What We Think
What We Think: No time for guarded silence
While former corrections officers, current corrections officers, and officers’ families have recently spoken up concerning violent attacks by inmates in Valdosta State Prison, the state Department of Corrections has kept a guarded silence.
The Valdosta Daily Times has sought comments from Valdosta State Prison and the DOC in the wake of reports of inmate-on-inmate violence and inmates attacking corrections officers. So far, there has been either a lack of response or no comment.
The DOC has released statements regarding inmates injured recently within Valdosta State Prison.
Still, earlier this week, The Valdosta Daily Times filed open-records requests for official reports and information concerning the attacks on two former corrections officers. As of Thursday afternoon, the DOC had not responded to the open records requests.
The Department of Corrections and the administration of Valdosta State Prison have tough jobs. We understand this. They are responsible for housing violent offenders. They are responsible for keeping these offenders confined within the cells, bars, gates and concertina wire of the corrections facility.
By asking what is happening at Valdosta State Prison, this newspaper is not trying to jeopardize the facility’s primary mission. But when corrections officers and their families come forward, on the record, sharing stories of attacks and showing scars from those attacks, this newspaper and the community should expect some answers.
Valdosta State Prison is a part of the South Georgia community. Many of its corrections officers come from Valdosta-Lowndes County and surrounding communities.
When men from our community are being injured, when men who have been there claim the inmates are out of control, it raises questions not only regarding the safety of the corrections officers but the safety of the general public.
If the DOC doesn’t want to answer our questions, it should at least make an effort to address its neighbors — the residents of Valdosta-Lowndes County. It should at least let residents know how such matters are being addressed within the walls so those of us living outside of those walls can rest a little easier.
- What We Think
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Football traditions 2010
With the Valdosta State University Blazers returning to the field Saturday, the region’s football season is in full swing. The traditions continue.
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What we think: Preserve our past
Now that the majority of offices and personnel have relocated to the new Lowndes County Judicial Complex, the former courthouse is sitting empty and ready for its next incarnation.
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What We Think: Gubernatorial South Georgia
Both the Democrat and Republican candidates for governor are targeting South Georgia as part of their campaigns.
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Don’t blame the fee
The Lowndes County Trash Permit has only been around for two years, so how is it to blame for all of the illegal dumping that is and has been going on for decades?
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Flatlanders Fall Frolic
It just wouldn’t be Labor Day weekend in South Georgia without Lakeland’s Flatlanders Fall Frolic. And this tradition of great crafts, tasty food, and good music continues this coming weekend.
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Don’t be a drip
We take water for granted. Even during past droughts, water has been plentiful. Homeowners had to curtail lawn watering, but the region still had plenty of water for drinking, showers, and other necessities.
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Thumbs up, thumbs down
THUMBS UP: To Leisa Marshall for helping area families in need. In the process of improving her own health, the Valdosta State University accounting professor developed a fundraiser to help a student's father, who was diagnosed with Stage IV colon cancer. The inaugural Honor Our Neighbor 5K Run was held on July 10. Future runs will benefit another family battling disease.
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What we think: Hello future Valdosta!
When the time capsule being buried today in Drexel Park is opened in 2060, just think about all of the incredible things that may have happened over the next 50 years.
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What we think: Every day a Day of Caring
Friday’s Day of Caring serves as the kick-off for the Greater Valdosta United Way’s 2010-11 fundraising campaign.
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What We Think: The people you know
From an early age, we are taught to look out for strangers. We should also remember to look out for the people we know.
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Football traditions 2010
