By C1 Staff
TALLAHASSEE — Despite new disciplinary rules being initiated following the deaths of two inmates, a 13-year veteran of the Florida Department of Corrections says little has changed.
News 4 Jax reports that the unnamed officer described intimidation, harassment and an administration intent on protecting itself from scrutiny.
A memo was issued in September following reports of beatings and deaths at several facilities, but the officer says little has changed. The memo was intended to outline offenses that would result in dismissal in an effort to protect inmates from abuse.
“It makes more officers feel more – look, if you get caught, you get fired. That part, yes, I would say [has improved], but you still have what they call the good old boy system,” he explained. “The good old boy system ain’t never gonna leave. ‘We’re gonna discipline him the right way.’ You still have that going on at a lot of the institutions.”
The officer also said most prisons are so understaffed due to turnover that it’s impossible to stop drugs and cellphones from being smuggled in.
In response to the officer’s concerns, the DOC issued this statement:
“We expect our staff to understand that when they are exposed to something that they know is fundamentally, morally or legally wrong, they have a responsibility to report it. There will be no repercussions or retaliation for those who come forward and do the right thing.”
The officer said he’s been sworn at by a superior in front of inmates, and that some top officers are too close to female staff. He also alleged that wardens are regularly having sex with female officers.
He believes the Secretary of the DOC is well-intentioned, but faces a big job.