It has been confirmed that Inmate
Patrick G. Ashwood, DOC #5l3554, DOB: 1/2/1973, died on April 7th 2003 at Okeechobee CI at the premature age of 30.

Naming Sgt Yardbrough (Yarborough?), for possibly exacerbating the death of inmate Ashwood;

NOTE: OFFICER'S ACCOUNT: Dear Ms Lee:

"I talked to many inmates about Patrick Ashwood. I talked to three inmates that witnessed the incident and I was told basically the same story by all of the inmates I talked to. Inmate Ashwood was on the recreation field and had been involved in strenuous physical activity and after sprinting some distance, collapsed on the ground. The sergeant mentioned, Sergeant Yardbrough attempted to assist inmate Ashwood by initiating CPR. There is no validity to the rumor that the inmate was murdered. I do not know where that information came from, but you may want to look into that source."

C.O. Okeechobee CI

REBUTTAL

Ms. Lee:  The report concerning inmate Ashwood's death didn't say he was murdered per se --- It agreed exactly with the Officer's statement on your page: That Ashwood collapsed on the rec field.  The only detail the two accounts disagree on is that it was inmates, not the Sgt., who were giving Ashwood CPR when Sgt. Yardbrough made them stop -- It was the inmates who picked Ashwood up and started running towards medical to get him help, but once more the sgt stopped them.  The general consensus is that because Sgt. Yardbrough wouldn't allow them to help with CPR, he ensured Inmate Ashwood's death.  It is commonly felt that Ashwood could have made it had the sergeant allowed the inmates to continue CPR instead of just letting him die without trying.  Witnesses' opinion is that Sgt. Yardbrough is not a hero in this situation, as alleged, but a man who behaved in a negligent and unprofessional manner.

I don't know where the Okeechobee Officer sees that Ashwood was murdered, as in Archie Davis or Frank Valdes murdered -- the report stated that Yardbrough made the inmates get away from Ashwood and stop giving CPR, which is the truth  -- I would like to know which inmates  this officer interviewed --but I'm sure he won't give out that information-- Also the officer who said he wanted more information about what happened to Ashwood?  Well this is the story as it happened!    

---

SECOND DEATH AT OKEECHOBEE CI

Elderly Inmate Dies While Officer Cusses
May 14th, 2003

G Dorm Wing 3 was brought to life Wednesday when a 72 year old inmate began suffering a heart attack.  Inmates banged frantically on the Sergeant's plexiglass yelling for him to get medical help, but the sergeant was trying equally hard to ignore them.

As the disturbance grew louder and more frantic, Sgt. Pienowziak finally yelled out over the intercom, "I DON'T GIVE A F--K IF THAT BAST-RD LIVES OR DIES! Now GET the f--k away from MY DOOR - and if you knock on it again or even mention that bast-rd again, I'm gonna THROW YOUR AS-ES IN JAIL!" 

As a result of Sergeant Pienowziak's deliberate negligence, the elderly inmate died.  Sgt.  Pienowziak was later seen talking to Captain Reese in the chow hall about this man's death.

CONCERNING OKEECHOBEE Sgt Pienoziak and Captain Reese
Friday, May 30, 2003

I know the Pienowziak's. I worked at an institution with the one you claimed was beaten by inmates. I think it was one inmate- serving a life sentence- who finally had all he could take from Pienoziak. I don't remember the details exactly but I don't think Pienoziak was in a coma- I think he was hit over the head with something after he did something with the inmate's mail. He was a big fat redneck- like his brother. He harassed inmates on the yard on a daily basis.

You mentioned a Captain Reese- he was fired a number of years ago after beating 3 inmates following an attempted escape from Martin C.I. He and several other "officers" were fired but eventually got their jobs back- I don't know if they received back pay or not. All have since been promoted several times. One is a Colonel- then Capt. Reese- I lost track of the other 2 or 3.
A CONCERNED GUARD

Sgt. Pienowziack, for cussing at a dying inmate Kenneth Bisnett Sr;

---

MR. CROSBY'S SOLUTION
"We'll Have Someone Check"

WRITTEN COMPLAINT AGAINST SGT PIENOWZIAK (sp)

The following is a written complaint aimed at exposing correctional officers (CO) at Okeechobee CI for their violations ranging from abuse of authority and blatant disrespect to deliberate negligence when faced with a medical emergency.  Shortly I will describe one officers' constant unprofessional conduct as well as an event that directly reflects the violations aforementioned.

Sergeat Pienowziak is a senior CO with an extensive record of complaints and reprimands in his DOC jacket.  He has a documented history of alleged assaults against him by inmates.  Reality, though, shows the truth to be quite the opposite.  His behavior exhibits a high degree of contempt, even hate towards inmates, his actions clearly show he feels all inmates should be dealt with and punished through retaliation and humiliation.

