Tryon getting new leader
By MICHAEL ANICH, The Leader-HeraldPERTH - There have been changes at the top levels of administrative personnel at the boys side of the state-run Tryon Residential Center in recent weeks, a state official confirmed Monday.
Edward Borges, director of public relations for the state Office of Children & Family Services, confirmed Tryon Limited Secure Facility Director Roger Rascoe has now retired.
Borges said he will be replaced by Joseph Impicciatore, 54, of Clifton Park, who will start as acting director of Tryon's boys facility on Sept. 16.
The Tryon campus in West Perth is split into three main residential areas - Tryon Boys Limited Secure, Tryon Girls Secure and Tryon Girls Limited Secure. The educational component of the campus also is known as Tryon School.
Impicciatore has served as supervisor of facility security since 2004, overseeing security at all OCFS facilities, Borges said. He earns $73,000 annually, although that salary could change.
Borges said Impicciatore is a graduate of the State University of New York at Oswego. He started his career with the former state Division for Youth - now OCFS - as a youth development aide at its Annsville facility in 1979, he said.
Borges said Impicciatore has worked at facilities throughout the area, including Tryon from 1988 to1994, when he helped coordinate services and security.
Impicciatore couldn't be reached this morning.
Tryon has gone through a transitional period in the last couple years. New OCFS Commissioner Gladys Carrion has stressed a rehabilitative way of dealing with residents.
Tryon staff have contacted The Leader-Herald in recent weeks, however, to say the Tryon campus is now a place where staff have less control and residents have become more combative.
A 15-year-old Bronx boy, Darryl Thompson, who had an altercation with Tryon staff in November 2006 at the Tryon Boys Limited Secure facility, had to be restrained and was eventually transported to St. Mary's Hospital in Amsterdam, where he died.
It was the first death of a resident from an incident at an OCFS facility in 12 years, the state said. There are about 30 juvenile detention facilities in the state.
The U.S. Department of Justice is conducting a confidential investigation at Tryon.
Michael Anich covers Fulton County and Johnstown. He can be reached at johnstown@leaderherald.com.
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deadcarcass
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09-05-08 8:49 PM
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I just want to wish Joe I the best in his new adventure. Good man, smart.....Just hope the admin in Albany give you what you need.
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ignoredissue
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08-30-08 9:55 AM
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I honestly don't foresee any support for the staff no matter who the new director is. If he wishes to keep his job he will have to follow Carrion's expectations and do exactly as told, we all know what that is. There is no way a director is not going to follow Carrion's directives to fulfill her agenda. They are hand picked by Carrion and appointed into this position. If he doesn’t is future will be the same as all recent prior directors and assistant directors such as L. wynn, J. Graves, T. Hoeg, R. Roscoe, R.J. Strauser and any other forgotten about. Which will be forced to move, forced to retire or forced to step down.
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howmuchmore
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08-29-08 2:10 PM
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are encouraged to cry child abuse. Then when staff do their job (do you really think that they want to hurt them?) they are brought up on child abuse charges. Something that could hang over their head for the rest of their lives if founded. Then she controls everyone of the investigations and reports regarding that claim - telling her staff that they are writing too many good reports and they have to have more bad reports. Have you ever heard such a thing?? Demanding that they NOT write an accurate report?? Write one that is full of lies - and she wonders why we can't believe a word she or her administration says...
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howmuchmore
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08-29-08 2:10 PM
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ing WHO is going to make them go to it now?? How is she going to explain it away when one of "her children" assaults / robs / kills an innocent community member and then is back on the street so the "community" can take care of them?? I have worked for OCFS for over 10 years, when I came to work for the agency I didn't understand the reasons for a lot of the rules and policies, I do now. She doesn't get any of them - why we require the residents to walk with their hands behind their backs, why they wear a uniform and not their own clothes, etc. These children thrive on structure, where they know what to expect from day to day. They act out when their life is chaotic and out of control - just what she has created. This is a BIG issue at all the facilities not just Tryon. She has changed policies and basically has tied our hands, letting the residents have control. As has been stated, when a resident has to be restrained, to protect staff and themselves, they
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howmuchmore
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08-29-08 2:09 PM
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Ms Carrion's position is to close all upstate facilities, treating "her children" in their communities. I beleive her comments were something like "she is not going to allow upstate to be supported on the backs of her minority children from NYC." There are many problems with that approach - starting with most of these children have already had many many many chances before they end up in OCFS care. They have already had PINS petitions and been on probation and this is the next and last step. She wants to keep them in the communities with their families, another of her misguided ideas - does she know just how many of these children do not have any contact (at all) with their families while they are locked up?? No phone calls, no letters, no visiting, etc. So we are going to leave them home with their drug addicted, alcoholic, missing in action parents / families... If probation could not MAKE them go to drug / alcohol counseling, school, mental health counsel
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ignoredissue
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08-29-08 1:00 PM
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Firemanjoe12000 - I think howmuchmore 08-28-08 10:45 PM following statement answers that. "Ms Carrion's position is to close all upstate facilities, treating "her children" in their communities. I beleive her comments were something like "she is not going to allow upstate to be supported on the backs of her minority children from NYC." She does not care about her staff or her staff's children.
