Pubdate: Mon, 13 Aug 2001 Source: Orlando Sentinel (FL) Copyright: 2001 Orlando Sentinel Contact: http://www.orlandosentinel.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/325 Author: Ron McAndrew Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/prison.htm (Incarceration) Note: Ron McAndrew is the interim director of the Orange County Corrections Department. 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. - --- MAP posted-by: