I had this drafted for Monday. In a
very busy week, I did not have time to review and send until
now.
Good Afternoon,
This date is a defining moment in
our nation’s recent history. Most of us will always remember where we were on
this date in 2001. For our family and others, it is a day with mixed emotion, as
it is also the birthday of our second son, back in 1994.
Our nation lost a great deal on
September 11, 2001. In addition to thousands of lives, we also lost our
innocence and misplaced naiveté. The world is a dangerous place and there are
those who hate any religion other than their own. They hate freedom and western
values. They hate
I hope that we never forget this
reality.
The world of corrections is a
microcosm of the world at large. We work in dangerous places with the most
dangerous people in society. A small percentage of these inmates are
incorrigible. They are lovers of self and haters of others. They make bad
choices and would gladly do us harm. But, like terrorists and extremists, they
are the minority. Our prisons are often places of great hope. Thousands of
inmates do the right thing everyday. They respond to firmness, fairness and
consistency without hatred or violence.
They go to class, report to work,
and leave our system determined not to return.
The employees of this agency make us
successful with the hopeful majority while also dealing with the hopeless
minority.
Please allow me to single-out two
groups of employees this week.
First are the members of our
fugitive team, led by Eddie O’Cain. Shortly after I took over as Director, I sat
down with Eddie O’Cain and told him that I did not want any SCDC fugitives on my
watch. (No Eddie, I did not forget.) Like most success stories, this has been a
team effort. We have greatly reduced walk-offs and escapes over the past two
years and we get tremendous support from other law enforcement agencies. But,
the bottom line is that we have apprehended every escapee during that period.
(And, we have cleaned up a few messes from the past.) As of now, no post-January
2002 escapee is still at large.
Second, are the employees across
this agency who ensure that the grounds in and around our prisons and other
locations are well kept at all times. My focus on this issue has been no secret.
I have often remarked that folks who do not take pride in the appearance of
their work place will most likely not take pride in what they do in that work
place. This is also a team effort and begins with institutional leadership and
commitment to the goal. But, with very few exceptions, our grounds crews have
risen to the occasion. They come from a variety of backgrounds. Many were hired
in other roles, but they have adapted and learned. The appearance and
consistency in our grounds has improved. It has made us a better and safer
agency.
Thanks to these two groups for
responding to specific challenges. You are an excellent reflection on your
fellow SCDC employees.
Have a great
week.