DJJ Bulletin Board
Messages
2004
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These are e-mail messages received by justice4kids.org about Florida's Department of Juvenile Justice and its facilities. Messages are about staff, youth or general conditions within the DJJ. The only way conditions within the Department will ever change is when people speak out. If you have knowledge of abuse or neglect of children, discrimination or unfair treatment of staff, then tell us. To send us a message, click here.
03/30/04 Orange JDC DJJ wake up. What kind of professionals are you hiring?
The ORJDC staff is crying out for help. Too much damaged has been done. At times we want to keep on believing that darkness will fade away with the morning. The moment we come to work our frustrations take over the best of us. As I read the clips I understand why the staff are writing so negative. For some, that is the only way they can express themselves. They see so much favoritism and mental abuse and nobody doing anything about it. They are sincerely crying out for help. Do not tell them to go and get another job. I believe the upper management are the ones that are causing this headache and therefore should be included in the tree with all the apples that are falling. They are all rotten and need to be replaced by upper management that can deal with employees. The atmosphere is contaminated by supervisors and assistant superintendents that don't give a darn about their staff. Please remember you are killing us. We are not so strong as we used to be. Underneath we are screaming over the things that DJJ does not want to change. We sometimes feel we are drifting away with our anger. It is burning our inside and crushing into our nerves. We are slowly giving up. Nobody to stand up for us. Still no supplies even though we were told that we had money for supplies. Try looking for a pen or some paper. Try looking for a printer that works or decent computers. Supervisors and assistant superintendents, do not get upset when your staff starts discussing your personal life with others. You are suppose to be professional and not be dating your employees. You all can understand the frustrations when others are treated better. Learn to be a model. Do not forget we all look up to you. Well... we used to. For now we are so full of shame. All we hear down the hallways are married supervisors and assistant superintendents having a good time with other women. DJJ wake up. What kind of professionals are you hiring? We keep crying for help. Sometimes we are in control and then we start falling again. We wonder if someone our struggles can see? As always our efforts go unnoticed.....
03/29/04 Orange JDC: LETs be a team people! focus focus focus
Good job !Jdo Martin . ok! we all know who wrote this very important information about you . We also don't care , you are a very good worker and your co- workers don't care to see this all they want to find is negative because they somehow wish that they were you. Did you ever think about that . She has had her turn now she needs to get over it. Now everyone seems to not know what mrs. m. job title is could it be jdc-ho. Now if you do your job well and your name does not start with m then it's not you . I really think that we are a team here but we are spelling it wrong there is no I in team. Lets work together and stop drinking player hater juice and get to work everything cant be blamed on the administration team. I also find that they just gave away overtime to us for that long drawn out general staff meeting in which they talked about nothing . it is a shame to see Mr. Young leave. Now maybe we will be begging for him to come back. When we see what we are getting. LETs be a team people! focus focus focus!
03/28/04 Orange JDC: The leadership lacks vision, experience and basic integrity.
It's The Leadership...STUPID! Finally someone got pointed in the right direction, The Problem Is In The Leadership. The leadership lacks vision, experience and basic integrity. It's about time that we at ORJDC focus on the real problem. If any meaningful change is going to occur, Raggett and all of his "YES MEN" must go, Chinault and his "GOOD OLE BOYS" must go. We don't have to mention these people by name, we all know who they are. Maybe the only way to bring the DJJ mess under control is to do away with the agency and start all over. DO NOT ALLOW ANY OF THE CURRENT SENIOR MANAGEMENT TO REMAIN. There's really no quick fix, however there are many qualified individuals who could be assembled to fix this mess. Some of us at ORJDC know who these people are. If you think that Raggrtt and Chinault really knows about what's going on at the detention centers or really "CARE" you seriously need to "WAKE UP AND SMELL THE COFFEE". The only Supt. in the central region qualified to effectively run a detention center is Mr Lofthiem, the rest are all "JOKES". Most of the current ADS's and most of the Supervisors are simply not qualified to be supervisors under any circumstance. Just a reminder to my fellow staff members, "AS SOON AS I FIND ANOTHER JOB I'LL BE OUTTA HERE". For those of you who think GOD will somehow come and help, Remember, GOD Helps those who help themselves, God told me to "get the hell out of here as soon as possible".
Who is monitoring this web site you should be ashamed of your self. Everything that people write should not be on this web site. When people talk about who is having sex with who has nothing to do with shortage of staff, sally port gates not working, no working radios, no supplies, officers falsifying workers comp, how the administration is not being fair to the officers, or how well the children are being taken care of & what can we do to make our facilities run better. There should be no cursing on the web at all. We are not allowed to curse at the detainees at all & the way these officers are talking on this web I am sure that they are cursing at the detainees. This sounds like there are just a bunch of officers with too much time on there hands to be concern about peoples sex life. Can we please be professional on the web page stop worrying about who is sleeping with whom & worry about how we can make our job better? From Embarrass State Employees
03/27/04 Osceola JDC: bonus checks: good officers are tired of not getting the credit
It's that time of year again bonus checks. I work at Osceola Detention Center in which it is a Deemed Status facility. Last year only one person got a bonus check in a Deemed Status facility & that is the Superintendent Mr. Hoffman. How can that be he does not run the facility the officers do? With out us he is nothing but he got a bonus check last year & I know he is getting another one this year again because his buddy Mr. Chinault is going to make sure of that. Yes we are a Deemed Status facility again. Mr. Hoffman did not even make sure his ADS got a bonus check last year. But I can not wait to see who will get a check this year it will probably be those who do not deserve them meaning those who are part of the clique meaning part of Good Ole Boys Club. Mr. Hoffman has his favorites that I am sure that will make sure that they get the score to get a bonus check this year because he do not want to hear the officers complaint this year about a bonus check. Can Osceola be fair with scores on the evaluations so the officers that deserve to get a bonus check can instead of officers not doing their job right or just doing enough to get by getting all the credit? The good officers are tired of not getting the credit and being treated unfair. Maybe if the good officers half do their job maybe they will be treated like they are the best officers workers. It seems like the bad officers are the ones who get treated the best & the ones who are dependable & reliable are the ones always getting over looked. Mr. Hoffman isn't that right. To bad for the ADS because they are caught in the middle but they do not have to let Mr. Hoffman get away with the things he do. From Unfair Treated Officers
03/26/04 Orange JDC: I AM FAMOUS JDO MARTIN; TAKE THESE WEBSITE PAGES TO THE JUDGE
