The state Department of Correction is investigating after a fake incident report found at a Cheshire prison targeted a Muslim correction officer and included comments that were homophobic, anti-Islamic and supported white supremacy.
The fake report at the Cheshire Correctional Institution had Officer Shem Brijbilas’ name written in a box titled “Prepared By:” followed by a paragraph full of attacks on Brijbilas’ background and religion alongside homophobic comments and racial slurs.
The document was made to appear that it was written by Brijbilas, and concluded with comments such as “I informed my masters that I will do anything to keep Us in our place where we belong, in the Ghettos and on welfare, section 8,” and “The white man has done so much for us People that we need to shut up and take what is given without complaints…GOD BLESS THE UNITED STATES OF WHITE AMERICA!!!!!!!”
It was signed with the letters HH at the end, and dated 14/88.
“[The fake report] contains not only absurd Islamophobia and homophobia, but it also indicates that there’s a white supremist or Neo-Nazi presence,” said Farhan Memon, chairman of the Connecticut chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, a Muslim civil rights and advocacy group. “It references 14/88, which according to the literature available on this topic, references back to white supremist doctrines and [the report] refers to the 8th letter of the alphabet, which refers back to H, and 888H refers back to Hail Hitler. The initials ‘HH’ are in the conclusion of the document. Obviously, this is someone who knows some things about that movement and that community, and has affiliation toward it.”
Memon wrote a letter Sunday to DOC Commissioner Angel Quiros demanding that the department “immediately and diligently investigate this incident and discipline the personnel responsible for creating a hostile work environment.”
Quiros responded Monday, calling the behavior “unacceptable” and said that it “does not represent the correctional professionals that approach public service with dignity, fairness and inclusion.”
“This investigation will involve multiple employee interviews, in addition to reviewing all other available evidence,” Quiros wrote. “In order to preserve the integrity of this investigation, I am unable to provide additional details. … I will have the leadership at Cheshire Correctional Institution connect with Officer Brijbilas to ensure that he understands the investigation process and feels supported throughout.”
A spokesperson for the Department of Correction said in an email Wednesday: “As the incident is still under investigation, any corrective actions would be recommended and/or implemented once the investigation is complete. Since the discovery of the inappropriate document, the administration at the Cheshire Correctional Center has issued two rollcall notices regarding unprofessional conduct, as well as, preventing violence in the workplace.
“It is important to note that the Department of Correction has a long established Affirmative Action Unit whose purpose is to ensure that the Agency’s workplace is free from both discrimination and harassment based upon race, color, sex, age, religion, national origin, ancestry, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or any legally protected status; and retaliatory actions against those individuals who have submitted a complaint of such behavior.”
In a report by Brijbilas regarding the incident, he wrote that the “embarrassment I feel is indescribable and at no point do I feel safe in such a volatile and hateful work environment.”
“The [fake] letter disrespected and degrades me, my family, my culture, my religion and it seems as if there are excuses be[ing] made as if to take away the devastating impact that was not only made to me but every minority, immigrants and Muslims in the facility as well as DOC as a whole,” he said. “How can I not feel targeted and not fear for my safety within the department?”
The discovery of the report comes after a state correction officer was placed on leave in January amid accusations of anti-Muslim bias. Memon’s organization had called for the firing of Officer Anthony Marlak, citing a picture he posted on social media of five men hanging from a rope by their necks with the caption “Islamic Wind Chimes.”
During an interview with DOC officials following a confrontation with a Muslim correction officer last summer, Marlak acknowledged reposting the wind-chime meme in 2018. He said it was targeting ISIS and not Muslims in general.
Marlak was given a five-day suspension in December for his part in the confrontation and for making what were deemed inappropriate remarks toward the other guard.
“There’s some thought that needs to be given in terms in what kind of anti-bias and anti-training these officers are given,” Memon said.
Information from The Associated Press is included in this report.
Jessika Harkay can be reached at jharkay@courant.com.