Ron Jackson Corrections questions: Answer truthfully

[BIC]

1 How many people in Brownwood work at this facility?
2 What are the employees saying about this facility?
3 Who are the people who control change at Ron Jackson?
4 What kind of employees work at this facility? Are they hard workers? Do they have good work ethics? Do they show up for work every day?
5 What happens to an employee who isn't doing their job?
6 What can be done to make this facility a better place?

[Shiva]

I know quite a few that works at the Brownwood facility and I will answer to the best of my ability.
1. About 400 give and take a little.
2. They hate it because there is no structure or organization within the management level on down. Changes are made weekly or daily and that is the confusing part. They hide behind policy and that is not the thing to do.
3. Central office disseminated orders down. So who dares to defy "God" the conservator especially since the Texas folks are a little dunce. They are bring the big wigs from Florida and other states to correct the problem. TDCJ did a poor job and they were booted out. So did the others before them. All gone but not forgotten.
4. It's a 50/50 thing with staffing. Was told that there are a lot of slacker that calls in all the time and knows how to play the FMLA games or they are in with the supervisors so nobody cares about confront them. Unlike places like 3M or the other factories that the minute the employee starts playing games by calling out that they are out the door. Instead TYC keeps this folks around to booze the already low moral. So the folks that are doing their job ends up doing the same thing but they are the one that will be fired or written up. This does not help with moral boosting. With both Units combined together ther shouldn't be a shortage in staffing but with their current situation ther seems to be an on going trend.
5. They council them and council them and nothing is done. There is no reward system for those that do good. Instead they are considered trouble makers and will have to work and do more work. If you are not in with the in-crowd then don't worry because your opponion dosen't matter.
6. I don't think that there is anything that can be done as long as the keep bring this folks that have all the answers but in true fact they don't even know what they did last summer. Nobody wants to listen. As soon as you voice your opponion they would shut you up. I was told that several brave staffs that spoke up at meetings were asked to tone it down or they would just end the meeting. Central office was there and could not give the staff an answer. They said that they would get back with them and I am sure that meant when hell freezes over.

Sorry but this was told by me from a lot of hard working staffs out there that wants to make a different. Can't help but wonder how they endure all this day in and day out.

[got my vote]

To know what is going on in this facility, you need to read the forum of TEXAS YOUTH COMMISSION. You will get a vague idea of what it is and what is goin on.

[The Real Truth]

got my vote wrote:

To know what is going on in this facility, you need to read the forum of TEXAS YOUTH COMMISSION. You will get a vague idea of what it is and what is goin on.

SHOOT I work there and I don't know what is going on, and I will tell you what is worse than staff not knowing what is going on is(* THE STUDENTS HAS TO TELL THE STAFF WHAT IS GOING ON A LOT OF THE TIME*)
NOW CAN YA BEAT THAT????

[Shiva]

What can staff do with this failing agency? It's sad that the students knows more then the staffs. There must be some staff that know what is going on otherwise the students would not know anything or am able to gossip. What are the folks up top doing about this whole mess? They just can't ignore thing because it will come back to bit them at the end. I was told that they are holding monthly meeting within the facility! If so why don't everyone or all of you ask and demand an explanation! If you don't ask then you will never know if they are hiding the truth. Don't ignore it because it will be to late when they finally close the doors at this facility.

[Downfall]

students know more because of 1. teachers 2. caseworkers 3. JCO V & JCOVI have certain favorites

And these favorites turn around and tells the staff of what's going on. I remember working on a dorm of boys that Stroud had her favorites in her office at all times and discussed what is going on. Is this professionalism, I think not. I too, still work there at RJSJCC and it is going down hill very fast. To tell you the truth, when you ask your own supervisor of what is happening, they give you the answer "I don't know nothing" but in reality they do. The supervisors that are in the click of sucking ass are the ones putting it out there to their staff not to be complaining because they will be out of a job. They want to get rid of their staff with a voice and have balls to stand up against the Supervisors while those that don't have any will continue to do what is demanded and hire new ones and train them not to hear, to see or speak of any wrong doings.

