Observer Report (Brother Kevin C.) May 1, 1973 - Handwritten
subject: Guard Behavior
subject: Education
subject: Prisoner Behavior
subject: Drugs
subject: Conditions
subject: NPRA
subject: Medical Care
subject: Behavior Modification
description: A prisoner feels that drugs and medication are being used as "behavior modification" to pacify the prisoners. Another prisoner is distrustful of the observers.
creator: C., Brother Kevin
source: Ad Hoc Committee
date: 1973-05-01
contributor: P Ryan Files
type: Observer Report

Observer Report (Daniel A. Klein) April 17, 1973 - Handwritten
subject: Guard/Prisoner Interactions
subject: Prisoner Behavior
subject: Meals
description: Prisoners are happy about the observer program and are interested in things like reading and music.
creator: Klein, Daniel A.
source: Ad Hoc Committee
date: 1973-04-17
contributor: P Ryan Files
type: Observer Report

Guard Mentality/Culture: Prisoners' Insights
subject: Conditions
subject: Guard/Prisoner Interactions
subject: Commissioner John O. Boone
subject: Press
description: A press release consisting of excerpts from observer reports. In this reports, prisoners describe continuous guard harassment, as well as nighttime raids and beatings. In fact, new guards are pressured by old guards to continue this attitude of "oppression/sadism." Prisoners and observers alike identify guards as the root problem of Walpole.
creator: Ad Hoc Committee
source: Ad Hoc Committee
date: 1973-04
contributor: P Ryan Files
type: Press Release

Observer Sign-In Sheets - April 24, 1973 (7-3)
subject: Sign-In-Sheets
description: A record of observers from the Ad Hoc Committee
source: Ad Hoc Committee
date: 1973-04-24
contributor: P Ryan Files
type: Miscellaneous Notes

Observer Report (Joaquin A. Custoder) April 18, 1973 - Handwritten
subject: Commissioner John O. Boone
subject: Education
subject: Race
subject: Meals
description: Custoder details activities at the prison, especially the school and Adult Basic Education program. He speaks with prisoners about subjects ranging from the Celtics to parole, law, and political science.
creator: Custoder, Joaquin A.
source: Ad Hoc Committee
date: 1973-04-18
contributor: P Ryan Files
type: Observer Report

Observer Sign-In Sheets - April 24, 1973 (3-11)
subject: Sign-In-Sheets
description: A record of observers from the Ad Hoc Committee
source: Ad Hoc Committee
date: 1973-04-24
type: Miscellaneous Notes

Observation (By Observers) of Prisoner Behavior After Guards Out - "Calm, Responsible, Cooperative"
subject: Guard/Prisoner Interactions
subject: Prisoner Behavior
subject: Press
description: Press release explaining how prisoners effectively manage the prison while the guards are gone. They assert that guards are unneeded; in fact, things are smoother and more relaxed without guards.
creator: Ad Hoc Committee
source: Ad Hoc Committee
date: 1973-04
contributor: P Ryan Files
type: Press Release

Physical Condition of Walpole Facilities: Cells et al.
subject: Conditions
subject: Press
description: Press release consisting of excerpts from observer reports. These reports mention that heating is inconsistence, the weight room lacks a toilet, and areas for recreation like the gym are not well-kept, leading to injuries.
creator: Ad Hoc Committee
source: Ad Hoc Committee
date: 1973-04
contributor: P Ryan Files
type: Press Release

Pre & Post 15 March Comments By Prisoners - "Safer With Observers etc."
subject: Press
subject: Prisoner Behavior
subject: Guard/Prisoner Interactions
subject: Commissioner John O. Boone
subject: Visitation
subject: NPRA
subject: Meals
description: Press release consisting of excerpts from observer reports. The reports mention a relaxed atmosphere and the prisoners' appreciation for improvements made in the guards' absence. For the first time in months, prisoners in Block 10 got showers, exercise periods, hot meals, and respectful treatment for their visitors. Moreover, prisoners are generally very happy about the citizen observer program. One prisoner credited the NPRA for all these improvements. The prisoners also show considerable support for Commissioner Boone.
creator: Ad Hoc Committee
source: Ad Hoc Committee
date: 1973-03-15
contributor: P Ryan Files
type: Press Release

Prisoners' Reports: Civil Rights, Denials of Rights, Denials of Hearing, Reclassification, Denials of Standard Treatment: Morning Eye Checks
subject: Conflict Incident
subject: Violence
subject: Guard/Prisoner Interactions
subject: NPRA
subject: Press
description: Press release containing an observer report that describes a prisoner being beaten when "lugged" out of his old cell. Moreover, none of the prisoners in segregation were done so with a prior hearing.
creator: Ad Hoc Committee
source: Ad Hoc Committee
date: 1973-04
contributor: P Ryan Files
type: Press Release

