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.
09/27/04 JDC: Osceola JDC staff at OSCJDC seeking help; tired of trying to reach out, and nothing is done
Osceola staff wants the secretary to know what kind of adminstrators that he have working for him.
1) Osceola have a employer in maintance that do not speak english very well, so his officers that speak spaninsh is allowed to speak spanish to him. But now the officers are getting out of hand. The supervisors speak spanish, the officers speak spanish all the time. You do not even know if your life is in danger or not. They speak spanish to the inmates who can speak english, and to the officers that can speak english. You never know things that you really should know, because everyone is speaking spanish to each other, and on the radio, and this is allowed by the administrators of Osceola Detention Center.
2) Ms. Peggy Jewel is the administrator for training, and the only training class she has taught is CPR, or at least tried to teach. So she is getting paid for treating, and talking to everyone like she wants. She is a waste of DJJ money. The officers train us, or at least they try.
3) We have a emergency response team, so when the weather gets bad or a emergency comes up, this is what this team is for. Mr. Hofferman make his supervisors get on the phone, and make staff come to work in a dangerous situation, so he can save overtime to make himself look good, and not thinking the risk he put his officers through.
4) Mr. Hofferman let people who is on medical leave come back to work on limited duty, so he can have a body on the floor, I thought the rule is if you are out on medical leave, you only come back full duty, I guess he is allowed to make his own rules.
5) Mr. Hofferman allows some people to follow the dress code, and some people do not have to like wearing a beard, wearing their hair down, and etc.
6) Mr. Hofferman allows staff to steal from each other.
7) Mr. Hofferman allows Sgt. Brown to show & steal tapes that is recorded.
8) Mr. Hofferman allows Sgt. Parke to curse at youths, and allow his officers on his shift put their hands on youths, and do not do a par report. He also let Mr. Parke staff go in youths rooms, and abused them, so it would not be on camera. Mr. Parke also had suspended driver license, and was driving to work.
9) Mr. Hofferman allow some staff to get disipline, for example coming to work late, no call no show, missing a lot of days from work. But the staff that he do not care so much about, that is doing the same thing, get terminated.
We are tired of trying to reach out, and nothing is done. Last time someone showed up, he only talked to a few people. We have four shifts that someone need to talk to. All of this is true, look in the logbook before everything has vanish. You always send Mr. Chinault who is always threatned people jobs, and then retaliation comes next. The staff at OSCJDC is seeking for your help.
09/26/04 JDC: Cypress Creek: Cover up of abused youth
these names still are very vivid in the minds of former employees of cypress creek correctional facility that covered up for the private corporation that abused the youth carolyn floyd, billy stark, quentin jones, and lynne winston if they are reading this they know exactly what we are talking about
09/24/04 JDC: Seminole JDC: Superintendents should be held responsible for their facility; people are frozen
Seminole Juvenile Detention Center needs a investagation on the Administration way of abuse on how that facility is being run. Superintendents should be held responsible for their facility.On May 19th 2004 from 9:15am till 10:00pm there was no female staff with the female juveniles.According to the scheduling of our Assis tant Superintendent.We come in daily wondering how we are going to run a shift.On this particular day the only female that was scheduled for that shift had already told the assistant superintendant the day before that they would not be in, but they was not taken off the schedule.So that a supervisor wouldn't be contacting this assistant superintendent and bothering him,the answer would be to just hold over the next one!This assistant will never ask a co worker if they can work.He takes it for granted that no one should make planes on our days off.We all have families.On this day of the 19th of May 2004 Iam very much aware of the rules of this and any facility with just all male staff and no female staff.A female supervisor was called in on this date.And the supervisor that called her, was understanding that she was comming in.Well how could this go on.And who is over the superintendent?Shouldn,t even the supervisor have a supervisor?How is this abuse going on?Who is taking care of business?We have lost 14 staff people in our facility alone since June of 2003 is it all our staff or our Administration.I was also told none of these people had a exit hearing,one of our staff had 15 years with DJJ WOULDN'T YOU WANT TO KNOW WHY ALL THOSE YEARS OF TRAINING AND INVESTING JUST WALKED RIGHT OUT THE DOOR.We all pay taxes of some kind or another,it's all our bussiness,especially when these people are not problem staff.The only problem's I can see is when we aren't covering for the Administration.Now that some events are about to take place for the future of Seminole DJJ all the superviors are under invest.What a great plan? So people are frozen untill like a good game of chess,you can plunk us off one at a timeThis Detetion Center Concerns me..........
