Rhode Island Brotherhood of Correctional Officers (RIBCO)

Joseph Menezes, Vice President of the Rhode Island Brotherhood of Correctional Officers, released the following statement today in response to recent staffing shortages and administrative policy decisions that have required a reduction in recreational time for inmates at the state prisons:

Check out RIBCO President Richard Ferruccio in today's Boston Globe ??

The Rhode Island Brotherhood of Correctional Officers (RIBCO) has formally expressed its deep concerns to Governor McKee regarding the Rhode Island Department of Corrections' pursuit of accreditation through the American Correctional Association (ACA). See full letter below ??

This week, the state Ethics Commission voted to launch an investigation into the travel of Department of Corrections Director, Wayne Salisbury, making headlines around the state. This is not the kind of publicity our department needs. Our men and women deserve better. We will continue to provide updates to our membership as the investigation continues.

Statement from RIBCO President Richard Ferruccio on the Confirmation of Wayne Salisbury as Head of the RI Department of Corrections CRANSTON, RI – Richard Ferruccio, the president of the Rhode Island Brotherhood of Correctional Officers (RIBCO), released the following statement today following the Senate confirmation of Wayne Salisbury as the Director of Corrections: “The Brotherhood is disappointed that both the Senate and Governor McKee failed to conduct any kind of meaningful vetting of Wayne Salisbury and refused to lead a national search for the corrections director position like the one our neighbors in Massachusetts are leading. We remain concerned about increases in violence, drug trafficking, drug use, fights, and use of force under Director Salisbury’s leadership. “While we believe that Salisbury has shown disdain for the men and women who work every day to maintain safe and orderly prisons during his time as interim, we hope that as Director he will show a new willingness to work with correctional officers and listen to our concerns about officer and inmate safety, prison staffing, and correctional policy. “Our top priority is and always has been maintaining a safe, orderly prison system. Our concerns about the Director’s track record and the Governor’s process - which put politics ahead of public safety - have been clearly stated and widely reported. As proud professionals, we commit to working with Director Salisbury the same way we have worked with every other director. But we will also hold him, Governor McKee and the entire RIDOC management team publicly accountable for their record.” RIBCO represents nearly 1,000 correctional officers who live in communities across Rhode Island.

?? RIBCO Blasts Interim Director for Spending Two Months of State Time Traveling to Junkets While Correctional Officers are Forced Into Overtime Governor McKee’s Choice to Lead RIDOC Attends Golf Trips and Booze-Filled Conferences While Violence, Drug Use, and Assaults Increase Under His Watch