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Lawmakers press DOC on whistleblower treatment and officer misconduct amid large settlements
Summary
Committee members asked for updates on named whistleblowers and pressed DOC to explain accountability for alleged abusive corrections officers; DOC said the named whistleblowers are not in solitary and cited ongoing internal investigations while lawmakers pointed to over $60 million in settlements and urged firings and greater transparency.
Lawmakers raised allegations that whistleblowers and staff who reported misconduct had been placed in restricted movement or solitary at times and asked DOC for status updates on named individuals. Representative England requested information about Melvin Ray, Robert Earl Council and Rile Poole and DOC told the committee those individuals were not currently in solitary but had previously been placed in restricted movement during investigative activity.
Members also asked for updates on officers accused of abuse. Representative England specifically requested the status of Roger Gatson and other staff alleged to have been involved in excessive-force incidents; committee members said the state has paid more than $60 million in legal fees and settlements related to corrections litigation and urged firings and prosecutions where warranted.
Deputy Commissioner Chuck Williams said DOC refers criminal misconduct to prosecution through LESD and special services, fires employees who fail to meet code standards and has brought in new facility administrators as part of culture-change efforts. He told the committee the department is pursuing internal discipline and that some matters are also before prosecutors.
Lawmakers pressed for public reporting on disciplinary outcomes and for the department to provide updates to the committee on named individuals and high-dollar settlements to demonstrate accountability.