[Shiva]

True! It takes guts and huge ones to stand up to your supervisors. I totally agree with you Downfall on this one and you nailed it on the money. From speaking with friends at TYC they are frustrated with everything that is going on. Something have to give. It does not help by sending staff to training especially not to the trainer that will be taking a paid vacation to Florida. Central Office have no idea what they want out of the doomed agency. The new Conservator is bailing out soon and I am sure that Austin will bring in another to use up more money that they claim that they don't have. Must be nice to be paid a handsome amount for doing nothing. Everything sounds good in theory but what does it show in practical terms. I believe that TYC have exhausted all it's programs and that they are going back to CLS, Resolization with a new spin and whatever it's doing now. Sad day for this failing agency. My heart goes out to the staffs that is putting up with all this nonsense.

[BIC]

Thank you for your comments on this blog. I was impressed with the feedback.

[THE VOICE]

I must have the wrong job; I want the job that pays for a vacation in Florida and say it's for training purposes. Will this learn anything? What I don't understand the training in Block is totally different on dorms. No one follows what Block sets out to train staff. The Administration People really really need to get involve with all dorms to know what is going on. That is why they have that position, it's not to sit on their bottoms and eat bon bons all day and slander staff while sucking the chocolate off their fingers. I also know that there are alot of staff who are no longer trusting and believing in the Administration because they failed to protect their staff who are wanting to their job while others who aggravate the criminials, flip them the bird, talk down by cursing them out, etc. Of course they are put under investigation but are found cleared. Does the cameras and audio work at all? I seriously doubt it. I also found out that in security things are not going so well with staff. They are turning against one another and certain ones are able to get away with alot of stuff only because they think that if they brown nose the supervisors that they will get it their way. But what the supervisors fail to see that the same one s that are telling on others and sucking ass are the ones that are trashing the supervisors. But hey, what can the staff say to that supervisor, so the staff just wait until that staff makes a huge mistake.

My heart goes out to those staff who are wanting to make a difference and follow policy and has all odds against them. May those that are throwing in the towels seek and find a better job without the stress that the administrations and the Central Office:W.Harrell, R.Needlekoff are putting on our hard working staff that we still have left and if push comes to shove they know what they need to do.

[Steve]

is one of the units empty? and if it is where is the staff and why is it empty?

[THE VOICE]

From what the staff on hill stated that only a handful are at the Unit II to help with maintenance while the rest working on the hill. Apparently from two days ago the amninistration had anywhere from 20 to 48 hours to reopen the Unit II.

Remodeling Unit II: They mess up on the doors; can't not open the ports.

Have too many ready to give up on Ron Jackson - It's a Big JOKE - The new program that will be used on the criminals is another program that won't work.

[Mad as Hell]

All of this is true but do want to quit and not try to work the change? I'm ready to go back to unit 2 and as our dear Asst Supt. told me "you will never work security agin" Oh well, she should be shoved out the facility. She is the most phoney person I have ever seen. It's hard to believe you treat your tenured staff the way she has but it could be her loss. I am the only female staff left on unit2 in security. I have over nine years just in security. Well whatever happens, happens, but I'm sure you can see the insanity in a move like that. Tenured staff are getting hard to find out there because of the treatment we have endured. As for the doors thats your tax money at work. The last time I went down there it was a mess but we can deal with it, no matter what it looks like. We had girls before we closed and not much has changed so let's get with it. All this talk isn't helping anything, we need to work and make a go of it. If not checked out the other possibilities we have in town. So what do you want to do? We asked you all to come in and we could all do something but no you were afraid of losing your job. We are all afraid of that but we can not do it alone so don't feel sorry for yourselves. Now we know where we stand so do what you've got to do.

[James]

Rumor-I am sure it is or maybe not. Stroud may not be the superintendent and that Smith is waiting to have Stroud's job and fire the other assistant.

This is insane. I have heard about L.Smith and she takes over, might as well say goodbye. I know that there will be alot of staff quitting because of how smith's mind works. Which Smith's mind does not function like it should. I don't know how she seems to have that position when she has never worked with the kids. I also heard from my friends there that those that went up for a position and got it; never moved to that position. In policy does it say anything about there being a ten day notice. If so, didn't the administration fail in that position. Why would the administration move a tenure staff from security because of some toilet paper issue when you have staff that are not even tenure staff to that do much worse. This even includes what the VI have stated on a kid in security. My friends who have been on Unit I for over 20 years are fed up with how they are being treated and two have turned in their papers to find something else less stressful. I have yet to understand that all the rules of policy that they enforce they very much contradict themselves to others. No wonder the place is a mess and staff confused. Neither of VIs or those high in the administrations are able to figure out what to do so they're just doing alot of mumbling and jumbling about their stuff. Good Luck Staff to all the hard work that you do and endure from those that are wanting to see you fail.

[BIC]

Do employees trust Mrs. Stroud? From the few posts above everyone doesn't like Ms. Smith. Do you think Mrs. Stroud knows everyone hates this lady because of her inexperience or do you think Mrs. Stroud is protecting her?

How long will it be until the organization of TYC sinks completely down if the students have more rights than the workers? I read a post that just recently said that the employees keep working for the agency even though they don't agree with the way it's ran or what the agency asks of it's employees.

What will have to happen before TYC at least in Brownwood Texas is nonexistent?

[Anonymous]

No except those that are in her group of friends. I have worked there for 17 years and you would be amazed and shocked to hear what is said at the VIs meeting. Mrs. Stroud knows that no one on Unit II is fond of Ms. Smith. Now that she is on Unit I they are getting a taste of what the staff on Unit II have endured. This woman shouldn't even be an assistant or anything else above that title. There has been so many complaints made to Mrs. Stroud about what Smith does and nothing is done about it. Hell, the Assistant Superintendent that was currently on UNIT I doesn't care for her either. You should hear what he calls her. I believe that Stroud knows that Smith can not nor has she done a good job in running Unit II and it's beginning to show on Unit I but she won't admit to it. Stroud knows exactly what Smith does and is not too happy about it. In another year I am pretty sure that the agency will close. It's beginning to look like John Shero. We already have staff leaving and not even giving two weeks notice. Mr. Williams on Freedom wouldn't allow a late night staff (B.Wells) have three days off to see her son deploy to Iraq. Her son lives in another state and she wouldn't know when she will ever see her son again. But though there's a daughter that is being deployed and the father that works here on Unit I got time off and there was another employee that their son will also be deployed and that employee got about 3 weeks to a month. Ms. Wells should have gone to the administration and explained her situation and she only had about 8 more months to retire. She also could have and should have filed a grievance on that S.O.B Williams for denying her. There is plenty of staff to cover for any shift if the Supervisors took the time to do so. As of right now we have staff quitting from left and right. It shows clearly that none of these Supervisors or higher up give a care for any of the staff. I thought that the staff were the most valued and apparently not. Mr Williams walks around like he's high and mighty and if Central Office knew that he's being up the skirts of several women esp.L Smith then we know that Williams is covered and protected. There are several whose butts have been covered and protected that if it was staff they would terminate in a heart beat. Ron Jackson needs to be investigated thoroughly and apparently the other investigations were not done right. Why didn't a JCO VI get fired when she falsely doctored a diploma for her daughter in law so that she could work here at Ron Jackson. Isn't this a felony? How many mmore of these are hidden in this agency or anything that is against the law. We do have supervisors that are or have been doctoring forms to suit them and make either staff or students look like they have been lying. Let's hope when something drastic does happen that the agency does close, let be known that is wasn't the staff that closed it down. It was the administration that did it.

