Bulletin Board Messages
2005

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These are e-mail messages received by justice4kids.org about Florida's juvenile justice system (JJS) in general and the Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ) in particular.  Messages are about staff, youth and conditions within the system. The only way conditions will ever change is when people speak out.  If you have knowledge of abuse or neglect of children, discrimination or unfair treatment then tell us. To send us a message, click here.

Click an excerpt below to read the complete message.

September 2005

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August 2005

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July 2005

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09/30/05 Orange JDC: Re 09/28/05 Mr. Willams... JDO's work in an environment where communication with superiors is paramount in ensuring the safety and security of the facility. DJJ should have a policy whereby all superintendents in JDC's have an open door policy for the very reason... ~Anonymous

I find it amazing to read a posting like this [Orange JDC: Re 09/28/05 Mr. Willams]. JDO's work in an environment where communication with superiors is paramount in ensuring the safety and security of the facility. A lack of communication within the staff of a JDC jeopardizes the health, safety and security of EVERYONE (not just the juvenile detainees). DJJ should have a policy whereby all superintendents in JDC's have an open door policy for the very reason I just stated. Superintendents should not have this type of discretion when it comes to maintaining communication within these facilities. ~Anonymous

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09/29/05 Orange JDC: Regarding the Superintendent at Orange JDC - Many of the supervisors and superinendents ... are lacking in people skills. ...they talk down to [staff], intimidate, threaten, or simply ignore them (in many cases). Tallahasee communicates...in a dictorial, one-way style that tends to intimidate rather than foster rapport or respect. I'm not even employed with DJJ anymore. ... I haven't regreted my decision. ~Anonymous

Re: post of 09/28/05 "Orange JDC: Mr. Willams, dont you think its time for you to come out of your hole? You have no open door policy and try to intimidate your employees. An officer has to set up an appointment two weeks in advance to get a glimpse of you and another two weeks to speak to you. What kind of nonsense is this? We're at DJJ not the White House. We need to impeach you. ~Anonymous"

Regarding the above post regarding the Superintendent at Orange JDC. This is an example of just another problem within DJJ regarding management. Many of the supervisors and superinendents may be technically qualified (i.e., have experience working with juveniles, a degree (BA, MA, etc), or other certifications) but are lacking in people skills. Specifically, many of DJJ's leaders to not know how to properly communicate with their subordinates. Instead of actually communicating with their people they talk down to them, intimidate, threaten, or simply ignore them (in many cases). I can't help thinking that the reason many of these superintendents and supervisors act this way is because that is how they are treated by the DJJ heirarchy in Tallahasee. Tallahasee communicates with the head of these facilities in a dictorial, one-way style that tends to intimidate rather than foster rapport or respect. These superintendents and supervisors are mirroring to their people the way that they are being treated and it all just rolls downhill. And to make matters worse, DJJ refuses to acknowledge this which makes for an impossible, uncorrectable situation that only will grow worse over time. As for Mr. Williams (and I hate mentioning names on here but if the shoe fits!) he has the technical qualifications for being in a position of superintendent (a Master's Degree) but lacks the necessary people skills to build the necessary rapport and respect of his people. This makes for a really sorry situation. I worked for Mr. Williams when he was at another JDC and I can honestly say that the comments made by the above individual at Orange JDC are the same way he treated me when I was working for him at Seminole JDC. Mr. Williams needs to learn how to RESPECT his people otherwise he can never earn the respect, cooperation and trust of his subordinates. This also is true of many of the other superintendents, supervisors and DJJ political hacks working in Tallahasee. Think I'm going to drop my name on here? Sorry but I did before and learned a valuable lesson. It pays to remain anonymous because there is no one that is willing to provide assistance to those who speak up regarding these type of problems. Would you believe that I'm not even employed with DJJ anymore? I realized that being treated like a number wasn't for me and I haven't regreted my decision. ~Anonymous

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09/28/05 Orange JDC: Mr. Willams, dont you think its time for you to come out of your hole? You have no open door policy and try to intimidate your employees. An officer has to set up an appointment two weeks in advance to get a glimpse of you and another two weeks to speak to you. What kind of nonsense is this? We're at DJJ not the White House. We need to impeach you. ~Anonymous

Mr. Willams, dont you think its time for you to come out of your hole? You have no open door policy and try to intimidate your employees. An officer has to set up an appointment two weeks in advance to get a glimpse of you and another two weeks to speak to you. What kind of nonsense is this? We're at DJJ not the White House. We need to impeach you. Things are not getting better and officers are getting burnt out from staying bluedotted on a weekly basis. Other officers from other dept.'s are not utilized to stay, although they have blue dot days as well. Some supervisors need to be trained on how to speak to people in a professional manner. Yelling at officers is not being professional. I wont mention no names, Butler, but ,hey ,if the shoe fits wear the doggone shoe. ~Anonymous

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09/28/05 Pinellas JDC: Greetings to my former co-workers at Pinellas Detention Center!!! I miss you all and the nine plus years I spent there were for the most part wonderful as I cared for the youths, as many of you did. After being railroaded out due to an injury on the job I went to work for the Pasco County Health Department. I made the mistake of posting my opinion and stating facts ... a month later I was terminated, no reason given...! Now I am trying to get back... ~Walter Grau

First of all, greetings to my former co-workers at Pinellas Detention Center!!! I miss you all and the nine plus years I spent there were for the most part wonderful as I cared for the youths, as many of you did. After being railroaded out due to an injury on the job I went to work for the Pasco County Health Department. I made the mistake of posting my opinion and stating facts here in October of 2003, and then a month later I was terminated, no reason given from the position! Now I am trying to get back into Civil Service to gain time with FRS for retirement but I can't seem to latch onto any of the two dozen or so jobs I have applied for with County and Municipal Governments that I have been more than qualified for. Seems to me I am blacklisted, what a shame to exclude a person that has the population of Florida in his best interest! Good luck to you all, and God bless! ~Walter Grau

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09/23/05 Orange JDC: Before people post...they really need to know what's going on... But then that just goes to show you the unprofesionalism that we are dealing with. Someone who is well educated would not just make up assumptions about something unless they had facts! We all need to work together and some need to get a life and an education! Get a grip! ~Anonymous

Before people post things on this site they really need to know what's going on,not just assume that they know. But then that just goes to show you the unprofesionalism that we are dealing with. Someone who is well educated would not just make up assumptions about something unless they had facts! We all need to work together and some need to get a life and an education! Get a grip! ~Anonymous

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09/21/05 Hillsborough East JDC: The East fired another Officer and one Officer quits! That would be 10 in a matter of 60 days... Don't you get it by now! Officers want to be treated with respect, dignity and professionalism. Administration and Supervisors need retention training. Keeping good Officers is the key to saving taxpayers $$$$$$. ~Anonymous

The East fired another Officer and one Officer quits! That would be 10 in a matter of 60 days gone from the East. The East can't talk about the West now. You are doing just as bad, maybe even worst. Don't you get it by now! Officers want to be treated with respect, dignity and professionalism. Administration and Supervisors need retention training. Keeping good Officers is the key to saving taxpayers $$$$$$. Politicians please figure this one out for them. ~Anonymous

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09/20/05 Hillsborough East JDC: ...people get preferencial treatment at the East. ...bending over backwards to recieve a kickback in the way of time off,... These...people come in late and don't punch in on their time cards! How can Miles, allow one Officer to curse, pout, and argue with supervisors and anyone else and still have a job. To keep her job she has a lot of dirt and does a lot of dirty work for Miles, Pulphus and Adame! The whole facilty needs to be audited again. ~Anonymous 

I'll tell you why some people get preferencial treatment at the East. Because they're the ones bending over backwards to recieve a kickback in the way of time off,( Whatever day they want!) These very same people come in late and don't punch in on their time cards! They go to the supervisors and get taken care of!How can Miles, allow one Officer to curse, pout, and argue with supervisors and anyone else and still have a job. Richardson you know I'm talking about you. She is one staff that comes in late every single day!Is very unprofessional and spreads gossip around like a disease. How in the world does she still have a job? Somebody explain that to me. To keep her job she has a lot of dirt and does a lot of dirty work for Miles, Pulphus and Adame! The whole facilty needs to be audited again. ~Anonymous

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09/20/05 Hillsborough East JDC: Let's just put the name out there since S/C Hardyman is the one that released that youth. ... the problem isn't the kids, its the supervisor's that think they have all the answers. ...top notch Officers at the East and they are working under an extreme amount of stress, while Twisted Miles and his lynchmen are reaping the praise and glory. To all.... take a stance and fight back with your voice, DJJ needs another regime change and the only way to do this is to unite, fight and write. ~Anonymous

Well well well....Let's just put the name out there since S/C Hardyman is the one that released that youth. She has got to be one of the most incompetent supervisors at the East when it comes to people skills and managing. This is why our tax dollars are being wasted, people have the right to not put up with this kind of B.S. I don't even think she has any experience with working the floor. DJJ should be training the supervisors. When you really think about it, the problem isn't the kids, its the supervisor's that think they have all the answers. Again there are some top notch Officers at the East and they are working under an extreme amount of stress, while Twisted Miles and his lynchmen are reaping the praise and glory. Now when something like a kid raping a pregnant women is in the news, (That was let out on a bad release!), something or someone has got to pay. Nothing happened to this Supervisor when it happened, maybe suspension but then she turns around and gets behind on checks. Well maybe the media may want to here about this and other juciy sweept under the rug incidents at the East and other facilities. To all.... take a stance and fight back with your voice, DJJ needs another regime change and the only way to do this is to unite, fight and write.
~Anonymous

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09/20/05 DJJ/QA: Re 09/20/05 Orange JDC: Well Mr. Criswell how do you answer an allegation such as this? Corruption and negligent allegations such as this should be investigated by someone other than a DJJ staff member in order to preserve the integrity of the process. BTW, are you going to answer my original question regarding QA's role within DJJ . . . ~Anonymous

Re: post of 09/20/05 "Orange JDC: At ORJDC we have a release department and they have made lots of negligent releases and the superintendent does not realize what is going on because they cover up for each other. Four bad releases and much more. Their is a team of about 5 staff. Let's learn to train other staff to do releases also. Why are some people more special than others? This should be investigated. ~Anonymous"

Well Mr. Criswell how do you answer an allegation such as this? An inspector general should investigate these types of allegations. Corruption and negligent allegations such as this should be investigated by someone other than a DJJ staff member in order to preserve the integrity of the process. How in god's earth do you think someone from the same organization (i.e., DJJ) will determine a case like this? Seems kind of difficult to remain impartial or unbiased toward the organization. Corruption can only be investigated by an impartial party interested only in obtaining the actual picture of what is going on. Mr. Criswell save all your double talking non-sensical answers for someone gullable enough to believe them. BTW, are you going to answer my original question regarding QA's role within DJJ and the need for obtaining a fair, unbiased and impartial party to investigate the corruption allegations. ~Anonymous

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09/20/05 Orange JDC: At ORJDC we have a release department and they have made lots of negligent releases and the superintendent does not realize what is going on because they cover up for each other. Four bad releases and much more. Their is a team of about 5 staff. Let's learn to train other staff to do releases also. Why are some people more special than others? This should be investigated. ~Anonymous

[re. 09/19/05 Hillsborough East JDC] At ORJDC we have a release department and they have made lots of negligent releases  and the superintendent does not realize what is going on because they cover up for each other. Four bad releases and much more. Their is a team of about 5 staff. They lock up the detainee's files and tape their windows with paper so nobody can bother them. Many times all they do is 1 or 2 releases a day and the rest behind state government doors doing heaven knows what. We have to keep the blue dot staff to stay when we can use the release department who is doing a job that anybody knows how to do. Let's learn to train other staff to do releases also. Why are some people more special than others? Meanwhile the detainees are complaining that they have been released and the released department is not doing anything about this. No wonder our morale keeps keeping worse. I beleived we shall all be trained to do anybody's job. This should be investigated. ~Anonymous

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09/19/05 Hillsborough East JDC: ...the youth that raped a pregnant woman...was a detainee at Hillsborough East JDC. But did you all know that he was released by the supervisor of the Operations department when he wasn't due to be realesed? This is about the 2nd or third bad release... Now I wonder, has she be suspended or terminated? ~One Troubled Employee

I know by now that everyone has heard or seen the news segment on the youth that raped a pregnant woman. The youth was a detainee at Hillsborough East JDC. But did you all know that he was released by the supervisor of the Operations department when he wasn't due to be realesed? This is the same supervisor that is quick to write someone up for what ever reason it may be. This is about the 2nd or third bad release that I know of that has happened while being employed at the East. Now I wonder, has she be suspended or terminated? ~One Troubled Employee

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09/15/05 DJJ: Vigil for Shawn Smith: We will be holding a candlelight vigil (4th annual) on the anniversary of Shawn Smith's (my grandson) death [in VCRJDC]. It will be held at the Volusia County Regional Juvenile Detention Center in Daytona Beach on Saturday October 29, 2005 @7:00 pm. Please come and join us. We need your support. Thank you
~JudyKay Leece 321-356-3891

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09/14/05 Hillsborough East JDC: Just like I thought an A## Kisser and a Supervisor at that. Your day will come when you will be called on to the red carpet. Just like S/C Hardyman and Asst. Supt. Adame for having those checks behind. Your going to foul up and then things won't look so good for you. You will be fighting for your job, money, and anything else you think is important to you. That is guaranteed in DJJ!!!! ~Anonymous

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09/13/05 DJJ: In the interview process we are informed that we work in a 24 hour secure facility, and that we would be required to work 16 hour shifts from time to time. Here are some things we were not told: 1. routinely forced to put in 56 hour work weeks... 2. work environment would be so hostile... 3. long hours we are forced to work have led to staff illnesses, workman's comp injuries and more resignations... 4. our administration . . . refuses to pay to hire a full time custodial staff... 5. instead of replacing broken down air conditioning units they just keep repairing them, leaving officers to work on stifling hot units in the middle of Summer... ~Anonymous

I just want to clear up a few things. In the interview process we are informed that we work in a 24 hour facility, that it needs to be secure and that we would be required to work 16 hour shifts from time to time. Here are some things we were not told about during the interview process:

1. That we would be routinely forced to put in 56 hour work weeks. This continues week after week and month after month. Also that the Supervisors are not interested in the fact that we have family responsibilities to attend to.

2. That the work environment would be so hostile that employees would resign almost as soon as they started.

3. That the long hours we are forced to work have led to staff illnesses, workman's comp injuries and more resignations perpetuating even more overtime for the burnt out staff that stay on the job.

4. That our administration while paying out hundreds of thousands of dollars in overtime in the last fiscal year refuses to pay to hire a full time custodial staff. They elect instead to have certified officers cleaning toilets and mopping floors.

5. That instead of replacing broken down air conditioning units they just keep repairing them, leaving officers to work on stifling hot units in the middle of Summer. This lack of air circulation allows us to inhale the foul stench of urine as we perform our job duties.
~Anonymous

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09/12/05 DJJ: In respose to who ever it was, No Im not an *** kisser, I just do my job and do it well. You inevitably knew when you took your position that where you work is a 24 hour facility, it has to be secure. Everyone at one time or another has been held over, get over it or get another job. Its apparent that you didnt understand yout job description, i sugest you get a copy of that and read it over one more time. ~NonYA

In respose to who ever it was, No Im not an *** kisser, I just do my job and do it well. Maybe you have a problem doing your job that why you so defensive. If people take one minute to look at their own faults instead of slamming administrators and supervisors they might realize they are 90% of the problem. You inevitably knew when you took your position that where you work is a 24 hour facility, it has to be secure. Everyone at one time or another has been held over, get over it or get another job. Its apparent that you didnt understand yout job description, i sugest you get a copy of that and read it over one more time. ~NonYA

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09/12/05 DJJ - QA: Re post of 09/09/05 DJJ QA: Mr. Criswell... You obviously do not read about the problems expressed by the employees of these JDC's on the Justice4Kids.org website. There is a problem here and DJJ (as usual) is overlooking it in order to "let sleeping dogs lie". Another agency other than DJJ (which is independent and unbiased) needs to inspect these facilities in order to establish a true picture for management of their actual status. Secretary Schembri I hope you read this. ~Anonymous

Re: post of 09/09/05 DJJ Quality Assurance: "We all try to promote the concept of "QA every day" and the idea of "continuous improvement" with the focus being the youth in the Department's custody. When staff and management take these ideas to heart, there is no falsification or game playing. ~John Criswell, QA DJJ"

Mr. Criswell the answer you provided my posting on Justice4Kids.org of 09/09/05 regarding DJJ's QA policy is so lame and ridiculous. You obviously do not read about the problems expressed by the employees of these JDC's on the Justice4Kids.org website. How about an acknowledgement regarding the numerous problems being experienced with DJJ's QA policy as shown on the this bulletin board? There is a problem here and DJJ (as usual) is overlooking it in order to "let sleeping dogs lie". I would hope that DJJ can provide a better response that is creditable and sensible in answer to all of these complaints that are being publicized on this bulletin board. You answer highlights the complete incompetence and lack of concern DJJ's management has toward resolving problems and just goes to show that an agency cannot "police" itself. Another agency other than DJJ (which is independent and unbiased) needs to inspect these facilities in order to establish a true picture for management of their actual status. The current QA within DJJ is too bias toward favoring the JDC's and is an obvious conflict of interest (NO ONE within DJJ is going to allow serious problems within these facilities to be publicized or acknowledged - heads may roll and too many jobs would be placed on the line - including the one all the way to Secretary Schembri. Secretary Schembri I hope you read this. ~Anonymous

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09/11/05 DJJ - W. T. Edwards: As I sit at my P/C reading these postings, My thoughts go back to my nephew who was in W.T. Edwards. I want to thank one Officer that showed concern, and compassion for myself, my husband and my nephew. Thank you Commander Davis for taking care of my nephew. DJJ is very lucky to have some one like you. Thank you for doing more than your job. ~Anonymous

As I sit at my P/C reading these postings, My thoughts go back to my nephew who was in W.T. Edwards. My nephew had some sort of break down and had to be Baker Acted. I want to thank one Officer that showed concern, and compassion for myself, my husband and my nephew. That Officer is Commander Davis. She called me several times to let me know how my nephew was doing. When I became upset she spent time reasurring me that things would be ok. I know from talking with my nephew that Officer Davis the night he had his break down, she stayed with him talking with him. He told me that he felt safe when she was around. Thank you Commander Davis for taking care of my nephew. DJJ is very lucky to have some one like you. Thank you for doing more than your job. Thank you for being more than just an officer. ~Anonymous

[Note: Commander Davis is also cited in Honorable Behavior ~justice4kids.org]

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09/09/05 DJJ Quality Assurance: We all try to promote the concept of "QA every day" and the idea of "continuous improvement" with the focus being the youth in the Department's custody. When staff and management take these ideas to heart, there is no falsification or game playing. ~John Criswell, QA DJJ

[Note: To read exchange of e-mails between Criswell and justice4kids.org, click here. ~justice4kids.org]

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09/06/05 Hillsborough West JDC: Reference to posting on 9/1/05 - The Agency will have a better chance FULFILLING it's primary mission if harmony exist within, but we all know that is no so. ~Anonymous

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09/08/05 Orange JDC: Re post of 09/06/05 Orange JDC: What ever became of DJJ's "no-notice" inspections of its facilities?  I note from reading this bulletin board recently that Manatee, Orange and Hillsborough's East & West have problems like this with regard to sufficient notice being given so the JDC's can "clean-up" their messes before the inspectors arrive. I thought DJJ was going to put a stop to this game-playing dog & poney show. ~Anonymous

Re: post of 09/06/05 Orange JDC: "Part of Orlando Detention job's description for all the JDO'S and SJDOS is cleaning toilets, mopping floors, ... We do such a great job that the place is full of rats... Once a year it does get clean. When Q.A. is getting ready to see us. What a joke... ~Anonymous"

What ever became of DJJ's "no-notice" inspections of its facilities? Can someone from DJJ please answer this question? I note from reading this bulletin board recently that Manatee, Orange and Hillsborough's East & West have problems like this with regard to sufficient notice being given so the JDC's can "clean-up" their messes before the inspectors arrive. I thought DJJ was going to put a stop to this game-playing dog & poney show.. My opinion is that none of these facilities should ever be given notice as to when inspections occur. To do so would be too tempting for the facilities to prepare. There should be no preparation for these visits because the whole purpose of the inspections is to gauge the status of the facilities as they really are and the QA's purpose is being defeated when notice is given. No facility should ever have to "prepare" for an inspection if they were doing what they were supposed to be doing; I am surprised that Secretary Schembri doesn't understand this - he's certainly been on the job long enough and his honeymoon is over! ~Anonymous

[Note: click here for additional comments from John Criswell, QA DJJ ~Justice4kids.org]

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09/08/05 Manatee JDC: Anthony Schembrie, do you plan to allow Robert Ragget to conceal another of Frank Gargett’s crimes? ...children were not observed for over half an hour, and that the visual observation reports were feloniously caught up...beat poor Bobby black and blue...severely beat a child by the name of Brown at the Boot Camp facility...Assistant Superintendent Glen Searls sexually harassed female officers... ~Jack Duggan

Anthony Schembrie, do you plan to allow Robert Ragget to conceal another of Frank Gargett’s crimes? Do you intend to once again conceal the fact that children on constant watch were not observed for over half an hour at the Manatee Juvenile Detention Center, and that the visual observation reports were feloniously caught up; that when Frank Gargett was made aware of the crime, he attempted to have it concealed?

Well, I suppose this isn’t a far stretch for you. You certainly allowed Robert Ragget to conceal the fact that Frank Gargett beat poor Bobby black and blue. That Frank Gargett, who is not certified in P.A.R. (Protection Action Response) was, and continues to be allowed to manhandle our children. That Frank Gargett, a convicted D.U.I. offender is allowed to operate government vehicles. That Frank Gargett gave personal tours of the facility to non- departmental personnel, exposing the identity of the children to the public. That Frank Gargett, severely beat a child by the name of Brown at the Boot Camp facility. That Frank Gargett had the Detention Officers unlawfully physically searched by his Assistant Superintendent Bruce Kelly when a bag of candy turned up missing from a nurses lunch bag.

That Frank Gargett terminated Officer Newell for being a non-team player after he read the negative evaluation form submitted by Officer Newell. The Q.A. Team had assured Newell that her evaluation would be strictly confidential.

How about the fact that Assistant Superintendent Glen Searls sexually harassed female officers? Ask Searls about cornering Officer Marie Ming in his office and demanding that he be allowed to come to her house after work for sexual favors. Ask Searls if he did not, while in the Master Control booth tell Officer Natasha Dixon that he could arrange to give her a long lunch break so that they could go to a nearby motel and have sex, and that he only backed down after Officer Dixon threatened to tell his wife.

Do you dispute any of these occurrences?