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Firemanjoe12000
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08-27-08 6:01 PM
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Carrion says that, "the children are her main responsibility." Does this include the children of staff that will be affected when she cuts jobs. How about when staff get suspended and or fired because some resident makes a false allegations? Are our children going to be her main responsibility when staff continue to be attacked, and out of work, while these residents recieve 2 days of LOP or community service to work on a bulletin board?
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DFYOCFS
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08-27-08 9:58 AM
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My sincere condolences to the Loftly family. March on Albany? Keep us informed Downstate YDA's
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HelpUsGovernor
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08-27-08 9:51 AM
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My sincere condolences to the Loftly family. The newly appointed facility director at Tryon has a history of being moved from job to job to cover up his ineptitude. The "moddy-coddly, rose-colored glasses" Spitzer appointed administration @ OCFS has got to go! Help us Gov Paterson, before another resident or staff at Tryon/Industry/Gossett, etc is gravely injured; before our confidence in you is destroyed also!
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morningstar
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08-27-08 9:47 AM
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Someone last night made a point about whether the LH would make this news like it did the Pike murder. Well, apparently not because on THAT day, they updated this site with "Breaking News" several times so we knew it as it happened. Apparently this law-abiding, upstanding, well respected man doesn't deserve the press that people in the drudges did. SHAME ON THE LH!!! I'm very sure they are being PC, but IT IS NOT WHAT THE PUBLIC WANTS!! WE WANT THE TRUTH AND WE WANT PEOPLE TO KNOW WHAT IS ALLOWED TO HAPPEN AT THIS TYPE OF FACILITY AND WE WANT PUBLIC RESPECT FOR A TRAGIC SITUATION!!!
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Concerned4Kids
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08-27-08 8:49 AM
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Our deepest condolences to the Loftly family, we can not begin to imagine their pain and sorrow. Please hold onto the thought of how many kids he helped over the 30 ? years! They will be grieving as well. more later on The March on OCFS Home Office, the need for a new Commissioner and how the Office of the Ombudsman empowers negative behaviors. Peace to Mr. CL,, may God welcome you with open arms and bless you for all the lives you helped change.
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ignoredissue
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08-27-08 8:08 AM
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Boathouseblues(7:53am) - The complaint is that the resident ASSAULTED the staff. The resident felt protected and safe a enough to assault a staff expecting some cookie and milk while an administrator attempted to explain why she shouldn't do it. The complaint is that the commissioners policy of no punishment, meaning no accountability for ones behaviors has created this violence from residents on staff. Admin. probably tried to talk the staff out of pressing charges. Thumbs up for the staff calling the police and pressing charges, that is the only way for the public and DA to be aware of how often this happens.
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Boathouseblues
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08-27-08 7:53 AM
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Dear Left2 (9:56PM), You say: "So, today in the blotter, a resident was arrested at girls for assaulting yet another staff because she was given a directive which she did not agree with." So what's you're complaint? The girl misbehaved, was "arrested" (What does that mean? By whom?) No broken bones or injuries to the knees and shoulders. That's the way it should work!
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timeforachange
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08-27-08 7:39 AM
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my heart a prayers go out to the Loftly family. He was a great person and will be missed dearly. To all my fellow YDA's this is a day for sorrow...we should make this day Loftly day and wear something yellow on our uniforms to remember him. God Bless you Loftly I will miss you!!!!!!!!!
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birddie
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08-27-08 7:00 AM
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Has anyone come to Ms Carrions defence? I know there are other OCFS employees ( not in facilities)that work for her.Open your eyes, who in there right would come to her defence, it appears as though nobody on her side? What a leader she is, why is it that no one can come to her defence? Just in embaracment alone,If I were Ms Carrion, I would sign my letter of resignation today . Now she could go mess up some other agency.
