40 Facts About Broward County Jail

History and Legal Battles

Broward County Jail, located in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, has a long and complex history. Over the years, it has faced numerous legal challenges and controversies. Let's dive into some key facts about its history and legal battles.

1. The original lawsuit against Broward County Jail was filed in 1976, alleging constitutional violations due to overcrowding, safety issues, lack of medical care, and inadequate religious services. This lawsuit has been ongoing for over 40 years.

2. In December 2022, a significant milestone was reached when Federal District Court Judge Donald Middlebrooks granted final approval of a settlement agreement, marking the end of decades of litigation over poor conditions in Broward Jails.

3. The settlement agreement includes provisions to adhere to state jail standards and use force only as a last resort. Mentally ill inmates who pose a threat to themselves or others are to be supervised with documented sight checks and not housed in single occupancy cells unless continuously observed.

4. Two mutually selected experts, Dr. Kathryn Burns and Michael Berg, were appointed to investigate whether violations of inmate rights have ended. Their inspection deemed the Broward jails to be among the best-run large systems they have ever visited.

Surveillance and Transparency

Despite having extensive surveillance systems, Broward County Jail has faced criticism for its lack of transparency. Here are some facts about the jail's surveillance and transparency issues.

5. Broward's jails are equipped with hundreds of cameras, including bird’s-eye views, 360-degree angles of housing units, and individual cell doors. However, Sheriff Tony has refused to release video footage when deputies are accused of brutalizing inmates.

6. There have been several incidents of inmate abuse, including the case of Kevin Desir, who was beaten by jail staff while experiencing a mental health crisis. Desir was left in a chronic vegetative state and eventually passed away. The video footage of this incident remains unreleased.

7. Public Defender Gordon Weekes has called for a full and transparent investigation into the brutalization of inmates in Broward County’s jails. He has also requested a review of policies and procedures to ensure that any mistreatment of inmates does not go unnoticed.

Inmate Management and Population Trends

Managing the inmate population is a significant challenge for Broward County Jail. Let's explore some facts about how the jail manages its inmates and the trends in its population.

8. The total annual average daily population (ADP) for Broward County in 2009 was 4,888. Since then, there has been a noticeable decline in the jail population, with a significant decrease between 2008 and 2009 (5,364 to 4,888).

9. Broward County faces various incarceration challenges, including managing the mentally ill and medically infirm inmate population. The North Broward Bureau jail in Pompano Beach is specifically designed to house and manage this population.

10. The Broward Sheriff's Office (BSO) has validated the COMPAS Risk Assessment instrument to better manage the jail population. This tool helps in predicting the likelihood of an inmate committing a crime upon release, aiding in more informed decision-making.

Alternatives and Reforms

Broward County has been proactive in exploring alternatives to traditional incarceration. Here are some facts about the jail's efforts to implement reforms and alternatives.

11. A cost-benefit analysis of jail alternatives versus traditional incarceration has been conducted. This analysis aims to identify more cost-effective and humane methods of managing the jail population, such as implementing community-based programs.

12. Historically, Broward County has seen a steady increase in the average number of days spent in jail for all inmates from 27.4 days in 2003 to 32.4 days in 2006. However, since 2006, this average has declined to 29.2 days, with a slight increase between 2008 and 2009.

13. Broward County has initiated proactive practices regarding alternatives to jail. These initiatives aim to reduce the jail population by providing community-based programs and services that can address the root causes of incarceration.

Inmate Classification and Discipline

Inmate classification and discipline are crucial aspects of jail management. Let's look at some facts about how Broward County Jail handles these areas.

14. Inmates are classified based on their custody level, which determines their housing assignment. The classification criteria include objective jail classification criteria, and inmates may be moved several times during their incarceration.

15. Inmates are housed in medium or maximum custody based on their classification. The custody level may be reduced if the inmate consistently demonstrates the ability to conform to the rules and regulations of the facility.

16. Direct supervision units encourage interaction between staff and inmates. These units are oriented towards inmates who consistently demonstrate good behavior and are able to maintain the rules and regulations of the facility.

17. The disciplinary process in Broward County Jail involves a written statement from the accused inmate, an investigation within 24 hours, and a disciplinary hearing conducted within five business days. Inmates have the right to make a statement and present documentary evidence during the hearing.

18. Disciplinary findings can result in dismissal of the charge, a finding of not guilty, or a guilty verdict. If found guilty, inmates may face various sanctions such as counseling, probation, temporary loss of privileges, extra duty, disciplinary confinement, or forfeiture of good/gain time.

19. Sanctions imposed on inmates include verbal reprimands, probation, temporary loss of privileges, extra duty, disciplinary confinement, and forfeiture of good/gain time. These sanctions aim to maintain order and discipline within the jail.

20. Inmates can forfeit their good/gain time for violating facility rules or engaging in criminal activity. The Sheriff is authorized to declare forfeiture of any/all good/gain time pursuant to delegated authority.

