In light of the recent FBI investigation on the corruption involving Correctional Officers at Eastern Correctional Institution, I would like to share my story to your readers on the corruption that I have been made a victim of from ECI's administration.
I was a happy State of MD employee at ECI for 12 years. I was a Correctional Case Management Specialist who received outstanding work evaluations and as shown in my picture, was awarded Employee of the Quarter in 2009. That all changed on June 12, 2012 when a filing cabinet fell against me in our office striking me with such force that it injured my neck and back. For years a Case Manager complained to our Supervisors (3 different ones over those years) that there were safety issues regarding the filing cabinets and they needed to be replaced but his concerns were ignored and then I was injured by one. I was out of work for about a year receiving medical treatment. When my pain management Dr. and Orthopedist cleared me to return to work, ECI allowed me to return to work. I returned to work for a few days but personnel gave me a letter days after stating I was being separated (a nice way of saying fired) from my job on June 13, 2013 because ECI would not accommodate my permanent medical restriction to work a sedentary job only.
I applied for State of MD accidental disability retirement benefits since ECI wouldn't allow me to report to work anymore due to my medical restriction. To my surprise, the MD State Retirement Agency denied me for benefits and even denied me for the less generous retirement plan offered for state employees called ordinary disability.
I obtained an attorney to appeal and was denied again for both retirement benefits again at the reconsideration level. My attorney found out the reason why MSRA denied me is because ECI submitted a memo with misleading and false information in regards to my job. In it personnel stated my job was 95% sedentary (the same medical restriction I was cleared to work that ECI said they could not accommodate) so the MSRA denied me for all medical disability retirement benefits because they feel I can continue to work my normal job duties even though ECI won't allow me to report to work there anymore. The memo also falsely states my job duties do not require me to act as a Correctional Officer in time of emergency. My former position is included in the list of mandated classifications that has daily contact with inmates. I can be asked to perform security, custody, and control functions within the Correctional setting and was required to complete mandatory Correctional training certified by the MD Correctional Training Commission so I could do so. Case managers including myself have always been called to perform CO duties in times of need usually during mass shakedowns of the housing units. This is important because in my application, I stated that sometimes we have to perform CO duties in an emergency and I have to be medically cleared for full duty to do so. Lastly, instead of ECI personnel providing more information to MSRA on why I can no longer work there, they were more interested in stating on the memo that they were advised on the QT that I was currently working in another sedentary job. At that time I was not working then and making that statement alludes as if I wouldn't work ECI's sedentary position but could work a sedentary position with a different employer when in fact I had no choice in the matter the reason why I was no longer working at ECI.
I spoke to ECI Personnel Director Christi Seman and asked her why I was fired from my job because they couldn't accommodate my medical restriction to work a sedentary job only if my job was 95% sedentary. She explained to me that since I'm not medically cleared for full duty, I can not work around inmates or have contact with inmates in a Correctional facility because the state is not going to be liable for me if I got injured inside a hazardous Correctional environment.
So nice of the State to protect themselves from any liability issues but not care about my well being financially and medically. She referred me to contact Karen Murphy, Executive Director of Human Resources for Dept. of Public Safety and Correctional Services. I emailed her for more information and she stated that my job is included in the list of mandated classifications and are considered to be Institutional support staff and any employee who is unable to fulfill the job requirements can no longer have contact with inmates. Per COMAR 12.10.01.01, the definition of Institutional support staff means a mandated employee who performs one or more of the duties of a Correctional Officer, but whose primary duties are other than that of a Correctional Officer, classification counselor, parole and probation agent, or monitor. So according to Ms. Murphy, we can perform CO duties. If we're not supposed to then that means Case Managers have been working outside of their classification for a long time which would be a serious breach of security.
