bodman plc is a business law firm headquartered in ford field , located in downtown detroit , michigan .

founded in 1929 by two former ford motor company lawyers , wallace r. middleton and clifford b. longley , the firm is one of the state ’s largest , with more than 150 lawyers in five offices : ann arbor , cheboygan , detroit , grand rapids , and troy .

bodman has long been known for its close associations with the automotive and financial services industries and for its long-term relationships with significant clients .

for example , the firm has maintained a continuous client relationship with members of the ford family since 1929 and with comerica incorporated since it assisted in the formation of manufacturer 's national bank , which later merged with comerica , in 1933 .

the firm represents more than 80 financial institutions in michigan and across the u.s. as well as tier-1 , -2 and -3 automotive suppliers and oems on a national and international basis .

bodman plc

bodman plc and susan m . kornfield recognized for trademark law excellence by managing intellectual property
bodman plc was named to the state bar of michigan’s 2012 “pro bono circle of excellence . ”
the bodman plc law firm takes a broad view of diversity that goes beyond hiring and retention issues .
on aug . 3 , 13 bodman plc attorneys and summer associates teamed up with detroit - based nonprofit life remodeled to lend a helping hand in a detroit neighborhood . photo from bodman plc ' s facebook
with more than 150 attorneys in offices throughout michigan , bodman plc has delivered extraordinary results to our clients for more than 85 years .
the law firm bodman plc has been named to the 2015 state bar of michigan’s circle of excellence for its commitment to pro bono and community service .
do not send us confidential information unless and until you have established a formal attorney - client relationship with bodman plc and received authorization from one of our attorneys to send us confidential information .
bodman volunteers spend dr . martin luther king , jr . day serving the community
section and learn why bodman is a great place to start or continue your career .
bodman is one of only two firms in michigan to employ a dedicated to pro bono counsel . kimberley paulson . paulson joined bodman in 2012 to focus on the firm’s pro bono efforts and works directly with individuals and organizations to coordinate these activities .
bodman began its success story with attorneys who played key roles in one of history’s greatest achievements - the birth of the automotive industry .
international work : bodman represents many international clients with business interests in michigan and elsewhere within the united states . bodman attorneys regularly handle a broad range of sophisticated international legal matters : m & a and real estate transactions , joint ventures between us and foreign partners , complex supply arrangements , and international arbitrations .
bodman has deep roots in the motor city . formed by in - house attorneys at ford motor in 1927 , today bodman is considered one of detroit ' s top firms , and its practices run the gamut , including banking , business , construction , intellectual property , municipal law and finance , real estate and tax .
in 1976 , the firm became the first major tenant of an iconic piece of the detroit skyline : the detroit renaissance center . beyond relocating to the renaissance center , the firm went through several changes throughout the 1980’s and 1990’s ; the ann arbor firm of dobson , griffin , austin & berman joined bodman in 1988 , forming the basis of the firm’s ann arbor office , and the firm became known as bodman , longley , & dahling . shortly after in 1990 , a firm called conboy , fell , stack , lieder & hanson became bodman’s northern michigan office , located in cheboygan . the conboy firm’s solid bank regulatory practice strengthened bodman’s ties to michigan’s banking industry . by the end of the millennium , bodman had over one hundred attorneys and was playing a significant role in the development of ford field , the new home of the detroit lions .
bodman ' s litigation department is structured so that new attorneys can gain courtroom experience quickly and participate in large litigation matters in meaningful ways as a young associate .
david serves in various leadership roles at the firm . he is a member of bodman’s finance committee , using his expertise internally to help set the strategic direction of the firm’s financial resources .
please do not include any confidential , secret , or sensitive information regarding any potential or actual legal matter in this e - mail message . unsolicited e - mails do not create an attorney - client relationship , and confidential or secret information included in such e - mails cannot be protected from disclosure . bodman plc does not have a duty or a legal obligation to keep any information that you provide to us confidential . our attorneys do not seek to practice law in any jurisdiction in which they are not properly authorized to do so .
“bodman is committed to pro bono work . pro bono assignments allow young attorneys to gain valuable experience , expand their legal skills , and make connections with clients in ways they probably never imagined . ”
in 1933 , longley and the firm represented edsel ford in the formation of manufacturers national bank . from its inception to present day , the bank , now known as comerica bank following a merger in 1992 , has remained a bodman client . throughout the 1950s , bodman continued its streak of high - profile clients by beginning the firm’s relationship with the detroit lions , who we have continually represented through present day .
bodman is one of michigan’s largest business law firms with more than 150 lawyers in four michigan offices , including one in troy at 201 w big beaver road suite 500 . for more information , visit urltoken .
as bodman has grown and expanded through michigan , the firm has adapted with the times as well . in response to the environmental crisis , the firm has recycled 40 tons of office paper since the initiation of their own recycling program in march 2009 . u . s . news ranks the firm as a leader in detroit in the banking and finance , commercial litigation , corporate law , employment law , environmental litigation and real estate law arenas . in 2016 , benchmark litigation named bodman as the michigan firm of the year and the best lawyers in america named eight bodman attorneys as 2016 ' s
lawyers of the year .
soon after , bodman’s detroit office made the move from the riverfront renaissance center to its new location : ford field . in recent years , the firm has made significant changes including the formation of several practice groups to better serve our clients and the opening of our west michigan office in grand rapids . today , with ralph e . mcdowell as chairman , bodman continues to uphold a strong standard of legal knowledge , professionalism , and client service .
mr . scavone is chair of bodman’s real estate practice group . he has represented banks and other financial institutions in a wide variety of complex , multi - million dollar , secured loans and other financial arrangements involving real estate .
the state bar recognized bodman at the “leadership level , ” a designation given to firms that contribute more than 30 hours of pro bono work per attorney or give at least $ 500 per attorney in financial donations to approved organizations .
bodman’s business practice group offers a collaborative environment where associates work on a wide range of projects , from serving as an integral part of m & a deal teams to documenting corporate finance transactions to advising on securities law matters .
bodman is committed to diversity in the workplace at all levels of the firm . this commitment to diversity guides our efforts to recruit , retain and advance the best and brightest . to read more about our pledge and activities , visit our
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and continuing to send us an email message , you understand and agree that , outside the context of an existing attorney - client relationships , bodman does not have a duty to keep confidential any information you provide .
bodman has been a destination for talented summer associates , lateral candidates , and partners who want to find a home and not merely a stepping stone or point of passage . we look to add outstanding people to our team . our diverse client base and broad practice areas offer many opportunities for those who embrace the bodman commitment to the highest quality legal work and superior client service . we are proud of the work we do and we expect those who join us will share that same pride .
“our diversity programming has also allowed us to enhance our internal culture , creating a greater sense of community , ” said bodman chairman ralph e . mcdowell . “working together as a community , we have implemented programs that enhance inclusiveness and promote community service . ”
before joining bodman , ms . sahu worked as a corporate financial analyst for nationsbank ( now bank of america ) in charlotte , north carolina . in law school , ms . sahu was the co - article selection coordinator for the michigan journal of gender and law .
bodman ' s website has been recently redesigned to better serve our visitors . during that process , some of the pages have been moved . please use the main navigation bar or search function on the top of this page to locate the page or information you need .
bodman is also strong in municipal matters and public financing , as evidenced by its work for the downtown detroit stadium project . once the stadium was built , the firm stayed in the game by helping the nfl enforce its trademarks and prevent the sale of counterfeit merchandise at the stadium . as if helping erect the home of the detroit lions wasn ' t enough for the inhabitants of the great lakes state , bodman also served as bond counsel to the state of michigan in its issuance of one - year notes to fund general operating and education expenses .
major publications have honored bodman attorneys recently for leadership in the profession and in the community . crain’s detroit business recognized michelle thurber czapski and wendy l . zabriskie as “notable women lawyers in michigan” and michigan lawyers weekly honored kathleen o’callaghan hickey as one of the state’s leading “women in the law . ”
we foster a firm culture that emphasizes teamwork , collegiality , and diversity . maintaining a pleasant and inviting atmosphere is the best way to attract and retain the best lawyers , paralegals , and staff . the effectiveness of our approach is proven . many bodman employees have enjoyed careers of forty years or more with the firm .
bodman’s grand rapids office , headed by western michigan attorney floyd e . gates , jr . , has expanded ! floyd has been joined by darren j . burmania , banking attorney , and john david gardiner , litigation attorney . the grand rapids office allows the firm to continue to meet and exceed our clients’ needs and expectations across the state .
in 2014 , bodman attorneys devoted more than 5 , 400 hours of pro bono work to dozens of organizations and individuals . highlights of the firm’s recent efforts include founding and coordinating a legal clinic at detroit’s capuchin soup kitchen and helping launch the wayne county ppo assistance project , which assists victims of domestic violence obtain and defend their personal protection orders .
bodman’s pro bono program has once again been recognized by the state bar of michigan as a member of the 2017 circle of excellence . the firm’s diverse pro bono efforts include direct representation of low - income individuals through referrals , participation in free legal clinics , and service to non - profit organizations and organizations that seek to defend individual civil and constitutional rights .
