CLARK'S RISE AND FALL

After a sudden resignation during the FBI's investigation of the correction
system, Allen Clark landed himself in the spotlight.

What's up at the Department of Corrections?

The FBI is working with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement to
investigate the state prison system. Nobody's saying why, but there is some
indication that it may have something to do with illegal steroid use.
Earlier this year, four former or current DOC employees were charged with
steroid distribution.

Meanwhile, Allen Clark, who oversees operation of 14 prisons in the
panhandle, has abruptly resigned, offering no reason. Again, nobody's
saying whether Clark's sudden departure has anything to do with the
investigation.

Asked about the reason for Clark's resignation, a coy Gov. Jeb Bush told
the St. Petersburg Times this week: "How am I going to tell you that. I
mean, that's a no-no, trust me."

What is known is that Clark was a rising star in the department. And his
steady ascendancy through the ranks appears to be linked to his close
relationship with Corrections Secretary James Crosby.

Crosby has been depicted as Clark's mentor, and their association goes back
15 years, to when Crosby was warden of Cross City Correctional and Clark a
correctional officer.

While it's not known at this time if Clark's resignation and the
investigation are linked, a look at Clark's background does raise some
interesting questions about his meteoric rise.

Clark's record indicates that his personal and professional conduct has
come under scrutiny on numerous occasions.

In 1989, as a correctional officer at Cross City Correctional Institution,
Clark got into a fist fight with an off-duty police officer. Battery
complains against both men were later dropped.

In 1991, at New River Correctional, Clark was suspended for 60 days for
inappropriate use of force. In March of 1997, he was given a counseling
memorandum and warned not to discuss union issues during his work hours.

In 1999, Clark had several disciplinary charges filed against him.

At Florida State Prison he was accused of improper use of prison labor,
moving a kitchen unit from the prison to his staff residence, using bolt
cutters to remove a lock from a ballot box in the prison employee's club,
and negligent use of club funds.

No action was taken in regard to the allegations.

It is worth wondering just why, in view of his spotty record, Clark was
deemed worthy of rapid and continual promotion to one of the top
administrative spots in the DOC. Was it based on merit, or cronyism?

Certainly, the timing of his resignation, on the heels of an FBI
investigation, only serves to fuel speculation as to cause and effect.

Presumably, the FBI investigation will eventually shed further light on
what's up in the Florida Department of Corrections.

In the meantime, however, state legislators who exercise oversight of the
prison system may want to ask some questions of their own about the
department's promotion policies.