Riverside,
California - DOJ - GHN News - Tobacco is not allowed in federal prisons, and a correctional officer has been arrested for accepting bribes involving it as cigarettes have become part of the black market crime in penitentiaries.
California - DOJ - GHN News - Tobacco is not allowed in federal prisons, and a correctional officer has been arrested for accepting bribes involving it as cigarettes have become part of the black market crime in penitentiaries.
Justin
Morrow, 32, a correctional officer at the United States Penitentiary in
Victorville, has been arrested and charged with federal bribery for
giving prisoners tobacco, which is a substance banned in federal
prisons.
Victorville, has been arrested and charged with federal bribery for
giving prisoners tobacco, which is a substance banned in federal
prisons.
Morrow
was taken by special agents on an arrest related to a 15-count
indictment returned by a federal grand jury on September 8 according to a press release from the U.S. Department of Justice.
The
indictment accused Morrow of two counts of bribery by a public official
and charges he gave tobacco to two inmates who collectively paid
$10,500 for smuggling tobacco into the penitentiary. He pleaded not
guilty to all of the charges.
indictment accused Morrow of two counts of bribery by a public official
and charges he gave tobacco to two inmates who collectively paid
$10,500 for smuggling tobacco into the penitentiary. He pleaded not
guilty to all of the charges.
In 2004 the ban on no smoking in federal buildings was extended to prisons, which created significant unrest among both the prisoners and guards. USA Today quoted one of the federal officials about how the ban had impacted the prison community "If you can't quit, you're just stuck and you're now a second-class
citizen," complains smoker Aubrey Francis, a federal correctional
officer and vice president with the Council of Prison Locals, bargaining
representative for the nations' 36,000 federal prison employees. "I'll
be honest with you, they're very aggravated about it," Francis says.
citizen," complains smoker Aubrey Francis, a federal correctional
officer and vice president with the Council of Prison Locals, bargaining
representative for the nations' 36,000 federal prison employees. "I'll
be honest with you, they're very aggravated about it," Francis says.
Tobacco has now become part of the black market and criminal element in federal prisons, so many state prisons have not yet banned smoking.
Each
charge of bribery of a public official carries a statutory maximum
penalty of 15 years in federal prison. Each charge of providing
contraband to inmates carries a statutory maximum penalty of six months
in prison.
charge of bribery of a public official carries a statutory maximum
penalty of 15 years in federal prison. Each charge of providing
contraband to inmates carries a statutory maximum penalty of six months
in prison.
The
case against Morrow was investigated by the Justice Department’s Office
of Inspector General with the assistance of the Bureau of Prisons.
case against Morrow was investigated by the Justice Department’s Office
of Inspector General with the assistance of the Bureau of Prisons.
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