Major Robert Lucas took us on a tour of the Orient Road Jail. Lucas started the tour off in the processing area for inmates, and said that there are usually 200 inmates processed a day. One thing I learned on our tour was that strip searches were no longer legal, and in replace of the strip searches they did pat downs, and then had each inmate sit in the “Boss” chair. The “Boss” chair is a detection chair that traces all metal objects an inmate may have in his/her possession. The Orient Road Jail is a direct supervision jail, which is different from the traditional style jails.
Direct supervision jails are the new generation of jails. The direct supervision jails have pods that all inmates stay in. There are multiple pods in the jails. Each pod has separate rooms that house one to two inmates for lock downs, and it is where the inmates sleep. With the pod style layout, inmates have a more sense of freedom. The inmates are able to interact more with one another, and they are in an atmosphere more alike the real world (outside of jail).
The designs of direct supervision jails provide safer, more humane environments for the inmates. Studies show that detention facilities that use direct supervision have tremendously lowered rates of assaults, extortions and lawsuits compared to the traditional linear style of jail management. Another positive improvement is that there is less expensive construction due to behavior improvements of the inmates, and in my opinion this helps to saves ‘us’ tax payers money. The inmates are more stable, and they are able to cope with the environment in a more positive way than with the traditional jails.
There is a Corrections Deputy that continuously supervises all inmates and is in control with the direct supervision model. Major improvements made due to this model have been: a cleaner facility, lower noise levels, less vandalism, reduction in inmate assaults, inmates follow directions better, staff has more confidence and the stress for everyone has reduced.
There are some inmates that do not respond well to the pod style jail sells, and those inmates are placed in segregation units. Usually, most of the inmates that are placed in segregation units are know as “high risk” type inmates and have fewer privileges than the general population.
The older movies that show jail sells are traditional style jails, and many people have the perception that they are the same today. Traditional jails keep inmates separated from one another, leaving one or two in a room alone until recreation time. This will cause many inmates to build aggression, and that is one reason fights break out.
Overall, I enjoyed the tour. I enjoy watching TV shows and movies that deal with inmates, so experiencing what a jail is like in person without going through ‘processing’ as an inmate was fun. I was able to a lot of knowledge from the tour that I didn’t know previously.
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Thursday, September 18, 2008
J.D. Callaway Hillsborough County Sheriff Spokesman
USF’s Public Affairs Reporting class met at the Hillsborough County Sheriff Department September 16, 2008. The class was escorted to an empty room with chairs surrounding a table, and at the head of the table sat J.D. Callaway. Each classmate took their seats to give Callaway our undivided attention.University of South Florida 1983 Graduate, J. D. Callaway, has worked for the Hillsborough County Sheriff Department for four years as the Sheriff’s spokesman. Callaway presented a criminal report affidavit, incident report, news release and an individual’s charge report to each classmate.
During Callaway’s presentation, he proceeded to explain that an estimated 30 percent of all reports/tips that come through their office are dispatched over the radio, and the other 70 percent is put into computer documents.
With the demand for online news reports increasing, and competition getting stronger with who presents the news first; many news stations are putting inaccurate information on the web. Most news stations have a police radio on at all times, and as soon as a “good story” is announced over the radios each news station presents the story via internet. As Callaway stated, “some radio calls are to check out a house situation with an assumption that a dead body is inside.” He continued to state that those calls can be inaccurate, and may turn out to be a dead dog rather than a person. He said that the news stations will put the story online that there is a dead body in a house before the story is proven, and that’s when online news stories may be incorrect. He mentioned that is was just an example, but there are many other incidences that occur.
One interesting fact that Callaway provided was that search warrants are not provided as public records through the Sheriff Department, but they can be retrieved at the Court House. A search warrant is a court order issued by a judge so that law enforcement is authorized to conduct a search of a person/location for evidence that can contribute to an investigation. The evidence may be seized for further investigation. Callaway stated that good stories can be presented when reporters obtain search warrants from the Court House.
