007: Response to Valdosta Daily times on their "Trickknology" By: George Rhynes

007—RESPONSE TO VALDOSTA DAILY TIMES (Trick-knowledge)

Posted by George B. Rhynes on 9/4/2003 22:43:45


On 4 Sept 2003 the Valdosta Daily Times stated that the Grand Jury by law is expected to tour the Lowndes County Jail.

Tourists resorts are toured daily by people from around the world, but as for as maintenance, and insuring vacationers are safe, and that their recreational needs are met. Well, only qualified, trained, inspectors will carry out this duty with an up-to-date inspection checklist in hand.

The Rev. Floyd Rose is correct in his letter to Mr. Pritchard; its all about credibility.・ this is something Lowndes County needs to become familiar.

Especially, since 1989, there has been grand jury after grand jury, tour after tour, commissioner after commissioner, Sheriff, after Sheriff, inmate complaint after complaint, alleged repeated accusations of abuse, unsanitary conditions, and inhumane conditions, suit after suit. Yet, our jail is still in the same deplorable condition as it was in 1989.

The accountability question is seldom raised by uninformed citizens of Lowndes County. Therefore, it appears that our community is operating back in the 1950s. VDT stated that on 29 August 2003, that the Grand Jury generated a list of improvements for the jail. No! Civil Action #89-545-VAL generated a viable base model checklist had someone review it and followed the orders of the Court.

Therefore, the questions of credibility come up again. What guidelines are given to the Grand Jury by local government to ensure that Federal, State, and Local Directives are followed? Who is responsible for providing them with the specific duties, and responsibilities during their annual tours? Did someone prepare a checklist from problems that was identified in 1989 ---to prevent reoccurrence of discrepancies?

Has the DA, County Commissioners or anyone else ---in local government prepared a jail inspection checklist. Alternatively, performed a survey at lest annually to include the safety of inmates, employees, as well as facility upkeep.

The VDT said the jail has been the center of debate since Sheriffs Capt. J. D. Yeager’s address to the Board of Commissioners in July. This is not completely accurate. The Jail has been the center of debate since 1989. Moreover, many organizations have tried to hold someone accountable for running this facility in a humane, sanitary, and professional manner---but to no avail.

Rev Rose, the Peoples Tribunal, Lake Park Post, and Local NAACP brings forth a much stronger case concerning the long term resolution for the jail. Moreover, no one should be fooled. Somebody is responsible for allowing this facility to deteriorate to this level.

In addition, the inmate’s welfare and Constitutional Rights, as well as State Rights should have been respected. If the VDT, were fairer in reporting and investigating the real news. This community would be a much better place to live and raise a family. Thanks!