after working alongside automotive legend henry ford on the ford motor company legal staff , wallace r . middleton and clifford b . longley founded their own firm in 1929 . several years later , henry e . bodman , general counsel to the packard motor car company , joined them . henry ford became one of the firm’s first clients , and they were on their way to building a strong reputation for leadership , integrity , and quality .
mr . barton is co - chair of the financial institutions committee of the state bar of michigan’s business law section . he is a member of the business law and real estate law sections of the state bar and has served as president and treasurer of the cheboygan county bar association . mr . barton also serves as a consultant to the michigan bankers association general counsel and commercial lending committees . he serves as the chair of bodman’s community bank industry team .
for over 30 years he has acted as general counsel and trusted advisor to many of michigan’s community banks , working closely with bank ceos and senior management on their day to day legal issues . through his experience and familiarity with the community banking industry and the regulated environment in which it operates , mr . barton is able to quickly and efficiently identify issues and draw upon the diverse expertise and resources of his many bodman colleagues to address any issue or need of our community bank clients .
she is a member of bodman’s executive committee , which manages the firm’s day to day business affairs . she is a member of the state bar of michigan and the state bar of california . she is currently serving as the vice president and treasurer of the board of directors of university yes academy in detroit and volunteers with vip mentoring . she is a past board member of the los angeles chapter of the risk management association and a past board member of african - american attorneys in downtown firms ( aaadf ) .
the year the model t made its first appearance , wallace middleton and clifford longley , two in - house attorneys at the ford motor company , bid adieu to mr . ford to form their own law firm . the parting was apparently on good terms , as the firm has represented the ford family since 1929 . henry bodman , the firm ' s namesake , was an attorney for the packard motor car company before joining the practice early in its history . in 1933 , the firm helped found the manufacturers national bank of detroit and has since represented the institution , which became comerica incorporated .
as chair of bodman ' s automotive and industrial team , mr . deitch oversees the firm’s representation of automotive oems , tier - 1 suppliers , and other major industrial businesses on a global basis . his interdisciplinary team provides comprehensive legal services to automotive clients including corporate organization and governance , automotive commercial matters , litigation and dispute resolution , labor and employment matters , environmental matters , real estate transactions and management , corporate financial matters , and troubled supplier relations . mr . deitch has represented numerous foreign suppliers in connection with their entry into the u . s . market and has been a key advisor on cross - border m & a and joint venture transactions involving parties located throughout the u . s . and in japan , india , mexico , and europe .
clients : bodman has a diverse client base that includes individuals and businesses in a variety of industries , with emphasis on financial services , automotive , real estate , non - profit and charitable institutions , health care , general manufacturing and other sectors . representative clients include : aig / american general ; american axle & manufacturing ; archdiocese of detroit ; bank of america ; bharat forge limited ; blue cross blue shield of michigan ; cerberus capital management ; charles stewart mott foundation ; citizens bank ; city of ann arbor ; city of grosse pointe park ; comcast cablevision ; comerica bank ; csx transportation , inc . ; dart energy ; the detroit lions , inc . ; fca - us llc ( fiat chrysler automobiles ) ; federal - mogul motorparts ; flagstar bank f . s . b . ; ford estates ; freudenberg north america ; grupo kuo ; the guardian life insurance co . ; the henry ford ; the huntington national bank ; lear corp . ; memorial healthcare ; meridian health plan ; novares us llc ; outfront media ; pnc bank ; pricewaterhousecoopers llp ; primerica financial services ; pulte homes of michigan ; saga communications , inc . ; sparton corporation ; st . marys cement corporation ; sun pharmaceutical industries ; terumo cardiovascular systems corp . ; titan international , inc . ; wells fargo bank .
if you view the accomplishments and listen to the leaders of corp ! magazine’s 2015 salute to diversity award winners , it becomes abundantly clear that diversity is far more than a buzzword in the michigan business community .
that said , the definitions of diversity are as varied as the differences among people . however , when this year’s award winners were asked to describe their diversity initiatives , a few common themes emerged :
for some businesses , diversity is so fundamental to their operations that they describe it as being part of their dna — oftentimes literally , such as at the bartech group inc . , whose founder , john w . barfield , was the grandson of alabama sharecroppers who dropped out of school at the age of 16 .
diversity leads to better decision - making outcomes . “as the ‘globe shrinks’ because of technological advances , having an inclusive workplace will help in understanding our differences that would not only help the company be more competitive but also profitable , ” says floriza genautis , ceo of management business solutions .
a diverse workforce helps companies better serve diverse target markets . “our customer community is diverse , so our business model tries to accommodate this reality , ” said alan young , ceo of alan c . young & associates pc .
building a workforce with diversity in mind widens a company’s talent pool . “diversity is much more than race , ” says william pickard , ceo of vitec inc . “to remain competitive , we must hire and retain employees with technical backgrounds and strong work experience . innovation and creativity is required for rapid problem resolution and technology leadership . our experience validates including diverse candidates in our recruiting process does not limit but instead enhances our talent pool . ”
corp ! honored this year’s salute to diversity award winners during a sept . 10 conference at the mgm grand detroit in three categories :
diversity focused company , a company that clearly defines and monitors diversity success and demonstrates how diversity efforts add value to the company .
diversity business leader , an individual who is a diversity role model or top officer of a minority - owned business .
diversity champion , a nonprofit or community organization that creates or promotes special programming , education or other initiatives that focuses on diversity .
farmington hills urltoken airea is a preferred haworth office furniture dealer and a minority business enterprise certified business . the company says that it is devoted to developing environments that reflect today’s working culture while planning and forecasting for future change . its workforce is a multidisciplinary group from all walks of life . “we work in customer - focused teams comprised of individuals with diverse backgrounds and strengths that when combined make great things happen , ” the company’s website states .
detroit urltoken diversity is seen in the faces of the principals and other staff members at alan c . young & associates pc , a certified public accounting and consulting firm that counts blacks , whites and people of indian and asian pacific descent among its workforce .
“our customer community is diverse , so our business model tries to accommodate this reality , ” said ceo alan young . “our internal knowledge base is also tremendously enhanced from having so many varied backgrounds in the problem - solution process . for these reasons and more , diversity is important to me and i have made it a mission throughout the firm . ”
the biggest staff event is a multicultural potluck where staff members sample food offerings from many countries , young said , adding that staff retention is high because workers are encouraged to feel comfortable representing their cultural background . young also is proud of the diverse pool of applicants interested in working at the firm .
the bartech group inc . likes to say that diversity is in its dna . its founder , john w . barfield , was the grandson of alabama sharecroppers who dropped out of school at the age of 16 . while serving as a custodian at the university of michigan for $ 1 . 75 an hour , he promoted the idea that people would pay for his expertise in janitorial services . in 1954 , he and his wife , betty , established barfield cleaning company . with numerous contacts within the auto industry , barfield incorporated john barfield & associates in 1977 to provide technical staffing services to the big three automakers . the company changed its name to the bartech group in 1984 . bartech was one of the nation’s first minority - owned and operated firms specializing in technical staffing .
“diversity is critical for bartech’s ability to innovate and adapt in a global environment , ” said ceo david w . barfield . “diversity is essential to growth , innovation and success of bartech . we created ‘diversity delivers’ to manage and enhance our clients’ diversity supplier development goals and objectives . bartech is able to provide its clients with increased visibility into their supplier diversity program , access to a wider variety of local , national and international diversity providers , and new strategies for achieving workplace diversity . ”
bartech also prides itself on the contributions the company and its employees make to improve the community . bartech has completed community service projects with the detroit rescue mission ministries , race for the cure , march of dimes , operation good cheer , forgotten harvest , p . a . w . s . of michigan , children’s miracle network , wreaths across america and midnight golf program .
“as a minority - controlled firm , we take our role in the community very seriously and understand the value supplier diversity brings to our clients , ” barfield said . “though our clients are able to count all bartech dollars as tier i diversity spend , we have a strong commitment to helping develop tier ii supplier diversity programs at our client sites with qualified mwbe companies . ”
as a certified woman - owned business , blue chip talent understands that diversity is a key component of this staffing solutions company .
this year , blue chip talent started an intern program specifically for young women . “our goal is to introduce them to the interworking of a business in all areas , ” said ceo nicole pawczuk . ” this supports our priority of promoting women - owned businesses and mentoring young women to be future owners . with this mindset , blue chip talent provides a diverse - friendly atmosphere where every employee is comfortable and their values are respected . ”
businesses that don’t promote a diverse workplace are missing out on an incredible talent pool , pawczuk said .
“not only that , if they did offer a supportive diverse workplace , they would give current employees an avenue to be educated on worldly cultures that they may not get in other parts of their lives , ” she said . “also , we would convince them that knowledge of the unknown / new can only enrich a workplace and result in better or more business . ” the entire blue chip talent team is peer trained through everyday work experiences . the company often has roundtable discussions on how to effectively communicate with potential diverse candidates and to educate employees on the different cultures they experience . blue chip’s paid - time - off program allows employees to use personal time as needed to honor their culture . in addition , the company has quarterly lunches that celebrate different ethnicities and heritages where all team members share a dish that represents them .
