Monday, October 08, 2012

Kudos and Krimes: TJJD newsworthy employees of the week

It's a shame that bad news usually eclipses the good, so let me begin this post by recognizing accolades to a Texas Juvenile Justice Department employee whose good work's celebration has been mostly overshadowed in the same media cycle by the more unhappy news out of TJJD referenced below it. Via the Brownwood News:
A Ron Jackson State Juvenile Correctional Complex employee, Holli Fenton, has been nominated for a state award, Outstanding Women in Texas Government. Fenton was nominated in the area of Outstanding Contribution. According to The Governor’s Commission for Women: Women and Government website: “The Outstanding Women in Texas Government Awards were created by the State Agency Council in 1984 to honor women who work in State government, who do not hold elected or appointed positions, and who have helped shape Texas by contributing their talents and skills to state service.”

Fenton began her career at Ron Jackson as a case manager in 2004.  In 2008, a group of case managers, including Ms. Fenton, started taking approved TJJD (formerly Texas Youth Commission) students to the Corinne T. Smith Animal Center for community service.  Ms. Fenton, a long-time volunteer with the Center, fostering canines and serving on the board, conceived the idea of a dormitory at Ron Jackson that would pair canines with student trainers enhancing the canine’s chances for successful adoptions.
Grits has written approvingly of that program in the past so I'm glad to see Ms. Fenton recognized.

However, on a more melancholy note, via KWTX-TV: "A Mart juvenile detention facility corrections officer posted $2,000 bond and was released from county jail after his arrest earlier in the week on a charge he beat a youthful inmate at the facility." The 20-year old JCO who began working at the Mart facility in April was arrested on allegedly video-documented charges that he "assaulted a 17-year-old detention center inmate last Saturday." Wrote Kirsten Crow at the Waco Trib ("Juvenile officer jailed for beating of inmate," Oct 5):
According to an arrest warrant affidavit, an investigator with the Office of Inspector General launched an inquiry into the alleged incident at the McLennan County State Juvenile Correctional Facility in Mart after the youth complained he was assaulted by Davis on Saturday.

Surveillance video of the incident shows [Bryant J.] Davis hitting the youth “at least 12 times about the head and facial area with clenched fists” in one of the dorms, according to court documents.

The youth, who attempted to defend himself by covering his head with his arms, later was treated by a nurse for a laceration to his eye, according to the affidavit.

Court documents state that Davis, of Marlin, confessed to striking the boy in an interview Tuesday. A warrant was issued for his arrest Wednesday.

Davis, who was hired in April, has been suspended pending the termination, said Jim Hurley, spokesman for the Texas Juvenile Justice Department.
I can't tell from the coverage I've seen so far whether this happened at the newly created and much-scrutinized "Phoenix program" in Mart, or in some other program, but it's a pity that violent incidents - this time staff on youth - continue to pepper state headlines out of youth prisons seemingly every few months.

OTOH, the episode can also be seen as a success story for the post-2007 reforms. The misconduct was identified through the complaint system the agency established in the wake of the much-publicized sex scandal, and the incident was captured on video because the Lege paid to outfit youth prisons with a far-more extensive video surveillance system than exists in most if any adult units. And the combination of the improved complaint system, video surveillance and the existence of the Office of Inspector General to pursue charges might be taken as evidence that "the system works," that mechanisms are in place to identify and prosecute criminal physical or sexual abuse of youth prison inmates that didn't exist a half-decade ago.

Grits wonders at first reading if there isn't an underlying staffing issue: Why are JCO turnover rates are among the highest of all state employees - higher, even, than turnover rates at adult prisons? And is it possible that the resulting lack of experienced staff to exercise oversight of younger, inexperienced staff lies at the nexus of this episode? We can't know from what's been published so far and it's premature to jump to conclusions without a lot more information, but those questions reflect my initial gut reactions when considering the policy implications of this unfortunate event.

Anyway, so welcome to the job, Mike Griffiths, where every inspiring, heartwarming achievement by your dedicated staff will seemingly be greeted by some counterweight of ignominious failure, too frequently in the same news cycle. And too often, those are the good weeks.

26 comments:

Anonymous said...

Bittersweet week for TJJD. Always two steps forward, one step back. Maybe this will change?

Nice recognition of Ms. Fenton's work at RJ for the PAWS program, but interesting that nowhere does it mention that work of Mr. Burton from Central Office who created PAWS, evaluates the dogs in the shelter and facilitates the actual dog training...

