COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA

Department of Corrections

SCI – Muncy

(570) 546-3171

December 21, 2006

Subject: RESPONSE TO REQUEST

TO: Carolyn King #0C7210

  Unit R-B

FROM: D.M. Chamberlain

  Superintendent

Maria Weick’s letter to Deputy Secretary Vaughn dated 9/25/06 was recently sent to me for review and response. Following is an outline of the concerns expressed in your letter and our response. Please keep in mind that your custody overrides many privileges that other inmates enjoy.

1. Law Library: You are permitted to use the law library in accordance with policy. All requests by you have been for joint access. You are permitted individual access, but no CCU inmates have requested it. CCU inmates are permitted access 6 hours per week and no one has been denied this. However in accordance with policy you may not chose your time or day, nor will you receive priority access over other inmates to access the law library.

2. Medical Privacy: Medical privacy and medical escorts in the L-5 unit are handled in accordance with department policy. A corrections officer will only escort medical staff on those occasions where it is necessary to open the handcuff feeding aperture. Inmates are escorted to and restrained during medical exams. When it is necessary to have a male officer assist, he is not positioned inside the room during exams or procedures that require an inmate to be exposed. Officers understand their responsibility for confidentiality under the HIPPA laws. You will be properly restrained and appropriately escorted for all appointments. If you believe any staff member has violated your medical or psychological confidentiality you must report it

immediately to the Lieutenant or another staff member.

3. Housing: The unit you are currently housed in also houses other non-Capital Case L-5 inmates, as you describe. Unfortunately just as in society, we can’t control everything other people say. Any threats made against you are handled accordingly by staff. You may not remain housed side-by-side. You will be housed and rotated in accordance with security needs of the faculty.

4. Sanitary Conditions: CCU inmates that clean cells with blood and body fluids have received proper training, again in accordance with department policy, by the facility’s Infection Control Nurse. Blood and body fluid kits are available and utilized. Soiled clothing is processed through the facility laundry utilizing proper sanitation procedures. In the past when given the blood and body fluid kits you and others chose not to wear all the protective equipment. This is not an option for you, and a reminder was sent off to staff reminding them of this as well.

5. Recreation Areas: Plans to put covers on recreation units will enable us to comply with ACA standards. This practice is essentially one that will allow you to recreate outdoors during inclement weather.

6. Staffing: There is adequate staff to ensure the needs of the unit are met.

7. Hourly Wages: You make a valid statement, however, if you were to be paid hourly only, it may actually decrease your pay, depending on how many hours you work. This issue should be raised through your CCPM and Deputies.

8. Phone Call Disconnects: This issue has already been addressed.

9. Mail: Officers check outgoing mail to ensure you complete the envelope with your correct name and OC number. If you believe an officer is reading your mail, you must bring it to the RHU Lieutenant’s attention so that it may be addressed individually. Incoming mail, including email, is handled by the mailroom in accordance with policy.

I will be meeting with capital case inmates periodically while I am assigned to SCI-Muncy. Please feel free to discuss future issues with me at that time.

DMC/xlb

Cc: Deputy Secretary Moore

D.R.I.V.E.

DEATH Row INNER-COMMUNALIST VANGUARD ENGAGEMENT