09/23/04 DJJ: rod finally bends to an honest law-abiding citizen
I was impressed with the article a new day for DJJ [A new day at Juvenile Justice, Letters to the Editor, St. Petersburg Times, 9/17/04]. Impressive how the rod finally bends to the way of an honest law-abiding citizen. good luck
09/21/04 JDC: Seminole JDC Something foul in the air. Can you smell what leadership is cooking?
It always amazes me what one person or persons would do to other human beings. It has recently been brought to my attention that the Sheriffs Department of Seminole County will soon take over the Seminole Juvenile Detention Center. If successful, this may pave the way for other Juvenile Detention Centers to follow suite. However for those that would be displaced (current management) by this process, it would not be a good thing but for current staff it remains to be seen.
Since human nature is what it is, it follows that there would be some form of strategy employed to attempt to make take over as unsuccessful as possible. This explains why so many seasoned officers at Seminole Detention have been deliberately placed under investigation for various reasons in an effort to have them removed or scared off. Without them the facility simply would not immediately run efficiently or effectively when changes in leadership are made. Perhaps this maneuver is an effort to make it necessary for current management to stay in place in some capacity, since someone in the know would be needed to facilitate matters. Either way there is something foul in the air. Can you smell what leadership is cooking?
Manatee JDC Superintendent Frank Gargett continues to harrass staff due to alleged abuse of youth several weeks ago that continues to be investigated. Superintendent Gargett has stated verbally "He Will Not Fall By Himself". If Staff challenges the Superintendents continued harrassment they are threaten with movement of shifts,scheduled days off are changed and they are told they can find other employment. Superintendent Gargett broke policy when he involved himself in the alledged abuse of a youth or youths. He falled to report this alledged abuse and attempted to cover it up along with other violations of State Policies, Staff and Youth Rights. Staff are now suffering for his failure to follow State Policies. Why? Tallahassee you need to questions all staff that was on duty at the time of the alledged abuse incident the real truth will be told. The cover up will then be uncovered. There is past and present incidents this Superintendent was involved in but the "Good Ole Boy" network was feared by staff and enforced by upper Management.
09/17/04 JDC: Manatee JDC seeks relief from Superintendent illegal practices
Manatee Detention continues to seek relief from the Superintendent illegal practices against youth and staff.
09/16/04 JDC: Seminole JDC administrators prevent former staff from getting employment
It is a difficult time for those that live in Florida due to the Hurricanes. Making it worse is the need to search for alternative employment within a limited market. Adding to that difficulty are efforts by some administrator's to do everything in their power to prevent former staff from getting employment. Those at Seminole Detention did not make it possible for me to continue working there due to understaffing and poor scheduling practices etc. etc.. Judging by the sudden disinterest by other agencies or facilities in hiring me and hints of the source, all fingers point back to the Seminole Detention Administration. You did not want me there, now you deny me opportunities to improve and provide for myself and my family. I know this practice is illegal and sooner or later you will slip up. We will be waiting
09/10/04 JDC: Orange JDC abuse allegation against Holmes is unsubstantiated
Ms. Corry:
This incident was investigated by this office [DJJ Office of the Inspector General] and the allegation that Holmes used excessive force against a youth was determined to be unsubstantiated.
