July 10th 2024.
May 11, 2023 was a life-changing day for James Carlton. He was incarcerated at the Vernon C. Bain Center jail when a failed attempt to detain him left him paralyzed. It was a devastating injury, one that would change his life forever. But what was even more shocking was that one of the people allegedly responsible for the facility, Ned McCormick, received a promotion and a raise upon his return to the New York State Department of Corrections. It seemed like a cruel twist of fate for Carlton, who was now facing a lifetime of pain and suffering.
According to a report by The City, part of the reason Carlton ended up paralyzed was due to his pre-existing medical condition, spinal stenosis. This made him more susceptible to serious spinal injuries. Unfortunately, the officers who attempted to detain him were not aware of this because Louis Molina, the Department of Corrections Commissioner, allegedly withheld this information. Molina was under investigation by Monitor Steve Martin, who was highly critical of his decision to clear the officers of any wrongdoing.
Martin's report revealed that Carlton was not the only victim of the flawed system at the facility. In another incident, an incarcerated individual had jumped to his death while one correctional officer was playing dominoes with three offenders. It was a clear indication of the lack of proper supervision and security measures at the facility. Martin's report also highlighted the rampant violence and excessive use of force within the DOC facilities.
Despite these alarming findings, McCormick was given a promotion upon his return to the DOC in June 2023. This decision was met with shock and disappointment by many, including a top jail official who spoke to The City anonymously. It was disheartening to see someone like McCormick being rewarded while Carlton lay in a hospital bed, in excruciating pain and fear of the very people who were supposed to protect him.
In a July 2023 interview with The City, Carlton shared his harrowing experience from his hospital bed at NYC Health + Hospitals/Bellevue in Manhattan. He was consumed with pain, unable to sleep due to the nightmares and completely dependent on others. Carlton's words were a heartbreaking reminder of the injustice he had suffered. As he lay there, unable to move, he wondered if he would ever get out of that bed.
The incident involving Carlton and the subsequent events have raised many questions and criticisms about the DOC's management and practices. It is clear that there is a serious problem within the system, one that puts both the inmates and staff at risk. The current state of affairs, as reported by Martin, is a cause for concern and needs to be addressed immediately. As for Carlton, his future remains uncertain as he continues to struggle with the consequences of that fateful day in May 2023.
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