There are victims who are willing to come forward now and demand retribution for what Frank Gargett and his minions have done to them. ~Jack Duggan

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09/06/05 Orange JDC: Part of Orlando Detention job's description for all the JDO'S and SJDOS is cleaning toilets, mopping floors, ... We do such a great job that the place is full of rats... Once a year it does get clean. When Q.A. is getting ready to see us. What a joke... ~Anonymous

Think about this one.... Part of Orlando Detention job's description for all the JDO'S and SJDOS is cleaning toilets, mopping floors, throwing trash out and whatever the hell they feel like giving us. We do such a great job that the place is full of rats and roaches and ants. Staff is getting sick with the odor and dirt. Let me take that back. Once a year it does get clean. When Q.A. is getting ready to see us. What a joke... ~Anonymous

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09/06/05 Hillsborough East JDC: Re:The East received Deemed Status again. The reason why they passed QA is because they were running around like a chicken with their heads cut off trying to get everything up to par. ...kids supposedly didn't have enough socks, t-shirts, underwear, sweatshirts, and jumpsuits...the only mod that was up to par was mod B because their are only females working in this mod...maintenance man..."didn't have the supplies at the time to complete the jobs". ~One troubled employee

Re:[09/04/05] The East received Deemed Status again. The reason why they passed QA is because they were running around like a chicken with their heads cut off trying to get everything up to par. But what you don't know is how the kids supposedly didn't have enough socks, t-shirts, underwear, sweatshirts, and jumpsuits at times to put on. Some of them would have to wait until laundry was done to have these items to wear. But then that still left others short. When you tell the Supervisor's you need these things, all they can say is "we have to wait for the person assigned to order these items come in so we can get the key", or " these things were ordered and haven't come in yet". But , when you go in that same hygiene closet to get hygiene products, you can see where they have these brand new items stocked on the shelves. But you have these kids walking around in jumpsuits with holes in them or split up the seem so they can't roll them up(Supt. Miles doesn't want their uniforms dragging on the floor), sweatshirts with half of a sleeve, sneakers are worn until holes are in the bottom of them( and sometimes instead of getting new ones, they will get them some from one of the other mods). And only then will they issue them new sneakers. As far as the cleanliness of the mods, the only mod that was up to par was mod B because their are only females working in this mod. I have worked all three mods at the East. I know on several occassions, that I would go in and clean the boys mods because at times you could smell the stinch through the steel doors. But it would be back to the same conditon the next day when I come to work. So I stopped waisting my time. The reason why the maintenance man was trying to play catch-up is because he stated that "he didn't have the supplies at the time to complete the jobs". It was also brought to our attention by our Supervisor in briefing that we shouldn't keep putting in the same work-order over and over again because Mr. Miles said that it seems as though he's not doing his job. Now tell me how can we not put in a work order when mod checks are to be done at the beginning of each shift. But when something happens to one of the kids because of this....they'll go through the computer to see if a work order was submitted for this issue and see if a mod check was done and the the officer will be fired because of this. Now you tell me what kind of work environment is this? ~One troubled employee

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09/06/05 DJJ: Re post of 9/4/05 DJJ - Personal Life, HA HA WHAT A JOKE, our schedules are often changed without sufficient notice or regards to family issues. ~Anonymous

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09/05/05 Manatee JDC: Manatee JDC in the same dirty conditions the rest of the Central Region is in. ...four youth placed in rooms to sleep on floors. Checks uncompleted...When will this end. Abuse of youth daily ~Anonymous

Manatee JDC in the same dirty conditions the rest of the Central Region is in. Youth placed in rooms that should house two, but four youth placed in rooms to sleep on floors. Checks uncompleted for long periods of time officers that should be blamed not blamed. New officers on mod to work with one certified officer this is why codes are called but you are blamed for calling codes. When will this end. Abuse of youth daily ~Anonymous

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09/04/05 DJJ: Re posts of 09/04/05 Orange JDC: 'Hillsborough you are not alone' - ...I worked for Mr. Michael Williams when he set the schedules as an Assistant Superintendent for Operations. He showed a complete lack of empathy or concern for our personal lives... ~Anonymous

My comment on this post [09/04/05 Hillsborough you are not alone]: I remember when I worked for Mr. Michael Williams when he set the schedules as an Assistant Superintendent for Operations. He would listen to concerns and complaints but rarely take action on resolving the scheduling problems. I understand that in many ways he had challenges to overcome especially with under staffing. The thing I remember most about him was the way he scheduled the shifts and the lack of communication he had with the Supervisors and JDO's. This was a monumental problem in the facility I worked at. Although he was disciplined and presented a sharp appearance otherwise he did not treat his subordinates with the kind of respect and courtesy that he himself would expect and desire in their boss. Scheduling people to work shifts on blue-dot, changing hours that people had to work with many times less than 24 hours of notification and isolating himself in his office (my opinion because I felt he should have spent more hours on the floor -- although at times he did personally monitor the 2nd & 3rd shifts). However, I believe he treated us this way partly because of the lack of manpower that he was dealing with. He showed a complete lack of empathy or concern for our personal lives which was readily apparent in his dealings with subordinates. ~Anonymous

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09/04/05 Orange JDC: Responding to post on 9/4/2005 - Hillsborough you are not alone. 80% of the toilets and bathrooms are in critical shape. Water leaking... Detainees complaining of no underclothing. ...lots of code blues from having the trainees working on the mod with no experience; ...just waiting for a big accident; very evil management that are wasting taxpayers money. ~Anonymous

Responding to post on 9/4/2005 [The East received DEEM STATUS]. Do not feel bad. Orange Detention Center is in worse shape. 80% of the toilets and bathrooms are in critical shape. Water leaking from some rooms for months. Detainees complaining of no underclothing. Supplies is very limited. Last week we had no gloves at all to work with. It is very disgusting. We keep getting lots of code blues from having the trainees working on the mod with no experience. They are trying to save on overtime. Our superintendent Williams does not want any overtime. Meanwhile the center is running without staff. Now the old staff is leaving faster than the new staff. We are just waiting for a big accident to take place. The morale keeps getting lower. Hillsborough you are not alone. We have some very evil management that are wasting taxpayers money. Superintendent Wiliams please get a grip. You are all talk but no action..... ~Anonymous

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09/04/05 Hillsborough East JDC: In reference to NonYa's comments - You must be one of those A#S kissers that's getting what they want. The type of staff that don't have a clue as to what it takes to work here. If you complain, you will be threatened and fired. Who here wants to work like that. ~Anonymous

In reference to NonYa's comments [09/03/05 All of you need to get a life]. You must be one of those A#S kissers that's getting what they want. Or maybe you are one of the many Officers that the East and DJJ hires to fill a position. The type of staff that don't have a clue as to what it takes to work here. If you complain, you will be threatened and fired. Who here wants to work like that. Our Supervisors will ask in briefing for questions, comments or concerns. When we give diaglog we are attacked with idle threats of basically no support from them, suspension or loss of employment. And the way the supervisors, (One in particular, Hardyman!) talks to us like we are one of the kids. She is nasty, arrogant and will do whatever it takes to write you up to make herself look good. Doing our job is not the problem! The problem is the idiots in administration that simply DO NOT know how to manage us. We have good supervisors here, (Monger, Hall, and Nelson) they are the most understanding and caring supervisors here at the East. They have all been where we are as Officers, they have not forgotten what it's like to be a JDO. I hope these Supervisors continue to work with the Officers here at the East, instead of against them. Remember we need each other! ~Anonymous

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09/04/05 Hillsborough East JDC: The East has a major problem when it comes to stealing from the taxpayers. The East pick and choose to give privileged employees time off and over time. Some employees do not turn in time cards at all. Can the East justify firing any body for tardies when they don't have proper documentation? This is illegal and fruadulent, A.K.A. stealing! ~Anonymous

The East has a major problem when it comes to stealing from the taxpayers. The Supervisors are getting away with signing only certain employees time cards to show that they were not late. The East pick and choose to give privileged employees time off and over time. Some employees do not turn in time cards at all. Some Supervisors don't ask why people are not punching in. So how does the Supervisors know when who is coming in late, when staff does not punch in? Can the East justify firing any body for tardies when they don't have proper documentation? This is illegal and fruadulent, A.K.A. stealing! When you don't punch in it should be considered late. ~Anonymous

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09/04/05 Hillsborough East JDC: The East recieved "DEEM STATUS" once again. ...major doors that do not work, No first aids supplies..., Sinks and toilets broken with feces and urine sitting in them for months, ...showers that don't work, cabinet doors that are off ...(Weapons for youth to use on each other or staff!!), ripped mattresses. What was Q.A. looking at? Surely not safety and security issues. Prior to Q.A. coming the East cleaned, rehearsed and prepared How corrupt can you get! ~Anonymous

The East recieved their "DEEM STATUS" once again. You must be proud Mr. Miles and Company. But Tell me how you can be proud of deceiving, Q.A., when you have major doors that do not work, No first aids supplies in the MODS, Sinks and toilets broken with feces and urine sitting in them for months, (In rooms that kids are sleeping in, mind you!) showers that don't work, cabinet doors that are off and sitting in the laundry rooms, (Weapons for youth to use on each other or staff!!), ripped mattresses. What was Q.A. looking at? Surely not safety and security issues. Prior to Q.A. coming the East cleaned, rehearsed and prepared for the somehow pre-announced visit. And then, get this.....We went back to the way things were prior to Q.A.'s visit. Do you know the East was holding people over just to clean and prepare paperwork for their visit. Q.A. was blind sided to see things that Mr. Miles and Company wanted them to see! How corrupt can you get! And how did you know when Q.A. was coming to the facility? ~Anonymous

[Note: justice4kids.org was aware of this problem prior to the post and brought it to the attention of John Criswall, Bureau Chief, Quality Assurance, DJJ. To read the e-mail exchange, click here.]

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09/03/05 Manatee JDC: Re: 8/20/05 Mr. Penkoski termination from Hillsborough W JDC - ...we must never forget that our government is accountable to us; I encourage each officer with the DJJ to speak out; ...utilize this forum to bring those wrong doings to light. STAND UNITED, STAND STRONG. ~Jack Duggan

In regards to the posting of August 20, 2005, in reference to Mr. Penkoski termination [from the Hillsborough Regional Juvenile Detention Center West [08/20/05 My husband was fired this morning].

It appears that the injustices are continuing to happen. Officers are continuing to be persecuted for doing their jobs, for voicing their concerns and attempting to shed light on the wrongdoings at these centers.

This is truly a travesty. I know that it appears that regardless of all our endeavors, we have not made a difference, and truly, this may be the case so far. But we must never forget that our government is accountable to us, the citizens of this great state and country. I encourage each officer with the Department of Juvenile Justice to speak out whenever he or she encounters a wrongdoing. Each should utilize this forum to bring those wrong doings to light. I encourage the parents whose children continue to be abused to unite and demand that these men in authority, Anthony Schembrie, Robert Ragget, David Hipp, Perry Turner, and yes-even Governor Jeb Bush, be held accountable, if not liable for any harm that has come to our children.

We have repeatedly informed Governor Bush of the wrongdoings and crimes that have been, and are being committed against our children and he has done nothing, nothing to rectify or prevent these crimes. With the gubernatorial election around the corner, I encourage every citizen to ensure that the candidates for that office add to their agenda the improvement, and correction of this department, and to hold those that have committed crimes against our children criminally liable.

Every day I continue to hope that Anthony Schembrie, Perry Turner, Robert Ragget, David Hipp, Nancy Marshall, and above all Frank Gargett will be brought to justice for the injuries that Frank Gargett inflicted on poor Bobby, and for the cover up perpetuated by Schembrie, Turner, Raggett, Hipp and Marshall. I believe that we the American citizens live in the GREATEST Country in the world. A country where united we can move mountains, as is evident in our history, through our unification we have abolished slavery, we have abolished discrimination against women, we have abolished segregation, and united, we will abolish any further threat of harm to the children being housed in Florida’s juvenile detention centers.

STAND UNITED, STAND STRONG. ~Jack Duggan

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09/03/05 DJJ: all of you need to get a life... Do your job, and do it well then you might just stay out of trouble and not have to complain about others. ~NonYA

all of you need to get a life, if you have a problem with your facility, what good does it do complaining to others on this site. Do your job, and do it well then you might just stay out of trouble and not have to complain about others. if your so insecure about how you perform your job , i hear McDonalds is hiring. ~NonYA

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09/01/05 DJJ: Reference to posting on 8/30 - An officer who has a pattern of calling in sick after his/her days off is not an excellent employee. If we all just focus on ourselves, and make an effort to sharpen our own skills, the agency would have a greater chance of fufilling its' primary mission of keeping youth safe. ~Anonymous

Reference to posting on 8/30 [08/30/05 Hillsborough West JDC]. An officer who has a pattern of calling in sick after his/her days off is not an excellent employee. The employee may have a lot of skill, and positive attributes, however extenting the weekend in our business is almost always done at someone else's expense. The employee that has had the one fault brought to his/her attention should take the critizism positively. It sounds like if the one issue was improved, the employee might be an "excellent employee." As far as the comparison to the other employee (M.J.), two wrongs don't make a right. Besides, Officer M.J. may have already recieved discipline for her actions. Unless employee M.J. told others about her discipline history, no one would know it. If you feel the necessity to know what is in her personnel file, you can request it from the official personnel file as it is a matter of public record. If we all just focus on ourselves, and make an effort to sharpen our own skills, the agency would have a greater chance of fufilling its' primary mission of keeping youth safe. ~Anonymous

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08/30/05 Hillsborough West JDC: Why is it that you target an excellent officer for showing a pattern of calling out sick after her regular 2 days off when you have a veteran officer on the day shift who calls off sick or is late constantly and is always causing other officers to holdover? EVERY ONE AT THE DETENTION KNOWS WHO I AM SPEAKING OF, DON'T WE MS MJ. ~Anonymous

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08/29/05 Hillsborough East JDC: Another one bites the dust at the East! This Officer worked well with the youth and her co-workers. Her only problem....she stood up and could not conform to the injustice and corruption that plagued the East. Warning: Miles, Adame and Pulphus, you need more people skills.... The same tactics that are used on you by Raggett...you turn around and use them on your staff. ~Anonymous

Another one bites the dust at the East! An Officer was fired today. This Officer was a good Officer, one that only wanted change. This Officer worked well with the youth and her co-workers. Her only problem....she stood up and could not conform to the injustice and corruption that plagued the East. Warning: "Anyone that stands for change will be terminated!" They lost a damn good Officer! Miles, Adame and Pulphus, you need more people skills in order to keep quality people at your facility. No one but a fool would put up with the mess you dish out at the East. Your scared tactics don't work on everyone! The same tactics that are used on you by Raggett...you turn around and use them on your staff. Get creative try something new like being human!!!!! ~Anonymous

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08/29/05 Orange JDC: I am thankful that Howard is gone...! But there is still Jenks.... Who is going to do something about him? ~Anonymous

I am thankful that Howard is gone with his sexual harassing self! But there is still Jenks who is totally inappropriate, sexually, with female staff. Who is going to do something about him? Am I the only one he creeps out? I hope NOT!!! ~Anonymous

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08/29/05 Hillsborough East JDC: I am a concerned citizen who has been following the situation at HRJDC East. How can Mr. Miles justify releasing employees... How can he justify the expense of sending over ten personal to par training, and the academy. Not to mention the expense of recruiting interviewing hiring and replacing these people, and none of them are still employed. ~Shady

I am a concerned citizen who has been following the situation at HRJDC East for some time. After reading post on this web site and talking with employees of this facility, past and present, I am convinced that there is a problem with the management in this building. How can Mr. Miles justify releasing employees who are still in there probationary period with out so much as a warning, remedial training, or even the chance for them to make corrective actions. In some cases they are not even told why they are being released. How can he justify the expense of sending over ten personel to par training, and the academy. Not to mention the expense of recruiting interviewing hiring and replacing these people, and none of them are still employed. Who is accounting for this expense. I, as a taxpayer who is watching my tax dollars walk in and out of this revolving door, believe that this facility would operate much better, not to mention save thousands of taxpayer dollars if those in charge would receive some type of management training and learn to put their ego aside and try to do what is best for the facility, the JDO'S, and the children. If your employees are happy they will perform better, this will translate into less call outs, and less over time. Mr. Miles I hope that you read this. ~Shady

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08/29/05 Hillsborough East JDC: Re 08/28/05 Shannon Jackson's post - ...take responsibility for your own actions. When I was working for DJJ I made it a point to ensure that I was within (and above) standards and didn't concern myself with others who were not excercising their resonsibilities. Using the excuse "but everyone else is doing it so why not me?" is ridiculous. ~Anonymous

Re: Posting of 08/28/05 Hillsborough East JDC: "This is in reference to all comments regarding my post. No matter how many times I was late or absent, There are others that have had way more than I. They should have been terminated just as well. All I'm saying is that they should have been fair. Everyone that has suffered at the hands of DJJ will have their justice. ~Shannon Jackson"

Shannon, all I am saying is that you have to take responsibility for your own actions. Saying that "there are others that have had way more than I. They should have been terminated just as well" is immature and not facing reality. You don't have room to be concerning yourself with others regarding your own actions - at the end of the day you are responsible for your own behavior and just because everybody else may be doing something wrong does not give you a green light to violate policy (there are other avenues to address those issues). Fair? maybe not - just remember that your actions got you terminated not DJJ (and certainly not other co-workers who were in violation). When I was working for DJJ I made it a point to ensure that I was within (and above) standards and didn't concern myself with others who were not excercising their resonsibilities. Using the excuse "but everyone else is doing it so why not me?" is ridiculous. ~Anonymous

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08/29/05 DJJ: Reference to Hillsborough West on 8/28 - You make some excellent points. Why is there so much turn-over? Suggested solutions: Superintendents should have hiring new staff as a constant priority. Veteran staff should be...training [new staff] to be positive role models. Are any centers having luck retaining staff? If so please share the reasons for the success. ~Anonymous

In reference to the posting from Hillsborough West on 8/28. You make some excellent points. Why is there so much turn-over? And then the turn-over leads to excessive holding, or poor staffing patterns, or a combination of both. While causing dangerous conditions to youth and staff. Because the turn-over is so great in so many different detention centers, I think the reasons are a systems problem and not an individual problem. Suggested solutions: Superintendents should have hiring new staff as a constant priority. Veteran staff should be welcoming the new staff and training them to be positive role models. (Teach the job functions and make a conscious effort to avoid gossip) Our staff at headquarters should be preparing to share this information with the legislator so as to get better funding to increase staffing patterns and pay. There was a time that staff stayed at the facilities because they liked working with kids, dispite the lower salaries. But today, we work more as gaurds and staff are leaving to go to corrections where they can do the same type of work for more money. Looking for more staff retention suggestions. Are any centers having luck retaining staff? If so please share the reasons for the success. ~Anonymous

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08/28/05 Hillsborough East JDC: This is in reference to all comments regarding my post. No matter how many times I was late or absent, There are others that have had way more than I. They should have been terminated just as well. All I'm saying is that they should have been fair. Everyone that has suffered at the hands of DJJ will have their justice. ~Shannon Jackson 

This is in reference to all comments regarding my post [08/24/05 I am a former employee of the East] . You all may say what you want, but I know the real reason behind my termination. No matter how many times I was late or absent, There are others that have had way more than I. They should have been terminated just as well. All I'm saying is that they should have been fair. But that's niether here nor there, something will be done about all the wrong doings going on at all the DJJ facilities. It may take a while, but it's coming. Everyone that has suffered at the hands of DJJ will have their justice. The Lord will see to that!!!!!!! ~Shannon Jackson

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08/28/05 Hillsborough West JDC: How come there are times when there are 2 men to control a dorm of over 45 clients, while another time (same shift/different day)there has to be 4 men in the same dorm...? When you have staff that has to hold over, time after time and clients that know how to work the system it puts everyone that is in the facility in harms way. ~Anonymous

The staff of the West work very hard indeed. Some of them are being held over one day (working 2 full shifts) then going home and back at work 7 1/2 hours later to do their regular shift. Then perhaps a day later they must hold again! I understand that as of last week 19 staff members have left the center. How come there are times when there are 2 men to control a dorm of over 45 clients, while another time (same shift/different day)there has to be 4 men in the same dorm supervising approximayely the same number of clients? Many of the problems that stem from the clients is because there are many, many severe habitual offenders sitting back in the center on another charge,or are waiting for level 6,8,or 10 programs to open up. These clients have nothing to lose when causing disruption,insighting harm to others and/or refusing to follow DJJ Norms or school rules. When you have staff that has to hold over, time after time and clients that know how to work the system it puts everyone that is in the facility in harms way. Sooner or later something BAD is going to happen there and I pray to God that it is no one I know. Concerned for West People. ~Anonymous

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08/28/05 Orange JDC: Officers at Orange will continue to resign due to the so called leaders at this facility. We have Ads. Eason, Jenks, Nichols along with Supervisors, who sexually harrass the women at Orange and get away with it. You file a grievance and get terminated for defending yourself... What type of message is being sent to the female workers at Orange? ~Anonymous

Officers at Orange will continue to resign due to the so called leaders at this facility. We have Ads. Eason, Jenks, Nichols along with Supervisors, who sexually harrass the women at Orange and get away with it. You file a grievance and get terminated for defending yourself against these perverts. No female at Orange should have to be looking over her shoulder against these pervs , and should not be retaliated against when action is taken by the female Ofc. For instance, Ofc, Richey, a dedicated Officer with 7 years of experience working at DJJ, involuntarily terminated due to sexual comments made by Sgt. Howard and his good ole boy Eason. She came froward to defend herself and now she is the one without employment. What type of message is being sent to the female workers at Orange? Do we take the sexual harrassment in order to keep our jobs or do we come forward and risk losing our jobs? Men like Rason, Howard, Holmes, all are sorry excuses for a man, yet they continue o prey on vulnerable women who are afraid of retaliation. The harrassment needs to cease for their safety. ~Anonymous

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08/26/05 Hillsborough East JDC: Why is she [Jackson] the only Officer being fired for something that so many are guilty of! What about the Officer at the East that got fired after she got into a car accident. ( After working a double shift for the East!) Now she has a abscent problem....and then you fire her. ~More to Come!

The remark that was made about Officer Jackson being fired must be from a Supervisor [08/25/05 DJJ: Ms. Jackson]. There are more people at the East that need to go right along with her, including the Supervisors. They are setting the very same example you were talking about too. The tardies and abscences at the East are abused by over half the people in the facility. Why is she the only Officer being fired for something that so many are guilty of! Maybe she called out because she had to holdover so many times herself. What about the Officer at the East that got fired after she got into a car accident. ( After working a double shift for the East! 4x12 then 12x8) Now she has a abscent problem....and then you fire her. What type of loyalty do they show to the Officers? None!!!!!!!!! ~More to Come!

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08/26/05 Hillsborough East JDC: Re 08/24/05 post - ...don't blame your short-comings on DJJ. DJJ may not be squeaky clean but you certainly have enough baggage for DJJ to be justified in terminating you. My advice: let it go because you don't have a leg to stand on. ~Anonymous

Re: Post of 08/24/05 Hillsborough East JDC...

