Corrections to start random drug tests of workers

[DoYouEverWonder]

May 10, 2006

TALLAHASSEE - As part of an effort to restore the Corrections Department's image, Secretary Jim McDonough said Tuesday that the agency will begin random drug tests of employees, including testing for steroids, which figured in allegations of misconduct by prison workers.

McDonough said he doesn't think there is a widespread drug problem among prison employees and figured that only a few would test positive, but said it was all part of his effort to boost confidence in the agency and emphasize the professionalism of the majority of the workers.

"What we're imparting on here is a very bona fide effort to demonstrate the professionalism and capability of this department," said McDonough, who took over the agency in February when James Crosby resigned after a series of allegations involving misconduct by high-ranking employees and corrections officers.

Among the allegations were that a few employees were involved in a prison-based steroids distribution ring. At least nine people have been charged in connection with that investigation.

http://www.sptimes.com/2006/05/10/State/Corrections_to_start_.shtml

So in other words, they have't been testing these workers all along?

Maybe we can demand that Jeb take one too?

[anitar1]

1. Well, anything can happen in Florida. It is running

neck and neck with Texas in the corruption races. No offense to DUer's who live in those states. My sympathies are with you for having your states hijacked by the evil ones. I have some family members in Corrections in California and hear many stories.According to them, most of the employees are just there to do their job, and a nasty job it is. But they say there are always bad apples and they do their best to set them up, because the heirarchy is too slow to take action against the bad ones.

[TheCrankyOne]

2. I

wonder if there would be so many workers taking drugs if they weren't being forced to beat on inmates. I think the whole prison system needs to be overhauled. We need people with hearts to police the procedures in prisons so that no one is being physically or mentally abused.

[anitar1]

3. I forgot to add that my relatives who work in Corrections

say that at least 50 percent of prisoners are mentally ill. Don't know if you have ever researched this. The only state which is addressing it is, curiously enough, Ohio. I saw a documentary on PBS recently, about how Ohio is handling it. Of course this goes back to Ronnie Raygun, screwing up the system by closing the mental institutions, when he was Gov. of California.

[LeighAnn]

4. They're just now starting this?

I'm amazed that this wasn't already the case. I know people who wait tables that are subject to random drug testing.

No wonder. This crazy drug war is going to have corrections officers living at their former places of employment! And what's going to happen to the folks on the inside? Times will be tight.

Although I strongly doubt that a corrections officer who tests positive for drugs will be incarcerated. I'll bet the policy would be treatment/firing. They only lock up the poor, don't they? Not people with lawyers and unions and all.