Speaking of breach of security, I appealed my case again for an administrative hearing on the issue. My former Supervisor, Jon Scramlin testified against me by stating that my job duties are 95% sedentary and then he states that Case Managers are never required to act in the capacity of a Correctional Officer. It's funny he makes that statement considering he was the one who sent a Case Manager and an office secretary to work inside the control center of a housing unit on the morning of Friday, August 5, 2011. Facility Administrator, Darryl Webster ordered Mr. Scramlin to send two Case Managers to work inside the control center of a housing unit that was being searched during a mass shakedown at the Eastern Correctional Institution-Annex. Working inside the control center of a housing unit is another primary duty of a Correctional Officer. FA Webster wanted Case Managers to work inside the control center to free up the the Sargent and the CO who was working the control center so they could help out with the cell searches that were being done. The Case Manager is permitted to work inside a control center but the office secretary is a non-Correctional, unauthorized employee who is not to set foot inside a control center let alone control it! That is a serious breach of security that places all staff, inmates and most of all public safety at risk if she had opened a wrong door by mistake allowing an inmate to take control of the housing unit! So not only did he lie when he said Case Managers are never required to act in the capacity of a CO but he actually sent one and an unauthorized employee to do so. That afternoon, F.A. Webster emailed Mr. Scramlin and the Case Management staff thanking us for our help in the housing unit. Not long after that, F.A. Webster confronted the department wanting to know who told the union that an office secretary worked inside the control center earlier. The Warden at the time, Kathleen Green was made aware of the violation as well but instead of Mr. Scramlin being disciplined for it, it was quickly brushed under the rug. So he still has his job but lied in regards to mine to hinder my due process for a fair hearing for my benefits.
My administrative Judge gave a lot of weight to Mr. Scramlin's false testimony and also recommended denial of disability retirement benefits. My last appeal was in front of the Board of Trustees where my attorney requested that I at least be granted ordinary disability retirement benefits and they denied me as well on October 18, 2016.
So after 4 long years of fighting the state, the end result from me getting injured on the job is I know longer have my State of MD job and the State of MD denied me of all my disability benefits so I no longer have my state medical benefits. I wrote Governor Hogan and DPSCS Secretary Stephen Moyer for help on getting me a positive resolution for me but they never responded back. Congressman Andy Harris' Salisbury office aide Shelby told me that he couldn't help me because it wasn't a federal issue and so she passed it onto Senator Mathias in which his aide, Jeanne Waller very rudely informed me that he could not help me either. I know that is not true because if it was an inmate complaint, his office would have it investigated. We got requests from inmates or inmate’s family members all the time from legislature offices if they had a complaint so I'm very disappointed that I didn't get that same courtesy. Delegate Charles Otto looked into the matter for me but he couldn't get a positive resolution for me. At this time I requested either my job back or approval of ordinary disability benefits. This is clearly an abuse of state government which is why I had written to Congressman Harris for federal intervening on the matter . ECI won't let me continue to work there and the MD State Retirement Agency will not approve me for disability retirement benefits because they feel I can continue to work my normal job duties. I ask you Joe and all your readers, how can the State of MD continue to get away with this especially after I was injured on the job? How long can the State have it both ways? Thank you.
Joy Tyler
34 comments:
Should have hired an attorney right from the start.
Quit trying to get a free ride.
Disgusting on how this states treats good people meanwhile the state wastes multi milllions in welfare Corruption but hassle a good person to save a buck.
Sounds like maybe you need a new lawsuit against Mr Scanlin for falsely testifying.
free meal ticket anyone?
10:47 Typical armchair warrior response.
Sadly this goes on no matter where you work. Employers do not give a rats behind about employees. We have always been slaves.
As a retired Correctional Officer and was a Union Rep, I can verify this post is the State way. What facts I read is true concerning Personnel with Corrections in title are required to assist in emergency situations. If you are passive and let them get away with one thing they will never let up and only punish you. The Administrative Judges are not as impartial as they pretend to be. Lawyers will not buck the State fear of getting on their wrong side. There is only one lawyer in Salisbury now that I know of that will give you a 75% - 80% effort. As for as our local politians don't count on them. There is something missing on this subject because an on the job injury is covered by workman' comp or the States version of this, since they have a special fund for these injuries. Workman's comp should give her a % loss if ECI fired her because of this injury.
I agree with 10:54
Lady, you're what, 40? And you expect the taxpayers to pay your way the rest of your life? LOL
I am so sorry you are going through this.For those idiot's criticizing this person, you don't know what you are talking about. In fact you are probably living off of the working people now. All the deadbeats living large and you deny a injured worker benefits.
From reading this, seems that disability retirement is in order and not ordinary disability.
I had a life altering accident with the state and retirement should have been without a question with the fact's of the accident. But I had to fight for two years to receive any benefits. This is unfortunate when it should have been automatic.