[Vex]

From reading this blog, it seems that the admistrative staffs are just sitting on things so that one day it might go away. Wonder why Central Office does not do anything about all this problems? If all of you would bring this to court, I am sure that it will catch Central Office eyes. The answer to #10 from Steve! I was told that the staffs are calling in sick daily and nothing is done to correct this problem. With the combination from both Units, there should be ample staffing to go around from what I was told by my friends working there. The answer to #15 from Anonymous! Sounds like this Williams character is not Patriotic and have no feeling for his staffs that are loyal towards him. I believe that this B. Wells person should grieve this issue with Central Office or get someone with labor law to fight on this issue. I can't believe that he is running staff out of an already sinking agency. Surely there is someone that can help this person to get the time requested. Guess they must be afraid to grieve this issue because of the fear of retaliation. Hope that the Administrative staff reads this blog and take care of this issue immediately.
I heard that a lot of good staffs are leaving the Ron Jackson facility due to adverse working conditions. Something must give instead of just writing on this blog to vent with the peoples frustrations. My sympathy goes out to all of you that work out at Ron Jackson.

[Danger Zone]

I am pretty sure that BUDDY VAUGHN is reading this and he has already called his circle of friends to read this and the other forum. Where did all the money go to that Ron Jackson had? Is somebody not doing the inventory correctly or skimming off the top? Is this stealing. Right now the place is sinking and instead of salvaging of what staff you have left they are either telling them if you don't like it find another job. This sounds way too much like John Shero. It's nerve wrecking when there's way too many CHIEFS and not enough Indians. And half of those if not more are incompetent in their jobs.
Several of us wished that those that left for unkown reasons would come back. I am talking about the ones that have gone to Iraq or left because of financial circumstances. Boy they knew what the hell they were doing and took care of their people. They back them up 100%. How the others ended up getting their jobs is beyond us. Well hell we all know how they got it, they are a YES Person to everything even if it's totally wrong. Whatever happens to those that falsefy time keeping or workman's comp? Is this a Felony? If so how can they still get a position when it was not even posted and if it was; why give it to someone on FMLA/Medical Seperation. Someone is sure is pulling the wool over Central Office Eyes when they hire them only because they are the best of friends of certain individual(s). That goes to show you that they still have Buddy Vaughn working here when he messes up and all they will do is send him to training but let that be a staff and the staff is fired. What a screw up!!!!

HEY YOU ADMINISTRATORS AND CENTRAL OFFICE WE GOT ISSUES AND YOU NEEDE TO TAKE CARE OF THEM QUICK BEFORE EVERYBODY LEAVES. YOU NEED TO START INTERVIEWING STAFF ON THE CONDITIONS THAT ARE GOING ON AT RON JACKSON. MAKE SURE WHEN YOU INTERVIEW THEM THAT YOU DO THE CHOOSING AND NOT THE SUPERINTENDENT OR THE ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT CHOOSE THEM FOR YOU. THE SUP AND ASST. HAVE THEIR OWN CIRLCE OF PEOPLE THAT ARE CHOSEN TO TELL YOU WHAT YOU ONLY WHAT THEY WANT YOU TO KNOW AND NOT THE REAL TRUTH.

[Danger Zone]

I am pretty sure that BUDDY VAUGHN is reading this and he has already called his circle of friends to read this and the other forum. Where did all the money go to that Ron Jackson had? Is somebody not doing the inventory correctly or skimming off the top? Is this stealing. Right now the place is sinking and instead of salvaging of what staff you have left they are either telling them if you don't like it find another job. This sounds way too much like John Shero. It's nerve wrecking when there's way too many CHIEFS and not enough Indians. And half of those if not more are incompetent in their jobs.
Several of us wished that those that left for unknown reasons would come back. I am talking about the ones that have gone to Iraq or left because of financial circumstances. Boy they knew what the hell they were doing and took care of their people. They back them up 100%. How the others ended up getting their jobs is beyond us. Well hell we all know how they got it, they are a YES Person to everything even if it's totally wrong. Whatever happens to those that falsefy time keeping or workman's comp? Is this a Felony? If so how can they still get a position when it was not even posted and if it was; why give it to someone on FMLA/Medical Seperation. Someone is sure is pulling the wool over Central Office Eyes when they hire them only because they are the best of friends of certain individual(s). That goes to show you that they still have Buddy Vaughn working here when he messes up and all they will do is send him to training but let that be a staff and the staff is fired. What a screw up!!!!

