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What is "honorable behavior"? To me, it is adherence to ethical principles; actions that convey strong moral and ethical values. It means that a person not only "thinks" the right thing and "speaks" the right thing, but "does" the right thing. Embodied in honorable behavior are: honesty, integrity, fairness, impartiality, conscientiousness. ~ Cathy Corry If you have stories
of “honorable behavior” please let me know either through
Feedback or by calling justice4kids.org
at
02/04/09 Karl Knighten - Hastings Youth Academy From: <webmaster@justice4kids.org> Comments: As a parent who's son chose to engage in criminal activities I have found one man I must commend for what he does. Karl Knighten, Hastings Youth Academy. In the 4 months my son has been there I have saw grow from a defiant child to a respectful youn man who now apologizes for what he done to me. During visits I have constatnly seen Karl talking and do activities for youth and visitors. My son thinks he is great and is trying to model himself after Karl. That is something for a young man who was so racially biased I worried that he would wind up dead making racist comments. Thank you, Karl Knighten 05/23/08 Judge Mike Carr - Collier County Hats off to Judge Carr! From: <webmaster@justice4kids.org>
************************************************************************* Comments: I would like to see Collier County Juidge Mike Carr recognized for honorable behavior. His strong words regarding the barbaric assualt and attempted cover-up at Collier JAC clearly indicate that this judge is obviously one public servant that in is not in the bag for DJJ or the powers in Tallahassee. Hats off to Judge Carr! [To read related article, click here.] "I owe a huge thank you to Mr. Myrik for his dedication and care in this matter." ~Jamie Keene From: <webmaster@justice4kids.org>
************************************************************************* I would like to make a special mention to this organization and all the
people out there who help bring proper justice to our children. I posted an
email on this website this morning concerning my son Jordan Jxxxx being
extradited from Palm Beach County, where we reside, to Pasco County, on a three
year old pick up order for a failure to appear charge. My son got in trouble in
Pasco County for allegedly throwing rocks at a structure when he was twelve
years old, this was 2005. He spent the past three and a half days being chained
and transported across the state. I could not get any answers UNTIL a MR.
WILLIAM MYRIK called me just an hour after I posted my email on this sight.
Since that time he addressed my concerns and the plight of my 15 year old
emotionally handicapped son. My phone started to ring with answers and proper
procedure. Jordan is now being released from the Pasco County JDC. I owe a huge
thank you to Mr. Myrik for his dedication and care in this matter. All of you
out there who are helping these children get the justice they deserve, are a
blessing. Keep up the good work. Again, thank you for getting justice for
Jordan. From: <webmaster@justice4kids.org>
************************************************************************* My fifteen year old son was picked up three days ago in Palm Beach County on a Pick up order from Pasco county from 2005. He was placed in the detention center in West Palm Beach that night. He went to court the following day and was extradited to Pasco County. Keep in mind this was a three year old case. The charge came about when my son was throwing rocks at a building in Pasco county when he was twelve! Now my son is without an attorney and no one can help. I do not have transortation to even go to the other side of the state to go to court for my son. At this time I have no idea where my son is, all I know is he was to go to court yet again today and I can not be there. I am so scared for him. He only has one point, he has a job and is a good kid. He made a mistake three years ago and now he is being dragged around the state of Florida in chains!!! I have no resources or help. Please Help Jordan!! 03/03/08 Pete Zeegers - Avon Park Youth Academy Your hard work and dedication are appreciated by all of those around you. ~Anonymous I'd like to thank all of the hardworking front-line staff across the state. You know who you are; you've got a friend in Headquarters who will fight for you. ~Anonymous 09/19/07 Daryl L. Wolfe, Broward Detention Center Daryl L. Wolfe - Thank you for using all of the available community resources to provide programming for youth in the Broward Detention Center. ~Anonymous 08/18/06 Chris Caballero, DJJ Chief of Staff JUSTICE4KIDS.ORG, INC. August 18, 2006 Governor Jeb Bush Governor Jeb Bush, On behalf of JUSTICE4KIDS.ORG, I commend Chris Caballero for his excellent public service as Chief of Staff of the Florida Department of Juvenile Justice. You once challenged the public servants of the State of Florida to "wear your integrity on your sleeve". Chris Caballero has done just that. In the seven months that I have worked with Chris, he