By DAMIEN FISHER, InDepthNH.org
Department of Corrections Commissioner Helen Hanks resigned suddenly on Monday, and seemingly against her will, after months of controversy over the way she treats staff.
“I am writing to share that I will be stepping down as Commissioner of the New Hampshire Department of Corrections. This was not an easy decision, nor one I anticipated making at this time. Nonetheless, the moment has arrived for a transition in leadership, and I will be concluding my service to the Department effective this afternoon,” Hanks wrote to DOC staff Monday morning.
The resignation comes after last week’s Public Employee Labor Relations hearing over a complaint brought by Probation and Parole Officer Seifu Ragassa, who is also president of the Probation and Parole Command Staff Association union, accusing her of retaliation. Hanks allegedly opened an internal investigation into Ragassa in an effort to smear him, according to his Public Employee Labor Relations Board complaint.
“This is a great day for everyone who works not only for the Department of Corrections or Probation and Parole, but for the whole state of New Hampshire,” Ragassa said.
Assistant Department of Corrections Commissioner Paul Raymond, who himself was accused of covering up evidence in an internal investigation involving Lt. Thomas Macholl, was placed on leave by Gov. Kelly Ayotte on Monday as well.
“Under the Governor’s authority, Assistant Commissioner Paul Raymond is on leave effective immediately,” said a statement from Ayotte’s office.
Bill Christie, Raymond’s attorney, told InDepthNH.org that Raymond has not resigned his position.
Ayotte’s statement does not give any reason for Hanks’ sudden resignation or for Raymond’s immediate leave.
Ragassa was placed under investigation three days after he was appointed to Ayotte’s Public Safety Commission in November.
“It was done to destroy my reputation,” Ragassa said. “I am never going to back away from a bully.”
DOC’s administration, led by Hanks, has been in conflict with the Probation and Parole Command Staff Association for months. The union brought a complaint forward late last year over DOC’s attempt to take away firearms training and supplies. The internal investigation brought by DOC is based on an accusation Ragassa and his union were hiding training ammunition from a DOC audit.
As part of his complaint, Ragassa claims Hanks put him and another union member under illegal surveillance in a “fishing expedition” to dig up dirt to use against them in the ongoing labor dispute. Other alleged retaliation includes members who signed onto the labor complaint being blocked from being able to work from home, and DOC administration trying to take their IMEI cards from their personal cell phone, according to the complaint.
Hanks has ruled her post using intimidation and bullying tactics, creating a toxic atmosphere that stifles any dissent, Ragassa said. The Department is chronically understaffed, and Ragassa said that has more to do with Hanks and her retaliation driving people away than it does with recruiting new employees.
“The number one problem that we have is retention,” Ragassa said. “It’s people leaving because of Helen Hanks.”
Employees are afraid to speak out after seeing others get railroaded and fired, Ragassa said. He cited Macholl’s case as an example.
Macholl, who had a leadership position in his union, was accused of using excessive force on an inmate and fired. It was learned during the subsequent investigation by the New Hampshire Attorney General’s Public Integrity Unit that Raymond watched a video of the incident with veteran Corrections Officer Captain Scott Towers, and Towers found no criminal conduct by Macholl. Raymond reportedly kept that information to himself, according to the PIU report.
Macholl was fired, but his termination was twice overturned by the Personnel Appeals Board. That has not stopped DOC leadership from contesting the case, and a recent Supreme Court ruling is sending the case back to the PAB for a third time.
Claudia Cass, a veteran Corrections Officer who was fired after she pushed back on the dangerously low staffing inside the State Prison for Men in Concord, learned of Hanks’ departure Monday.
“I can only say it’s long overdue,” Cass said.
Cass sent an email to leadership, including Raymond, about the dangerous staffing levels. For speaking out, Cass was quickly placed on leave and put under investigation. Cass was then forced to undergo a mental health evaluation, which she passed. Finally, Cass was fired. Cass has a lawsuit against DOC pending in court.
Police Standard and Training Council Executive Director John Scippa is being tapped to lead DOC on an interim basis until the Executive Council and Ayotte find a new commissioner.