARen't they afraid rightly or
wrongly that disabled people might be more easily scammed or in some way
more vonerable? 
And why isn't the pen pal program open to prisoners that are women?

-----Original Message-----
From: nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
Behalf Of Julie J
Sent: Sunday, February 07, 2010 4:04 PM
To: NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users
Subject: Re: [nagdu] FW: Re: visit to a prison

Just wanted to be clear...the Pen Pals program is through Noah's
Assistance 
Dogs.  I know no more about it than what I have seen on the news.

The inmates that come to the class I teach are not involved in the Pen
Pals 
program.  they are women from the women's prison.  I think it is only
the 
men's prison that has the Pen Pals program.

I just happen to work in the criminal justice system and have a guide
dog.

Julie

----- 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: Sunday, February 07, 2010 1:09 PM
Subject: Re: [nagdu] FW: Re: visit to a prison

> Sounds like having that option may even inspire some others who are
> incarcerated to become pen pals themselves. Have a great day.
>
> 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 LinkedIn
>
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
Behalf
> Of Julie J
> Sent: Sunday, February 07, 2010 9:55 AM
> To: NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users
> Subject: Re: [nagdu] FW: Re: visit to a prison
>
> Yes, it is a clever name.
>
> Two weeks ago I had prison inmates come to talk to the class I teach
about
> their experiences in prison and how they got there.  They come in
their
> regular prison uniforms, in handcuffs and with a guard.  They are not
> violent offenders, meaning murder, assault with a deadly weapon and
that
> sort of thing.  Many of them do have histories of lesser crimes
against
> people.  Anyway I didn't take Monty with me to class that night.  I
didn't
> tell the guard ahead of time that I would have a dog with me.  I
really
> didn't want to deal with any drama related to having a dog there with
the
> inmates.  I think next time though, I will mention to the guard ahead
of
> time when I invite her to bring the inmates that I will have my guide
dog
> there.  then she can do whatever she needs to so the event runs
smoothly.
>
> Tomorrow night the younger girls are coming from the Juvenile
detention
> center to talk about their criminal histories.  I do plan to take
Monty 
> with
>
> me tomorrow.  The younger girls don't wear handcuffs, but are
accompanied 
> by
>
> a guard.  We'll see how it goes.
>
> Of course the class I teach is not at the prison.  I do work in the
> courthouse though.  I don't work in the jail wing, but I do work in
the
> probation/attorney/court section.  I've never had an issue with Monty 
> there,
>
> although I have never had a reason to go into the jail section either.
I
> don't know if I'd take Monty or not.
>
> Julie
>
>
> Julie
>
>
>
>
> ----- 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: Sunday, February 07, 2010 6:41 AM
> Subject: Re: [nagdu] FW: Re: visit to a prison
>
>
>>I like that one a lot. Pen pals. Great name.
>>
>> 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 LinkedIn
>>
>>
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On 
>> Behalf
>> Of Julie J
>> Sent: Saturday, February 06, 2010 7:35 PM
>> To: NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users
>> Subject: Re: [nagdu] FW: Re: visit to a prison
>>
>> Here in Nebraska the puppy raisers in prison are called "Pen Pals".
They
>> raise puppies for Noah's Assistance Dogs.
>>
>> Julie
>>
>>
>> ----- 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: Saturday, February 06, 2010 7:35 AM
>> Subject: Re: [nagdu] FW: Re: visit to a prison
>>
>>
>>> You are correct, the program for inmates raising guides is called 
>>> puppies
>>> behind bars if I am not mistaken.
>>>
>>> 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 LinkedIn
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> -----Original Message-----
>>> From: nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
>>> Behalf
>>> Of Susan Jones
>>> Sent: Friday, February 05, 2010 8:05 PM
>>> To: 'NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users'
>>> Subject: Re: [nagdu] FW: Re: visit to a prison
>>>
>>> Going into a prison is serious business, no matter who you are, or
what
>>> you
>>> bring.
>>> I think Albert said it was really a county jail anyway?
>>> Anything could happen, of course, but I think they are about as
likely 
>>> to
>>> hold a guide dog hostage as a visitor.
>>> Some service dogs are even raised by people serving time in prison.
>>> Regards,
>>> Susan & Rhoda
>>>
>>>
>>> -----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/1937406
8832
>>>> 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/1937406
8832
>>>> 8?ref=nf> Facebook
>>>> <http://www.linkedin.com/pub/albert-j-rizzi/13/142/0>
>>>> LinkedIn
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> _______________________________________________
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