I hope this person has a darn good worker's comp lawyer. It will not cost you, they are paid out of the system. Don't stop or give up, you will unfortunately have to fight, but will win. It is rough now, but will be retroactive. Good luck.
Cockey or Otway should have been your first choices and may still be able to help you resolve this.
ECI is infamous for coverups. I know for a fact that a huge sexual harrassment issue with the regional DHMH supervisor was covered up 15 years ago.
That's what you get for working at a place where corruption runs rampant. Lie with dogs and get up with fleas.
Doesn't stop you from going fishing, boat riding, 4-wheeling etc... sorry but you're more than capable of working. 🙄
I know someone that got full disability for life from twisting their knee at ECI and was out playing golf the complete time they were out on leave at White Hope Golf course. They did not have to fight nothing. They filed the paperwork and ECI walked it through. His family is "OLD Money" in Somerset County. Goes to show you if your in their click you get anything. If you are not they "screw" you every way they can.
Haha, put it right on out there!!
For all the negative anonymous comments, either you're ignorant or it was a lot for you to read that you forgot what you read at the beginning of my letter. So I'll give you a benefit of the doubt and refer you back to paragraph two. I was working and ECI fired me. I didn't ask to be injured, I didn't quit and I wouldn't have pursued State disability retirement if they hadn't fired me. I'm working now and am perfectly happy with my new job so I'm not looking for a free meal. However, after working for the state of MD for 12 years, I at least deserve a state job that will accommodate my medical restriction since being denied early state disability retirement so I will have a state pension after putting 30 years in or I should be granted a state disability retirement like other state employees have been granted under similar circumstances. Anyone that has worked with me at ECI knows what an outstanding employee I was and that I don't deserve to be treated unfairly as I have been.
For all the negative "anonymous" comments, either you're ignorant or it was a lot for you to read that you forgot what you read at the beginning of my letter. So I'll give you a benefit of the doubt and refer you back to paragraph two. I was working and ECI fired me. I didn't ask to be injured, I didn't quit and I wouldn't have pursued State disability retirement if they hadn't fired me. I'm working now and am perfectly happy with my new job so I'm not looking for a free meal. However, after working for the state of MD for 12 years, I at least deserve a state job that will accommodate my medical restriction since being denied state disability retirement so I will have a state pension after 30 years in with the state or I should be granted an early state disability retirement like other state employees have been granted under similar circumstances. Anyone that has worked with me at ECI knows what an outstanding employee I was and that I don't deserve such deceitful treatment.
12:36 PM yea, I dont think so, that is if you can get Cockey's office to actually return your call in a timely manner.
There is a big group in Annapolis that would help her and win. Ferguson, Schetelich, Ballew.
Joy - Don't bother listening to or responding to the dolts that can't comprehend what you wrote or are attacking you for pure enjoyment. They are not here to support or learn from you. They are only here to be ugly.
Some of us who have been where you are at get it.
People can only reflect to their life experiences and if they have never been subjected to having to fight for their rights, they will never understand. Most do not have the tenacity you have shown, most would have given up by now.
I wish you well.
Mrs. Tyler, I remember when you first started as a CO and then as a Case manager. You were top notch and there hasn't been a Case manager like you step foot in ECI since you left. A lot of COs would say the same about you. I heard of your accident but didn't have any idea you never got your medical retirement since ECI let you go. I'm sorry you're having to go through this. Get your lawyer to investigate what ECI and Scramlin said about Case Managers not having to work as COs in emergencies because COs and Case managers alike can vouch for you that isn't true. That's why Correctional is part of your title and they have had Case managers help us out for years! Now office secretaries...well that's a new one. They sure did keep that under the rug. Scramlin should get fired for letting that happen and for lying at your hearing! Good for you for exposing it and good luck with your continued fight. Hope something works out in your favor soon. We miss you.
Wow! ECI is famous for covering up things and screwing their employees in the process. Saw a post from an ex-employee who seems to have a problem with Ms. Tyler's claim. Maybe you should ask your Lt. husband why he had to retire all of a sudden years ago. That was another cover up including to you. At least he got the option to retire.
I can empathize with Ms. Tyler. I, too, witnessed the corruption at ECI as an employee there who retired last year. The corruption starts from the top and Warden Kathleen Green and FA Darryl Webster were a big part of it. They feel like they do not have to be accountable for their actions because they have unlimited legal resources to back them up. They can force Mr. Scramlin to act as a puppet on their part because if he doesn't they will make life very difficult for him. Warden Green was told to leave and did leave under the guise of retirement as well as other administrators at ECI. FA Webster has been told to leave as well. A check of his criminal will show that he has a record of assualts as well as DWI.