HI, I AM FAMOUS JDO MARTIN YOU ALL HAVE READ ABOUT! I AM NOT ON THIS WEBSITE TO FEED THE IGNORANCE THESE COWARDS ARE AIRING BECAUSE IT IS SO FAR FROM THE TRUTH. I JUST WISH TO SAY THAT THE DEPARTMENT REALLY NEED TO SCREEN THEIR EMPLOYEES BEFORE THEY HIRE THEM. IT IS EVIDENT THAT WE HAVE PEOPLE WHO WORK FOR THE DEPARTMENT WHO ARE VERY CHILDISH, IGNORANT, AND JUST PLAIN OUT UNTRUSTWORTHY. SO PARENTS IF YOUR ARE READING THESE WEBSITES IN HOPES OF FINDING A SAFE HAVEN FOR YOUR KIDS WHO ARE TRULY A VICTIM OF ABUSE. PLEASE TAKE THESE WEBSITE PAGES TO THE JUDGE AND THIS IS PROOF THAT THESE DETENTION CENTER OFFICERS THAT HAVE SO MUCH GARBAGE TO SAY ABOUT THEIR FELLOW EMPLOYEES AS WELL AS ADMINISTRATION AND THEIR JOBS DO NOT LIKE WORKING AT ORJDC, AND REFUSE TO LEAVE BUT WELL REMAIN THERE AND SUBJECT YOUR CHILD TO AN UNSAFE ENVIRONMENT BECAUSE OF THEM BEING SO UNHAPPY WITH THEMSELVES. IF YOUR MIND IS SO CLUTTERED WITH WHO'S SLEEPING WITH WHO, AND SO AND SO WORKS AND SO AND SO DOESN'T, HOW DO YOU HAVE ENOUGH TIME TO DO YOUR ASSIGNED DUTIES FROM WATCHING WHAT THEY SAY EVERYBODY ELSE IS DOING??? AND IT IS SO FUNNY TO ME BECAUSE, IF IT WASN'T FOR THIS WEBSITE I WOULDN'T HAVE KNOWN HOW MUCH I STAY ON PEOPLES MINDS MALE AS WELL AS FEMALES. THINGS THAT PEOPLE SHOULD PRINT ON THE WEBSITE THEY DON'T. AND TO ALL YOU SPINELESS COWARDS WHO HAVE TO HIDE BEHIND A WEBSITE PAGE FOR KIDS TO AIR OUT YOUR BELIEFS NO ONE CARES WHAT YOU THINK OR WHO YOUR WISH YOU STILL WAS DOING OR WHO YOU WISH YOU COULD DO A KIDS WEBSITE IS NOT A PLACE TO VENT YOUR NEGATIVE COMMENTS. TRY GOING TO THE PEOPLE YOU HAVE THESE PROBLEMS WITH. GROW UP AND TAKE AN INVENTORY OF YOURSELVES FIND OUT WHAT'S IN YOU THAT YOU ARE SO UNHAPPY WITH THEN MAYBE JUST MAYBE YOU WOULD BE SOME GOOD TO SOMEBODY ELSE. GOD FORBID IF YOUR HAVE KIDS BECAUSE I WILL STILL BE AT ORANGE REGIONAL DETENTION CENTER TO BE ABLE TO MENTOR TO THEM THE PROPER WAYS TO HANDLE THINGS THAT MAY COME UP IN THEIR LIVES. AS LONG AS THIS WEBSITE EXIST I, AM, THAT I WILL HAVE THE LEADING ROLE BUT THIS TO WILL PASS. WHEN PERTAINING TO JDO T. MARTIN, ALWAYS REMEMBER THAT "THIS BATTLE IS NOT MINE IT IS THE LORD'S".
OJDC- pay attention!!! I read on occasion all the things you have to say about one another on this page. I feel it is exposing the surface of our problems. If you really want to place blame, you blame THE SUPERINTENDENT AND THE ADS. The infamous cliché is sh.. rolls down hill. The behaviors that you see present on the floor is the result of the lack of judgment of our Administration. The walls are starting to crumble!!! First Mr. Chambers, now Mr. Young. Mr. Young good job!!! Run when the sh.. gets thick. Reprimand your ADS like they reprimand the floor staff and you might have been with us longer. You officer that are bashing your fellow officers, remember you may need them one day. They are only doing what the top allows. Every shift has their issues, do to the fault of Administration. They hired the Supervisor that allow these work to kiss up and lay up to get by. If you want to take shots at someone. Take shots at our so call LEADERS. They are the BLAME!!!! They are the reason we work under staff,(endangering) our safety and security for a couple of dollars. We will be the next Miami-Dade Detention Center that the State of Florida reads about. IT'S JUST A MATTER OF TIME!!!! My fellow co workers, protect one another, because they will have you on the chopping block soon. You will need those who you bash on this page one day. Document on grievances and send them to Tallahassee, instead of this website. That is how you make change.
03/24/04 Orange JDC: many excellent officers on my shift
I work on the 2-10 shift at ORJDC. I want to say that we have many, many excellent officers on my shift. There is not an officer that does not work hard. Some days are stressful to say the least, and some days run very smooth. Its those days we all strive for. It is important that we all work together. Of course there are days I complain, but it is out of frustration, not out of malice. I believe that there is not an officer that does not have my back if I need them, and I hope they know I have theirs too. My mother always told me " If you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all, but don't be afraid to speak up for yourself!' She is a smart women. The bible says "love your neighbor" that means your co-workers too. If you can't find it in your heart to love each other or even like each other, than at least act civil, and professional. Don't say such hurtful things about each other. A day at work with out laughter is like a garden with out flowers...Remember that song...Come on people now, smile on each other, everybody get together, try to love one another right now...rrrriiight now! Let that be our motto, we are a team, and our team rocks! Thanks, and you all have a great day...and smile on each other right now...right now...Officer M. Pagano
03/22/04 Orange JDC: these type of officers should not be employed at DJJ.
As an officer at Orange Detention I must say that nepotism plays a major role in this facility. We have a certain female officer on the 2-10 shift who is extremely occupied laying on her back offering her crusty pussy to us men at ORJDC. She is never put to work the mods and is always sitting her behind in the supervisor's office. As a male staff, I am annoyed to see this nefarious bitch get away with being mendacious and sexually harrassing the men that work at this facility. From a male's point of view, it's unfair to the few strong female staff who are worked through the ground,and are easily reprimanded when things go wrong. We do not need these newcomers to steal from the state by sleeping their way to the top. Then there are two officers that give everyone a nasty attitude when asked for information pertaining to the job. These two futile, idle bitches are always complaining and never work the mods. They are either doing rover/confinements duties or sitting their repulsive behinds in MC. It's also funny when the supervisor commends them on doing an outstanding job when in reality they do nothing. Between theses liars, cheats and whores, these type of officers should not be employed at DJJ. We need reliable officers who are willing to step up and are able to maintain control, provide safety and security for the detainees. Not worthless officers who are a parasite to the facility. To top it all off, you ladies are NOT CUTE!! I wonder what the JDOS see in ya'll. GOOD HEAD? hmmmm...
03/21/04 DJJ: stop and think how you can hurt someone by airing things
Many of you may not know this but, in order to improve the Juvenile Justice System, you must work on your mind sets. Many of you are airing dirting laundry thinking that is is going to make a difference! Stop...think, because you have aired someone's dirty laundry out,talked about upper management, and more dirt, did you gain anything from it? Many of you have the wrong hope, and the wrong aspiration about things! Some of you are participating in the right battle, but fighting the wrong enemy! Jesus said, "Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you" (Matthew 5:44). For those of you that may have kids and is airing dirty laundry, have you ever stopped and thought that maybe another child is out there reading the information you posted just because you felt that it was the right thing to do? How can we train our children to do the right things, when our parents need some training!!! Yes, your facility may be in desparate need of more staff members, new computers, items for the children, or whatever you facility may need, but you all are just hurting each other and maybe somebody's child that may very well read the emails! Geb Bush, Management, Administration & Superintendants or whomever that is in charge of these facilities, your people are crying out for your support regarding the facility and not for their own personal usesage. For those of you that use this website, stop and think how you can hurt someone by airing things that has nothing to do with trying to make the place you are employed a better place! If this place is so bad, then why are many of you still employed their. You cannot fail if God is on your side! May God Bless each of you as you seek to get help for your facility. Here is a quote for each of you..."Group desire is different than individual desire. With individual desire, it's up to you to feed the fire. With group desire, you get all kinds of people rolling logs on from every direction." - Vince Pfaff
03/21/04 Orange JDC: Kudos to you Ms. Murphy.
