Cabinet Could Get Power In Choosing Prisons Chief

December 29, 2014

A Northeast Florida lawmaker has proposed revamping the way the state’s corrections secretary is chosen, giving part of the responsibility to state Cabinet members. Currently, the governor appoints the secretary of the Department of Corrections.

But Sen. Rob Bradley, R-Fleming Island, filed a bill  that would require Cabinet members to also sign off on such appointments and would lead to the secretary serving “at the pleasure of the governor and Cabinet.”

Bradley, who served the past two years as chairman of the Senate Criminal and Civil Justice Appropriations Subcommittee, has been an influential lawmaker on criminal-justice issues. His bill comes after months of the Department of Corrections facing scrutiny about inmate deaths and alleged wrongdoing by prison guards.

The bill, which will be considered during the 2015 legislative session, also would create a nine-member Florida Corrections Commission to help oversee the system. Among other things, the commission would conduct inspections of prison facilities, identify problematic facilities and monitor violence involving inmates and officers.

Gov. Rick Scott this month appointed Julie Jones, former director of the state Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, as secretary of the Department of Corrections. Jones replaced former Secretary Mike Crews, who announced his retirement last month.

Comments

3 Responses to “Cabinet Could Get Power In Choosing Prisons Chief”

  1. chris in Molino on January 2nd, 2015 9:45 pm

    Jesse is right on the money again. Kind of like the presidency, the FDOC Secretary runs nothing, its the top people in central office. Not about punishment or rehabilitation, its a business bigger than oranges.

  2. Jesse on December 31st, 2014 6:10 am

    Something needs to be done. The Governor has had 4 times the number of secretary’s than any other Governor. The folks right under the secretary need to be replaced as well. Nothing will change until the deputy secretary and regional directors are replaced. Cronyism runs rampant and always has. All of the top positions are held by people from the same small-town in Dixie County and they grew up together or are related. This has caused low morale among the deserving staff, a lack of trust and respect among the line staff and the administration, a lack of support and an overwhelming amount of incompetent leadership. I hope this is printed, because this is the truth and not an opinion. the facts are available and cannot be disputed.

  3. Matt on December 29th, 2014 8:42 pm

    Should be chosen by the people. State election.

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News