Psychological Environment & Physcial Condition; Also: Rehabilitation, Harassments, Showers, Cell Lights, etc.
subject: Press
subject: Guard/Prisoner Interactions
subject: Avocation
subject: Rehabilitation
subject: Mail
subject: Commissioner John O. Boone
subject: NPRA
subject: Lawyers
subject: Meals
subject: Medical Care
description: Press release containing excerpts from observer reports. The release ends with an itemized list of common complaints, which are detailed throughout. Generally, prisoners are happy with the decreased tensions and the new cook. However, a major problem is medical care: it is often slow to come, and guards will deny prisoners medication if they dislike them. The mail program is also ineffective, which particularly affects prisoners with upcoming appeals who need to contact their lawyers; there are many delays, and confidential mail often arrives opened. Prisoners also complain of a lack of rehabilitative programs and vocational training, as well as about the guards' tendency to confiscate items during shakedowns and not return them. The prisoners feel that there are there to serve time, but that they do not deserve these abuses from guards.
creator: Ad Hoc Committee
source: Ad Hoc Committee
date: 1973
contributor: P Ryan Files
type: Press Release

Reminder for Shift Coordinators - May 9, 1973
subject: Observer Concerns
description: The inside and outside coordinators for a shift report that the coordinator for the next shift refused to sign the check-in form.
source: Ad Hoc Committee
date: 1973-05-09
contributor: P Ryan Files
type: Miscellaneous Notes

Notes on Outside Coordinators
description: Notes on outside coordinators, including their organizational affiliation
source: Ad Hoc Committee
date: 1973-04-10
contributor: P Ryan Files
type: Miscellaneous Notes

Observer Report (Albert Bigelow) May 8, 1973 - Typed
subject: Observer Concerns
subject: Guard Behavior
description: There were only two observers in the prison, who Bigelow sent to Block 10.
creator: Bigelow, Albert
source: Ad Hoc Committee
date: 1973-05-08
contributor: P Ryan Files
type: Observer Report

Observer Report (Bruce Bayne) April 26, 1973 - Typed
subject: Conditions
subject: NPRA
subject: Guard Behavior
subject: Prisoner Behavior
subject: Observer Concerns
description: Bayne warns of the risk that the observer program can lose credibility if prisoners are punished for things told in confidence to observers. He urges for observers to respect prisoners' privacy, be sensitive to the prisoners' situation when talking, and stress the neutrality of observers (i.e. also build a relationship with guards).
creator: Bayne, Bruce
source: Ad Hoc Committee
date: 1973-04-26
contributor: P Ryan Files
type: Observer Report

Observer Report (Craig Bergstrom) April 26, 1973 - Typed
subject: Working Conditions
subject: Avocation
subject: Conflict Incident
subject: Drugs
subject: Medical Care
description: Bergstrom lists several incidents, including a man not getting paid for working in the kitchen, another prisoner's outbreak over the phone, and the hospital being crowded with patients due to a drug problem.
creator: Bergstrom, Craig
source: Ad Hoc Committee
date: 1973-04-26
contributor: P Ryan Files
type: Observer Report

Observer Report (D. Clark) April, 1973 - Typed
subject: Conflict Incident
subject: Guard/Prisoner Interactions
subject: NPRA
subject: Violence
subject: Visitation
subject: Medical Care
description: There was an incident of fighting between prisoners, which was handled well by the NPRA.
creator: Clark, D.
source: Ad Hoc Committee
date: 1973-04
contributor: P Ryan Files
type: Observer Report

Observer Report (Dennis Gianntassio) April 27, 1973 - Typed
subject: Guard/Prisoner Interactions
description: There is a discrepancy between this day's officer and other guards and prisoners regarding understandings of how prisoners are allowed to change cells.
creator: Gianntassio, Dennis
source: Ad Hoc Committee
date: 1973-04-27
contributor: P Ryan Files
type: Observer Report

Observer Report (Diane Tickell, Ben Jones, Carl W. Nunn) April 27, 1973 - Typed
subject: Observer Concerns
subject: Guard/Prisoner interactions
subject: Prisoner Behavior
subject: Conditions
subject: Medical Care
description: The observers note down situations like confusion over the observers' tables being moved, a guard misrepresenting a prisoner's desires, and problems in the hospital.
creator: Tickell, Diane
creator: Jones, Ben
creator: Nunn, Carl W.
source: Ad Hoc Committee
date: 1973-04-27
contributor: P Ryan Files
type: Observer Report

Observer Report (Dietmar Buck) April, 1973 - Typed
subject: Guard Behavior
subject: Race
subject: Prisoner Behavior
subject: Miscellaneous Prisoner Concerns
subject: NPRA
subject: Commissioner John O. Boone
subject: Prisoner/Guard Interactions
subject: Conditions
description: Two Black trainee guards have been held back and attribute it to racial harassment. Prisoners feel positive about the future, though one feels that his application to be sent to a forester camp has not been heard. Another prisoner is on the negotiation team (presumably of the NPRA), and he describes what is at stake for him. Prisoners and guards alike depersonalize each other.
creator: Buck, Dietmar
source: Ad Hoc Committee
date: 1973-04
contributor: P Ryan Files
type: Observer Report