I work at ORJDC and I would like to second the nomination for Ms. Murphy. What a wonderful women. She is professional and kind. Kudos to you Ms. Murphy. Keep up the good work!
03/20/04 Osceola JDC: Whistleblower requests IG investigation of faking workers comp.
Officers are faking workers comp. This is a whistleblower, come to Osceola Detention, and find out who on workers comp. Some people get hurt at home, but when Mr. Hoffman do not get a medical clearance, they get to ride out on worker's comp, since they do not have any leave left. I am calling on the inspector general to investigate. What about you Mr. Hipp, I heard you are pretty good. I watch this employee everyday, and it makes me sick how Hoffman lets this Officer get away with this. Remember the back problem last year Mr. Hoffman? Their doctor is not on the State Worker's Comp side. Mr. Hoffman I thought people business is private, but OH with your big mouth its not, because you can't hold water. Poor, Mr. Housel and Ms. Jewel, you are so afraid of him, and his good ole boy Chinaut. I feel sorry for you, because he is going to let you all hang yourself. From an employee who watches from the inside.
03/20/04 DJJ: Mr. Chinault's apple needs to fall off the tree fast.
Get rid of the biggest problem. Mr. Chinault that is causing the other bad apples. His apple needs to fall off the tree fast.
If we are to be taken seriously on this site we can not always be negative or just resort to gossip. That's why I would like to co-sign to the person who wrote about the teachers at Osceola Detention. I work there and I will mention their names. Mr. Parrish, Ms. Zook and Ms. King. I have worked at other centers and programs and can tell you that these three are some of the best no matter what settings they would be in. I sit in their classes and it amazes me at their patience and dedication. You see that a big problem with these kids is that they don't understand how important education is or how it will effect their future. But when you have teachers like Parrish who makes it interesting or Zook who makes it fun or King who makes it challenging then you are getting the best education any kid could get. I tell these kids that because of the class size and the personable attention you get here, it's just like private school. So when you people come to Osceola to see the problems we have here it's not with our teachers but mainly with our Administrators like Hoffman that are running this brand new center to the ground. More to come from someone who does not lie.
03/19/04 Orange JDC: idle nasty gossip written by some disgruntled malcontents
In response to the message left on 03/18/04: Orange JDC: I'm through holding
my tongue oh yeah the Fat Lady is Singin!
(original message deleted)
Whoever submitted this vile filth to this bulletin board is the author of some of the most ignorant trash I have ever laid my eyes upon. What this idle profanity filled banter has to do with a website that is purportedly designed to help at risk children in the custody of the Department of Juvenile Justice is beyond the scope of imagination. It was poorly written with atrocious grammar. It is hard for me to believe that an officer in this Department submitted this tripe as opposed to a learning disabled 11 year old. Hoe-cake? Real nice. This entry was obscene in every sense of the word and along with several other posts that have been submitted, has absolutely nothing to do with improving DJJ. They are about spreading idle nasty gossip written by some disgruntled malcontents that really do need to get a life.
03/18/04 Orange JDC: Ms. Murphy...you are a model of what true administrative leadership is all about.
This is the beginning of a Random Act of Kindness. I'd rather speak positive about staff than tear them down. Giving Thanks for Ms. Majorie Murphy for her excellent and honorable work performance and ethics. Ms. Murphy is a very competent administrative staff at Orange JDC. She is the go to woman for everything. Is she don't have the answer she will make a way to get an answer. She has helped numerous officers. She is not limited to the officers she helps she helps staff that are not within ther alphabet section she is suppose to work and help. She is professional, pleasant and she is a very confidential person. Ms. Murphy is not in the business of gossiping, sharing staff's personal or professional issues with other staff. Interesting enough Ms. Diaz, Ms. Risner 9 times out of 10 solicit her advise or counsel on how to handle different situations. However, what is discouraging is that Ms. Murphy is not going to the Symposium or the Training Institute as they call it. What a pity! Ms. Murphy just to let you know I appreciate all you do for me and I'll let you know how that situation turns out. You went beyond the call of duty to help me out. Much love and respect to you. Keep pressing on! You are a model of what true administrative leadership is all about.
03/17/04 Osceola JDC: Mr. Bush please come and see how education can spread, hopes and dreams can flourish
In reference to the detainees educational opportunities or the lack thereof in the detention centers. It is sad to hear that an officer at Orlando JDC perception of the school system in thier JDC is very bad.
Before this perception virus spreds that all the facilitie's educational systems needs to be revamped, I must speak up about a program that I feel should be a model. At Osceola JDC, we house not only youths from Osceola but also detainees from, Orange, Polk and Seminole that are level 8's and higher that are waiting on their program or may have been too much of a problem for their facility to deal with so they send them to us where we may be a bit smaller and very structured. So keep in mind the diverse group of kids we serve and the dynamics of geographical rivalries we have to deal with and still maintain some of the lowest PAR numbers in the state.
All of our detainees are required to attend school on a daily basis, reguardless how old they are or even if they have already graduated.I am an Officer at Osceola RJDC, but because of my background, I have had the opportunity to visit hundreds of alternative schools throughout the US and I have even been an administrator in a few. It is my perception, the teaching staff at Osceola JDC is "Top Notch". (Let me interject something, eventhough they all deserve the recognition, I elect not to mention personal names in my writing, I do believe in privacy good or bad without recieving permission from individuals to put thier names in print...)All of them have individual great qualities that they bring to their rooms everyday. You don't need to hear staff comments about them, just ask the detainees and you will hear comments like: "We actually do work here, we really didn't do anything at my other facility" "Ms.**** may be hard on us, but I know it's because she cares", "Ms.**** makes learning so much fun", "I didn't do this much work in regular school", "I have never felt so safe or comfortable going to school". (Our officers provide very attentive monitoring during school, it is the last place you want to act up, but to tell you the truth, our teachers can hold their own with discipline issues and are very well respected by the detainees. A new detainee that comes in knows that if they act up in class, they will not only hear it from the teachers and officers, they will also be checked by the other detainess...(In a good, productive peer influence type of way of course). We even have detainees that become more upset about confinement because they will miss school. On this site there are officers that is yelling for the Governor to come and investigate their facilities, so I will do the same. Mr. Bush please come and investigate Osceola JDC and see how education can spread, hopes and dreams can flourish, and minds are not being waisted in their educational system. And by they way, bring your check book or should I say OUR check book with you, they certainly can use more funding, and bring a big pat with you for their backs because they truly deserve it!
03/17/04 Orange JDC: It was a very frustrated day at ORJDC today. 10 employees called in sick.
It was a very frustrated day at ORJDC today. As always we are covered with work down to our toes. 10 employees called in sick. One supervisor to cover both buildings and 153 detainees. What happens if a riot takes place or a serious emergency? We still have the staff that are acting supervisors. Meanwhile we have supervisors doing jobs that should be handled by the staff. For instance Ms. Priester and Mr. Langford. Meanwhile Mr. Nichols is aware of all this and doing nothing to provide more security. When the supervisors confront him with such problems he disregards them. He does not have much knowledge to lead the supervisors and staff. He shows a lot of favoritism. We are still in desperate need of supplies. No folders, hardly no paper. They keep telling us DJJ has no money to provide us with supplies. At times we have no toilet paper or paper towels or soap. We are told to wear gloves when working directly with detainees but we have not seen any for weeks. What a disgrace. Where is the money going to? The printers are not working properly. The computers are very slow. It continues to be a much frustrated day at work. Please help....