“from the first phone call all the way through the interview process , the blue chip talent team is sensitive to any language barriers and / or culture requirements , ” pawczuk said . “this allows for continuous growth and understanding to our entire company . ”
its plan includes supporting local law schools and community organizations . for example , it has conducted employment interview and resume writing skills programs for the black law students association at wayne state university law school and the university of detroit - mercy law school . it also participates with the wolverine bar association , a detroit - based predominantly african - american organization , to identify qualified applicants for its summer law clerk program .
examples include featured faces , a program developed by the firm’s diversity committee that allows colleagues to become familiar with each other through personality profiles that are circulated firmwide and posted on the firm intranet , and interactive diversity training led by an outside consultant .
“the business world is becoming increasingly diverse , ” mcdowell said . “having a talented and diverse workforce expands our ability as a business to connect with the diverse leaders of the business world . also , our existing and prospective clients are placing greater emphasis on diversity and expect demonstrable efforts and results in diversity from their service providers . ”
as a certified minority business enterprise and one of the country’s largest african - american owned firms , bridgewater interiors has a unique obligation to , as its company mission states , “fulfill the ideals of minority business enterprise leadership , ” said ronald e . hall sr . , ceo of the automotive interiors manufacturing company .
“economic opportunity for historically disadvantaged communities is an ongoing challenge , ” he said . “alongside its stakeholders , bridgewater interiors has sought to play a positive role on multiple sides of this societal issue . through providing employment , corporate philanthropy , industry thought leadership and community service from its entire leadership team , bridgewater interiors strongly represents the positive power of diversity and inclusion . ”
since its inception , bridgewater interiors has a been a certified minority business enterprise ( mbe ) , designated as such by the national minority supplier development council . it has received the largest contracts , as measured by revenue , ever awarded an mbe up to that point by each of general motors corp . ( 1998 ) , ford motor co . ( 2003 ) and honda manufacturing of america ( 2003 ) .
in 2015 , the company became the first black - owned firm to endow a full tuition scholarship at the university of michigan . the bridgewater interiors lead scholarship is now awarded annually to a deserving racial minority candidate from one of the three metropolitan regions where bridgewater conducts business operations .
more than 60 percent of the company’s workforce consists of racial minorities , and more than 30 percent of employees are female . it has proved to be a training ground for racial minority management talent , and many such individuals have been promoted into management from within .
“‘diversity’ and ‘inclusion’ are watchwords at bridgewater interiors , ” hall said . “these are company values that permeate the firm — including entrenchment in its hiring , retention and ongoing training processes — and very much define its culture . current and potential employees , regardless of their race , know that internalizing these concepts is integral to success at the company . from our perspective , the ‘best and brightest individuals’ for the business include persons of every background who embrace these concepts as values . ”
when marcie brogan hit the glass ceiling at a larger agency in the 1980s , she left the corporate world to open her own agency , brogan & partners convergence marketing inc . , which creates and converges advertising , social media and mobile media with an emphasis on brand engagement and a specialty in marketing to women .
brogan was founded in 1984 with the goal of creating opportunities for women and minorities . in addition to its hiring practices , it gives back to organizations that benefit the multicultural population in southeast michigan , including pro bono work for winning futures , a school - based mentoring program , and pro bono work for susan g . komen race for the cure . brogan’s leadership team also sits on boards and committees and volunteers time for organizations that impact a diverse population , including agency volunteer work at cots ( coalition on temporary shelter ) .
“in order to successfully communicate with a multicultural population , it’s important to have an understanding of that population , ” said ellyn davidson , managing partner . “by employing and working with a group of people that come from different places — including gender , religion , race and ethnicity — we can have a greater understanding of the people that make up the world around us . this understanding gives us greater insight into successful communications programs that bring our clients the results they are looking to achieve . ”
the company stays vigilant in promoting an inclusive workplace by participating in programs such as the multicultural leadership series , a program by new detroit designed to open the dialogue and conversation between detroit’s many cultural groups .
“this program provides education along with networking opportunities to find talent from different backgrounds , ” davidson said . “it gives us an opportunity to tap into different communities when we are looking for new employees . we also do fun programs at the agency such as potlucks where employees are encouraged to bring in a dish representative of their culture . this provides an opportunity for the team to develop a deeper understanding of the cultures that make up the agency . we informally measure the progress by getting regular feedback from our employees . ”
brooks kushman pc is an intellectual property and technology law firm , serving clients nationally and internationally from offices in michigan and california . brooks kushman represents clients of all sizes , ranging from some of the world’s largest corporations to small startups , and provides legal counsel on patent prosecution , ip litigation , post - grant proceedings , trademarks , trade secrets , open source compliance and ip due diligence . company leaders say diversity and inclusiveness are fundamental tenets of the firm . over the years , brooks kushman has been recognized by many legal publications for its diversity efforts . it also was among the select few law firms recognized as a 101 best and brightest company to work for and a top work place in detroit . chief diversity officer sangeeta shah has also received various awards for her efforts and plays an instrumental component in building the practice .
camaco - amvian is the largest independent supplier of engineered seating solutions for the global automotive industry . the company notes on its website that it prides itself on combining advanced engineering , manufacturing expertise and financial strength . it says that its facilities and offices are located strategically around the world to ensure timely distribution . it employs 2 , 000 workers in six countries where it has eight factories and four sales and engineering offices .
as one of the world’s largest b corporations – a certification from the nonprofit b lab verifying that a company has met rigorous standards of social and environmental performance – cascade engineering works to transform long - held beliefs about people who may be different into values that stimulate productive alliances within workplace peer groups .
“a culture of inclusion allows people to feel comfortable contributing , encourages new perspectives , and makes the most of each person’s potential , ” said mark miller , ceo of the manufacturer comprising 11 strategic business units serving a variety of industries including automotive , agriculture , commercial truck and bus , solid waste and recycling , furniture , and material handling processes .
the company is committed to advancing and recruiting a diverse workforce . it has developed community partnerships to help increase the number of diverse resumes and candidates for open positions , and internal promotions are monitored and tracked to ensure goals are meet . the company also offers several opportunities for job rotation , special assignments and community involvement .
“cascade engineering continues to purposefully discuss and deepen the understanding of race and racism , ” miller said . “training and educational opportunities continue for all facets of the business , knowing that not everyone is at the same place on this journey . we continue to orientate new employees to help get them acclimated to our expectations by attending diversity awareness training and a new diversity theatre every three years , and all leaders are expected attend institute for healing racism . ”
cascade’s diversity efforts are driven from both top and bottom , miller said . employees are free to get involved at their own level . a diversity champion is assigned as liaison between the diversity coordinating council and the executive management team to keep managers informed of the council’s progress , and anyone in the organization is free to anonymously submit a question or thought to the office of the president with the click of a button .
the goal is to create and maintain an environment where employees feel safe to discuss race and the importance it has on the organization and on lives outside work .
metrics and goals are established annually and tracked monthly . a voluntary affirmative action plan is in place and a perceptual survey is completed regularly to ensure that the organization is “walking the talk , ” miller said .
since its founding in 1989 , diversity has been a cornerstone of chemico’s core principles , as well as being key to its growth , said ceo leon c . richardson .
“while certainly being a diverse business has provided chemico with access to opportunities that may not have occurred otherwise , an even more important element of diversity that has contributed to chemico’s growth is diversity in its employees and partners , ” he said . “by embracing diversity , chemico has been able to leverage ideas and concepts across many different experiences and ways of thinking that undoubtedly has increased our innovation , and therefore ability to succeed . ”
the chemico group of companies consists of two main business units — chemicomays and chemico systems . chemicomays is a provider of chemical management solutions , providing a full range of chemical life - cycle management services from procurement and sourcing to inventory management and logistics through waste and water management . chemico systems is a provider of environmentally friendly paint maintenance products and specialty cleaners , as well as the leader in coating removal services for the automotive industry .
“the chemico plan has proven , specific results where mbes , wbes and veteran - owned businesses have benefited not only from the business opportunities presented , but have grown outside of the scope of work performed with chemico to form stronger , more sustainable businesses , ” richardson said . “in addition , the numerous causes chemico supports that are associated with diverse businesses , from charitable and philanthropic activities to education and mentoring to advocacy of diverse causes , further demonstrates the priorities we at chemico uphold . at chemico we believe that in supporting the greater good , we all will benefit . ”
dakkota integrated systems llc , a joint venture between majority partner rush group llc and magna international inc . , manages the complete assembly and sequencing of integrated automotive interiors for original equipment manufacturers . it was formed in 2001 “to create a minority contract supplier that could thrive in a fast - paced , cost - competitive environment to support original equipment manufacturers , ” according to its website . rush group is headed by andra rush , a native american who also founded detroit manufacturing systems .
devon industrial group is a limited liability company formed in 1998 by devon construction inc . and walbridge . dig provides construction management , general contracting , preconstruction , decommissioning and facility management services for clients in the automotive , commercial , health care , industrial process and education fields , according to its website . devon construction founder david burnley sr . is active in community affairs and is a board member of the michigan black chamber of commerce .
the mission of driversource is to be the world’s premier supplier of top - quality commercial truck drivers and support staff personnel , according to the company’s website . founded in 2001 by jinan and kelly dalloo and david j . olshansky , the company now employs 300 people at its three regional centers , in dearborn , baltimore and richmond , va . driversource is a member of the women’s business council and is certified as a women’s business enterprise .
epitec inc . attributes its almost 25 years of continuous year - over - year growth to the opportunities it has secured as a minority business enterprise .
