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 who shouldn't be supervisors.
02/21/04 Orange JDC: JDC school-waste of taxpayers money
JDC Orlando, what a SHAME, if Tallahassee thinks the problem BOILS down just a few, just remember when you boil anything the SCUM rises to the top, how can you work in the enviroment where safety suppost to be PRIORITY but the officers do not have radios, kids complain they do not have SWEATERS or SHOES to go out the building, there is a BIG need for new SUPERVISORS who knows their jobs, this job requires dedication, commitment, emphasy and a genuine compasion of truly wanting to make a difference, those officers that are doing a good job are not treated fearly, this facility should be all about our kids, our juveniles, they deserve to be treat like human beings, they have rights, some of us have kids and do not like to see how JDC kids are treated, what about SCHOOL TEACHERS at JDC, they sucks, they do not teach our kids, they just show movies all day long, and act like they are doing a great job, two hours lunch, you can see them in their classrooms doing nothing or sleeping, everything on paper looks good OCPS, I would love to have their jobs,SCHOOL !YEAH RIGHT! I CALL IT WASTE OF TAXPAYERS MONEY. WAKE UP OCPS TEACHERS, AND WHERE IS THEIR PRINCIPAL?
02/19/04 Orange JDC: Mr. Young, you allowed many of our staff to be abused
Mr. Raggett, Mr. Chinault and Mr. Young please explain.
1. ORJDC is and has been a dirty facility, the supervisors are the worst in DJJ, staff turnover rate is high, morale is low, many negligent releases, a high rate of staff not reporting for duty, many times the second and third shifts are not adequately manned, conflict between the line staff and administrators, a total lack of leadership, questionable overtime and hiring practices, disparity in treatment, poor training, gross incompetence of the management staff are some of the reasons why I ask the question, how could our supt. M.r Young be chosen as Supt. of the year and his drinking buddy Mr. Chambers who was a real looser, twice arrested for DUI and numerous confrontations with staff and totally incompetent be selected as assistant supt. of the year ? Many of our staff would really like to know.
2. Mr. Young, you allowed many of our staff to be abused by Mr. Chambers crazy outburst, the buzz words around ORJDC is that you stated that Mr. Chambers was the only one who could manage ORJDC when you leave, Are you CRAZY.
02/17/04 Osceola JDC: discrimination against females; nepotism; workers comp injury cover-up
Why does Osceola Detention Center have different Policies and Procedures from the rest of the detention centers in Florida and why do some officers get mistreated?
The nepotism policy Mr. Hoffman tells people who are related or who are about to be married that one of them have to transfer because they cannot work at the same facility. Now, if you go to other facilities you will see relatives and married people working at the same facility. About 2 years ago you had a husband and wife working on the same shift with the same days off. If you asked about it he would tell the officers that he got permission from Tallahassee for them to work on the same shift. Now if this was true why didn't he do the same for the other officers? Why do other facilities do allow relatives and married people to work at the same facility but not Osceola?
Another thing is we have an officer out on workers comp injury that happened almost 2 years ago and at that time Protegrity was the company that the state had. When Protegrity stop being the workers comp company for the state this officer kept on trying to get treatment for her injury and she was ignored. Administration refused to help her when she went for help. Mr. Hoffman and Mr. Housel knew she was on light duty and they put her on the floor anyway. This officer has been out of work since December due to surgery on her injury that she received on state time with no pay because they say she did not get hurt on the job. Now she got hurt doing training at ARC in March of 2002 when another officer landed on her leg. This is a training that Ms. Jewell arranged for all shifts to attend, but she never told us that we were not insured if we got hurt. The injury got so bad that her medical doctor had to do surgery that her own insurance had to pay for. After that she needed rehab that the insurance wasn't paying for.
Finally, in late January she was seen by a Protegrity doctor. They said the surgery and rehab was necessary for the injury that she received on the job. They are also paying for it. Mr. Hoffman, Mr. Housel, and Ms, Jewell all state that she did not get hurt on the job in which she was in training on state time. This is just a cover up for Ms. Jewell knowing that we were not insured to be doing rope climbing at ARC. Tallahassee states that they never received paper work about her injury but it is in her file at the detention center and that is why they cannot pay her because Osceola has her out on medical leave not workers comp. I don't understand why no one else has ever [had to] go thru this at Osceola to get paid or to get an injury taken care of that they received while working or in training. So, why are they covering up her injury? It is because they are scared that they may get suspended or fired?
Also, at Osceola they refuse to send any females to ITW or PAR training. Do they think that job is only for a man? I know a supervisor that has been trying to go for the last 4 years and every time they give her some type of excuse but she is the Gang Coordinator and trains the officers on the gang information. That is a form of discrimination against females. A facility is supposed to post a job opening before giving it to someone?
For instance, they just gave an assistant training position to a supervisor. No one in the facility knew about the position and Mr. Hoffman promised this position to an officer upon being hired. Several of officers were interested in that position but they did not have a chance to apply for it because administration gave it to who they wanted to give it to. Administration has their picks on who they want to do what and if you make them mad you do not have a chance to do anything at all. There is too much favoritism at Osceola with administration treating officers the way they want to treat them. I have one question you have two SES employees: one got arrested for a DUI with the badge and a supervisor lost their badge and they both got suspended for two days. How can those two get the same punishment for two different reasons? One was black and the other was white. Now, if that supervisor would have got arrested they would have been fired.
