In the past few weeks, readers have found several stories in The Valdosta Daily Times concerning violence at Valdosta State Prison. The reported violence involves inmate-on-inmate attacks and attacks on correctional officers by inmates.
These news stories have generated numerous phone calls and e-mails to The Valdosta Daily Times offices from people claiming to be current or former correctional officers or the family of prison personnel.
These calls and messages have detailed everything from the number of inmates reportedly involved in specific altercations to the lowering of scores to become a corrections officer to definitions of “nuisance contraband” taken during a recent shake down to personnel shortages caused by furloughs to how it is impossible for past prison files being destroyed to other incidents that have not been reported.
In terms of these messages and calls, we’re receiving plenty of information from people whose names and exact relationships to the prison we do not know.
As for official prison comment, we know their names, but they aren’t saying anything.
Recent open records requests have been stymied by state Department of Corrections’ claims that the records have either been destroyed or cannot be released because they are “state secrets.”
These requests were prompted by two corrections officers and the father of a third officer willing to go on the record to share their experiences of being attacked by inmates. Yet, it is difficult to sort out what is happening when details from one anonymous caller differ from those left by another. Still, this anonymity is understandable. These callers do not want to jeopardize their jobs but want a safer work environment.
What’s not understandable is the continued silent treatment from prison officials. They are public officials who should be answerable to the public. Their silence only fuels more concerns within the community.
Instead of words that might seek a measure of calm or understanding to the conditions they face, their silence fans the flames of rumor and innuendo, panic and fear.
This week, Valdosta city and police officials would have likely preferred not having to speak about the deadly violence of this past weekend’s shootout in Hudson Dockett or the murderous effects of this past summer, but they did. City officials did not answer every question, but they at least put themselves in the position to answer some questions.
City officials promised to address the issue of violence. They promised they are working on a resolution to the case.
As for prison officials, they have no worries of breaking any promises, because they have no promises to keep. They have only kept quiet about what’s happening at Valdosta State Prison.
What We Think
What We Think: Silence only fans the flames
- What We Think
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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.
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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!
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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.
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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.
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Congratulations, VSU Softball!
This weekend, Valdosta State University Blazers Softball became the latest team to add to Valdosta’s TitleTown legacy.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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
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Elections: Creating a two-party region?
