OFFICER to OFFICERS
From the MTWT GUESTBOOK

I have spent at least an hour reading the posts that Kay Lee has kept on this site.  What I have observed is that much confusion exists with officers and the general public about what is actually going on inside our fences in florida's dc.

On one hand, Officer Jenn thinks that all officers are telling the truth and that convicted felons are liars.  Then, she, a female officer herself, and the mother of three daughters, is in defense of management when female officers have the guts to report the sexual misconduct that several officers were made to endure while on duty.  Filing a law suit against the department, and staying employeed is a career killer.

James, from Hamilton, is in defense of inmate mistreatment, and states that he must have the "right" officers present when he uses force, etc.  Doc is now teaching officers to be a "snitch."

Dave is called a liar because he was not going to take unlawful comands from management to keep his job.  He quit because he had no intention of being subjected to the reality of bad management in dc.

Furthermore, family members have the right to oversee the care of their incarcerated loved ones inside our fences.  Innocent or guilty, civil rights are still to be protected and carried out.

Wanda Valdes, is not supposed to be upset and angry about the beating death of Frank.  Darla Lathrem was killed because of poor management and violation of rules.  Yes, the inmates did kill her, but the department put her in the position to be killed.

Now, whether you are liberal or concervative, it does not matter.  What does matter is that sometimes security must use force, including pepper spray, to enforce rules and to control dangerous situations.  This does not mean that it should be used as uncalled for punishment or to harrass inmates.

Aramark, should be sued.  With as many incidents as they have created, security of any institution is at risk of retaliation against staff, inmates, and the public.

The DP has its place.  But only for the truly guilty and not at the expence of the innocent.  Our court system is to blame for that.  Furthermore, victims do have rights.  At anytime, we all could be the victim of a crime inside or outside the fence.  Some people are very dangerous.  That's just a fact.

Next, the officers who were involved in the Valdes killings should not be hired back by the department.  That is just plain stupid.  Why?  Because it could and probably will cause a security problem with both staff and inmates.  If I was innocent of something such as the beating of an inmate and then put on trial which near about put me in prison, the last place I would want to work would be inside a prison or jail.

Lastly, the advise that was given about giving to inmates through pen pals, etc. is true.  Don't be caught up in an inmate's problems and then expect them to be good to you.  Inmates will use you to obtain things while they are incarcerated.  Don't put yourself in harm's way and then expect to be treated well.  Prison life is tough.  Through any means necessary, inmates will do what they have to do to survive.  Now, that is just a FACT!

If you are an officer, do your job in a professional manner and you will not have to defend anything.  If you do conduct yourself out of policy, then you do have something to worry about.  For me, my family and lifestyle is more important than to put myself in the place where I could end up serving time for killing, mistreating or covering up for management.  It's a job!  I am not a superhero and I don't plan on saving the world.  What I can do is my job and then go home.

As for being a snitch... If it means keeping my butt from getting involved in illegal activities, I will report it.  I plan on doing no time for anyone.  Not my kids, spouse, parents, inmates, the public or staff.  Defending wrong doing is simply insulting.  All humans lie.  All humans make mistakes.  All humans are capable of doing right.  The decisions we make should be made on our morals and ethics.

Don't put someone down for how they feel about the management of this huge agency.  Many factors go into why people feel the way they do.  We have no idea of the whole story behind some of these messages that are posted.  The truth always wins.  It may take time, but the truth, again, always comes out.

Stop and think about others.  Stop and think about your actions.  Stop and think about what is important to you.  When we all do that, then we may be able to not be so quick to judge what is a snitch and what is the truth.

This web site is dedicated to civil rights.  Remember, even inmates have civil rights.  So does the public.  Officers have a duty to uphold both.  That is what our pay check is for.  If you have a problem dealing with people who are criminals, and you cannot uphold the law, then find another line of work to get into.  Plan and simple.  It is not your job as a officer to punish or violate inmates just because you wear a uniform.

Use force when necessary.  Be honest with yourself and you will not have to worry about lying.  Remind your co-workers of what could happen to their careers and families if they are charged with a crime of violation of law.  Save yourself from undo stress by just doing your job and doing it within what you know to be right.  Thank you.

Concerned

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REBUTTAL FROM OFFICER JENN

From: Officer Jenn
To: kaylee1@charter.net
Sent: Sunday, December 12, 2004 6:17 PM
Subject: Hi there

Ahhhh, KayLee, I see that my name was mentioned in the Officer to Officers new section on the Guard page....please allow me the opportunity to respond to the person addressing me.

Hi, this is a little foot note from the "one and only" Officer Jenn.  I see you mentioned me in your post here, and referred to me like YOU KNOW me or something.  I am a mother of three, but I fail to see how that relates to some females that are out for a quick buck.

Blah blah blah, I know...those poor, mistreated, sexually harassed women.  RIIIIGHT.  The same females that are flattered if the "harasser" is good looking.  The same ones that joke and kid around with staff that they have known for a long time.  You show me a saint in the DOC (male or female) and I'll show you a fraud.

Maybe Im just old school (which is hard to believe cause Ive only been in the DOC for 5yrs) but as long as a man doesnt try to lay hands on me...I say "Who friggin cares?"  Next these chicks will be trying to sue the inmates for sexual harassment.  And we ALL know how they can be.

***and BTW, I dont think all inmates are liars, I judge from personal experience.  I realize inmates are people too, and I have changed some of my set-in-stone opinions over the last couple years....ask KayLee, she has witnessed some of it.

                     Until we meet again, mystery writer
                     Officer Jenn