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Life on other side of the bars proves very different - and difficult - for Scott Doll

By WBTA News

It's a different world in prison.

If anyone ought to know that, it's Scott Doll. Doll worked nearly 25 years as a corrections officer, and was just three months from a possible retirement in February 2009 -- then he was accused of murdering Joseph Benaquist, a former corrections officer and colleague of Doll's at Wende.

Doll was convicted of the murder May 20, and his life was literally turned upside-down. Doll is now sentenced to 15 years to life in prison, on the other side of the bars. But despite his extensive experience, prison has been anything but easy for Scott Doll.

Doll appeared today in Batavia City Court for continuation of the case against him of Promotion Prison Contraband.

According to his attorney, Dan Killelea, the drive to Batavia was only the sixth time Doll has seen the light of day since he was incarcerated in a downstate prison. It would be even less than that -- except that Doll has been transferred from prison to prison five separate times.

Otherwise, Doll sees little of the outdoors because he is kept in protective solitary confinement, for the simple reason that he's a former corrections officer.

Other long-term prisoners in the state system have invariably been under his watch in the past. Though Killelea says there was never any evidence against Doll for mistreating prisoners (in fact, he's received kind, crediting letters from former inmates), some prisoners simply hold prejudice against all prison guards.

"He's been spit upon, had things thrown at him," says Killelea. "Certainly he's been cursed at."

Killelea says it seems like Doll is shocked at such treatment after he apparently had an incident-free career at Wende as far as prisoner treatment.

Although Doll is kept in solitary confinement when in prison, there is no such protection when on the bus. And as Doll has now had five bus rides between the different prisons, there's been plenty of opportunity for mistreatment -- an opportunity Killelea says the other prisoners have readily taken advantage of.

Of course, other prison guards could stop such abuse if they liked -- but Killelea says that's not likely to happen. Doll is convicted of murdering a former corrections officer, which hasn't been sitting well with the prison guards assigned to watch over him.

"He hasn't been physically abused," Killelea explains, "or if he has, maybe he's not telling me. But they haven't really been making life easy for him, either."

Unfortunately for Doll, there's really no legal route to take to battle such treatment.

"I wish there was something I could do to help him, to try and stop this treatment," says Killelea, shaking his head. "But there's really not."

PHOTO: Dan Killelea, attorney for Scott Doll

Gary Spencer

If I am not mistaken after somebody is convicted journalists are no longer bound to use the word "alleged"
"then he allegedly murdered Joseph Benaquist" a jury found him guilty, a judge sentenced him to prison, he gets what he deserves, prison is supposed to suck. I believe he needs to be in protective custody, but what did he expect?

He is taking the promoting contraband charge to trial so he can get out of the cell a few times, and I don't blame him, what is the most he can get out of this charge?

Aug 10, 2010, 9:40pm Permalink
Alan Bedenko

I find it difficult to generate a tremendous amount of sympathy for Mr. Doll, seeing as he murdered another human being.

After all, as a corrections officer, he would have been acutely aware of the legal ramifications, but also the realities of what it would mean for him to be incarcerated.

Aug 11, 2010, 6:35am Permalink

Yeah really. What did we think this is, summer camp?

If you wanted to to have a nice prison term, then you should have cheated on your taxes or something. Murder gets you a box.

Me? I'm gonna go the route of just not killing anyone or doing anything that would see me in prison. That way, I don't have to find out what it's really like.

Aug 11, 2010, 8:18am Permalink
George Richardson

I don't know about NYS but there seems to have been a recent rash of prisoners getting released in Texas, and paid huge sums, for crimes that DNA proved they didn't commit. It's not that hard for a prosecuting attorney with a limitless budget to convince a jury to wrongfully convict an innocent man.
So, although I agree with Phil's approach, "I'm gonna go the route of just not killing anyone or doing anything that would see me in prison. That way, I don't have to find out what it's really like", maybe that will do the trick and maybe not.

Aug 11, 2010, 10:49am Permalink
Michele Case

Scott Doll may or may not be guilty. Only he and God know for sure. I am not convinced of his guilt because there was DNA evidence that was never tested, why not? I do know that when I went to school with him he was a pretty decent guy. Whether he is guilty or not he is paying for his crime. Mistreatment is not part of the bargain and should not be tolerated.

Aug 12, 2010, 12:14am Permalink
Jim Wilson

Scott Doll was found guilty of murder. He is a murderer. He was caught sneeking contraband into a jail, and now will take that charge to a jury trial, costing the taxpayers more money. His actions have caused his misfortunes. As a former Correction Officer he knows that contraband endangers the life of staff and inmates. I do not feel sorry for him, he is a disgrace to all who serve behind the walls!

Aug 12, 2010, 12:26pm Permalink
paddy horgan

maybe he should get him queen size bed to sleep on and a glass of milk and oreos at night.hmmmmmm was a c.o. so prisoners want to kill him. killed a c.o. so guards dont like him. hmmmm

Aug 12, 2010, 9:46pm Permalink
Aric Doll

What a waste of money on a corrupt crooked loser. And he wants an appeal, so his family and the state will probably be spending a lot more. If only he wasn't so arrogant... he could have plead guilty and made it easier for everyone. Even before the trial, his house was mortgaged and he was thousands of dollars in debt. now all of his earthly possessions will be the property of creditors. And as for him whining about jail; what was he expecting? The Marriott? he should just be happy to be alive. he never gave Mr. Benaquist that option. and hearing about how both the prisoners and the correctional officers mistreat him is ironic yet hilarious, because his life is just a 47 year long joke. Especially the part where he tried running for mayor of Corfu last year. The few people left on his side who still suggest his innocence are tools. I bet the prisoners who wrote kind letters about Scott while he was still a CO only did so because he broke the rules in prison. I remember one year he gave some of his prison trustee workers at Wyoming Correctional a few cartons of cigarettes. Doesn't sound like an ethical man with strong morals to me. He is probably less corrupt now behind bars than when he worked on the other side of them, considering the fact that he no longer has any power or influence over them anymore.

Aug 13, 2010, 9:41am Permalink
Jo Anna Benaquist

Life on the other side of the bars - what a joke - do you know what this side of my life is like Mr. Killelea. You talk about life not being easy for Scott - what kind of life do I have. As far as Scott not seeing the light of day - to bad so sad. Scott saw the light of the day when he was free for 15 months walking around and enjoying life while my brother was dead. Where is the justice for murdering a human being! My brother fought for his life while you were beating him to death from behind. You deserve to be put in the prison population. You deserve to be hurt just like you did to my brother. Those kind words you spoke of are the kind words that I hear from people that my brother helped at the wake. As far as the comment from MC - what treatment - where you there - everything is hearsay and thank you to everybody for their comments.

Aug 20, 2010, 3:28pm Permalink
JUDY SCOTT

I've waited a long time,reading other people's comments,but this "Life on the other side of the bars" was just too much. So his life is turned "upside-down" BOO-HOO. So he's been spit at and had things thrown at him, and he's shocked at such treatment? Bring on the queen bed and the orios; don't forget the satin sheets and the Limo for that terrible bus ride.Did he really think he would be treated like visiting royality?
Speaking of seeing the light of day, I'll bet his lonely "solitary-confinement-box" is still larger than Joe's "solitary-confinement-box". SCOTT DOLL DO NOT FORGET WHY YOU'RE THERE. You should thank your lucky stars there isn't an "Eye for an Eye" law.

Aug 20, 2010, 5:09pm Permalink

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