Prison Workers Out After Shocking Kids

Children Shocked With Stun Guns During "Take Our Sons And Daughters To Work Day"

(AP)  Demonstrations at three Florida prisons where more than 40 children were shocked with stun guns have led to the dismissal of three employees and the resignation of two others, the Department of Corrections said Friday.

The incidents took place on April 23, national "Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day." As part of demonstrations at two prisons, children held hands in a circle, and one was shocked with the stun gun, passing the shock around the circle. At another prison, children were shocked individually.

The children, ranged in age from 5 to 17, felt the shocks either directly or indirectly, but none of the children were seriously hurt or taken to the hospital, the department said.

All of the children had parents who work for the department and some parents gave permission for their children to be shocked, but that did not excuse officers for using the stun guns, Department of Corrections Secretary Walter McNeil said Friday.

"We believe this behavior is inexcusable," McNeil said in a phone interview. "I apologize to the children and parents. None of these kids should have been exposed to these devices."

McNeil said he had never been shocked by one of the devices but that the circle demonstration is something commonly done in training classes for correctional officers.

Officials are also investigating a demonstration of tear gas at Lake Correctional Institution in Clermont. Children there were accidentally exposed to the gas when the wind shifted, but none required medical care. That investigation is not yet complete.

The stun gun demonstrations happened at one prison southwest of Tallahassee and two others in the southern part of the state. Unlike a Taser, which shoots a probe that delivers a shock, the devices used at the prisons were stun guns, which work when touched to a person's skin and affect a smaller area of the body. The result is two temporary marks that look like mosquito bites but may later turn into bruises about the width of a pencil eraser.

Stun guns are not routinely carried by correctional officers unless they are escorting inmates to court or to the hospital. The devices have not had to be used on any of the Department of Corrections' more than 100,000 prisoners this year, the department said.

The Department says 55 of its prisons, just under half, participated in the national day when children are invited to their parents' workplaces. Many of the facilities had pancake breakfasts, speakers, canine demonstrations and tours of the outside of prisons. Some facilities had trainers demonstrate stun guns on themselves, not a violation of the department's policy.

The circle stun gun demonstrations happened at Indian River Correctional Institution in Vero Beach and Martin Correctional Institution in Indiantown. Seven other children were shocked directly at Franklin Correctional Institution in Carrabelle.

The three fired employees were involved in shocking the children. They are Lt. Russell Bourgault and Sgt. Walter Schmidt, both of whom had approximately 14 years with the department, and Sgt. Charmaine Davis, who was hired in 2003. They are not going to be charged with any crime, McNeil said. Phone numbers of the officers were not immediately available and they could not be reached for comment.

The two who resigned were from the Vero Beach prison were Lt. P.J. Weisner, an 11-year veteran, and Maj. Seth Adams, a 19-year-veteran. Another 16 employees, ranging from correctional officers to wardens will be disciplined. Punishments include demotions and suspensions. Others will get a letter in their file that will affect their evaluations and future promotion. None of the wardens knew the devices would be used with children, McNeil said.

The incidents were also reported to the Department of Children and Families, but it was not clear if the department would take any action as a result.

[gettysburg12]

This "experiment" on the children brings to mind the big question...what sort of treatment to they subject the prisoners to? The public got all over the "waterboarding" and torture methods of terrorists who would like nothing better than to see our country implode, but little do they know what goes on behind closed doors in our prison and detention facilities. The fact is, there are many employed at jobs where they derive demented pleasure in inflicting pain on other people. Maybe the prison employees who are losing their jobs can apply for a position at GITMO.

[batchitcrazy]

Obama should be held accountable - this happened on American soil - Obama tortures children!!!
Posted by despido at 9:42 AM : May 16, 2009
------------------------
WT........???????
Is also to be held accountable for your ignorance and stupidity?

[aka_KJB]

I wondered where the Gitmo "private contractors" would find another job. Now I know. Next stop, opening their own day care where they take discipline "very seriously".

[janstorz]

The whole thing is a bit crazy if you ask me. I work in a psychiatric unit with psychotic adults.. Like prison, it's no place for children, curious or not. I'm sure no one was injured, but like the previous poster said, "our tax dollars at work". I'm sure by the time all of this is sorted out, many many of our hard earned dollars will be spent. The country must be going nuts. On another note, I wonder if these over-reactors who want everyone involved charged with felony child abuse are the same ones who support the left wing legislators who have voted to protect pedophiles under the hate crime act. Probably. It's getting scary around here.

[mbwooten]

I don't see anything wrong with this as long as the kids weren't forced into it. Kids are curious about things- experiences- finding out how stuff works. We take kids on ropes courses and do other activities of the same level of 'danger.' We seem to think that because it causes pain that they have to be saved from it. Pain is not the end of the world, and if they want to experience it, let them. There is way too much reactionary over-protectiveness out there.

[despido]

Obama should be held accountable - this happened on American soil - Obama tortures children!!!

[erb0087]

"Prison Workers Out After Shocking Kids"

I'd be shocked if they weren't.

[Libertarian1776]

These boneheads should be charged with criminal endangerment to a minor.
(multiple counts)
Imagine how they treat the prisoners.

[barbaraf4]

This is just awful. How dare parents give permission for their children to participate in this abuse? How dare the officials allow it to happen.

These are supposed to be law enforcement officers.

[ToolMangler1]

.. which came first, eternity or the earth .. which came first, war babys or the war .. '
Posted by edblvgtbl14 at 3:32 AM : May 16, 2009




Eternity didn't come, It just 'is'. Babys don't make war. Why is your head so empty? It didn't start out that way, you learned to type !!!!! ssssshhhhheeeeeeessssshhhhhhh!!!!!!

"Snidegrass" huh!!

[mcl47]

When I was in Jr HS in the early 60's a science teacher brought in a device that produced high voltage but little amperage. He did a bunch of experiments with it. It then challenged people to grab the end of it. A few did and off course grabbed it and got shocked and let go.
I had an electric train set back then. I used to like to lay my fiingers across the middle and outside rails and let the power pass through.
It's kind of like preparing yourself for an injection. You know it's going to hurt and what it will feel like.
I just grabbed the end of that thing and smiled at him.

[jt_lancer]

Your 'public servants' (and tax dollars) at work.

[YCantWeAllGetAlong]

I can see the old snidegrass is still at it posting as edblvgtbl14. I guess one never tires of being irrelevant. I have to agree with irishboy. Sometimes you read these stories and it just boggles the mind. I would OWN that prison if that were my child. Any parents who gave permission for this need to be investigated. Anyone who worked there and participated or didn't try to stop it should be fired and possible charges filed. However, as you can read, that won't happen. Unreal.

[longtree-2009]

the correctional officers involved, the parents that gave permission should all be charged with felony child abuse. how stupid have americans become? the nation, the state of florida should be outraged, where is the outrage? people seem to be more outraged about alleged torture of terrorist suspects than of our own children in this land of the free, home of the brave.

[apprxam]

Well, at least they don't treat prisoners this way. Right?

[167irishboy]

Has our country gone completely insane or are to many people taking mind altering prescription antidepressant drugs?

[cs4466]

Yea. Whoever thought "taking your children to work day" included taking children to a functional prison needs a bit of shock therapy themselves. Absolutely moronic.