Tuesday, December 31, 2013

Shining the Light on BOP: Guantanamo on US Soil

At this point in time, anyone that can read is aware of how prisoners in Guantanamo Bay camps are mistreated, abused and tortured. Few have a clue that similar abuse is also occurring in U.S. prisons, specifically in the the federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) system. This is not an equal opportunity system and all are not treated equally across the board in all BOP facilities as is projected to the general public.

This is not a discussion about inmates not receiving their mail or being served Monsanto poison for dinner, though both problems are prevalent as well.

What is much more shocking is how the BOP has virtually no oversight or accountability. The prison wardens are being used as pawns by the US Attorney's Office. They use an institution -- whose purpose is supposedly to securely detain, rehabilitate and to implement a predetermined punishment for a specific crime handed down by the court as permitted by the legislature -- as an alter ego. It's crazy.


What is going on at FTC Oklahoma City?

Paul Bergrin has lost 15-20 pounds since we last talked about his weight. They ignore the national menu for food and they give the inmates children portions that would not even fill the stomach of anyone over 7 years of age. There is no commissary and they give inmates one packet of coffee in the morning and one milk for the day. At least 3 packets of this so called coffee are needed to even taste the coffee in it.

So I ask my investigative readers out there: What is being done with the food budget at this institution? Who or what specific group within the facility is scamming the federal government and pocketing the major $funds intended for food for the inmates? In short, who are the thieves???

They lock the showers from 8 in the morning until 5 at night, so there are long lines and they are disgustingly filthy. They shake down inmate cells at least once a week and take any extra clothing. Paul Bergrin has gone almost 3 months with no haircut!

If inmates complain about any of this stated abuse, they retaliate against them and keep them in what is supposed to be a transfer facility under the deceptive guise that they are investigating. They refuse to send out inmate legal mail and only come around once a week on Wednesday morning to collect all mail. They do not answer any inquiries inmates make and they refuse to even provide the forms to complain to the region, which is easy to do as the inmate never sees a counselor.

Everything noted thus far is in violation of BOP rules and some of the mistreatment falls in the category of civil rights violations. While it seems that all inmates in this hellhole are suffering, Paul Bergrin has been selected for special mistreatment. They consistently pass over Paul when transports are going to his exact location (USP Tucson), so we know they are doing this intentionally and to make him suffer. It is like a concentration camp there and I am aware of many more violations and much more abuse - what is stated herein is merely the tip of the iceberg!

Paul Bergrin has been in this particular facility for over two and a half months and he is the longest detainee in transit in the unit. They are definitely doing it to torture him. The same as moving him 3000 miles and even further from his loved ones to make sure he will never see his kids or grandchildren. Of course this was done to Paul before the holidays. Clearly the Newark US Attorney's Office wanted to make sure he would not have any visitors and now with the planned move to Tucson instead of Florida, visits will be rare. They have intentionally separated Paul from his loved ones permanently, or at least as long as he is in BOP custody. That is NOT the stated goal of the BOP!

What they have done to his Paul's new cellmate is worse than situations you read about in third-world countries. His name is Ivin Wosencraft. He is from Amarillo, Texas and has less than one year remaining on his sentence. He was sent home from the hospital Friday night because they refused to admit him, with the Lt. at the institution telling the doctor that he should not admit him unless he will die, since he is leaving Monday. Well, his leg swelled even more and he is in extraordinary pain and agony and is an insulin dependent diabetic. He just finished cancer treatments also. The man is terminally ill. He developed a blood clot and the BOP just brought him into Paul's cell, despite his critical condition. The lieutenant wouldn't let the poor guy go to the ER even though the guy is dying.

NOTE to BOP Region Director: FIRE the INHUMAN lieutenant NOW!

I fear Paul Bergrin will suffer retaliation for my blog posts; however, they cannot be allowed to murder him while we all remain silent and sit in fear. So here I am. If there is any form of retaliation against Paul Bergrin for my words, I can only assure the perpetrators that I know how to get louder by the day and draw international attention to the many forms of mistreatment he is suffering in the BOP Federal Transfer Center in Oklahoma City.

When you click on the link for this FTC in Oklahoma City, at the bottom of the page it references a Commissary List available and Inmate Legal Activities. This is all lies - there is no commissary and the officers DO NOT send out legal mail.


