Podcast Summary
Investigating Police Misconduct: A Complex Issue: Investigative journalism plays a crucial role in holding police accountable for misconduct and use of force incidents. New laws, like California's Right to Know Act, provide access to previously hidden internal records, but investigating police misconduct remains complex and challenging.
The process of holding police accountable for misconduct and use of force incidents is a complex issue that requires transparency and public scrutiny. In recent years, high-profile cases of police brutality have brought increased attention to this issue, and investigative journalism plays a crucial role in shedding light on what really happens behind the scenes. Criminal justice reporter Suki Lewis, host of the KQED podcast "On Our Watch," has been at the forefront of this effort in California. Along with her team, she has been uncovering thousands of previously sealed internal affairs law enforcement records as part of the California Reporting Project. In the second season of her show, "On Our Watch," she delves into recent incidents at one of the most dangerous prisons in California, providing a glimpse into the closed world of correctional facilities and the challenges of investigating what happens inside. The California Reporting Project, co-founded by Suki in 2018, was made possible by a new law called the Right to Know Act, which opened up internal police records for the first time. This law gave access to the paper trail that had long been hidden from public view, providing a window into how police departments operate. However, even with this new transparency, investigating police misconduct remains a complex and challenging process.
Promises of accountability in police departments are based on a false assumption: Season 1 of 'On Our Watch' podcast revealed that police accountability systems prioritize risk management over justice, and Season 2 shifted focus to correctional facilities to investigate accountability functions in a system where complainants are often incarcerated.
Learning from the first season of "On Our Watch" podcast is that the promises of accountability in police departments are often based on a false assumption. Instead of being focused on justice, these systems serve as risk management tools to protect departments and cities from liability. This was particularly evident in the secretive world of police internal affairs. For the second season, the team shifted their focus to correctional facilities, specifically California State Prison at New Folsom. They discovered that this prison had three times as many serious use of force incidents as any other prison in the state, making it an important place to investigate. The world of corrections is even more closed off than policing, and understanding how accountability functions in a system where complainants are often incarcerated is crucial.
Two whistleblowers at New Folsom Prison died under suspicious circumstances: Investigative journalists uncovered potential retaliation against two prison officers who were uncovering issues within the prison, highlighting the risks faced by whistleblowers.
The mysterious deaths of two whistleblowers at New Folsom Prison raised serious concerns about potential retaliation and foul play. Investigative journalists, Suki and her team, uncovered that correctional officer Valentino Rodriguez and sergeant Kevin Steele had both died within a year of each other. Rodriguez's death was ruled an accidental overdose, while Steele died by suicide. The team reached out to the families of the deceased officers for information and filed public records requests for their death investigations. Although they did not find evidence of foul play, they learned that both officers had been uncovering issues within the prison before their deaths. The father of Valentino Rodriguez, also named Valentino Rodriguez, was a key source who helped the team understand his son's last days and motivated him to seek answers. The team's investigation highlights the importance of whistleblowers and the potential risks they face when uncovering wrongdoing.
Prison's harsh environment affects officer's mental health: Despite a kind and hardworking personality, a prison officer faced mental health struggles due to harassment and identity crisis, ultimately questioning his career choice.
Valentino Rodriguez, despite being a kind, funny, and hardworking man, faced significant challenges and mental health struggles during his time in a dangerous prison's investigative unit. He tried to fit in with the older officers but was met with harassment, which took a toll on his mental health. After a breakdown at work, he went on stress leave but continued to mentally grapple with his experiences at the prison. This ordeal led him to question his identity and feel like he had given up on his job. The small artifacts found on his phone, such as the cumbia dancing video and songs about his dog, offered glimpses into his personality and the challenges he faced.
Whistleblowers face immense pressure and risks: Speaking out against misconduct can lead to serious consequences, including fear, paranoia, and even death. It's crucial to create safe spaces for whistleblowers and address their concerns promptly to prevent tragic outcomes.