02/17/04 Osceola JDC: Mr. Hoffman needs to be a Car Salesman because he is a good liar
Continuation from Osceola Detention Center. As you have been reading Osceola has a lot of favoritism and discrimination going on at their facility. Something needs to be done. Someone needs to come to the facility and speak with the officers not with administration because all they are going to [do] is say that is a disgruntled employee making all those accusation. This is not [the] first time that you have received complaints about Osceola Detention Center and they have been push under the carpet. What is everybody waiting for? Why do officers get disciplined when they are insubordinate with their superior but it is okay for them to talk to us any kind of way and nothing don't happen to them? Mr. Hoffman needs to be a Car Salesman because he is a good liar and if you don't keep up with him he will have you in trouble for something that he done. The Assistant Superintendents needs to find them new jobs because they cannot think on their own they know that he do some illegal things to the officers and they just stand by and watch because they think he will never be stopped. Someone needs to come to the facility and talk to the officers quickly.
02/11/04 DJJ: Administration talks about getting drunk
I always wanted to work for DJJ. I have been in the Juvenile Justice field for approx. seven years. I thought DJJ was going to be more professional then any of the programs or other facilities I've worked, until I started working for DJJ. I can't wait to find another job. Just because someone walks around in a tie or wears a dress to work every day does not make them a professional. Where I work administration talks about getting drunk more then the floor staff. Then you are expected to work like a dog when the facility is short. With no overtime because the big wigs want a new boat. I could lose my job at any time just for a false abuse call, bad take down, alleged sexual harassment, or paper trail because my superior doesn't like the way I talk. We need to either not tell the new people the problems or admin. get it together.
02/06/04 Orange JDC: Glad I resigned from ORJDC, the worst place I ever worked
I am Glad I resigned from ORJDC, it is worst place I ever worked. There is so much favoritism given to females because they get all cute with the supervisors. The people who work there butts' off and do a good job are always being treated like garbage. There are still some Good Officers working there and always getting treated bad. Every shift briefing we were threatened by Supervisors that said " If you don't like it here then get a job at Burger King". Supervisors letting Officers steal time on their time sheets when they weren't at work for days, and signing off on the time sheets. If you bring anything to your supervisors attention they then blackball you and make you feel like an outcast. I was told by a supervisor that I don' know how fast help will get to you if you call a Code Blue. Meaning stop writing grievances or you will be on your own in a Code Blue (Fight). To the Officers that have honor, and still work there be careful and safe no one cares about you look out for each other you have to stick together. The supervisors and superintendents know what's going on at ORJDC and refuse to do anything to fix the situations. There is all this talk about being professional and it should start from the top, but ORJDC supervisors and superintendents are not professional. Someone needs to clean house and make things better or ORJDC will lose many more Good Officers, but for now they could care less oh well. I'm Glad I am out of there I could tell more horror stories. I hope that this site will help the Officers and the Detainees that suffer from cruel and unusual punishment of the neglect and uncaring of the ORJDC Supervisors and Superintendents.
02/04/04 DJJ: phone service for youth: fees are outrageous
why does the department /DJJ require all of the youth to use their AM-tel phone service?? this is a contracted service that gives a kick back -moneys to the facilties for using their phone system ,the fee's are outragous and most families can't afford the collect calls or they have blocks so they don't accumilate large phone bill's, calling cards are cheap and provide most families a cost effective way to communicate with the kids, yet DJJ has prohabited them from using calling cards.. it's all about the $$$$$$$$
02/01/04 Juvenile Justice: The youth are adjudicated guilty by the system even before they are tried...
The youth are adjudicated guilty by the system even before they are tried for the alleged charges. We must change this in order to afford them dignity and respect. Their treatment is predicated on this premise therefore, unless we change this mindset from the top they will continue to go back into the community abused and abandoned. This treatment is abandonment which is the worse affect that a human being can suffer. Until we embrace and lift up these children the system will remain a punitive system rather than a corrective rehabilitation system.
01/30/04 Orange JDC: are you scared that the truth is being told
Here goes another good comment about Orange Detention why is it that now all of a sudden at briefings we are being told that we should not be letting our frustrations out on the internet for everyone to see. What's the matter supervisor are you scared that the truth is being told and you cant hide anything under the carpet like you have been doing for a long time. Lets start with this rover position why is it on first shift it is the same person that roves all day and is a acting supervisor while the supervisors are on property what are you doing?? How about second shift the same thing except different gender is that staff only good to rove I wish I would of filled out a application just to rove and do nothing all day. Walk kids over to the west side and release them and hang out in the parking lot. What about people who work in the HUB why is that people who have been there for a while and paid there dues cannot get into the hub, I mean lets face it if your cute and your a female and you smile at the right person your in no questions asked...Why, Why why cant it be fair make it right orange it is time that you step up to the plate and make it right, Stop hiding behind that desk and lets start making it right remember that the staff are your first line of defense. Also where is this famous High risk pay that's just b### $^%#. keep blowing up smoke. Am sure that I have make a few people upset but oh well like a supervisor once said in briefing " People if you don't like this job go find your self another one it is just that simple" No matter what you do people will never be happy so therefore the emails will always be sent and the publicity your receiving is just making you real famous..