Lynne T. Winston
09/10/04 JDC: Orange JDC - cry for help! Some one from Tallahassee please come and help
I would like to take this moment and congradulate Supernintendo Isbel who resigned from ORange Detention. He came here from some little town up north of florida and could not handle A facility the size of ORlando and decided to leave our facility and go elsewhere. He made alot of dumb decisions and really tried to make a change in our facility but instead he was nothing but a person who covered up for the rest of his chosen people. For example:Supervisor MIke HOlmes went into this detainees room on the west annex and he physically punched and abused Detainee Frank Hxxx and what did he get for his actions nothing he still continues to work at Orange. OH he got sent to the midnight shift thats all. Other staff that actually get provoked by these kids and due get punched in the face or assualted by these innocent children have to resign or get resulted to terminiation. Some one from Tallahasee please come and help our detention center because we need some help down here. This is a cry for help..........
09/05/04 JDC: Manatee JDC Abuse Report #2004-0512 will make you ill
Review copy of Abuse Report out of Manatee where Superintendent was involved it will make you ill to think you have someone in leadership involved in abuse on a youth. Report number 2004-0512
08/31/04 JDC: Manatee JDC Whistleblowers face retaliation by accused Superintendent
Manatee Whistleblowers in alleged abuse case on last week face retaliation by accused Superintendent. Superintendent attempting to find negative actions against staff that reported abuse. No negative actions of wrong doings were reported up to this point on the whistleblowing staff but every attempt to discredit these employees are in the making. Why? To cover up Superintendent and other staff inappropriate actions in abuse case on youth. Whistleblowers were only doing the job they are mandated to do, report all cases of abuse or alleged abuse. The action that is being taken by the Superintendent makes staff a little uneasy. Why is Tallahasse not intervening? Look closely into the Superintendents record. Past staff attempted to report abuse and falsification against Superintendent and staff involved in abuse case. You finally get present staff to take a stand report abuse but are retaliated against. Where is the Justice?
08/30/04 DJJ: If we cant discipline these youth how can we treat them like our own
SECRETARY DENMAN WANTS US TO TREAT THESE YOUTH AS IF THEY WERE OUR OWN. ALL I HAVE TO SAY IS IF ONE OF MY CHILDREN ACTED AND DISRESPECTED ME LIKE THESE YOUTH DO, IT WOULD BE THEY LAST TIME THEY TRIED THAT. I DISCIPLINE MY CHILDREN VERY WELL AND I HAVE NO PROBLEMS OUT OF THEM. SO IF WE CANT TOUCH, YELL, OR DISCIPLINE THESE YOUTH HOW CAN WE TREAT THEM LIKE OUR OWN.
08/29/04 JDC: Tallahassee to investigate Manatee allegation [08/27/04]
We will conduct an investigation.
Perry S. Turner A/Asst. Secretary Detention Services
08/27/04 JDC: Manatee JDC staff forced to sign memo; directive given by Superintendent accused of abuse
Manatee Whistleblower of alleged abuse against youth removed and reassigned to Pinellas JDC. All staff forced to sign memo not to have any contact with this staff on or off state time although this staff is still a JDC Employee directive given by the Superintendent acused of abuse. What is the real reason behind this memo? Is Tallahassee aware of this directive? Why were the staff involved in this case not removed from floor duties? All other abuse allegations staff were involved in were placed in box until case was complete. Help Tallahassee before another death happens while a youth is in the custody of the Department. You can`t continue to turn your backs abuse is happening
08/26/04 JDC: Manatee JDC Youth suffered injuries over entire body
Manatee JDC crying out for help due to abuse allegations of a youth on last week. Several questions staff are concerned with? The staff involved in this incident the Superintendent on Shift Accountability Supervisor and several staff. Abuse went unreport for an entire day to CCC and the Abuse Registry. Youth suffered injuries over entire body and not seen by medical until following day, outside medical attention was needed. Pictures were taken and provided to Caseworker assigned to investigate allegation for evidents of the multiple bruises on legs, stomach, hip-bones and chest of the youth. How did this youth suffer these injuries if PAR was used correctly. Injuries were confirmed by hospital. Why are staff that were involved in the incident not assigned to desk duty until this investigation is complete to avoid any other youth or youths to suffer at the hands of these staff? Save Florida`s Youth not Abuse Florida`s Youth is the Departments goal. Treat evey child as your own the Department has suffered enough it`s time to get it right by getting the abuser out of the Department in order to save our youth.