ATTENTION to BOP Regional Director: Correct the lies on this institution's website page and fix the problems. How would I fix these serious problems? FIRE all employees in the facility, charge the worst abusers with civil rights violations and then replace them with human beings! This is the way this place operates - take note and FIX IT ASAP! And don't forget that there's much more than stated herein...


UPDATE EDIT on January 1, 2014 to add:

I have never heard of a BOP facility being this terrible. Is it possible that this FTC in Oklahoma City is used as a Guantanamo camp type facility by the government to make inmates appreciate regular facilities when they arrive? After all, inmates are only supposed to be in this hellhole briefly and I believe the average stay is 1-3 weeks, with 5 weeks being the longest stay I have ever heard of. Child's portion meals, officers' refusal to send out legal mail, no commissary availability, no haircuts etc... wouldn't be a major problem for a week or 2.

This is where the Newark US Attorney's Office (USAO) enters the picture. BOP originally designated Paul Bergrin to USP Coleman 1 in Florida, which I knew would not fly for the USAO. You see, William Baskerville is in USP Coleman 1, and the last thing on earth that the USAO wants is William and Paul Bergrin working on their cases together. William Baskerville filed a 2255 back in late September (2013) and is fighting for an evidentiary hearing right now.

Some discovery and testimony in Paul Bergrin's 2013 trial contradicts statements made by the same witnesses (Brokos, Anthony Young and more) in William Baskerville's 2007 trial. The USAO has a similar problem with the Hakeem Curry / Rakeem Baskerville discovery and witness testimony contradicting later testimony in Paul Bergrin's trial. It is a lot of material to read, but there are serious inconsistencies between specific testimony in the 3 trials.

Beyond all of that, the issue of the missing food at FTC Oklahoma City is a serious one. I am serious about my questions as I know for fact that these institutions have a generous food budget that covers feeding every adult inmate that arrives. So who has done what with the food and/or the money allocated for the food??? Someone is making out like a bandit while the inmates are being starved!


UPDATE on 18 January 2014 @1:25PM:

Paul Bergrin arrived in Tucson USP this morning. He's finally out of that terrible transfer facility in Oklahoma City!

On a different note, comments intended to harass and denigrate Paul Bergrin or me, the blog publisher, will not be published on this blog. Take your weird issues elsewhere.

25 comments:

Anonymous said...

What did everyone else end up getting during sentencing?

Vicky Gallas said...

I really don't know. At one point, back in October, a defendant in a related case advised that Anthony Young would be released in November. Young may have been released, but I was unable to confirm this - he's in Witsec. In a way, I didn't care because I already know it's a fact that government informnts get away with murder and Young didn't even commit a murder. His testimony was all lies, but he expected to get out a long time ago in exchange for that testimony - he was delayed by years.

I may look them all up in PACER some day, but not today. Notice that no newspapers carried stories about length of sentence. There were articles about upcoming sentencing, but no follow-up as far as I'm aware.

Anonymous said...

So he's not even able to work on his appeal? A complete violation of his due process!

Vicky Gallas said...

I agree that it's a violation of due process. They won't even send out his legal mail.

All of this would be no major problem if he was there for a week or 2, as after all, it is supposed to be a transfer center, but Paul has now been there for 11 weeks. The prolonged stay is the problem and even though there has been transport going to Tucson, they just pass him by. But even worse yet - they are starving him! There's no commissary available so he's unable to purchase food and they serve portions for small children. Over a period of time this will have serious effects on Paul and they all know it!!!!

Anonymous said...

I no paul for 20 yeard plus nevet count him out hsng in yhere my dear friend the truth will come out in due time my god watch over u and your love ones.i would love to post my name but u never no what can happen.love u paul for all u did for me.

Anonymous said...

I WISH FOR PAUL TO RECEIVE THE FAIR AND PROPER TREATMENT HE DESERVES WHILE INCARCERATED. THE RECENT NEWS OF HIM GETTING RIDICULOUS PORTIONS NOT SUITABLE FOR A GROWN MAN TO SURVIVE ON IS CRIMINAL IN ITSELF AND SOUNDS DELIBERATE TOO. THE GOVERNMENT DOESNT SEEM TO BE A DEMOCRATIC GOVERNMENT BUT ONE THAT PRACTICES FASCHISM. MY TAKE ON THE BULLSHIT THAT'S GOING ON WITH HIS TRIAL AND THE ABUSE HE HAS BEEN ENDURING. SHOW SUPPORT TO SET PAUL BERGRIN FREE!!!