Many reporters make mistakes, including J.D. Callaway himself. (Attached is a link to a story where Callaway admits giving wrong information about rape case.)
http://www.abcactionnews.com/news/local/story.aspx?content_id=631e479c-db36-40dd-8e4b-766a5a88e905
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Public Meeting #1: Code Enforcement Board Hearings
For the first public meeting assignment I attended a Code Enforcement Board Hearing. The hearings consisted of property owners who had been in violation of code enforcements. Almost all violations had similarities which consisted of improper use of zoning, accumulation of junk, trash or debris and overgrown conditions. The meeting allowed each property owner in violation to come before the board and explain their situation, give reasons to why they were in violation and what they have done to improve the violation presented.
Pledge of allegiance, roll call and an oath of witness started the meeting. Up first, Agnes Bak, was in violation of improper use of zoning. The Code Enforcement became involved when Bak’s neighbor complained that Bak was using residential property as commercial property. The Code Enforcement Board went to Bak’s property, and after investigation, they found Bak in violation. Bak explained that she had purchased the property five years ago along with the business in that same location. “I was shocked I had been in violation,” explained Bak. She continued by asking the board for more time, promising to file for rezoning. A motion was set that Bak would have a 30 day extension to comply with filing for rezoning; along with that, a $250 per day fine would be issued if rezoning wasn’t filed within the allotted time. The motion was passed after being seconded by board members.
The second, third and fourth cases were presented by the board and each property owner spoke on their behalf. Each case had a lot in common, but the fifth case caught my attention. This case involved Paul D. Mascato, and Debra K. Mascato. The two were in violation of accumulation of trash, debris and junk. Although the cases presented before had to do with accumulation, this case in particular had a heart felt story along with it. I decided to interview Debra K. Mascato and realized her husband had been a drug addict for years. When Paul and Debra received the violation notice, Paul felt the violation was irrelevant, and he had no interest in cleaning up the yard to comply with the violation according to Debra. Debra continued, “I did think the violation notice was important, and I had to do something about it, but I work over 50 hours a week.” She explained that her husband had gone to jail the previous night, so she was determined to comply with the violation notice. The board did allow 30 days to come into compliance.
Following Mascato’s case, Edward Deridder presented himself before the board. The case was for property owner Bobby James Jackson Jr., and to the boards surprise, Jackson had passed away five years ago. Deridder explained to the board he had purchased the property with partner Lee Chuck and he had papers to prove it. The board couldn’t believe that their records still showed Jackson as the owner, and in confusion they began to laugh. Deridder also explained that when he received the notice, he and his son spent 16 hours cleaning the property. The board dismissed the case completely. When Deridder walked out, I hurried out the door to get a quick interview. Deridder, “I was so nervous.” He said he was confused to why he had been nervous, because he had been involved in 25 immigration cases prior to this.
The final interview was with Code Enforcement Operations Manager, Jim Blinck. I wanted to know why he got involved with code enforcement and he replied saying he didn’t really know, but he has been doing it for 23 years. He says that he doesn’t enjoy fining property owners, but he wants to achieve making our communities beautiful. I asked why more than half of the property owners didn’t show for their hearing and he said most of them don’t care.
What more can I say about my first public meeting assignment….? Well, I know I don’t want to attend another Code Enforcement Board Hearing. I was relieved to have two interesting stories come from this meeting, but I know I was fortunate. In final remarks, I will try and find a better meeting to attend for my second assignment.
Pledge of allegiance, roll call and an oath of witness started the meeting. Up first, Agnes Bak, was in violation of improper use of zoning. The Code Enforcement became involved when Bak’s neighbor complained that Bak was using residential property as commercial property. The Code Enforcement Board went to Bak’s property, and after investigation, they found Bak in violation. Bak explained that she had purchased the property five years ago along with the business in that same location. “I was shocked I had been in violation,” explained Bak. She continued by asking the board for more time, promising to file for rezoning. A motion was set that Bak would have a 30 day extension to comply with filing for rezoning; along with that, a $250 per day fine would be issued if rezoning wasn’t filed within the allotted time. The motion was passed after being seconded by board members.
The second, third and fourth cases were presented by the board and each property owner spoke on their behalf. Each case had a lot in common, but the fifth case caught my attention. This case involved Paul D. Mascato, and Debra K. Mascato. The two were in violation of accumulation of trash, debris and junk. Although the cases presented before had to do with accumulation, this case in particular had a heart felt story along with it. I decided to interview Debra K. Mascato and realized her husband had been a drug addict for years. When Paul and Debra received the violation notice, Paul felt the violation was irrelevant, and he had no interest in cleaning up the yard to comply with the violation according to Debra. Debra continued, “I did think the violation notice was important, and I had to do something about it, but I work over 50 hours a week.” She explained that her husband had gone to jail the previous night, so she was determined to comply with the violation notice. The board did allow 30 days to come into compliance.
Following Mascato’s case, Edward Deridder presented himself before the board. The case was for property owner Bobby James Jackson Jr., and to the boards surprise, Jackson had passed away five years ago. Deridder explained to the board he had purchased the property with partner Lee Chuck and he had papers to prove it. The board couldn’t believe that their records still showed Jackson as the owner, and in confusion they began to laugh. Deridder also explained that when he received the notice, he and his son spent 16 hours cleaning the property. The board dismissed the case completely. When Deridder walked out, I hurried out the door to get a quick interview. Deridder, “I was so nervous.” He said he was confused to why he had been nervous, because he had been involved in 25 immigration cases prior to this.
The final interview was with Code Enforcement Operations Manager, Jim Blinck. I wanted to know why he got involved with code enforcement and he replied saying he didn’t really know, but he has been doing it for 23 years. He says that he doesn’t enjoy fining property owners, but he wants to achieve making our communities beautiful. I asked why more than half of the property owners didn’t show for their hearing and he said most of them don’t care.
What more can I say about my first public meeting assignment….? Well, I know I don’t want to attend another Code Enforcement Board Hearing. I was relieved to have two interesting stories come from this meeting, but I know I was fortunate. In final remarks, I will try and find a better meeting to attend for my second assignment.
Thursday, September 11, 2008
Public Access Laws_Matt Doig
Matt Doig is an Investigative Reporter with the Sarasota Herald-Tribune. While pondering what Matt had spoken about, I decided to do some research using the internet. I clicked upon an interview conducted between Matt and Brooke Gladstone with On the Media, and it surprisingly was an interview about public records.
Doig spoke about an undercover audit that he and his colleague, Chris Davis, had completed. Doig and Davis had continued to experience multiple roadblocks while trying to access public records. They had discussed the topic of an audit for quit some time and they were finally disgusted.
The public records law states that every person can get public records with some exemptions, and it is their Constitutional right. Chapter 119, Florida Statutes, is commonly known as Florida's "Public Records Law," which provides information on public records in Florida including: policies, definitions, exemptions, general information on records access, inspection, examination and duplication of records. Keeping Florida’s government open is mediated by the Attorney General’s Office.
Doig and many other reporters played the role as regular citizens asking for public records. They were to maintain anonymous, “the law gives you anonymity,” Doig stated. Out of the 234 various local agencies in almost all state’s counties, they found only 57 percent were in compliance with the laws of public access.
One story in particular that Doig spoke about during the interview with Gladstone was about a volunteer asking for emails in Broward County. Doig said that the man from Broward County had made threats to the volunteer. The man actually told the volunteer that he could make life difficult, required the person’s name and then contacted him by phone leaving messages saying he could find them.
The interview was conducted in February 2004, shortly after the undercover audit, and one reason many agencies denied the public records requests was because of the September 11th terrorist attach. Doig confronted those individuals in particular and found that it was just an excuse to not give up information. Doig argued that terrorist wouldn’t find use for cell phone bills to help in committing an attack.
