By Arelis R. Hernández
Orlando Sentinel
ORLANDO, Fla. — The Department of Corrections announced policy changes as the manhunt continues for two Orlando-area killers who were mistakenly released from a North Florida prison.
Three days after their respective releases, Joseph Ivan Jenkins and Charles Bernard Walker registered as felons in Orange County, county corrections officials said.
Jenkins, 34, appeared at the Orange County Jail on Sept. 30 and Charles Walker, also 34, arrived Oct. 11. Registration is required by state law for newly-released felons reentering the community.
Felons are fingerprinted and fill out a voluntary criminal information sheet while a sheriff’s deputy on duty determines whether the ex-convict has any outstanding legal issues.
Department of Corrections officials at the Franklin Correctional Institute were duped by forged documents ordering the reduced sentences and release of Walker and Jenkins.
The phony orders included the forged signatures of Ninth Circuit Chief Judge Belvin Perry, State Attorney Jeff Ashton and others. They appeared in the court files of both men but is unknown how they were entered into the system.
FDOC Secretary Michael Crews announced in a statement Friday changes to the way his department handles court orders modifying prisoner sentences.
The Department’s admissions and release office will have to provide a copy of any order with a verification form to the judge who signed it for independent confirmation. No inmate will be released until they receive the judge’s authentication.
The extra step, he said, should be “an important safeguard in ensuring the integrity of the judicial process.”