RUNNING A JAIL IS MORE THAN JUST LOCKING PEOPLE UP

Many of you have heard about the methadone-withdrawal-related inmate
deaths in the Orange County Jail. Even though our long-standing
drug-withdrawal policy met or exceeded the Florida Model Jail
Standards and the national standards of the American Correctional
Association, I recently recommended a policy to change the manner in
which Orange County Corrections addresses the methadone issue.

I made this recommendation to County Chairman Rich Crotty after
careful thought and discussions with our chief health officer. I felt
this was the right thing to do for the right reasons. I suggested
that this new policy should be considered temporary to allow the
chairman's Jail Oversight Commission the opportunity to study and
evaluate the methadone issue further.

In announcing an agreement with the Center for Drug Free Living (and,
I hope, other methadone clinics in Orange and Osceola counties), we
have taken bold and decisive action that is contrary to existing
policy in most of the nation's jails. We have taken this action as a
safety measure pending further review.

Traditionally, jails have not administered methadone to inmates for
various reasons. There are, of course, licensing issues for this kind
of withdrawal treatment in a jail setting. The chairman's Jail
Oversight Commission will address these and other issues as
commission members arrive at their recommendations for a permanent
solution.

Although I have been in my position for only a few weeks, I would
like to assure the citizens of Central Florida that what I have
observed so far indicates that Orange County has one of the best-run
jails in America. When there is extensive news-media coverage of a
tragic incident like the methadone deaths, it is easy to overlook the
excellent work being done day in and day out by our jail staff.

According to the Department of Justice National Bureau of Criminal
Justice Statistics, the Orange County Jail has one of the lowest
rates of violence, inmate deaths and suicide of any large jail in the
United States. This accomplishment is because of the professionalism
of our staff and officers and the sound policies and practices under
which the jail operates.

Can we improve?

Yes. That is why every incident is thoroughly investigated and
policies reviewed. This is also why Chairman Crotty appointed the
Jail Oversight Commission.

The jail is often an overlooked but very important part of the
criminal-justice system. Running a jail is more than just locking
people up. We play many roles, including working to reduce
recidivism, serving victims, and assisting law enforcement and the
courts in doing their job.

We realize the important role we play in the public safety of Orange
County and take that role very seriously.