Prisons Chief Says Proposed Changes Already Underway
February 3, 2015
Florida Department of Corrections Secretary Julie Jones told a Senate panel Monday that her agency is already implementing most of the changes included in a sweeping bill aimed at improving prison safety and ensuring that guards don’t mistreat inmates.
But codifying the department’s policies in law should help restore the public’s confidence in the beleaguered agency in the aftermath of stories about prisoner abuse and corruption, Jones told the Senate Criminal Justice Committee.
“We have very specific rules and regulations on use of force,” said Jones, a veteran law enforcement officer who came out of retirement at the request of Gov. Rick Scott to take over the corrections agency last month. “How you treat inmates humanely, the care you give that inmate and the care and consideration for training and anything else that inmate is due … but quite frankly … there is a perception that we’re not doing it. I’m fighting this negative perception.”
Committee Chairman Greg Evers, R-Baker, filed the bill (SB 7020) last week. The proposal would require periodic inspections and audits to look for safety problems in prisons, require specialized training for dealing with mentally ill inmates and allow staff members to make anonymous and confidential reports to the Department of Corrections’ inspector general if they witness abuse or neglect of inmates but fear retribution.
Jones said she has launched a “habitability” inspection of the state’s prisons, the first in decades. And, she said, corrections officials are working to install more video and audio equipment in the institutions.
“I’m saying it’s optics,” Jones said. The bill includes “much of what we are doing” but “it still helps back up the department to point to, these are the things we are holding our folks accountable to,” she said.
But later, Jones acknowledged that the prison system, rocked by reports of cover-ups of inmate deaths at the hands of guards, was in need of more than an image makeover.
“The perception that we don’t have policies to keep us accountable … by ramping it up in statute helps show that we do have those policies and procedures. It’s up to me that they’re followed. So no, I do not have a perception that we don’t have a problem,” she said.
Jones tried to dispel concerns about an 18 percent increase in “use of force” incidents by guards against inmates over the past year. Although there were 894 more reports of use of force, the number of incidents in which inmates acted inappropriately and force could have been used but wasn’t climbed by more than 2,800, Jones said.
“I think these numbers show that in the majority of … instances there is no use of force,” she said, crediting what she viewed as an improvement to a “zero tolerance” policy for abuse of inmates, additional training and other changes implemented last year by her predecessor Michael Crews.
Instances of improper use of force by guards declined from 40 in 2013 to 27 last year, Jones said.
But Sen. Rob Bradley, R-Fleming Island, was unconvinced.
“I don’t know if I would draw the same conclusions because I don’t know what conclusions to draw based on all I’m hearing,” Bradley, a former prosecutor, said.
As in her first appearance before the committee late last month, Jones insisted that $16.5 million she requested to fill staff vacancies would be instrumental in resolving issues involving inappropriate guard behavior. Scott included the $16.5 million in a budget proposal he released last week. She also stressed the need for additional training for guards to deal with a growing number of mentally ill inmates and $15 million, also included in Scott’s budget proposal, to repair the aging prison infrastructure.
Evers, whose Panhandle district includes Century Correctional Institution, two other prisons and several work camps, was sympathetic to the plight of guards, who, like most other state workers, have gone without a salary hike for at least five years. At a recent visit to a prison in Santa Rosa County, Evers said guards complained about not having batteries for radios used to call for back-up.
“It becomes a safety issue to me when officers get tired and inmates get unruly,” he said. “If there’s an emergency where an inmate is hanging himself, it takes three officers to breach the door. And if we have one, he’s standing there watching. If he gets on the radio and the battery’s dead, the inmate’s dead before we can get to him. I’m just very concerned about the equipment and the supplies.”
He blamed part of the problem on overtired guards who work 12-hour shifts and on staffing shortages in prisons caused by budget cuts during Florida’s economic downturn. The agency has more than 3,300 fewer guards than were working in the state’s prisons five years ago, Evers pointed out.
“At all of the institutions I’ve been to that are running 12-hour shifts, when you get there and you watch those guys on the last four hours of those shifts, they’re getting tired. And you can see exhaustion. At those particular times, under the right conditions, they may cross the line,” Evers told reporters after the meeting. “The use of force we’re seeing is because of exhaustion, underpay and stress.”
by Dara Kam, The News Service of Florida
Ordinary Monday For Century Town Council
February 3, 2015
It was a short night of ordinary business Monday for the Century Town Council.