Although the reasons for such conduct may only be known and rationalized by Sgt Pienowziak, these may stem from some personal, traumatic experience.  For instance, rumor has it that the sergeant's brother worked for DOC. Allegedly this brother was severely beaten by a gang of riotous inmates who nearly killed him while at another institution.  As a result of the beating, his brother was left in a comatose like state.

Sgt. Pienowziak exhibits a level of disrespect when addressing inmates that is downright abusive and degrading.  He is an instigator, and as such looks for the slightest response from an inmate, whether it be verbal or corporal, to place him in disciplinary confinement (DC), more commonly known as "jail".  But regardless of such confrontation, the sergeant will put the inmate in jail if the sergeant so wishes, and later issue the inmate a fabricated disciplinary report (DR) to guarantee the inmate's confinement. 

Among Sgt. Pienowziak's repertoire of disrespectful outbursts, his favorite subject matter is always homosexuality.  From accusing inmates of it to propositioning them for it. -- Yes, you read it right! -- He is completely consumed by this topic.  I have personally been subjected to such abusive disrespect by the sergeant while being "counseled" by him.  It is an embarrassing situation and with little defense; one either keeps quiet and takes the abuse, or responds and goes to jail.

The event I'm about to describe can certainly be corroborated.

On May 14th, 2003, Sgt. Pienowziak was assigned to G Dorm.  Sometime between ten (10) and eleven (11) AM, a medical emergency arose in G dorm's # 3 wing.  Inmate -----------  DC  ------  seemed to be experiencing heart trouble.  Several inmates tried to request medical assistance for the dying inmate through the dorm's intercom. But the sergeant repeatedly ignored them -- as usual.  The the inmates attempted getting his attention by knocking on the plexiglass of the wing's door.

It was this time that the sergeant became enraged and screamed through the intercom the following obscenity:  "I don't give a f--k if that bast-rd lives or dies.  Now get the f--k away from my door -- and if you knock on it again or even mention that bast-rd again, I'm gonna throw your as-es in jail! "  As a result of his deliberate negligence, 72 year old  ---- died.

Although, Sgt. Pienowziak's conduct may be of little or no interest to or high appraisal from the likes of Capt. Reese (seen speaking to the sergeant at the chow hall about the death), or CO. McDonald, and/or other, his negligent behavior in the presence of a life or death situation is not only unprofessional but unjustifiable as well.  He deserves more than just a reprimand; he deserves lawful prosecution for his criminally negligent conduct.  He should be investigated by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement or corresponding authorities.

But is should be noted that family members Mr. ----- and Mrs. Ashwood (see foot note) will be notified by us of the circumstances surrounding their loved one's death, and how corrupt correctional officers aided it.  The families will be advised to seek and retain legal council to further review and investigate if indeed criminal negligence was involved at the time of the death. (see footnote) 

As a final thought, it seems to me the color that differentiates "good" from "bad" and "right" from "wrong" is slowly but surely changed from blue and white to brown and beige....with a badge!

I wasn't given the dead inmate's name, but I'm betting it is Kenneth Bisnett Sr, U11886. We do know that the inmate was in G Dorm Wing 3 ---

Date of death is listed as May 13th rather than May 14th as reported. I suspect either the heart attack happened just before midnight or the DOC site is wrong as it often is.

There is the vague possibility that Sergeant Pienowziak and/or department is trying to cover up - maybe Pienowziak wasn't working on the 23rd and could call everyone liars if the death was reported as taking place that day.

I figured the victim would have been born around 1921. Mr. Bisnett's DOB is listed as 8/13/1928, but he's the only guy between age 70 and 73 that is listed as dead/released from Okeechobee. He also has heart surgery scars. 

Scars, Marks, and Tattoos:
Type Location Description
SCAR HEAD SCAR ON BACK OF HEAD
SCAR LEFT LEG SCAR INNER LOWER L LEG
SCAR OTHER OPEN HEART MID CHEST SCAR
SCAR OTHER VEIN HARVESTING BOTH INNER THIGHS
SCAR STOMACH MIDLINE ABD SCAR (3)
TATTOO LEFT ARM AIRBORN & SKULL & KNIFE

We will be contacting Mr. Bisnett's next of kin to see if they want to pursue an investigation.  We will supply the family with our list of witnesses. We will also turn all information over to the Wrongful Death Institute and others who can pursue justice. We will keep you informed of any updates.  Kay Lee

OKEECHOBEE CI

MTWT Prison Index