01/22/04 ORJDC: [This] is the worst facility: QA talk to me when you come out
I was just a matter of time that all this would happen. ORJDC is the worst facility. From management who don't care about staff, to the staff who come to work for 8 hours just to keep up mess. The entire building needs to be torn down and rebuilt. It smells really bad, but as soon as a visitor is known to come all of a sudden supervisors and superintendents are spraying air freshener all over the place. The detainees have torn uniforms. We have a color code system, but you don't know whats what because 1 detainee might have on all 3 colors and have no medical or mental health problems.Thanks supply man (Mr. Marfisi). Why does brand new uniforms magically appear when QA comes? Every detainee gets brand new shoes that fit,socks, underwear, even toothbrushes, but as soon as they leave all the new supplies disappear to be saved and used the next year. The ventilation is horrible. Staff and detainees are constantly getting sick and supervisors wonder why. If an environmentalist came through the facility and checked the vents they would shut the building down on the spot. The facility sucks from the head all the way down to maintenance. The only enjoyment that i receive is from the detainees. It is a real pleasure to talk with them and give positive outlooks on life. This is why i am totally ashamed to be an employee. QA talk to me when you come out. Also, lets just cut out the school system at orjdc because the kids aren't learning nothing but how to be bored. It is truly a waste of time and tax payers money. ORJDC SUCKS!
01/21/04 Orange JDC: Nothing has been done regarding the sallyport gate
Nothing has been done regarding the sallyport gate at Orange Detention.It is still broken. It is an open door for the detainees to escape or take advantage of the staff. That is call neglect.Where is the money going to? The facility has money for what is convenient for them. New chairs, computers, etc. That is how the detainees are treated. With no respect. Take a shower but no soap. Get dress but no underwear. If they are cold, no sweaters. I simply do not understand. The time for bonus is approaching. What a joke. Those that do not deserve the bonuses are the ones that get it every year. Who ever invented the bonus program must had been drunk. Let's go back to the merit raises and forget about the bonus program. It is just like the "employee of the month". Always the same people. I have seen a lot of hard working people that deserve better. Let's cut out this favoritism crap. Let's treat everybody like they deserve to be treated. It's time to start cleaning house. Let's start with the administrators who are not protecting the detainees or staff. They pretend they are too busy to learn the job and get their hands dirty. Put your gloves on and let's get started. Stop hiding under the oak tree. Give a helping hand to your staff. Get the real feeling of what it is to do real work. Perhaps then will all of you be able to appreciate us better. If you cannot be a jack of all trades, this is not the place for you. Just like you all tell us, go get another job...
When the s... hit the fan, it start at the top and rolls down hill.
First, when Jeb Bush daughter was in the drug rehab. facility in Orlando, you can bet the center made every attempt to stay on high alert at all times. Emphasis on daughter. The best of care for his child, who is an adult.
Secondly, George W. Bush says, that Saddam Hussein tried to kill his father, you can best believe that he said, when he become the President of the United States that he was going to get Saddam and we did. Emphasis on father. When it involves their family members that is when they heighten the alert and do something about it. People in the U.S. and Florida had better wake the hell up. The Bush's don't give a damn about nobody , but their family. We can categorize Bankhead, Lumpee, Alarcon, Chinault, and other associates in the same boat as the Bush's.
In Florida, from Jeb Bush down, we need to overhaul the hold Florida system. Only then, we would be able to make it safer for kids, detention and program workers, and more importantly, the public once these kids are released. If we fail to change their mind set and behavior now, we are going to have bigger problems once they become adults. Many of the administrators don't care, it is just a paycheck. To be effective in our system, you must put the child first, each and every child has a different and select need. The system is in place, let 's make it work. We cannot have staff shortages in the detention centers or programs. We need responsible personnel that can be can be call upon 24/7. DJJ is not an 8 hour job, if you can't make this commitment, then you need another line of work. Everybody cannot do this type of work, besides this job is not for everyone.
Next, every staff has got to have the necessary training to be certified in their job. We have individuals in administrative positions personalizing the way want to do things, when all they have to do is follow guidelines and procedures that DJJ had set. They need to get away from the attitude that I am in charge, I'm going to do it my way, and what I say, go's. This is the wrong answer. So, let me tell you a little about Osceola Detention. Administrators past and present like Mr. Hoffman, Mr. Housel, Honan, and Ms. Jewel are the worst.
Rumors and gossip is what they practice each and everyday. Talking to new staff about old staff ways. This gossip is a cancer, if you don't terminate it, it will kill you. We have more staff resigning and going to lawyers, then doing their job and being productive with these kids. They encourage white staff to write up the black staff, making it a hostile environment. Blacks are fired for the same things that whites and Hispanics have done. They put you in training and if you are injured, there is no insurance coverage. One year, the center made dean status, only the superintendent was given a bonus. When a child call the abuse hotline on one of his selected staff, the child is given several threats and he/she change his/her story. Several whites and Hispanics staff have a pattern of tardiness, nothing is done about it, but there are consequences, if you are black and it don't have to be a pattern. White staff not certified, but receives a higher rate of pay over a black certified officers. The male staff is treated better than the female staff, especially if it a black female staff. A senior black female staff with more than 30 years had to resign, and they would not let her do her job or give her a retirement party. Another black staff had to take a demotion in order to get a job, in which, he was already qualified. How black staff are found innocent of accusations, but are still forced to resign. How a female Hispanic staff was injured, not on the job, but is receiving workers comp. These are some of the concerns that I have and needs to be look into from your level Ms. Cathy Corry. ~DJJ Ex Employee
01/19/04 Orange JDC: If these officers were following policies, this escape would not have taken place.
