The Register Citizen (Torrington, CT)
‘Disturbing’ item found in DDS office
Rubber chicken on a noose hung by window
TORRINGTON — A state senator is criticizing the outgoing administration in Hartford for the alleged “broken culture” of state agencies, after she received reports that a noose left hanging in an office at the Department of Developmental Services in Torrington was discovered by an African-American employee, according to a statement.
The noose is around the neck of a rubber chicken, and according to the photos, is visible in the office window.
State Sen. Heather Somers, R-Groton, is Republican co-chairwoman of the Public Health Committee. The committee is involved in all programs and matters relating to the departments of Public Health, Mental Health and Addiction Services and Developmental Services, and the office of Health Care Access. It also has jurisdiction relating to emergency medical services, licensing boards in the Department of Public Health, nursing homes, food and drugs, and controlled substances, including treatment of substance abuse, according to her website.
“The information and photographs I received over the past several days are deeply disturbing and demand immediate and transparent answers from the Malloy administration as to what exactly is being done to investigate this incident, what we know about the incident to date and what we know about the status of any employee suspected of engaging in this behavior and their motivation,” Somers said in the statement.
However, Kelly Donnelly, a spokeswoman for Malloy, said in a statement, “Harassment in any form is not acceptable, which is why DDS already has an investigation well underway into this incident.
“The agency responded quickly with the utmost professionalism and concern for those impacted. Compare that to Senator Somers, whose first instinct was to issue out a press release from her political consultant, rather than calling or emailing anyone at the agency or our office to get the facts first,” Donnelly said.
DDS Chief of Staff Kathryn Rock-Burns said in an email, “DDS is actively investigating reports of racially offensive incidents, but cannot comment on open investigations.”
DDS Commissioner Jordan A. Scheff said in a letter to staff that, after becoming aware of “some racially offensive incidents that have purportedly taken place at DDS offices,” investigations were launched immediately. “While we do not yet have the results of these investigations, please know that we take all allegations of this nature seriously. It is unacceptable and runs counter to the culture of this department to make any employee feel unwelcome in our offices. We are fully committed to ensuring that DDS is a harassment-free and safe workplace,” Scheff said in the letter.
Somers could not be reached for further comment late Monday.
Somers noted, also in a release, the DDS incident comes on the heels of an abuse scandal involving the Whiting Forensic Division of Connecticut Valley Hospital in Middletown — raising concerns about the wider culture and management of the agency. Whiting is overseen by the Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services.
“This disturbing incident raises very serious concerns that a broken culture that tolerates and encourages abuse and intimidation extends beyond what we uncovered at Whiting Forensic Hospital far deeper into DDS and Connecticut state agencies,” Somers said in the statement.
The senator, also in the statement, pointed to recent incidents involving other state agencies — including the tragic death of a child in the DCF system and evidence of defective care for prison inmates in the DOC system — as evidence of a breakdown of leadership in the administration. She said she has been in contact with “concerned employees” at DSS.
“It is clear greater accountability and transparency are needed from the administration to protect state workers and those in the care of the state,” Somers said.