The interview ended with closing remarks. Since 1909 the public records law has been written into the Florida Constitution. It’s clear what the laws are, and EVERY person is allowed to access public records.
Doig spoke about an undercover audit that he and his colleague, Chris Davis, had completed. Doig and Davis had continued to experience multiple roadblocks while trying to access public records. They had discussed the topic of an audit for quit some time and they were finally disgusted.
The public records law states that every person can get public records with some exemptions, and it is their Constitutional right. Chapter 119, Florida Statutes, is commonly known as Florida's "Public Records Law," which provides information on public records in Florida including: policies, definitions, exemptions, general information on records access, inspection, examination and duplication of records. Keeping Florida’s government open is mediated by the Attorney General’s Office.
Doig and many other reporters played the role as regular citizens asking for public records. They were to maintain anonymous, “the law gives you anonymity,” Doig stated. Out of the 234 various local agencies in almost all state’s counties, they found only 57 percent were in compliance with the laws of public access.
One story in particular that Doig spoke about during the interview with Gladstone was about a volunteer asking for emails in Broward County. Doig said that the man from Broward County had made threats to the volunteer. The man actually told the volunteer that he could make life difficult, required the person’s name and then contacted him by phone leaving messages saying he could find them.
The interview was conducted in February 2004, shortly after the undercover audit, and one reason many agencies denied the public records requests was because of the September 11th terrorist attach. Doig confronted those individuals in particular and found that it was just an excuse to not give up information. Doig argued that terrorist wouldn’t find use for cell phone bills to help in committing an attack.
The interview ended with closing remarks. Since 1909 the public records law has been written into the Florida Constitution. It’s clear what the laws are, and EVERY person is allowed to access public records.
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
1st Amendment Foundation...Adria
Adria was with the 1st Amendment Foundation and she help clear up the right of access for public records. 1st Amendment Foundation is a small non-profit organization in place to help provide seminars for anyone who has interest in public access. They have an active role in the Legislative and the report Legislative activities and bills. They also focus their efforts on the Sunshine Laws.
In the Adria’s speech, she informed us that Florida has the longest and richest regulations for open records. It is in the Florida Constitution that we are able to access public records. In Article 1 section 24 of the Florida Constitution it expresses that every person has the right to receive public access.
The Department of State is the one in charge of determining the retention of records. Each record has to be provided in the form that it is kept, but if a person ask to receive the information in another form, it is not the responsibility of the provider. The agent does not have to provide any records that they do not maintain.
There are ways that an agent can get in trouble for not providing records that they do maintain, and this is only if they are knowing of the violation that the committed. Brechner.org is a website where we can see who has got in trouble and what their charges where.
If someone is looking to obtain information the agent must provide the information in a reasonable time frame. There also must be a reasonable notice of meetings when two or more people are meeting from the same agency. They would have to provide the timing, placement and content. They must keep the minutes of every meeting and they may not ask public member and press to leave an open meeting unless the person/person’s are being disruptive.
Overall, Adria was very informative and I think she will be a great resource in the near future.
In the Adria’s speech, she informed us that Florida has the longest and richest regulations for open records. It is in the Florida Constitution that we are able to access public records. In Article 1 section 24 of the Florida Constitution it expresses that every person has the right to receive public access.
The Department of State is the one in charge of determining the retention of records. Each record has to be provided in the form that it is kept, but if a person ask to receive the information in another form, it is not the responsibility of the provider. The agent does not have to provide any records that they do not maintain.
There are ways that an agent can get in trouble for not providing records that they do maintain, and this is only if they are knowing of the violation that the committed. Brechner.org is a website where we can see who has got in trouble and what their charges where.
If someone is looking to obtain information the agent must provide the information in a reasonable time frame. There also must be a reasonable notice of meetings when two or more people are meeting from the same agency. They would have to provide the timing, placement and content. They must keep the minutes of every meeting and they may not ask public member and press to leave an open meeting unless the person/person’s are being disruptive.
Overall, Adria was very informative and I think she will be a great resource in the near future.
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