I AM AN EMPLOYEE AT MDRJDC AND THE MEDIA HAS REALLY TURNED OUR FACILITY IN AN UPROAR CAUSING NUMEROUS CO-WORKERS TO LOSE THEIR JOBS. AS YOU CAN SEE THE SECRETARY AND REGIONAL DIRECTOR LOST THEIR JOB OVER THIS INCIDENT.
03/16/04 DJJ: THE ONLY RESULT THIS WEBSITE WILL CREATE IS INCREASED LOW MORALE AMONG STAFF!!
THE ONLY RESULT THIS WEBSITE WILL CREATE IS INCREASED LOW MORALE AMONG STAFF!! WHY DON'T YOU REFER PEOPLE TO DR. PHIL???
03/16/04 Orange JDC: The school program is rated #1 detention educational facility in FL.
Whoever is sending negative messages about ORJDC teachers is sadly mistaken. The school program received all SUPERIORS on their QA last year, and is rated as the #1 detention educational facility in FL.
03/16/04 Orange JDC: Watch your profanity ladies and gentlemen the kids are listening
several issues! 1st teachers both sides have a group of the laziest teachers i've known. They lay back and wait for their lunch breaks .Now some of you enjoy what you do but lack the help that you need. Ms holmes enjoys what she does ,If MRS.Boos stop looking at the male staff for her personal usage she would be an excellent teacher.I would like to know what the younger boys are learning besides how to eat junk food.Keep up the good work. Mr. jerry it will get better for you when you leave orjdc you have potential.2nd Male satff seem to have a weakness for this certain female officer.All that glitters aint gold how long will it take you guys to see that she may bejust a little cute but is missing a few screws .3rd Mr . Nichols is a bright man and can handle his job quit hating.Senority if 2-10 stop taking turns calling off and get to work maybe just maybe they wouldn't be so short of help. It is also the staff on 2-10 that causes alot of new staff to quit .What you think that new staff will come in and do your jobs better and get recognition.Watch your profanity ladies and gentlemen the kids are listening. Once more if you don't like the job find another one.You can and will be replaced.just so you know i worked on 6-2 before and it is all clicked up even you newcomers are getting clicked up.I don't miss it at all.
03/15/04 Orange JDC: Terry Medus is responsible for the MESS that the education program is in at ORJDC.
MATTERS CONCERNING THE TEACHING STAFF ORJDC! In all fairness to the Lead Teacher, Joy Evans, when she took over, she had no idea of the MESS she was getting into. Terry Medus is responsible for the MESS that the education program is in at ORJDC. Some of us seem to have forgotten that Terry Medus was one of Bill Young's drinking buddies and other things, she was a "good ole gal". When Mrs. Evans arrived, she wasn't exactly greeted with open arms and the good ole boys and gals didn't acknowledge her as the lead teacher. I was told that a request was made to Mr. Castro to change the phone over to her because Terry Medus wasn't the Lead Teacher anymore, he didn't do it because he thought it would upset the good ole boys. She made Mr. Borders aware of the problem and he took care of it. Mrs. Evans hands were tied from the start. We will probably see some changes when all of the good ole boys and gals finally leave us. Thank GOD they are Leaving.
I personally think that if something doesn't be done about the way kids are being treated in the juvenile justice system alot more tragic situations will occur. I have been trying for the last two years to get this incident with my little brother resolved and so far I've hit a dead end. I'm at a stand still but I refuse to give up. I need all the help I can get. I've e-mail news channel 8, I've e-mail people from the St. Pete times and no response, but I don't give up I'm still trying to get my little bother who is emotionally handicapped home. My heart goes out to everyone who's in similar situations or who have lost their own loved one due to the juvenile justice system. I just wanted it to be known that even though it seem's hard and believe me it is don't give up because as long as we talk about it and put it in the public view, changes will have to be made.
Thanks, Camilla King
03/14/04 DJJ: The justice system supposed to rehabilitate, but all they do is cover up lies.
Dear Lord
Dear Lord my child needs me, yet there's not too much I can do -
Neither you nor I can advise him, but they who tell's him what to do.
Even though he say's he's being mistreated, misused & abused -
I believe him, but it's so hard for me to prove.
Dear Lord it hurt's when I hear my child cry -
The justice system supposed to rehabilitate, but all they do is cover up lies.
It's bad enough he's behind bar's - and he's being mistreated and abused
I never thought that this would be happening but I see it all the time in the
newspaper and on the news.
Dear Lord what am I to do? I have no money for legal fees -
The justice system's a joke in Pinellas and all other counties.
Camilla King, March 14, 2004
Let's face it. Finally somebody had the courage to talk about our ORJDC-OCPS' teachers. The problem at ORJDC is not only the ORJDC staff, is the teachers too. Let's face and be honest, we have not seen too many changes at ORJDC, we are very short of staff, we still see how badly detainees get treated. The morale as well as the self-esteem is so low. WE ARE SLOWLY KILLING OUR JUVENILES, OCPS's teachers what are you doing? the way you are teaching our kids, anybody without a teachers certificate can teach at ORJDC, Mr. coach clark what are you doing beside talk about EBAY website, colectors and cars? or are you waiting for retirement time? Mr.coach dennis what are you doing beside showing all kinds of movies to our kids, Mr. Goldenberg you are a nice person but you do not teach our kids, you are killing time at JDC, if you all don't want to teach our kids you all need to go, but don't try to make us feel guilty, saying we don't want to move the kids to your classrooms, that's all I hear from you teachers, Mrs. B. you are a married woman, please stop dating our husbands, Mrs. D. you go out to have a cigarrette in the middle of the class, living the kids with our ORJDC staff, how many breaks do you take? you not only smoke 100 times daily but you bring the cigarrette smell to the classroom, you all are wasting our money, TAXPAYERS MONEY, Mrs. Assistant Principal are you doing anything about all this mess? I am glad all my kids are grow up, I would hate to have you all to teach my own kids.
03/14/04 Orange JDC: our situation will not improve even when the head of the GOOD OLE BOYS CLUB leave.
LETS GET REAL! If the problems that are being aired are not Mr. Youngs fault, will someone please tell me whos fault it is. Raggett, Chinault, Young and his drinking buddies are the problem. I've known Mr. Nichols for several years, Mr. Nichols ONLY CARES ABOUT HIMSELF AND NOTHING ELSE. He will use you for his personel and professional gain, just ask around. You are right when you say that he does what he can do, AND THAT IS NOTHING. Mr. Nichols and Mr. Castro are both Plantation "YES MEN". If you think that our staff respects them, HELLO!, Wake Up And Smell The Coffee. As long as we have people like them, our situation will not improve even when the head of the GOOD OLE BOYS CLUB leave.
03/13/04 Orange JDC: Asst. Supts. have a PLANTATION MENTALITY. The Management totally LACKS VISION.