After approving minutes from a previous meeting and paying bills, the five-member council heard a short report of mostly calendar items from Mayor Freddie McCall, and heard from one member of the public regarding pot hole repair and requested speed bumps for Jefferson Avenue.
The next meeting of the Century Town Council will be at 7 p.m. on Monday, February 15. Council meetings are scheduled for the first and third Mondays of each month.
Family, Sheriff’s Office Seek Teen’s Stolen 4-Wheeler
February 3, 2015
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office is seeking information about a 4-wheeler stolen last week in Beulah.
The 4-wheeler belongs to a teenager that worked to save up the money in order to purchase it. It was stolen from under the carport of the family’s residence on Frank Reeder Road. It was later reported to been seen in the Wedgewood area.
The vehicle has large aftermarket tires as well as a loud aftermarket exhaust. Anyone with any information should call Gulf Coast Crimestoppers at (850) 433-7867, or call (850) 418-3052. The family is offering a reward.
Jim Allen Elementary Placed On Lockdown Monday
February 2, 2015
Jim Allen Elementary School in Cantonment was placed on a brief lockdown Monday after someone reported hearing a single gunshot near the school campus.
According to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, a school resource officer from Tate High School was moved to Jim Allen after the report. No evidence of any gunfire was found.
“It was simply just a precaution to make sure the children were safe,” said Rhonda Ray, spokesperson for the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
Updated: Jay Pipeline Leak Locks Down School; DEP Completing On Site Assessment
February 2, 2015
Schools in Jay were placed in emergency mode and Highway 89 was shut down Monday afternoon for a brief period after a brine leak from a pipeline about a mile from Jay High School.
A resident of Watermill Road reported hearing an explosion just before 1:30 at or near an oil well on nearby Escambia Avenue. Responding Jay Volunteer firefighters, from a distant staging area, could see the leak flowing from the ground upon their arrival.
Quantum Resources was notified and the leak area was immediately shut down. The the situation was quickly resolved, according to Sarah Whitfield, a spokesperson for Santa Rosa County, and no threat remains.
The lockdown at the schools was lifted and Highway 89 reopened with a matter of minutes. There were no injuries reported.
Staff from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection responded to the site. Initial assessments indicate less than two barrels of brine was spilled. There have been no impacts to surface waters. There was no explosion, but due to high pressure flow lines, a loud noise may have been heard at the time of the leak, according to Dee Ann Miller, spokesperson for the Florida DEP.
The flow line has been depressurized until repairs can be made and DEP inspections are complete.
Pictured: A file photo aerial view of a Quantum Resources facility on Escambia Avenue near Watermill Avenue in Jay. Courtesy images for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
No Injuries In Overturned School Bus Crash
February 2, 2015
A school bus driver that crashed into a guardrail before his bus overturned this morning in Escambia County said he was avoiding another vehicle.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, 63-year old Leroy Jenkins was driving a 2001 school bus with no students on board eastbound on Burgess Road. he was he steered to avoid an oncoming unknown vehicle with one headlight that entered his travel lane. The front of the bus struck a guardrail and overturned onto its right side.
Jenkins suffered minor injuries and refused medical treatment.
No charges were filed in the crash.
Reader submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Six More Weeks Of Winter? North Escambia Weather Ducks See Shadow
February 2, 2015
On this Groundhog Day, Puxatony Phil, the world famous groundhog, and the NorthEscambia.com Weather Ducks have both predicted six more weeks of winter.
Forklore says that if the groundhog sees his shadow on Groundhog Day, it means six more weeks of winter. We did not have a groundhog handy for a photo, but we did have the NorthEscambia.com Weather Ducks. And just like their more famous Pennsylvania weather buddy, our weather ducks also saw their shadow this morning at our Walnut Hill office.
This was only the second time in the history of our weather ducks that they have predicted more winter. For those that might be a little unsure as the weather ducks’ ability, we offer the two photographs below showing the weather ducks predicting six more weeks of winter on Groundhog Day 2010 and 10 days later with their snowman in Atmore.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Florida Residents Urged To Get Vaccinated Against Measles
February 2, 2015
The Florida Department of Health is working with other state and federal officials to monitor individuals who may have been exposed to measles cases across the state. In the past two weeks, four cases of measles have been identified and reported among travelers with unknown or no measles vaccinations who visited Florida. Two cases involved international travelers.
