DJJ to Pinellas County Juvenile Justice
Council:
James Uliasz receives written reprimand for DUI but remains superintendent of
the Pinellas Regional Juvenile Detention Center
Prepared by Dave Plyer, Chair, Pinellas County Juvenile Justice Council September 24, 2006
Preface James Uliasz, Superintendent of the Pinellas Regional Juvenile Detention Center, was arrested for DUI on the morning of July 25, 2006. On August 24, 2006, the Pinellas County Juvenile Justice Council authorized the Council Chair to write Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ) Secretary Schembri and recommend that Uliasz “be placed on administrative leave or reassigned to a non-youth contact position, pending the disposition of his DUI arrest…”
This document is a summary of the email communication between Dave Plyer, Chair of the Pinellas County Juvenile Justice Council and Cynthia Lorenzo, Chief of Staff of the Florida Department of Juvenile Justice. The exchange begins on August 30, 2006 with PCJJC’s request that the Department “…take appropriate action by placing James Uliasz on administrative leave or reassign Uliasz to a non-youth contact position.” The exchange ends on September 19, 2006 when the Department writes " Mr. Uliasz remains on the job as superintendent.”
The email correspondence between the Council and the Department on this issue is presented below.
 | 08/30/06 PCJJC requests DJJ to put Uliasz on administrative leave or on non-youth contact position. |
| 09/01/06 DJJ says Uliasz received a written reprimand and was referred to state's Employee Assistance Program. |
| 09/07/06 PCJJC requests copy of reprimand and asks that Uliasz be assigned a non-youth contact position pending completion of the Employee Assistance Program. |
| 09/11/06 DJJ sends a copy of the reprimand and notes that Uliasz has complete the Employee Assistance Program. |
| 09/16/06 PCJJC asks for confirmation that Uliasz is reassigned to a non-youth contact position pending disposition of his court case. |
| 09/19/06 DJJ replies, "Mr. Uliasz remains on the job as superintendent." |
August 30, 2006 PCJJC requests DJJ to put
Uliasz on administrative leave or on non-youth contact position.
From: Dave Plyer <d.plyer@gmail.com> Mailed-By: gmail.com
To: Anthony Schembri <secretary.schembri@djj.state.fl.us>
Cc: Cynthia Lorenzo <cynthia.lorenzo@djj.state.fl.us>, Ken Pifer <ken.pifer@djj.state.fl.us>
Date: Aug 30, 2006 8:19 AM
Subject: Pinellas JDC: James Uliasz - DUI
Pinellas County Juvenile Justice Council
August 30, 2006
Anthony Schembri, Secretary Florida Department of Juvenile Justice
James Uliasz, Pinellas Regional Juvenile Detention Center Superintendent, was arrested and jailed on the morning of Tuesday July 25, 2006. He is charged with "driving under the influence" (DUI). Pending the court disposition on his DUI charge, the Pinellas County Juvenile Justice Council requests that the Department of Juvenile Justice take appropriate action by placing James Uliasz on administrative leave or reassign Uliasz to a non-youth contact position. It is imperative that DJJ leaders be honorable and respectable role models for youth.
According to DJJ, "Juvenile Justice Detention Officers are expected to perform all duties in the optimum responsible manner, and to demonstrate leadership by being a positive role model for staff, youth and community…" James Uliasz publicizes his position as Pinellas JDC Superintendent with AllProDad.com: "Teaching young men how to be great future fathers".
The Council believes that it is in the best interest of the Department, and the community it serves, to take swift action about Uliasz's arrest. DJJ's response sets an example of expectations of high standards for leaders.
We request the Department's statement concerning the Uliasz arrest and his employment status with DJJ.
Dave Plyer, Chair
Pinellas County Juvenile Justice Council
727.799.1431
www.PinellasJJC.org
September 1, 2006 DJJ replies that
Uliasz received a written reprimand and referred to state's Employee Assistance
Program
From: Lorenzo, Cynthia <Cynthia.Lorenzo@djj.state.fl.us> Mailed-By:
djj.state.fl.us
To: d.plyer@gmail.com
Cc: "Schembri, Anthony J." <Anthony.Schembri@djj.state.fl.us>
Date: Sep 1, 2006 11:30 AM
Subject: RE: Pinellas JDC: James Uliasz – DUI
Mr. Plyer:
Secretary Schembri and I discussed your attached email and he asked me to reply on his behalf.