A Response To The Question, Do We Know How Bad We Make ORJDC Look? Whoever wrote this, has seriously Missed The Point. For the past five years ORJDC has been seriously mismanaged by Bill young and the good ole boys. You pretend not to know or acknowledge the facts that our center is much worst than what's being reported in the comments. You need to be reminded of a few facts. Consider the following, Non Payment for Overtime, Disparity in treatment, (look at the way Mr Chambers was treated compared to others), Officer Safety, Poor Training, High Staff Turnover, Questionable Hiring Practices, Very poor Supervisor selection, Staff to Staff conflict, Staff to Management Conflict, Very Poor Quality supervision of staff and detainees, Many Negligent Releases not Reported, some of the Asst. Supts. have a PLANTATION MENTALITY and shouldn't be in those positions. The Management totally LACKS VISION. Mr Raggett and Mr. Chinault both know about these issues. Do you think they really care? The answer is HELL! NO, they own the PLANTATION. Whoever you are, Don't Point the Finger at the Staff, Point to the ones who are directly responsible for this "BAD IMAGE OF ORJDC". I work at ORJDC, it's not as bad as they say, IT'S Worst.
The reason people complain about these situations is because they are completely unhappy with their jobs. If you are not happy with your job, quit and then they can hire males to work because we need them on the 2-10 shift. Like the saying goes put up or shut up. Mr Young another thing and I know you know this. This is not all your fault people want to find a reason or someone to blame and I truly believe it is not your fault and with you leaving I cannot blame you I wish I could leave also. People stop blaming MR Nichols get off his Ass, the man does what he can do. Act like adults and not like the children we have in Detention. This message is for those who complain all the time go find another job and stop making life miserable for those who have adapted to this system it was here before you got here and it will be here when you get out. Another thing with the Martin and Griffen situation people since your not riding on that joy ride stop hating get your job done stop gossiping, don't worry about what time I come to work, worry about the children you have to deal with on the mods. One last suggestion for administration why can you not revamp the seniority? In other words, there are people working the first shift that have been here less time than people working the second shift, people working court that have not been with the department long enough as opposed to others that are still on the floor, also people working HUB some people on the floor have been there longer and would like to work the hub. I guess the biggest concern is Why can't the people who have been here a long time use there seniority in there favor as opposed to people that have not paid there dues and these people have first shift and work the court house, or work the Hub 3 days a week. Can you please make this fair, designate someone to hold a shift bid and ask everyone where would they like to work according to there seniority.
03/12/04 Osceola JDC: Is Corporal Kracht Mr. Ragget's boy? - the secret is out
Why is there a new Corporal name Officer Kratch at Osceola DJJ being paid more than all the other Senior Corporal & Senior Sergeant who have been there longer than him. Corporal Kracht just started around November or December of last year. Is it because he is Mr. Ragget's boy or should I say part of the Good Ole Boys Club. That is right everyone knows that is your boy Mr. Ragget the secret is out. So, can someone please explain to the officers at Osceola DJJ why Officer Kracht make more money that all the Senior Corporals & Senior Sergeant. How we know is because they just fold & staple the pay stubs & put them in the supervisors boxes in MC. That means if you do not work on pay day someone might go thru the box and look at the pay stubs to see who is getting paid more money than them when you been working longer than them at DJJ. That is right no type of security with anything that have your personal information on it. I know Mr. Ragget is going to say that he do not know him personally if he is asked about him because that is the answer he always says. Can someone please answer the question for Osceola DJJ Senior Corporals & Senior Sergeants why this man makes more money than us when we all know that the state do not pay for experience or degrees? From Pissed Off Employees
03/12/04 Orange JDC: DO YOU ALL KNOW HOW BAD YOU GUYS MAKE THE PLACE YOU WORK AT LOOK ? BAD! BAD! BAD!
Personally, I think that we as staff should get along. If you don't have anything positive to say then just SHUT UP. We have not walked a mile in Mr. Nichols shoes so how can we state if he is working or not .Oh! That was Hitting below the belt whom ever aired Ms. Martin and Ms. Griffin dirty laundry sounds a bit like jealousy on your part. If you can't beat them join them .You all say we are short of staff but how can we keep the ones we have, when we all set out to get other people fired. I think those young ladies have families to take care of also. DO YOU ALL KNOW HOW BAD YOU GUYS MAKE THE PLACE YOU WORK AT LOOK ? BAD! BAD! BAD! NOW HOW ABOUT THEM ROTTEN APPLES ROTTEN APPLES. LAST but not least worry about yourself and things may get better. Working together gets the job done faster.
Seminole JDC: We are seriously short of staff; Morale is very low.
March 9, 2004
Seminole Detention has problems too. Not enough staff and long hours without no time off. My supervisor has no helpful answers for me and seems to be under constant pressure or afraid of something. We are seriously short of staff and don't seem to be able to keep them. No one smiles like they used to. Morale is very low. Several of my co workers have applications in for other jobs because they are just tired and fed up with not getting any time off. Most leave requests have been denied. My family is beginning to forget who I am. When I'm home I'm too tired to spend time with my own children. I also will soon seek other employment even if it means a pay cut. I did not think it would be this bad.
It is very sad the way the Orlando Detention Center is running. Last week we were very short of help again. We did not have the staff to take care of 154 detainees last week. Last Thursday due to training being a priority, we had one supervisor covering both buildings. The staff still has to play supervisor. 1 or 2 staff per mod. KIDS SHALL BE FIRST PRIORITY. Let's stop abusing kids this way. Let's stop abusing employees. Many of us have a life after work. We can't hardly put food on the table. We do not get paid overtime. Many of us have second jobs we need to attend to in order to survive. They tell us we must go by the rules and policies of the Department Of Juvenile Justice and yet they are breaking all the rules by treating us like we are not worth anything. Mr. Nichols you have a lot to learn before pretending to be a superintendent. Stop harassing the employees. Stop being afraid to put the men to work. Why do women have to do all the hard work? We ask you questions and you do not have answers. Learn something for once. Stop walking around doing nothing and get to work. When we really need to talk to you is when you do not pick up the phone. Remember the detainee that had an emergency appendix surgery. You were not around. Hello? We still do not get much supplies. None of the fax machines are working properly. None of the printers are working properly. Since we do not have tools to work with, we are not working properly either. Ms. Arnold, please help us. We have a supervisor, Ms. Mary Brown. She usually works from 10:00am until 11:30pm. Mr. Nichols is aware of this and Mr. Castro and they do not care. NO STAFF....THIS IS AN EMERGENCY>>>PLEASE HELP NOW>>> By the way, the sallyport is working now.
I am frustrated and discouraged. It seems some things will not ever change! It has become a disturbing pattern that the staff on the 2-10 shift at Orange are up to no good. It is a well known fact that there are certain officers on that shift, who can do what they please, with the supervisors approval. What they please to do is not fair, not legal and setting a VERY bad example. I am tired of working a double shift because certain officers do not come in on a regular basis! It is a known fact that officer Griffen has already been caught red handed, cheating on her time sheet, way back in August of 2003. It was brought to Mr. Jenks attention that she claimed she was at work for a whole week, when in fact she was not! She was not disciplined! She is still up to no good! She and officer Martin have the supervisors whooped. They both take time off and put on their time sheet that they are at work. It is then signed off by the supervisors. I know for a fact that officer Griffen has been doing this on a regular basis. Check her time sheet for the last period, she was off two days and " claimed " that she worked four days! Mr Jenks, Mr Young, check both those officers time sheets with there post assignments, you will catch them all red handed! Liars and cheats! Don't just stop there go back for about six months and see how many days they have had off. You will see a pattern...While your at it ask yourself, why are these officers the only officers doing rover and confinements? I am surprised that the other officers on that shift have not complained! HMMMMMM or maybe they have, and it just falls on deaf ears! It is very irritating to see them outside at 2:00-2:30 smoking cigarettes and talking on cell phones. They were over heard laughing and stating" Dam, no one here is smart enough to figure it out, there is no paper trail, why not enjoy it while we can!" All four of them should be disciplined and prosecuted! They are stealing time form the state and my time too! Do a little investigating, you will see this is true. You would have to be deaf, dumb, and blind not too! I am tired of doing blue-dots! I want time off too, and still get paid for it with out being there and using my accumulated time! Rotten apples, rotten apples, rotten apples!!!!!
the murder of omar paisley should not only shake the higher ups at djj but ALL staff directly involved with supervising the youth. it is going to affect the way things are done and your best bet is to follow POLICY AND PROCEDURE do not risk a 7 dollar an hour job in lieu of a child's life they should all be held responsible for the murder of this child. i hope the paisley family cleans djj out. it will not bring him back but the only way to hurt them is financially.
