Chuck Hufstetler
“The events occurring at Hays Prison are being monitored and evaluated by the necessary parties,” said Sen. Hufstetler. “I, along with local representatives and members of the Department of Corrections, have met to discuss the various issues and possible solutions surrounding the facility. Due to security issues surrounding the recent events, the specific actions and regulations cannot be discussed; however the issue is being actively addressed and I will continue to support the leadership and staff of Hays Prison.”
The prison, located in Trion, Ga. was constructed in 1989 and houses 1,508 adult male inmates. This is the third violent occurrence in three months.
Senator Hufstelter is recently elected, and the verdict is still out on what type of senator he is going to be. I voted for him. If the election was held over again today, I would still vote for him. He has my support, but the last sentence of his press release causes me to be concerned. "I will continue to support the leadership and staff at Hays State Prison." Before jumping in bed with and voicing support of the DOC's leadership at any level, I strongly feel he should do some more research, and ask more questions from individuals who don't have a vested interest in maintaining the DOC status quo! For example, how much money has Hays State Prison spent on floor wax, wax stripper, and buffer pads during the time period that broken locks have been a problem (3 years), and why were these items a higher priority than functional cell locks in such a dangerous prison? Are pretty floors more important than Correctional Officer Safety? Apparently so! DOC higher ups will attempt to explain why highly glossed wax floors are important, and such a high priority, but should this ever be a higher priority than cell locks? What did the numerous audits show about non-functional broken locks, and how long have the higher ups (not the Warden, but the Commissioner) known this was a problem?
The broken locks were a known issue for a very long time, and if the Commissioner did not know about this, why not? Is he not reading audit reports at the Close and Maximum Security Prisons? Either he knew about it, and needs to be fired, or the multitude of Assistant Commissioners, Deputy Commissioners, Field Operation Managers, Facilities Directors, etc, should be fired for not communicating the seriousness of this problem.
Ultimately, within the Department of Corrections, the complete and total lack of transparency is the most alarming issue. At this point, it should be obvious that there is some legitimate corruption at the highest levels, but good luck getting a straight honest answer from the DOC about anything. Their Investigative Case Files are "Classified State Secrets," and will not be released even following the completing of an investigation. It makes perfect sense not to release information that would jeopardize public/staff/inmate safety, place a confidential informant in danger, or compromise an ongoing investigation, but DOC has in the past, and is currently dodging responsibility, covering up gross incompetency, and avoiding liability by dishonestly shifting blame, and they are doing all of this by hiding behind O.C.G.A. 42-5-36. Georgia Department of Corrections is the only law enforcement agency in the state with investigative case files that are "Classified State Secrets", and they are the least worthy of this. This statue needs extensive legislative review and revision.
I would suggest that Senator Hufstelter spend a little time and watch the episode of National Geographic "Hard Time" pertaining to the escape of Johnny Mack Brown and Michael Tweedle. This documentary showed DOC staff confidently establishing a perimeter and putting on a show by continuously stating confidently and charismatically to the media "it's under control" despite the fact that they had no clue of the actual whereabouts of these two escapees. Both were caught months later and miles away. A lot more effort was put into appearing competent on camera than the actual apprehension of the inmates. The escape was unfortunate, and not staged for the media. But everything else was, and it was their highest priority. It is one of the exact same individuals who confidently assured the public that "it's under control" back then that is advising Senator Huffstelter "it's under control" at this current time. Both escapees climbed a fence in front of an guard tower that DOC officials choose to leave unmanned, but according to the individuals currently providing information to press, legislatures, etc, this was not a factor in the escape. Anyone with common sense should realize that although it's not the only factor, it was in fact a legitimate factor.
I would encourage Sentor Hufstelter to not exclusively rely on the information he receives from the DOC. Instead, spend some time talking some recently retired staff members who can tell you what actually goes one. Be wary of DOC Officials offering tours of the prison. What he would see on this tour would be a "dog and pony show," and the prison is accustomed to put these on frequently for the benefit of the press, their own commissioner, politicians, civic groups, etc. Staff is always plentiful, the meals are great, and it's not representative of what actually goes on.
I do hope that Senator Hufstelter realizes the political importance of doing some research, asking some questions from someone other than DOC officials, and make an informed decision concerning how much credibility these individuals are entitled to prior to making a statement that he will continue to support the leadership of the prison, and DOC. My motivation for this comment is not political, but concern for the community, staff, and inmates in GA Prisons. But I do want to state again that Senator Hufstelter needs to distance himself from DOC "officials" until he has enough information to make an informed decision concerning the veracity of the people who provide him, and the rest of the legislature, with this information.
Good luck to you.
At the "Academy," the press is vilified. Employees are initially taught that the media is the enemy. Eventually, and usually very quickly, the typical staff member will see first hand who is and isn't worthy of their trust after they start to read officially released DOC media statements that they know are untrue. But most are afraid to speak to the media. I challenge anyone to find a former employee who is willing to say they have trust in the leadership of the department! All are disgruntled and bitter when they leave. Every single one.
For any DOC employee out there, I will state that some (probably not all) members of the media will go to jail, and to the grave before revealing the identity of a confidential source. Research the reporter, and consider coming forward! Your identity will be protected. Tell what you know, and help make a change. Also, there are laws in GA that protect whistle blowers as long as what you do is done in good faith. Spend a little time researching it! There are avenues out there that will protect you as long as you tell the truth and go about it the right way!
Chuck catches on fast.
A leadership change would not be "top secret". An increase in pay to fully staff the prison would not be "top secret". So we know that secret solution involves neither of those. Probably something akin to an extra couple hours of training for the guards and a stern lecture for the inmates.