Shannon, don't blame your short-comings on DJJ. Being late 4-5 x (even for only a few minutes) over an 11 month (or less) probationary period is enough to get anyone fired in most places. Being late or absent (repeatedly) demonstrates that you are undependable and is not what DJJ requires of JDO's. You are making a fool out of yourself attacking DJJ when your own house isn't in order! DJJ may not be squeaky clean but you certainly have enough baggage for DJJ to be justified in terminating you. My advice: let it go because you don't have a leg to stand on. ~Anonymous

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08/26/05 DJJ: I have two suggestions that would make this site a more useful tool. Names used derogatorily should only be used after an investigation confirmed that an employee acted innaproriately. Secondly, share techniques that you have used that help keep your facility safe. I'll look forward to reading some positve practices and will be sharing mine. ~Anonymous

Too much finger pointing going on. The fact is that all positions in DJJ are tough jobs. There are never enough resources; yet somehow you still manage to get the job done. Individuals are unfairly named on this site and name-called. Some names I recognize belong to people who have served the community unselfishly for years. They just happen to be the person who had the responsibility of letting a poor employee go. And they did not shirk their responsibility because of their obligation to the youth and the other staff. I would love to see this site used more productively. I have two suggestions that would make this site a more useful tool. Names used derogatorily should only be used after an investigation confirmed that an employee acted innaproriately. Secondly, share techniques that you have used that help keep your facility safe. As an agency we have managed to keep thousands and thousands of kids safe, however we can never forget our failures, as they have lead to youth and staff injuries and even deaths. I'll look forward to reading some positve practices and will be sharing mine. "If we don't learn from history, we're doomed to repeat it." ~Anonymous

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08/25/05 Hillsborough East JDC: The administration doesn't care about how Officers are being treated by some of the Supervisors. Has any one been fired for escapes, checks being behind or bad releases ? No! As for Raggett, Turner, the Inspector General, and Shembri, please investigate this facility. Starting with payroll and the misuse of tax payer's dollars!
~More to Come!

What is going on at the East????? The administration doesn't care about how Officers are being treated by some of the Supervisors. Becuase they treat the very same supervisors with threats and dehumiliation. Rendering the JDO powerless! Just so they can look good at having a "Deem Status" Facility. Tell me how can they have a "Deem Status" if there are toilets and sinks that have been broken for years, or why has there been Officers that have been fired instead of being disciplined when you know your facility is operating on a bare minimum of staff. Relentless holding over for hours and days. What sense does it make to fire one person for something that several are doing. ( Latenesses, excessive call ins, wrong PAR holds,and much more) Has any one been fired for escapes, checks being behind or bad releases ? No! What happened to progressive discipline? The unwavering Officers at the East make that facility look good, not the Administration. The Officers at the East, I commend you for hanging in there when times seem so unbearable. You have a family and a life outside of DJJ that you put on hold all the time. Thank your families and whatever higher power you believe in for having patience and strength to work for DJJ. As for Raggett, Turner, the Inspector General, and Shembri, please investigate this facility. There are things you need to find out! Starting with payroll and the misuse of tax payer's dollars! ~More to Come!

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08/25/05 DJJ: Ms. Jackson [08/24/05 Hillsborough East JDC] states that she reported to work late several times, called in several times, and also used approved leave, all while on probation. DJJ was right to let her go. Give someone else a chance that may appreciate the opportunity and be a better co-worker and a better example to the children. ~Anonymous

Ms. Jackson [08/24/05 Hillsborough East JDC] states that she reported to work late several times, called in several times, and also used approved leave, all while on probation. Employees like that cause hold-overs. Her defense is that other employees also perform poorly. DJJ was right to let her go. Give someone else a chance that may appreciate the opportunity and be a better co-worker and a better example to the children. ~Anonymous

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08/24/05 Hillsborough East JDC: I am a former employee of the East as of 08/19/2005. I was terminated a month short of completing my Probationary period. I think the real reason I got fired was because I spoke up for myself and I will continue to do so. I have sent a letter to Mr. Schembri, Mr. Raggett, Mr. Turner and the Governor... I WON'T STOP UNTIL SOMETHING IS DONE ABOUT DJJ! ~Shannon Jackson 

It seems as though noone has anything to say about the East. Well, I'll be the first to let you know that the East isn't as good as everyone thinks. I am a former employee of the East as of 08/19/2005. I was terminated a month short of completing my Probationary period. The reason they gave was because I had too many absences and lateness's. Which in the 11 mos I was employed there, I had no more than 4-5 lateness's and about the same in absences. All the rest of my absences were approved by my Supervisor or Asst Superintendant. As far as my lateness's, most of them were adjusting overtime or either I was a few minutes late. But as I brought to their attention, there were other Officers who had more lateness's and absences than me, but I'm the one getting fired. All they could say is those Officers will get dealt with. I think the real reason I got fired was because I spoke up for myself and I will continue to do so. Noone respect an ASS KISSER. But that is what they want you to do around there to keep your job. There are so many things going on at the East that are being covered up. You have supervisors and officers that are doing bad releases and all they get are suspensions. There are also officers who have had multiple investigations against them for bad PAR procedures against a youth, and just like the others only received a suspension. Even one of the Asst Superintendants did a bad release. But of course, that was so hush hush that you can't even find the report on the computer system. As I said earlier, I won't be quiet about it. I have sent a letter to Mr. Schembri, Mr. Raggett, Mr. Turner and the Governor letting them know what's going on. And if I have to, I will go to the news stations. I just learned of this site and I want everyone to know that they will here more from me in the future. I WON'T STOP UNTIL SOMETHING IS DONE ABOUT DJJ!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ~Shannon Jackson

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08/23/05 DJJ: Re Post of 08/23/05 anonymous DJJ employee: I was a state employee of DJJ for six months in 2004 but resigned...Regardless of what the reason is for abuse of authority, poor performance and quality of work in DJJ there is no excuse (ever). Until this stops from every level this problem will drum on and on... ~Anonymous and caring always

Re: Post of 08/23/05 DJJ: "I am a state employee with DJJ and a parent... I see a lot of critisism about DJJ staff and the claimed abuse of youth, but no one here has said anything about the abuse the staff members receive from the youth. In my opinion DJJ officers are under-trained and under-paid. One of DJJ's biggest problems is staff shortage. How do we fix this? Better pay....better incentives... ~Anonymous"

Replying to the anonymous state employee of DJJ: I was a state employee of DJJ for six months in 2004 but resigned my position in seminole county (I was not fired or terminated). Nothing new in your observations but let me say that because of the situation you address regarding DJJ officers that are under-trained and under-paid a problem arises in the performance and quality of their work and leads to other problems which include abuse of authority (because of the stress). These officers are being pushed to the breaking point. DJJ officers work in an environment where resentment and anger toward management is understandable. Regardless of what the reason is for abuse of authority, poor performance and quality of work in DJJ there is no excuse (ever). You can never rationalize it or try to place the blame on these juveniles regardless of the circumstances (you call this a "catch 22"). I have just given you the crux of this problem. The excuse being given for these type of problems (by your admission) is that DJJ employees are under paid & under staffed. Tax payers expect RESULTS not EXCUSES! We all are paying for it and what are we really getting anyway? You (DJJ) have a problem - yes understood. Don't rationalize it. Until this stops from every level this problem will drum on and on for a while. I am a pessimist in this regard (which is the opposite of the optimism expressed so frequently by Secretary Schembri). ~Anonymous and caring always

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08/23/05 DJJ: I am a state employee with DJJ and a parent... I see a lot of critisism about DJJ staff and the claimed abuse of youth, but no one here has said anything about the abuse the staff members receive from the youth. In my opinion DJJ officers are under-trained and under-paid. One of DJJ's biggest problems is staff shortage. How do we fix this? Better pay....better incentives... ~Anonymous

I am a state employee with DJJ and a parent, and want to interject my opinion here. I see a lot of critisism about DJJ staff and the claimed abuse of youth, but no one here has said anything about the abuse the staff members receive from the youth.

The first thing I want to point out is the fact that DJJ officers are not certified law enforcement officers and therefore do not receive high risk pay or high risk retirement.

In my opinion DJJ officers are under-trained and under-paid. We expect DJJ officers to be professional, respectful, and patient when dealing with our youth. At the same time we have to hire people with a minimum of a GED or high school diploma and willing to work countless hours of overtime due to the severe staff shortages while being underpaid. And if that is not already enough, they have to deal with what we as parents call kids that are actually young men and many have kids of their own. These young men are as big and bigger than the staff and in better physical shape. These young men do not respect athority and many physically attack staff members without provication leaving staff the resposiblity of protecting themselves and the other youth at the facility. When these young men have to be restrained, they do not just stop fighting and allow the staff to escort them to their rooms, they continue to fight the staff, and the staff has to use as much force as neccesary to control the situation. The amount of force used by officers to restrain an out of control offender is directly proportional to the amount of fight the restrainee continues to fight.

The officers are caught in a catch 22 situation, if they alloy the offenders to fight and injure one another or themselves they could be held criminally liable and if they do attempt to restrain an offender to prevent harm or distruction they are scrutinized and accused of abuse. The other thing that must be always taken into consideration when our children are involved in a restraint, is that when they call mom or dad, they are only telling you what they want you to hear in an attempt to justify their actions and to get a feeling of sympathy. What we call manipulation.

I suggest before any of us go out on a limb, we always should get both sides of the story.

Is there a simple solution? NO....

One of DJJ's biggest problems is staff shortage. How do we fix this? Better pay....better incentives...

How can we do this? With better education and training. This is not the first state department to experience these problems. The Department of Corrections was in this same boat in the 1990's. They have turned there problems around by requireing more education and passing a state board exam before being certified as corrections officers which equals more pay which equals a better quality of staff. They also have better benefits due to their high risk classification. I don't have these figures but I would like to know how many on the job injuries where reported in the last year in DOC as compared to DJJ. As well as the number of officer deaths while on the job. In my opinion, all DJJ officers should Certified Correction Officers as outlined in chapter 943 of the Florida statutes with special training in the area of Juvenile Justice. I could go on and on but I will stop here and hope that I have not offended anyone.

Thanks for reading
~Anonymous

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08/22/05 Orange JDC: Re 8/20/05: Checker...You said "there are some that would like to see justice prevail" in DJJ. This is a problem because as long as there are people not dedicated to doing the right thing DJJ will never be able to adequately perform the job of caring for juveniles (albeit, delinquent). EVERYONE in DJJ should be dedicated to a goal of ensuring that justice prevails... ~Anonymous & caring always

Re: post of 08/20/05 Orange JDC: "This is in reference to the stalking and sexual harrassment - The stalker is gone but not for stalking. You can always talk to your female co-workers, they know his true crime.To the previous writer in reference to the IG office...there are some that would like to see justice prevail. ~THE CHECKER..."

Checker, There is a problem that needs to be resolved. You said "there are some that would like to see justice prevail" in DJJ. This is a problem because as long as there are people not dedicated to doing the right thing DJJ will never be able to adequately perform the job of caring for juveniles (albeit, delinquent). EVERYONE in DJJ should be dedicated to a goal of ensuring that justice prevails. I can't emphasize the seriousness of this problem (which is that many within DJJ are either not focused or not dedicated to ensuring that justice prevail). This needs to be fixed. Kind of difficult when you are dealing with state employees. State employees have a myriad of options available to them concerning employment and firing a state employee requires a charge serious enough to warrant it or documentation. Put on top of that a huge dose of politics and self-interest by employees up & down the chain of command and you have a problem (or a mess as I like to term it). Those of you that have been in DJJ or now employed know what I am talking about and some may even recognize my previous statements as being true.
~Anonymous & caring always

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08/21/05 Hillsborough West JDC: To the wife of Mr. Penkoski - The West is run by morons. Mr. Kaylor is lazy. we had a officer that Kaylor sent to the Academy late and they tried to terminate him for Kaylors mistake. This officer had to call Perry Turner to get his job back. Why is it that 11 officers were hired and sent to the academy and now ZERO remain? ~"The Truth"

To the wife of Mr. Penkoski(sorry if I spelled it wrong) [08/20/05 My husband was fired this morning...] - The West is run by morons. Mr. Kaylor is lazy and never really works when he shows up. This man as made so many mistakes, and everytime Portesy and Raggett looked the other way. But, when a officer he didn't like made one bad release he had her terminated. I know that most, if not all, officers in our operations unit have made one bad release and they never got fired. Kaylor why is this? Let me also throw out there that we had a officer that Kaylor sent to the Academy late and they tried to terminate him for Kaylors mistake. This officer had to call Perry Turner to get his job back. They(Kaylor, Raggett, Chinult, and Portesy) wanted to try and cover it up so they didn't get in any trouble. In the end Kaylor was sent on a five day vacation(oh I mean suspension) for this mistake. But if he never spoke up for himself he would have been fired. The problem starts with Raggett because he allows this stuff to go on and he helps cover up these mistakes. Officers at the West continue to have to work 16hrs a day and 3-4 days in a row. Do you think that any of the Adminastratives care? No because they go home to their family while we are stuck working. The problem is only getting worse!! Why is it that 11 officers were hired and sent to the academy and now ZERO remain? Can anyone explain this???????? ~"The Truth"

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08/20/05 Orange JDC: This is in reference to the stalking and sexual harrassment - The stalker is gone but not for stalking. You can always talk to your female co-workers, they know his true crime.To the previous writer in reference to the IG office...there are some that would like to see justice prevail. ~THE CHECKER...

This is in reference to the stalking and sexual harrassment, To A.J. and all my fellow female officers at ORJDC .The stalker is gone but not for stalking.If you remember Al Capone , he was never convicted of his true crime but of a lesser crime, tax evasion.You can always talk to your female co-workers, they know his true crime.To the previous writer in reference to the IG office please don't discredit all of the investigators ,there are some that would like to see justice prevail.

Signed: THE CHECKER WHO IS CHECKING THE CHECKERS CHECKING THE CHECKERS

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08/20/05 Hillsborough West JDC: MY HUSBAND WAS FIRED THIS MORNING FOR COMMENTS THAT WERE POSTED ON THIS WESITE BY SOMEONE ( A Very Sad Officer [- 8/8/05]). WHOEVER YOU ARE, YOU JUST RUINED MY HUSBANDS REPUTATION AND NAME. HE IS A HARD WORKER AND FOR THESE PEOPLE TO FIRE HIM BASED ON COMMENTS THAT WERE POSTED BY YOU ARE DISGUSTING. ~disgusted wife

LISTEN TO WHAT I HAVE TO SAY!!!!!! MY HUSBAND WAS FIRED THIS MORNING FOR COMMENTS THAT WERE POSTED ON THIS WESITE BY SOMEONE ( A Very Sad Officer [- 8/8/05]) WHOEVER YOU ARE, YOU JUST RUINED MY HUSBANDS REPUTATION AND NAME. HE HAS WORKED VERY HARD AT THE JOB THAT HE HAS. HE IS A VETERAN OF 26 YEARS AS A POLICE OFFICER AND NOW BOTH ASDCII OF DJJ WEST HAS FIRED MY HUSBAND FOR SOMETHING THAT YOU HAVE WRITTEN. YOU DISGUST ME. HOW DARE YOU IF YOU HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THIS PERSON THEN YOU SHOULD HAVE SPOKEN OUT , APREANTLY THESE PEOPLE BELIEVE MY HUSBAND DID THIS, MY HUSBAND IS A GOOD HONEST MAN WHO HAS NEVER COMPLAINED ABOUT ANYTHING. HE IS A HARD WORKER AND FOR THESE PEOPLE TO FIRE HIM BASED ON COMMENTS THAT WERE POSTED BY YOU ARE DISGUSTING. MY HUSBAND WILL BE GETTING A LAWYER TO DEFEND HIM ON THIS BECAUSE HE DID NOT WRITE THESE COMMENTS. FOR ALL OF YOU OFFICERS OUT THERE WHO ARE NOT HAPPY PLEASE VOICE YOUR CONCERNS TO YOUR LT'S. BECAUSE THIS MAN WHO WAS FIRED HAS NEVER DONE ANY THING WRONG, HIS FATHER WAS IN THE HOSPITAL WITH A HEART ATTACK AND HE DIDNT ASK FOR TIME OFF I WAS IN THE HOSPITAL HAVING SURGERY AND HE NEVER ASKED FOR A DAY OFF, AND YET YOU FIRED HIM DOING HIS JOB AND ACUSING HIM OF WRITING SOMETHING THAT HE DID NOT WRITE. ~disgusted wife

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08/19/05 Manatee JDC: Facility meeting Frank Gargett tells staff what losers staff were that quit. Tallahassee take a closer look. People are not leaving because of money they are leaving because of this man and the injustice he dishes out to staff and youth. Many situations with kids are being covered up right now. ~Anonymous

Facility meeting Frank Gargett tells staff what losers staff were that quit. This man is not clueless he is the reason staff are leaving in numbers. This man comments were so out of place staff morale continues to be at an all time low many are looking for other jobs he basically stated you are a loser leave I don`t care I make my own rules and break them at my will deal with it. Tallahassee take a closer look. People are not leaving because of money they are leaving because of this man and the injustice he dishes out to staff and youth. Many situations with kids are being covered up right now. ~Anonymous

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08/18/05 Orange JDC: Re: 08/18/05 "Can someone PLEASE update me on the stalker situation at Orange? - Someone from DJJ please investigate this allegation. I can't believe that DJJ female personnel would post these allegations without some kind of actual incident(s) that initiated all this. ~Anonymous but concerned & caring always

Re: 08/18/05 Orange JDC: "Can someone PLEASE update me on the stalker situation at Orange? Is he a white shirt or regular uniform? PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE, tell me more! ~A fellow female Orange staff."

Someone from DJJ please investigate this allegation. An allegation like this should not be posted on a public bulletin board but should be properly investigated by DJJ's IG or by a non-partisan agency. My question is why are female staff members from Orange JDC posting anonymously on here about a valid concern and safety situation within the facility? The female staff should not have to resort to doing this. This would be reason enough for DJJ to properly investigate although I think it might be better to have someone other than DJJ to investigate. I seriously doubt that DJJ has the ability to police itself against allegations this serious and may be the reason that many of the abuse allegations are "disallowed" or "unsubstantiated" by their IG office. I do not work at JDC Orange nor am I currently employed at DJJ but as a former JDO I can see that something other than having DJJ's IG (like having FDLE or Orange County Sheriff's Office investigate) look into this is warranted. It is obvious that some female staff members at Orange JDC are reluctant to come forward with these allegations and I suspect it is for fear of reprisal. I can't believe that DJJ female personnel would post these allegations without some kind of actual incident(s) that initiated all this.
-Anonymous but concerned & caring always.

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08/18/05 Orange JDC: Can someone PLEASE update me on the stalker situation at Orange? Is he a white shirt or regular uniform? PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE, tell me more! ~A fellow female Orange staff.

Orange JDC: Can someone PLEASE update me on the stalker situation at Orange [08/10/05 ...Sexual Harrassment at ORJDC]? Is he a white shirt or regular uniform? PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE, tell me more! ~A fellow female Orange staff.

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08/17/05 Orange JDC: Now that I.m no longer a DJJ staff I feel that justice will prevail, one day some one will notice all the abuse that is going on at Orange, But let remind everyone that abuse is being committed by staff and the Superintendents and supervisors are keeping the mouth shut. Some staff have resigned or force to resign not because of abuse but because they speak the truth. ~Anonymous

Now that I.m no longer a DJJ staff I feel that justice will prevail, one day some one will notice all the abuse that is going on at Orange, But let remind everyone that abuse is being committed by staff and the Superintendents and supervisors are keeping the mouth shut. Some staff have resigned or force to resign not because of abuse but because they speak the truth. Take Ms Richey for example she was fired when she speak the truth, when Ms. Richey wrote grievances for sexual misconduct about Supervisor Howard, Mr. EASON DID NOTHING ABOUT it, But remember that Mr. Eason and Mr. Howard are school buddies, Now is the worse Mr. Williams spent all day in the computer and Mr Jenks is too busy chasing the black woman that work at DJJ, Mr. Nichols dont know right from wrong and then you have Mr Eason that he is still in cloud nine. Good staff are no longer part of Orange Djj only the trash was left behind. Now they have Ms Priester in charge, Oh my GOD , what a joke, Mr Butler wants the supt position thank GOD he is not in that position yet, because then Orange is going to have serious problems , maybe closing the detention center is a better idea. For my part I'm doing great, I feel like liberated, I was in jail and now I'm free. I rather collect trash that going back to that shit hole. I'm free, oh my god free. Anyone working at Orange detention Center can and will do better one they make the decision to resigned, believe me you will find another job and you will be stress free. There is a GOD.
~Anonymous

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08/17/05 Manatee JDC: Tallahassee are you paying attention to the staff ratio? What happen to the Video tapes where a staff was assaulted by a kid after being left alone? It is the Superintendents job to get the tapes after any serious incident but fingers are being pointed who had the tapes who altered the tapes. Look at the staff that have come and gone this year the numbers are high. ~Anonymous

Tallahassee are you paying attention to the staff ratio? Many officers contiune to plan to leave without notice. Frank Gargett continues to make excuses. We need no excuses we need results. This is a man with Situational Ethics. it all depends on how he feels personally about you and what situation he is in for him to pick what code of ethics he will and want use. What happen to the Video tapes where a staff was assaulted by a kid after being left alone? It is the Superintendents job to get the tapes after any serious incident but fingers are being pointed who had the tapes who altered the tapes. Look at the staff that have come and gone this year the numbers are high. Perry Turner are you listening. ~Anonymous

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08/17/05 DJJ: Re: "I am sick and tired of hearing ONLY the negativity...; How dare you judge any of us, or Cathy Corry for wanting better treatment towards these kids. HOW CAN ANYONE DISAGREE WITH WHY THIS BOARD WAS FORMED??? IT DID NOT MATTER WHAT THESE KIDS DID TO INITIALLY GET INTO TROUBLE, WHAT TRULY MATTERS IS HOW THEY ARE OR WERE TREATED, AND ALL OF THIS IS ABUSE, MURDER, AND NEGLECT. ~Dawn Chase

IN REGARDS TO THIS STATEMENT:: "[08/11/05] I am sick and tired of hearing ONLY the negativity of DJJ on this site. DJJ is not the ones who are responsible for the kids to initially be in contact with them. It is the irresponibility of the parents raising their kids, it is the kids hanging around the wrong peers, and at times it can be the kids themselves who have the problem getting them into the initial troubles. Miss Corry likes to leave these issues behind because I am sure she falls in the parenting category just mentioned. I have met Miss Cory and found out what kind of unprofessional lady she is. She is the type to blame everything and everyone for her own insecurities. Yes DJJ makes mistakes.....but then again....who doesn't?? "

I'm sorry, but you have got to be one disturbed Judgemental Person here. How dare you judge any of us, or Cathy Corry for that matter for wanting better treatment towards these kids. HOW CAN ANYONE DISAGREE WITH WHY THIS BOARD WAS FORMED??? I HOPE YOU DON'T WORK FOR DJJ, OR YOU ARE ONE OF THESE PROBLEM ABUSERS THAT WE ALL HAVE CONTENTIONS WITH. GOD HELP THE CHILDREN IF YOU ARE!!!!!! IT DOES NOT MATTER WHAT THE CHILD OR TEEN DID, THE FACTS ARE HERE ON THIS BOARD. THREE BOYS DIED!!! MY SON HAS BEEN SEVERELY ABUSED TO THE POINT OF BROKEN BONES, MENTAL ABUSE AS WELL!!!!!!!!! DO YOU NOT COMPREHEND WHAT HAS BEEN GOING ON. HOW MANY MORE KIDS ARE GOING THROUGH THE SAME HELL THAT WE ARE NOT EVEN AWARE OF YET??? IT DID NOT MATTER WHAT THESE KIDS DID TO INITIALLY GET INTO TROUBLE, WHAT TRULY MATTERS IS HOW THEY ARE OR WERE TREATED, AND ALL OF THIS IS ABUSE, MURDER, AND NEGLECT. You want to blame the parents??? Get real, I raised all three of my kids the same, I now have two in College, and Christopher would be on that same path as my older two, had he been allowed to come home when he finished all of his requirements for the programs. Christopher was sent to a program for school yard fights, this is the same stuff we all grew up with, yet we didn't go to jail or detention centers for it, our parents took care of that, and believe me I did take care of that situation with Christopher and counseled him and disciplined him the RIGHT way, age appropriate. Yes, there may be some parents out there that don't care about their kids, but I can assure you and everyone reading, THIS MOTHER CARES MORE FOR HER CHILDREN THEN HER OWN LIFE!!!!!!!! My family has morals and ethics, so keep your sanctimonious pompous attitude to yourself. ~Dawn Chase 850-983-6777

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08/16/05 DJJ: ...[DJJ] is making changes daily. Mr. Schembri has changed the PAR policy that institues what type of force is necessary and when it is necessary. I think what hurts is when officers get on this website and see all the negative but never see the positive. People need to start putting more positive stuff on this site because i know its there. ~Anonymous

I am a DJJ emloyee and the department is making changes daily. Mr. Schembri has changed the PAR policy that institues what type of force is necessary and when it is necessary. I think what hurts is when officers get on this website and see all the negative but never see the positive. There is positive in DJJ but just rarely told. Officers put there life on the line everyday because unfortuniately there are juveniles that hurt and kill people daily, whether you believe it or not. Face it kids are just not like they used to be a long time ago, when all you had to do was spank there rear end and you was lucky if the neighbors, grandparents, and just whoever didn't bust that butt. People need to start putting more positive stuff on this site because i know its there. ~Anonymous

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08/14/05 Orange JDC: All I can say is thank God for the Mental Health staff who strive to make a difference there - Ines, David, Erin, Zulema, Kathy - keep up the good work ~Anonymous

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08/14/05 DJJ: ...the remark that MY SON's diary is fake..., Are you out of your mind??? Was Danny Matthew's, Shawn Smith, Omar Paisley all fake stories too?? This crap and abuse happens in this system and NOBODY is doing anything to stop it!! There are stories on both sides here, from parents, and from concerned workers in DJJ, now all of us are telling lies?? Get real and open up YOUR eyes!! ~Dawn Chase

In regards to the remark that MY SON's diary is fake [08/13/05 Has any of this made a difference], to the poster RD, Are you out of your mind??? Do you think for one minute I would waste my time posting false allegations, and things that have happened in my son's life now for the past 4 years? Was Danny Matthew's, Shawn Smith, Omar Paisley all fake stories too?? This crap and abuse happens in this system and NOBODY is doing anything to stop it!! I resent that remark very much!! Do you realize I have tried to contact Secretary Schembri, and each time was diverted to someone else in his office, NEVER ONE letter, NEVER ONE phone call from this man, he lets everyone else handle his job! My son and I have been through enough, and you have the gall to post such a hurtful comment!! Do you not feel what the parents of those three boys have been through? You must be one of those particular abusive DJJ employees that think these kids don't deserve better. I have posted facts and true statements here. I have NOT fabricated anything, to do so would be slanderous and liable. I'm not about to post or say anything that can't be backed up by facts, truth and records, and sworn statements. When my Son does come home, he will go national with his story!! I intend to expose all the abuse and the crooked people that are in DJJ, and nobody is going to stop me from doing it. This system robs our kids of having any chance of a normal childhood. Many of the programs have these kids drugged up on all kinds of medication that they don't need as well, they expect them to grow a halo, and wings or act like zombies, and if they have an opinion of their own, they are battered for it!! You get real and find out the facts before you go accusing ME or MY SON of telling falsehoods!!! There are stories on both sides here, from parents, and from concerned workers in DJJ, now all of us are telling lies?? Get real and open up YOUR eyes!!
~Dawn Chase 850-983-6777

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08/14/05 Osceola JDC: In reference to what is going on with Mr.Lonton...he knows how important it is to be professional, and he carried himself that way when i met him... ~Anonymous

In reference to what is going on with Mr.Lonton [08/13/05 Polk JDC] I met this gentleman at the training institute, what his personal life is does'nt belong on this website, in his position he knows how important it is to be professional, and he carried himself that way when i met him.I guarantee you he would be better than some Supt. the department has now. ~Anonymous

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08/13/05 Orange JDC: To the other Orange DJJ worker. Can you provide us, your female colleagues, a bit more information regarding this stalker so that we may be careful and not allow ourselves to be hurt, and so we can help each other out. ~THANKS, AJ

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08/13/05 Polk JDC: I am a Polk Detention staff; Why is it that Asst Supt Lonton has been allow to get away with getting a female officer pregnant? Nothing was done yet it was done while she work there. Mr. Loftheim not Mr. Lonton should look into AW claiming over time in the pay period that ended on 07/14 when she was coming in late to work and leaving on time how can you have ot. ~Anonymous

I am a Polk Detention staff that has seen and heard alot of stuff going on at Polk, now that Mr. Loftheim is about to leave I know the situation will only get worse. Why is it that Asst Supt Lonton has been allow to get away with getting a female officer pregnant? Nothing was done yet it was done while she work there. Why is it that a new female supervisor who happens to be friends with Mr. Lonton wife is now on day shift and if you need Mr. Lonton all you have to do is look in the supervisor office for him with his Lt Supervisor GL who just happen to be able to attend his wedding. Why is it that the Lt cannot work after 10:00p.m. Mr. Loftheim not Mr. Lonton should look into AW claiming over time in the pay period that ended on 07/14 when she was coming in late to work and leaving on time how can you have ot, I guess because she and Ms Lonton are friends and it rare for GL to work a full weekend but if you are the boss friend why not. If you care about Polk and you should speak up, Mr. Lonton is not the person we want running the detention center, he is a delegator and what he claims he used to do as a supervisor seems he is the only one who remembers. If this is ignore and it probably will be the Deem status that so many at Polk work for will be over next year when the QA team come for a one day. ~Anonymous

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08/13/05 DJJ: R.D., That was really mean to attack Ms.Chase and make an allegation to her son`s dairy being fake. I work for DJJ and have been an employee for over a decade. Find ways in the Department to help youths and parents not continue the injustice that continues to be given by the leaders in charge. ~Anonymous

R.D., That was really mean to attack Ms.Chase and make an allegation to her son`s dairy being fake [08/13/05 Has any of this made a difference]. Until you have walked a mile in some of the suffering parents shoes please discontinue making comments you do not know to be factual. I work for DJJ and have been an employee for over a decade, I have seen many things in my day. I made a choice from day one in the way I would handle kids in custody "I handle them like they are my own". I tell them things about life that I have told my own. I dare anyone to mistreat a kid in my presence, it does not happen because they know I will [not] tolearte this behavior. Stop attacking suffering parents and youth. Find ways in the Department to help youths and parents not continue the injustice that continues to be given by the leaders in charge. ~Anonymous

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08/13/05 DJJ: Has any of this made a difference? Turner and Schrembi don't care. Jeb Bush certainly doesn't care. What will be done to stop the suffering? ~RD

Has any of this made a difference? Do you think our Florida Government cares one iota about the juveniles in it custody? DO YOU SEE? DJJ employees are treated like indentured servants. They are leaving in droves. What's being done? Turner and Schrembi don't care. Jeb Bush certainly doesn't care. Not even Ms. Chase's postings of her son's fake diary has made a difference. DO YOU SEE? What will be done to stop the suffering? ~RD

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08/12/05 DJJ: Re: Posting of 08/11/05 DJJ: You have contradicted yourself; your comment was posted - if she didn't want to take your feelings into consideration she would have refrained from using it on here. Cathy Corry is up against the state of florida and not necessarily DJJ. People working within the system are not allowed to voice anything perceived as negative and if they do they are subject to retaliation in some way. DJJ's Perry Turner denies this but... He and others within DJJ actually monitor this site to learn what the rank and file are thinking and saying. ~Anonymous

Re: Posting of 08/11/05 DJJ: "I am sick and tired of hearing ONLY the negativity of DJJ on this site. I have met Miss Cory and found out what kind of unprofessional lady she is. She is the type to blame everything and everyone for her own insecurities. The only negativity I don't see allowed on this site are for the people who disagree with Miss Corry and who DO think the DJJ is doing the best job they can for these kids. But unfortunatly, Miss Corry will continue to hide that... ~Anonymous"

You have contradicted yourself; your comment was posted - if she didn't want to take your feelings into consideration she would have refrained from using it on here. Cathy Corry is up against the state of florida and not necessarily DJJ. The problems of DJJ are really the problems of the state of florida and how their management of DJJ causes a negative influence on the juveniles in DJJ's custody. The negativity on this site is generated by the DJJ employees and people who were previously employed by DJJ or one of contracted organizations. People working within the system are not allowed to voice anything perceived as negative and if they do they are subject to retaliation in some way. DJJ's Perry Turner denies this but it is a stark example of how far removed and out of touch he is from what problems are actually affecting the organization. He and others within DJJ actually monitor this site to learn what the rank and file are thinking and saying. Too bad this is the case and the people within the organization don't feel free to voice their feelings directly to their supervisors and higher DJJ management without remaining anonymous. This is the reason for so much negativity on this website. DJJ can always stand improvement even if they were doing the best possible job with the juveniles (which they are definately not doing!). ~Anonymous

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08/12/05 DJJ: We the Officer in the Central Region appreciate Ms.Cory. We feel this is a lady that will not tolerate injustice not only for the youth but also the officers that see and report but are retailated against once they come forward. Tallahassee continues to turn their backs but soon the media will not. The media will want to hear all the details of crooked injustice in the Central Region and across the state of Florida. Officers Unite...Justice will be served. ~Anonymous

We the Officer in the Central Region appreciate Ms.Cory. She has every right to be insecure with the continued injustice some youth are affected and inflicted with. We feel this is a lady that will not tolerate injustice not only for the youth but also the officers that see and report but are retailated against once they come forward. We will not rest until a occurrence in the way DJJ operates takes place. Tallahassee continues to turn their backs but soon the media will not. The media will want to hear all the details of crooked injustice in the Central Region and across the state of Florida. Officers Unite...Justice will be served. ~Anonymous

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08/11/05 DJJ: I am sick and tired of hearing ONLY the negativity of DJJ on this site. I have met Miss Cory and found out what kind of unprofessional lady she is. She is the type to blame everything and everyone for her own insecurities. The only negativity I don't see allowed on this site are for the people who disagree with Miss Corry and who DO think the DJJ is doing the best job they can for these kids. But unfortunatly, Miss Corry will continue to hide that . . . . ~Anonymous

I am sick and tired of hearing ONLY the negativity of DJJ on this site. DJJ is not the ones who are responsible for the kids to initially be in contact with them. It is the irresponibility of the parents raising their kids, it is the kids hanging around the wrong peers, and at times it can be the kids themselves who have the problem getting them into the initial troubles. Miss Corry likes to leave these issues behind because I am sure she falls in the parenting category just mentioned. I have met Miss Cory and found out what kind of unprofessional lady she is. She is the type to blame everything and everyone for her own insecurities. Yes DJJ makes mistakes.....but then again....who doesn't?? This site to me is bias and one-sided and does not allow the opinion nor positive feedback about the juvenile justice system. The only negativity I don't see allowed on this site are for the people who disagree with Miss Corry and who DO think the DJJ is doing the best job they can for these kids. But unfortunatly, Miss Corry will continue to hide that and find anyway possible to make the juvenile justice system look much, much worse than it really is. I feel really sorry for her. ~Anonymous

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08/11/05 Orange JDC: At ORJDC they are letting the new trainees that have not been to the academy yet work on the floor with one JPO or SJDO. The other day we had a code white and a code blue. The trainee was not allow to go and help. The JDO was not allow to leave the mod since the trainee could not be left alone. ~Anonymous

Just a few notes of precaution. Why is it that the new trainee's that are working with us are doing JDO's and SJDO's duties. At ORJDC they are letting the new trainees that have not been to the academy yet work on the floor with one JPO or SJDO. The other day we had a code white and a code blue. The trainee was not allow to go and help. The JDO was not allow to leave the mod since the trainee could not be left alone. Isn't that a liability? We love the trainees dearly but they are not certified yet and that can creat a lot of trouble. My understanding is that they are suppose to be with a FTO at all times. Can somebody please clear us on this...... ~Anonymous

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08/10/05 Orange JDC: To the office of the Inspector General, Sexual Harrassment at ORJDC date of incident 7/25/05 @ 3:20 pm. The female officers at ORJDC are not safe due to there being a stalker among us. Have you received a formal complaint from this facility?If not you should have.Please send a fair and impartial party to investigate. ~Anonymous

To the office of the Inspector General, Sexual Harrassment at ORJDC date of incident 7/25/05 @ 3:20 pm. There are clear policies and directives for handling sexual harrassment complaints. We are sure the Superintendant and Asst. Superintendants are not to conduct their own in house investigations.Since when do the BIG BAD WOLVES summon LITTLE RED RIDINGHOOD (victim)to the superintendants office to be interviewed by the accused (supevisor)?The female officers at ORJDC are not safe due to there being a stalker among us. This charge alone carries jail time.My dear sirs and mams.Have you received a formal complaint from this facility?If not you should have.Please send a fair and impartial party to investigate.Oh! what ever you do do not send Mr. Goff as he has a vested interest and for heavens sake not the investigator that went to bat for Sandga Singn on the internet. That should never have happened. To Supt Michael Williams and ADS Eason. Since your intimidation cost LITTLE RED RIDINGHOOD her job. Do you think that makes her more dangerous or less dangerous?To the female officers of ORJDC unite and regain respect.To LITTE RED RIDINGHOOD if necessary take it to the federal level!!$$$$ ~Anonymous

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08/10/05 Manatee JDC: Lieutenant and Sergeant both resign this week without notice. More officers set to walk...due to stress,working on floor solo, no breaks, holdover...Look for a serious incident to occur because of overworked officers and uncaring Frank Gargett. ~Anonymous

News in Manatee Lieutenant and Sergeant both resign this week without notice. Manatee continues to fall apart daily because of our fearless leader Frank Gargett. More officers set to walk without notice due to stress,working on floor solo, no breaks, holdover and the list goes on. Tallahassee take a look at the upcoming overtime for Manatee for all officers this will tell the story. Look for a serious incident to occur because of overworked officers and uncaring Frank Gargett. Take notes ~Anonymous

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08/09/05 Manatee JDC: Tallahassee are you listening? More Officers are set to walk out without notice. Officers at Manatee love the job and the youth they serve but can not tolerate the continued injustice of Frank Gargett.
~Anonymous

Manatee Detention in the news once again. More Officers resign without notice because Superintendent feels he is the only soul with a life outside of work. Officers are being forced to work without the option to adjust or keep overtime. Tallahassee are you listening? You need to step in complete investigation into why Manatee is so short staff. More Officers are set to walk out without notice. Officers at Manatee love the job and the youth they serve but can not tolerate the continued injustice of Frank Gargett. ~Anonymous

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08/09/05 Osceola JDC: For the writer on 8/8/05: Mr. Heffernan is all good he teach you all related stuff to DJJ and also will teach you how to fly an airplane, he will teach it good. Great person. He Should be reconized by DJJ of Central Region. He knows Juvenile System. Real Professional Keep the good work Mr. Heffernan. ~Anonymous Osceola JDC Staff

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08/09/05 Osceola JDC Re: posting of 08/07/05 Even if you had proof that people were engaging in wrongful activities this is not the place to publicize this behavior. It seems like some forget the purpose of this activism: promoting an affective, radical change within DJJ in order to improve the treatment are care of juveniles within the custody of the State of Florida. Remember that we are here for the children's interest and that should be the only concern - not attacking people on here. ~Anonymous but concerned and caring always

Re: posting of 08/07/05 "Osceola JDC: Oseola, I guess you just can not find a good Supt.

After reading this posting I just have to comment. I do not agree with or like many of the people who work in DJJ but to place dispareging remarks by name against an individual (no matter how much we may dislike them professionally or personally) is cowardardly and libelous. I have placed numerous postings on here regarding DJJ and state government but am careful not to libel anyone. I have no personal agenda against anyone and am active only to the extent of encouraging positive change within the organization by publicizing what I have experienced and seen while working for DJJ. Everyone on here should have the same goal. I have interacted with Mr. Hefferman while a student at the justice academy in Valencia Collge and found him to be extremely professional in all his dealings with people. I do not know him personally. Even if you had proof that people were engaging in wrongful activities this is not the place to publicize this behavior. From your post it sounds like you are just guessing and the intent seems only to slander someone; what good does that do anyone? It seems like some forget the purpose of this activism: promoting an affective, radical change within DJJ in order to improve the treatment are care of juveniles within the custody of the State of Florida. Remember that we are here for the children's interest and that should be the only concern - not attacking people on here. ~Anonymous but concerned and caring always

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08/09/05 DJJ: At the beginning of all the trouble with DJJ with my son Christopher Sholly, he had a public defender. Here is an article today in the Santa Rosa Press Gazette Dated Aug 08, 2005. This is the type of person that defended my son, and many other juveniles in this area of Milton, Florida. The headline reads: PUBLIC DEFENDER ARRESTED ON FORGERY! ~Dawn Chase

I just had to give you all some news. At the beginning of all the trouble with DJJ with my son Christopher Sholly, he had a public defender. Here is an article today in the Santa Rosa Press Gazette Dated Aug 08, 2005. This is the type of person that defended my son, and many other juveniles in this area of Milton, Florida.

The headline reads: PUBLIC DEFENDER ARRESTED ON FORGERY! A lawyer with the Public Defender's Office in Milton FL finds herself facing allegaions of forgery and theft. Rebecca A Schernitzki, 30, has been charged with two counts of making a forged instrument, one count of uttering a forged instrument and one count of theft between $20,000 and $100,000. The charges stem from allegations the woman attempted to improperly take single ownership of her home. Officials say the woman had purchased her three bedroom home in 2000, but in 2001, records showed her boyfriend's name on the deed. Statements from Clerk of Court staffers indicated the woman, in 2002, filed a quit claim deed to gain sole ownership of the property. The employee's statements indicated the woman appeared with a man who showed her boyferiend's driver's license and who then signed the deed. The problem? Court officials say Schernitzki's boyfriend was in jail at the time and, at the time of his booking, did NOT have his driver's license. Schernitzki faces a Sept 6 arraignment and complaint charges from the Florida Bar. Schernitzki had been with the Public Defender's office for about six years. Officials say the woman's job required her to typically handle juvenile cases in the area.

'This attorney did a lousey job of defending my son, she didn't care about any of the kids she was suppose to defend. She never returned any of our phone calls, never discussed anything with me or my son. With this scum in the system, how can any of our children be given a chance??'

This story was written by Jim Fletcher at fletcher@sr-pg.com ~Dawn Chase 850-983-6777

[Also read Public Defender Charged in Forgery. Derek Pivnik. Pensacola News Journal. August 5, 2005. j4k]

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08/08/05 Osceola JDC: Heffernan is not a klan member,trashing him will do you no good.He teaches the DJJ academy and cultural diversity is included in that,how would a Klan member be able to do this and may I mention,do it well. ~Anonymous

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08/08/05 Hillsborough West JDC: Since Mr. Portesy left us, we have a ASDCII that has taken more leave than anyone else; a floor Supervisor that is rude, loud, unprofessional and as getto as they come; our acting Supt. does delegate work to everyone but him self. We have some very good Officers, but because of the chaos that is going on at HRJDC West staff are leaving quickly one by one. When you ask why they are leaving they all have the same answer, "This Place is run by A#$* Holes" ~A Very Sad Officer

Since Mr. Portesy left us, the other two bozo's who have been left in charge have allowed things to get much worse then ever before. We have a ASDCII that is in charge of the floor, he has been there for about 30 or so days, in those days he has taken more leave than anyone else. We ask for leave and he imforms us that he is checking every bodys time and if you have used too much then you will not be granted leave time. MMMMMMMM......this comes from a person who is never at work. When he is there he struts around like he is the best thing that has ever come to the West, but sadly sir WE think you are the worst thing to ever step foot in the door. Please do us all a favor, go back into the hole you crawled out of. WE have a floor Supervisor that thinks she is the Supt. Creating chaos where ever she goes. She is rude, loud, unprofessional and as getto as they come, she too needs to crawl back into the darkness she came from. Last but not least our acting Supt. He does only one thing and that is to delegate work to everyone but him self. He never has answers to our questions and he never knows what is going on. We have some very good Officers, but because of the chaos that is going on at HRJDC West staff are leaving quickly one by one. When you ask why they are leaving they all have the same answer, "This Place is run by A#$* Holes" Sadley it is true. Please Mr. Raggett, come save us from the Hell that is known as HRJDC- West. ~A Very Sad Officer

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08/07/05 Orange JDC: Re: Orange 8/5/05-Deadweight/bad treatment of kids Its all true. Nichols has physically harmed a youth and had to be pulled off. Others at Orange why don't you tell the truth. If we come together...I don't think we all could lose our jobs. Eason verbally taunts youth. Our superintendent seems like a great guy but I expected more from him. That abuse with the kids happens often though. You say something and your the bad one. Makes no sense. Everyone thats ever pointed out the problems "has had to go." ~Anonymous

Re: Article at Orange Deadweight/bad treatment of kids

Its all true. early an article said Nichols and Eason worked 16-18 hrs a day- were you speaking of last year during the hurricans when they had to be at the facility? I hope your not counting mindless chatter for a couple hours. Cause that doesn't count as work. Nichols has physically harmed a youth and had to be pulled off. Others at Orange why don't you tell the truth. If we come together...I don't think we all could lose our jobs. Eason verbally taunts youth. I don't know that the four don't accomplish anything at all I would hope they do some work but it doesnt appear that they do or try. The other state said there was one SJDO but I think there is three: Coley, Pate, and Jones + JDOS Langford. Before them you had SJDO Singh who was running around like a chicken with her head cut off. Our superintendent seems like a great guy but I expected more from him. I thought he would have been able to incite them into working... Instead they all take hour lunches. I wish I could actually even have a lunch much less a break... Im sure you all remember the earlier complaints about long hours, lunches, and breaks. I dont know that Jenks takes hour lunches. That abuse with the kids happens often though. You say something and your the bad one. Makes no sense. We really should come together on this. Everyone thats ever pointed out the problems "has had to go." ~Anonymous

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08/07/05 DJJ: Response to 08/07/05 Miami-Dade JDC: The more staff and parents that are willing to speak up for what is right,the faster we will see changes. I know this is a hard road to take when it puts your job on the line and you have family to think of. NO ONE CAN EVER GIVE MY FAMILY BACK, MY HEART AND SOUL DANNY, BUT ALL OF YOU CAN SAVE THE CHILD NEXT TO YOU!!! For anyone that would like to speak to my lawyer about what has or is happening in the system, his name is: Mr Greg Perenich, phone # 727-669-2828. Forever in tears. Diana Matthews

Response to: 08/07/05 Miami-Dade JDC: I can only agree with the general tone of recent postings. I agree with you the truth will come out! The more staff and parents that are willing to speak up for what is right ,the faster we will see changes. I know this is a hard road to take when it puts your job on the line and you have family to think of. But think of how you would feel knowing you sat back said nothing then a child in your family wound up in the system the way it is. Think of what Mrs Chase and her son go through, knowing every word they speak can be used against her son.As when I speak out my other sons see injustice to themselfs.Mrs Chase is a strong Parent as we can see,that has raised her son with that same strength of mind they will not sit back and allow injustices to children. The only way we can make things better for staff and children is to stand together. NO ONE CAN EVER GIVE MY FAMILY BACK, MY HEART AND SOUL DANNY, BUT ALL OF YOU CAN SAVE THE CHILD NEXT TO YOU!!! It may be hard to do but saving a child's life is worth the fight. For anyone that would like to speak to my lawyer about what has or is happening in the system, His name is as follows: Mr Greg Perenich, phone # 727-669-2828. God bless all who truly care for the children. Forever in tears. ~Diana Matthews

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08/07/05 Osceola JDC: Oseola, I guess you just can not find a good Supt. Hefferman was a klan member; Hoffman was a liar; Honan knew her job; Jewel is a lost cause; Payano is just a lost cause; Housel was O.K. Osceola admin. need to stop giving the brown noses the supervisor jobs, and hire the most qualified people the jobs. Oops!! Those people already left. ~Anonymous

Oseola, I guess you just can not find a good Supt. Hefferman was a klan member, alone with his pal Chinault. Hoffman was a liar, nasty, like to steal from the state, and was mad because he was not spanish. Honan knew her job, and she was your pal even though she wanted to sleep with all the brothers. Peggy Jewel is a lost cause, the job was given to her because she was white, and been there for 30 years. Payano is just a lost cause, along with his wife who had nasty ways, but they were able to work together, and have the same days off. Housel was O.K. but needed to wash his clothes, and press them. Hoffman I heard not only was you nasty at work, but your apartment was as nasty as you are. So really this new Supt. just walked in a big mess. Osceola admin. need to stop giving the brown noses the supervisor jobs, and hire the most qualified people the jobs. Oops!! Those people already left. ~Anonymous

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08/07/05 Marion JDC: how do we get rid of lousy nurses doctors and mental health staff. Some are great but others might as well not be there. Sometimes they ARENT there but they say they are. Some of the kids where we work wont even go to sick call because they are treated so poorly. I have seen nurses yell at them,use cuss words and stuff like that. Is there anyway these people can be weeded out. How do we file complaints against them, not DJJ but outside the system. ~DM

how do we get rid of lousy nurses doctors and mental health staff. Some are great but others might as well not be there. Sometimes they ARENT there but they say they are. Some of the kids where we work wont even go to sick call because they are treated so poorly. I have seen nurses yell at them,use cuss words and stuff like that. One even told this boy that he didnt deserve anything better because he was a criminal. Mental heatlh staff? Some are just plain scarey but they get the big bucks to rush in do a 2minute "assessment" and take off leaving the staff to deal with a crying kid that we dont even know what happened. Is there anyway these people can be weeded out. How do we file complaints against them, not DJJ but outside the system. ~DM

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08/07/05 Miami-Dade JDC: I can only agree with the general tone of recent postings. If we dare to complain there IS retaliation. Fire whoever let this happen to Christopher Sholley. Schembri could have stepped in. Fire that monster (the supt. at Volusia--Finn)--he is more interested in training for his marathon races on state time; And thank you Mrs. Corry for your efforts. Kids should read--Why is it that some centers allow it and others don't. Would Ragett have anything to do with it? Christopher, hang in there. You will eventually be able to tell your story nationwide. ~Anonymous

I can only agree with the general tone of recent postings. Even though I believe in the DJJ system and am PROUD to war the uniform, I don't NEED the uniform. That's not what makes those of us who work in these detention centers who care about kids who we are. I appreciate this web-site,dont get me wrong, but the readers need to know that many of the employees are held captive just like these kids. If we dare to complain there IS retaliation. Some of us fear for our own kids and families. Just because Mr. Turner says it wont be tolerated doesnt make it so. WHAT has HE or SCHEMBRI done about it. Schembri just seems to be a figure head that likes lots of good press but off with our heads if, God forbid, something goes wrong or if he is just having a bad day. One more thing, if any of these parents of kids who have died or maybe only in spirit like Christopher Sholley, have lawyers have them start taking statements from detention staff and at that great big tower of denial in Tallhassee. It wont take long before the truth comes out. God Bless the Matthews family, the Sholley family, and Shawn Smith's and Omar Paisly family. We hope the pain has decreased but we know it will never go away. WHY are those that should have been fired even years ago still enjoying the perks of DJJ? Fire whoever let this happen to Christopher Sholley. Schembri could have stepped in. Fire that monster (the supt. at Volusia--Finn)--he is more interested in training for his marathon races on state time than he is listening to what needs to be done to keep these kids safe. He doesnt even support his staff. And thank you Mrs. Corry for your efforts. Kids should read--or do they lose that right too? Why is it that some centers allow it and others don't. Would Ragett have anything to do with it? Christopher, hang in there. You will eventually be able to tell your story nationwide, many people are already working on your behalf. They better not let anything happen to you at the ADULT prison OR THERE WILL BE HELL TO PAY.
~Anonymous

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08/06/05 DJJ: Reply to 08/05/05 Orange JDC: YOU ARE SO VERY RIGHT!... The broken bones, the killings and the neglect, beatings, that is all being done in these facilities to instill fear in these children, yet where the hell is HRS and DCF now??? Mrs. Matthews, your son did not die in vain, and as long as there is a breath in me, I will fight for these children along with you all. ~Dawn Chase

08/05/05 Orange JDC: Please do us a favor and once and for all fire all of the dead weight at Orange. (4 Asst. Superintendents) They are not accomplishing anything. If you don't believe me- watch them in action. Its not safe and secure for the kids. The sad truth is that in my opinion these kids behind doors are treated worse than prisoners, animals, etc. ~Anonymous

I have to comment on this statement, and YOU ARE SO VERY RIGHT!!!! I want to know why it is that the DJJ system does not give our kids the same rights as they do anyone that breaks the law? I truly believe that the laws of this state have taken away many rights of a parent. The other day, I watched on the news that an 8 year old girl was arrested for kicking her teacher!!! Hand cuffed!!! Although this is very wrong of this child, what happened to calling in the parents, and having the girl go to a priciples office???? The parents are the ones to take care of this, not a police officer!!!!!

When I was growing up, if anyone did this, they were taken to a priciples office and paddled, and then the parents were called to take the child home and deal with them there. This is just getting out of hand here in this state!! This makes me so ill!!! Bring back those good old fashioned fundamentals to the schools and give the teachers some authority and the parents the authority to discipline children when it is needed!! I know there are parents out there that say omg, no teacher better touch my child.. but look what has happened to the kids in the last 30 years? They have no respect for teachers, or their parents now. We did not have to worry about police walking the halls, we did not have to worry about guns and knives being in our schools. The states have taken the rights of parents away. The bible itself states.. "Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is older he will not depart from it". How can any parent train up their child the right way, when they have been taken rights away?? Thanks to the HRS/DCS fanatics out there, many parents became frightened to do any discipline for fear of their children be taken away from them. Do any of you see what I am trying to say here??? There is a great difference between abuse and discipline, and a spanking is not abuse! The broken bones, the killings and the neglect, beatings, that is all being done in these facilities to instill fear in these children, yet where the hell is HRS and DCF now??? Mrs. Matthews, your son did not die in vain, and as long as there is a breath in me, I will fight for these children along with you all. God bless you and your family.
~Dawn Chase 850-983-6777

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08/05/05 DJJ: Dear Mrs Chase, You did great on the radio with Cathy yesterday, stay strong and keep going! Forever in tears,
~Diana Matthews

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08/05/05 DJJ: In regards to 08/02/05 DJJ... Thank you for caring for our kids out there, and God bless you!! I will send copies to these places [Dateline, Channel 6 Problem Solvers in Orlando, 60 Minutes, American Justice, Primetime and 20/20...] that you have suggested. ~Dawn Chase 850-983-6777

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08/05/05 Orange JDC: Please do us a favor and once and for all fire all of the dead weight at Orange. (4 Asst. Superintendents) They are not accomplishing anything. If you don't believe me- watch them in action. Its not safe and secure for the kids. The sad truth is that in my opinion these kids behind doors are treated worse than prisoners, animals, etc. ~Anonymous

Please do us a favor and once and for all fire all of the dead weight at Orange. (4 Asst. Superintendents) They are not accomplishing anything. If you don't believe me- watch them in action. Try to get something accomplish...ask anyone there or that needs something from there. I know change comes slow but I could have a full head of gray before anything gets done. How is it possible for all 4 Assistants to give there work to 1 SJDO? If thats possible I'd start cutting positions. We are in need of "major renovations." Its not safe and secure for the kids. Never mind reducing crime we can't even provide the basic functions provide a safe and secure environment for the youth. The youth are in environments where the basic items are not provided to them. There non-existent self esteems are being broken down...hmmm lets wonder if their going to come back...and then if they won't behave lets resort to what? Physical Violence? Because why most officers think the only effective method of control is FEAR especially at large centers where staff shortage is an issue. I really wish I was exaggerating but the sad truth is that in my opinion and this is an opinion these kids behind doors are treated worse than prisoners, animals, etc. I know this going to get a lot of negative feedback and I dont want it to. Id like for it to help. No matter what the bottom line is these are kids and there is a more effective means . .~Anonymous

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08/02/05 DJJ: Ms. Chase, can I make a suggestion? Sent a copy of Chris' diary to Dateline, Channel 6 Problem Solvers in Orlando, 60 Minutes, American Justice, Primetime and 20/20. I am sure one of them will respond to you. Good luck and my prayers are with both you and Chris. ~A DJJ employee that cares (Orange JDC)

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08/02/05 DJJ: Comment to 07/31/05 DJJ: disciplinary confinement - You are so right here, if any of this ever went on in our own homes, we would not only have the children taken, but also we would face charges. I have sent a copy of Christophers Diary by way of USPS mail to Gov. Bush, and have NOT heard one word from him. Does he care??? Do any of these people really care??? Look at the picture of my Son..he has hurt and fear in his eyes, scars on his face from the beatings, and on his head. Why all the corruption in this System?? I want to know WHY??? ~Dawn Chase

In comment to: 07/31/05 DJJ: The one overwhelming inhumane practice in these facilities, which needs to be stopped, is disciplinary confinement of up to seventy-two hours. Also, never forget the extent of racism existing in these facilities-ask the kids! ~Anonymous

You are so right here, if any of this ever went on in our own homes, we would not only have the children taken, but also we would face charges. My Son, and many other children have endured not only this type of treatment, but beatings, and broken bones. He was also basically starved at Greenville Hills when he was there as well. He was called racist names by the African American Staff working there as well. My children were never bought up to see any color in their eyes, this was a total shock to Christopher as well, for a grown adult to be calling him racial names, and make racial slurs. This only goes to show that some of these workers are NOT there for our kids, and they have NO education!! I don't care if a child is white, black, purple, yellow, if they are being abused it is WRONG!!! Racial hate is a learned thing, and those of us that have taught our children different, Our Children are now being taught that it is out there, and they learn it from the staff. With people like this taking care of our kids, Racial hate and violence will never end. This really turns my stomach. I also wanted to make comment that I have sent a copy of Christophers Diary by way of USPS mail to Gov. Bush, and have NOT heard one word from him concerning my son or this site. I Did make it very clear of the link here in the Letter, directing him here to read as well. NOTHING.. NOTTA Does he care??? Do any of these people really care??? Look at the picture of my Son..he has hurt and fear in his eyes, scars on his face from the beatings, and on his head. His face is breaking out, and without any of the right stuff for this acne, it too will leave horrible scars on his face. What do I tell my Son??? Do I tell him nobody cares? I am over 5 hours away from him now. The Judge recommended that Chris be placed close to his home after Lake Butler. I was told he would go to Lake City!!!! That is in Region II, not Region I where we are and where the Judge was in court. More lies from the Courts? More promises broken by the DA and the Public Defender that was suppose to DEFEND my son, not act like he didn't have the time of day for him!! Russell Roberts is about useless in defending anyone!! This is not an insult, this was a fact. Why all the corruption in this System?? I want to know WHY???
~Dawn Chase 850-983-6777

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07/31/05 DJJ: The one overwhelming inhumane practice in these facilities, which needs to be stopped, is disciplinary confinement of up to seventy-two hours. Also, never forget the extent of racism existing in these facilities-ask the kids! ~Anonymous

I've been following the messages for quite awhile and just want to let everyone know they are read by people in power to change the future of the DJJ. I recently left a facility which incarcerated ten to fifteen year old males. The one overwhelming inhumane practice in these facilities, which needs to be stopped, is disciplinary confinement of up to seventy-two hours. If you have ever watched a ten year old who was locked in a cell for that amount of time, you to would feel the disappointment I feel in our treatment of our children.This barbaric practice needs to stop.If I did this to my own children, I would have them taken away. Also, never forget the extent of racism existing in these facilities-ask the kids! Look at the color of the population locked up! I am signing this "anonymous" to continue speaking for the children and families entangled in this ugly system. ~Anonymous

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07/30/05 DJJgDOC: A Son's Diary Part 10... In regards to my son Christopher Sholly, I want to thank all of you that have listened, and prayed with us about all the corruption in this system to all our children. My voice has not been heard by DJJ. Mr.Schembri did not excersise his full power on saving my son from an adult system. I was told it is VERY rare that kids above age 16 ever get transferred to a DJJ facility after they have been placed in DOC custody. WHY THEN, even have this Florida Statute? Makes no sense. Those JDO's that are truly caring of our kids, more power to you all to stand for what is right. ~Dawn Chase

In regards to my son Christopher Sholly, I want to thank all of you that have listened, and prayed with us about all the corruption in this system to all our children. Parents, please, please, make yourselves very aware of what is exactly going on with your children!! Encourage them to tell you everything, and please make your voices heard. My voice has not been heard by DJJ. Mr.Schembri did not excersise his full power on saving my son from an adult system. I was told it is VERY rare that kids above age 16 ever get transferred to a DJJ facility after they have been placed in DOC custody. WHY THEN, even have this Florida Statute??? Makes no sense. I was told that Christopher will be sent to a faciltiy for youthful offenders. This state has failed my son, and many other children, and something needs to be done about it. Thank you again for so much of your support, and those JDO's that are truly caring of our kids, more power to you all to stand for what is right, please help with making a difference. I will continue to keep everyone up to date on Chris, and please continue your prayers for him and all the other children that feel so hopeless. :(
~Dawn Chase 850-983-6777

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07/30/05 DOC Lake Butler: A Son's Diary Part 9...July 22, 2005: Whats up Mom? Well, I'm at Lake Butler. Its nothing like I expected. Its ok. Nobody's messing with me at all. Have you heard ANYTHING from Secretary Schembri? I hope so. Try to see if you can contact Cathy Corry or Somebody. But try to contact Mr. Schembri and see about me going to jjocc or boys base. I want to see you so bad, I am about 5 or 6 hours away. I hate it. But I'll be home soon!!! Oh Mom, the Harry Potter book has come out. Will you see about getting it for when I come home? Your Christopher
~Christopher Sholly's letter to mom Dawn Chase

The diary of Christopher Sholly... Letter from Lake Butler July, 22 2005 Dear Mom, Whats up Mom? Well, I'm at Lake Butler. Its nothing like I expected. Its ok. If you do what the Staff say, you got no problems. I'm doing good. I got a few people here that I know, that are watching out for me. Nobody's messing with me at all. I hope you got my last letter. I miss you so much Mom. I don't know when I'll be able to call you. But as soon as I can, I will. The Staff are ok. As long as I give them respect, they will respect me. Have you heard ANYTHING from Secretary Schembri? I hope so. So, hows everything at home? I been here since the 20th of July. I talk to my classification officer on Tuesday. I'll let you know what happens. I might have to be here for almost a month. But I really don't know yet. How is Tarah doing? Tell her to write me, and give her my address. Mom, I need some money. I have to buy hygene stuff and envelopes, and paper. Please send me about 40 or 50.00. You can send it by Western Union will get it to me the next day. Try to see if you can contact Cathy Corry or Somebody. I love you so much. The food is ok. I'm gaining weight and working on some weights. I got 115lbs up aobut 8 times. I can lift more. I don't know if they are going to send me to another camp or not. But try to contact Mr. Schembri and see about me going to jjocc or boys base. I miss you so much!!! I want to see you so bad, I am about 5 or 6 hours away. I hate it. But I'll be home soon!!! As soon as I get another envelope, I'll write you back. Tell Ryan I love him so much. You have to write the address exactly as on the envelope. Give it to Tarah too and Ryan. I love you and miss you so very much. Can't waite to se you and hang out. If Can, send pictures of Ryan, Tarah, you and everybody else. Only 3 pictures allowed per envelope. Tell Tarah I said happy Bithday, with love and kisses. Oh Mom, the Harry Potter book has come out. Its called Harry Potter and the Halfblood Prince!! Will you see about getting it for when I come home? Thinking of you all always, Your Christopher ~Christopher Sholly's letter to mom Dawn Chase 850-983-6777

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07/30/05 DOC Lake Butler: A Son's Diary Part 8...July 19, 2005: Lake Butler has come and picked me up from the adult jail here in Marianna. I hope that Mr. Schembrie is still sending out the order to place me at JJOCC or Pensacola Boys Base. I have not lost hope!!! ~Christopher Sholly's letter to mom Dawn Chase

The Diary of Christopher Sholly: I'm adding each letter from Chris as I get them:

July 19, 2005 Dear Mom, If you recieved this letter, it means that Lake Butler has come and picked me up from the adult jail here in Marianna. They came to pick me up on Wednesday morning around 2:00-3:00 am in the morning. I will call you as soon as I get a chance. I hope that Mr. Schembrie is still sending out the order to place me at JJOCC or Pensacola Boys Base. I have not lost hope!!! The reason I haven't called you in the past week is because a Man in the same pod told me to shut the F*** up and I told him back to shut up. Then the Man stood up and pushed me in the face, and I just couldn't take it anymore, I snapped and got in a fight with him, he jumped me first!!! I didn't want to fight, but had to try and defend myself from him. I just can't believe the way these grown men act!!! Hateful and mean!!! The jailhouse staff put us both in lockdown the whole week. I was waiting for a response from what the staff were going to do. Then Lake Butler came and picked me up. I hope everything is good at home. Did Ryan come home? (Ryan is his brother, my oldest son) I hope he is. How's Tarah and Wayne doing? Is the wedding still in September? (Tarah is his sister, my oldest child age 22 and in college) I feel really down I can't be there for her wedding. I miss you guys so much. But I know all this will be over real soon. When this is all over, me and Ryan can hang out and catch up just being brothers. Me and you can do a lot of art stuff Mom. Me and Dad can go fishing again!! Me and Tarah can hang out and just talk. I'm looking forward to making a lot up, and having a lot of fun with the best family ever to walk the land of earth. I love and miss you so much. I love all of you So much!! I will get in contact with you as soon as I can. This letter should get to you around 3 days. I love you lots and lots. With a bundle of love, Your Christopher
~Christopher Sholly's letter to mom Dawn Chase 850-983-6777

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07/29/05 Hillsborough West JDC: Re: The Poet... To say that Portesy left because he could not take the heat couldn't be further from the truth. Portesy was the longest serving superintendent in the 25-year history of West. He was a man of principle who stood up for his staff. Good Luck Mr. Portesy. ~Anonymous

Re: The Poet

To say that Portesy left because he could not take the heat couldn't be further from the truth. Portesy was the longest serving superintendent in the 25-year history of West. He was a man of principle who stood up for his staff. The reason that he left doesn't really matter. What matters is that DJJ just lost a great leader. Good Luck Mr. Portesy. ~Anonymous

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07/28/05 Osceola JDC: To the writer of 7-28, you're about 45% right about superintendent Payano. One thing I can see so far, no one outside cares, they just read this sight and laugh at us. But when a kid gets hurt, they want answers, that's if there job is on the line... ~Poet

To the writer of 7-28, from what you say I'm sure that you're an officer at Osceola. First of all you're about 45% right about superintendent Payano, yes he does a good job, that's if you're talking about when he protects his (pics). Like for example, he protects certain officers when they do wrong. He was even informed about a certain officer allowing the youth to take out the trash, thats outside in an unsecure area. What does he do? Make up a form for everyone to sign saying that we are now aware that we are not to take the youth outside to dump trash, to my knowledge every certified officer was made aware of this durring trianing. If he was so good why did'nt he pull the tapes. Were you in the meeting? Did you see how many lies that the officers caught him in, that's good right. One thing I can see so far, no one outside cares, they just read this sight and laugh at us. But when a kid gets hurt, they want answers, that's if there job is on the line. All I can say is stay within the policy. Oh yeah, you mentioned Sgt. Michell, oooh. She did have a blue shirt, but hers is brown now. ~Poet

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07/28/05 Hillsborough West JDC: The West just sent 11 officers to the academy and only 2 remain. As of today the West is without a superindenant. Mr. Portesy jumped ship because he knew that it wasn't going to get any better. Mr. Turner are you still here? The whole central region needs a makeover, starting with RAGGETT. Some people may be scared of you, but not all. I know you are aware of this website, why don't you reply and tell your side of the story? Raggett your days are numbered!!!!!!!!! ~"The Truth"

The West just sent 11 officers to the academy and only 2 remain. On top of that a couple of old staff have left. The problem starts with R. Raggett. He is a man that only cares for himself. Mr. Turner do you not read this web site anymore. 95% of the complaints are coming from the central region. Officers are still holding everyday and it isn't getting any better. As of today the West is without a superindenant. Mr. Portesy jumped ship because he knew that it wasn't going to get any better. Portesy can't take the heat anymore? Maybe if you showed you cared by helping out on the floor, your staff might not be quitting as soon as they get back from the academy. Now they left the West to Mr. Kaylor until the find a replacement. This guy can't even do his job now. He always is putting it off on someone else. Mr. Turner are you still here? You haven't been heard from in awhile. Manatee you aren't alone, the whole central region needs a makeover, starting with RAGGETT. Some people may be scared of you, but not all. I know you are aware of this website, why don't you reply and tell your side of the story? Because you know you are full of it. It's only a matter of time before you out of a job. Raggett your days are numbered!!!!!!!!! ~"The Truth"

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07/28/05 Osceola JDC: Closing the Intake office door that is a bad call Mr. Superintendent. Imagine if a fight breaks. Can you imagine one staff with no key in this scenario? Mr. New Superintendent don't offer people the door for resignation when you really don't want to show your face to them and resolve the morale problem. ~Officer Observation

Closing the Intake office door that is a bad call Mr. Superintendent. Imagine if a fight breaks. Can you imagine one staff with no key in this scenario? Imagine the door not locked but several Football players, Extra Large, Bigfoot, Muscle body, Mosquito Brain, Not minded, Mentally ill, Psychopath State Kids in the area that don't care. Where is the safety on this? Is not only one; imagine when several of them go to court. Are the officers going to be written up for a kid that is acting up or for us applying Department approve force techniques? What do you think? Several issues are going on this Detention Center now. Can you handle this? Can you work in a place were the morale is on the floor and that the Officers that really care are constantly getting counseled like they are State Babies. The staffs that really care are getting their limbs cut off and all they want is to help you. Please people don't blame Mr. Lowry, blame the one who put him on this position. Mrs. Peggy don't worry you are about to retire, but please help Mr. Payano with the workload he is real good, but human. Don't make little things a big issue. Mr. Payano watch your back. We got you covered. Keep the good work. All others Great Officers Keep the good job and don't make a little ant bother you in the neck. Show him how professional and prepared you are. Like My fellow Officers CPL Lopez, CLP Walker, CPL Moreno, PFC Lupisella, CPL Barnes, CPL Lowry Etc.... Mrs. Mitchell oooohhhhh!!!, Mrs. Mitchell, Don't forget that you one time used a blue shirt with senior stripes on it. Mr. New Superintendent don't offer people the door for resignation when you really don't want to show your face to them and resolve the morale problem. "I guess you only got time to iron your new clothes". ~Officer Observation

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07/27/05 Manatee JDC: I am a former officer who was forced to resign due to unethical working conditions. When the whistle is blown on the unfair treatment of officers, justice will finally be served. I hope it is not to late before others are forced to do the same or an officer or youth gets hurt. ~Anonymous

I am a former officer who was forced to resign due to unethical working conditions. I was reassigned to multi shifts without notice. I worked the shifts without hesitation day in and day out. I held-over without a problem. I came into work on my days off when no one else would. I had a great performance review. I was so stressed due to working conditions I quit on the spot. After much thought I attempted to get my job back and was told I was never fit for duty and was never a good worker by Frank Gargett. I have years of service invested, but not a good worker? A officer with one year of service multi problems in the past is being re-hired but I can not. Unethical, Unconsistant, Unfair When the whistle is blown on the unfair treatment of officers, justice will finally be served. I hope it is not to late before others are forced to do the same or an officer or youth gets hurt. ~Anonymous

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07/27/05 Manatee JDC: Tallahassee are you paying attention! Frank Gargett and his puppet Robert Raggett has made working in Manatee a nightmare. Officer are left on the floor alone with up to 30 youths for long periods of time. We have had several officers hurt. Superintendent refuse to address concerns. We need assistance now. ~Anonymous

Tallahassee are you paying attention!

Career Service Employees joining together to bring change at Manatee Detention. In the pass month we have had several career service employees with many years of service "Quit" without notice. Frank Gargett and his puppet Robert Raggett has made working in Manatee a nightmare. We are forced to work short staffed due to the constant turn over. Officers are stressed due to the work load. Officers are not given meal breaks. Officer are left on the floor alone with up to 30 youths for long periods of time. We have had several officers hurt. Superintendent refuse to address concerns. Gargett makes rules to break rules. Gargett comes to work out of uniform but expects officers to be in uniform for uniform inspection. He wears what he feels like he wants to wear. Gargett eats in his office, down the hall and up the hall. Officers are not allowed to have water to drink or food in any area but the staff breakroom. His secretary is allowed to have a refrigerated, toaster-oven and coffee-maker in her office to prepare meals for Gargett and herself. Why? We need assistance now. Investigate why officers are quiting. More Career Service Employees are seeking employment in other places due to unconsistency in the manner officers are treated. Does this man care? No, he is not the person that is affected it is the line officers that are. He goes home on time to his family without concern for officers holding over with families that they would like to go home to spend time with. Has this man ever held over. No, not part of the team. ~Anonymous

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07/27/05 Osceola JDC: Maj Lowry your Delta Shift Commander is walking around your center like some Thug on the street calling employees and kids my nigger. ~Anonymous

Maj Lowry your Delta Shift Commander is walking around your center like some Thug on the street calling employees and kids my nigger. And at one time in the team breifing he stated openly that I am the head nigger in charge. This officer is not what the department need leading their employees and youths. ~Anonymous

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07/26/05 Oceola JDC: We have had some major changes that are not in policy,so whose responsible,should we follow the states policy or his threats.Now I know someone in Tallahasee reads these comments,before you call Mr.Lowery for answers, talk to the officers.If they would lie to the officers,what make you think they wont lie to you. ~Upset Officer

First of all I would like to pisk up where the Poet left off.yYou left outan important factor about assistant Sup.Jewell,P.we are short on staff, is true.But why is there an SJDO in administration doing her paper work with Fri-Sat,and holidays off.This makes 4 people avialable in admin. That can help out on the floor.Second,I would like to say how dare you investigator Mr.Krat, forgive me if I misspelled your name.How could you come by and say we should give him a chance,(Mr.Lowery).he was given a chance when he was transfered to a deemed facility,he was given a chance when he came in,untill he began to make changes in a Deemed facility,that QA was satisfied with.Also to threaten peoples jobs and not professionaly introducing himself until 5 weeks later.Also we have had some major changes that are not in policy,so whose responsible,should we follow the states policy or his threats.Now I know someone in Tallahasee reads these comments,before you call Mr.Lowery for answers, talk to the officers.If they would lie to the officers,what make you think they wont lie to you. ~Upset Officer

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07/26/05 Brevard JDC: Ever wondered why Dave Burns gets so much special consideration. Dave Burns is Raggetts cousin. Burns brags about gambles and that he picks up prostiutes. and yet he still works for the department. ~Anonymous

Ever wondered why Dave Burns gets so much special consideration. The man doesn't actual do anything except hang around late and pray on kids. Their have been several allagations made that have not been investigated. He allows staff to go unchecked when he was a supervisor and then he becomes an assistent sup.. not even a year later he was the Assisntat Superintent of the year. Its because once again Raggett is looking out for his family and friends. Dave Burns is Raggetts cousin. Burns brags about gambles and that he picks up prostiutes. and yet he still works for the department. Mr. Raggett can't you just refer your family somewhere or have them get a job on there own like everone else? ~Anonymous

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07/25/05 Osceola JDC: I would like to pick up where the Poet left off.I once considered myself an officer,but I was stipped of all my officer pride a few weeks ago. ~Angry Employee

I would like to pick up where the poet left off.I'm an angry employee,I once considered myself an officer,but I was stipped of all my officer pride a few weeks ago.I would like to start with the visitor that we had today,investigator Krackt.forgive me if I mispelled the name.We all know who he is.First of all he comes into the facility to tell us to give Mr.Lowery a chance,you should have asked what was the problem,what's some of our concerns?He was given a chance when he was transfered to a Deemed facility.But,when he came in he got alot of negative briefing from Payano and Peggy (both Ass.Superintendents).The first thing he said in his meeting,that was about 5 weeks overdue, if you dont like the changes this may not be the feild for you.How would that make you feel,you strive for excellance,receive Deemed status,and in 1 month 1 man take away what took an entire team to build.I would like to add something that the Poet left out.We are short staff,why do we have an officer,SJDO,working in administration.Friday & Saturdays off,including holidays.Maybe Peggy could answer that one if she is'nt busy.You guys are changing all thes FOP's and nothig in writing.if something goes wrong who will be held responsible.All I would like to say is work with your people,or they will work against you. ~Angry Employee

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07/25/05 Orange JDC: To the person writing regarding the 4 superintendents at ORJDC...they work extremely hard, often working 16 & 18 hours a day. Get a clue, do your job and stop whining! ~Anonymous

To the person writing regarding the 4 superintendents at ORJDC... When was the last time you saw either Mr. Nichols' or Mr. Eason's schedules? Most of the time they work 2nd shift. And as for their being useless, if you want them to allow you to do things you shouldn't or are not doing your job correctly, then they are useless - otherwise, they work extremely hard, often working 16 & 18 hours a day. Get a clue, do your job and stop whining! ~Anonymous

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07/24/05 Osceola JDC: we are short staff,we have had at least 6 officers leave in 1 month. I know nothing will be done,but it's nice to let the people who don't care know that we see whats going on. How can you promote someone and not even post the position or interview? Peggy you can't answer that you're to busy. Maybe Lowery or Payano can. ~Poet

Yes,I'm back with some more concerns of the facility. As everyone knows we are short staff,we have had at least 6 officers leave in 1 month.could it be they've found a better job, I surely hope so,or maybe they got out before the working conditions got worse.sometimes people may wonder,why do someone like myself even put concerns on this sight? Well to be honest I know nothing will be done,but it's nice to let the people who don't care know that we see whats going on. Now, I would like to ask a question. Ther was a particular vacancy in Osceola some time ago.when asked Jewell,Peggy (ass.sup) the shift and duties of this vacancy, Her reply was the officer would be called a floater,they would be moving between shift where there is a shortage. Basicaly to keep on top of coverage. OK that's fine,but why is it Ms.Jewell that this position was given to officer carter and he doesnt fill in, eventhough we are short staffed.now that he's there you say you need him to do your paperwork. Does Tallahasee know the actual duties of this position number,or did you lie about that to? Don't say it's for trianing reasons because you could be doing the trianing yourself,thats if you were'nt so busy with paperwork. Also if he's doing your paperwork,what are you doing? Can you help out on A'B'C or delta shift? You dont have anything else to do. Also maybe one of you busy people could answer this one. How can you promote someone and not even post the position or interview? All you did was call them in and have them sign a paper accepting the promotion,you didnt even ask them if they wanted it or not. Peggy you can't answer that you're to busy. Maybe Lowery or Payano can. ~Poet

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07/24/05 Orange JDC: We have 4 assistant superintendents and they are all so hopeless...they are all covering the first shift doing nothing. Recently we had an escape and no assistant superintendents were around. It is time for Mr. Turner and rest to take a look at our facility. ~Anonymous

The sad reality is that the same is happening at ORJDC. We have 4 assistant superintendents and they are all so hopeless. At one time when we had only 1 assistant superintendent the work was done and the support was strong. But now that we have 4 they are all covering the first shift doing nothing. They see the staff shortage but who cares. They have no answers to our questions. Recently we had an escape and no assistant superintendents were around. They can go on vacation for 2 and 3 weeks vacation at a time but the staff is not allow to go on vacation. Perhaps one shift at a time. If they show up at our briefings they will tell us lots of things but never nothing in writing. They want us to look at the FOP and follow it but when we do they tell us otherwise. Perhaps they should be supervisors and help us on the floor. That is why the staff is quitting left and right. But perhaps it is not the staff that is short but other staff that are sitting doing special projects. They are not allow on the floor to help with the critical shortage. It is time for Mr. Turner and rest to take a look at our facility. ~Anonymous

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07/23/05 Osceola JDC: You & your puppets are making some safety hazard decisions for your convience. It's like you're trying to make things pretty for QA. I feel that we should start putting in some compliants to I.G. or the secretary because we have some safety issues that you guys don't care about... ~The Poet

To the brown noser of the facility,the writer may have mispelled some words,but you only responded with spelling. So what talk about how you lie to your officers about policies and facility operations. Also to the writer on 7-14, about Hoffman, yes there were some things Hoffman was doing we didnt like. Now he's gone and nothings changed. At least Hoffman Communicated with the officers.This facility was deemed status for about 3 yrs. Now the turnover rate is out of control. I think I know 1 thing that went wrong, Mr.Lowery came in with the wrong impression. He recieved a bad impression from the assistants about the officers. Never proffesionaly introduced himself until 7-24-05, a month later. Hoffman did call all the shots,but when you started them making decisions,everythig went crazy. Between the two of them they might know half of the policies. You & your puppets are making some safety hazard decisions for your convience. You're not concerned with the officer safety at all. It's like You're trying to make things pretty for QA. If it's not broke dont fix it. Once again to the writer of 7-14,you feel he will fix it,why has Hoffman went to Brevard and they've recieved deemed status, he could'nt do that? I feel that we should start putting in some compliants to I.G. or the secretary because we have some safety issues that you guys don't care about. Its like you guys sit in your offices and say hummm what can I do To feel important,and then make up some of the dumbest rules in DJJ. I know one of you might have the nerves to respond, I'm sure it will be Negative and no facts. All that time you guys have on your hands doing Nothing but screwing up,you would think that you would have something better to talk about besides spellig. You should have good spellig,you Have time to sit in your office playing phone tag with eachother. Hay, I have an idea,since you guys are'nt that busy, why not help out on the floor since we're short staff. Peggy, you could help A or B shift,you have Ofc.Carter doing your papper work. Payano you could help to. But,one thing clean that stain off your shirt that Lowery left. It's pethetic all shifts are short and we have 4 able bodies that could help out. One of you guys can supervise and allow the supervisor to work the floor. The truth hurts when you're wrong...~The Poet

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07/22/05 DJJ: Re 07/21/05: thank you for caring. - ...contact the ACLU & other human rights organizations...nothing that would get Bush into action more than national press coverage of injustices being committed by the state of florida and no action being taken.~Anonymous & Caring Always

Re 07/21/05 DJJ: I accept your apology, and thank you for caring. I have printed out all of Chris's diary, and have forwarded EVERYTHING by US postal mail to Governor Bush, and Schembri, along with Mr. Steve Meredith, and Mr.Berkowitz. I've written also to the Judge in Chris's case. I've called the public defenders office, and still no phone calls returned either. I think some are right in saying this State does not care for our kids. :( ~Dawn Chase : "

Dawn, the next step is to contact the ACLU & other human rights organizations and inform them of these injustices ... these organizations have international power to take on the politicians working for the state of florida and make them accountable for their actions (or inactions as the case may be)! There's nothing that would get Bush into action more than national press coverage of injustices being committed by the state of florida and no action being taken ~Anonymous & Caring Always

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07/21/05 DJJ: I accept your apology, and thank you for caring. I have printed out all of Chris's diary, and have forwarded EVERYTHING by US postal mail to Governor Bush, and Schembri, along with Mr. Steve Meredith, and Mr.Berkowitz. I've written also to the Judge in Chris's case. I've called the public defenders office, and still no phone calls returned either. I think some are right in saying this State does not care for our kids. :( ~Dawn Chase

I accept your apology, and thank you for caring. I have printed out all of Chris's diary, and have forwarded EVERYTHING by US postal mail to Governor Bush, and Schembri, along with Mr. Steve Meredith, and Mr.Berkowitz. I've written also to the Judge in Chris's case. I don't know where all of it will go, but I know something has GOT to be done. I'm not an Attorney, or very up in how Court proceedings are. Its been very hard to locate an Attorney that will actually take on the State. I've called the public defenders office over there in Marianna, and sent them all this information too about my Son. I've called them, and still no phone calls returned either. I think some are right in saying this State does not care for our kids. :(
~Dawn Chase 850-983-6777

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07/21/05 DJJ: Re: If anyone has any emails or snide remarks towards me. [I] apologize for offending you...it was NOT intended! I feel bad to continually read of your plight and others on here knowing that it's being monitored by officials from DJJ and possibly from Bush's minions with no real progress - just PR crap being thrown out every now and then to placate the victims. ~Anonymous but not without concern or care!!

Re: "If anyone has any emails or snide remarks towards me, do it in private from now on. I don't want the board cluttered with hurtful remarks towards me or the other parents. ~Dawn Chase 850-983-6777"

Dawn, Again apologize for offending you on here - it was NOT intended! Your documentation should be forwarded directly to the top - Schembri & Bush for ACTION! There is too much beaucracy between these two and that is (unfortunately) why there is gridlock and delay in resolving your case. I feel bad to continually read of your plight and others on here knowing that it's being monitored by officials from DJJ and possibly from Bush's minions with no real progress - just PR crap being thrown out every now and then to placate the victims. -Anonymous but not without concern or care!!

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07/19/05 DJJ: To the anonymous poster 07/18/05 DJJ: Mrs. Chase should be very careful about posting . . . I have had all this "evidence" for a long time, and still it has not helped my son, or other kids in the same types of situation. I am truthful in what has happened to us. If anyone has any emails or snide remarks towards me, do it in private from now on. I don't want the board cluttered with hurtful remarks towards me or the other parents. ~Dawn Chase

To the poster of this:07/18/05 DJJ: Just a suggestion: I think that Mrs. Chase should be very careful about posting all this information on the internet. It seems to me that it is evidence, especially the letters from her son, that may or may not help in any future litigation. Nonetheless, its very interesting reading material. ~Anonymous

I have had all this "evidence" for a long time, and still it has not helped my son, or other kids in the same types of situation. I'm posting it here now so that you all can hear the real truth. Maybe, just maybe there will be an attorney out there that will see, that its not just one parent or a handful of parents that have had kids abused or killed, but there are more out there, and they need to come forward for the sake of the children!! I'm not saying that bad deeds should go unpunished, I'm saying that the children deserve as much rights as we as adults when it comes down to incarerating them. I myself had a conversation with Vicki Burnett Assistant NorthWest Regional Director, and she said, and I quote "These places don't do any rehabilitating of these kids" I asked her "Then why are they there?" She said "they are there to lock them up, and take away thier freedom." Then can I ask why is it that these kids can't just do the amount of time that adults are given, and then let come home?? Why say, they have to complete a program?? Its my understanding that a program has counseling, and classes of anger management. Well, my son has certificates here where he completed all this, and yet they still hung onto him. I truly believe that he has been abused, and retailiated against for reporting the abuse. That is what this is all about. NO CHILD, NONE Deserves to be abused. Do you know that when my son went to Jackson Juvenile, he said that they treated him like a human being there? They were courteous and kind to him. He learned to read and write there, and he felt like he was worth something. I want to Thank Mr. Odom, Mr Warren Reeeves, and Col Singletary for the kindness and care, and showing my Son that the world is full of good people, and not just those out to hurt him. I am truthful in what has happened to us, I am the type of person that if I smell rotten fish, I'll tell you its rotten fish. If I see good, I'll tell you that too. If anyone has any emails or snide remarks towards me, do it in private from now on. I don't want the board cluttered with hurtful remarks towards me or the other parents.
~Dawn Chase 850-983-6777

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07/18/05 DJJ: To the staff and anonymous chicken: DO YOU HAVE A PROBLEM WITH HEARING THE TRUTH??? I was asked by Cathy Corry to send in all of the experiences that my son had, everything!!! You don't like it??? Don't read it!!!! This site is here to make the public aware of the sick system that is out there. I dare you to call me, and tell me this on the phone, and I dare you to show who you really are!!! ~Dawn Chase 850-983-6777

To the staff and anonymous chicken that posted about my story,and not liking the fact that I am active for the kids. I am asking you this. DO YOU HAVE A PROBLEM WITH HEARING THE TRUTH??? DO YOU HAVE A PROBLEM WITH PARENTS TRYING TO HELP THEIR KIDS? I DON'T WANT MY SON TO END UP LIKE SHAWN, DANIEL, OR OMAR!!!!!!! ARE YOU SICK IN THE HEAD? I was asked by Cathy Corry to send in all of the experiences that my son had, everything!!! You don't like it??? Don't read it!!!! Infact, I dare you to call me, and tell me this on the phone, and I dare you to show who you really are!!! Its Staff and people like you two that don't care about the kids, and its your type that abuses them!!! Sick twisted minds you both have. This site is here to make the public aware of the sick system that is out there, and you have just proven that you don't care, and you may even contribute to the abuse. I HAVE A RIGHT TO BE HEARD JUST AS ANY OTHER PARENT OR GRANDPARENT HERE!!! ~Dawn Chase 850-983-6777

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07/18/05 DJJ: Mrs. Chase should be very careful about posting all this information on the internet. It...may or may not help in any future litigation. ~Anonymous

Just a suggestion: I think that Mrs. Chase should be very careful about posting all this information on the internet. It seems to me that it is evidence, especially the letters from her son, that may or may not help in any future litigation. Nonetheless, its very interesting reading material. ~Anonymous

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07/17/05 DJJ: This web site is hereby renamed: Justice4DawnChase.org. ~JDO Realistic

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07/17/05 DJJ: Should we rename this site to Justice4DawnChase.org? ~Anonymous

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07/17/05 Jackson County Jail: A Son's Diary Part 7 Jackson Juvenile Center g Dozier g ADULT JAIL Diary of Christopher Sholly June 2003-July 2005 I arrive at J-JOCC and the first thing the doctor does is take me off all the meds. I still had to start this program ALL over again too!!! JJOCC is a year program! The staff there were kind and helpful. I felt safe for once. In Oct-Nov of 2004 I was transferred to Aurthur G Dozier; now [July 2005] I am sitting in Jackson County Adult Jail for something I did not do!!! Please someone HELP ME!! MY mom now can't even help me cause they sentenced me as an Adult. I'm not an adult, I'm just a kid, I want to be home with my family. I'M SO SICK OF ALL OF THIS!!! PLEASE GOD HELP ME!!!!!!! ~provided by Dawn Chase

Diary of Chris Sholly June 2003-July 2005 Jackson Juvenile Center -> Dozier -> ADULT JAIL I arrive at J-JOCC and the first thing the doctor does is take me off all the meds. I still had to start this program ALL over again too!!! JJOCC is a year program! I start feeling better physically, and able to think more clearly. The staff there were kind and helpful. This was a TOTALLY DIFFERENT setting here. I felt safe for once. Mr. Odom was a really great staff member and senior supervisor there, Mr. Singletary, and Warren Reeves both Administrators, were kind and helpful to me. Mr. Odom did Navy duty with my father, and knew our family. Small world. I did very well there. This is a State owned facility, not privately run. In Oct-Nov of 2004 I was transferred to Aurthur G Dozier because there was two or three boys over at Dozier that were flight risks, and they needed to be put in a more secure facility, so I was transferred with ALL MY CREDITS EARNED THIS TIME, and only had till January of 2005 till I was to come home!!! Of course now you all know that NEVER happened. I started seeing abuse and called my Mother to let her know what this place was doing, and she called in all the abuse. Pretty soon I had staff on my back and constantly harassing and provoking me. I was falsly accused of hitting Mr. Wilson, and sent to Adult courts. I ASK YOU NOW, WHY WOULD I HIT ANYONE WITH ONLY 20-30 DAYS LEFT BEFORE GOING HOME? I want to get on with MY life, I want to finish High School, and I want to go to college to be a LAWYER!!! WHY?????????? WHY??????? Can't they let me just go home????? I was told by my public defender that there was nothing he could do to defend me!!! My mother had more then enough evidence proving that all this is in retailiation for reporting abuse. I just turned 17 on April 23, I've never been able to play sports in high school, never been to a dance, have not seen my home in almost 4 years, and now I am sitting in Jackson County Correctional Center Adult Jail for something I did not do!!! I've been beaten physically so much in my time in custody by total strangers, and very big men, then I have ever endured. I can't take anymore of this, and sometimes feel like I just want to do my self in!! This is NO way for anyone to live. I got into an argument with some adult and got in a fight with him in the same cell block, crazy man. Now I'm sitting in Confinement till Aug 2!!! Please someone HELP ME!! MY mom now can't even help me cause they sentenced me as an Adult. I'm not an adult, I'm just a kid, I want to be home with my family. I'M SO SICK OF ALL OF THIS!!! HELP ME!!! HELP ME!!! PLEASE GOD HELP ME!!!!!!!
~provided by Dawn Chase

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07/17/05 DJJ: A Son's Diary Part 6 Okaloosa Youth Development Center: Diary of Christopher Sholly 11/18/2002 My Son was transferred to OYDC after the horrible abuse that occurred at GHA. He was made to START THIS PROGRAM ALL OVER! Faye Finnigan was the Administrator of OYDC and did a fine job while she was there, As soon as Faye Finnigan left, all hell started breaking loose. My son witnessed Keith Johnson being picked up over Mr. Robinson's head and literally slammed to the floor, twice. My son was then instructed to clean up Keith's Johnson's blood off the floor without the use of any gloves. ~provided by Dawn Chase

Diary of my Son's experiences in DJJ Okaloosa Youth Development Center Nov 18,2002 My Son was transferred to OYDC after the horrible abuse that occurred at GHA. He was made to START THIS PROGRAM ALL OVER! He only had approximately another 47 days left before he was to leave GHA. Faye Finnigan was the Administrator of OYDC and did a fine job while she was there, my son seemed to adjust quite well there with her as Administrator. OYDC is another privately run facility. You know the longer these places hole a child there, the more money they can collect from the state. Its a money making business, and they are ripping us off. They pumped him back up on meds stating he was mentally ill, without MY permission. Christopher had only one month left there when we got word that Faye Finnigan was transferring down to south Florida area, due to a personal move as well. As soon as Faye Finnigan left, my Son over heard Staff talking and he heard Mr. Robinson say " now these kids are really going to have some REAL discipline, no more babying them!" Thats when all hell started breaking loose. Mr. Winston would try and provoke my son by making snide sexual comments about me and my daughter, Christophers sister, stating he was going to F*** us both! My son witnessed another youth by the name of Keith Johnson being picked up over Mr. Robinson's head and literally slammed to the floor, twice. My son was then instructed to clean up Keith's Johnson's blood off the floor without the use of any gloves. This "DRAMA" all started after Faye Finnigan left, and Marvin Bliss took over the position. My Son stated that the staff didn't act this way with Ms Faye Finnigan there as Superintendent. On April 24, 2003 my son and another client were kidding around while putting up their belongings in the closet. Mr. Winston saw them playing, and went over and yanked my son by the arm with such force, that my son bounced off of him. Mr. Winston then proceeded to try and slam my son face first into the concrete floor, and my son grabbed his shirt to stop from getting injured. Mind you he had a broken arm already! Law Enforcement was called in and now Christopher has another battery charge on him, even after the staff stated Christopher did not intentionally try to strike him, but was only trying to keep from falling. Notice now, all of this and another charge AFTER I REPORTED ABUSE GOING ON. On May 04, 2003 I visited OYDC and confronted the supervisors on duty for the evening shift, and I now know what is happening in OYDC, and if any of them lay another hand on my Son, I will call the police myself and press charges for assault. Of course the Staff there denied any of the accusations. I've talked with other parents and boys that have since been released from this program, and they ALL tell me basically the same stories. Not everyone is lying. Now that the so called "CAT" has been left out of the bag, and people are becoming aware of what actually is happeneing under Marvin Bliss, MY SON IS NOW BEING RECCOMENDED FOR TRANSFER to another program and START ALL OVER AGAIN!!!!!!! Marvin Bliss did not want to hear of the things happening in his new kingdom, and was hateful about hearing the accusations, and denied them happening. He wanted Christopher out of there. MY son has had to be transferred and each time, very close to getting out of these hell holes. Mind you as long as Faye Finnigan was in charge of OYDC, there was no problems. Next stop... Jackson Juvenile Offenders Program. Marianna FLorida, two hours away from home. ~provided by Dawn Chase

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07/17/05 DJJ: A Son's Diary Part 5 Greenville Hills Academy: Diary of Christopher Sholly 10/06/2002 My son was told by the Gaurd, "If I have to lay my hands on you one more time, I'm going to beat you to a pulp" this Gaurd was Rodney Baynard...with the past criminal history, and lied on his employment application, and who broke my sons arm almost exactly a month later.
~provided by Dawn Chase

Diary part 5 Greenville Hills Academy 10/06/2002 On Oct the 6th, I received a phone call from my son Christopher Sholly and his Counselor, Deneice Graham. My son began by telling me a horrific Story of a Gaurd there, so called "restraining him" and at the same time delivering blows to his back and head with a closed fist,and choking him, leaving marks around his neck and bruses on his arms and various parts of his body. I was able to speak to his counselor, Deniece Graham, and she then confirmed my question of wether or not there were bruises and marks aobut his neck, and body. Her answer to me was "yes, he has marks on him". I immediately called and reported the abuse to the Abuse HOtling for Florida's Department of Human Services. The Counselor on the other end of the phone, took the report and a investigator was sent out. My Son was told that his story was typical and hard to believe, because so many kids have falsely accused the staff in these facilities, just to get back at them. Yet he had bruises, I later found out that the HRS/DCF investigator was related to the staff member that hurt my son. On Oct 8th, 2002 I made a phone call to my son at Greenville HIlls Academy to see how he was doing. He explained to me that he was taken into Ms. Thompsons Office who is the Assistant Director, along with the Guard that abused him, and was told by the Gaurd, in his exact words, "If I have to lay my hands on you one more time, I'm going to beat you to a pulp" this Gaurd was none other then Rodney Baynard the very Gaurd with the past criminal history, and lied on his employment application, and the very Man that broke my sons arm almost exactly a month later. I called the Regional offices about this, and by now they were probably sick of hearing about all the abuse I was reporting and nobody believed me. My son was moved to a different cottage to keep him away from this man, Rodney Baynard. I was told that Mr. Tallon would be making a surprise visit to Greenville Hills and he was going to speak to my son. He did infact do this. My son then told me, that after the visit with Mr. Tallon, he was then taken into a back office of Ms Thompson and told, that "if he didn't straighten up, keep his mouth shut, he would be sent off to another program and have to start all over from day one of his sentencing with no serve time given!" I had begged for months to have my son moved from all of the abuse going on. On November 17th, Rodney Baynard broke my sons arm. The doctors confirmed that much force was used to break the arm in the area that was broke. The x-rays confirmed a break on the upper dorsal section of his left humourous, a Salter 1 fracture, near the growth plate. I called Vicki Burnett and told her what happened, and she acted shocked, and asked me "what can I do?, to make this better" I said GET HIM THE HELL OUT OF THERE, like I've begged you to do now for months. I said he NEEDS to come home now, he has been there way too long! She said I can't do that. He was then transferred out of that program in two days, sent to Okaloosa Youth Development Center OYDC in Crestview FL. NO time served or given, both programs were low risk. It took him getting a broken arm to get transferred out of GHA!!! This is what I mean when I say.. LISTEN TO THE PARENTS!!! THE KIDS TELL US EVERYTHING!!! THEY ARE NOT TELLING FALSE TALES!!! This incident was investigated by the Ig's office, and of course the staff say it was all Christophers fault, and it was an accident. This man was also guilty of breaking two other boys arms and it was just before my son's arm was broke. I believe the assult was on purpose, this man was not even suppose to have contact with my son, as they had moved him to a different cottage, yet why was he able to have access to him? He also threatened to "beat him to a pulp" a month prior. NO ACCICDENT! NO arrest on Rodney Baynard. It was my understanding that Deniece Graham quite working there as well. During the Ig's investigation, the investigator had no idea about Rodney Baynard's criminal past record, that was found out by myself, and I then alerted the ig's office in which they did the investigation on him and found all history to be true. ~provided by Dawn Chase

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07/17/05 DJJ: A Son's Diary Part 4 Greenville Hills Academy: Diary of Christopher Sholly - part 4 - 09/09/2002 Dear Mom, ...I have been controlling my anger and ignoring my peers. My Counselor Denise Grahm, told me that I leave in January to come home! I will be home soon I know it!! ~provided by Dawn Chase

Diary of a Son part 4 09/09/2002 Dear Mom, I have been doing good, and I have been controlling my anger and ignoring my peers. Most of the have stopped because I have been ignoring them, I am doing as I am told to do, and love you very much. Today I got 3 bonus days for making Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. That means I am ontrack. I have been here now for 182 days and right now I have 71 and a 1/2 positive days. I did not get any MALS on Saturday and Sunday and I have not gotten in anymore fights, and it seems like the staff have not had to yell at me that much. My Counselor Denise Grahm, told me that I leave in January to come home! If I make 47 days I think I will come home sooner. How are things at home? I have not been able to call home because my Counselor Ms. Grahm has not been here but she is now and I will call you soon. Please write me back. I am going to try to make my days and come home and be good and do everything you tell me to do, and you can call me too if I do not call you. You can only call me one time a week. It has to be before 9:00 pm, or 8:00 your time there. I love you and miss you. I love all of you, love your Christopher. I will be home soon I know it!! and my Counselor said if I can control my anger I might be able to come home before January and I am going to work hard on that. and I meant that.. and I am not going to give up! Love you all, I think of you all everyday, all day. Call or write. Love your Christopher :( ~provided by Dawn Chase

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07/17/05 DJJ: A Son's Diary Part 3 Greenville Hills Academy: 03/10 2002 This boy Tylor Clarie had to use the bathroom and the staff would not let him! He held it for an hour and then at the end of the hour he used it in his pants and the staff made him sit on the floor for an hour and a half in it, it was number 2! ~provided by Dawn Chase

A Son's Diary part 3 Greenville Hills Academy 03/10 2002 As I said during my stay at Greenville Hills Academy, it was hell everyday. I heard nothing but Staff yelling and screaming at us kids, beating up on us, slapping us in the back of the head. This boy Tylor Clarie had to use the bathroom and the staff would not let him! He held it for an hour and then at the end of the hour he used it in his pants and the staff made him sit on the floor for an hour and a half in it, it was number 2! I was sitting at this table and these two boys were doing sign language and I was watching them, and I started to do it to. The staff saw me and started to yell at me, I tried to tell them what I was doing, and then Mr. Jones told me to stand up and I did, then he told me to sit back down, when I did, he yanked me up by my shirt collar and threw me against the wall. Then he was choking me and threw me on the ground and pushed my face onto the tiled floor, and sat on me for twenty minutes. Then he got off me and told me to lay completely flat on the ground. This boy Justin Groover was horsing around and the staff made him stand in the corner for three hours. The kids in the program are only allowed to take take a number 1 (urinate) two times a day, and you are only allowed to take a number 2 one time a day. You are only allowed to get three drinks of water a day. You have 2 hours of physical training, and if you mess up while your doing it, everyone has to start over again. When you go to dinner, lunch, and breakfast, if you talk at all you have to stand in a corner for half the time you have to eat, until everyone is done eating. When you get out of the corner you only have ONE minute to eat and if you don't eat at least half of your meal you get in to BIG trouble. When you get back to the cottage, you have to stand in the corner. You only have three minutes to take a shower and if your not done in the three minutes you have to stand in the corner naked. You have to wear a sweater ALL day no matter how hot it is. When we have bathroom breaks you only have 15 seconds to go to the bathroom, and only two minutes to take a number two. After you get done with 2 hours of PT you only have five seconds to get a drink of water. If you take longer then the five seconds you have to stand in a corner or sit in a chair with your hands on your knees looking straight ahead. If you prop your foot up on a desk in school, you either have to stand in a corner or sit in the chair looking straight ahead with your hands on your knees. If you do something wrong, they will take you back into room and restrain you by making you lay on your stomach with your hands behind your back while they bend your legs toward the back of your head. They will do it for 20 -25 minutes. We also only get 2 minutes to wash and brush our teeth. Continued>>>> ~provided by Dawn Chase

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07/14/05 DJJ/CYA-Bernard Warner: Books Not Bars...working to close the California Youth Authority’s abusive youth prisons and replace them with real rehabilitation facilities. We have recently inherited Florida DJJ employee Bernard Warner. From what I have read your juvenile system sounds pretty bad too. Any information you can give us about this guy would be greatly appreciated. ~Laura A. Talkington  

Hi I left a message on your voice mail. I live in Fresno, California and I belong to an organization called Books Not Bars. Books Not Bars is a grassroots statewide campaign working to close the California Youth Authority’s abusive youth prisons and replace them with real rehabilitation facilities. We have recently inherited one of the Florida Department of Juvenile Justice employees, Bernard Warner. From what I have read so far your juvenile system sounds pretty bad too. Any information you can give us about this guy would be greatly appreciated. If you want to find out about our campaign please visit our web site www.booksnotbars.org. Thank you and I look forward to talking with you. ~Laura A.Talkington

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07/14/05 Osceola JDC: Please people, It is time to move on. lick your scars and carry on. Hoffman is not here. But, Mr. Lowery will fix everything up in a blink of an eye. ~JDO Self-Esteem

Please people, It is time to move on. lick your scars and carry on. Hoffman is not here. But, Mr. Lowery will fix everything up in a blink of an eye, Remember he likes to observe and look around like napoleon right!! He will fix it. You were asking for a replacement and your request was answered. Is not time for complaints, remember his years of experience will resolve Osceola Detention low morale.( I Think so ):/

Hurricane season be ready here I come!! ~JDO Self-Esteem

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07/14/05 DJJ: A Son's Diary Part 2. Dozier School for Boys Diary of Christopher Sholly - Feb 8, 2005 - Today, Ms. Harvy tryed to set me up. She tred to get tobacco dip planted on me. this is just another attempt to mess with my time in a program, and get back at me for telling my Mom about all the abuse they were doing. ~provided by Dawn Chase

Here is eveidence that I found in my son's belongings, the they were setting him up at Dozier... "get rid of the kid, so he doesn't see the abuse and tell his mother, because his mother will report it!!!"

This writing is from my son's diary: Dated Feb 8, 2005 Aurther G Dozier School for Boys, Marianna FL Today, Ms. Harvy tryed to set me up. She tred to get tobacco dip planted on me. She sent a group of offenders over to me on the rec feild. I and Anthony Johnson were sitting under a tree talking. The offenders she sent over to us to post up around us, were: williams, Brown, McClain,Hammonds,and Nolen. They came around us, and surrounded us. Williams and McClain went behind us poking around on the ground. They dropped something on the ground, then picked it back up and said,"YEAHHHHHH we got you... what this??? I said, "I don't know, what is it?" They all went running over to Ms. Harvy and told her they got it, that we, Anthony and I had it( the dip) This happened around 5:00 pm. Ms. Harvy said, "SHOLLY, YOU HAD THIS???" I told her "NO, I didn't", what is it???" For one, I don't use tobacco in any form, and two, this is just another attempt to mess with my time in a program, and get back at me for telling my Mom about all the abuse they were doing. Sincerely, Christopher Sholly

I spoke with Mr. Meredith, acting Inspector General today and bought this also to his attention. This is proof that all the accusations they said about my son were false and done in retaliation for my reports to the Central Office. Mr. Leeks better wake up and see what his staff are doing. ~Dawn Chase

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07/14/05 DJJ: A Son's Diary Part 1. Greenville Hills Academy: Diary of Christopher Sholly - March 04, 2002 - I was sent there [Greenville] for violating probation, and I violated by trying to commit suicide, I am 13 years old at this time. When I got to Greenville, I was beat up by the Staff that worked at the cottage. I have no idea why the staff beat me up. I was scared and confused. I did the only thing I could think of, I kept my mouth shut and stayed to myself. ~provided by Dawn Chase

For those of you following my son's Story, I was going through some papers in my Son,Christopher's belongings and found these stories, written by him, of his accounts while he was still at Dozier.

March 04, 2002 I was sent to Greenville Hills Academy. I was sent there for violating probation, and I violated by trying to commit suicide, I am 13 years old at this time. I regret trying to do this now. When I got to Greenville Hills Academy, I was beat up by the Staff that worked at the cottage, Merit Cottage. I have no idea why the staff beat me up. I was scared and confused. I did the only thing I could think of, I kept my mouth shut and stayed to myself. Well, the next morning I got up and seen some bad things. I seen one boy, by the name of Tylor Clarry, being hit by the staff. I seen other youths being abused aslo. I wnet th school and took some tests, When I went back to the cottage, the staff somehow found out that I could not read or write at the time. The Staff's name was Mr. Jones. The staff started calling telling me to read the posters on the wall, and I couldn't do it. I told him "I can't read that." He grabbed a dictionary and told me to look up a word. I forget what the word was, but I think it was "medical". I took the dictionary and began flipping through the pages. I did this for close to ten seconds before Mr. Jones grabbed the dictionary out of my hands and threw the book on the table and called me stupid and retard. He told me to go and stand in the corner until he told me to sit down. I said "NO", and he said if I didn't do as he told me, he would beat me up. I didn't want to get my tail whooped again, so I did it. All throughout the day the staff messed with me, called me a white piece of sh**, and poked names and cussing at me. After about 4 days on, another boy kept trying me, so we fought. After the fight, the staff grabbed me and dreagged me into a back room, no camera's there. It must have been a weight room cause there were weights in it. The two staff threw me up against the wall and got in my face and siad, "why the f*** did you fight, this is my house and I don't take no sh**!. "They both were yelling at me and spit was flying into my face. I was not worried about the yelling, I was worried about them beating me up. After they were done yelling at me, they threw me on the floor and jumped on my back and held me down. They grabbed my arms, legs, and hands, and restrained me. They bent my legs over my back, all the way untill the tips of my feet touched the back of my head. One staff was pulling my legs, the other pulling on my head. The position they put me in was widely called "the lawn mower". It hurt so bad, I thought I was going to pass out. After they were done, the staff punched me and kicked me a few times each. All the while, I was laying on the ground crying and pleading them to sotp. Buth they wouldn't stop. All thoughout my days at Greenville Hills Academy, I went through hell. This that I am going to write below are the things that the staff used to do to me and others there; The Staff used to beat us up everyday. They used to only let us have around a minute of two to eat our food. (THIS IS EVIDENT AS MY SON HAD A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF WEIGHT LOSS WHILE THERE) They used to make us wait a very long time to use the rest room,. If we used the bathroom on ourselves, the staff would make us wash our clothes out in a five gallon bucket and no gloves with cold water. Most of the kids there used the bathroom on theirselves, because the staff would make us hold it for so long. I, came close to using a number 2 on myslef at school. The staff wouldn't let me go to the bathroom. I begged her for like ten minutes and she finally let me go to the bathroom. The staff used to mentally abuse us as well. They would call us names,and make fun of us. They used to tell us that we youths would never be anything in life. ~ Christopher Sholly

I WANT TO KNOW WHY??????????? WHY AND WHO THE HELL GAVE THESE PEOPLE THE RIGHT TO LAY THEIR HANDS ON MY CHILD LET ALONE ANY CHILD??? PEOPLE WAKE UP.. THIS IS FOR REAL, AND THIS IS HAPPENING IN THESE FACILITIES!!!!!!! ~Dawn Chase

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07/11/05 Volusia JDC: In the past 3 years in vrjdc their have been about 100 or more workers quit or fired...building leaks everytime it rains and as far as health issue is concern is not safe. ~Anonymous

In the past 3 years in vrjdc their have been about 100 or more workers quit or fired and the numbers are still climbing. Staffs are very unhappy with adm and the working enviroment they are working in. They building leaks everytime it rains and as far as health issue is concern is not safe. ~Anonymous

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07/11/05 Osceola JDC: response to person who replied to Brownnoser on 07/10/05: The comments make sense however you really need to check your spelling; it is so important to present a competent and intelligent demeanor to the public. I know the importance of being taken seriously and from the way you write you will not be. ~JDO Realistic

Re: 07/10/05 Osceola JDC: To the Brownnoser:...to the remark on 7-5-05-do we like the changes? No.Especialy when you have certain individuals breife the new superintindent, give him nothing but negative information about the officers.But,at the same time he should'nt believe them... ~Anonymous

This is in response to the person who posted on 07/10/05 regarding Osceola JDC. The comments that you posted make sense however I have to say that you really need to check your spelling before you click on that send button. I don't know if you realize it (and this may sound trivial or nitpicky) but your written communications send a strong message about you. Please take the time to double check your spelling and grammar; it is so important to present a competent and intelligent demeanor to the public. I know you are capable of better written communication. I say this only because I know the importance of being taken seriously and from the way you write you will not be. - JDO Realistic.

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07/11/05 Orange JDC: The shortage is so critical that trainees were on the floor working before they went to the Academy 2 weeks ago. Presently we are dealing with...mental health issues and we are not even trained to deal with these youths. Mr. Turner this facility is very critical. ~Anonymous

We seriously need some help at ORJDC. The shortage is so critical that the trainees were on the floor working before they went to the Academy 2 weeks ago. We have 30 to 35 detainees on each mod with only 1 staff on all 3 mods. We usually have a total of 2 to 6 precautionary observation detainees and only 1 staff to handle all the work. Let's take a look at the FOP's and see what is in writing. Presently we are dealing with a lot of mental health issues and we are not even trained to deal with these youths. Instead we repeat the same training each year. The staff has never been appreciated and never will be. We never get to live a normal life with our families. Is that why we are quitting and going to better places where we are appreciated more? Some staff that have been certified are not allow to work on the floor to help with the shortage. Where is the priority? In the midst of this shortage the supervisors still has the nerve to ask us how much overtime we have. They prefer the trainees to work for us or 1 person per mod. Is that why ORJDC has more workman's comp. cases than any other facility? We have also been given another duty which is not on our job description. We have do the job of the maintenance staff and sweep/mop floors, clean toilets, throw trash out. I believe that job should be given to the secretary Mrs. Chambers who has enough time to help with the cleaning instead of smoking and looking out the window. Let's get your priorities together. Mr. Turner this facility is very critical. Please do pass us by.... ~Anonymous

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07/10/05 Osceola JDC: To the Brownnoser:...to the remark on 7-5-05-do we like the changes? No.Especialy when you have certain individuals breife the new superintindent, give him nothing but negative information about the officers.But,at the same time he should'nt believe them... ~Anonymous

This is in response to the remark on 7-5-05.Do we like the changes? No.Especialy when you have certain individuals breife the new superintindent, give him nothing but negative information about the officers.But,at the same time he should'nt believe them, he should check why are they telling him negative and not possitive.One thing I can say I do like the fact that he holds the assistants & supervisors accountable.Finally they do understand the meaning of select exemped.You say the grass is'nt greener on the other side,it was green for you with Hoffman.Now you don't have any grass stianes on your white shirt.Remember,you're carreer statis,Hoffman can't protect you anymore.to lowery,welcome and get a better understanding from the floor officers, because the ones next to you are finaly working and doing what ever it takes to impress you.It's funny how they run around now like chickens,now erning a paycheck. ~Anonymous

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07/09/05 DJJ: Response to 07/08/05 :  I need more parents and grandparents to come forward. I called Secretary Schembri's office on July 7 and was denied access...I was directed to the Office of Mr. Meredith and plead my case to him. I begged that my son be sent to either DJJ Jackson Juvenile or Pensacola Boys Base ~Dawn Chase

In Response to: 07/08/05 Orange JDC: Ms. Chase, Have you looked into the possibility of suing the Department and also exposing them to Dateline, 20/20, American Justice, local news or Geraldo Rivera? Even the Orlando Sentinel? ~Anonymous, Orange JDC

Yes I have, and I need more parents and grandparents to come forward. I called Secretary Schembri's office on July 7, concerning my son, and was denied access to Mr. Schembri himself. I was directed to the Office of Mr. Meredith and plead my case to him.

