John (aka "Jack") Kerestes is the deputy superintendent at the state prison at Frackville in East-central Pennsylvania. He's an example of how the place is mismanaged and how even little problems are left unresolved so that prison bosses don't have to admit that the problem exists. A prisoner write to "Jack" asking that seating be added to the strip search room. The prisoner, an older man suffering from arthritis and other physical problems, found it difficult to put his boots on after being strip searched following visits. He explained that it was strenuous to get down on the floor and asked that adequate seating be available so that he could more readily don and tie the clumsy boots which prison rules require him to wear. "Jack" was much too important to have to solve the problem or to even admit that a problem existed. He was much too important to even address the prisoner in a civil, respectful way. Deputy "Jack" told the prisoner: "I suggest you adapt to the current practice..." When one of the prison bosses behaves in this way, is it any wonder that ordinary guards are such contemptuous thugs? The Americans with Disabilities Act is a federal law which requires prisons (and all institutions) to provide "reasonable accommodation" for all disabilities. Mr. Kerestes' arrogant contempt for the prisoner may reflect his personality, but it also deprives the prisoner of the reasonable accommodation which the law requires. Much to Mr. Kerestes' chagrin, a prisoner with disabilities is not required to "adapt." He's entitled to reasonable accommodation. We relate this trivial incident because it illuminates the putrid core of the problem at the Frackville prison; the place is chronically mismanaged. Ordinary guards naturally follow the examples and attitudes of their superiors. If a deputy superintendent holds the law in contempt what will his subordinates do? If a deputy superintendent thinks that the abuse of prisoners is perfectly desirable, what will the ordinary guards think? Arrogant self-importance is not limited to "Jack" Kerestes. The whole management of SCI-Frackville, and, in a larger sense, of the Department of Imprisonment is defective, deficient, derelict, degenerate. "Old age should burn and rave at end of day" (1952) Dylan Thomas You are welcome to use or republish any of our material. Please give www.prisoners.com credit as the source. Return to the Frackville Prison Menu Return to the Main Menu Go to our site's Search Engine Send us Your Comments or Input.