08/23/04 JDC: Manatee JDC Superintendent Gargett allegedly involved in abuse of youth
Superintendent Franky Gargett involved in abuse of a youth. Asked staff to go against Code of Ethics "Falsify Reports" to document PAR techniques use were appropriate, although they were not, staff with "Ethics" refused to do so. Youth suffer injuries and was not seen by any medical staff until the following day, had to be seen by outside medical (Emergency Room), suffered injuries endured through a whole night and day with pain.
This is an ongoing thing a Manatee the same staff involved in inappropriate PAR techniques, but somehow manage to wiggle out of it "Good Ole Boys" I guess when you are one of them you can get away with abusing Florida's youth.
08/08/04 JDC: Broward JDC: Justice4Kids asks that you send detail
To the writer of the August 7 Broward JDC complaint: Please provide more detailed information, such as dates, times and any proof of the behaviors or conversations.
08/07/04 DJJ Suggestions: Media is biased; pay raises needed
As a long time employee of DJJ, I witnessed many changes over the years, mostly for the good. The reporting in the media has been extremely biased in the way it describes this department and its employees. Thousands of youth come into DJJ custody each year through juvenile detention centers and various other programs. The amount of confirmed abuse cases is comparatively small when this is considered. Of course any type of abuse by staff is inexcusable and should be dealt with. The death in Miami was a horrible tragedy that had dire consequences for every one involved. From the media the average person might think that our employees are a bunch of mindless thugs who abuse and torment a group of frightened cowering little children. Anyone that has spent a minute working as a direct care staff for DJJ knows that this could not be further from the truth. What hasn't been reported in our wonderful Florida media are the numerous physical assaults on staff by youth. Employees being rushed to the hospital with broken bones and other serious injuries. The media should also be aware that a 6 foot 4 240 pound 17 year old "youth" is in fact a grown man. The challenges a DJJ employee faces every day are enormous. On any given day a unit containing 30 plus youth are manned by 2 employees. It is also very likely that one or both of those employees are in the middle of a mandatory 16 hour shift. These type of conditions leave employees vulnerable to the type of situations when a youth or a staff gets hurt. You might be asking "is he just making excuses?" The answer is a resounding "YES!" We are overworked and grossly underpaid for what we do. I realize that the DJJ has made requests to the Legislature to have Detention Officers put on the Special Risk retirement. The Legislature declined and still refuses to recognize the dangers of this job, which has become more dangerous with the removal of techniques that were designed to prevent violent and out of control youth from assaulting staff and other youth.
My suggestions for change would be for the State of Florida to pay these employees a decent living wage so they can care for their families. This would certainly cut down on the high turn over rate which leads to staff shortages and mandatory overtime which in turn leads to staff burn out and more resignations. This leads to the department constantly having to train new employees to fill vacated positions. Now your running your program with inexperienced employees and burnt out veterans pulling one or two double shifts a week. Can anyone see where I am going with this? Is it a surprise that injuries occur? Pay raises and special risk retirement are needed. We also need the media and our State Government to realize that juvenile detention centers and commitment programs are not day care centers, but in fact house some of Florida's most violent and dangerous felons.