Anonymous said...

Because he I a Central Office staff and the actual work occurs at the ground floor, not in Austin

Anonymous said...

IMHO staffing issues are not only at the state facility level but in the county detention centers also. While the state handles the worse cases the counties have issues with the severe cases also but in a watered down effect. Concentrate all the thugs into central locations and you have triple the issues. After working in bith the state and county levels and seeing first hand the issues that JCO's deal with they are under paid and the locations where the facilities are located lead to a watered down employee pool. My observations are the upper level JCO's need to train and supervise better and not run and hide.
Ona brighter note watching Mr. Griffiths at work you can sure tell he is a people person and I am sere he is working to improve these issues.

Anonymous said...

An issue that must be addressed is hiring kids to supervise kids. Also, TDCJ and TJJD is night and day, please dont try to compare. TDCJ guard, dont interact, and are not required to. TJJD staff hav to hold group, interact, and basically work with the juvenile population.

Anonymous said...

County level juvenile supervision officers HAVE to be at least 21. Yes, this is young. But, what to do? The employment pool is sparse. In my experience they usually move on to higher paying jobs. Their energy level is appreciated, but they have high testosterone levels too. The state supplements their salary, about $1200, so that helps some. Mature supervising officers are the key.

Anonymous said...

The employment pool is not sparce.

Anonymous said...

I have to differ with you. The employee pool is sparse if you are meeting state requirements on background checks and other qualifications.

Anonymous said...

The pool is available, the issue should be addressed by hvaing facilities (local supervisors) go back to the model of hiring rather than having a recruiter hire for an institution. In this scenario the supervisor does not know what they have until the person is hired, better results would occur if the supervisor was the hiring authority, Just my 2 cents

Sheldon tyc#47333 said...

Congratulations Ms Fenton, Good luck to you in your nomination for this award for Outstanding Women In Texas Government. And thank you for teaching the kids you work with responsibility in a culture to a culture that seems to be void of such.

As far as the jco who can’t legally buy a half pint of cheep gin; tjjd human resources made a moronic hiring decision that was further escalated with his supervisors who failed to manage him. As a tax payer I would like to think they will be held accountable. However given tjjd history and it being a government entitlement type of job corps I know that depends on their respective skin color. For what the old hillbilly’s of my day called a perk I think there is more to this incident than some jco getting caught on camera beating up a student. My arm chair social psychological analysis best guess is this; based on his age/maturity he got caught up in the culture. The thug life if you will, thereby needing to prove himself to his fellow thugletts. There are many levels of human weakness on the part of all involved that surround this incident. The blame squarely lies on his supervisors and those that hired him. Sad, he could have had a bright future if he would have been taught early on not to be a victim of the government welfare system and tried to achieve something greater in the free enterprise marketplace.

Perhaps some of you tjjd people could post all the emps this perpetrator is related to in the agency. You can’t clean up your house if you don’t expose and sweep out the dirt and soot that perpetuates tjjd’s diseased culture. Sadly the kids were much better off back in my day than today. TJJD needs more Ms Fenton’s

Anonymous said...

We're only getting the tail end of the story. What caused this JCO to snap like that? Was his behavior provoked and if so how? What is the full story? I'm not saying what he did was justified because that kind of response never is - no matter what set him off. But what exactly happened before he beat that Juvenile Offender? Had this been something on-going and came to a head? There are a lot if issues/questions that need to be addressed because the accountability may need to be extended to others.

Anonymous said...

The positive stories are present but like any good story they are always overshadowed by the negative.
Employees across the board must be patient because TYC/TJJD did not occur over night. Change and culture change does take time. Out of every one bad hire you get 20 good hires. The agnecy must adopt a strategy of mentoring and supervsiory oversight when they hire anyone younger than 25 and provide the necessary tools for them to be successful, or not.

Anonymous said...

If you think malfeasance (sp?) is perpetrated by just TYC/TJJD employees, look at this story about an employee of the Harris County Juvenile Justice Center sexually abusing a girl in their custody:

http://abcnews.go.com/US/houston-juvenile-jailer-charged-sex-candy-case/story?id=17454176#.UHeVkq50aj8

Anonymous said...

http://abclocal.go.com/ktrk/story?section=news/local&id=8842697

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- For the second time in one week, details emerge of sexual misconduct in Harris County jails between jailers and inmates. This time, it's alleged to have happened at the Harris County Juvenile Justice Center with an inmate who is just 15 years old. The age of the inmate makes this alleged misconduct a criminal act.