“we don’t use our status as a crutch , but we do promote the fact that our diversity is a tool that should be leveraged by our customer base offering significant value and competitive positioning , ” said jerome sheppard , ceo of the $ 70 million staffing and custom software development company that provides services throughout the united states .
epitec has a 15 - year supplier diversity program that is focused on building and developing small women - and minority - owned organizations so that they too can be looked upon as vendor resources and not just another supplier , sheppard said .
“besides building up significant supplier purchasing scenario’s with our mbe partners , we are proudest of our mentoring programs , ” he said . “we have enabled several mbes the ability to be sustainable and leverage many of the same resources … that large organizations use to build their businesses . ”
epitec’s corporate social responsibility initiatives are directly connected to the success of its business , sheppard said .
“over the past 37 years . epitec has built and sustained a culture of inclusion and diversity , ” he said . “we’ve found that extending our inclusion and diversity efforts to suppliers has been important and effective . transitioning our knowledge and best practices internally to our employee base and externally to our mbe vendor base creates a sustainable situation that will positively contribute to the future of our surrounding community , which ultimately effects everyone . ”
based in auburn hills , where it opened its new north america headquarters and seating technical center in july 2014 , faurecia north america supports four business groups : automotive exteriors , automotive interiors , automotive seating and emissions control technologies . according to the company’s website , faurecia is determined to diversify talent and promote gender equality , especially by attracting more female employees .
established in 1998 by glenna and mike field , field’s fire protection inc . has grown into a nationwide , full - service fire protection company with branch locations in michigan , illinois and indiana . products include portable fire extinguishers , backflow devices , special hazard systems and exit and emergency lighting . a woman - owned business , field’s fire protection aims to give employees opportunities to excel and achieve personal success , its website states .
no line of financial services is beyond first independence bank’s charter as long as the bank is serving the financial needs of businesses and families in its community , according to the first independence website . after its customers , the bank considers its employees its most important assets . “a second mission of this bank is to operate the bank in ways that maximize the positive aspects of bank employment , ” the first independence website states . “all bank employees will be treated with dignity and respect . ”
g - tech services inc . , a recruitment and placement firm that provides staffing solutions to a nationwide client base , is a women - owned business certified by both the women’s business enterprise national council and the national women business owners corporation . president and ceo theresa ghafari was named a wbe star by the women’s business enterprise national council in 2009 , and she was recognized as a woman of achievement by vista maria , a nonprofit organization that transforms the lives of girls who have faced abuse and neglect .
gongos describes itself as a decision intelligence company . it partners with global 1000 corporations to build competency in making consumer - minded decisions . gongos says that its innovation strategy is to identify societal and technological trends that shape the future of its industry . enlisting the multidisciplinary skills of researchers , data scientists and curators , the company fuels a culture of learning both internally and within its clients’ organizations . it serves clients in the consumer products , financial services , health care , lifestyle , retail and automotive spaces .
harvey industries has been an aluminum casting , machining , assembly , testing and producer since 2007 , with headquarters in livonia and a plant in wabash , ind . according to a michigan chronicle profile , company president and ceo jerome harvey grew up an only child in albion , where he developed the self - reliance that has aided in his achievements as a businessman . he spent eight years at general motors before leaving to launch harvey industries .
hercules & hercules inc . , otherwise known as hhi , is one of the leading suppliers of janitorial supplies and daily building maintenance supplies across detroit and the great lakes region . hercules & hercules works individually with clients to develop a sustainable approach to building maintenance , its website states . in addition to traditional cleaning supplies and equipment , it carries lines of green cleaning products . the company is also a sponsor of the michigan green schools program . company founder hercules jefferson sr . worked for years as a custodial supervisor with the federal government and with the city of detroit as a maintenance superintendent before , in 1964 , starting a janitorial company out of his home on the northwest side of detroit to supplement the family’s income .
established in 1990 , htc global services is an inc . 500 hall of fame company and one of the fastest - growing asian american companies in the united states , its website states . as a global provider of it solutions and business process outsourcing services , htc boasts a client base that spans several global 2000 organizations . htc manages it environments , it applications and business processes of customers , focusing on providing transformational benefits . htc is a minority business enterprise recognized by the michigan minority supplier development council .
iconma , a professional staffing services and it consulting firm , has become certified as a woman - owned organization by the national woman business owners corp . and women’s business enterprise national council .
“the certifications opened many doors for iconma , ” said ceo claudine s . george . “the most obvious are opportunities with customers who encourage supplier diversity . these same customers also encourage iconma to have partnerships with other minority - and women - owned companies . ”
iconma is fortunate that it is in an industry where it is easy to find a diverse group of qualified professionals , she said . additionally , iconma has received a number of diversity awards within the staffing industry and clients .
“diversity is important to iconma and is a main focus of our business goals , ” george said . “in order to improve company processes , policies and procedures , we need a diverse group of individuals to collaborate and create innovative solutions . iconma promotes its own diversity , as well as partners with other minority - and women - owned businesses in the community . if we didn’t encourage diversity , we would lose the ideas of the majority of the population . ”
george notes that plenty of research has shown a correlation between a diverse workforce and growth and profitability . “as long as everyone is qualified ( not hired because they are a woman or minority ) , doing the right thing is profitable , ” she said .
innovative learning group , founded in 2004 by ceo lisa toenniges , creates custom training and tools for fortune 1000 companies that help their employees do their jobs more effectively . it is a 100 percent woman - owned business that has maintained its women’s business enterprise certification since 2008 .
“as a wbe - certified company serving highly diversified vertical markets , we are listed as a preferred supplier for many corporations that value having a diverse supply base , ” toenniges said .
toenniges is also proud of ilg’s employee retention rate of 95 percent over the life of the company .
“one of ilg’s vision statements is to attract talented people who want to work with us , do good work and enjoy what they do , ” she said . “ilg accomplishes this by hiring the most qualified individuals — those who have the right skills and who are a good cultural fit . ilg’s working environment is one of collaboration , accountability , taking initiative and treating one another with respect . ”
having a company culture that promotes inclusion leads to individuals who enjoy their jobs and look forward to coming to work every day , toenniges said .
“when employees are happy with their work environment , they are also more creative and dedicated , and they produce quality work , ” she said . “the cost of hiring and onboarding employees is expensive . when employees are satisfied with their work and workplace , they are more likely to stay at a company , which decreases the expense of hiring and onboarding . ”
jeanette m . abraham is founder , president and ceo of jma global llc , a 100 percent minority and woman - owned company whose expertise is procurement , warehousing , kitting and distribution of fastener components . founded in 2001 , jma global is a tier one supplier to the automotive industry . customers include general motors , gestamp , magna , martinea and several other large tier one automotive suppliers .
keo and associates inc . was founded in 1994 by chris onwuzurike to provide general contracting , construction management , design - build and construction technical services . its website states that it has completed numerous commercial , residential , institutional and municipal projects valued at more than $ 200 million . keo , a michigan department of transportation - certified minority business enterprise , became a member of the u . s . green building council in 2007 .
mahar tool supply co . is headed by ceo and chairman barbara mahar lincoln , who has served in her role since 1978 when her husband , james wells mahar , died . since then , mahar tool supply has evolved from a michigan corporation to an international operation , according to profile of lincoln on the inforum website . mahar tool supply has been listed among the “big 50” largest industrial distributorships internationally by industrial distribution magazine . mahar tool supply and lincoln were also named one of the top 50 women - owned businesses in michigan . mahar tool is iso certified and certified as a women business enterprise .
diversity is one of the core values at management business solutions , says floriza genautis , ceo of the minority - owned staffing placement company with women business enterprise and women owned small business certifications .
“we believe that our differences have allowed us to better understand the various needs of our clients’ staffing challenges , ” genautis said . “also , being part of various minority organizations … has allowed us to be competitive in delivering staffing solutions . ”
the collective thoughts of employees from different backgrounds yield better solutions because of the wide range of ideas contributors bring to the decision - making process , genautis said .
“as the ‘globe shrinks’ because of technological advances , having an inclusive workplace will help in understanding our differences that would not only help the company be more competitive but also profitable , ” she said .
management business solutions further measures it success as an inclusive workplace by creating opportunity for employees to become future owners of the company .