I begged that my son be sent to either DJJ Jackson Juvenile or Pensacola Boys Base, for the remainder of the one year and a day sentence in which on June 27th, he was given time served of 180 days with the DOC. These two facilities are the best in Northwest FL Region. At least I will be in peace knowing that he is safe. He plead no contest to the charges, there was just noway to prove his innocence and the Public Defender he had was totally useless, one of the rudest individuals I had ever met in my life. He didn't seem to be defending my son, only "working" for, or with the Prosecuter. He was very much "rushed" in getting through with it. He also stated that he may have to do 5 years instead of the one year and a day if found guilty.. and without any defense what else would we do? I was terrified into thinking this would happen!! Mr. Meredith wanted to know WHY? if I have had so many complaints about their department, why they should do this, and why if my son's record with the programs was not as good as they wanted, why do I think he deserves to be held at a DJJ facilty. cobntinued>>>> My response was, Because he is a child, when the so called allegations were made about behavior, there was question of retailiation, and abuse along with it. Abuse that was documented and founded by DCF/HRS. Along with Christophers private Doctor that also called in abuse after witnessing the Horrendous bruising and black and blue marks on his face, eye, and upper body and arms. Not to mention that the state had a staff member at one time that lied on the empolyment application about his criminal background, which also was investigated by the Ig's office and found true. I also stated that he deserves to be safe, and he deserves this because of all the abuse he suffered. I do NOT believe that young kids belong in ADULT systems!! I know there are many others that don't as well, and this state needs to change this law!!!

According to The 2003 Florida Statutes

985.417 Transfer of children from the Department of Corrections to the Department of Juvenile Justice.--

(1) When any child under the age of 18 years is sentenced by any court of competent jurisdiction to the Department of Corrections, the Secretary of Juvenile Justice may transfer such child to the department for the remainder of the sentence, or until his or her 21st birthday, whichever results in the shorter term. If, upon such person's attaining his or her 21st birthday, the sentence has not terminated, he or she shall be transferred to the Department of Corrections for placement in a youthful offender program, transferred to the supervision of the department, or be given any other transfer that may lawfully be made.

(2) If the child is under sentence for a term of years, after the department has supervised him or her for a sufficient length of time to ascertain that he or she has attained satisfactory rehabilitation, the department, upon determination that such action is in the best interests of both the child and society, may relieve the child from making further reports.

(3) When the child has, in the opinion of the department, so conducted himself or herself as to deserve a pardon, a commutation of sentence, or the remission in whole or in part of any fine, forfeiture, or penalty, the secretary may recommend that such clemency be extended to the child. In such case the secretary shall fully advise the Governor of the facts upon which such recommendation is based.

(4) The department shall grant gain-time for good conduct, may grant extra good-time allowances, and may declare a forfeiture thereof. If any child who was sentenced pursuant to s. 921.18 is transferred to the department, the department may determine the exact sentence of the child, but the sentence may not be longer than the maximum sentence that was imposed by the court pursuant to s. 921.18. All time spent in the department shall count toward the expiration of sentence. Any child transferred to the department may, at the discretion of the secretary, be returned to the Department of Corrections.

(5) Any child who has been convicted of a capital felony while under the age of 18 years may not be released on probation without the consent of the Governor and two members of the Cabinet. ~Dawn Chase

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07/08/05 DJJ: To Schembri and Turner: Do not turn a blind eye to the situation concerning Dawn Chase's son...
~JudyKay Leece

Mr. [Anthony] Schembri and Mr. [Perry] Turner,

Do not turn a blind eye to the situation concerning Dawn Chase’s son Christopher. Do not let happen to him that DJJ let happen to my grandson Shawn Smith who also was kept locked up for over two years because of false charges brought by adults who were three times his size.

I beg you to intervene before you have the blood of another dead child on the hands of the DJJ.

~JudyKay Leece

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07/08/05 Orange JDC: Ms. Chase. Have you looked into the possibility of suing the Department and also exposing them to Dateline, 20/20, American Justice, local news or Geraldo Rivera? Even the Orlando Sentinel? ~Anonymous, Orange JDC

Ms. Chase. Have you looked into the possibility of suing the Department and also exposing them to Dateline, 20/20, American Justice, local news or Geraldo Rivera? Even the Orlando Sentinel? ~Anonymous, Orange JDC

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07/07/05 DJJ: My son has spent more time locked up then an adult would have for doing the same thing and what he initially did was a total accident!! Why hasn't Secretary Schembri wrote me back?? I am not asking for your pity, but I'm asking you for help!!!
~A broken Heart, Dawn

I appreciate those that can feel this pain that my family and my son have suffered through these years. For those of you without feeling and concern for proven facts and documented evidence, and think that I am trying to make excuses and disregard what my son or mistake he has made, your are very wrong. You are wrong for mocking me and not knowing the whole situation, are just showing your ignorance by running your mouth. I realize there are good JDO's, I've come in contact with very few of them. Those working at Jackson Juvenile, and Pensacola Boys Base are some of the finest JDO's out there as well as Administrator Warren Reeves, and Oliver Jones. You can't see me right now, my face swollen from days of crying and my heart breaking for a child that has been robbed of his young teens. He has been locked up since 2002!!! My son has never been able to have a girl friend, never been to a school dance, never been able to play ball as he would love to do. He has not been home now for 4 Christmas's!! He has been severely abused with xrays of his skull where it shows hairline fractures that have healed, and broken arms and arms that easily fall out of the shoulder socket. My God, how can you mock me without knowing what we've been through? Yes, the DJJ system is very wrong. My son has spent more time locked up then an adult would have for doing the same thing and what he initially did was a total accident!! He was a little boy for Christ's sake!!! Why won't anyone listen??? Why hasn't Secretary Schembri wrote me back?? This not only has affected my son's health, but mine as well. I've become so physically sick by not being able to eat, sleep, or function normally on a day to day basis. My son is a small in stature young man, he is not overly large and does not weigh very much. I am not asking for your pity, but I'm asking you for help!!! Please open your eyes up and look at what's been happening!! A broken Heart, Dawn

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07/05/05 DJJ: Ms. Chase, ...There are those of us who truly care for the youths in our custody. Let's bring solutions.
~Anonymous,Orange JDC

Ms. Chase, my heart goes out to you and your son for all you've been through. But, please, do not believe that ALL JDO's and SJDO's are bad people. There are those of us who truly care for the youths in our custody. Why not join hands and, first, identify the root of the problem (Schembri and his people) and let's come up with solutions rather than focus on the negatives, the plus instead of the minus because right now, DJJ is becoming a self fulfilling prophecy. Let's bring solutions, let's do it for your son and for the thousands of other youths that will go through the hands of DJJ. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
~Anonymous,Orange JDC

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07/05/05 Osceola JDC: You didn't like Mr Hoffman... Now how do you...like all the changes in your work environment with the newbie? ~Anonymous

Ahhh- Osceola you kept thinking that the grass was greener on the other side of the fence. You didn't like Mr Hoffman because....... Now how do you feel that he is gone- Do you like all the changes in your work environment with the newbie? Maybe the grass isn't always greener???? ~Anonymous

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07/05/05 DJJ: ...our legislatures and our Govenor have very little interest in improving any social services for the juveniles placed in state custody. ~Anonymous

I would just like to add that the Florida legislature was given the opportunity to pass a bill that would have helped to properly fund these privately run programs for juveniles. The bill did not pass. It would have raised the starting pay of the front line staff which is currently in the 6 to 7 dollar an hour range. The staff turnover rate at these programs is around 60%. How much loyalty should they have for a job that pays as much as they could make at Wendy's or Burger king. It is clear to me that our legislatures and our Govenor for that matter have very little interest in improving any social services or care for the juveniles placed in state custody. ~Anonymous

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07/03/05 DJJ: Ms. Chase,...Schembri does not give a damn, now, who do we go to to be heard? ~Anonymous Orange JDC

Ms. Chase, I hear and understand your pain and frustration, but not all SJDO's and JDO's are bad people or bad officers. There are good ones out there that, unfortunately are overshadowed by the bad. Let's join hands and change the system rather than talking about the problem. We all know what the problems is, now what do we do about it. Let's talk more about solutions rather than point fingers and play the blame game. It's obvious Schembri does not give a damn, now, who do we go to to be heard?
~Anonymous Orange JDC

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07/03/05 DJJ: Re: Dawn Chase...Someone does need to investigate this. It’s a travesty of justice. ~Anonymous

Re: Dawn Chase - Your 13 year old son accidentally hit a resource officer and was put in a juvenile program. I agree this is very insane! Especially to be locked up since 2002. Then to be convicted and sent to prison for an offense in which someone tampered with a key piece of evidence, that’s crazy. Someone does need to investigate this. It’s a travesty of justice. ~Anonymous

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07/03/05 Osceola JDC: I guess it was just wishfull thinking that Mr Lowry would be any different then all the other people who have held the higher positions with DJJ...he is just sneaking around trying to catch people doing wrong and writing them up...run off good staff and then complain that there's no coverage. That's when your kids get hurt or abused. ~Anonymous

I guess it was just wishfull thinking that Mr Lowry would be any different then all the other people who have held the higher positions with DJJ. For some reason when these people get there promotions they forget where they came from and think they are better and know more then all of us peons below them. It seems to me that since he is taking over a Detention facility that he would have called a general staff meeting to introduce hisself and tell us about his plans and get our input as to how we can improve our facility. Instead he is just sneaking around trying to catch people doing wrong and writing them up. No wonder so many of us are leaving. All you parents who are so worried about your kids, this is where you should look to.All these people do is run off good staff and then complain that there's no coverage. That's when your kids get hurt or abused. At any rate I don't care anymore, good luck and goodbye. ~Anonymous

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07/03/05 DJJ/Detention: ...these administrators in these facilities are the most clueless individuals i ever had the misfortune to meet. ~Anonymous

you know why the upper management dont care about the problems? because the counties are taking over the detention centers. it has allready happened in hillsborough. these jerks are just passing time until they are released of there obligations. i figure that this is a godsend as it has been appearant for a long time that these administrators in these facilities are the most clueless individuals i ever had the misfortune to meet. ~Anonymous

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07/03/05 DJJ: Maybe Dawn Chase is right. The Department of Juvenile Justice and the entire State of Florida government are involved in a massive conspiracy and coverup to keep her son locked up and abused. ~Anonymous

Maybe Dawn Chase is right. The Department of Juvenile Justice and the entire State of Florida government are involved in a massive conspiracy and coverup to keep her son locked up and abused. ~Anonymous

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07/02/05 DJJ: to the person who wants to know what MY son did: he was 13 years old; a fight at school with another boy...the resource officer... accidentally got hit, they charged him with battery on a law enforcement official. This State has criminalized the very same things that we growing up in the 70's may have been guilty of doing. I'm not making excuses for My Son, I'm defending his rights that he was denied, as well as the rights of other kids in YOUR custody.
~Dawn Chase

to the person who wants to know what MY son did. It all started in 2002, when he was 13 years old. He got in a fight at school with another boy, school yard shuffle, the resource officer got in the middle of the fight and accidentally got hit, they charged him with battery on a law enforcement official. IT WAS AN ACCIDENT!!! My son showed lots of remorse towards the officer, but that didn't matter to him. The other boy, he was let go, and suspended from school for a few days, even though that boy did more damage to my Son. This State has criminalized the very same things that we growing up in the 70's may have been guilty of doing. Kids get into disagreements, they fight, and now are arrested for assault and battery. When there was a school yard fight between kids at my school growing up.. the teachers broke it up, called the PARENTS, and the parents took the kids home and disciplined them.. This State has taken that right away from us parents.

To you that thinks I am making excuses for my son, your out of your mind!! I have no problem with understanding discipline for a wrong my son did, but to keep on now with it since 2002, and him having to be transferred because of abuse and no time served, having to start one of your sorry programs over and over, is what is ludicrous!! My son is now sitting in a adult jail because of the retailiation towards me for reporting abuse, and what better way to get rid of him out of the program, then to accuse him of hitting a staff member, and having him arrested?? The video comes up missing??? Taped over, or whatever the excuse the program gave me and the Regional Directors??? It came up missing because that gaurd, swung at my son twice while my son was on the ground, and my son said he made darn sure he was in front of a camera for proof, now the proof is destroyed!!!!You need to read what actually happened before you go passing judgement on me thinking I'm making excuses. I have great respect for two of the the five programs I've been in contact with. Oliver Jones Superintendant of Pensacola Boys Base, and Warren Reeves of Jackson Juvenile Offenders Program. These two men KNOW how to run a successful program and they are there for these boys along with their staff. If the rest of the programs would take the example these two programs set, the kids would all come out better and more success in one completing the program. You are the reason we parents are in an uproar, you are the ones that think you do no wrong and abuse the uniform you are in. You spew garbage and insults towards the parents trying to justify your actions. If you can't post in your REAL name, don't post at all. It only shows us as parents, how even you believe the system is guilty of retailiation, and losing your job. I on the other hand as well as other parents here, are guilty of ONE thing, exposing this crooked system and all the abusive, uneducated workers WITHIN the system. I'm not making excuses for My Son, I'm defending his rights that he was denied, as well as the rights of other kids in YOUR custody.
~Dawn Chase

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07/02/05 WARNING: read this message regarding the drug HALDOL. If i can be of any help contact me: ~Patricia

i will try to make this short as possible, my son who has behavior problems was put on stimulant that made him go into a violent rage, instructed by doctor I was told to take him to the er and from there they would bring him to the children's unit for evaluation.my child was 9 yrs old while at the er my son was acting up because he was afraid I would leave him,I told him doctors are here to help. while talking in another room with nurse they put my son in 5 point restraint with 2 security guards who were nasty and would not let me untie my son, while going back to where the nurse was I here other nurses saying hold still and when I came in the room they told me they injected my son with a drug called haldol to calm him down,this drug is bad news and nearly killed him.the next day I go to visit him and im told its not visiting day that's when I knew my son was in danger they were covering up. I demanded to see my son that's when I got the news that his body had locked up his tongue swelled and he was basically paralyzed. they were hoping to reverse the effects of the haldol.he came out of it thank god and that's when I contacted agency for health care Florida that fined the hospital because I never signed for permission for them to drug him, I took them to court and I won a lawsuit against the doctor and hospital.please be careful parents as this can happen to anyone's child . i came across this website and want to warn other parents if i can be of any help contact me. ~Patricia

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07/01/05 DJJ: Reply to Dawn Chase: Stop making excuses for your son. If they put him on meds that you didn't like, you can have them discontinued...did you not read...that a supervisor and a SJDO were fired for reporting abuse. You are correct on one thing this department as many flaws. Mainly because of the good ol boy system. I personally would report any abuse if I saw it.
- Its my fault your son got locked up JDO

Reply to Dawn Chase: Stop making excuses for your son. If they put him on meds that you didn't like, you can have them discontinued. You as a parent have that power. Secondly, did you not read the post that someone wrote yesterday that showed that a supervisor and a SJDO were fired for reporting abuse. You are correct on one thing this department as many flaws. Mainly because of the good ol boy system. I personally would report any abuse if I saw it. Next thing is, many officers have degrees so we don't need to go back to school. You think that everyone that works for the department are uneducated, think again. You are so busy making excuses for your son you don't read what is being written. My parents love me, but when I made a mistake they didn't make excuses for me. They made me own up to them and learn from them. Again, I will tell you to direct your frustration to the people that have the power to right the wrong. Not to all the officers that work for the department. And, you said if someone tried to hit you, you wouldn't take it. So if your, or any other teenager, decides to try and hit us, we should have the right to defend yourselves(And that doesn't mean break and arm or beat up) But if you never have tried to break up a fight, sometimes people may get hurt in the process. Most of the time its the officer. But I bet you never hear about that do you. You probably don't care either, but go ahead and keep making excuses for your child. That will really teach him how to deal with LIFE. Everytime something bad happens to me it is someone elses fault!!!!!!! - Its my fault your son got locked up JDO

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07/01/05 DJJ: Dawn Chase: What did your son do to get put into a DJJ facility and then to prison? ~Anonymous

To Dawn Chase: What did your son do to get put into a DJJ facility and then to prison? ~Anonymous

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07/01/05 Orange JDC: Response to 06/30/05 DJJ- DJJ employees use this board as a way to bring to light unsafe working conditions they must endure. Do we use these conditions as an excuse to abuse children? Of coarse not. As a parent should Ms. Chase been held responsible for Andrea Yates drowning her 5 kids? The idea is outrageous and ludicrous. ~Anonymous

06/30/05 DJJ: to all the DJJ workers that complain of long hours and not enough pay - So...if the hours were better, and the pay was better, you would treat our kids better??? To the one DJJ worker that states they did not kill someone's child, I say you did, you and all the other DJJ workers that didn't report the wrong doing. ALL of you that turn a blind eye to it, are guilty as the perpetrator!!!! ~Dawn Chase)

I don't even know where to begin with this post. DJJ employees use this board as a way to bring to light unsafe working conditions they must endure. Do we use these conditions as an excuse to abuse children? Of coarse not. It should be noted though that its not unusual for a staff that just worked a mandatory 16 hour shift and came right back to work after 3 hours of sleep has been placed in charge of a unit with 30 youth. It should also be noted that these are not your average run of the mill youth. Many of them have been charged with serious felonies ranging from aggravated battery up to homicide. Several of them also are on psychotropic drugs due to serious mental health issues. I don't think it should be a big surprise when accidents or injuries occur. For over a year I have been trying to bring to light some of these issues of safety. Most of it boils down to a lack of money. The State of Florida is not willing to pay the money it would take to improve the working environment at DJJ. The money it would take to keep experienced well trained staff from moving on or as Dawn Chase suggests going back to school and getting a better job. Now we have another crazed parent saying we are all are responsible for the actions of a few employees. Here in Orlando are my co-workers and I are responsible for a death that occurred in Miami? As a parent should Ms. Chase been held responsible for Andrea Yates drowning her 5 kids? The idea is outrageous and ludicrous. What if we did take Ms. Chase's advise and left DJJ for school or a better job? Someone needs to supervise the youth and run these programs. If these youth were left to roam freely in the streets the threat to the community would be far greater than anything these kids face within DJJ custody. ~Anonymous

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07/01/05 DJJ: I would like to bring to everyone's attention about a conversation I had with Assistant North West Regional Director, Vicki Burnett. I plainly asked her "Isn't DJJ suppose to be rehabiliitating these kids in custody?" Her reply was "NO, they don't do anything for the kids, except lock them up, and take away their freedom." ~Dawn Chase

I would like to bring to everyone's attention about a conversation I had with Assistant North West Regional Director, Vicki Burnett. I plainly asked her "Isn't DJJ suppose to be rehabiliitating these kids in custody?" Her reply was "NO, they don't do anything for the kids, except lock them up, and take away their freedom." To me, and possibly all you that are reading this site, have been grossly mislead into thinking that DJJ is there to help. After reviewing the IG's findings about my sons arm and the mistreatment he received while at Greenville Hills, I intend to sue the pants off this State!!! I will hold YOU Ms. Burnett, MR. Tallon, and all those that would not listen to the cries of help from me or my Son,for three in a half years of hell, responsible. YOU people in the higher offices better start taking heed to what the parents and the kids are telling you! YOU better start listening to your own Staff when they say there is abuse!!! THESE ARE FACTS AND TRUE. I would NEVER bring on accusations that I could NOT back up, and the IG's office confirmed it!!! Dawn Chase 850-983-6777

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07/01/05 DJJ: To the DJJ staff member...06/30/05 DJJ Care about your jobs?? YOUR silence in this crooked system is NOT helping...YOU also have the power to help make changes...you should be FIRED for NOT reporting it and risking something horrible happening to any of the children, or other staff. John Tallon?? Regional Director? He DOES NOT HAVE A CLUE AS TO THE CROOKED STAFF HE HAS!! ~Dawn Chase

To the DJJ staff member...06/30/05 DJJ: Reply to 6/29/05 by Dawn. First off let me say "Yes we do care about our jobs." We don't put our names because we would be fired or made to quit. But let me say this, it is wrong if he [your child] didn't hit a staff and was charged with it. But direct your frustration and anger at Schembri and the people that have the power to correct that. ~Anonymous

Care about your jobs?? If you had ANY concern about how this system was run, you would report ANY and ALL wrong doing going on. It will not only take the Parents, Grandparents to voice their frustrations, but also those that are decent working with our kids to make any changes. YOUR silence in this crooked system is NOT helping!!! So, you along with the other staff at DJJ only add to all of our frustrations, and are just as guilty for allowing the abuse and retaliation to go on!!! Not only is Shembri and all those under him responsible for it, you are just as guilty. You have a family?? What would you do if some 300 pound man broke one of your childrens arms?? Would you keep silent then??? Let me tell you, I am paying for my voice, it has caused retaliation on MY son, and now he fears for his life!! Do you realize that the camera's were investigated, by Gary Rivenbark, Program monitor for NW Florida? Do you know what he found? He found that the tape had been erased!! Then he turns around and changes HIS story, that the tape was reviewed and nothing was seen on it. Which is it??? Ed Leeks, Superintendant of Dozier LIED on a depositon and said he NEVER spoke to me about the incident!! He was the one that told me there were NO camera's!! That is why Gary Rivenbark went to investigate it, found there WAS a camera, and quote unquote "it had been taped over" Three different statements from this person. John Tallon?? Regional Director? He DOES NOT HAVE A CLUE AS TO THE CROOKED STAFF HE HAS!! I'VE STATED FACTS AS TO HOW THEY HAVE OCCURRED. My son only had 20 days till he was to come home!!! Do you think he would jeopardize this??? I don't. So, Mr. DJJ worker, YOU also have the power to help make changes!! There is NO excuse for ABUSE or Retailiation!! In fact, you should be FIRED for NOT reporting it and risking something horrible happening to any of the children, or other staff. Dawn Chase 850-983-6777

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