‘Deeply troubling.’ Rockview state prison inmates claim a noose was found in officers’ hub
Though grievances filed by Rockview state prison inmates were denied, advocates are still pushing for action after inmates reported a noose fashioned from an extension cord was seen inside the office where corrections officers are stationed.
Inmates told the Pennsylvania Prison Society the noose was displayed on Nov. 24 in the officers’ “bubble,” which Prison Society prison monitoring director Noah Barth described as the central security area in a housing unit.
When confronted by Black inmates, the Prison Society was told corrections officers laughed when they said they were “celebrating Black Friday.” About 45% of the prison’s population is Black.
At least two inmates filed grievances with the prison. One told the Prison Society he was subjected to “intimidating and racist” remarks, while another said he felt he faced retaliation and “aggressive” cell searches.
The prison interviewed staff and inmates as part of its investigation into at least one of the grievances, Pennsylvania Department of Corrections communications director Ryan Tarkowski wrote Wednesday in an email to the Centre Daily Times. The allegations were found to be unsubstantiated and the grievance requests were denied.
It’s not publicly known if there is a camera inside the office where the noose was reportedly hung. Tarkowski declined to say if any potential footage was reviewed as part of the investigation, writing he can’t divulge the “details of security in our facilities.”
Two corrections officers and a sergeant were removed the unit, but Barth said they returned to the block on a “somewhat regular basis.” Tarkowski did not respond to a question about potential discipline.
“Moving officers to another block while an investigation is underway is certainly a necessary first step,” Barth said. “The fact that the officers are reported to regularly be present on the unit again and making intimidating and/or racist remarks is deeply troubling.
“Depending on the outcome of that investigation, I think that there are likely more serious personnel consequences that should be considered. If this is not taken seriously and acted upon, I think it sends a signal both to the incarcerated population and the rest of the staff that racist and/or intimidating actions are tolerated.”
A message left Thursday with the Pennsylvania State Corrections Officers Association was not immediately returned.
The CDT submitted Thursday a request under the state’s Right-To-Know Law for all reports and documentation gathered as part of the investigation. The DOC has five business days to provide an interim response.
“By virtue of what they are tasked with doing, there is necessarily a certain level of security and protected information,” Barth said. “However, it has become a culture that is totally opaque to public view.”