03/03/04 Orange JDC: Any Detention Centers out there with extra file folders?
Perhaps the reason we do not hear from other Detention Centers is because they do not know about this website. We need to spread the good news. At Orange Detention we need supplies badly. We keep asking for supplies and they keep ignoring us. For 3 months we ran out of vanila folders. When a detainee gets release we do not even have a folder to put the file. For about 1 month we ran out of 6 dividers folders that we use to process detainees. We just make do the paperwork and cannot use a folder. Please help us. We never have any supplies. We waste more time looking and asking around for supplies than we do doing our work. Mr. Superindentent, can you please give us some supplies? Stop ignoring us.
BUSINESS AS USUAL: The other day I saw Mr. Young And Mr. Chinault escorting a person around ORJDC and the buzz word is this guy will be our new Supt. Mr. Jenks and Mr. Nichols went to Tampa to interview for the position, HELLO! Do they really think they have a real chance, they need to wake up and SMELL THE COFFEE. The good Ole Boys are still in charge. Mr. Chambers was the "CHOSEN ONE", Mr. Young protected Mr. Chambers, but the good ole boys couldn't protect Mr. Chambers from himself. The interviews you guys went to was a big SHAM! and a pitiful waste of your time.
Let's face and be honest. We have not seen too many changes at Orange Detention. The sallyport is still broken. Detainees still complaining of no suitable clothing or underwears. We are very,very short of staff. One staff per mod. Eventually it will get better. By then let's also hope we will not see another crisis... They see all the shortage and yet they tell us training is first priority. Last week 6 people were out and the mods were hurting for staff, yet half of the staff went for training. Let's talk about training. We need to make immediate changes with training. The staff are the trainers. Every year we do the same. Do the work on the computer and watch boring films. We asked questions and they have no answers. We need professionals. We need experts. Let's stop putting the detainees in harm when we can prevent all this. If we are learning so much, why is it that the lawsuits are reaching the skies? Think about this... The only good change has been with the supervisors. They are finally going to do their jobs instead of making the JDO'S take over. We still see how badly detainees get treated. How staff is treated. For Mr. Young and the Asst. Superintendents we are only a number not a valuable human being. They keep forcing us to do more and more and yet they do not understand our jobs. We are told we are not allow to work overtime. When we work over 40 hours they comp us out. If we cannot comp out they tell us to take longer breaks or that it is too bad. That is the reason almost everybody keeps quitting. The morale as well as the self-esteem is so low. It is with struggles that we make it to work. We come to work with anger and lots of disappoints. Therefore we get a lot of frustrations and it shows when we do our work. Many times we do not do our best due to the negative atmosphere at work. We keep hearing of Juvenile crimes how it has gone down. Of course...we are slowly killing our juveniles. That is what happens when the pay is so low and they just don't provide the necessary tools to operate in a professional way. Finally another good thing will be taking place....Mr. Young will be leaving soon.
03/01/04 Osceola JDC: Since the website, The Supt. threatened everyone who spoke out...
Ms. Correy since your website been up, Osceola Detention Officers are in deep trouble. The Supt. threatened everyone who spoke out, and also stated their will be some retaliation for speaking out. I thought this was a website to protect parents, officers, and detainee's for speaking out. I thought this was an anonymous website, and it was to correct the mistakes. Well now it is time to bring in the inspector general, because we supposed to be so afraid of the Big people in the organization. So since Mr. Hoffman knows who he said that he will hurt, bring it on, and you will see that the things you and Chinault got away with would not happen again. As Osceola Officers we are not afraid anymore. We are sticking up for ourselves, so no more threats Mr. Hoffman, and stop sending your Assist. to do your dirty work. If you were so smart, you would not have said this in front of a whole lot of people, and now they are ready to speak out. By the way, how many fish you caught today?
03/01/04 Osceola JDC: There needs to be an investigation before we have another tragedy...
For the person who wrote setting the record straight. It's very interesting that you had to identify yourself as not being Afro- American or Hispanic, as if that means we all lie. Well let me set the record straight. I was at Osceola when they first opened and I know for a fact that Heffernan, Honan and Borders were all nothing but liars who only cared about their own positions and not the kids or the staff. Mr. Borders was the worst because he would smile in your face and pretend to be your friend and all the time stab you in your back. Heffernan was and still is a lying, evil, racist egomaniac. And this is the person you have training new officers and FTO's. You wonder why DJJ is crumbling. It's not the system it's the people you hire to run it. As long as it's based on racism and the "the good old boy" network that is what you get. They made all of us sign a paper that we could not lie about anything when it concerned our jobs working with kids. Did they also make people like Hofferman, Housel and Jewel who are the Administrators at Osceola sign one? If they did they should be fired because they lie everyday. All you people who still have your jobs in Tallahassee need to find out what is happened in places like Osceola and Orange before you lose your job. People like Hofferman, Honan, Housel and Jewel will cost you yours just like Lumpee and others are losing theirs because of liars like Honan. The problem with these people when they read the truth about themselves is that instead of trying to correct things or themselves, they spend all their time and energy on trying to figure out who wrote about them so they can take some action. Well maybe that's a good way to get rid of them because that's what going to happen if they try to do something to someone for telling the truth. I'm just trying to set the record straight and there is more to come. There needs to be an investigation before we have another tragedy because these people keep lying. Everything that person said is true about Osceola. I was there.
Message TO ALL JDC's:........why are we not hearing from all the other Detention Centers in Florida? I know they have some of the same problems as Osceola and Orange because we all work for the same lying, racist people. Your voice needs to be heard.
Whoever wrote that Mr Borders was the only one holding Osceola Detention together is more then just STUPID they are probably part of the reason DJJ is going down. Borders is just another dishonest person who bailed out because Heffernan is a racist and treated him like just another N----r like he did all of us when he was there. Come on people,wake up. We work in corrections. The majority of people including kids percentage wise that are locked up are minorities. Most of the top people are White. Why is it when a white person gets into trouble they either get promoted or transferred to a better position or allowed to resign or retire like Heffernan,Honan,Hoffman,Young,Chambers and it looks like Bankhead too. I know I missed some people but you get the point. Also,Lennear was not perfect none of us is but he did care for the kids and tried to do everything he could to help them and for that they made an example out of him accused him of things and finally he had to resign. It was nothing but a modern day lynching started by Heffernan and continued by Hoffman. Folks they are still doing it. I feel sorry for the kids who have died and who are being abused in these detention centers but I really am concerned about you parents who have kids in detention now. These racist don't care about you or your kids and you better check on them and listen before they end up dead because they are only Black or Hispanic. One other thing, why are we not hearing from all the other Detention Centers in Florida? I know they have some of the same problems as Osceola and Orange because we all work for the same lying,racist people. Your voice needs to be heard.
