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Planned Jail Changes Include Grievance System, Crisis Teams

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By RAY REYES | The Tampa Tribune

Published: November 17, 2008

TAMPA - The Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office is making several changes in how it runs its jail system, including the creation of crisis intervention teams, additional training in handling inmate grievances and clarifying use of force procedures for detention and patrol deputies.

The changes come in response to public scrutiny after several former and current inmates made complaints about abuse at the jail. The most well-publicized incident, recorded on surveillance video, was that of Orient Road Jail inmate Brian Sterner, dumped from his wheelchair by a detention deputy.

The publicity prompted the creation of an independent commission that issued a report on jail operations and what improvements should be made. Wednesday, the sheriff's office finished its response to that report, and the agency posted its 24-page report on its Web site Monday.

The 11-member commission completed its 33-page final report in September. It recommended 40 improvements for the jail system.

Some of the improvements to the jail are already in place and some will be introduced in early 2009, according to the sheriff's office report. The changes include:

•Creating crisis intervention teams for the jails. Team members will be better trained to handle situations unique to the jail and booking areas and develop skills to anticipate and resolve problems.

•Emphasizing the importance of inmate grievances and developing a more efficient and thorough system in handling complaints.

•Clarifying the definition of "use of force" to ensure all deputies understand what it is and what needs to be reported.

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