“we are committed to guaranteeing success of our organization by creating diverse future leaders that are vested to the growth of the organization , ” genautis said . ”
all internal employees hired at management business solutions have gone through a stringent screening process , internship and / or training and direct mentoring from the leaders of the organization . values , accountability and commitment to client and candidate satisfaction are a few necessary traits we look for in the next owners of our organization . ”
marvel technologies inc . is a rapidly growing it company serving customers using sap software . the minority - owned company is certified by the women’s business enterprise council . its customers and their needs are as diverse as the industries they serve , the company states on its website , which also says marvel technologies works to address every element of a business transformation project by establishing strategic partnerships with additional service providers .
michigan operation freedom outdoors ( miofo ) is a collaborative partnership whose mission is to provide outdoor recreation opportunities to wounded veterans and individuals with health challenges and to coordinate a support network that facilitates their recovery through connecting with nature . miofo activities are centered on the dnr - managed sharonville state game area and the neighboring camp liberty property . the properties are near several population centers : ann arbor , jackson , lansing and detroit . the partners in this effort include the department of natural resources , camp liberty , brain injury association , zero - day , the passing along the heritage ( path ) foundation , the eisenhower center , safari club international foundation , michigan building and construction trades council , michigan united conservation clubs , disabled american veterans and the american legion , according to the dnr website .


prisoner transport is the transportation of prisoners by law enforcement agencies or contractors .

in order to extradite a suspected or convicted criminal from one jurisdiction to another , a rendition aircraft may be used , although the high cost involved means that it is normally used only to transport the most dangerous of prisoners ; more commonly , a person being extradited would simply be put onto a commercial airliner , albeit escorted by law enforcement officers .

prisoner transport

the correctionsone prisoner transport product category is a collection of information , product listings and resources for researching prisoner transport products . it covers partitions , door and window panels , seats and restraints , and prisoner control devices .
john welch says he believes the public sector could deliver prisoner transport services more efficiently and effectively .
the committee is conducting an inquiry into the contract for prisoner transport , currently held by serco .
meyer : u . s . prisoner transport is the largest prisoner transport company in the country . they’re based out of nashville , tenn . , and they are a for - profit company .
for more information about u . s . prisoner transport and our services , please contact us today .
© 2016 prisoner transport systems . all rights reserved . | | a division of quality plastics inc .
an estate of a deceased prisoner may file a lawsuit against the department for the wrongful death of a prisoner during transport , or a lawsuit may be filed by a citizen who was harmed or killed due to a prisoner escape during the transport . some federal courts have held that the transporting department is liable a prisoner ' s behavior during an escape from a transport or incurring an injury sustained during the transport .
u . s . prisoner transport offers safe and secure prisoner extradition services throughout the united states , puerto rico and the u . s . virgin islands .
enroll every employee in a prisoner transport training program . this program must last at least 100 hours . subject every employee to extensive firearms , driving and martial arts training in addition to the prisoner transport program .
uspt has a fleet of prisoner transport vehicles equipped to transport your prisoner from most locations . we have the equipment , experience and personnel to perform any type of prisoner transport . we provide transports nationwide , seven days a week , by either ground or air transportation ; which ever efficiently meets your agency ' s needs .
u . s . prisoner transport is proud to announce their new website today . the site contains more information regarding their prisoner transport services , their team , their fleet and more . . . all . . .
consider the following major items involved in virtually every prisoner transport : selection and preparation of the vehicle ; possible vehicle accidents ; securing and placement of the prisoner in the vehicle ; acquiring prisoner information ; transporting special needs prisoners ; gender of the prisoner ; restraint equipment used ; searching the prisoner ; the number of prisoners to transport ; nature of the transportation ; distance and route of the transportation ; medical purposes of the transportation ; using commercial aircraft ; officer weapons involved ; number of officers required for the transport ; and communications required during the transport .
the prisoner transport topic provides tips , expert columns and news related to the transportation of an inmate from one jail facility to another - a highly - dangerous task . the prisoner transport topic gives officers the tools they need to safely complete this unique mission .
check out this prisoner transport with havis products . the vehicle specific console for the ford e350 has 18
of mounting space for all types of emergency communications equipment and lighting / siren controls like that whelen cencom . the prisoner transport insert holds up to 12
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they basically take contracts with states all over the country to move prisoners long distances : for instance , in maine , local deputies will do a one - day transport , but this company will do a long haul transport . ( more on safety issues with prisoner transport companies here . )
based in melbourne , florida , u . s . prisoner transport offers safe and professional prisoner transportation services throughout the continental united states , hawaii , alaska , puerto rico and the u . s . virgin islands .
u . s . prisoner transport is authorized under u . s . code title 18 , section 3182 extradition act . our officers are authorized to :
liability concerns on the topic are rarely discussed despite the potential of a lawsuit being filed regarding some aspect of transporting a prisoner , for instance , a civil lawsuit could be filed by a prisoner claiming an injury sustained during the transport .
many transportation policies direct officers to use the vehicle seatbelt when transporting a prisoner . a common complaint raised in a prisoner transport lawsuit emerges when a prisoner is injured and an officer failed to secure him with a seatbelt . in brown v . missouri dept . of corrections ( 8th cir . 2004 ) a state prisoner was allegedly injured from an accident while en route to a correctional facility .
as one of the very few nationwide prisoner transport operators in the united states , we have efficiencies in routes that we are able to pass on to you . we can move your prisoner at less cost than if you did it yourself .
gain maximum control of violent prisoners during transport with the ripp violent prisoner transport . designed to stop a violent prisoner from thrashing his upper body around the seat of your car and the
head banger
from smashing his head into the side window or the screen / shield separating the front and rear compartments of the car .
after complaining for more than a week of severe stomach pain and vomiting , william weintraub was found dead in the back of a private prisoner transport van in georgia .
by comparison , the prison systems of california , florida and texas — which together transport more than 800 , 000 inmates every year , most of them in - state — have each had just one prisoner escape from transport vehicles over the same period .
lackawanna county has utilized prison transport services to transport inmates since 2008 , said sheriff mark mcandrew . mr . mcandrew said he’s never had any complaints about the firm’s service .
u . s . prisoner transport specializes in secure prisoner transportation and extradition services to everywhere in the continental united states , hawaii , alaska , puerto rico and the u . s . virgin islands . our prisoner transfer services are available 7 days a week—both by ground and air , depending on the option that most efficiently meets your agency’s needs .
officials with prison transport services did not respond to emails or a phone message seeking comment .
the next picture shows a prisoner in the commonly used transport system ( u . s . a . ) where the handcuffs are secured to a belly chain with a martin link .
court services , prisons and police all play some role in control of prisoners at court , but reviewers noted “there were no formal meetings between all the parties involved” . there was also no written protocol for the separate agencies to define their roles in how to handle prisoner transport to and from the court , even though there were defined operating procedures for prisoner transport generally .
u . s . prisoner transport officers are licensed by the state of florida and are trained to safely and securely move inmates throughout the united states , puerto rico and the . . .
based on current prisoner projections , the value of the new contract is estimated at $ 95 . 7 million . the contract will provide a more responsive , accountable and effective transport system .
there are incentives for g4s to meet performance standards as well as the implementation of a state - of - the - art prisoner transport scheduling technology , which will deliver an improved service .
a city prisoner brought a section 1983 action against the city after he was injured in a bus accident while being transported to court . the prisoner claimed that he sustained injury as the officers failed to provide him a seat belt in the transport bus while he was secured in handcuffs . the prisoner claimed that he could hardly support himself and that he was denied adequate treatment .
pts - public safety equipment is a leader in the prisoner transport market for law enforcement vehicles . our os belt system™ revolutionized the industry when introduced in 2012 . this system affords maximum officer safety , while at the same time , provides a safe and secure transport of the prisoner regardless the type of vehicle . the accompanying door caps and custom window guards , along with our custom front and rear partitions finish off what results in a totally secure environment for placing prisoners for transport .
because passenger carriers are not required to specify to the transportation department what kinds of people they move around , a department spokesman said he could not comment on specifics about the prisoner transport industry .
performing a mini - risk management assessment of the components involved in performing a prisoner transport can yield a number of general topics and can assist in identifying the risks associated with performing the task .
the coalition government notes the deficiencies in the current prisoner transport contract identified by the auditor - general . that contract was signed in 2009 under the previous labor government ,
he said .
the ripp™ violent prisoner transport restraint has been designed to stop a violent prisoner from thrashing his upper body around in the seat of your car and the
head banger
from smashing his head into the side window or screen / shield separating the front and rear compartments of the car .
g4s has provided prisoner transport services through the department of justice ( victoria ) to corrections victoria , the victoria police and the department of human services since 1997 and the contract has recently been renewed .
restraints and handcuffs used for transport of prisoners . transport belts are for added security with higher - risk prisoners are made of leather , chain , nylon and steel components . transport restraints are manufactured by peerless , boston leather , hiatts , smith & wesson and more . we carry a variety of prisoner restraint equipment and gear . please allow us to assist you with your requirements , contact us now .
proper cuffing techniques for prisoner transport differ from those used after initial arrests on the street . and it’s not just because of security issues . the safety of the person being restrained also comes into play .
she and the investigation’s lead reporter christopher williams spoke to another prisoner who’d been on the transport , and who independently described the same treatment of quinn . they looked at some of the issues with prisoner transport companies and the role they play in the corrections industry . and , along with william’s reporting , meyer wrote two editorials on the subject that appeared in the sun - journal over the last two sundays .
