From: Jon Ozmint
Sent: Thursday, September 13, 2007 9:55 AM
To: Aaron Joyner; Ann Shawkat; Arthur Jordan; Barney Loyd; Bernice Wiggleton; Bertie Blanding; Bruce Rivers; Donald Beckwith; Doris Edwards; Florence Mauney; Fred Thompson; Gary Lane; George Dodkin; James Parker; Jeanne McKay; John Brooks; John Pate; Larry Cartledge; Linda Bradshaw; Margaret Bell; McKither Bodison; Michael McCall; Nicholas Sas; Phyllis Hopkins; Richard Cannon; Richard Cothran; Robin Chavis; Roland McFadden; Stanley Leaks; Stephen Claytor; Tony Burton; Wayne Mccabe; William Jordan; Daniel Murphy; David Tatarsky; Donna Hodges; Gerri Miro; Glen Franz; Josh Gelinas; Robert Ward; Russell Campbell; Anna Moak; Barbara Grissom; Blake Taylor; Bruce Burnett; Colie Rushton; Daryl Giddings; Debbie Barnwell; Dennis Patterson; Doug McPherson; Gary Boyd; Gayle Brazell; Isaiah Gray; Jimmy Sligh; John Solomon; John Ward; Julie Pangle; Kathy Thompson; Linda Corley; Linda Dunlap; Melanie Davis; Patricia Thrailkill; Randy Reagan; Russell Rush; Tony Ellis; David Dunlap; Elaine Pinson; Elaine Robinson; Glenn Stone; Jannita Gaston; John McCall; Kenneth Weedon; Mildred Hudson; Raymond Reed; Robert Mauney; Sandra Barrett; Cecilia Reynolds; Edsel Taylor; George Hagan; Gregory Knowlin; Joel Anderson; Levern Cohen; Robert Bollinger; Tim Riley; Bernard Mckie; Catherine Kendall; Judy Anderson; Leroy Cartledge; Richard Bazzle; Robert Stevenson; Stan Burtt; Tony Padula; Willie Eagleton
Subject: Week of September 17, 2007

Good Morning,

 

We have had an interesting few weeks. I am thankful that even in the midst of potential distractions, the overwhelming majority of our SCDC team remains mission focused. I am grateful for your leadership, in that regard.

 

I want to be clear, once again, about my position on the so-called allegations: When we make a mistake, we certainly expect criticism: this often includes politically and personally motivated criticism from the cheap seats. That goes with the territory. Our duty is to identify the real problems and mistakes and handle those appropriately.

 

However, positive change, improvement and progress also generate opposition, generally from the same crowd and generally with the same motives: Raising standards and holding people accountable will always create opposition. Many of you have experienced as much and we all expect it.

 

When those types of complaints come, we intend to continue to move forward.


The good employees of this agency deserve better than the repetition of false and baseless attacks by a disgruntled few. When we are forced to respond, we will always be constrained by the truth and we will not stoop to the level of our opponents. But, when appropriate and necessary, it is an honor to tell the truth on behalf of the good employees of this agency.

 

Our smoke free pilots appear to be going well. I would love to hear feedback from those of you at those locations, now that things are back on a more even keel.

 

Kirkland and our R&E staff are doing an outstanding job of accepting and processing new inmates from the counties and we are very close to selling small TV’s as an incentive for good behavior.

 

Many of you continue to find ways to improve and move forward and I look forward to visiting the best looking, cleanest and most orderly prisons in the country over the next few months.

 

Jon