Comments on: Sheriff Warned County About Jail: ‘Future Flood Might Be Much More Serious’

By: Duke of Wawbeek

Duke of Wawbeek — Fri, 23 May 2014 11:32:40 +0000

The commission was oblivious to Sheriff Morgan’s warnings because they were deafened and blinded by their dislike for the man.

Such behavior is childish and irrational. Thank goodness that these are men of only minor office and influence. Things could be far worse.

By: Jerry

Jerry — Fri, 23 May 2014 11:03:58 +0000

@ Ann – the Sheriff took office in January 2009.

The first time the CBD facility flooded under his watch was June 2012.

During the next 14 months the facility was operated on generator power as all of the power equipment, laundry and kitchen were inoperable. The plans for rebuilding and replacement of equipment was in conflict. It was during this time that the Sheriff sent his letter to Larry Newsome (acting County Administrator) and all of the County Commissioners. If you noticed, the letter written by the Sheriff was dated September 14, 2012.

The rebuilding contract to authorize repairs wasnt issued until August 2013. By that time the BoCC had already decided to relieve the Sheriff of operational control of the facility.

Was the building unsafe from June 2012 until 9/30/12 under Morgan’s leadership? Hard to answer. But we all know it didnt undergo a second flood during that time – and didnt explode.

The renovations to the basement area were completed in the two weeks prior to the flood on April 30th. With all the plans for repairs, the actual rebuilding efforts and installation of utilities and equipment all occurring with the approval of the BoCC and under the supervision of the BoCC.

The next question, is what was Morgan to do with the 650+ inmates housed in the facility? The DOJ was already critical of staffing, housing conditions, classification assignments, etc within the jail operations. The Sheriff had two buildings provided to him housing inmates. The BoCC, as everyone now knows, had additional facilities to house inmates. A study authorized by the BoCC and conducted by Justice Concepts identified the need to better use BoCC controlled correctional facilities to eliminate the overcrowding and improve classification issues. SURPRISE, that study was ignored by the BoCC.

I am not much of a fan of our current Sheriff. With that said, the BoCC ignored good advice. As told by one of the lead Facility Maintenance supervisor for the jail, the decision to rebuild was driven by “$$$$”. It was cheaper to rebuild without changing building design as the same construction plans could be used. It was cheaper to pay the insurance premiums and the $100k deductible then it was to build in a manner to prevent new flood damage.

Thanks to the short-sidedness of the BoCC, coupled with poor leadership of Gene Valentino (then BoCC Board Chairman), the BoCC the taxpayers of Escambia County have once again gotten the short end of the stick.

The BoCC has routinely failed to provide real leadership and oversight in their operation of the jail. But that is a whole ‘nother story.

By: Ann

Ann — Fri, 23 May 2014 02:03:21 +0000

If the Sheriff knew the jail was such a danger why would he house inmates there????

By: retired LEO

retired LEO — Fri, 23 May 2014 01:13:41 +0000

I am retired as an LEO. I worked in different agencies throughout the years and it is always the same. Jail Administrators ask for more staff to do their job correctly, County Commissioners (politicians) fail to listen. Pay now or pay later!!! Politicians should not operate a jail, prison or the Sheriff’s Office. Jails are a huge liability and the management of the jail must be listened to. Mr. May was the only one to vote no, the others let their egos rule over common sense. The voters need to be outraged and demand the jail be back under the Sheriff. Make the commissioners put forth the money to hire the officers. These lawsuits will go on for years from the explosion, do you still want the Commissioners to operate the jail?

By: John

John — Thu, 22 May 2014 13:07:26 +0000

All the BP money that Escambia County and other counties receive should be spent on updating and correcting all the infrastructure before all the pet wasteful projects are funded. I sometime believe these projects are a way for them to line their pockets with kick backs. They never turn out as presented to the voters. Look at the Studer baseball facility. All they got was a stadium and it was supposed to be more. I don’t know how the BOCC can sleep at night. The politicians only care about themselves that is one reason this country is in the shape it’s in.

By: hmmmmmm

hmmmmmm — Thu, 22 May 2014 02:20:23 +0000

I may not be looking at this correctly, but it seems to me that somewhere behind the scenes, Sheriff Morgan knew the commissioners were not going to take the proper steps and so he backed out and let them handle it. Back when that issue was going on, I read where Sheriff Morgan was trying to get them to do things the right way but they refused. I don’t blame him for backing out. I wouldn’t want to be ultimately responsible for something that I actually had no control over due to those above me rejecting my plans to make it a safer place. Now, they will have to do something. If they had just agreed to fix the jail the right way to begin with when Sheriff Morgan wanted them to, they would have only had the costs of the repair work. Now, they also have the anticipated costs of the law suits of the two inmates who died. I know if it were my brother, son, husband, I would sue the county for everything I could get. Only so that my family would be cared for and to teach them a lesson. If there had been no harm done, that would be one thing. But more and more inmates and staff are coming forward stating that they smelled the gas for days before the explosion. No one was evacuated. I find it difficult to believe that if Sheriff Morgan had been in charge of the jail during that time that he would not have got those folks out of there. The county commissioners made this bed, so they can lie in it.

By: molino jim

molino jim — Thu, 22 May 2014 01:38:05 +0000

@ Robert S–Good idea until the neighbors in an area find out they are going to have a jail next door. Recall a few weeks ago when the state wanted to put a probation office in the old coke plant on N. Palafox. The North Hill group raised a big fuss and it didn’t happen. Maybe the county could put it on some of the 4-H property— (just kidding), or even better put it next door to a member of the county commission. King George pushed the BofCC to take over the jail and they did–oh well so much for that.

By: jeeperman

jeeperman — Thu, 22 May 2014 01:09:00 +0000

The basement of the former hospital, now the Central Detention and Booking Facility has been rebuilt after each flooding because the county was still able to buy insurance on the equipment.
After the June 2012 flood ruined everything, the insurance carrier said they would insured it again if some preventive measures were taken.
Some requirements were not done by the county.
Guess what the insurance company is going to do now?
Claim denied!

By: Robert S.

Robert S. — Wed, 21 May 2014 21:15:05 +0000

Mary….You are exactly right. Friend of mine worked there in the basement back in the late 60’s when it was a hospital. Said they were at work one day when a person said to “GET OUT NOW” and while they were leaving the water began to rise until it had flooded that same basement area. At one time the county had emergency communications there…not smart then and outright dumb now.
In this modern day of instant video and audio communications there is no need for the jail to be near the courthouse. Inmates can be interviewed via secure network and only transported to court when needed.
Put the jail somewhere where the topography is less likely to flood.
All the paving at and near the Pensacola REGIONAL Airport is what led to the flooding in the Cordova Park area. Old, poorly planned and too costly to maintain infrastructure is all over the place and our leadership wants to build a fish hatchery. Use the BP windfall in more responsible ways.

By: Stephanie

Stephanie — Wed, 21 May 2014 15:57:16 +0000

The proper steps should have been taken after Ivan and were not and then the 060912 flood and still nothing after it was known that improvements for safety needed to be made and were not. After staff and inmates complained for weeks of smelling gas still county commissioners IGNORED their please for help. Criminal Negligence is what that is called and charges needs to be filed immediately!!! their lack of enthusiasm in their jobs cost 2 lives and the injury of over 200 others and not to mention the emotional scars it has left on many others in the community. Escambia County SUCKS!!!