next is the hiatt “closeting chain” . this is designed for use when transporting a prisoner , for example , by train . it enables the prisoner to use the toilet with some privacy , yet be securely attached to the escort . the downside is that it gives a violent prisoner a formidable weapon !
travelling with a partner at all times we have been given a transport from prison to a police station for a court appearance . upon arrival the pick up process is completed and the prisoner is loaded . once the prisoner is on board constant welfare checks are completed by the crew on the prisoner while travelling . specially designed trucks allow us to stay in contact with prisoners , for their safety and security .
havis prisoner transport systems easily convert cargo and passenger vans into heavy - duty inmate transports while ensuring officer and passenger safety . offered in 80
, 100
and 120
lengths and one to three compartment options , these inserts not only help transport people but can also be used for evidence or storage .
first , check the transport vehicle thoroughly for contraband , both inside and underneath the vehicle . this should be done both before and after transport . keep a checklist of what was inspected and who completed the inspection .
uspt would like to thank all the law enforcement agencies for stopping by our booth at the national sheriff ' s convention . based in melbourne , florida , u . s . prisoner transport offers safe and . . .
like dozens of states and countless localities , butler county outsources the long - distance transport of suspects and fugitives . galack was loaded into a van run by prisoner transportation services of america , the nation’s largest for - profit extradition company .
mac ' s prisoner transport lift & braun northwest inc demo . this vehicle and lift are available for demo with braun northwest . contact them today at sales @ urltoken for more info and availability . thank you for watching our video .
equip each employee with a uniform , identification , firearm and restraints . equip each of your transport vehicles with bullet - proof glass and interior dividers , restrain points and lock boxes to store firearms and other equipment . store prisoner clothing and restraints in each of your vehicles . federal guidelines mandate that a prisoner must be classified and easily identifiable by his clothing .
the use of private contractors to transport prisoners is ineffective and inefficient , a union has told a west australian parliamentary committee .
stay alert and stay alive . policies and procedures for inmate transport are based on the successes and failures of past incidents .
like dozens of states and countless localities , butler county outsources the long - distance transport of suspects and fugitives . mr . galack was loaded into a van run by prisoner transportation services of america , the nation’s largest for - profit extradition company .
mr . richard’s attorney , james conaboy of scranton , said issues involving private transport companies are becoming a “national epidemic . ” the lawsuit is among numerous suits that have been filed across the nation against private prison transport companies that allege negligence and abuse .
prison transport services claims to be the largest private inmate transport service in the nation . an internet search revealed the company has faced several lawsuits in other states , including one filed by a texas woman who claims she was improperly shackled and denied water .
regardless of the purpose , transporting a prisoner can be a potentially dangerous assignment for police or correction officers and adherence to proper safety protocols are obviously critical . while a majority of prisoner transports are accomplished without incident prisoners have escaped killing or injuring an officer , injured themselves or been killed , and harmed or killed innocent citizens . a study of the new york police department found that 40 % of prisoner escapes happened during a prisoner transport ( ny times , 2002 ) . further , an analysis of data regarding reported incidents emerging from transporting prisoners from 2002 to 2007 revealed the following ( urltoken , 2008 ) :
facing an overcrowded jail and vehicles in decline , the douglas county sheriff’s office will be buying a new van to transport inmates .
generally restraint equipment used by officers in a prisoner transport include : handcuffs ; cuffs with waist chains and the blackbox ; leg restraints ; leg straps ; flex - cuffs ; and in some cases leg braces . the courts recognize the need , the practice and the policy of using varying types of restraints when controlling and transporting prisoners to ensure the safety of the officer and the prisoner .
the leg - iron and connecting chains are shortened , allowing only a stooping shuffling walk when the prisoner is outside the car .
the courthouse holding cells , as well as the prisoner transportation process was examined as part of the review . while the court facilities fared significantly better than their counterparts in the prisons and police jails , there were several problems identified , particularly in prisoner transfers .
“ultimately , the way to increase efficiency [ in the prison system ] is to actually reduce prisoner numbers , ” she said .
these high - security locksets can be used to severely reduce the chances of a highly dangerous prisoner or proven escape artist from defeating his or her restraints , says asp’s harmon . for such people , he recommends giving a coded key to one deputy at the point of origin , one key to a deputy or bailiff at the arrival point , and maybe one key to someone in a trailing car in case there is an emergency during transport that requires the prisoner to be released from his restraints . he would not allow any person immediately surrounding the prisoner during transport to have a coded key on his or her person . this way , even if the prisoner were able to overpower someone , he or she would not be able to access a key that could open the restraints .
flaherty : and while a state or federal correctional facility would have intense regulation , that’s not true of u . s . transport ?
these figures are sobering and should provide pause to remind officers and supervisors that transporting a prisoner can pose a risk of harm to the officer and the prisoner . hence , following safety guidelines , policy , and training are critical for performing this assignment without incident .
throughout the transport process , prisoners are held in a safe , secure environment by trained , experienced professionals . - learn more about our officers
professor morgan also said more resources should be devoted to improving video link facilities at prisons , to reduce the number of prison transport journeys .
in the wake of this tragedy , please be mindful of this advice for inmate transport , avoid complacency and train , train and retrain .
upon arrival at the police station police staff assist us in unloading the prisoner into their cells . and we have completed the drop .
it could not be determined how long pike county has used prison transport services or how much the firm charges to transport inmates . the times - tribune sought a copy of the company’s contract under the state’s right to know act , but the county had not responded as of thursday .
like an elephant in the room , liability issues are seldom discussed despite their potential to escalate into a lawsuit . today , i ' ll walk you through aspects of prisoner transport that are vulnerable to liability - - so that your department can be in the best defensible position .
even though there is no national standard on the securing of an inmate for a transport , please be mindful that all inmates should be secured during a transport . the best way is high - security locks with a pick proof system , including leg irons . if high - security locks are not feasible , inmates should be restrained with leg irons , a chain running up to belly belt and hand restraints placed in front . never transport an inmate with their hands restrained behind them . in case of an accident during transport the inmate has some maneuverability to protect their face .
wa police commissioner karl o ' callaghan wants the next prison transport contract expanded to help free up more of his officers for frontline police work .
several maine district attorney’s offices say they’ll stop using a private prisoner - transport company after an investigation by the lewiston sun - journal into allegations by a lewiston woman , who was being brought from florida to auburn to face probation violation , that the company seriously mistreated her during the ride .
the black box is placed over the lock apparatus that runs between the prisoner’s handcuffs and is situated between the hands forcing them in parallel positioning . a chain runs through the box , encircles the prisoner’s waist , is tightened and then locked so that the prisoner’s hands , restrained by cuffs and the black box , are pulled against the stomach . the black box is worn in conjunction with handcuffs , waist chain and leg irons .
the victorian government has announced the awarding of the new contract for the transport of prisoners between courts , prisons , youth justice centres and police stations .
currently , the sheriff’s office has three vehicles – two vans and an suv – that they use to transport inmates around the region , woods said .
downs , who took over operations at pts after it merged last year with one of its biggest competitors , the florida - based u . s . prisoner transport , said he had taken steps to make the company safer . the company had already installed sleeper berths for guards in its vans .
a prisoner may file a civil lawsuit under section 1983 for alleged violations of their constitutional rights and the legal argument applied in the lawsuit is determined by the status of the prisoner . for example , an arrested person injured during a transport after an arrest by a law enforcement officer may claim a fourth amendment right violation for the misuse of restraints , excessive use of force , and a failure to provide medical care under the fourteenth amendment .
there are approximately 60 , 000 prisoner movements per annum on behalf of corrections victoria , victoria police and the department of health and human services .
das in kennebec , somerset and aroostook counties don’t use these private , for - profit transport companies , because they believe public agencies are better suited to transport inmates , and be guardians for them if they’re on the move . so good for maine , more than half our counties don’t use these companies .
it doesn’t matter how many times a prisoner has been searched by other people . you need to search that person yourself . taking it a step further , harmon says he has always insisted that officers taking over custody of a prisoner from him conduct a search as he’s watching or he won’t leave .
flaherty : you’ve been in touch with u . s . transport . how has the company responded to your attempts to reach them , and to your investigation ?
police and corrections officers perform prisoner transport thousands of times daily across the nation for a variety of purposes . as previously mentioned , a majority of these transports occur without incident , but due to the unpredictable nature of the transport , anything may occur and officers and supervisors should be prepared to reduce the risks when performing the duty . the old adage that desperate people will do desperate things applies to a case that i worked on two years ago and provides an instructive example .
an arrested murderer was being transported to the county jail by two deputies . the prisoner was handcuffed with both hands secured in the front position ; he was placed in the back seat of the patrol car . there was a plastic partition separating the front and back seats . during transport , the prisoner reported , he worked up the nerve to try and kill himself by causing the patrol car to crash — a drastic measure taken to avoid being sentenced to life in prison .
meyer : i don’t know if it’s significantly less expensive . but if you have a small department like androscoggin county , and you have to transport somebody a long distance , that’s two fewer transport guys that you have in your department to work , and it just makes it a lot harder for smaller counties to manage that .
