County releases video of duct tape incident at jail

The Sun Journal filed a Freedom of Access Act request last week with the Androscoggin County Commissioners'  office to get a copy of video captured on Androscoggin County Jail security cameras at about 11:30 p.m. on Sept. 22.

The video images depict corrections officers binding one of their workers to an office chair with duct tape,  then wheeling him into the prisoner transport elevator and sending him to another floor in the jail. He is wheeled out of the elevator and back into the booking area of the jail where he eventually frees himself from the duct tape (not shown in the jail videotape.) 

Several corrections officers were disciplined last week due to their involvement in the incident.

Shown in the first frame of the video are: Corrections Officer Robert Murphy, distant right; Sgt. Kevin Harmon, distant left, seated; Cpl. Patrick Gorham, foreground, back to camera; Corrections Officer John Morissette, seated front left. 
Harmon later resigned. Murphy was suspended without pay for a 48-hour period and put on probation for three months. Gorham, who also was involved in an earlier incident, was fired.  

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Comments

pandab's picture

TruthfulBitch you are a

TruthfulBitch you are a joke. Obviously you are a C.O at the jail. Are there any rules at ACJ about having an affair with a married C.O that you work with? I mean whats worse, Intentionally ruining a marriage, or a few guys playin' around at work.? I can only imagine what or "who" you have done while at the jail. Hopefully they turn a blind eye to some of that. I wonder who you are.

apple10111's picture

skullbones.... The Jail

skullbones.... The Jail administratorhould be fired also no leadership in the jail.

apple10111's picture

skullbones....The jail

skullbones....The jail administrator should be fired also No leadership there

Kathy B.'s picture

Fun!!!!!

Fun!!!!!

johnagrayjr's picture

I have never seen people

I have never seen people whine like you people do... Try comming down to Rikers Island for a while. I have worked here for 16 yrs and you people whine over this petty little crap. God you make me sick just reading your comments I wanted to puke. I will bet the poeple doing the biggest bitching have been geust at their fine establishment more then once. As for slamming the police you cry now but you are the first coward to call them when you need them.. Boo Hoo Hoo what a bunch of candy a**es.. If you think you could do a better job GET A JOB THERE or just shut up. Bunch of pathetic whiners... Come on down and I will show you what it is really like in a jail where guards take there life into their hands everytime they go to work. Well cupcake they do where you are too maybe a smaller jail but looks like you want to sit back and play quarterback for home instead of getting off your but and getting in the game.. So unless you want to work there and make it a safer place SHUT UP see it's that easy.. You can sit there and critisize behind your computer screen but like I said a minute ago if you dont't like the way things are done there go to work there and change it if you don't want to do that you have NO right to complain. Sweet dream cupcake....

Mac antSaior's picture
verified

Give me a break! When I was

Give me a break! When I was in the service, this stuff went on all the time. We were bored... in a high pressure job... and nobody was ever injured. Leave these guys alone! Chalk it up to a little testosterone driven mischeif and let it be.

It is the undauntable thought, my friend. The one that says, "I'm right!" ~Bobby Sands

chowdaman's picture

Like to see those s.o.b's do

Like to see those s.o.b's do that to me, i would take into my own hands. Thay would want to move out of state.

rufe's picture
verified

I would almost wager, I say

I would almost wager, I say almost, that the negative comments on this issue, written by these people, have not worked in a place where their co-workers do have fun at times in their work to help break the monotomy, and no one gets hurt. Happens all the time. I personally believe it's a bunch of balony for anybody getting fired for these antics. Notice the individual getting taped was smiling at times? Maybe just as well all work areas at all places do not have a camera. Be a l;ot of firing. Speaking of camera's, am sure these Officers were aware they were being taped, and figured the whole ordeal was indeed harmless. Naturally, this note is my take on the ordeal!
ole rufe

Nancy1's picture

"Male bonding"?? More like

"Male bonding"?? More like male bondage, and the mindset gives me the creeps. What kind of personality gets a charge out of rendering someone helpless? That behavior is very scary in a person who has the law on their side.