08/07/04 JDC: Broward JDC officer slapped a juvenile; then punch him
Hello I work at the Juvenile Broward Detention Center, I'm very Frustrated because I see so much abuse of these Juveniles in our care. when I told the supervisor on shift she said so what these kids are not here for stealing a piece of candy these juveniles are thieves and what is your point. I told here that one of the officers slapped a juvenile and then punch him. when I told her who the officer was so [she] said that she would talk to him. I found out that she was having sex with this officer and nothing has been done about the abuse. I have seen this many times before and nothing ever changes. the [Broward] detention center needs to change or we will have another Miami incident. we are all told when some one will be coming in so we can talk to the juveniles and explain that they better be on there best or the will be sorry when they leave. there needs to be un announce inspections at the center.
a concerned officer
08/06/04 Any legal advice for FL unlicensed facility "reform school"?
please if anyone has any legal advice im in quite the situation here i will try my hardest to be brief;okay a relative of mine is being held in a unlicensed facility involuntarily her parents sent her there and the man who owns it has quite the history,i have discovered or rather uncovered many dirty secrets ie,sexual battery charges, as well as physical abuse yet the state of florida allows him to run a "reform school" thats not what i choose to call it i call it incarceration with no trial at any rate anyone with any advice please contact me at betty21877@hotmail.com
08/05/04 DJJ: Banning several use-of-force techniques - give this new approach a chance
Re: 07/20/04 DJJ: Schembri - You have a nice office Job commish.
, in which
the writer condemns DJJ's new and innovative leader, Anthony Schembri for
banning several use-of-force techniques that have been proven to result in
injuries to both youth and staff and to perpetuate a climate of violence, I
have the following response: I, too, am a DJJ employee in Tallahassee (no, I
have no authority and enjoy no perks). But I absolutely agree with Secretary
Schembri (no, it is highly unlikely that I can accurately be accused of
seeking approval or promotion---this is probably impossible in my case).
But, I have been in countless facilities across the state over the last ten
years--and in other states as well (including New York). I know how much
effort--literally years--the Department put into the PAR techniques. I
participated by securing the services of several physicians who reviewed the
techniques, utilizing two scales, one based on the likelihood of harm, one
based on the likelihood of pain. My conclusion regarding PAR is that the
emphasis is and always was on the verbal techniques. Clearly, however, it
got out of hand, at least in some facilities. And I believe Mr. Schembri is
correct in identifying what needs to be done at the outset, in order that a
new culture can be developed at facilities throughout the DJJ continuum. I
am not taking your obvious fear and anger and frustration lightly--I know
the potential dangers that are inherent in a correctional setting. Try being
a bit more open to informed change, such as what Mr. Schembri has done. I
applaud him for it, for certainly he knows that for many it will not be
popular. Also consider this. Why is it that in many facilities (and I am
including adult federal and state correctional facilities as well as DJJ),
the atmosphere is calm, youth and staff alike speak appropriately and
politely, and the perceived need for shoulder and wrist-breaking moves just
isn't there. Everyone--staff and youth alike--understand proper conduct.
Contrast this with facilities (and surely from your comments it is likely
that yours would fit this description) where there is constant screaming (by
staff as well as youth), banging on windows, youth are roaming the halls
without apparent supervision, staff are cursing and/or horse-playing--you
get the picture. What could account for the difference? It is the management
and the staff--the kids are, for the most part, the same. Yes, there are
"outliers," youth who react violently or who escalate quickly--but we are
the adults, we are responsible for figuring out what youth is at risk and
for putting into place logical, humane responses that are based on adult
reasoning rather than gutter-language and inappropriate force. And, you
should know that I have always respected the staff in all of the DJJ
facilities, even when they were displaying behavior which I would rather not
have witnessed. You have a tough job, but it seems that sometimes you make
it tougher than it has to be. I am not so naive not to be concerned with
both the safety of the youth but the staff as well, particularly as we
transition from a prior philosophy to that which Secretary Schembri
advocates. We all know that transforming DJJ into a constructive, safe,
humane and productive place--for both youth and staff--is going to require
Herculean efforts. You should know that I have never hesitated to express my
criticisms of DJJ. I am not popular for many reasons. I absolutely believe
that there should be a healthy constraint on the profit motive of private
interests in certain social service interests, such as DJJ. I believe that
the plight of nurses in the system has been ignored, and few know how hard I
have fought to protect them and bring some much-needed recognition to their
role. I am disgusted at the failure--at least in the past--for senior
