005 Lowndes County Board of Commissioners Notified At Monthly Meeting. What Will They Do?

005—COUNTY COMMISSIONERS INFORMED OF INMATES SUFFERINGS

Posted by George B. Rhynes on 8/28/2003 06:50:49


TO: Lowndes County Board of Commissioners and Chairman


I received a letter and statements signed by many citizens incarcerated in the Lowndes County Jail dated, August 11th, 2003. 溺insister Rhynes, please help us--- we need help from an outside agency to come into this jail, and help us! We have exhausted all avenues at our level. If you can find it in your heart we will appreciate it!

Enclosed you will find copies of statements concerning an incident that occurred in Lowndes County Jail on the morning of July 23, 2003, at 8:30. Needless to say --- this incident has been conveniently swept under the rug.・

[THIS PARTICULAR INCIDENT INVOLVES, SEVERAL INMATES, WHO ALLEGEDLY WITNESSED AN OFFICER -----DRAWING A WEAPON ON AN INMATE, TAUNTING AND AGITATING INMATES, (ROUTINE PRACTICE), TURNING OFF FANS & TV IN THE CELL BLOCK WITHOUT PROPER VENTILATION, NO AIR CONDITIONING, BECAUSE A CELL DOOR WAS LOCKED BECAUSE OF A MALFUNCTION IN AN INMATE CELL.

CRIES, AND GETURES THROUGH THE GLASS BY INMATES, TO GET AN OFFICER ---TO COME AND UNLOCK THE CELL DOOR AND NO ONE WOULD COME AND OPEN THE DOOR. INSTEAD A SERGEANT TURNS OFF THE FANS AND TV, THEY ALL PRAYED FOR HELP].

Questions for the Commission:

1. When was a complete Staffing Analysis of the Jail conducted by the Department of Community Affairs or the Georgia Sheriffs Association?

2. When it is determined that citizens being held in the Lowndes County Jail Constitutional Rights are being violated who ensures that corrections be made? WHO IS RESPONSIBLE FOR COMPLYING WITH A JUDGE ORDER AND CONCENT DEGREE?

3. Does the State of Georgia inspect the Lowndes County Jail? If so, when was the last inspection done at the Jail---and what was the rating?

4. Since repeated complaints of abuse and mistreatment at the Lowndes County Jail. Have any type of survey been conducted by questioning the entire population of jail inmates. To ensure that inmates Constitutional and State Rights are not still being violated?

5. What has the Lowndes County Commissioners done--- to ensure that the safety and well being of inmates are in compliance with State, and Local Law?

6. Who educates the members of the Grand Jury on what to check for during their tour of the jail? Do they use a checklist provided by the State or County?

7. Are inspections done on the jail available for public review? If so, where can copies, be obtained within Lowndes County?

8. Who performs (OVERSIGHT REVIEW); on the County Sheriffs Department to insure inmates complaints are adequately investigated/listened to IAW, Federal, State Law and Local Policies if applicable? And that those citizens are not abused because they used the established Complaint system? Has any type survey been conducted to insure this is not the case?

9 How often if ever, is the Medical Staff inspected on their competence and professionalism, and by whom?

10. Is he Lowndes County Law Enforcement Policy and procedure Manual kept up to date? And when was the last time it was reviewed by the State?

11. There are some Lowndes County Citizens who have read and understand, Luke 4; 18, and strive to be the Guardians of the Ark of the Covenant!

LASTLY: As a Retired Disabled Veterans of the United States Air force, Minister of truth, Single Parent, Business Owner, Community Organizer, concerned citizen, and frustrated over the prolong alleged, inhuman, unsanitary, and abusive conditions that exists within our community:

a. Request a written reply to this letter as to what you will do? To aid and investigate this alleged incident---which appears to be quite serious because a weapon is said to have been involved (Lowndes County Jail)? And above all whose responsibility is it to insure that these incarcerated citizens will not be abused because they requested outside help! Thanks, on behalf of those who requested outside assistance in their dilemma. Our only local daily newspaper was present "The Valdosta Daily Times" but they did not consider this news worthy!