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birddie
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08-27-08 6:51 AM
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With dark days like this, the only way to brighten then is to remove Ms Carrion from office. Please do this out of respect for Mr Cl, his family and the entire OCFS work force
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butterfly1
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08-27-08 1:45 AM
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Though I did not personally know CL I know many who did and have heard only of wonderful things such as his great sense of humor. To his family, I am so sorry for your loss and please know you are in the thoughts and hearts of many.
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beenthere2
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08-26-08 11:22 PM
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Staff from sll facilities ...put on your grays and attend the funeral. TIME to stick together no matter what part of the state you are from. TIME for the public to know all facilities are having the same problems, not just Tryon. TIME for the papers and news stations that have been buying Carrion's 1/2 truths to start asking her some hard questions and not just print what she says without getting all the facts since the staff cannot speak with the press to tell their side. TIME FOR DANNY DONOHUE TO STEP UP TO THE PLATE AND OPEN HIS MOUTH FOR A CHANGE. TIME for Patterson to ask for Carrion's resignation. Bless you CL, our condolences to the family on their loss, our hearts go out to you.
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facts07
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08-26-08 11:21 PM
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how long ago did this incident occur where a staff member was hit? I work for another state agency and cannot believe that your commissioner actually works for your agency. It sounds like she is trying to deliberately destroy the agency. If she was our commissioner she would have been removed by now. My hearts are with all of you. I will share this story with my coworkers and ask them for their support as well.
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IluvTryon
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08-26-08 11:07 PM
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This is a very sad day. My heart goes out to Mr. Loftly's family, friends and his coworkers. I didn't know Mr. Loftly as long as most staff, but I can say that he always had a smile on his face. He ALWAYS put a smile on his coworker's and youth's faces. He was a pretty special guy. I am an employee at Tryon and I am honored to work there. I am honored because I work with some pretty amazing individuals who give their heart and soul to Tryon and to the youth in Tryon. It is very frustrating to see what is happening at Tryon. It feels as if there is no hope even though we all want a safe, therapeutic environment FOR ALL. I have never seen an agency/facility that is so inconsistent on all levels. I have never seen so many non-qualified administrators than I have within this agency. Not one person I know comes to work wanting to hurt any of these youth.
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DFYOCFS
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08-26-08 10:57 PM
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Our hearts go out to Charles' family. Please keep us advised on this blog as far as details and arrangements. YDA's need to unite and stick together during these difficult times. OCFS is in sad shape in all of NY. I get to travel a lot for OCFS and have seen this "Clarion Mess" coming for over a year now. Downstate YDA
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mrsyda
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08-26-08 10:48 PM
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sir charles you will missed but never be forgotten. I know you would want us to continue to give our youths every means to succeed after release.
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morningstar
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08-26-08 10:46 PM
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It's just so sad. My husband, in corrections, can't believe how things have been at Tryon all these past couple of years. Our hearts and thoughts are with you all.
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ignoredissue
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08-26-08 10:40 PM
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My heart goes to his grieving family I hope they are able to find peace. He was a great man, great staff and excellent partner. When I worked with him I knew he wasn't just watching my back but had my back. Now it's time for all of us to have his back and make sure the truth comes out, his family is supported and GLADYS CARRION is held responsible!!! The DA, State Leaders and the press need to immediately get involved and start investigations into this, we need to DEMAND that it happens. Why wasn't a criminal investigation conducted after the assault, how were the residents held accountable for the assault, where is the evidence from the assault (the board and the written out plan that I’ve been told was found).
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advocate
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08-26-08 10:37 PM
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my husband worked with Charles and is heartsick. I don't think that Ms. Carrion made this mess alone but it is my sincere hope that the new Director begins to repair the damage and that Ms. Carrion allows it. Obvious changes need to be made. Please Ms. Carrion don't say for one second that Charles passing may not be related to the incident. Just fix it, hold the kids accountable when it's appropriate, hold the staff accountable when it's appropriate but every time a staff puts his hands on a "child" your staff find them guilty of child abuse. We have young children and if this happens then it's a mess at home. YOUR staff are put on "the register' which prevents them from working elsewhere with kids, my husband would be unable to coach or go to school to work on his day off, come on let's really look at situations and not just take the easy way out and blame staff. Lets learn from the tragedy that occurred and ended this evening for CHarles family.
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