management to pay attention to the details, as opposed to snap decisions
because talking out difficult issues just seemed well, I guess, too
difficult. I am disgusted at political appointees with no knowledge (check
their resumes) placed so high in the organization that they are unable to
discern a sound decision from a popular one. I am dismayed to see public
relation units with more FTEs than say, a health unit. For years, I was
subjected to so many meetings in which I was yelled out, criticized, or
otherwise dismissed by CEOs of companies that I have lost count. I am
repulsed by the awarding of contracts to organizations with obvious
political ties. And I am dismayed at some of the working conditions I have
witnessed, because I know that these conditions wear down the spirits of the
employees as well as the youth. So, you see, I am not at complete
disagreement with the sentiments which I suspect are behind some of your
statements. But, I have never lost hope, and for the first time in many
years, actually believe that change is possible. I expect that Secretary
Schembri and I will not always see eye-to-eye. But, at this point in time, I
support him fully. I know of less than a handful of individuals that would
have been brave enough to take on this job. Read the Miami Dade Grand Jury
Report, the countless reports of journalist who for years fought to reveal
the truth about the years of administrative neglect at DJJ, and listen to
the House select committee on juvenile secure facilities, led by Gus
Barreiro. These people were not only speaking for Omar Paisley and other
youth in the custody of DJJ--they were speaking for everyone in the system
who is trying to do a good job, and who is faced daily with often
intolerable working conditions. Just consider the possibility that people
who are experts at change such as Secretary Schembri recognize that working
conditions will ultimately have to be addressed as well. We all owe it to
the youth we serve and to Secretary Schembri to support him. I truly wish
you well.
--Jane B. McNeely, MSN, ARNP, Registered Nurse Consultant, DJJ
08/03/04 Police: officers use intimidation and lies
I have noticed that the police officers are usually the start of some of these problems our youths are having. For example, if an adult calls the police about anything, the officers tend to take the side of the adult and continually tell the child to "shut up", "next time you shake your head, you'll be wearing my cuffs", etc. They use intimidation and lies to get 10 - 12 year old children to sign trespasses to property they weren't even at. When the children try to enforce their rights and ask for their parent to be called or to go get their parent, they won't. Their police reports are one-sided and full of lies. When you complain to their chief, they claim your child was being disrespectful, by shaking his head and demanding their parent.
07/28/04 DJJ: change is needed immediately in the way DJJ handles their workers
A change is needed immediately in the way DJJ handles their workers. Staff are unable to take vacation due to the "High Turn Over Rate Of Employees", although Administration is granted leave whenever requested. A couple of places are only allowing one officer off per shift, but Administration is allowed all to be off at once "Please help me with this picture"? What message are you sending to your staff/officers about your policy or better yet the public is aware of these rules and sees the big picture, the glass is cracked needs to be replaced!!!! They are the "BIGGEST REASON" for the turn over rate, but it`s the Faithful, Stand Strong Officers that are made to suffer, not allowed leave and if granted a day here or there. God Forbid a holiday rolls around and Shift Supervisors are not suppose to work no more then 32hrs in that pay week are they are just working for free......Reality is it`s forced upon them....what are they to do about it other then work and keep their mouths closed for fear of of losing their jobs, fear is instilled in the Faithful Officer so they keep their mouths shut and count it as a loss? Administration does not care because if they did they would cover those Holidays and allow vacations....guess what I don`t think so....it really shows just how they feel about their workers....make up in house policies and break them when it`s convenient for them...Who`s tracking them? Are they Accountable for their actions...come in when they feel like leave when they feel like. Here is a better one "I`ll be working from home today, call me if you need me" We wonder why officers are making poor decisions, look at the examples that you have in these Top Leadership Positions. If something is not done we are going to see the same thing happen with DJJ that happen in Dade County. Strong Force is needed in ordering Administration to make a change. There are a number of Excellent Officers/Staff that work for the Department, if thier is no change in the way they are treated you are going to loss those Officers/Staff due to unfair treatment. The sad thing about the situation is Officers/Staff are filling out their Exiting Interviews but the Department Heads in Tallahassee are not getting them. You ask why? No longer does that Officer/Staff feel threaten they have freed themselves from the bondage of Administration, Tallahassee will not ever receive that information to alert them of the "ABUSE Of POWER". Again why? Because they do not want to be Accountable for their performance. "POOR MANAGEMENT"....you see the rules change when it comes to them...who is there making sure they are accountable?
