Interview with Steve D. Correia, a Massachusetts Inmate

" You can't put a person in a cage for years, treat them without dignity or basic concern and expect for them to come out and act like responsible people. When no one's looking, they will act out."

Could you tell us a little about yourself?

My name is Steven D.Correia and I am 52 years young. I was born and raised in Massachusetts (New Bedford). I have worked many jobs, beginning with newspaper delivery and moving on to selling door-to-door goods, Fuller Brush, China and Flatware, Avon (yes, I said Avon - and did well also). I've worked in factories, an Iron Foundry (RI), high end men's clothing store (MD) and numerous fish houses and processing plants. Work was never a problem for me, unless I didn't have it.

My interests, in the free world were, Traveling, cooking, dancing, seeing good movies (romance, comedies, true stories) , etc., spending time with family, a little sports. I love to sing and have been doing that all of my life. I also write poems, songs and short stories, read self-help books and enjoy good conversations (preferably with an intelligent woman). I don't suffer fools well. I play card games and Scrabble.

What were you convicted of and how long is your sentence?

Initially I was convicted in 1982 for Burglary and Assault on Occupants. I was given a 12-15 year sentence for that and 8-10 years for Assault and Battery to run concurrent. Up to that point most of my criminal history was for B&E's and Auto Theft. Nothing very serious, but I was accused of Armed Robbery once and it was not prosecuted. (I could explain at another time if you'd like.)

I walked away from a minimum security institution in 1985 and when I was apprehended about 44 days later, I was put into a line-up and subsequently charged and convicted of the following offenses; Masked Armed Robbery, Unarmed Robbery, another Masked Armed Robbery, Assault and Battery, Kidnapping and Aggravated Rape. All of these crimes were committed by someone with a MASK. I was also accused of two counts of regular Armed Robbery but was found Not Guilty by a jury after the victims told the police/initially, that the assailant was "White." I am not white.

I was unsuccessful in proving that the line-up I was in was tainted. The other participants were police officers (out of uniform), two were at least 50 years old, one was too heavy and too dark and the other was much shorter (though facially he resembled me). I was 30 years old and looked much younger, (see enclosed photo taken at 51 years young.)
At a pre-trial hearing, when one victim (Armed Robbery) was asked to point to her assailant, she picked a white man out in the gallery. It was written about in the Standard Times newspaper.

I was given 30-50 years for that crime, to be served from and after the initial 12-15. I was given an additional 12-15 years for another Masked Armed Robbery to be served from and after the 30-50 term, and Life for the Aggravated Rape charge, to be served from and after the others.

My attorneys were so incompetent, or just too involved in courthouse politics, that I defended myself at three trials. One was the Not Guilty for the Armed Robbery (two counts). I had to fight for my life. Nobody else was! I'm still fighting this unfair system. I can tell you all about any of this if you are interested and ask. I've been in prison now for 25 years and have a lifetime to do, for things I didn't do. But who cares?

How many different Massachusetts facilities have you been in?

I've been in 8 Massachusetts facilities during this incarceration. Walpole, Concord, Norfolk, Concord Farm, S.E.C.C. (now closed), Shirley Max.,Gardner and O.C.C.C. (here now). I've been back to Walpole more than once, punishment, and here more than once (twice).

Could you tell us about the new prison administration? Does this effect the parole board members?

The current prison administration (Public Safety) is in transition, under Governor Patrick. However, it's still in it's conservative stance. Tough on criminals! Take privileges, because the public thinks we're living high off the hog. We've got SHIT! They're liars who are focused on security.

I believe the Governor appoints the parole board members, though they still fall under public safety. The parole board is conservative as well, with retired police, a victim of a crime and, I believe, a retired prosecutor (I could be wrong).

Is there overcrowding in Massachusetts prisons? How bad?

Yes, there is overcrowding in these prisons. Some prisons are well over capacity. Prisons designed for say 400 something, like this one, now holds over 900 prisoners. That includes a modular unit that was added years ago. Modular units have been added to many prisons, and cells designed for single occupancy have been doubled. Prisons are now housing county inmates (waiting trial) who have served state sentences before. Overcrowding increases the potential for violence as well as other psychological deficiencies.

