Independent NewsPosts Tagged ‘Escambia County Jail’
County Jail cited by DOJ as unsafe, needs more staff and better mental health program
The Civil Right Division of the U.S. Department of Justice has concluded its five-year investigation of the Escambia County Jail and its findings are as bad as Sheriff David Morgan tried to warn the Escambia County Commission. While the report commends Morgan for his efforts to reform the [...]
County tries to block Jail Study from being released
There is a budget battle about to break out between interim County Administrator George Touart and Sheriff David Morgan. The fight is inevitable. This first volley has been over the Escambia County Jail—which is severely understaffed according to the county’s consultants National Center for [...]
Attorney-Client Privilege: The Movie
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office is again being scrutinized over questionable recording equipment in interview rooms. After apparently learning of plans to install video cameras in rooms designated for inmates to meet with their attorneys, the American Civil Liberties Union of Florida has [...]
Billings case: Wednesday, July 15 part 2
MAKING MONEY Wednesday, July 15 Jean Duncan and her boyfriend Glenn Burnett come around 6 p.m. to the ECSO to proved statement to Investigator Tama Barber., who interviews them separately. Duncan tells Barber that she had known Pamela Wiggins (who she calls Pam Long) for about eight years [...]
Billings case: Tuesday, July 14
“We Have Found Them” Tuesday, July 14 Sheriff Morgan creates a new stir on Tuesday morning about the involvement of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Drug Enforcement Agency. It begins during a live interview with Meredith Vieira of the “Today Show.” When asked whether robbery [...]
Billings case: Sunday, July 12 part 2
CONTRACT HIT Sunday, July 12 Shortly after 7 p.m., a warrant for Wayne Coldiron is issued charging him with murder. Investigator James O’Hara, along with several other investigators and patrol units, go to 210 Yokum Court in Brent area to pick up Coldiron. The units secure the perimeter. [...]
ECSO takes over Jail infirmary
At midnight last night, the Escambia County Sheriff's Office took control of the Escambia County Jail infirmary from Armor Correctional Health Services. The move is part of Sheriff Morgan's efforts to cut his budget. The projected savings is $1.8 million annually. Armor Correctional Health [...]
DOJ: ECSO is 20 years behind
At the Lake Charlene Homeowners Association meeting, Sheriff David Morgan said a Department of Justice investigator told him that the Escambia County Sheriff's Office is 20 years behind the rest of the country when it comes to police procedures and policies. DOJ has wrapped up the jail review [...]
ECSO proposes $4 million budget cut
Sheriff David Morgan has proposed a reduced budget for 2009-10 - $74,681,845. This is a $4.036 million budget cut, 5.1 percent reduction. Elimination of Helicopters $800K Replace Jail Health Contract with in-house service $1.8M Renegotiate Food Services Contract $100K Retirements in this year [...]
Inmate may have had AIDS
Shelia Jackson, who died in the Escambia County Jail infirmary on Wednesday, Jan. 21, may have suffered from AIDS. We reviewed her case file at the Clerk of Courts offices today. Ms. Jackson did have a case worker from Project Aids Care. There is a 12/23/08 memo to Judge Nobles from her PAC [...]
Bigger ECSO presence on the beach
Sheriff-elect David Morgan plans to reactivate the law enforcement reserve program. These volunteers will be used to give the ECSO a stronger presence on Pensacola Beach and other parts of Escambia County. "I don't know why the prior administration let this program lapse," says Morgan. "These [...]
Panel needs to study ECSO budget
Okay, it's time we quit ignoring the pink elephant in the room. The biggest sinkhole in the Escambia County budget is the Escambia County Sheriff's Office budget. It has grown astronomically over the past eight years. There is no accountability for how effectively the dollars have been spent. [...]