Mr. Uliasz case was reviewed by the agency's legal office which found that the employee's charged offense is not a "disqualifying offense" by statute. That means he is still qualified to work at DJJ. The arresting law enforcement officer's written statement of the incident indicates that Mr. Uliasz was cooperative, off-duty at the time, and was not wearing anything that identified him as a DJJ employee. Possession of a driver's license is not a requirement of his position and this was a first offense. Mr. Uliasz met with Assistant Secretary for Detention and received a written reprimand which will go in his permanent personnel file. He was also referred to the state's Employee Assistance Program where he must successfully complete a program. Mr. Uliasz remains employed by DJJ.
Cynthia Lorenzo
Chief of Staff
Florida Department of Juvenile Justice
September 7, 2006 PCJJC requests copy of
reprimand and asks that Uliasz be assigned a non-youth contact position pending
completion of the Employee Assistance Program.
From: Dave Plyer <d.plyer@gmail.com> Mailed-By: gmail.com
To: "Lorenzo, Cynthia" <Cynthia.Lorenzo@djj.state.fl.us>
Cc: "Schembri, Anthony J." <Anthony.Schembri@djj.state.fl.us>
Date: Sep 7, 2006 3:01 PM
Subject: Re: Pinellas JDC: James Uliasz - DUI
Cynthia Lorenzo
Chief of Staff
Florida Department of Juvenile Justice
Ms. Lorenzo,
Thank you for your prompt reply. I believe the action taken by the Department in the case of Mr. Uliasz is fair and just. It is, however, my expectation that Mr. Uliasz has been relieved of his duties as Superintendent of Pinellas Regional JDC and that he does not have direct contact with youth in DJJ custody until he has completed his Employee Assistance Program. Please confirm that this is so.
Anyone with a substance abuse problem deserves help, but Mr. Uliasz's employment position requires special attention. DJJ leaders, especially those in charge of the safety and security of youth in a detention center, must be held to high standards as state employee role models.
In addition, please send a copy of the "written reprimand" placed "in his permanent personnel file."
Dave Plyer
Chair
Pinellas County Juvenile Justice Council
727.799.1431
www.PinellasJJC.org
September 11, 2006 DJJ sends a copy of
the reprimand and notes that Uliasz has completed the Employee Assistance
Program.
From: Lorenzo, Cynthia <Cynthia.Lorenzo@djj.state.fl.us> Mailed-By:
djj.state.fl.us
To: d.plyer@gmail.com
Date: Sep 11, 2006 10:06 AM
Subject: FW: Pinellas JDC: James Uliasz – DUI
Mr. Plyer:
Attached as a pdf document is the written reprimand that was placed in Mr. Uliasz's personnel file. Mr. Uliasz has completed his Employee Assistance Program. I agree with you that the agency's action regarding Mr. Uliasz is, as you state, "fair and just." The safety and security of youth in our care is the agency's top priority.
Cynthia Lorenzo
Chief of Staff
Florida Department of Juvenile Justice
September 16, 2006 PCJJC asks for
confirmation that Uliasz is reassigned to a non-youth contact position pending
disposition of his court case.
From: Dave Plyer <d.plyer@gmail.com> Mailed-By: gmail.com
To: "Lorenzo, Cynthia" <Cynthia.Lorenzo@djj.state.fl.us>
Date: Sep 16, 2006 9:48 PM
Subject: Re: FW: Pinellas JDC: James Uliasz - DUI
Cynthia Lorenzo
Chief of Staff
Florida Department of Juvenile Justice
Until the disposition of Mr. Uliasz's court case on the charge of DUI, is he reassigned to a position that does not have direct contact with youth in DJJ custody? Or, does Uliasz remain on the job as superintendent of the Pinellas Regional Juvenile Detention Center?
I await your reply.
Dave Plyer
Chair
Pinellas County Juvenile Justice Council
727.799.1431
www.PinellasJJC.org
September 19, 2006 DJJ replies, "Mr.
Uliasz remains on the job as superintendent."
From: Lorenzo, Cynthia <Cynthia.Lorenzo@djj.state.fl.us> Mailed-By:
djj.state.fl.us
To: d.plyer@gmail.com
Date: Sep 19, 2006 12:41 PM
Subject: RE: FW: Pinellas JDC: James Uliasz - DUI
Mr. Plyer,
Mr. Uliasz remains on the job as superintendent.
Cynthia Lorenzo
Chief of Staff
Florida Department of Juvenile Justice
850.410.1097