Yes! Took the words right out of my mouth! I'm sorry this happened to her. She was a well respected Case manager. If you needed anything at all she was always happy to help. And how many strikes will it take until Darryl Webster is out?
Well if this doesn't do it then I don't know what it will take. Escort Scramlin out with him. Bad thing is Webster will still get the option to retire where Ms Tyler hasn't.
When I worked at ECI they had training every year and the one thing that stuck in my head was that we were required to assist any inmate who becomes ill. It didn't matter what your job was ...from warden to janitor. You had to preform mouth to mouth without any protection. So this idea that some jobs didn't interact with inmates is insane. Go tell that to someone who hasn't got a clue.
Exactly. Plus it's 100% true that anyone who had Correctional as there title could be asked to perform CO duties and if you refused then you would be disciplined for it. So this is BS that personnel and Scramlin said they aren't. I can see why Joy is so frustrated about them getting away with telling the retirement agency the exact opposite so they deny her medical retirement and then she can't get anyone to listen to her and investigate it. I had heard Senator Mathias is good at looking into things like this. Don't know why he is ignoring this especially as her complaint involves a security breach.
I wrote Governor Hogan and DPSCS Secretary Stephen Moyer for help on getting me a positive resolution for me but they never responded back.
You won't hear back from them because they are so high and mighty and don't have time to fix problems for us peons.
Just think, Larry Hogan is going to run for re-election and he will shake your hand and look you in the eye and then ask for your vote.
Guess what, Jim Mathias is going to do the same thing.
Guess who is on the Board of Trustees and you voted for him! Peter Franchot. Those bums only care for their elected jobs.
Thank God Charles Otto looked into it for you.
Here is one thing to always remember. Never vote for a Democrat. Larry Hogan is a RINO.
In the primaries you need to vote for his top opponent! If he makes it to the general election, you have no choice but to vote for Hogan. No Democrats,EVER!
Remember when Kathleen Green was assistant Warden at ECI and she was escorted out of ECI, given another state job and then came back to ECI as Warden? Poor Joy gets fired for a medical condition she got after being injured on the job and can't even get a medical retirement. Now that's politics at its best!
Please be reminded that every case filed is different and has different circumstances. Social media is taken into account as well. When you start naming people on social media regarding cases and accusing them and information might be inaccurate it can be used for a civil action. As well you are entitled to present your case those who you named can as well. There are other top people involved that you did not name. The final decision did not rest on the two people you named but on those above them. This is an unprofessional way to handle the case. This is a sorry attempt to make the person writing 'this to seek sympathy from the people reading it. You are entitled to present your case but maybe you should take a different direction and not use social media.
Maybe she is sick and tired of all the BS, lies and seeks social Media which in turn might resolve to find her some help in this matter. It's been a long time,in corrections and The State of MD, it never takes their scared butts to act fast for inmate and inmate family issues! Maybe you know it alls- know everything, could explain and enlighten us all!
I'm sorry but didn't people who go after employment in a correctional facility take on some obvious risk by taking such a job? I mean it's not like you're applying and accepting a job at the local daycare centers. This is what happens in high security correctional institutions. One of the reasons when Princess Anne was in a planning stage, many were against such an institution being built here around our families on the Shore. Not only does it bring a bad element to the area, it endangers workers needlessly. Rikers, Alcatraz and Gitmo have the right idea. Put them out in the middle of water masses and let them rot because they didn't incarcerated for selling Avon.
Because of the high risk of working in a prison that further supports her claim she should have been treated much better than this and been granted an accidental medical retirement. I worked at ECI and its true when you get injured and ECI fires you for medical reasons then you are supposed to be given a medical retirement. I've seen it done regularly while I worked there. She's saying she didn't want to leave but ECI didn't give her any other choice and that's true, they don't. I don't know what is so different about her case that they won't even give her a less paying retirement plan called ordinary retirement. She didn't get approved for anything at all so maybe she should file a discrimination case against the state. I think it's a good thing that she made her voice be heard on social media. I would have done the same if nobody was willing to help me. Best of luck to her.
Webster is a piece of you know what!!!!!
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