0301/04 Orange JDC: Thank you for this web site; we are seeing some good changes
Dear Ms. Correy Thank you for this web site. I am an officer at orange, in Orlando. Since this web site has come out we are seeing some good changes. Not just for the officers but for the kids as well. I have to admit. I have never witnessed a detainee being mistreated. We all take pride in our jobs. I have children of my own. There are alot of very good officers at my facility. We do have some problems that seem to finally being adressed. For this I thank you! Keep up the good work!
02/29/04 Osceola JDC: GETTING YOUR FACTS STRAIGHT: Mr. Borders was the best thing we had at Osceola JDC.
GETTING YOUR FACTS STRAIGHT: I am not African American or Hispanic however I've worked at the Osceola JDC and have knowledge of what goes on there. To mention Mr. Borders name with Mr. Eric Green is about as stupid as you can get. Mr. Borders was the only one who was holding the center together, when he departed the center fell apart, Mr. Heffernan and Ms. Honan were fired. I noticed that the person(s) who wrote the article didn't mention anything specific that indicated wrongful conduct by Mr. Borders. I challenge those persons to bring forth any information of wrong doing by Mr. Borders based on facts. I know that Osceola JDC has had problems in the past and is still having problems but blaming Mr. Borders for them is simply STUPID. Mr. Borders was the best thing we had at Osceola JDC. Mr. Hoffman, you need to take a clear look at one of your real problem areas, your current supervisors and administrative staff. The comment concerning Mr. Linear being an outstanding supervisor is a FUNNY JOKE, as a supervisor he, Ms Taylor and others are CLUELESS as to what a supervisor is.
I used to work at Osceola Detention Center, which discrimination is a big problem. We had two black Supt. Their names are Eric Green, and Mr. Boarders. Of course they are gone, because they did all the dirt for their Superiors. Mr. Boarders, and Mr.Green did all the lying for Osceola Administrators. They both lied on staff, made up things to get the staff fired who wasn't going to take being mistreated. Mr. Green would stay with staff and used them without giving them anything. He borrowed staff money, and when they would ask for it back, he would make up lies on them, then the administrators would spread them around. Mr. Green used the state credit card for his own use. Then we had a great supervisor name Lennear. A female detainee, call and left a message for him to try and get the teachers to put her grades in the computer so she can attend. Without thinking he called her back, to let her know she is in the computer now. Then her Aunt who did not ask what he called for, call Osceola Detention center and talked with Mr. Hoffman. Mr. Hoffman asked Lennear to resign. Now if a officer was doing something wrong, why will he leave his name? Well the girl told the Inspector General the truth, and Lennear was cleared up by IG, and DCF, but he left a job he really did well, and loved, because Mr. Hoffman told him if he stayed he will get fired. Mr. Hoffman has forced a lot of people to resign telling them they are getting fired anyway. Everything Mr. Chinault tells him does, I guess of fearing his own job. He even makes the secretaries lie for him, and his Asst. Supt's, and they do. Officers fax things to Tallahassee, and still get ignored. Every officer is thinking of resigning at Osceola, even Supervisors are looking for other jobs. Osceola has been a mess from the beginning. If they concentrate on the detainee's, and not the officer's business, Osceola will be a good place to work. How are you going to terminate a black Officer who calls in, and let the Spanish, and the white officers do no call, and no show, and just get counseling. We are getting a group together with a lawyer, and since DJJ won't stop the discrimination we will. We are tired and frustrated with the department. I guess if we get a DUI we can keep our job, get the drift Mr. Chinault.
02/25/04 DJJ: staff need to be praised instead of threatened
Why? That's the question eveyone ask .We as staff need to be praised instead of threatened. Everyday we hear or see someone quit .There are so many more staff under investigation without any known outcome.Staff often have to stay bluedotted because of selfish staff that uses their sick leave or personal relations with supervisors to take the day or weekend off. Funny right? Only to those of you that have those rights.Good staff are leaving many more are being forced out .Now they have come up with more ways to get rid of good staff , a new background check, dmv check, and snitches. We as staff become so envious of each other and become enemies and begin coming up with ways to hurt each other.This is how many of us provide for our families. Work together! REMEMBER THE MORE THEY FIRE THE MORE YOU STAY AT WORK AWAY FROM YOUR FAMILIES!
I am an officer who sit back, and watch all the abuse. For an example a female officer reported that another officer was sexual abusing her. When you start working at the facility you are allowed to turn if your contact numbers to the supervisor, and master control. Well this guy Mr. Gabriel kept calling my home, and my cell phone. I asked him to stop, and he didn't. So I reported it going through the chain of command. He kept calling, and then he started treating me really bad, talking to me nasty, telling lies, and would not give me but one uniform to work in. I was walking to the facility, and this man felt my behind. The Supt. let me call Derik Elias, and he told me that was not enough evidence for any action to be taken. It took more information from women to complain about Mr. Gabriel, and then he was terminated. The Supt. said I took it wrong. They also had a man name Mr. Janesik who was on numerous investigation for child abuse, and had many witness of Officers to confirm this. He was allowed to make schedules, treat staff, and detainee's very bad, especially minorities. This man was allowed to still work on the floor being a supervisor under many child abuses charges. Two officers saw him choke a detainee, wrote an incident report, call abuse, and they end up getting written up. The detainee tried to tell them alone with the staff, but nothing was done, and this youth had to spend time in jail for a long time, when charges should have been dropped. The system failed again like always. These things happen when Mr. Heffernman was in charge, and Ms. Honan. Ms. Honan confirmed that she allowed another officer to write slander things on the computer about someone, that was not true, and on the state time, but when another officer worked 20.75 hours the day before without a break, she decided to take one, and make a telephone, which she got permission to do, if she come in to work. Guess what came up next, a written reprimand, which was very personal. What is wrong with this system, why is this allowed. Another officer was moved into another position with a 24 hour notice, her job was not posted, she had to schedule over, and get new doctors. I thought we are supposed to get a two week notice. Of course lies was told on her to move her. Why so many lies by the [administration] staff, and how do they get away with it. The personnel office do not have enough training, and people can get any kind of position they want. It was told in personnel that one staff got his answers from the computer to get a supervisor job. It was told by the Spanish people how to beat workers comp issue, because they have a doctor who would do their paperwork just like they wanted, and of course we have a witness who it was told too. DJJ is going down fast, and you are paying all this tax money for someone to get hired, go through the academy, and then quit. The reason they quit, because of all the illegal things they see, and how administrators do what they want to you, and get away with it. Oh! by the way Mr. Hefferman do our training, and guess what we learn, a military inspection, about the air force, and how he flew airplanes in the war. What a good training about Department of Juvenile Justice! Now, Don't you think it is a time for a change?
As I was reading my email at work, this is what we received from our superintendent: PER MR. YOUNG, OVERTIME MUST BE AT ZERO NEXT TIME AROUND. PLEASE PASS THIS ALONG TO YOUR SUPERVISORS AND ENSURE THIS IS FOLLOWED.