21. Rule violations can result in up to 14 days of disciplinary segregation, up to 14 days of room restriction, and/or loss of up to 30 days of gain time. Examples of rule violations include making sexual proposals or threats, engaging in obscene acts, destroying government property, and extorting money from other inmates.

Medical and Mental Health Services

Providing adequate medical and mental health services is a critical aspect of jail management. Here are some facts about how Broward County Jail addresses these needs.

22. In 2004, an agreement was reached that dismissed medical claims altogether and limited continued monitoring and judicial oversight over mental health services, inmate rules and discipline, inmate safety and security, overcrowding, and inmate access to religious publications and services.

23. An expert witness selected by the court inspected the Broward jails and deemed them to be among the best-run large systems he ever visited. This inspection was part of the settlement agreement to ensure compliance with state standards.

24. The settlement agreement includes provisions for adhering to state jail standards, using force only as a last resort, and supervising mentally ill inmates with documented sight checks. It also ensures that inmates are not housed in single occupancy cells unless continuously observed.

25. Two mutually selected experts, Dr. Kathryn Burns and Michael Berg, will investigate whether violations of inmate rights have ended. Their findings will be crucial in determining the effectiveness of the settlement agreement.

Controversies and Public Outcry

Despite efforts to improve conditions, Broward County Jail has faced several controversies and public outcry. Here are some facts about these issues.

26. Despite having hundreds of cameras inside the jails, Sheriff Tony has refused to release video footage when deputies are accused of brutalizing inmates. This has led to public outcry and calls for transparency.

27. There have been several incidents of inmate abuse, including the case of Freddie Jones, who was beaten half to death by 7-9 correction officers. The incident was witnessed by another inmate who reported it, but the video footage remains unreleased.

28. Public Defender Gordon Weekes has written several letters to Sheriff Tony seeking the release of video footage from jailhouse cameras. He has also requested a full and transparent investigation into the brutalization of inmates.

29. The response from BSO has been that the allegations of neglect and misconduct are unsubstantiated and that the agency has acted properly. However, this response has been met with skepticism by the public and legal experts.

Future Outlook

Looking ahead, Broward County Jail faces several challenges and opportunities for improvement. Here are some facts about the future outlook for the jail.

30. A ten-year population forecast for BSO’s jail population indicates no significant increase in the next decade. The total annual ADP in 2009 was 4,888, and there has been a noticeable decline since then.

31. Research plays a crucial role in correctional policy and practice planning. Historical perspectives show that the U.S. and Florida have faced unique challenges in managing their jail populations, with Broward County being no exception.

32. Historically, Broward County has seen fluctuations in its jail population. The ADP decreased significantly between 2006 and 2008, with a noticeable decline between 2008 and 2009. This trend is attributed to proactive practices in managing jail populations.

33. The COMPAS Risk Assessment instrument has been validated to help manage the jail population more effectively. This tool aids in predicting the likelihood of an inmate committing a crime upon release, enabling more informed decision-making.

34. A cost-benefit analysis of jail alternatives versus traditional incarceration has been conducted. This analysis aims to identify more cost-effective and humane methods of managing the jail population, such as implementing community-based programs.

35. Historically, both the U.S. and Florida have faced unique challenges in managing their jail populations. Broward County has been proactive in addressing these challenges through various initiatives aimed at reducing the jail population.

36. Broward County’s jail population has experienced a decline since 2006. The ADP decreased from 5,661 in 2006 to 4,888 in 2009, with a significant decrease between 2008 and 2009.

37. The average length of stay for all inmates in Broward County has declined since 2006. From 32.4 days in 2006 to 29.2 days in 2009, this trend indicates a reduction in the duration of incarceration.

38. Greater than 50% of jail releases in Broward County spent two days or less in custody between 2002 and 2009. This indicates a high turnover rate and suggests that many inmates are being held for short periods.

39. Inmate classification criteria include objective jail classification criteria, which determine the housing assignment based on custody levels. Inmates may be moved several times during their incarceration based on these criteria.

40. The settlement agreement has a significant impact on the management and operations of Broward County Jail. It ensures adherence to state standards, reduces the use of force, and improves the supervision of mentally ill inmates. The agreement also includes provisions for continuous monitoring and oversight to ensure compliance.

Broward County Jail: A Complex Tale of Reform and Controversy

Broward County Jail's story is a mix of progress and ongoing challenges. Over the years, it has faced scrutiny for inmate treatment, overcrowding, and safety issues. The recent settlement agreement marks a step forward, aiming to improve conditions by adhering to state standards and enhancing oversight. Despite these efforts, allegations of inmate abuse and the refusal to release surveillance footage have sparked public outcry. The jail's population has decreased, thanks to proactive practices and the use of tools like the COMPAS Risk Assessment. However, managing the mentally ill and medically infirm remains a challenge. The jail's history is a reminder of the complexities involved in balancing security with humane treatment. As Broward County Jail continues to evolve, the focus remains on ensuring better management and treatment of inmates while addressing the controversies that persist.