HEY YOU ADMINISTRATORS AND CENTRAL OFFICE WE GOT ISSUES AND YOU NEEDE TO TAKE CARE OF THEM QUICK BEFORE EVERYBODY LEAVES. YOU NEED TO START INTERVIEWING STAFF ON THE CONDITIONS THAT ARE GOING ON AT RON JACKSON. MAKE SURE WHEN YOU INTERVIEW THEM THAT YOU DO THE CHOOSING AND NOT THE SUPERINTENDENT OR THE ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT CHOOSE THEM FOR YOU. THE SUP AND ASST. HAVE THEIR OWN CIRLCE OF PEOPLE THAT ARE CHOSEN TO TELL YOU WHAT THEY ONLY WANT YOU TO KNOW AND NOT THE REAL TRUTH.

[Mad as Hell]

We actually did get some staff together and see what their views were on a law suit.I don't know how they feel now but at the time most were afraid of losing their jobs .We understand that as we all have bills to pay.It was shortly after that when the other person and myself became under investigation.Like I have already said I didn't even know I was under investigation or at least what I was under investigation for.We had pepper spray training and a staff told me what he had heard.So my journey begain trying to find something out.After asking all the supervisors and some one in HR, I made the call to Smith, she acted totally dumb and said she would get back to me. Now thats when it got interesting, she said it was what the staff had told me.Not a supervisor, just a staff like me.I failed to give a youth toilet paper,I violated her rights and not only am I out while I'm being investigated I will never work security again.I'm not the only one under paper,some of the people at the meeting we had are also under paper.What does that say to you?I told her she can talk to my lawyer, she said okay.They do pretty much what they want to out there now.I don't know what Ms.Stroud knows and doesn't know about the situation.I know the ACLU has kept her busy along with central office.The charges the ACLU has taken up is a joke,those youth are some of the worst we have. Some can't walk and chew gum at the same time.As for Buddy,I really don't have anything against him.He handled a situation in training wrong and I gave him an incident report and asked him to take care of it.I guess he didn't but that woman threatened to hit me in training and she should have been taken out the door.He said if we had a problem we needed to move or take it outside,she said it would only take her two hits to take care of me.Now I don't know about you but those are fighting words.Well my friend got me before anything happened but she had nothing done to her.She's a JCO5 on the same dorm as Ms. Drew. You are so right you have to suck butt to be anything out there and I refuse. My job discription never said I had to take crap from staff and be retaliated against for demanding to be treated fairly.We I guess, are considered trouble makers but the truth is we want to fight for all the staff to be treated fairly.So thats what is behind the write ups and the unfair treament some of us have.I'd like to just do my job but it's too hard to see whats happened and not do anything.Some of the people who have written in here were asked to join us and help get some changes made and they didn't show up.I fully understand but sitting back and letting everyone else do it is wrong too.But we still care for you and we will still do what we can by the law.

[Not Exactly]

I am still interested in signing up but I guess it's too late. It's not that I didn't want to show up to the meeting that Ashby had,I had overslept. I work latenight and it's not that easy for some of us who are in a very depressive state to want to do anything even for ourselves. But I am right behind each and everyone of you. And if you are working tonight, I will be callling you. There are several more who are wanting things changed but it can not be discussed out loud on the facility but discussed on the low. We to them are the troublemakers only because we all have a VOICE to say what we feel but not because we want to because there isn't anyone in the ADMIN that will do anything for us. So we have to have one individual to start something for all of us to join in and fight for a cause. You know as well as I that the ADMIN and Central Office does not want those that speak their minds to talk to an investigator and give them reason to start questioning and investigating. The VIs and Vs treat us like crap and they have been getting away with it.... It's time to take action to those that don't value their staff like they should.