What a joke. The shortage is so devastating that it is putting us staff in a very dangerous situation. Only 3 employees showed up to work yesterday during the 2nd shift. So when the crisis comes...who is to be blamed. The court staff has to leave the detainees and run to go home if they work too long? Who is to blame when a detainee escapes? The problem with Orange Detention...They tell us everything verbally. Nothing ever in writing. When crisis starts happening they will blame the staff. We still have no supervisors covering the floors. No supplies. No underwears for the detainees. No gate at the sallyport. No support for us employees. We are treated worse than the detainees. A lot of discrimination. We are losing very good employees due to the way we are being treated. We are just a number, not a human being. No wonder the apples keep falling.....
I have worked at two detention centers, and I see the problem. At ORJDC, which is a large detention center with two much responsibilities. With a center like that, which is responsible for taking detainees to 3 court rooms everyday, and all day court, should not have to be responsible for the Hub also, which is taking detainees to programs. That is the reason so many mistakes are made, too many detainees and not enough staff to cover of safety and security for the detainees. If Mr. Chinault was so smart he would see this, instead of going around in people personal business, and making comments about he like to hurt people in their pockets, instead of resolving the problem. For instant having someone who was fired from Osceola Detention for doing all kind of illegal things teach the detention officers ITW or FTO classes. That man is Mr. Heffernan, that man was so prejudice, and would tell us that Osceola Detention center comes before your family. He would leave detainees in the lock chairs for 24 hours, and leave detainees in their rooms up to three weeks. What I am telling you is very true, and Officers beg to have the facility investigated, and parents. When Mr. Hefferman teaches these classes, he make people stand in line in the heat and cold to hurt people feelings. We are not in the military, I guess he made the statement he did on purpose, and I rather not say, it would hurt a lot of people feelings. Now we have Mr. Hoffman, the man always lying through his teeth. This facility is in Osceola, and really this facility do not have enough work, because administration could not stop gossiping, and staying out of people personal business. Give this small facility the HUB Mr. Chinault since you are so smart, you will notice that Mr. Hoffman makes the deem list almost every year, because he do not have enough to do, so he can stop getting those big bonus all by his little o self, don't you think. Stop giving raises to the Supt, and Asst Supt, because the supervisors and the officers are doing all the work, and running the facilities, and maybe you will get good officers to stay, and better safety for the detainees, because you will have enough help. Juvenile Officers deserve more pay, more respect, and this we do not get. I am sure this is and all over problem, so look out for the Officers and the Youths. Officers also need more training which we do not get, because we are not the pets, who goes around telling on people. Come and talk with the officers of Osceola don't be afraid we are not.
Everyday at work in our facility in Orange county is difficult. We have people in upper management preaching to the officers that we need to be professional. Safety and security is the focus of our day. AS an officer in the Orange facility I have to say that what is preached is not practiced. The officers at our facility our not safe. The detainees in our care are protected, and we do the best we can to keep them safe. However we as officers are not safe. We don't have enough back up staff to cover our own shifts. We have officers that have to pull a double shift. No breaks, no radios, and no back up from upper management...We are not able to put the detainees into confinement when there negative behavior is warranted. Simply because we don't have the staff to keep up with the checks. We have detainees fighting with themselves, and attacking the staff with no repercussions. I want to ask? Why are these detainees not being held responsible for there behavior? Why are they put into confinement and not doing the maximum time to be served? They have no consequences. We as staff have no back up. Let alone working equipment to keep us safe. How can we possibly call for help when there are no working radios, or a working intercom system? With all that is going on, who are we suppose to turn to? The superintendents? The supervisors? Mental health? Governor Bush? Who? Lets talk about the mental health workers who have the audacity to put these kids on the mod and leave them there. I think Mr. Brown and his workers should have to sit on the mod and monitor these kids. The are eager to put them on the mod, on constant sight and sound, but have never spent more then 10 minutes on the mod to see how these kids act when they leave. Mr Brown and his staff should have to work a mod or a full shift on watch how these kids act after they write in the log book. One minute after they leave the mod, these kids are laughing and joking and telling each other how to beat the system" " just say you are going to kill yourself or tell mental health that you have a family member that has killed themselves and you too can get put on the mod. It is a joke! We as officers don't appreciate it. Yes, sometimes there are detainees that feel like they might want to hurt themselves. Those are the kids we want to be able to help. But most of the kids are playing the system to their advantage. We as officers should not let them sit on the mod and play games and watch TV. And why the hell is there 25 kids on the mod? Maybe Mr. Barreiro should implement a plan that if there are that many detainees that need to be on constant sight and sound observation, maybe he should implement another plan for these kids. He is the first to say there has to be better training. Well Jesus we are not mental health professionals. We are just guards trying to do a job with limited recourses and limited help. Some are quick to blame the supervisors, but you don't offer a solution to the problem....I think the mental health workers need an evaluation...I also think there should be a mental health counselor on the premises at all times.....I also think that some of these kids need to be put into confinement and left there until they can follow the program. These kids are street smart and know how to fool the people. Also since I am on a roll, where is the high risk pay? Some of us should refuse to cross the threshold...boycott until there is some changes to keep the detainees and the staff safe! There is no way that we can watch 30-40 kids with two staff on the mod....God help us all if we don't get some good changes!
02/22/04 DJJ: Omar's death serves as a metaphor for an illness that has contaminated the DJJ
The sad and unrecognized truth is that, were it not for the horrific circumstances of Omar Paisley's death, most of us would not even know his name. In my opinion (speaking purely as a private citizen), Omar's death serves as a metaphor for an illness that has contaminated the Florida Department of Juvenile Justice to the extent that it is unable to see clearly, to hear clearly, and to speak for those who can't speak for themselves. It seems that, even now, the remaining officials are fiddling while Rome is burning. That is a disservice to Governor Bush, to the Florida Legislature, and to the people of Florida, including children who have died. And, a special word to Larry Lumpee: When you put people in the uniforms of guards, when you tell them they are guards, when you diminish them by essentially discounting their true talents in dealing with children, you will squelch the best of the best. It is a promising sign that this Department has survived your reign. I know it's probably going to take some time to get that colossal ego out of the building. Be sure the door doesn't hit you on the way out. Bill Fine: Maybe now you will lose some of your arrogance. Too bad that you didn't spend as much time with the kids instead of training for your triathlon on the State's dime, all the while leaving defenseless staff and the kids suffering the brunt of it.
02/22/04 DJJ: Thank Barreiro and those on the committee
Thank God and all your persistence. Finally something is changing. Thank Barreiro and those on the committee for caring enough to do something
02/22/04 DJJ: Bankhead: He ought to be indicted and imprisoned too.
Stupid crook. He ought to be indicted and imprisoned too.
02/22/04 DJJ: 8 suggestions - overtime, due process, cliques, etc.
The Department of Juvenile is suppose to be a Paramilitary Organization with a military chain of command type structure. If this is the case, The Department of Juvenile Justice can be GREATLY improved by simply doing the following listed below. 1. Get rid of Good Ole boy clique, Lumpy, Raggett, Chinault, Young and all of their drinking buddys. ( Central Region ) 2. Select individuals with strong military backgrounds who have "Real" military experience and the ability to provide leadership and professionalism to the organization. 3. Get rid of QC, it serves no useful purpose. 4. Establish an Investigative Office, completely free from DJJ to investigate complaints, misconduct and other issues. 5. If staff work overtime, "PAY THEM", STOP THE ZERO OVERTIME LIE. 6. Stop the Disparity in Treatment, We all know that Mr. Chambers should have been terminated or never employed by DJJ. Think how you guys treated Mr. Borders. 7. It's The People Stupid! Treat the staff with respect, Give them Due Process. 8. Select the Supervisors "WISELY" currently ORJDC have supervisors