Problems at ORJDC that need to be addressed:
I am an officer on first shift, that previously worked on another shift. One of the main problems on first shift is the lack of supervision from the supervisors. How come on a consistent basis we have the same officers arriving to their shifts late? This has been a problem for months, and nothing is being done about it. This problem has been addressed to supervisors and administration, but it still continues to this day. I have talked to officers on the third shift, and they too complain about the first shift. How can you come to work on Saturdays and only have 11 staffed or less for both buildings? And you have supervisors that don't know where these people are. These same officers that come in late do not bother to even call in and say that they will be late. On weekends we have officers show up at 6:00, 6:30, and 7:00 in the morning for work. There is no action being taken to correct this. This is not fair to the officers on first or third shift.
I also have another issue, how can an officer be permitted to falsify her log book which is also a legal document. Last year during QA we had three officers be fired on the same offense. Administration should be consistent all year and not just for one month. I periodically check this website.
I was reading a message posted on January 14th, and I have issues with what was posted in that message. I am have been an officer at this facility for going on 4 years. That escape that happened on Saturday morning should have never occurred. Those officers knew that gate was broken, just read your FOP. i.e. security #6.01 subject "movement"; "escape and prevention" #8.01; section 2 "subject transportation" #9.01, paragraph section A and C. If these officers were following policies, this escape would not have taken place. All SJDO McArthur had to do was call for assistance during movement. There were two officers in intake department during movement, so why didn't she call for assistance?
Two staff moving 14 detainees, with an officer already inside the building, and officer McArthur already in the unsecured sallyport gate. So let us praise her for not calling for assistence and breaking FOP rules and regulations. We have transportation coming and going in the early morning hours and JAC runs through out the day. If the policy were followed this escape could have been prevented. Could you explain why these two officers did court this weekend? They should have been under investigation, and removed from that department until the investigation was complete. SJDO McArthur was suspended and removed from another department last year. So these same two officers are transporting people like nothing ever happened. Is that the culture we have at this facility? Turn your head and act like nothing ever happened? This facility is located right next to a residential/business area. If only they knew what was going on next door.
01/17/04 Orange JDC: The problems at this detention center are far more serious than what's being reported...
It's beyond my understanding that someone could feel sorry for mr. Young
and his staff concerning the negative comments being posted on the internet.
The comments on the internet are just the tip of the iceberg. Mr. Young, Mr.
Chambers, Mr. Nichols, Ingrid and JDOS Langford are responsible for 95% of the
problems at ORJDC. I noticed that the person who feels sorry for Mr. Young and
his staff, DIDN'T say that the comments were FALSE. The problems at this
detention center are far more serious than what's being reported on the
internet. Sooner or later someone is going to tell all. I hope that my coworkers
continue to make the problems at ORJDC known to the public, this seems to be the
only way to clean up the MESS that,s here.
01/16/04 Orange JDC: Mr. Young you have to be very disappointed in the staff
Mr. Young you have to be very disappointed in the staff that you and your assistants are paid to hire and supervise. I hate that the website came about .I will say that you have more than enough problems to deal with than to worry about your immature staff arguing online. I don't think no one ever stop to consider how bad they make the facility or you look. I'm so sorry that you had to hear about all the negative stuff going on at the facility via internet. Some staff just went a little overboard. They felt it was best to air out their personal problems on this website. I hope you can find it your heart to forgive us all for all the shame and disappointment that we may have caused you.
01/16/04 Orange JDC: Please let's all just get along for the safety of the kids
Hey! Did any of you stop to think about how bad you all make ORANGE DETENTION look. Well I'll tell you very bad .Everyone wants to get on the website and talk about everything and everybody but did we really take the time to look at the man in the mirror , if we have time to talk about everyone that must mean that we are perfect and I know that's a lie because none of us are perfect. Things are getting blown way out of order. Staff are spending too much time trying to worry about what other staff has done and continue to make matters worse instead of trying to work together and help the kids .My only fear is that the website is only causing more problems than it is worth. We have staff on the mods that may not like each other and the communication level has went down .How are you guys going to work together but not communicate, GROW UP! If the shoe fits wear it if it don't apply let it fly. Staff are coming on the website hiding . Stop bringing up past incidents and move on . If they went around and fired staff for the least little things ,the safety and security of these kids are in jeopardy. Please let's all just get along for the safety of the kids we are hired to provide services for. If you don't like to listen to what people will say about you don't say anything about anyone else .WORK TOGETHER!
01/15/04 Orange JDC: Do you think this ranting will improve our quality of life one iota?