Anonymous said...

Any update on the situation Vicky?

Vicky Gallas said...

Everything is the same, so not really an update. Paul is still in that Oklahoma City transfer facility and still eating meatless soup for dinner. Even Whitey Bulger was only there for a week or 2 and is now in Tucson USP - was transported there early this week, but did they call Paul, who is going to the same facility? NO. Unlucky for Paul, he's got the Newark US Attorney's Office dictating to BOP and BOP is bowing down.

Anonymous said...

Great to see he finally transferred! Now lets get this appeal going!

Anonymous said...

God bless him hang in there brother.

Anonymous said...

How is Paul doing Vicky?

Anonymous said...

When was the last time he had a color?

Vicky Gallas said...

Does it matter? Coloring your hair is not good for it anyway. I quit long ago. When was the last time I was a brunette? lol

Vicky Gallas said...

If you want to know how Paul is doing, please feel free to write him and ask. The bar on the header of this blog has a "Contact" page and you will find Paul's address by clicking on the link. ;)

Anonymous said...

Actually, I heard you were dyeing your hair fuschia

Vicky Gallas said...

Well, I love fuschia, but can't quite imagine it on hair. You've been misinformed! ;)

Unknown said...

I spent time incarcerated with Paul while he was at the MDC. I don't know if he did what they allege, what I do know is that Paul was nice to me from day one! I was on suicide watch on Unit K-81 at MDC. Paul worked in the unit kitchen and would bring me my meals. His smile and polite words got me through one of the darkest periods of my life. Thank you Paul. Be strong!-Gary McIntosh

Vicky Gallas said...

@Gary

Thank you for telling us this Gary. I can assure you that Paul did not do much of anything that the government has claimed in this case. How he was convicted I will never understand, especially after reading the trial transcripts.

I believe it will all be overturned on appeal.

They say that everything happens for a reason. Perhaps you are one of the real reasons that Paul was at that place at that time - to help you get through that dark time.

Best to you in all that you do!

Vicky

Vicky Gallas said...

Message to Gary McIntosh:

"To Gary: I am innocent and know the case will be reversed and I will be vindicated. I am glad you are free and hope you are continuing your legal career. I remember you and respect you for who you are."

Anonymous said...

Why are most posts by anonymous. Here's the deal: Paul isn't a dealer nor a murderer. He was sloppy as heck. He was sloppy 18 years ago when I knew him from being co-counsel. Then he did strange stuff with Mr pimp. The bastards went after me, but I was a little pisher. Paul was big and sloppy, so when they went after him, they got him good.

Vicky Gallas said...

The person posting an anonymous comment asks why most comments are posted by anonymous? r u serious? lol Probably similar reasons to your own. I think we all know that this blog is read by the govt boys in Newark.

I get that about Paul and that's why I have supported him since I first read about the case. It all began with his fascination over Itzler and his biz. Having owned escort businesses for 10 years, I totally get that. I could tell you stories... Paul thought he was untouchable because of who he was when in reality, he seriously underestimated the vitriol and hatred of the anti-adult business crowd. Enter Myles Mahady conspiring with Shawn Brokos to finish him and the beginning of the end for Paul...

I get that X 10. I owned services in Orlando for that decade - the anti-adult business capital of the US.

Paul didn't need to deal drugs and of course he never owned 5 passports or 3 or 2. It's all BS born of pure hatred. And he sure had no need to murder some witness for a client - probably the most absurd thing I have ever heard, but the jury bought it hook, line and sinker.

Anonymous said...

Thanks for posting and replying. Who's myles mahady?

Vicky Gallas said...

Myles Mahady is the crusading Irish cop from, "Client 9: The Rise and Fall of Eliot Spitzer," among many other prosecutions related to escort services.

Anonymous said...

So are you being sarcastic when u say "crusading Irish cop" if he helped to frame paul?

Vicky Gallas said...

I don't think I was being sarcastic at all. Myles Mahady is known as the crusading Irish cop - the guy hates prostitutes and anything to do with prostitution. He certainly conspired with Shawn Brokos to do exactly that. Paul's NY case was a sham - I have discussed it in posts - and then he pleaded to a misdemeanor, not a felony as these lying idiots claim all over the place.

This BS NY case was used to abuse Paul in this case. They spread all of this lying crap about Paul to the news that is based on the word of 2 people (Natalie McLennan and James Cortopassi) that decided to play informant to avoid prosecution.