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Audit: jail meets Florida standards

An inspector suggests maintenance work be done at the Hernando County Jail.

By JONATHAN ABEL
Published March 4, 2006

BROOKSVILLE - Despite a spate of problems at the Hernando County Jail over the past few months, a recent audit found that the facility met minimum requirements as established by the Florida Model Jail Standards.

The audit, performed Feb. 15, was released Friday and evaluated the jail on 226 questions.

Its few recommendations included adding janitorial closets to the new wing of the jail, reconfiguring certain showers so that the water drains better and fixing some of the towel hooks in the living area and showers.

"(The hooks) are designed to release under pressure to prevent inmates from attempting to commit suicide. Many of those have been painted over or have grime build up which keeps them from working properly," wrote inspector James C. Pugh.

He was otherwise very positive about the facility, which had three suicides between November and January and is operated by Corrections Corporation of America.

"While inspecting, I found personnel diligent in their duties and very knowledgeable of their assignments. The staff's attitude was positive and answered each question presented, timely and professionally," Pugh wrote.

The audit is designed to inform the jail's warden about any deficiencies at the facility, according to Lt. Gary Harbin of the Marion County Sheriff's Office, who works for the Florida Sheriff's Association, the group that oversees the standards.

"The inspector has the full run of that jail to go anywhere he desires. He can speak to inmates and staff," said Harbin, who is himself an inspector.

The audit's questions included:

"Are body cavity searches only conducted by licensed medical personnel? "Is sufficient staff maintained so that at all times the inmates are within hearing distance of officers? "Does close supervision of special inmates include regular, documented physical sight checks by correctional officers or medical personnel at intervials not to exceed 15 minutes?"

County Administrator Gary Kuhl dropped in at the jail Friday afternoon to meet with jail warden Don Stewart and county purchasing director Jim Gantt, who oversees the contract with the jail. Kuhl had a chance to glance at the audit early in the day and said, "It seemed to be in good working order."

Stewart said he was pleased with the audit, which was performed just before he took over.

"What I see in the audit is what you would typically expect to see on a site of a facility that has aged. The facility shows its age," he said. He added, "I think we've got an excellent staff doing a good job. And we're headed in the right direction."

Jonathan Abel can be reached at jabel@sptimes.com or 352 754-6114.

[Last modified March 4, 2006, 01:47:17]