Prison Abuse and Negligence In Toney Case

[The Prophet]

A young Black Man was injured while in the care of the justice system. This young man was MY SON. Through the pain of this incident we requested an investigation from DOC with a fine tooth comb, leaving no stones unturned. The response we received was a resounding we too want answers. If there was a thorough investigation the officer or in this case officers that are being paid to take the contraband into prisons would not be still employed and the results would not be closed with NO evidence of Foul Play. If a mother and sister in the state of Texas were charged with Felonies for simply buying minutes to use in the cellphone would it not be safe to assume in a "just" society that the correctional officers would be held in a higher standing and be more severely punished? As doctors take an oath to do no harm it would stand to reason that officers take an oath to promote justice. When researching I found only one case although there may be others of an officer receiving any incarceration. I am not fluent in the law or punishment under the law but buying minutes is a felony punishable by What I'm sure to be more than 8 days of incarceration or the request for resignation by guards. Right is Right and Wrong is Wrong. I have heard the quote you do the crime you do the time for a number of years does that only apply to lay people. In the Toney case the young black brother was lynched to silence his knowledge and in the reports for DOC they focused more on the defamation of his character than how and why he wound up in critical condition. With officers allowed to continue their acts of malicious greed onto members or the corrections population and their families. Leon and his family supported the Nation of Islam for many years, he sponsored the Ramadan feast in Walla Walla and now this act is being blanketed under the title of Prison Business and Gang Involvement. This Prison Business and Gang involvement has now been used as a catalyst for the proposed stress that Leon was under. The investigations have led to the denial of the families request for his Noble Qur'an and religious items as well as any things that show strength or good character. While researching other cases of this nature it has come to my attention that in all cases the inmate or the family of said inmates are held at fault and the means of distribution being guards are being given taps on the hands. The nature of cover up in our case is so severe for example there is surveillance footage that is missing, timestamps that are altered, the means of harm is changed, the item that he allegedly attempted to end his life on has changed since we have questioned the dimensions of said items, and the improbability that the situation could have occurred as stated given the information we were provided by DOC. The family received a hand delivered letter from an inmate newly released states that the heard a big, muscular, white guard state yes lieutenant I understand as if to show plans were being made to cover this incident up. There are inmates willing to take lie detector tests about the information that they have without regard to their freedom or safety. There are even GUARDS who had person dealings with Leon that assured us in this time of crisis that the things we know about Leon's Strength of Mind, Good Character, Hardworking Nature, Zest for Life and Plans of a Future were true thus showing there was FOUL PLAY. The issues that make our skin crawl stem from the fact that the illegal cellphones although contraband were the means that saved his life. We received information that things were not as they should be from inmates and not doc officials. When contacting Doc the day of the incident we were told that they had no knowledge of any issues with Leon, when asked if inmates were to be transferred would DOC know immediately the answer was a resounding yes. The desire to keep this story alive stems form the fear we have of retaliation on other inmates by the guards at McNeil Island and the officials of DOC should they be moved elsewhere stemming from the knowledge that they provided information to the family about this crisis. We are well aware of the risk they took to do a noble act and are EXTREMELY grateful to them and keep them in our prayers for their safety. It is our fear that when call logs are examined and any phone numbers of confiscated cell phone show our contact information their lives or freedom could be in jeopardy. There is a daily fear that this is not over. We live now in constant fear that any complications that Leon incurs are retaliation. We live in a state of constant mistrust and overprotection for we know not who is to be trusted and who we must watch carefully. Our Black King is fortunate to have a strong band of Nubian Queen Warriors standing by his side, Mother, Daughters, Wife, Sisters, Nieces, Aunts, Cousins, and Friends standing POWERFULLY, BOLDLY, RIGHTEOUSLY and Armed with the power of PRAYER directly on the front line to spearhead Leon in regaining his knowledge, talent and strength. We ask for spiritual protection and blessings. We ask that each of you call on the source of your healing and help by whatever name you use to grant special healing and a veil of protection over Leon. The power of Prayer is AWESOME. That's The Way It IS. Much respect to the Queen Assata Shakur.

[The Prophet]

anuary 20, 2010
Family Sues McNeil Island Officers After Inmate Is Injured

January 20, 2010 (by Horatio Algren) According to reports the family of an inmate filed a legal suit claiming that at the time the inmate was injured, corrections officers were taking bribes for special favors.

The inmate that was injured sustained brain damage when he attempted to hang himself, during a time when corrections officers were allegedly taking bribes for access to cell phones and unauthorized conjugal visits. These could be bought and money was extorted from prisoners that would not pay according to the lawsuit filed by the family.

According to Tacoma attorneys Jack Connelly and Nathan Roberts their client attempted suicide in September of 2008. They also stated to The News Tribune that they are not sure how widespread the corruption at McNeil Island prison was in September of 2008.

Attorney Roberts stated it is part of the reason for their case, to see how many people were involved. Leon Toney was 31 at the time he attempted to commit suicide, this according to Toney , his guardians and his attorneys occurred after he was placed in solitary confinement.

According to Toney’s attorneys, he was placed in solitary confinement after he would not pay the bribery demands as a way of vengeance against the inmate. The lawsuit states that the corrections officers knew that Toney might be a danger to himself due to the fact that he had been previously diagnosed with mental health issues, and now remains in a semi-vegetative state.

The suit states that the Department of Correction officers either knew or should have known that improperly locking the inmate in solitary confinement. This would have aggravated Toney’s serious depression and suicidal ideation according to the suit. The outreach director communications spokes person Belinda Stewart for the Corrections Department stated there would be no comment and that while they extend their sympathy to Mr. Toney and his family they will defend their actions.

Stewart stated that they believe the evidence will show that Mr. Toney’s actions were what caused his injuries. The investigation conducted by the Washington State Patrol detective Juli Gundermann after Toney’s relatives alleged that his injuries could have been caused by foul play.

Gundermann stated there was no evidence to implicate the Department of Corrections officers with the exceptions of Toney’s family, according to a report Gundermann submitted to her superiors on May 28, 2009. Attorney’s Connelly and Roberts stated the investigation done by Gundermann, including the statements from corrections personnel are part of the basis for Toney and his relatives lawsuit.

Part of what was uncovered was that at least three female corrections employees at the prison had sex with inmates, smuggled cell phones, tobacco and drugs, as well as other contraband to prisoners. They also allowed prisoners to have sex with women from outside of the prison for a fee according to the report.