Corcoran Prison Investigation

Re “Corcoran’s Shame,” editorial, Aug. 23: I was there in Sacramento for the Senate hearings on the abuse and killings at Corcoran State Prison. I watched a parade of officials point fingers at each other. I also got a chance to speak to the Senate and tell them what my life’s been like since my son, Preston Tate, was killed at Corcoran on April 2, 1994, at the hands of the Department of Corrections. With the help of The Times (reporters Mark Arax and Mark Gladstone), the whistle-blowers (Lt. Steve Rigg and Officer Richard Caruso) the FBI and the grand jury that indicted eight officers, my family and I may see justice. I really feel for the families who aren’t as “lucky” as me.

BILL TATE

San Gabriel

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Re “Union Gets Court Order Restricting Prison Probe,” Aug. 26: The only people being denied their rights at Corcoran are the criminals. The guards are responsible not only for their imprisonment but for their protection as well, and if they mistreat that responsibility they become criminals themselves.

They took their jobs under a state code that requires them to testify in any investigation--now they want to change the rules and hide behind the political power of their union representatives. This behavior is not dripping with innocence.

BART BRAVERMAN

Los Angeles