On Jan. 23, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., I was scheduled for a trip to see an eye specialist for my macular degeneration. The entire trip was a nightmare of verbal and physical abuse by the transit officers. Numerous violations of the Officers Standards of Conduct occurred.
The trip started with Transport Officer Winkler coming to my cell, A1-33, and telling me I had 2 minutes to get to the officer station or he would cancel the trip. Mind you, I am 82 years old and live on the top tier, at the far end of the range. Upon arrival at R&D, Winkler told the other transport officer that I was a “chomo” (child molester). I was told that if I did not keep my head in my hands until we got to the hospital, the trip would be terminated. In addition, Officer Winkler struck me in the chest and said, “Fuck your happiness.” In R&D, I was asked something about apparel, but I have significant hearing loss (which I mentioned to the officer on several occasions) and he refused to repeat his question. Instead, he made a humiliating comment about me not even knowing my own size. I had no idea what size he was asking for!
In R&D, they seized my medically authorized shoes I am supposed to wear due to neuropathy. instead, I was given unsupported deck shoes to wear during the entire trip. This caused severe pain and my feet were numb most of the trip. Since I was also fully shackled, it was extremely difficult to even walk; the ankle shackles were so tight they caused significant pain and bruising. Due to being cuffed, I also was unable to button my jacket and forced to wear an unsecured jacket, creating constant exposure to subzero temperatures and wind chills that can cause damage after only a few minutes of exposure. I violently shivered for most of the trip.
During transit, the officers drove recklessly, including tailgating in hazardous conditions, speeding (30+ mph over the limit) and distracted driving (watching videos on their phones during the entire journey). At no time was I secured in the vehicle with a seat belt, which is a violation of state law. Both officers secured their seatbelts, however. I didn’t see any seatbelts at all in the back seat. If I had been thrown from the vehicle, I would have been helpless to avoid significant injury or death due to the restriction on my hands and feet.
Upon arrival at the hospital, I was put in a cart and pushed into a room where Officer Winkler violently shoved my head down into my chest, causing severe pain in my neck that continues to linger. At the registration desk, I was pushed face first into a corner. I was told that this was due to the “significant number of children win the hospital”. During the entire trip, I did not observe or hear any children. I am not aware of a hide-your-face security requirement. This was an unnecessary and intentionally abusive technique used only to further deepen the humiliation and dehumanization by Officer Winkler.
Once returned to Thomson, I was shoved into a corner and told not to move. I was then forced to walk the length of the compound in subzero conditions with a once-again open outer garment and deck shoes not designed for snow and ice. I was offered nothing to eat for lunch. I am have numerous, serious health conditions, including diabetes, prostate cancer and hypertension. In over 18 medical trips conducted at medium facilities Butler, Marion and Pekin, I never suffered anything even remotely like this. There is no justification for this type of treatment and behavior for any inmate, let alone a low-security one with zero history of violence. I was treated like this ONLY because of my charge.
Within two days of the trip, I became sick with influenza and borderline pneumonia Upon being given a face mask and instructions to wear it at all times, it was seized and thrown away by the unit and compound COs.
The above conduct is also consistent with that of some officers who work in the MIU. They are demeaning and disrespectful and make up rules that they enforce based on favoritism and fraternization. Rarely a day goes by that someone is not cursed at or slandered. And we are collectively threatened or punished for things that we have no control over. Three officers are responsible for 99% of the complaints filed in A-unit. But since there is never any consequences for their actions, they continue to abuse AICs with impunity. According to the Thomson handbook, AICs are to be treated with respect and dignity. When these three COs are on duty, that is totally absent.
This all stems from a culture of corruption that started when this facility was high security and continues to this day. A review of complaints filed on COs in A-unit will show a stark pattern of continuous complaints against these three and none on any of the rest.