corrections departments in 26 states , law enforcement in cities such as chicago , atlanta and las vegas , and local agencies nationwide use extradition companies . although about two dozen private prisoner transport companies have registered with the department of transportation , only seven have state - level extradition contracts , with pts having the most by far .
training of all officers should follow after the policy is developed . all components of the policy should be addressed in training . officers should strive to enhance their own safety by adhering to policy guidelines and their training . finally proper implementation of the policy and training should be addressed in the field by supervisors to ensure officers are following the training adequately . following these few recommendations can place the department in a more defensible position should a prisoner file a lawsuit resulting from a prisoner transport .
need to move an inmate somewhere in the united states , puerto rico or the u . s . virgin islands ? complete our online form to request a transport .
for the officers who are assigned to an inmate transport , be prepared for what the day may bring . the start of the day may vary and can stretch between eight to 12 hours so officers should be well rested and energized . transport officers are part of a team and may consist of anywhere between two to four officers .
private vans can save considerably by picking up and dropping off other prisoners along the way , charging 75 cents to $ 1 . 50 a mile per prisoner .
one prisoner tracked by the auditor - general last year was detained in 14 places , moved 40 times , and escorted between police cells and court 26 times .
mr . downs , who took over operations at p . t . s . after it merged last year with one of its biggest competitors , the florida - based u . s . prisoner transport , said he had taken steps to make the company safer . the company had already installed sleeper berths for guards in its vans .
the court dismissed the prisoner ' s complaint holding that the city did not violate the prisoner’s constitutional rights by failing to provide him with a seatbelt while transporting him in handcuffs . further , in spencer v . knapheide truck equipment company ( 8th cir . 1999 ) a pretrial detainee who had suffered injuries rendering him quadriplegic after he was placed with handcuffs behind his back in police transport vehicle , and was thrown forward into the bulkhead of the passenger compartment , brought a section 1983 action against city officials .
convicted prisoners , however , may file a lawsuit regarding a transport issue consistent with the eighth amendment , due to their convicted status . typically the prisoner will also claim that administrators failed to train , failed to supervise the transporting officer ( s ) , and failed to direct officers through policies and / or the department implemented constitutional deficient policies .
corrections departments in 26 states , law enforcement in cities such as chicago , atlanta and las vegas , and local agencies nationwide use extradition companies . although about two dozen private prisoner transport companies have registered with the department of transportation , only seven have state - level extradition contracts , with p . t . s . having the most by far .
prison officer ' s union secretary john welch told the committee that despite repeated assurances from government that contract conditions would address issues with prisoner handling and escapes , problems remained .
darren richardson of spring hill , florida , says workers with prisoner transport services of america withheld food , attempted to extort jewelry from him and fastened shackles around his legs so tightly that he lost circulation , causing his legs and feet to turn purple by the time he arrived at the pike county correctional facility last june , according to a federal lawsuit .
chase vehicle policies and procedures vary from state to state , but it ' s a good practice to employ a chase vehicle with an additional officer or two when more than 12 inmates are being transported . a chase vehicle can add an extra set of eyes to the transport , assist in moving the inmates and respond to any emergencies that may arise from that transport .
due to the high demand for our services uspt has just added 6 ford transits to our fleet . this brings a total of 35 transport vehicles to our fleet . ground . . .
moving inmates back and forth takes a toll on the transport vehicles , mcgovern said . and the county tries to replace each van or suv when it reaches approximately 120 , 000 miles .
all of these questions need answers , but until the investigation is complete we need to do our best to understand what happened that horrible day and review policy and procedure for inmate transport .
officers are not to move inmates unless the proper order has been provided . the transport officers also must be aware of pertinent information related to the inmates they are transporting , such as :
the companies are usually paid per prisoner per mile , giving them incentive to pack the vans and take as few breaks as possible . crashes have killed a dozen prisoners and guards .
in a report published this week , the public sector watchdog found that a 66 % increase in prisoner numbers in the past 12 years was putting “significant pressure” on the corrections system .
hire employees with law enforcement training . a military or martial arts background will give some employees an edge , but there is no substitute for experience in law enforcement and prisoner handling .
claiming that he was cold , the prisoner asked the deputy to open the sliding partition so more heat could get to the back . one of the deputies obliged . as the patrol car proceeded around a curve , the prisoner shoved himself through the opening of the partition , grabbed the steering wheel and turned it forcefully , hoping to land the vehicle in a ditch .
these vans do not have prisoner beds , toilets or medical services . violent felons are mixed with first - time suspects . a plexiglass divider is usually the only thing separating women from men .
the prison service believed that the police should transport all such individuals , regardless of whether they arrived at court under arrest . the police said the prison service should do it once a conviction had occurred .
one transport vehicle , bought in 2015 , already has 32 , 000 miles on it , mcgovern said . another has around 90 , 000 miles and will need to be replaced sometime in mid - 2017 .
this brief review provides a reminder that officers must stay diligent to their safety when performing the frequent task of transporting a prisoner . the statistics discussed at the beginning are reminders that a major problem associated with the transportation of prisoners is the potential for escape and that officer and prisoners may sustain an injury . the case example also provides a teaching point that officers need to be prepared for the unexpected during a prisoner transport and provides insight into the criminal mindset . the incident could be used as case study at a briefing or in a training setting to discuss the hazards that may be experienced in transporting prisoners .
as mentioned earlier , traveling over water brings about different concerns for the prisoner . he or she must be able to wear a lifejacket and be able to move in certain ways should an emergency occur .
devices that cover already restrained hands are also available to more securely prevent a prisoner from using his or her hands . examples include the hand restraint mittens from restraint system technologies and humane restraint’s cuffmuzzle bag .
in that later picture , the prisoner is wearing a pair of smith & wesson model 100 handcuffs fitted with the boa handcuff co “cuffmaxx” device . the next picture shows a closer view of those handcuffs .
it’s 6 am and the depot is alive with 40 transport officers all starting their day . after finding out the day’s destination and a full vehicle pre - departure check , it is time to hit the road .
the prisoner had a medical problem requiring him to be transported outside of the facility for treatment three times a month . the appeals court affirmed the lower courts decision by holding that a policy stipulating that prisoners will be secured in full and double - locked restraints , waist - belt chain restraints with attached handcuffs , security blackbox , and leg restraints , did not violate the prisoner ' s rights to equal protection .
a review of the relevant civil case law regarding prisoner transport reveals a number of judicial decisions regarding the above cited areas . among these areas of potential civil liability , the use or misuse of restraints , the failure to utilize seatbelts , and transporting prisoners for medical purposes emerge as among the more common topics in which litigation is filed . due to the page limitations for this article only a few cases will be discussed .
the lawsuit says employees of the tennessee - based transport company also forced the inmates to hand over their debit cards , which the guards used to purchase cigarettes and other items , and subjected them to repeated verbal abuse .
another restraint option is the stun - cuff . it’s a pain compliance device that is placed around the wrist or ankle and uses electrical bursts dispensed via a wireless transmitter to keep prisoners in line . deputies and others transporting prisoners demonstrate the stun - cuff before fitting it on a prisoner . this entails holding the cuff out and activating it with the transmitter so that the prisoner can see and hear the electrical arc created .
the first item in this group of restraints is the american handcuff co “auto restraint” . this is used for transporting a prisoner by car , “automobile” as our friends in the u . s . a . say .
this case provides an example of the mindset of many criminals and should remind officers to follow standard handcuffing procedures , adequately monitor the prisoner , and be prepared for the unexpected . simple requests can turn ugly quickly .
former u . s . rep . john sweeney of new york is led to jail in a smith & wesson model 1850 transport restraint . he got 30 days in jail for his second drunk driving conviction in 3 years .
pts is available 24 / 7 / 365 . you no longer have to worry about the logistics or personnel requirements for a transport . just call , fax , or e - mail your order . no contract is required .
it was hard to find answers . only one prisoner in the van , chelsie hogsett , told investigators that galack had been beaten . another , joseph allen , did not confirm the account until a later civil suit .
at a time when a swollen united states prison and jail population has strained law enforcement budgets , transport companies offer a significantly cheaper alternative to traditional extradition , in which local deputies are sent miles out of state for one person .
every year , prisoners escape custody . often this happens because someone missed a crucial safety step during transfer to another jail facility or to court . sometimes a prisoner’s cuffs are too loose or the person gets access to a key or other cuff - defeating tool . sometimes officers are injured or killed during the process . but using the proper restraints and techniques for each prisoner transfer situation will help ensure the safety of yourself and other law enforcement officers .
a spokesman for the victorian corrections minister , edward o ' donohue , said the spike in prisoner numbers was a result of parole reforms introduced after high - profile crimes such as the 2012 murder of melbourne woman jill meagher .
the next picture shows james in an american “bioguard” restraint system . this is designed for use by two or more officers , who have to restrain a violent and struggling prisoner . it is meant to supersede “hog tying” , which has caused several “sudden death in custody” incidents in recent years . at first it is applied to a prisoner lying prone , whose hands are cuffed behind his back . the wrists can then be put into the integral straps later .
