OSCEOLA COUNTY, Fla.,None — The Osceola County jail is getting some help from the federal government Tuesday. The National Institute of Corrections is in Central Florida assessing the jail to come up with ways to run it better.
WFTV talked to the federal officials shortly after they arrived. The new jail chief said he expected the consultant to arrive at 9:00am and, like clockwork, they walked up right on time to get down to business.
The two men from the National Institute of Corrections said they offer detailed consultation when jails or prisons ask for help.
"Is this a common thing?" WFTV reporter Steve Barrett asked Don Leach, National Institute of Corrections (NIC).
"It is fairly common. It happens frequently around the United States. The NIC provides assistance to jails. They bring in consultants to provide technical assistance. That's what we're doing here today," Leach replied.
The first stop for the two men was a meeting with interim jail Chief Kim Bogart.
Two inmates have escaped this year; Carlos Rosa was captured quickly, but Michael Rigby is still on the run. More than 20 employees were disciplined.
But just two days before the corrections panel arrived to do their work, guard Terrell McGowan was arrested for drug possession during a Florida Turnpike traffic stop.
The latest arrest is yet another shadow over the beleaguered jail that has ended the jobs of former Chief Greg Futch and County Manager Michael Freilinger.
Now, the county hopes the consultants can help to restore confidence in the county jail. The work of the NIC consultants is expected to take three days alone and then work begins on their report.
It's unclear what recommendations would be made public, considering they will likely involve security procedures that are usually not public record.
The men will examine everything from lights and fencing to roll call procedures before writing the report. County leaders no doubt will look closely at their findings hoping to restore some confidence in the jail among the citizens of Osceola County.
Previous Stories: April 27, 2010: Jail Officer Fired After Pot Found During Traffic Stop April 26, 2010: Federal Officials To Assess Osceola Co. Jail April 21, 2010: Osceola County Hires New Jail Chief March 29, 2010: Jail Chief Resigns, Several Officers Being Terminated
WFTV