JohnBerry's picture

Nancy, it must be a guy

Nancy, it must be a guy thing. When I heard about it I understood how something like that could happen. I worked in a job at a high-security facility in the 80's and we did some similar things. I don't think that the horseplay has any bearing on how the public or the inmates are treated.
_______________

"The impersonal hand of government can never replace the helping hand of a neighbor." ~ Hubert H. Humphrey

ratterrier1's picture
verified

K0NPHL1C7, it's men like you

K0NPHL1C7, it's men like you that frighten me. The victim obviously isn't filing charges because he's afraid of reprecussions. I beleive guys like you suffer from male anatomy envy.

Jeffs Yard Care's picture
verified

The victim is far from

The victim is far from afraid of the individuals. He was there roomate and he still hangs around with them. I know the guy and he is far from afraid. They all did these kinds of pranks to eachother at home all of the time. No one knows these guys. The are good people who just made a stupid mistake. Non of these guys would purposely hurt people. I do not believe any person writing in has a perfect life or is perfect themselves. I believe everyone has most likely done something in their life they were not proud of but would most likely not want to be bashed for life.

K0NPHL1C7's picture

Really? Having never seen

Really? Having never seen anyone else’s penis, I can honestly say I do not envy anyone else’s penis. Nice try though. Pretty sure it's WOMEN who suffer from Penis envy anyway, right Freud?

He didn’t press charges BECAUSE HE THOUGHT IT WAS FUNNY! He was probably planning his retaliation, putting salt in their coffee or something.

OH MY GOD THESE MEN ARE HAVING FUN!!! LOOK HE’S SO HURT HE’S SMILING!!! Smiling

gdls1's picture

"It's the same mindset that

"It's the same mindset that gives “Charlie horses” and "noogies" - It's roughhousing and guys do it ALL the time."

Yes, and it's one step away from what happened at Abu Ghraib. 'Boys will be boys' mentality. The pathetic thing is that it's accepted behavior by many, mostly males.

K0NPHL1C7's picture

Really? I guess I missed

Really? I guess I missed where it said a prisoner was abused. From what I can gather, it is a bunch of Co-workers messing around....Little different than Abu Ghraib...

Having been a visitor of the ACJ 3-4 times, I can honestly say that they have never treated me any different than I would expect to be treated.

Now the LPD...That's a different story.

jayla's picture

Well, since you appear to be

Well, since you appear to be a "regular," I'll forgive your ignorance. But in the "real world," MEN do not behave this way...children do. There's no place for children to babysit criminals.

Nancy1's picture

Please, try to refrain from

Please, try to refrain from name calling when someone disagrees with your opinion. Why would you call me those names simply because I have exercised my right to an opinion on a public newspaper story? And why make sweeping generalizations about someone you don't even know? You seem very out of control emotionally!
BTw, I have one cat, he's a 17 pound Maine coon cat, and I bet he could kick any of your cat's a$$es.

K0NPHL1C7's picture

If the shoe fits....

If the shoe fits....

TREEHUGGARRR's picture

Wow, the term corrupt ,

Wow, the term corrupt , fascist, cop, etc. is getting thrown around here quite abit.
It's tainting alot of good men and women that protect the public, both local state, local, county and federal. Both in correction facilities and on the street. Inside administration, and dispatchers. Outside, men and women that work the tiers and the streets.

These three officers were correction personnel that engaged in errant horseplay in the middle of the night. Was it appropriate, no. But does it rise to the level that allows them and others to be painted with such a broad brush?

You want corruption amongst public safety personnel? Read the New York Post and note the stories about the guards at rikers Island and street cops, raping and taking bribes. But then again, what about the other 49, 999 cops, correction officers, that go through their shift without infractions, do their jobs and go home.

Public safety does their job, gos over and above and obtain awards. They are criticized for recieving awards and certain people on here will say, "thats what we pay them for".
But yet, they screw up, then they should be held to a higher standard and be castrated.

Those of you criticizing the personnel, and administration look at your own organizations, (those that are not on welfare, tron you there?) and tell me that they are a perfect, well oiled runng machine.

Ok, let the bashing begin...........

Then there are sheepdogs," he went on, "and I'm a sheepdog. I live to protect the flock and confront the wolf."...."...the old war veteran said. Grossman, The Bullet Proof Mind.

Sandra2's picture

If this is acceptable

If this is acceptable behavior to coworkers can you imagine what they must do to inmates. Looks like we got our very own Gitmo right here in Auburn, except these thugs are abusing drunks instead of terrorists.

K0NPHL1C7's picture

Firstly, Gitmo detainees are

Firstly, Gitmo detainees are treated very, very well.

Secondly, why would you think that just because they tease co-workers and play pranks, that they do the same to the inmates? This type of event is very common among friends and co-workers. It’s a “male bonding” type of thing.

K0NPHL1C7's picture

Gregg I agree with you

Gregg I agree with you 100%.

Furthermore, I don’t think it was ANY of S-J’s business, and it’s simply another case of them trying to manufacture controversy in order to make a story.

Hey Sun-Journal, why not report about your Registered Sex Offender carriers driving around with NO LICENSE and smoking DOPE while delivering your “NEWS”? Seems like a much better story than a few co-workers horsing around.

imfireguy2000's picture

Wow, "Notalwaysfair". You

Wow, "Notalwaysfair". You say that Harmon was allowed to resign because the County had no choice because he did it before he was terminated. You and I both know the only people that have the authority to "terminate" are the County Commissioners. So your saying that even if an officer commits a serious criminal act and gets caught he can resign before the next County Commissioners meeting to avoid being terminated? Come on that is a load of B.S. What is that like "oh I'm going to get fired, wait time-out I resign so you can't fire me"? Even though he submitted his resignation the County Commissioners did not to have to accept the resignation and could have filed it as an actual "termination". I believe the County Commissioners had no clue of the incident and the administration was going to "allow" him to resign to cover up the incident becasue he is close friends with a couple members of the administration. Well, it looks like this whole thing blew up in their faces and unfortunately Pat became their scapegoat.
I am not saying that all the supervisors and officers at the jail are bad or part of the "good ole boys club" but you and I know it does exist and there is unfair treatment amongst the cliques. And no, I am not writing from feelings and you know that what I am saying happened and happens. Maybe you should put your "friendships" asside and view it from others points of view.

JohnBerry's picture

I am curious. Do you know

I am curious. Do you know someone at the jail or are you an employee? You seem to know more than is available to the public and so it is difficult to gauge what you say or respond and ask questions. Maybe if you outline what you know to be the problems at the jail people could discuss the matter more intelligently. Just a thought.
_______________

"The impersonal hand of government can never replace the helping hand of a neighbor." ~ Hubert H. Humphrey

Gregg's picture

A certain amount of

A certain amount of horseplay can be expected in any job. If---- the officer who the prank was played on, was truly upset and he hadn't gone along with it willingly, I could see that he would have recourse and was entitled to retribution. If on the other hand, it was nothing more than good nature horse play. I don't see what all the fuss is about. If in deed, it was just horse play, of course the officers should be reprimanded, but it shouldn't be sufficient cause to end careers. There is a lot of down time in law enforcement and more bonding occurs that with any other job, because of the close associations you have with your co-workers. I don't see how this is getting so much attention.

Ginger1's picture

When they want a new jail

When they want a new jail John Lebel and the other administrators don't mind talking to reporters,but you won't hear anything but crickets from them over this issue.John Lebel has pulled 30 years of salary out of that jail,and the old one.What does the jail administrator get paid for is a great question.That job needs to be consolidated with something else like janitorial,or something.

JohnBerry's picture

Maybe Gorman was fired

Maybe Gorman was fired because of previous infractions and Harmon resigned when he was reprimanded for his first offense?

_______________

"The impersonal hand of government can never replace the helping hand of a neighbor." ~ Hubert H. Humphrey

Old Bill's picture

No, Officer Gorman had no

No, Officer Gorman had no prior disciplinary actions against him. That information was in the original article.
"The democracy will cease to exist when the government takes from those who would work and gives to those who would not." - Thomas Jefferson.

maineguy207's picture
verified

What's the big deal????

What's the big deal???? Everyone likes to play around at work. No it was not professional but I don't see it as a big bust on the jail.... Let's not over react here....