07/25/04 DJJ: Supervisors can not/will not "WORK FOR FREE"!
Accountability.... This to address the issue of forcing Shift Supervisors to Work For free, by Administration directive given by there Management Team. Supervisors with the Department of Juvenile Justice are Select exempt Employees. Supervisors can only work 32hrs in a work week that includes a Holiday, due the fact of Supervisors no longer can earn Special Comp.(Select Exempt) Supervisors are forced to work for free by Administration because they state they have no choice, not their rule "A Supervisor must be in the building 24hrs a day" is their excuses upper management rule! Where are they, when thes holidays rolls around? With there families as well as the upper Management. Why because, this is a paid holiday. They don`t work because they don`t get paid. Which I may add get paid alot more then Supervisors. Supervisors can not/will not "WORK FOR FREE"!! IT`S BAD ENOUGH UNREASONABLE PAY FOR A MORE THEN REASONABLE DAY WORTH OF WORK. Mr. Schembri, Are you aware Sir, that this is going on? You and your management team being fingered as being behind supervisors being forced to work for free? This is a Labor Board issues if not corrected immediately. If upper management claim they didn`t know because Superintendents and Assistance Superintendents did not make them aware now you know and have a chance to correct this problem. There are other issues of abuse with workers, can`t get time approved off and you wonder why the overflow of call-ins "Management Problem", but management will take their time off and it`s more then one week at a time. Come on guys treat your workers better you will see them wanting and doing better jobs "Accountability will no longer be an Issue!"
07/20/04 DJJ: Schembri - You have a nice office Job commish.
Lets be for real here for a minute and realize that these kids we all work with will F---ING KILL US. Point blank if they were to get the opportunity I strongly believe it will happen. But Schembri you think that these are florida kids and they are into believing in MIckey MOuse. I hope you know that this is not New York no more Yankee. YOu take away the only tool that ever worked in the facilities the Par moves that actually worked. NOw you want me to basically kiss the Detainees ass and beg him to comply with orders from a staff. You have a nice office Job commish. I got a good Idea why dont you work inside the mods for a week and then you can realize what you took away was a very important tool. How about the pay structure I know for a fact that up north I would be making a killing, why not bring that from Brooklyn the all mighty $$$$$$ am pretty sure you have something to do with it. On behalf of alot of staff welcome aboard and good luck because the direction that your taking us well how do you New YOrkers say it:::: IT SUCKS. So change it
07/11/04 DJJ: We can always try to improve
Thank you for passing this information [07/11/04 JDC: Some directives for Administrators] to me, I will use it at my next Supervisors meeting, we can always try to improve.
I'm committed to the 3 C's of:
 | Communication |
| Cooperation |
| Commitment |
"Team Work Makes the Dream Work" MLKjr
Perry S. Turner Acting Assistant Secretary for Detention Services
07/11/04 JDC: Some directives for Administrators
Since there are so many directives coming down, why not include some exclusively for Administrators.
1. Why not direct them to post two weeks of work schedule at a time, not including the current work week. We have lives too. When the schedule is posted on Thursday for the following week it creates problems and unnecessary stress.
2. Give them a specific time period in which to respond to leave requests and post it.
3. Direct them to give advance written notification of change in work schedule and stop informing us by means of the work schedule.
4. Solicit and truly consider suggestions from staff in matters that will directly effect and impact on our lives. Making decisions without any discussion and simply cramming them down our collective throat has a negative effect. Include us in the decision making process and not just on paper.