This is a message for employees at Orange Regional Juvenile Detention Center: Do you really think that any of this is helpful? Do you think that this ranting will improve our quality of life one iota? I think it makes us all look quite foolish. Some of the incidents being cited occurred recently. Did any of you bring your concerns through proper channels before making them public for all to see? Are the detainees that we were hired to supervise better off now, safer, more secure due to the hurtful behavior that has been displayed toward one another? I was under the impression that the purpose of this web site was to help children.
First of all, thanks to Terri Mestre and Cathy Corry for creating this website. Due to so much lack of communication or fear of communication with our supervisors, Asst. Superindentents and Superindentent we can finally discuss our frustrations,anger,honesty so many can read and know how we feel. Believe me...it is a jungle out there. So much has been thrown to us that our strength is weakening and we feel so hopeless. On 1/13/2004 we read about SJDO Tammy Mcarthur and the almost escape. But guess why the almost escape? The sallyport gate was broken. It has been broken for a few weeks now. Ms. Mcarthur did her best to avoid the escape. We need to praise her for being fast and able to concentrate on what she did. That is what happens when DJJ starts cutting jobs. They expect us to do the job of 3 people. Guess what? We never get a pat on our back. We never get a "thank you" when they see that we go an extra mile. We keep seeing so much favortism. I do not blame the staff when out of frustration they start voicing the truth. Let's face it. About 95% of all this is true. Our great Asst. and Superindentents, none of you have done much for us. We do not mean anything. We just get slap across the face over and over again. So do not feel upset that we are letting the world know how we feel. Stop hiding the truth! Talking about Q.A.....Please do not send us the same group that came last year. They were so wrong. A fight took over in front of their faces between 2 staffs and they did not do anything. I feel it is a waste of money and time. They only do and see what they want to. They always end up talking to the wrong people. That is the problem with DJJ. They do not believe in us. Regarding training...We are facing the same problems that Seminole JDC is facing. Ms. Priester you are also doing the same. Let's take a good look at your work. Do not give credit to somebody that has not been in training. That is not fair for the rest. Talking about training...It is a waste of money and time. We do not learn anything. Same stuff over and over. For me training means a professional speaker that can educate us. Or a seminar that we can attend. Do not waste our time training us if it is the same. It is a risk when we attend training due to the shortness of staff. Let's face it, one person per mod is not right. Our priority is to take care of the detainees. Instead they are taking care of us. Where is Justice for Kids? Where is Justice for Staff? Wake up DJJ. It is a jungle out there!!! A jungle at Orlando JDC!!!!!
01/14/04 DJJ: lying, dishonest, evil people occupy the upper levels of our profession
After working at three detention centers and one program I can state that a
lot of the abuses and complaints protrayed on this web site are true.It is not
enough to be able to blow off steam or snitch on another staff you might have a
problem with.We need to understand why these things happen and who is
responsible. The saying you get what you pay for is true. As long as budget
concerns overshadow the importance of the job you will not be able to hire or
retain good honest workers.My explanation for this has always come down to
racism. We are in a field that has always been dominated on the lower levels
with minotities.Hence the low pay.We don't have the respect of our own Governor
who is the main person resposible for our situation.If low wages attract a lot
of dishonest and uneducated people how do we explain the lying,dishonest and
sometimes evil people who occupy the upper levels of our profession? Since most
of them are non-minorities,I say again it is and always has be!
en racism.Since this is 2004 and this type of behavior should not be allowed I
don't hold out much hope that anything will change.I just hope that we realize
who the real enemy is stop fighting among ourselves and try to help and protect
the kids.Notice that I did'nt mention any names because you Assistant
Superintendents and up know who you are and what you are doing.
01/14/04 DJJ JDC: We should all raise our standards and strive to improve
Using this site for idle gossip and personal get back is the goal and objective of some and should stop. Persons should be man or women enough to approach individuals and professionally air out their differences. Everyone should allow themselves to be approached in this manner. It is when this avenue is shut down that people sometimes resort to other means. Take away a person's voice and he / she may in time lash out. We all know that some things just should not be taking place in DJJ or any work place. These things when a deaf ear or blind eye is the result, then exposure is required. If nothing else, voicing one's opinions from time to time relieves some of the internal pressure, of which our line of work produces plenty and in excess. Granted, there are those who need to be singled out due to their blatant disregard in crucial areas and seemingly impervious positions.
However If you don't like the way this train is rolling then either get off or help repair it. There is no need to wait until we pull into the next station. Derailing it is an act of pure selfishness and is counter productive. Look around! There are others riding with you. This thing is much, much bigger than any individual. Those that are in power know that, as long as we fight and bicker among ourselves the real issues will soon be lost in oblivion. We should all raise our standards and strive to improve ourselves on a personal and professional level. Many of the things discussed on this site thus far address the need for improvement on moral, professional, ethical and humanitarian levels.