JohnBerry's picture

The big deal is that these

The big deal is that these guys are entrusted with the care and supervision of prisoners. They must be ready to respond to any number of situations at a moments notice. Carrying-on like they are in a dorm does not keep them prepared - it distracts. And that could be deadly.
_______________

"The impersonal hand of government can never replace the helping hand of a neighbor." ~ Hubert H. Humphrey

humble pie's picture

hey, john....do you realize

hey, john....do you realize that the "prisoners" are locked behind bars? I think the bigger deal is people like yourself are using your lifes history of being picked on to stand up for some kid who was smiling and laughing the whole time. Anyone who has been part of a team will realize that this kid was doing his part to bond with the older guys and take his licks like everyone else has had to do. The only issue here is that officers who stand in the line of harm when you duck and cower are being tarred and feathered without all the facts. Liberals! Why have jails in the first place if you have a helpful neighbor?

jayla's picture

Clearly you've never worked

Clearly you've never worked with criminals! Idiot...

JohnBerry's picture

I understand that they are

I understand that they are locked behind bars. I also understand that, on the rare occasion, some of them try to escape. In addition there is the possibility of a medical emergency, fire, etc. I was not standing up for anyone. I am sure that your observation about bonding is 100% correct. But the actions are just as wrong. As for not having the facts I trust that the Sheriff and the County Commissioners had the facts when they decided the discipline needed in this case.

When it comes to facts in this matter it seems that you are the one making assumptions about what transpired as well as my background and political perspective. When it comes to the view of neighbors taken in the HHH quote I think that it is rather a classical conservative position as opposed to a liberal one; which is why I use it (think irony).

_______________

"The impersonal hand of government can never replace the helping hand of a neighbor." ~ Hubert H. Humphrey

OldHeathen's picture

Anyone doubt the things that

Anyone doubt the things that happen to suspects at the hands of police once they have you under their control? I have seen some of the things they do. And because I had a lawyer, I got a case thrown out because the police refused to show up in court against me three times in 1983. I also brought the minor they beat to a pulp in a jail cell each and every time. I have always said there is a fine line between the Police and the Robbers. Both crave respect, both use guns to intimidate the unarmed both use violence. I like the term Peace officer better then Police - ' pro active policing', one implies common goals and common good, the other implies Fascists.

humble pie's picture

well spoken for a lucky

well spoken for a lucky criminal.

Emilees dad's picture

WOW!!!!! UNREAL to say the

WOW!!!!! UNREAL to say the least! Crooked azzzz cops! lol I'm glad pretty much everybody got fired, or left, maybe people with a little higher standard of crookedness will get hired and do WORSE OFF CAMERA, either way these idiots or new idiots, the career "Cop' just doesn't exist anymore. Zero moral ground held, zero "Protect and serve" mentality. More like "Punish and Enslave". Who can you trust these days to do the right thing anymore huh? Nobody! Just make sure your license plates lights are working, cars registered and try to stay the hell out of dodge from this crew or the ones coming into replace them!

imfireguy2000's picture

AMEN!!! ReaganRepublican!

AMEN!!! ReaganRepublican! AMEN!!!

ChoibleCete's picture

I have a serious question

I have a serious question for the Sheriff, one that I have not seen the press ask yet. When you go into the Sheriff's department, there is a board on the wall so the public knows who is in charge of what. Apparently there is a Jail Administrator and an Assistant Jail Administrator identified on this wall. Please tell me, Sheriff Desjardins, what the heck are the county taxpayers paying THEM to do? And why haven't they been called to account for what happened? To the Sun-Journal, I am guessing that you would have one hell of a story if you started to interview the employees of the Androscoggin County Sheriff's Department about what goes on in that jail. Desjardins may think he took the high ground by firing these individuals. But who allowed such an environment to exist in the first place? If this goes on under the nose of the administration, they are not doing their job and I am guessing by the look of this video that has been the case for a long time. Desjardins may have acted in this case, but what past inaction bred an environment where this behavior happens without a second thought? If the employees of the jail are willing to horseplay in front of the video camera, clearly they didn't think anything would come of it. Could it be they thought that way because, as Truthfulbitch says, the administration turns their backs when it comes to the behavior of some, but not of others. Why doesn't the Sun-Journal look into that? I would love to read that story...and I bet there are a multitude of staff persons, fed up with the apparent favoritism, who are willing to tell it.

imfireguy2000's picture

Oh my my my notalwaysfair

Oh my my my notalwaysfair you seem to have a lot to say but not a whole lot to back it up. I don't need to speak from feelings the evidence is right there in front of everyones face. As far as the "good comments" you mention please show me some good comments because I don't see any. It seems I may have hurt your feelings about the "Good Ole Boys Club", maybe you are connecting yourself a little to closely to my comments. So maybe YOU should stop taking MY comments so personal and get over yourself. You also write that "people who write in bad comments are not good employees themselves" Ever heard of Slander? I would think that someone as educated as yourself would know better then that. Grow up and stop trying to cover up the facts of the video. Basically what it all boils down to and the point that Im trying to make is...Why was Kevin Harmon allowed to resign and Patrick Gorham terminated? why the unfairness here? was it because Kevin Harmon was part of the "Good Ole Boys Club" and Patrick Gorham wasn't? Why is the County unfair with discipline? Maybe you could answer that for everyone since you seem to have all the answers. Or maybe you can just let well enough alone and stop trying make things personal.

Jeffs Yard Care's picture
verified

To start. I am not the bad

To start. I am not the bad guy in this. I am just throwig out there for the public to know there are always more than one side to a story. The reason Harmon was allowed to resign is becuase the county had no choice. He did it before he was terminated. Next, all hoped Pat would keep his job in some way, that is why he did not resign. As for the video. I do agree it does not look good to the public, but it is obvious from your comments you have some terrible deep rooted feelings towards the county. I was trying to stick up for those employees, which are the majority, who are good people. I am just stating facts not feelings. When people make statements it is not slander. Stating that people who usually make bad comments in these situations are also the ones who have had problems themselves is not in any way slander. It is anything said to cause defamation of ones character. No one here has been mentioned literally so it is not a slander towards any specific person. Someone would either have to be an inmate or an employee to speak as such about these officers. If the person is not an inmate and is making these comments I just they are carerful at what they write about others. This person, whoever it is, takes everything as though it is being witten about them. The article was to point out that not all people are bad, soemtimes good people make incorrect choices. That is all. What was written was not in any way intended to cause any problems, but to point a possible other side of things for people to read.

Jeffs Yard Care's picture
verified

I feel truthfulbitch makes

I feel truthfulbitch makes comments more from feelings but not from the truth. The overall employee at the county does not have problems with their supervisors. In law enforcement sometimes officers do pranks to eachother, granted sometimes to far, but it releases tension. The county does not just go and hire officers who are part of the good ole boys club. There are several supervisors who are not part of the good ole boys club. As for the comment on hiring males only. There have been plenty of female supervisors in the county. I do not believe any of those females were terminated from their jobs. One female was even a Lt for a few years. This is not the kind of thing that happens on a daily thing at the jail. Most of the time people who write in bad comments of others are the employees who were not good officers themselves. I hope people do not just read the bad comments but also the good ones. Those officers involved were not bad people. They just made a mistake. As a matter of fact the officer who had this done to them in the video was and still is a friend to all involved. If it was something that bad wouldn't the officer be upset. Sometimes things look worse than they really are.

tron's picture

Notice there has not been

Notice there has not been any comment from our resident cops, treeeehuggar and eagle. Wonder if they were involved or perhaps just approve. Their silence is deafening.

verified

what are they getting paid

what are they getting paid for anyway???they say how busy they are...never enough help, always stretched to the limit but this is what really goes on..and let them find you alone and you're up the creek cause it's your word against theirs..glad they were caught , but this is probably just the tip of the iceberg..

mango330's picture

well listen people thers

well listen people thers alot more going on in there with andrscoggin finest than everyone knows. TRUST ME!

verified

You'd think they would of

You'd think they would of been bright enough not to do it in front of a video camera. It's nice to see they take their job so seriously.

imfireguy2000's picture

It's about time the Sheriff

It's about time the Sheriff can't hide and pretend something didn't happen! FINALLY the public is well aware of the unethical acts that go on within that facility and 9 times out of 10 the administration turn their backs...unless of course you are NOT part of their good ole boys club then your up the creek without a paddle...the sad part is..I'm sure Desjardins will replace these 2 supervisors with 2 more MALE individuals just like them. Im sure it won't be long before something else really bad is going to happen with all the mistakes Sheriff Desjardins continues to make, it's time for him to stop listening to his administrative "friends" and start being aware of the jail and make some decisions on his own.....Im just sayin thats all...my opinion only of course;-)

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