On Friday, The Valdosta Daily Times was informed that the records requested under an Open Records request from the Georgia Department of Corrections were being diligently researched, pulled from warehouses, etc. On Monday, The Times was told those records don’t exist. They were destroyed.
The Times wasn’t asking for records from decades ago. It’s been little more than four years. The Times wasn’t asking for an obscure piece of paper. The newspaper was seeking information about an incident in which a guard was beaten by inmates. According to the DOC, no records of the investigation, report or any paperwork related to the incident still exist, so the department is unable to comply with the request.
In a second Open Records request, regarding an incident involving a severe injury to a guard which left him blind in one eye and unable to return to work, The Times has been told by the DOC legal department that the documents exist but they can’t share them because they have been deemed “state secrets.”
The DOC legal department thinks The Times has treated them harshly in news stories and editorials. The Times thinks the DOC has a lot of explaining to do and continues to fail to do so. And no one is holding them accountable. Does Gov. Sonny Perdue pay attention to anything happening in Georgia?
It would be nice to think that perhaps members of our local legislative delegation might take up the cause and request action at the state level, but until then, The Times will continue to press officials for answers. At issue is the safety of inmates and employees in our community. A prison should be one of the safest places for someone to work.
Guards should not have to tolerate working conditions that leave them open to severe injury.
The Times will continue to file Open Records requests until we have satisfied the questions concerning these victims and the current climate which is allowing the attacks to continue.
What We Think
What We Think: Prison officials too guarded
- What We Think
-
-
Elections: Creating a two-party region?
Twenty years ago, most area elections were decided during the primaries. Then, almost every candidate qualified as a Democrat. While there may be plenty of challengers on the ballot, many seats were decided in July or a few weeks later during the primary run-off.
-
Thumbs up, thumbs down
THUMBS UP: To South Georgians making fine impressions on television singing competitions. Phillip Phillips of Leesburg won “American Idol” this week. Meanwhile, Lowndes High School graduate Stacia Watkins participated in the new ABC show “Duets.” Well done!
-
Farewell to the vanishing ace
Donald S. “Bush” Bryan was not only a rare individual. He was part of a vanishing breed.
An Adel resident for the past 30 years, Bryan was a World War II flying ace. Not just an ace but a double ace. A pilot must down five enemy aircraft to become an ace; Bryan downed 13.3 enemy planes in Europe. The fractions represent planes downed with other pilots. -
A widespread mosquito alert
In announcing the discovery of a mosquito carrying the West Nile Virus strain, city and health officials did not include the specific location of the discovery.
-
Of Guantanamo Bay and a Founding Father
Some readers may wonder how a Valdosta High School graduate could bring himself as an attorney to represent a Guantanamo Bay prisoner charged in connection to the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.
-
Congratulations, VSU Softball!
This weekend, Valdosta State University Blazers Softball became the latest team to add to Valdosta’s TitleTown legacy.
-
School’s out so watch out!
Summer is a time of rest, vacations and trips. It is a time when school is out, when people take time off from work, when people may stay out a little later. It is a time of swimming, trying new things, and seeking adventure.
-
Qualifiers are next leaders
While the national media focuses attention on the presidential election, it should be remembered that we will also choose our local leaders this year.
-
Thumbs up
THUMBS UP: To the 2011-12 arts season. Theatre Guild Valdosta’s rollicking comedy, “Caught in the Net,” officially brings to a close a magnificent schedule of shows ranging from theatre to opera to concerts to art exhibits and more from a variety of area venues. Theatre Guild will also open the 2012-13 season this summer with the musical “Into the Woods.” Until then, arts lovers can soon enjoy a new series of exhibits from the year-round Annette Howell Turner Center for the Arts and three musicals starting in two weeks from Peach State Summer Theatre.
-
Events that get things done
Finding something that repeatedly attracts the public is difficult enough, but finding an event that accomplishes that feat while also promoting your organization and helping others … well, in many places, that’s a rarity.
Not so for the Valdosta area. - More What We Think Headlines
-
Elections: Creating a two-party region?