Much of what has been posted thus far can easily be explored and either verified or disproved. There are very few secrets totally hidden from those working at a facility. Once given an opportunity to speak, free of the threat of reprisal all stories would be told. Clean house and let's move on. Until then please stay focused. Once17
01/14/04 Orlando JDC: lost the kid at the airport; didn't know we had to take ID or shackles
There are too many staff that have personal problems with other staff . Why are you looking for ways to hurt your fellow co-workers hummmm! maybe you are the with a problem (SJDO T. Burke ). Concentrate on your business and you wouldn't have time to worry about other people. Hey lets talk about how you and Mr. Ortiz lost the kid at the airport. "I never went to the airport before so I didn't know we had to take identification or shackles." You are a perfect worker so how didn't you know? Were you scared that you would lose your job. Ok think how other people feel when you do bad things to them. For instance you think that it was fair to write Ofc. Peterson up for something you did 2 weeks before that ,I think you left at 1:30 to avoid being bluedotted for calling out on Friday .Put yourself in other people shoes before you try to judge them. I think that you could be a nice person if you stopped being so jealous of everyone and do me a favor STOP talking about everyone. What did Sjdo Coley , Sjdo McMillan, SJDO Walker, Sjdo Horne, Sjdo McArthur, Jdo Hanks, Sjdo Rembert, Jdo Peterson ohhh! and lets not forget Jdo K.Bridges do to you .I know NOTHING! So stay off the website if you don't have anything positive to say, soooooo I guess we wont be hearing from you again. Try to leave on time yourself and don't you get caught writing checks in before time. OH! STAY AWAKE ORTIZ. we would hate for the kids to hurt you.
01/14/04 Orlando JDC: biting spiders that leave the detainees withering in pain
The facility at orjdc is a real sham. The administrators are doing there best to gussy things up. I guess its because it is Q. A. time. That is why they are starting to paint and clean things up. Last year. A week before Q. A. all the detainees were given new underwear and shoes. Half the time they don't have toothbrushes, combs, underwear and socks. The TVs are broke so there is nothing for them to do and they can't even write a letter because there are no pencils or envelopes. The radios haven't worked in months and months. The all calls don't work. We have officers calling "code blues" and no one responding. But they practice SAFETY AND SECURITY.... Ha what a joke! The sally port doesn't go sown so we have detainees running out and jumping fences! The men in the fancy suits are fast to point out if anything happens to a detainee in our care then we can go to jail! But are slow in solving the problems. It is suppose to be the second biggest facility in the stat! e. We should say it is the biggest laughing stock with second hand equipment. Some first rate officers are looking hard and fast for a way out. And talk about favoritism.....jees...some are liked and some are not, and a few are supervisors pets....Talk about pets there are roaches the size of lizards..,.There are biting spiders that leave the detainees withering in pain and with scars from the aftermath...Half the toilets leak and there is so much mold and mildew that anyone with allergies is sure to get sick.....Come on big guys in fancy suits do something to fix these problems...That's all we are asking for some decent working conditions that will keep the detainees and staff safe and secure....practice what you preach.......for once!
01/13/04 Orange JDC: Escape this weekend was bound to happen
Orange JDC escape this weekend
The incident that happened this weekend with the escapees was bound to happen. It is a common practice for court staff to rush and get done without regards to security and detainee safety. SJDO McArthur was lead officer that day, and should have known better. And this is the same officer that was suspended last year for doing a bad release. Tell me what is your answer to the problem Mr. Young? Should she be moved to another department like you did last year? How many chances does someone get to break facility rules and regulations? Look at your videotapes from last weekend's incident. And see how your staff was positioned during the escape. SJDO McArthur is always rushing to get done so she can sit in M/C or go sit on a mod and talk. Officer McArthur constantly leaves the facility on Saturdays at lunch time to pick up food for the other officers while still clocked in. Tell me what is wrong with the picture that is being painted? Just ride by the court house parking lot Tuesday thru Friday anytime after 2:00 pm, and you will see McArthur sitting waiting on someone while she is still clocked in. Mr. Young should all of these frauds, abuses, and wastes be reported 1-800-get-lean to Mr. Gallengher? So tell me what is going on in your facility? Also Mr. Young, why are good officers leaving left and right?
01/13/04 DJJ: This website should be used to help and protect the detainees
THIS WEBSITE SHOULD BE USED TO HELP AND PROTECT THE DETAINEES IN THE JUVENILE SYSTEM NOT TO GET BACK AT STAFF . THIS IS JUST GOSSIP ABOUT STAFF THAT ARE HURT BECAUSE THEY WERE FIRED FOR NOT DOING THEIR JOB. LETS BE PROFESSIONAL AND STOP THIS. PLEASE.
01/13/04 Orange JDC: Officer that falsified her log book
What's going on JDC?
As an employee at the Orange detention center, it is not fair for certain individuals to constantly show up late for work 2 to 3 days a week. Especially when you have a dedicated few, i.e. Coleman C., Coleman A., and Lee G. that are always on time. Why is this an ongoing problem? How are these officers able to make up their hours? It is becoming a constant practice for to have someone else punch you in, even if you are not on the property. For example on January 8th Officer Peterson clocked in her co-worker who was not scheduled to work that day. This is the same officer that falsified her log book on January 2nd. Officers have been fired for these same actions in the past. Can we have some consistencies in our policies? Mr. Young, why don't you have a surprise inspection on the weekends, to see how your facility is being run. And check who is clocked in, but not on the property. i.e. breakfast and coffee runs and lunch breaks.
