Comments on: Florida Dept. Of Corrections Revamps Policies On Use Of Force

By: Rob

Rob — Mon, 20 Apr 2015 15:21:24 +0000

In response to Mary, I am one of the “hardworking and honest” corrections officers you speak of, however, one thing that is known, and happened to me recently, is that if you “snitch” on staff members, you will reap the hell that will cause. I caught 3 staff members planting evidence to get an inmate placed in confinement, and sent to CM. I did what I was supposed to do, I wrote and submitted an incident report, gave an affidavit, and nothing happened to them. I was subsequently removed from confinement as the supervisor, sent to midnight shift, and was stuck there until the administration changed over. The problem is not that staff are not being complicit, they are afraid to say anything, due to the retaliation they receive for not backing brown. As I know first hand. On the lighter side of it, no one does anything they are not supposed to in front of me.

By: chris in Molino

chris in Molino — Sun, 19 Apr 2015 23:38:47 +0000

So Culpepper was a Crosby crony ? Not that i ever remember. Culpepper was a Captain @ACI in early 90’s and stayed in then region 1 for some time. Crosby was gone before Culpepper made it to Tallahassee.
And gaurds underpaid. LOL, nowhere else i can think of where in just months can you start just under $33k with no degree.

By: Charlie Zale

Charlie Zale — Sat, 18 Apr 2015 13:49:58 +0000

I agree with Jesse. The public needs to realize that the Department of Corrections has been suspected of corruption for years. It has always been at the top of the chain. Remember Secretary Crosby, he was indicted and sent to federal prison for corruption. Crosby proteges are currently the deputy secretary and region 1 director. The problems are not the line staff, but the upper administration. Every time there has been a scandal the Secretary has been replaced, but the ones who are truly calling the shots are left in place. The last secretary that was actually a veteran of the department was Crosby. the five secretarys since Crosby have all been from other agencies.

By: jesse

jesse — Sat, 18 Apr 2015 11:56:13 +0000

What this will cause is a total mess. Inmates will be manipulating the new policies and our prisons will become out of control. The end disaster will be public safety will be compromised. Ron McAndrews was a warden at several prisons and each one he was at were completely out of control. His staff were abused and humiliated by inmates. The staff have not received a raise in 8-9 years. The administration cares nothing for staff. Secretary Jones, Senator Evers and Regional Director Culpepper visited staff at Santa Rosa C.I. The staff were told to ask any questions they had and not to fear retaliation. A staff member asked about raises and the Regional Director snapped and humiliated the staff member who asked the question, Several staff then got up and walked out. Corrections Officers are hardworking, unappreciated and under paid. If the system is to ever be repaired, the entire upper administration with the exception of Secretary Jones should be replaced. The same guard has been running the show and the secretaries have been nothing, but figure heads. a decent competitive wage should be offered to attract a better caliber of applicants and the applicants screened much better. If you want a professional organization you have to have professionals leading it and you have to pay for it.

By: haley

haley — Thu, 16 Apr 2015 15:27:42 +0000

This is a step in the right direction. Yes, Mary you are absolutely correct there are rogue officers who, from what I have heard mistreat, humiliate, and abuse inmates. The thought that this one guy was pepper sprayed after an earlier respiratory attack is senseless. I know there are some good ppl working in these correctional facilities, and that it is probably tough at times, however, we are talking treating inmates like animals. There are measures being taken that are much too extreme. I am glad there is someone stepping in to take a good look at things going on that are out of control.

By: 4change

4change — Wed, 15 Apr 2015 14:51:12 +0000

I agree with McAndrew that it is a step in the right direction and yes, more changes are needed. It is pretty bad when you have a dozen inmates witness 4 officers continually gas an inmate for fun over the course of 12 hours and NOTHING was done about it!! Why?? Because an inmate’s word is garbage. Even 12 to 4. I know from personal experience that family members cannot bring wrongdoings to the warden or other higher ups because of retaliation to the inmate. Pretty bad when you call to talk to the warden and your inmate gets locked up ” under investigation” after the warden tells you that you call too much!!

By: Ron McAndrew

Ron McAndrew — Wed, 15 Apr 2015 10:48:18 +0000

This is a giant step in the right direction. It’s certainly not the only step needed, but a very positive one indeed.

By: Mary Lynn McDavid

Mary Lynn McDavid — Wed, 15 Apr 2015 08:22:21 +0000

While most of the employees may be “hardworking and honest,” they know who the rogue officers are–that makes them complicit. Rogue officers must be outed–identified and terminated.