“It’s important all Floridians make sure they have received the measles vaccination because those who are fully immunized have very little risk of developing the disease,” said State Surgeon General and Secretary of Health Dr. John Armstrong. “The department is prepared to deal with any potential emerging infectious disease threat and is committed to ensuring the safety of all residents and visitors in Florida. Out of an abundance of caution, it is important for those who think they may have been exposed to measles to contact their health care provider for guidance right away.”
While there are no confirmed cases among Florida residents at this time, people who may have come into contact with infected individuals are being notified and counseled. The department continues to work closely with the medical provider community in an effort to maintain its current level of readiness to identify cases and respond to any diagnosed cases of measles in Florida.
“The smartest step any resident can take to protect themselves against this growing health threat is to get vaccinated,” said Dr. Alan Pillersdorf, President, Florida Medical Association. “Vaccines are available at your local doctor’s office and at all Local County Health Departments at a minimal cost or free. These vaccines are safe and play a vital role in creating a barrier between the human population and this virus.”
The most effective form of protection from this virus is through vaccination. Children should be immunized against measles with the combination measles, mumps and rubella vaccine (MMR) and should receive two doses, with the first at 12 to 15 months of age, and the second at four to six years of age. People with underlying health conditions should discuss with their health care provider to determine the need for additional booster doses. The department encourages all Floridians who have not been immunized to get vaccinated immediately.
“In Florida, more than 93 percent of kindergartners are vaccinated against this potentially life threatening virus,” said Dr. Tommy Schechtman, President, Florida Chapter, American Academy of Pediatrics. “But in a time when vaccines are readily available and safe, every child who can be, should be vaccinated. It’s our best defense against this re-emerging healthcare threat and one any responsible parent or guardian should want for their child to keep them healthy.” Measles is very rare in countries and regions of the world where vaccination coverage is high. There are still sporadic cases of measles in the United States because travelers who are not fully immunized can become infected before or during travel abroad and spread the infection to those who are not protected by the vaccine.
Measles is spread through the air by breathing, coughing or sneezing and is highly contagious. It can be transmitted from four days before the rash becomes visible to four days after the rash appears. The symptoms of measles generally begin approximately seven to 14 days after a person is exposed to someone with measles, and include the following.
- Blotchy rash
- Fever
- Cough
- Runny nose
- Red, watery eyes (conjunctivitis)
- Feeling run down, achy (malaise)
- Tiny white spots with bluish-white centers found inside the mouth (Koplik’s spots)
Anyone who has these symptoms should contact his or her healthcare provider
Search And Rescue Volunteers Work Through Super Bowl To Find Missing Man
February 2, 2015
When an 84-year old Alzheimer’s went missing Sunday afternoon, the volunteers of Escambia Search and Rescue were called to assist in finding him as most area residents turned their attention to the Super Bowl.
Five K-9 teams and 26 volunteers spent their night assisting in the search Joaquim Prates, who last seen on Spring Creek Circle off Chemstrand Road — an area that backs up to the vast Gulf Power Crist Plant property. About 11 p.m., ESAR notified the media that Prates had been found safely due to a citizen’s tip.
For ESAR, it was a chance to put their new command center to good use. Escambia County Sheriff David Morgan donated his agency’s former command center to ESAR because of their on-going partnership responding together in searches and natural disasters. The Sheriff’s Office purchased a new command center last year using Local Option Sales Tax funds.
ESAR volunteers assist emergency responders with search and rescue operations in South Alabama and Northwest Florida. They were working out of an aging and outdated command center.
Pictured: Inside Escambia Search and Rescue’s new command center Sunday night as volunteers scour the area for a missing Alzheimer’s patient. Pictured below: The command center was recently donate to ESAR by Escambia County Sheriff David Morgan. NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Price, click to enlarge.
Woman Killed In I-10 Crash; Two Children Injured
February 2, 2015
A Milton woman was killed and two children injured in a single vehicle crash on I-10 Sunday afternoon.
The Florida Highway Patrol said 44-year old Wendy Fisk of Milton was westbound in the outside line of I-10 near the 9th Avenue overpass when she drifted off the roadway, over-steered to the left and then the right. Her 2008 Nissan Titan then rotated, traveled across the paved shoulder and struck a guardrail. The vehicle then traveled through the guardrail and overturned off the roadway.
Fisk was pronounced deceased at the scene by Escambia County EMS. Passenger Brenden Fisk, 6, was critically injured, and passenger Johnathon Fisk, 6, received minor injuries. Both children were transported by ambulance to Sacred Heart Hospital.
Top photo by Kristi Price for NorthEscambia.com, and below courtesy photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