01/13/04 Orange JDC: I only wish that working conditions change
First, there is too much gossip at Orange. Staff needs to worry about their job titles and not Ingrid . If they were in her position they would do the same thing. Why don't staff ask Ms. Bridges why she has to bring her kids to the facility and not assume. K. Horne is not the only staff with excessive tardies. The website is not for gossip but for problems within the facility. SJDOs have so many responsibilities, they have to run the facility on the weekends and often during the week while supervisors walk around and do NOTHING. I only wish that working conditions change. Hey pay us for our overtime going home early is not such a big reward. We really would like to be paid for overtime. Staff stop working hard to hurt your co-workers and work together to help the youth we provide services for. They are reaching out to us to help them, some of them look to us to be their parents, take the time to listen to them and not yell at them before they cane open their mouths. Some of us could really learn a lot from these kids if we only listen! Remember they are human too.
01/09/04 DJJ: I am disgusted with the Juvenile justice system
I am disgusted with the Juvenile justice system. Here are some ways to improve... More communication with administration and staff.
01/08/04 Osceola JDC: sexual relationship with some members of staff
To all my readers! Here is news that must be addressed at Osceola Juvenile Detention Center. I was employed there or I might still be? The supervisor staff needs to be investigated starting with shift A, Ms. Rachel Taylor. Let's go back to 2002 to present time, also on this shift were handsome men who worked for her! Like any job, the supervisor had favorites! Officer Lopez, Officer Guerra! Also, let me add that these two officers was her pets! It was rumored that she wanted to start a sexual relationship with some other members of her staff, two of the men worked together on the same mod! One said "no" to her sexual advances! So Ms. Taylor started having sexual relations with the other staff! The staff member that said "no" was removed from one mod to another mod to work. Let me remind you that on B-mod it was two SJDO and one JDO. So when she made her switch three SJDOs were working B-mod and one SJDO and two JDOs were working the A-mod. Ms. Taylor and the staff member continued to see each other for at least two months. She was a happy person! When the relationship ended, she become very bitter. She become so jealous that she observed every move he made in the facility, that includes him talking to other female staff members or the female teachers. One time in briefing, Ms. Taylor stated "anyone talking to females that work in Three Springs facility needs to be looking for another job" and Three Springs need to be looking for their own men! Ms. Taylor tried to get him fired or make his stay in the facility a living hell! Mr. Hoffman knew of this type of fraternizing! The harassment was unacceptable! The entire facility knew! The only time she came to realization she was wrong [was] when Mr. King, B shift supervisor, mention it to her! After that, Mr. King and Ms. Taylor started a sexual relationship! Let me remind you that Mr. King already have a child by one of his staff members, Ms. Brown, who later married officer McCall! Ms. Taylor harassed officer Brown so bad she had to quit her job...
We need help at ORJDC! It is a shame when the detainee's have to walk around with no underwear and proper uniforms. It is frustrating when at the middle of the night a detainee is very ill and has to be rushed to the emergency and the assistant superintendent is not available to give the approval. Mr. Nichols where were you that night in November 2003 when the staff kept calling you? Where is JUSTICE when the JDO's and SJO's are doing all the work and yet it is a sin to work overtime. By the way, where is the money going to? Many times we are in desperate need of supplies. They tell us we cannot get any for weeks. How do they expect us to do a good job. We are not to work overtime or they will write us up. What a shame! Yet parents are suing the department left and right. Mangement wake up. Can't you see that perhaps by having more staff or allowing overtime it could avoid a lot of accidents.... In 2003, $39,000.00 per year was given to the assistant suprintendents. That is a shame that the JDO's and SJDO'S and supervision who do all the hard work were not taking in consideration. Who is Ingrid at ORJDC that is making more money than the JDO'S and SJDO'S and is just a secretary. We are in desperate need of an investigation. What about the detainee's that are released by mistake and it is kept a secret. We had about 12 last year... Due to the shortness of staff the SJDO's are in charge of supervising during the weekend. So short of staff that many times it is one staff per mod. Mr. Langford why are you just doing clerical work when we need your help? Perhaps it is time to hang up your white shirt and step down. Did you completed your par yet? Or is your buddy covering up for you?
By the way Mr. Barreiro, the JDO'S and SJDO's would love to talk with you. Why not make a surprise visit to our facility......
01/07/04 DJJ: Poor Business Sense: The leak in DJJ's bucket
It seems to me that there is a poor sense of business within the Department of Juvenile Justice. This ineptitude is costing the tax payer dearly. Maybe it's just me, but if I were a businessman wasting or losing product and money would be out of the question. That's like burning a candle at both ends and in the middle while expecting it to last. What a waste!
Why are trained officers packing their bags and leaving? Why are officers being so easily forced out? Is there such an inexhaustible supply of time, money and man power that this type of waste can continue? Newly hired and trained staff head for the hills. Those that know better refuse to apply for vacant supervisor positions. DJJ is now scraping the bottom of the barrow in trying to fill positions while quality people are chased out. Counter productive? You're darn skippy!
