 |
Clements Unit News |
 
|
The Clements Unit would like to welcome Maj. Curran to the unit. Maj. Curran comes to us from the Montford Unit in Lubbock. We are excited to have him here. Our newest captain is Capt. T. Hill, she joins us from the Neal Unit. Two new lieutenants have been named: Lt. B. Carlton and Lt. K. Lewis. Five new sergeants were pinned: Sgt. Baldwin, Sgt. Tillman, Sgt. Spells and Sgt. Jackson. Officers B. Ochoa and P. Almanza are now in the laundry. Ms. Pacheco has been named most recent counsel substitute, and Ms. Shipp is newest addition to classifications. Congratulations to all! Chief of Classifications Mrs. Tinsley has resigned. We wish her the best in her future endeavors. For the past 23 years,. the United States Department of Energy sponsors a series of events for our nation’s top security police officers. On June 12-15, the Pantex Nuclear Weapons Complex in Amarillo hosted this year’s event. Twelve DOE teams were eligible to compete and only seven other teams were invited to participate. Some of the teams other than the DOE included the United States Marine Corps Close Quarters Combat team from Virginia; the New Mexico State Police Combat Shooting Team; and several SWAT teams from New Mexico and Texas. For the very first time, our Emergency Response Team from the Amarillo Complex was invited to participate. Our ERT was allowed to enter five shooters, B. Carlton, W. Upshaw, M. Gallegos, B. Burk and K. Anderson. The two alternates were J. Rodriguez and J. Harrison. The team was led by Capt. G. Davis. The team was invited to test their skills against the finest tactical teams in the nation. The competitors were required to compete with the weapons they used on duty. Individual competition events were low-light shooting, firing at targets in various positions shielded by no-shoot targets, and obstacle course firing in combat barrier type situations designed to test accuracy under stress. Team competition events tested shooting, agility, physical fitness, performance under stress and was designed for the entire team to perform as a single unit. The ranges that were used were both indoors and outdoors, a shoot house was used as well. The last event involved one team member climbing an 18-foot rope to obtain a colored band, in which each member shot targets of that color. This competition involved a 660-yard obstacle course that included barricades, wall trenches, along with carrying a 200-pound gurney 100 yards and shooting with a gas mask in place. The day was completed with an awards ceremony at Amarillo’s famous Big Texan Restaurant. Our ERT team placed sixth in team competition. Capt. Davis is very proud of the job his team members did, and said they not only gained a new experience but the respect of their fellow competitors. Our ERT received an invitation to compete again next year in Albuquerque at the annual DOE Security Police Officers Team Competition, another honor. —- On June 30, the Clements High Security conducted an open house and sponsored a “lock in” to benefit Special Olympics. Approximately 200 citizens were there for the ribbon- cutting ceremony. At 1100 hours, Senior Warden Dr. Keith Price welcomed everyone and thanked them for their support and encouraged them all to tour our new facility, which cost $28 million and created 300 new jobs. Nine hundred offenders will be housed there and will bring the total number of offenders to 4,000 here at the Clements Unit. Warden Price also mentioned the land across the street, which is being used a garden for both the Neal and Clements units, as well as for the Panhandle Food Bank here in Amarillo. Chaplain Goad welcomed everyone and led the group in prayer. Attorney Seldon Hale, former TDCJ-ID board chairman, spoke of the emergency crisis that every unit in TDCJ is facing, the shortage of staff. Mr. Hale also talked about how the community should support all of our officers for a pay raise. Commissioner Trent Siesmore congratulated Warden Price, Warden Rich, Warden Walker and everyone involved on the completion of the new facility. The Clements Unit also sponsored a “lock in” that was open to the public. Anyone wishing to could spend the night at “Bubba’s House” for a donation of $25. Approximately 25 people opted to stay! Each participant was “processed in”, received his or her own TDCJ-ID number with their very own cell. Each new “offender” received prison whites, they received dayroom and rec privileges. Their rec consisted of basketball and table games. “Chow” was provided by Dominoes Pizza. “Rack up” was at 0100 hours. Breakfast was at 0600 hours, breakfast burritos were served. “Parole” hearings were at 0700 hours. Everyone was granted parole and walked away with their freedom and a certificate of their night’s stay. The ERT was brought in and demonstrated different formations and cell moves, just at taste of what they do. Maj. B. Martin of the Tulle Transfer Facility was “arrested” by CO’s and needed at least $100 to bail out. I caught up with Maj. Martin early in the day as he was out on “work release” and his officers had already raised $180. He wanted to be sure to give them a great big “thank you” for bailing him out! Mr. Gerry Chapmond of Boston Green House Flowers was “arrested” at work, he said, “I didn’t expect to be arrested, I was out delivering flowers and when I returned, officers were waiting for me. My staff had a good laugh and took pictures!” Mr. Chapmond had raised more than $300. Total amount of money raised form the jail and bail was $2,300; $2,600 was from T-shirt sales; $525 from overnight stays; and $75 in donations for a grand total of $5,500! All of the money goes towards Texas Special Olympics. A special thanks to Field Force for directing traffic and for everyone who worked so hard in making it a fun and successful night! |
Serving Texas Corrections Employees Since 1994 |
|
 |
|
|
|