next is the hiatt - thompson single shackle and lead chain model 6010 . this is more often used as a lead chain with the shackle around the linkage chain of the handcuffs worn by the prisoner as in the following picture .
the body of william weintraub , 47 , where he died in 2014 : in the back of a prisoner transportation services of america van . a former physics professor , he died from a perforated ulcer after complaining of stomach pain .
it was hard to find answers . only one prisoner in the van , chelsie hogsett , told investigators that mr . galack had been beaten . another , joseph allen , did not confirm the account until a later civil suit .
for example , in thielman v . leean ( 7th cir . 2002 ) a state prisoner brought a section 1983 action seeking injunctive relief , alleging that the department ' s policy on transporting prisoners in full restraints violated his due process and equal protection rights under the fourteenth amendment . the prisoner was classified as a sexually violent offender and complained that the policy discriminated against him , as mentally ill prisoners were not transported in full restraints when being transported from the facility .
while monitoring prisoners and checking restraints for correct tightness ( whether they’re too big or too small ) , also remember to keep watch for people on the road who might be attempting to help a prisoner escape . situational awareness always applies .
in 2009 , a pts guard was believed to have fallen asleep at the wheel at 1 : 24 a . m . in greene county , ga . , killing two guards and a prisoner . the prisoners were not wearing seatbelts .
while training in safe methods for performing a transport is important and regular training in transportation procedures in maximizing officer safety should be ongoing , it is also important for offices and supervisors to be cognizant of the liability issues which emerge from transporting prisoners .
since 2012 , at least four people , including galack , have died on private extradition vans , all of them run by the tennessee - based prisoner transportation services . in one case , a mississippi man complained of pain for a day and a half before dying from an ulcer . in another , a kentucky woman suffered a fatal withdrawal from anti - anxiety medication . and in another , guards mocked a prisoner’s pain before he , too , died from a perforated ulcer .
a florida man who violated his probation for a bad check conviction in pike county claims he was urinated on and forced to endure other abuse from employees of a prison transport company during a 10 - day trip to return him to answer the charges .
since 2012 , at least four people , including mr . galack , have died on private extradition vans , all of them run by the tennessee - based prisoner transportation services . in one case , a mississippi man complained of pain for a day and a half before dying from an ulcer . in another , a kentucky woman suffered a fatal withdrawal from anti - anxiety medication . and in another , guards mocked a prisoner’s pain before he , too , died from a perforated ulcer .
a marshall project review of thousands of court documents , federal records and local news articles and interviews with more than 50 current or former guards and executives reveals a pattern of prisoner abuse and neglect in an industry that operates with almost no oversight .
in addition to the transport company , the lawsuit names pike county commissioners richard caridi , matthew osterberg and karl wagner as defendants as well as craig lowe , warden at the pike county correctional facility , and two assistant wardens , jonathan romance and robert mclaughlin .
chain cuffs are the easiest to put on , but provide the wearer the most ability to move . hinged cuffs only allow a prisoner to move his or her hands up and down : some linear movement , but no lateral or angular movement . this makes them better suited for transportation over long distances . rigid cuffs severely restrict wrist movement : no angular , no lateral , no linear movement . they are the most difficult to put on , but also the most difficult for the prisoner to defeat .
while the department of transportation has no role in responding to escapes or prisoner mistreatment , it is responsible for monitoring vehicle and driver safety , including whether guards get enough downtime away from the wheel , under the same regulations that govern all passenger carriers .
the deputy who was driving got the car under control and brought it safely to a stop on the shoulder of the roadway . a fight ensued between the two deputies and the prisoner , and he was finally subdued with pepper spray . backup officers responded and the prisoner was transported to the jail , where he ' s serving that the life sentence he went to such extraordinary measures to avoid . he also failed to prevail on a civil claim that the officers used excessive force in stopping his suicide .
prisoners detained in a jail and injured during a transport from the jail to court or a medical care facility ( or other destinations ) generally allege a fourteenth amendment violation , while some federal courts have allowed jail prisoners to file a claim under the eighth amendment .
finally , officers must remain vigilant at all times during a transport . they must be alert to the inmates in their charge as well as their environment . once the inmates are secured in the transport vehicle the locked gates that separate the inmates from staff are never to be opened until reaching an approved destination . locked gates are only opened under the same security measures that were utilized to place the inmates into the vehicle . if an emergency happens a change in plan must come from the direction of the supervisor in charge .
these articles of disposable clothing are used by correctional facilities to supply temporary clothing for transport of prisoners between locations , limiting the ability of inmates to create contraband ( by unraveling clothing threads , removing or sharpening buttons , disassembling zippers , and so forth ) while covering the basic requirements of modesty and decency . our disposable inmate scrubs are available in sizes to fit most prisoners . contact our sales department for delivery estimates and best pricing on quantity orders , as well as transport clothing tailored to meet the requirements of specific jurisdictions .
he claimed that the officers were liable for denying post - accident care and for providing inadequate medical care . he also claimed that the officers refused to seatbelt him into the vehicle and argued that his injuries were sustained due to a failure to be seat belted . the appellate court overturned the lower court ' s decision , holding that the prisoner stated a valid section 1983 claim . the court ruled that the prisoner’s claims aligned with the deliberate indifference standard commenting that he had a right to safety and to medical care .
a 2001 photo of steven galack with two of his three children . galack was arrested in 2012 on an out - of - state warrant for failing to pay child support . he was found dead while being transported by prisoner transportation services from florida to ohio .
connie ewing wearing a t - shirt in memory of her son william culpepper jr . in january , mr . culpepper collapsed and died shortly after being taken off a van operated by prisoner transportation services during a scheduled stop at a jail in charleston , mo .
“many airlines won’t allow a person to be handcuffed behind the back because of coast guard rules and being able to get someone out [ for emergency landing and rescue ] , so handcuffing in the front is the acceptable way to transport prisoners via airplane , ” harmon says .
“in georgia , a prisoner had a hidden handcuff key , and he slashed an officer in the throat in front . it came from not ensuring that all of the steps were followed , ” says asp trainer harmon . “we can learn from that officer’s sacrifice . ”
but the company charges about 30 percent more than its competitors , said tom rork , its vice president . security transport services has contracts with three state corrections departments , compared with nearly 20 held by pts , and it recently lost its pennsylvania contract to u . s . corrections .
every municipality , state and federal law enforcement agency handles prisoners . many of these agencies do not have the time or staff to move all of the prisoners that are scheduled for extradition . this shortfall is covered by private extradition companies . these companies are equipped to handle all types of prisoners . in order to start your own extradition company , you need the proper experience , training and equipment required by federal and state law before you can transport your first prisoner . as an extradition agent , it is your responsibility to ensure the public safety at all times .
prisoners are transported in secure , purpose designed and built vehicles and the new contract sees the implementation of a new , progressive , state of the art technology system designed specifically to meet the intricate and challenging requirements of transporting today’s prisoners . this new technology not only efficiently schedules prisoner transport arrangements but has , at its core , a dynamic system designed to maximise use of all possible resources when faced with unexpected changes in passenger numbers , alteration to court appearances , drop off locations and ever changing traffic conditions . in addition the system provides actionable real - time data .
while not exhaustive , these components can emerge as potential topics in which civil liability may result . along with other components they should at a minimum be used to design policy guidelines , to provide training , and to review case decisions to learn how the courts examine prisoner allegations .
“there are little to no regulations on their operations , ” mr . conaboy said in an email . “ the treatment of mr . richardson and the others in the custody of the transport officers is unspeakable . they were forced to live a real life nightmare for the amusement of the officers . ”
draft a company document outlining your training procedures and compliance with federal law . submit this document , along with your price per transport , to law enforcement agencies within your work area . make yourself available to any prospective client or government official at any time to sell your services and remain in compliance .
but the company charges about 30 percent more than its competitors , said tom rork , its vice president . security transport services has contracts with three state corrections departments , compared with nearly 20 held by p . t . s . , and it recently lost its pennsylvania contract to u . s . corrections .
a p . t . s . van that crashed at 1 : 24 a . m . in greene county , ga . , in 2009 , killing two guards and a prisoner . the guard who was driving is believed to have fallen asleep at the wheel . the prisoners were not wearing seatbelts .
a non - metallic alternative transport system is the ripp emergency belt . this is a simple webbing belt closed with a pair of rings to make a friction buckle . two short plasticuffs are threaded through suitably placed loops in the belt . after use , the cuffs are cut off and the belt is re - useable .
welcome to pts of america , llc ( pts ) , we are the nation’s largest prisoner extradition company and one of the largest national transporters of detainees . we operate a nationwide air and ground system , 24 / 7 / 365 . our mission is to serve you as diligently as you serve the public .
belly chains and transport belts made in various styles of different materials allow you to further restrict movement by securing these or other handcuffs to the waist and even connecting leg irons along a longer chain . for example , humane restraint sells transport belts made of leather or nylon fitted with d - rings and handcuffs that can be secured with either velcro or buckles , according to stacy schultz , general manager . these can also help maintain order and efficiency . “all of our nylon restraints are available in colors , ” he says . “you can color code for departments or units within a facility , or maybe assign a risk level with a color . ”