Robert Emerson Robinson, 28, is charged with sexual assault of a child under the age of 17.

Prosecutors say a surveillance camera on the fourth floor of the detention center at 1200 Congress was directly in front of the cell in which the 15-year-old female was housed and footage reviewed by investigators shows Robinson going into her cell when the lights were out.

"We take these allegations very seriously because we know that prisoners overall are less likely to be believed when they tell a story, and especially in this instance when you have a juvenile," said Amin Alehashem, director of the Texas Civil Rights Project.

The sexual misconduct at Harris County Juvenile Justice Center allegedly happened on May 23. The teen said she allowed the (sexual activity) because he had provided her with candy and treats while she was incarcerated at the Harris County Juvenile Justice Center.

The charges come less than a week after accusations at Harris County's adult jail. Four detention officers and a deputy were fired amid allegations of sexual misconduct.

"This sort of shows an overall culture, a systemic potentially problem within our detention centers throughout Texas," Alehashem said.

Court records say Robinson told investigators during a voluntary interview that he made a mistake and that the teen was telling the truth about the sexual activity.

Robinson has since been fired.

The Harris Co. Juvenile Probation Department released a statement Thursday which read:

"On August 1, 2012 the Harris County Juvenile Probation Department obtained information that Mr. Robert Robinson, a Juvenile Supervision Officer, was involved in inappropriate behavior with a 15 year old female juvenile while in the Juvenile Detention Center. Mr. Robinson, a six year employee with the agency, was relieved of duty immediately and his employment was terminated on August 7, 2012. The Harris County Juvenile Probation Department turned all information over to the Texas Juvenile Justice Department and the Houston Police Department. The Harris County Juvenile Probation Department has been cooperative with law enforcement, and has provided them with all the information available for their investigation. As the criminal justice process progresses, the department will continue to provide law enforcement, as well as the District Attorney's Office with any information that will aid in the process."

Anonymous said...

Robert Emerson Robinson, 28, is charged with sexual assault of a child under the age of 17.

There are too many predators working in "Juvenile Justice" in Texas. There are many like Robinson. The supervisors of men like Robinson turn a blind eye to their misbehavior.

Anonymous said...

Who is Robert Robinson's supervisor?

Anonymous said...

TJJD would move forward quicker and with direction if the CoNextions Queen would just step down.
I understand why Townsend placed her in this role but you would think with new leadership her days numbered? I guess change does take time, in this case too much time!

Anonymous said...

It's too much to expect a TJJD/TYC supervisor to ever be held accountable for covering up for and enabling a rogue employee.

Anonymous said...

I would have to agree, she has spent these past 4 years peddling a disastrous treatment program, allows others bully and dictate what she says or does no not say.
It is time for the new leadership to pull the plug and let her go out in the field and try to do what she has beeen peddling these past few year.

Anonymous said...

Haha really??? 1 out of 20 hires are good? Where are you seeing this? From where we sit, out of 20 hires, 1 MIGHT be still employed after their first 6 months to a year.

Anonymous said...

Apparently your ability to read is the issue, 1 bad apple out of 20 JCO's would be a good assessment, not 1 good employee out of 20.
Now you have to take into account that this is based upon having a good supervisor/mentor to educate the new employee and not just throw them to the wolves.
The other issue that most people do not understand is the comparison to TJJD to TDCJ. TJJD JCO's actually have to work with the juvenile and get to to work the program. TDCJ guards do just that "guard" their intent is not to rehabilitate the inmate. Comparsions between the 2 really need to stop.

Anonymous said...

There are jco's 5 and 6 are bullies towards the staff at gns tjjd. Staff quitting left and right.

Anonymous said...

Where is gns tjjd?

Anonymous said...

The lack of supervision by the JCO 5's and 6's needs to be investigated. It is there you will find the root of many problems at TJJD.

Anonymous said...

Ha! You guys really think Fenton deserves an award? No! She is partof the good ole boy system. she let's her 6 do whatever he wants including making his own schedule and not showing up on time. her staff are not properly trained for that dorm yet they get written up for thongs they haven't been taught or werenot taught correctly. she is one to look down on lower employees as well. don't count on her having her employees backs either.

Anonymous said...

Thats the truth ive work both an TJJD is more then just watching its teaching moving an feeding the youth all with in a 16 hour . With 3 shift an very little help

Anonymous said...

But most of the time the sup are not trained for the jobs they hold either