has proven to be worthy of honor and praise. Chris Caballero seems most deserving of his recent appointment to serve as a White House Fellow. I trust that Chris will continue to be a diligent public servant. Sincerely, Cathy Corry Marivel AponteDate, RN [formerly with Orlando DJJ] Hello, Marivel Aponte was the registered nurse that was involved in the never mentioned and hidden attempt to commit suicide by a young African American child in the Orlando DJJ. Superintendent Isbell prevented the Nurse from getting the boy to the ER. EMS and the police were notified. Isbell refused to let them see the youth. All of this information was on Channel 9 News. Isbell resigned and the Registered Nurse was sent by by. Consult Care INC. was the provider when this happened in 2004. No one backed up this nurse for fighting tooth and nail to get medical help for this youth. Maybe if this nurse was commended for her stand we wouldn't have continued abuses and deaths of youth in DJJ. This nurse gave testimony under oath to the investigators of DJJ. Maybe we should encourage others to continue to fight and protect our children like this nurse did. ~ nurseheroes@yahoo.com Staff of Broward and Palm Beach JDCs Date: 21 Feb 2006 Thank you for allowing me to visit your facilities and accommodating me through a tour of Broward Detention Center and the Palm Beach Detention Center. Your hard work and dedication will not go unnoticed and I will do everything in my power to help out with the situation that faces everyone who works in detention. Please keep up the good work that you know you are doing. You know who you are and your dedication is greatly appreciated. ~Anonymous Date: 11 Sep 2005 DJJ W.T. Edwards: As I sit at my P/C reading these postings [DJJ Bulletin Board], My thoughts go back to my nephew who was in W.T. Edwards. My nephew had some sort of break down and had to be Baker Acted. I want to thank one Officer that showed concern, and compassion for myself, my husband and my nephew. That Officer is Commander Davis. She called me several times to let me know how my nephew was doing. When I became upset she spent time reasurring me that things would be ok. I know from talking with my nephew that Officer Davis the night he had his break down, she stayed with him talking with him. He told me that he felt safe when she was around. Thank you Commander Davis for taking care of my nephew. DJJ is very lucky to have some one like you. Thank you for doing more than your job. Thank you for being more than just an officer. ~Anonymous Orange JDC: Ines, David, Erin, Zulema, Kathy - keep up the good work Date: 14 Aug 2005 Orange JDC: All I can say is thank God for the Mental Health staff who strive to make a difference there - Ines, David, Erin, Zulema, Kathy - keep up the good work ~Anonymous Supervisor Giles and Mental Health Supervisor Vilar at Orange JDC Date: Wed, 13 Apr 2005 Today I witnessed something very encouraging. I witnessed Supervisor Giles, along with Ms. Vilar, handle a youth who was distraught over being detained and making suicidal threats. They talked to him, soothed him and Mr. Giles stopped what he was doing to sit and attend to this youth who only needed someone to talk to. Thank you Mr. Giles and mental health for really caring! ~TP Ms. Ines Vilar, the Mental Health Supervisor and her staff at Orange JDC Date: Sat, 26 Mar 2005 [It] is safe to say that it takes a lot for people to get along when we are tired and frustrated. I want to take this opportunity to thank Ms. Ines Vilar, the Mental Health Supervisor and her staff for always having her door open, for being available when we need someone to vent with and for genuinely caring about the kids and us. Needless to say that I CANNOT say that we have the sane relationship with the other outside provider, nursing, as the nursing supervisor is someone NO ONE cans stand. Thanks Ines and keep up the good work! Superintendent Gargett and Asst. Superintendent Searls - Manatee JDC Date: Mon, 29 Nov 2004 Thanks for thoughtfulness Honorable Mention goes to Superintendent Gargett and Assistant Superintendent Searls for allowing Supervisors at Manatee Juvenile Detention to either have Thanksgiving Day off or an alternate day during the week in order to spend time with thier families for the Holiday. The Superintendent and Assistant Superintendent both worked in the place of Supervisors on the alternate day or Thanksgiving Day in order to make it possible for all Supervisors to have a day of relaxation. Your thoughtfulness was greatly appreciate, it did not go unnoticed. Thank You!! Sgt.Perkins Officer Anderson - Osceola JDC Date: Wed, 17 Nov 2004 11/17/04 Osceola JDC Officer Recognition: "MR ANDERSON YOU WILL NEVER BE FORGOTTEN" ALL SUPERVISORS IN OSCRJDC ARE THE BEST, HEY PEOPLE!! IS TIME TO RECOGNIZE THAT OUR SUPERVISORS ARE THE KEY IN OSCEOLA JDC. WITH OUT THEM THIS PLACE WILL BE NOTHING. ALSO NEVER FORGET THE PEOPLE WHO HAD FALLEN, ALSO THE ONES THAT HAD BEEN IN THIS FACILITY FOR MORE THAN A WHILE. IN GOOD TIMES AND IN BAD TIMES AND NEVER RECEIVED AT LEAST AN EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH RECOGNITION. ADMINISTRATION, PLEASE DO NOT GIVE YOUR RECOGNITIONS ALL TOGETHER IN THE STAFF MEETING LIKE BUNDLE, LIKE MAIL. YOU ARE GIVING IT AWAY LIKE CANDY. HEY THIS IS THE FUN OF BEING AN ADMINISTRATOR, THE BEST PART OF IT, YOU SHOULD ENJOY IT. DON'T FORGET THEY ARE REPRESENTING YOU RIGHT! GIVE IT FOR THE WORK THEY HAVE DONE, NOT FOR THE WORK YOU THINK THEY DID. FOR THE PEOPLE THAT GIVE THEIR LIFES AWAY AND TRY TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE DAY AFTER DAY IN THE LIFE OF ONE OF THIS YOUTHS. IF YOU WANT TO KNOW WHO I AM. LOOK AT YOURSELF. WHERE DID I CAME FROM? ASK WHY I WORK HERE? DO I WANT TO MAKE THE DIFFERENCE? DO I HAVE BILLS TO PAY? OR WHY I BECAME THIS? YOU WILL SEE THEN IT'S YOU. OFFICER WELL DONE. "MR ANDERSON YOU WILL NEVER BE FORGOTTEN" Officer Lisa Hodge - Pinellas JDC Date: Mon,15 Nov 2004 Officer Lisa Hodge, like most other officers here, is a positive role model Re: 11/12/04 Pinellas JDC officer [Lisa] hodge did a good job while i was there Thank you for the positive feedback. Believe it or not, it is a common occurrence inside the center, but rare to see it recognized publicly. Officer Lisa Hodge, like most other officers here, is a positive role model, and mentor to the youth in our custody. I will share this with her, and continue to recognize her, and others who perform a job not many else would do, and perform it admirably. Thank you Date: Fri, 12 Nov 2004 officer hodge did a good job while i was there.She change me in many different ways.She was there when i needed to talk to someone.She gave me good advice.Yall should move her up to a bigger boss or something. . . . Hi this my daughter parent talking she really change my daughter and i think she did a swell job! Mr. Harold Stephens - Orange JDC Date: Sun, 17 Oct 2004 Mr. Harold Stephens is an angel in disguise ~2-10 shift is thankful too In response to the letter written "to our great supervisor Mr. Harold Stephens" What a thoughtful, beautiful written testimony for the 10-6 Supervisor Mr. Stephens. How refreshing to see someone to take the time to "honor" Mr. Stephens. I do not work on the 10-6 shift. However, I must admit everything that was said about Mr Stephens is so true! It is not always about the job, but the people who do the job under difficult circumstances and still feel grateful. When I see Mr. Stephens come in the door, I am always happy to see him. He is a breath of fresh air, always has a handshake, a twinkle in his eye, and a kind word to say to the people on the 2-10 shift. For this the 2-10 shift is thankful too! Even when we have to pull a long days night (bluedot) he will come to us and ask us how we are, ask about our families, and always make us laugh and smile. He is fair, unjudging and treats everyone with kindness. He always sees the good in people even when we feel at our worst! He makes us feel good after a long difficult day. Not only does he treat his staff, and those of us that do not work directly under him with compassion and fairly. He treats the youth in our facility with respect. I have seen him take inconsolable youth and take them aside and have a good heart to heart talk with them so they can go to bed and rest their weary heads. They can then rest peacefully with out worrying into the night. Mr Stephens ins't just a good person, and a great supervisor, he is an angel in disguise! We all should be thankful to have known him and have the opportunity to work with him and learn from him. When you all see him tell him. Its always nice to know someone thinks highly of you.......We from the 2-10 shift thank you too Mr Stephens! You are appreciated and loved by all. Keep up the excellent work! Kudos to you! You are a fine gentleman and a great example...~ From a JDO on the 2-10 shift! Date: Sat, 16 Oct 2004 TRIBUTE TO OUR GREAT SUPERVISOR, MR. HAROLD STEPHENS ~10-6 Night Shift Thanks for exhibiting such great leadership. You are indeed a role model for all the JDO'S,SJDOS and supervisors to follow. Your leadership warrants respect and admiration. Mere words cannot describe the many qualities you show. No matter the hour, what ever the need, you go an extra mile. Always ready and willing to share a comforting thought and a smile. Once in every life, there comes someone who touches you so completely, so exquisitely. You are a very special supervisor. Many times we have seen you adjust your life to meet our needs. We see how hard you work on the mod when extra help is needed. You stand beside us no matter what....is thrown our way. perhaps along the way we have failed to see just how much you've done for us..... So today we are saying "THANK YOU" for all that you do. Thanks for the words of encouragement when we are just merely tired from working and working. At times we feel like we have failed. Sometimes it just takes a few words of encouragement to help us understand that we never fail...we simply learn. It is your moral support that provides us strength in times of dismay. Thanks for comprehending us when our memory is dim from working blue dots. You seem to be calm, while we feel absolutely lost....when even patience has come to an end. Mr. Stephens thanks for listening.... Many supervisors do not take time to listen. They just do not want to take time. Thanks Mr. Stephens. For when no one seems to be listening, you hear. When we hurt but don't show it, you know. When we turn away to hide our frustrations, you see. With you, it's all about voiceless communication. Always knowing exactly what to say, but never actually having to say it. That is what a good supervisor is all about. Thanks for helping us when the complicated, just seemed too complicated. Once again Mr. Stephens, I look at all the qualities that make you who you are. For how can I explain a person always there to help us. One who says..."no matter what I care." We just want to thank you very much, but yet we can't thank you enough.... ~ 10-6 Night Shift Mr. Parrish, Ms. Zook and Ms. King - Osceola JDC Date: Fri, 19 Mar 2004 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. Date: Sun, 21 Mar 2004 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! Date: Thu, 18 Mar 2004 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. Date: Wed, 6 Aug 2003 Dear Cathy I would like to take this opportunity to laud a person in the juvenile justice system who is honest and respectful. My son was fortunate to have Ken Hancock as his probation officer for 6 months. During this time, Mr. Hancock took the time to meet both myself and husband, as well as see my son at home, school and other environments. He was able to ( and wanted to ) get the full picture of "what this kid is all about". Mr. Hancock took the time to get to know Jarett and his family, talk to my son and learn his hopes and future plans and actually took the time to sit and talk to him to plot out a plan of what he needed to do to achieve his goals. Please do not mistake this for a weakness on Mr. Hancock's part - since he was the first one to chastise my son (after his father and I got through with him), when my son made another stupid, immature error in judgment. However, when a false charge was leveled against my son, Mr. Hancock did not take the easy way out and just violate Jarett's probation. Instead, he took the time to investigate the source of the allegation and work at it until the truth was told, and the accuser eventually recanted his story as "trumped up". I have no idea as to Mr. Hancock's personal life, or his case load, or how many hours a week his job consumes. I simply know that Juvenile Justice needs more people like Mr. Hancock. He is insightful, establishes a rapport with his charges, actually returns phone calls and responds to messages left on his voice mail, and seems to LIKE the kids he works with. What a novel idea!!! Actually enjoying the people you are paid to assist and monitor. Mr. Hancock faithfully kept both my husband and myself informed during the entire probation process, was willing to take time from his day to talk to us about our most important concern - our son. I imagine he must have a full case load, but Mr. Hancock always made us feel like we were the most important people he was working with, and of course he could make time to talk with us. Even if that was not the true case, note I said "Mr. Hancock made us FEEL like..." That is a knack, and it is one of many talents that Mr. Hancock brings to his job as a probation officer in Pasco County. I applaud him for doing his job in a fair, impartial and consistent manner and for not taking the easy way out by becoming jaded and assuming that just because a kid made an error in judgment and got into trouble that he/she is a "bad" kid. If the system could find, hire and maintain MORE people that do as good a job of working with juveniles as Mr. Hancock does, then just maybe our adult system would not have so many older teens entering it. What a blessing Mr. Hancock is, and how very lucky both my son and our family was to have had him to help our son. Thank you Mr. Hancock and I hope both you and your superiors see this posting. Please don't leave juvenile justice - the system would be the worse for it! Sincerely, Mrs. Suzette Casabianca Sgt Bruce Hauck, Patrol Division, Pinellas County Sheriff's Department for being part of the solution. Sgt. Hauck quickly responded to a request for juvenile transport on October 3, 2001. This was after the law enforcement agency having jurisdiction in this matter, Clearwater Police Department, failed to respond and do their job. Officer Will Smith, Clearwater Police Dept., for exceptional service. On September 30, 2001 Officer Will Smith called a parent of a juvenile when he had suspicions of drug possession. The "law" did not allow him to search the juvenile or the vehicle of the juvenile, so Officer Smith called the parent to give the parent the opportunity to search the youth. He later explained that he suspected the child had drugs but couldn’t prove it, so he gave the parents the opportunity to prove it to themselves. We, as parents, need more officers willing to take the time to help us know what our children are doing. Revised 01/11/2010 |
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