5. Direct them to find ways to decrease work loads other than their own.
6. Direct them to stop striving to find reasons to terminate or find fault with us because we expressed concerns they don't like.
7. Direct them to schedule training and meetings at a time that is not just for their personal convenience. Our time is valuable to us also.
8. Direct them to put an end to split days off.
9. Direct them to properly man each shift with enough staff for the security and safety of all.
07/06/04 DJJ: BOOKS IN ROOMS? this should be a privilege to be worked for
BOOKS IN ROOMS? Let me say that I too am in favor of books in rooms at Juvenile Facilities but not for ALL juveniles. Some juveniles don't deserve to have books in their rooms based on their behavior .... this should be a privilege to be worked for and after proven above average behavior should be rewarded by allowing reading material in their rooms. Arbitrarily allowing books in every room is inviting trouble -- alot of juveniles would abuse this privilege. Sadly many of them are not to be trusted and will take alot of work to gain this opportunity.
07/06/04 DJJ: Boy waiting for placement! no accountability within the system; at our wit's end
My nephew has been held in detention for months, now, having been promised a program for dual-diagnosis weeks ago at DeSoto. Every time a date is given, something is changed. There seems to be no accountability within the system. We are trying to contact Virgil Harris who seems to be the one responsible for placing [my nephew]. He was court ordered to Court today but did not appear, instead saying that [my nephew]would be placed in a Level 8 tomorrow. But we do not know if this will be a dual-diagnosis facility or meet [my nephew's] significant mental health and family history issues. Please advise. We are at our wit's end and [my nephew] is getting more and more depressed and was actually placed on one-on-one supervision last weekend. Thank you...
07/06/04 DJJ: DJJ should return to a health-care worker style
Getting a day off shouldn't be a complicated issue. At my facility we are lucky to get approval for a personal day off (and it's looked down upon in administration). Why? Because of severe manning shortages which are causing us to suffer. Why severe manning shortages? Because it's difficult to recruit and retain quality people. Why? Because the working conditions are lousy and DJJ will not take a serious look at the issue. Our facility never asks for input from the working staff -- the information is passed from the top down in dictatorial fashion. This paramilitary crap should be abolished in order to save the working men and women of DJJ pain, suffering and loss of morale and job satisfaction/fulfillment. I am working at DJJ for job satisfaction (not for money) but I don't even have job satisfaction because of the management style within DJJ and our facility. DJJ should return to a health-care worker style with an honest and sincere effort by management to work with the working staff members to improve ALL aspects of juvenile supervision. Until this happens my sentiments are: SCREW DJJ!!!
Just read the posting of June 27, 2004 asking for more pay. I wonder why the workers in DJJ especially the hardworking JDO's and Supervisors don't ask the union to help out more. Granted you must join the union and pay membership fees but it seems to me that the union would be in a better position to crusade for the JDO's especially for more pay, better working conditions and demand that the DJJ seeks ways to reduce unnecessary stress and paperwork at its facilities. I think that until the union is utilized the administrators will just keep on walking over and screwing the JDO's out of money and decent working conditions. It's a shame and a sham!
07/01/04 DJJ: I'm in favor of books in rooms
I've been a reading tutor at a DJJ facility and understand, on some level, why staff doesn't want books in the rooms. They get a lot of use. However, I believe it essential for students to be able to read assignments or just for pleasure. Can you imagine your typical high school student having no homework or access to reading material for any other reason. I think not. I'm in favor of books in rooms. Feel free to contact me to discuss this further.
07/01/04 DJJ: DJJ HOTLINE will be directly under the residential branch
Let me be the first to tell you that change is coming. But it ain't good change. the system they are putting in place to report incidents will fail tremendously. how easy it is gonna be when the djj hotline will be directly under the residential branch? they will have more power to hide things then they already do. it will be called the central communications center, however, it's not under communication. they play serious favorites to their own staff and they will even have people working there that don't have any degree and are just INTERNS. that's insane. good luck to us who care about kids because it will be harder to get them help now there complaints are under residential.