I hear complaints about inadequate medical attention, do you feel this is true?

In some areas, yes. I, personally don't have many problems. I have a chronic condition (Ulcerative Colitis) and I've been treated adequately. However, putting in a sick slip for a new ailment can be problematic. You may not be seen for a week for something that may require quick care. If you fall out, you get immediate attention. Often times, the grievance process leads to more harassment by the police. They write disciplinary reports on us but when we write them up, they spread the word that we are rats (snitches). Some fools believe that!!! Some police even put people's crimes out there for others to ridicule them, or worse.

Some of the problem is that nurses now have the wrong attitude. We aren't patients to them. We are dirty scoundrels and we don't deserve anything. This attitude comes from trying to fit in with the police (C.O's) and get along. The police has an "us against them attitude" and if you don't screw the inmates over you must be an inmate lover. Some of these police date the nurses. Some nurses are good though and are true to the profession.

Some of the other issues are that some inmates treat the nurses like trash, disrespecting them and talking to them as though they have no choice but to give the inmate want he wants. It is not strictly one-sided. Not at all! Then there are the cases where inmates don't get diagnosed properly or treated for their condition until it becomes problematic, even to the point of being irreversible.

Is there prison abuse/humiliation by staff?

Certainly!!! There are always those who abuse their powers. In fact, these days, the public has more or less made it okay to abuse inmates. There attitude is, "They're just cry babies. If they can't do the time they shouldn't do the crime." And, "What do they want, preferential treatment?"

The staff talk to us disrespectfully all the time. We have a grievance process which is supposed to investigate mistreatment. When we file one, the police are never reprimanded or fired, because let's face it, everyone thinks we're just a bunch of liars and con artists. Who takes our word over the police's? So, they say the process is there for us to utilize it, but we get no favorable results. Even if we have more than one source of proof.

What about prison rape, how common is it? Does the staff turn their heads on this?

I don't know how common it is. Out of the 25 years I've been in prison I know one person, personally, who was raped, and he was raped by the police in Concord. He was a homosexual and the police probably thought raping him would go unpunished. He sued and won a judgment.

I have heard of people being raped, I know some men who have had sex with other men, what I believe is consensual, and there are many gay or bi-sexual men around here (some on the "down low"). I guess who are perceived as weak will be preyed upon by someone.

I don't have anything against homosexuals, and some are quite entertaining, but I don't associate myself with men who sex other men so I really don't have much to tell. I "Do Not" like bullies or anyone who takes advantage of weaker people and I will not associate with them.

That may sound strange coming from a man who had been involved with criminal activity for many years but I made a conscious effort not to ever hurt anyone physically, and I haven't. I'm proud of that!

Rapes are supposed to be reported and prosecuted. Some people report them and others may be afraid of the backlash. Then again, who believes them? There had better be evidence I guess. By the way, some police engage in consensual sex with male inmates. It is against the law for any staff to have sex with an inmate now male or female.

Are there enough rehabilitation and vocational programs for the inmates?

NO,NO,NO!!! Most programs are inmate run that are making the most difference. There are Pre-GED and GED programs, ESL for those who don't understand English well, computer labs and a -couple of institutions have culinary arts or barber school, not every institution and certainly not enough room for more than 4 or 5 at a time. Four or 5 every year or even 6 months is not adequate.

There are drug programs that do not work, but give good time credits, and that is the motivation. There are people in the programs getting high. How effective can the program be? The programs that are getting results right now are inmate run, self-help programs that men are going to on their own volition. Not enough of them (programs) and certainly not enough motivated men, but we the inmates are dedicated to helping each other. We don't have a vested interest in the return of people to prison, like those who depend on a paycheck to support their families.

A lot of programs have been cut. Funding??!! Please!!! The focus is definitely NOT on rehabilitation. It's a lot of fluff for the public and to get federal funds. There are accreditation standards that have to be met, or no funds from the Feds.

How long are inmates confined to DDD units, (solitary confinement), and what reasons do inmates get put there?

