By Naseem Sowti Miller
Staff writer
Published: Friday, June 12, 2009 at 6:30 a.m.
From now on, people who have a complaint or concern about the welfare of a loved one who is incarcerated at the Marion County Jail can call a specific phone number or fill out an online inquiry form — and expect to hear from a jail official within 24 hours.
“We realized that complaints came from a lot of different avenues,” said Marion County Sheriff’s Major Paul Laxton, corrections bureau chief. “This way, they come to one central place, and we can address them. There’s always a watch commander here who will get the information, and they can look into the situation and get back with them.”
The watch commander of the jail is required to initiate contact with the citizens within 24 hours and respond accordingly to the inquiry, according to jail officials. Laxton said the Inmate Welfare Information Line at 352-438-5970 and the related online form at www.marionso.com/bureau-corrections-visitation.php are not intended for general checking on inmates or inquiring about other issues related to their arrest.
Laxton said the addition of the Inmate Welfare Information Line was not in response to the U.S. Justice Department investigation of the jail.
“We’re always looking for ways to provide a better service for public,” he said.
DOJ began looking into the jail in March to determine whether adequate suicide prevention measures are in place and how force is applied by corrections officers. DOJ investigators are slated to have a week-long visit to the jail at the end of August.
Also this week, the jail was evaluated by three auditors from the American Correctional Association. The national organization has been accrediting the jail every three years for the past two decades. The auditors look at all areas and services of the jail, from the kitchen to the infirmary.
Sgt. Jeff Owens, the accreditation manager at the Marion County Sheriff’s Office, described the three-day process as “very intense.”
“But we do it, so we can show the community that we do strive for excellence, and we have an outside body that confirms that.”
Officials from the MCSO will find out in early August if the jail’s ACA accreditation will be renewed.
Owens said that the jail scored well in all areas.
During the exit interview, which was held on Wednesday morning in front of more than 300 MCSO employees, the auditors gave the jail 100 percent for complying with mandatory national standards and 99 percent for non-mandatory standards, according to jail officials.
“We’re confident that there’s no reason they won’t recommend us (for re-accreditation),” Owens said.
The jail is also accredited by the Florida Corrections Accreditation Commission and CFA, another Florida accreditation body.
Staff writer
Published: Friday, June 12, 2009 at 6:30 a.m.
From now on, people who have a complaint or concern about the welfare of a loved one who is incarcerated at the Marion County Jail can call a specific phone number or fill out an online inquiry form — and expect to hear from a jail official within 24 hours.
“We realized that complaints came from a lot of different avenues,” said Marion County Sheriff’s Major Paul Laxton, corrections bureau chief. “This way, they come to one central place, and we can address them. There’s always a watch commander here who will get the information, and they can look into the situation and get back with them.”
The watch commander of the jail is required to initiate contact with the citizens within 24 hours and respond accordingly to the inquiry, according to jail officials. Laxton said the Inmate Welfare Information Line at 352-438-5970 and the related online form at www.marionso.com/bureau-corrections-visitation.php are not intended for general checking on inmates or inquiring about other issues related to their arrest.
Laxton said the addition of the Inmate Welfare Information Line was not in response to the U.S. Justice Department investigation of the jail.
“We’re always looking for ways to provide a better service for public,” he said.
DOJ began looking into the jail in March to determine whether adequate suicide prevention measures are in place and how force is applied by corrections officers. DOJ investigators are slated to have a week-long visit to the jail at the end of August.
Also this week, the jail was evaluated by three auditors from the American Correctional Association. The national organization has been accrediting the jail every three years for the past two decades. The auditors look at all areas and services of the jail, from the kitchen to the infirmary.
Sgt. Jeff Owens, the accreditation manager at the Marion County Sheriff’s Office, described the three-day process as “very intense.”
“But we do it, so we can show the community that we do strive for excellence, and we have an outside body that confirms that.”
Officials from the MCSO will find out in early August if the jail’s ACA accreditation will be renewed.
Owens said that the jail scored well in all areas.
During the exit interview, which was held on Wednesday morning in front of more than 300 MCSO employees, the auditors gave the jail 100 percent for complying with mandatory national standards and 99 percent for non-mandatory standards, according to jail officials.
“We’re confident that there’s no reason they won’t recommend us (for re-accreditation),” Owens said.
The jail is also accredited by the Florida Corrections Accreditation Commission and CFA, another Florida accreditation body.
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