The pressure and moral dilemmas faced by whistleblowers, as depicted in the story of two officers in the California Department of Corrections, can lead to devastating consequences. These officers, Valentino Rodriguez and Kevin Steele, felt compelled to speak out against misconduct and harassment within their unit, which functioned as the prison's internal police force. However, their decisions to blow the whistle came with significant risks. Rodriguez, who made a report just days before his death, became increasingly paranoid and fearful for his safety. Steele, who was also a military veteran with a strong sense of morality, was disillusioned by the system's failure to address the issues he had reported and the insensitive treatment of an officer's family following his death. Both officers paid a heavy price for their actions, ultimately losing their lives. Their stories underscore the importance of creating safe spaces for whistleblowers to come forward and addressing their concerns promptly and effectively to prevent such tragic outcomes.
Culture of silence in prisons hinders accountability for use of force incidents: The code of silence among officers in prisons prevents reporting of use of force incidents, leading to lack of accountability and fear of retaliation for those who speak out
The culture of silence in prisons is a significant barrier to holding accountable officers involved in use of force incidents. Former correctional officer Kevin Steele, who exposed such incidents in a memo before leaving California, revealed inconsistencies between reported incidents and actual injuries. These incidents often lacked camera coverage and the use of force descriptions did not align with the injuries sustained. The code of silence, an unspoken agreement among officers not to report on each other, is even stronger in a prison context due to the lack of outside witnesses. This silence results in no discipline for officers involved and fear of retaliation for those who speak out, making it a formidable challenge to uncover the truth behind prison use of force incidents.
Uncovering the Mental Trauma of Prison Life: Reporting on the mental health impacts of working in a prison exposed the shared experiences of trauma between correctional officers and incarcerated individuals, highlighting the need for compassionate and supportive systems within the prison system.
The culture of silence within the prison system contributed to the deaths of correctional officers Steele and Val. Despite no evidence of foul play being found, the mental trauma experienced by these officers for speaking out against the system led to their declining health and eventual demise. Reporting on such a sensitive topic in a prison setting presented numerous challenges, including maintaining confidentiality with correctional officers and ensuring informed consent from incarcerated individuals. Phone conversations were recorded, and some individuals had limited understanding of podcasts, requiring careful explanation. Additionally, dealing with the trauma experienced by both officers and incarcerated individuals required a nuanced and sensitive approach. Ultimately, the reporting uncovered a complex story about the mental impacts of working in a prison, revealing the shared experiences of trauma between correctional officers and incarcerated individuals.
Empowering sources in trauma-informed journalism: Trauma-informed journalism lets sources control their narrative, fosters trust, and ensures accurate representation. Transparency in reporting brings attention to issues, but change requires public interest and engagement.
A trauma-informed approach in journalism involves giving sources the power to control their narrative and ensuring accurate representation. During reporting for the On Our Watch podcast from KQED, criminal justice reporter Suki Lewis held conversations with families of incarcerated individuals, allowing them to reconsider their statements and ensuring there were no surprises upon publication. This approach fosters trust and accuracy, ultimately ensuring responsible journalism. Moreover, transparency in reporting can bring attention to issues within public institutions, such as prisons. However, the impact of this reporting is limited without the internal will to act upon it. For instance, California's Office of the Inspector General of Prisons issues reports on prison issues but lacks the power to enforce change. Therefore, public interest and awareness are crucial in driving change. Ultimately, journalism provides a voice to those who have been silenced, including the deceased and incarcerated individuals. The work of journalists like Suki Lewis is essential in shedding light on critical issues and fostering public engagement and interest.
Exploring Mental Health and Family Memories: This episode of The Sunday Story discusses mental health resources and the importance of creating cherished family memories in Fort Myers.
... you can access the latest season of "The Sunday Story" podcast at kqed.org or through popular podcast platforms. This episode was produced by a team at KQED, including Justin Yan, Liana Simstrom, Jin Chien, Chris Egusa, Robert Rodriguez, Abby Wendell, Jenny Schmidt, and Irene Noguchi. If you're dealing with mental health issues or know someone who needs crisis support, call or text 988. Up First will return with news for the week ahead. In a different vein, PBS invites you to explore the future in their series "A Brief History of the Future," available to stream now on PBS and the PBS app. Lastly, Fort Myers offers various experiences for making cherished family memories, so plan your visit at visitfortmyers.com. Remember, if you're dealing with mental health concerns, there's help available. Call or text 988. Tune in tomorrow for Up First's news update.