Inmates are confined to DDU for various reasons and the length varies as well. Mostly, you're sent there for violence but, once you've been there once it is easier to be put back there. You can be classified a danger. If you kill someone in prison, you will be placed in DDU for 10 years. Chase someone with a weapon maybe a year or two. Assault someone with that weapon and it could be anywhere up to 10 years. Inmates are re-evaluated at the end of their sentences (DDU) to see if they are suitable for population. Everything is relative.

We can be placed in segregation for what seem like minor offenses. That unit is DSU. For instance I went to segregation in November 2006 for a photo of me being found on the truck that transports the canteen items that we purchase. That was my job at the time. I was accused of trying to communicate with the female truck driver, even though the police, canteen workers, the female and inmates said nothing was going on. I stayed in Seg. for 2 months then moved to another unit where they kept me on 24 hour lock-down for 2 more months. Ridiculous!

You can be sent to Seg. for anything from fighting drinking/drugging, having too many postage stamps or canteen items or, for suspicion. You can stay there for many months also.

How do you spend your time in: prison?

I used to have a job, but since I was taken to Seg. I lost that and haven't been given another. Now I go to the yard to work out in the mornings. I go to the law library every afternoon just about. I go to computer class twice a week and I participate in inmate run programs. I've got too much time to qualify for much else. I go to counseling once a month for an hour (voluntarily). I write letters, read, watch television and sometimes play card or board games. I don't get visits unless my mother comes up. I don't particularly care to interact with a lot of these people here, I don't care for men all that much.:-) I play basketball probably once a week for a couple of hours also. I try to influence younger people to act responsibly and get involved with self-help activities. I can't tell you everything I do, some things are against the rules. :-) Nothing harmful to others and no freaky business.

What other problems need to. be addressed?

Many problems need to be addressed. Starting with making it mandatory that people get involved with educational programs and psychological counseling. I don't think that politicians factor in that people who commit crimes repeatedly have issues, not that people are retarded but criminal behavior is not normal. Certainly no one aspires to be a criminal. Not very many people enjoy the experience of being in prison either and it is not as simple as "just saying no." Some folks, that's what they know as a successful tool to get what they NEED.

The psyche is a powerful instrument and once it has been influenced negatively by the people that you've depended on to protect and provide for you, it dictates your behavior until you recognize it, claim it and work on fixing it. It isn't as simple as providing an opportunity to obtain a GED. Yes, that will make someone feel good for about two minutes then, it's back to the foolish crowd and activities that have guided you.

Take the damn basketballs and other distractions away and make treatment mandatory. Don't deal with drug conversations, deal with the core issues that led to drug activity and other ways of seeking false gratification.

Yes, I can work in MacDonald's forever, but if I don't have good self esteem and a true understanding of myself, I'll just be lost until that next false God finds me.

The police need to be professional and treat people with respect, like humans. There is no human quality here. Temper justice with mercy. Isn't that what the system is supposed to be about? I already feel like shit, I don't need you to make me feel like less of a human being. After all, I have the capacity to Love and even be Loved by someone.

At this time if there is anything you would like to add, please do so.

I think that I have added much throughout this interview. Maybe said too much. :-) :-) I have a lot to say but I would really like to have it more organized. It is quite obvious that there are people walking around who have issues that need addressing. I think it is a worthy cause to help people who don't even recognize that they need it. It is sad that this country commits so many of its citizens to prisons each year, especially Black people. Something has to be done and somebody needs to be the hero.

Those of us who are incarcerated, at least some of us, know what is needed to stay out of prison. There needs to be a running dialogue, but who is willing to listen to reason. If a battered woman knew that all it would take for her to be safe is for the batterer to stop hitting her, would you think you knew better than her? Go around on the street and see how many people would volunteer to go to prison.

Okay, peoples intentional behavior sends them to prison, but that isn't always a conscious thought. Don't put a band-aid on something that requires surgery. Aren't we tired of topical solutions? They aren't even solutions. Fine!

Steve closed his interview with this final thought,

"Dee, I want to thank you for showing interest in what goes on in prisons. I would, however, like to make a real difference in people's lives. This business is serious. That's just what it is and people need to recognize that the American Prison Industrial Complex is successful, in terms of jobs, etc., and that's an American travesty."