BCAS Inmate Program

[RealPitBull]

This is a message I received via email today (btw, the source is someone I know personally). While I have no problem with work-release programs, based on this information I find this new plan of BCAS to be misguided and problems surely will arise from it.

-----Original Message-----
From: [e-mail]
Sent: Fri, 16 May 2008 1:17 pm
Subject: Inmates to replace BCAS shelter staff?


In my capacity as animal advocate for the Burlington County Animal Shelter, I am composing and sending this email in the hopes that this will help protect our animals from harm, theft and substandard care.

Those who know me know that there are few issues dearer to my heart than working to PROFESSIONALIZE shelter staffs. So it was with nothing less than alarm that I was informed today that beginning June 2, 2008, the county will begin using prison labor at the shelter and, worse, as staff resign or retire, the county plans to INCREASE the use of prison labor. IOW, the Burlington County Animal Shelter's future will not include better trained, more dedicated staff, but whoever is in jail on work release at a given moment. Don't believe me? This is from a letter dated May 13, 2008 to the county union from director of human resources Daniel Hornickel:

"..., as discussed the County will not lay off any employees as a result of the introduction on inmate labor. Rather, when positions open up through attrition, they will not be refilled by new hires; instead, the County will increase its use of inmate staffing."

Please note that these aren't "community service" people who are on probation, but people who some judge or other decided should do prison time.

My own main concerns include:

(1) Rapidly faltering and falling staff competence.
(2) The safety of staff and the public.
(3) The security of our meds and needles in the vet lab.
(4) Most of all, the safety and security of our animals, especially our Pit Bulls. We have had thefts in the past, including a spree that stopped when one particular person was caught and arrested. Now we'll have a constant parade of people from that world who an ever decreasing number of staff will have to watch like hawks.

Please email Daniel Hornickel protesting this at: [e-mail]

Or call at: 609-265-5403

Or write a letter to:

Daniel Hornickel
Dept of Human Resources
49 Rancocas Road Room 355
PO Box 6000
Mount Holly NJ 08060-6000

Be civilized, but to the point! :-)

Those of you with good media contacts are invited to contact them!

[RealPitBull]

And a follow-up:

On 5/16/08, Chrissy B <chrissysr20@.com> wrote:
I just spoke with Daniel. He is open to all phone calls regarding this. These are his claims:
They have not decided if they will be using inmates for sure. If they do it WILL start within the next month.
The county nursing home currently has many inmate workers.
If they decide to use inmate workers they will receive proper training.
If they decide to use inmate workers they may have limited contact with animals.
They will not use anyone with a history of animal abuse. (I mentioned any violence at all is unacceptable.)
They will try to find the most docile inmate that are actually interested in working with animals.
I expressed that I was concerned for the safety of all volunteers. I was concerned for the safety of the animals. Things may be stolen or otherwise harmed. Lack of training and handling of the animals...
What we have to remember is that there are many prison programs now working with animals that are successful. This is IN the actual prison. They may actually be good for the dogs. I just wanted to express my concern with him about the inmates being somewhere where I will be...I'm not entirely comfortable with that.
Please everyone call or write...
Chrissy