Solving problems in JDC is like repairing cavities in the mouth of a person that just loves eating candy but refuses to brush or visit a dentist. Sooner or later something has got to give. Trained staff find other employment. Kids get mistreated or neglected. This stands to reason. If staff are not reasonably happy, job performance declines and DJJ's liability issues increase. The hole in the bottom of DJJ's bucket gets bigger and bigger. Taking away officer's sense of job security didn't help. Poor staffing ratios didn't help. Denied leave requests sure didn't help. Threats didn't help. Lies and deception didn't help. Holding officers responsible for administration's blunders didn't help. Cutting corners didn't help. Cutting staff didn't help. Glitter without substance didn't help. Ridiculous workloads and unreasonable demands didn't help.
Revamping DJJ from top to bottom seems to be in order. Thought patterns and attitudes would have to change. The idea that officers are expendable would have to stop. No one should have to needlessly choose between job and family. We work to provide for our families not have families so that we could provide for work. Pay the people what they're worth. Good pay alone will not do it. Treating officers like human beings will certainly help. Those in administrative or supervisory positions should know how to perform the tasks of subordinates and show a willingness to do so. Officers should have input and veteran officer's input is invaluable. No one has all the answers but together we can put DJJ on the path of success. The leak in DJJ's bucket can not be completely eliminated, but it can be brought to a very slow acceptable trickle and the decay can be halted and repaired. ~ Once17
01/04/04 Seminole JDC: Falsification of training documents; Short cuts seldom achieve quality
I was twice told that falsification of documents is grounds for dismissal. However when it comes to training at Seminole Juvenile Detention Center this is becoming a forced practice. The training program is excellent when properly implemented. However there is no time scheduled or set aside for it. This leaves Juvenile Detention Officer Supervisors in the position to be creative in-order to avoid disciplinary action. Administrators don't care if there is simply no time to complete the tasks. They only want it done so the files look good. As a result we sometimes simply sign off for training that we barely receive or never receive. A supervisor was recently dismissed for falsifying training documents. Time constraints forced this type of creativity. We suspect that he was really dismissed because he was not administration's favorite.
Poor training practices ill equip officers to perform to the best of their ability. Some are concerned with liability issues. Others are fed up with the hypocrisy. Still others find it morally repulsive and reprehensible. If you're going to hold me accountable for training received then I should first receive it,all of it and for the time specified. There remains a lot for me to learn but I'm learning nothing this way. Short cuts seldom achieve quality and I should not be required to take training assignments home to complete. ~ Frustrated
01/04/04 JDC: Some [administrators] have become consumed by authority and turned abusive...toward staff
There seems to be a growing problem throughout DJJ. There are many problems but I will address just one. There is an ever widening chasm between administrators and those that truly keep our facilities functioning (JDOS, SJDO, JDO). Those in these positions often go over looked as the real backbones of DJJ yet they are grossly underpaid while having added responsibilities heaped upon them at an alarming rate. Some administrators have no idea what it's like to walk in the shoes of a JDOS, SJDO, or JDO Some of those that have traded in their uniforms for the suit and tie quickly forgot what the former position feels like. For some administrators basic DJJ rules no longer apply and neither does a sense of humanity. Their personal comfort is their main concern. Some have become consumed by authority and turned abusive and inconsiderate toward staff. However the thing that I find most disturbing is that they require officers to complete tasks they themselves would not lift a finger to perform. Frankly, some of them become administrators to avoid contact with detainees. Some administrators act as if they have it all together because when they step on to the mod detainees get quiet. However they don't stay long enough for the mystique of their presence to wear off.
To remedy a lot of this, I strongly recommend that all administrators be reconnected to the mainframe. Three consecutive days should be set aside monthly for them to work in each of the positions. That is as JDOS's, SJDO's and JDO's. They should be required to work in these capacities and fulfill all that's a associated with them for three consecutive days and every other month include weekends. Each month they should work a different shift to get the full flavor. They should: transport to court, perform perimeter checks, frisk searches, intakes (complete with computer entries), releases, room checks showers, etc. yes they should experience it all. Perhaps then they will have understanding and respect for the JDOS, SJDO and JDO. Perhaps then they will understand why the game playing must stop when leave requests are submitted and when it comes to days off. This will help them connect or reconnect with that which justifies their DJJ existence. ~Anonymous
01/01/04 ORJDC: The problem comes from the Governor of Florida to the Secretary of DJJ
I use to work at ORJDC. I was employed there for about 2 years and I must say that there are some very professional people (employees) that work there but the problems are way ahead of the staff shoulders. If this incident that took place in Miami, Pinellas, and Daytona would of never of happened then maybe this website would of never of been launched*... I don't think that you should blame the staff in all there is a chain of command that we must all follow and it starts from way above. The problem had been there way before I started employment there at JDC. The problem comes from the Governor of Florida to the Secretary of DJJ, If they are not willing to see these problems and choose to close there eyes then those children in those detention centers are in trouble. Another problem is that these people who work in these detention centers are well under paid and the moral at work is just no good, everyone comes to work and complains about who gets what and who gets to work where and so on and so on, nobody really puts an effort to actually get the job done.. At ORJDC the administration is very fast to discipline there employees, and it is almost as a threat to work there because you actually feel like your job is on the line everyday. I had a good experience there but at the same time am glad that now I can say what I need to say and not be disciplined for my words... Thank you for letting me write what I feel.
*Note from Justice4kids.org: The J4K website was launched June 2001, 5 months before Shawn Smith died at the Volusia JDC in Daytona.
