Tuesday, January 22, 2019

First DPS, Now MDOC Wants to Hide

Uh-oh.  The MDOC Commissioner went complaining to the legislature that the public records laws are too tough.  The Clarion-Ledger reported last week:


The Mississippi Department of Corrections wants the Legislature to exempt the agency from parts of the Public Records Act, including the requirement that documents be provided within a maximum of 14 business days.
MDOC Commissioner Pelicia Hall made the request during an appearance Wednesday before the Senate Corrections Committee as she outlined the agency's legislative priorities for 2019.

Hall said some requests for records appear to be "a fishing expedition."

"There should be some limits on what you are transparent about," Hall said before the committee.

"The Public Records Act shouldn't be used as a fishing expedition," she said....

 Hall and MDOC attorney Andrea Barnes, who handles public records requests, also complained about the time-frame to produce records. The normal requirement is seven days to produce records, but this can be extended to 14 days with notice to the person requesting records and an explanation of the delay.

MDOC wants more time to respond to lengthy or multiple requests; to prevent people from using the Public Records Act to get around the discovery process in pending litigation; and to prevent the disclosure of information the department considers a threat to the security of inmates and staff. Rest of article.

Keep in mind that 14 days means 14 business days - roughly three weeks.  JJ is so sorry Commissioner Hall actually has to do her job.  If she can't handle the duties of the position, perhaps she should resign. Let me spell it out for you, Commissioner.  You, the public employee, work for us.  That means you are accountable to us.  Sorry, but we don't trust you or any other public official, especially when your predecessor is serving a long prison sentence for masterminding one of the largest public corruption cases in Mississippi history.  Part of transparency is accountability.  If transparency is reduced, you and your agency are less accountable to us, your boss. 

A troubling pattern is emerging as both the MDOC and DPS Commissioners are asking the legislature to ease the burden of transparency and accountability.  Governor Phil Bryant should publicly rebuke his employees for doing so. 

20 comments:

Anonymous said...

A will and pleasure appointment of the Governor should not ask the legislature for anything that he or she has not cleared with the Governor first.

Anonymous said...

Let me say this. I recently visited the facility at Pearl. Guards briefly looked in my vehicle when I arrived at the facility. I dropped off my kinfolk for the visit and left the facility. I returned when visitation was scheduled to be over and they waved me through without checking my vehicle when I reentered the property. No wonder there is so much contraband getting into the MDOC facilities.

Cousin Eddie said...

Investigative reporting taking a nosedive & now the state agencies wanting to block public records.

Next Stop: A Dictator Government!

I've been watching on Nat Geo TV.The Dictator Playbook! Great Stuff.

GOD Bless America! Make America Great Again!

Don't believe your assault rifle in your closet will save you.

Cynical Sam said...

Miss Pelicia, what do you have to hide?

Anonymous said...

Geez....further ineptitude ...

Anonymous said...

Well she did work for Fisher. What do you expect to happen?

Anonymous said...

I’d like to know how 12:58 knows there’s an assault rifle in my closet

Anonymous said...

Bye Pelicia!

Anonymous said...

So Pelicia and Marshall.........exactly how much of the taxpayer's money have you spent concealing potentially embarrassing information? I guess ya didn't leave the MDOC in such great shape after all, huh?

Be honest, for once.

Anonymous said...

But how are Phil and friends going to hide all their dirty money if they are forced to publicly disclose their backroom deals?

Anonymous said...

Welcome to the new and improved GOP of Trump and Bryant.

Anonymous said...

Kingfish comments are spot on. It will take a long time to change the culture at MDOC. It might not ever happen.

Anonymous said...

Lest we not forget that Jim Hood has often been an opponent to transparency regarding the machinations of the AG's office.

Anonymous said...

She wants to hide how much more she is paying private prisons than regional jails run by the counties. So let me just go ahead and tell you that it cost more than 20 dollars per inmate per day to place inmates in private prisons rather than regional jails. So there you have it. MDOC is broke and wants to hide why.

Get A Real Job! said...

How many agencies are run by gubernatorial appointment? Hood, Hall and Fisher all want to be exempt from transparency. How many does that leave? Sorry, but you whining titty-babies are subject to the laws of this state and you don't get to change that fact by whining to the legislature. Your option is to retire or seek other employment, perhaps in the private sector.

Anonymous said...

Kingfish and JJ may very well make more public records requests than any media outlet in the state.

Looks like some feathers have been ruffled. I hope the legislature tells Pelicia to pound sand.

Keep it up KF !

Anonymous said...

11:21 - high-level will and pleasure employees are out of control. Dewey is ready to drop the mic and leave. He don't care what they do.

Anonymous said...

MDOC's Commissioner is about as crocked as Epps! Look for the FEDS to get involved quickly - they are keeping an eye on her and others!

Anonymous said...

9:10 - That's no sudden decision on his part. He's NEVER cared what any appointee does. The last time the Governor's staff had to call an agency head on the carpet, Fordice was in office.

Anonymous said...

Should we ask Chris Epps what he thinks about MDOC keeping all their dirt on the down low?


Never mind!


Recent Comments

Search Jackson Jambalaya

Subscribe to JJ's Youtube channel

Archives

Trollfest '09

Trollfest '07 was such a success that Jackson Jambalaya will once again host Trollfest '09. Catch this great event which will leave NE Jackson & Fondren in flames. Othor Cain and his band, The Black Power Structure headline the night while Sonjay Poontang returns for an encore performance. Former Frank Melton bodyguard Marcus Wright makes his premier appearance at Trollfest singing "I'm a Sweet Transvestite" from "The Rocky Horror Picture Show." Kamikaze will sing his new hit, “How I sold out to da Man.” Robbie Bell again performs: “Mamas, don't let your babies grow up to be Bells” and “Any friend of Ed Peters is a friend of mine”. After the show, Ms. Bell will autograph copies of her mug shot photos. In a salute to “Dancing with the Stars”, Ms. Bell and Hinds County District Attorney Robert Smith will dance the Wango Tango.

Wrestling returns, except this time it will be a Battle Royal with Othor Cain, Ben Allen, Kim Wade, Haley Fisackerly, Alan Lange, and “Big Cat” Donna Ladd all in the ring at the same time. The Battle Royal will be in a steel cage, no time limit, no referee, and the losers must leave town. Marshand Crisler will be the honorary referee (as it gives him a title without actually having to do anything).


Meet KIM Waaaaaade at the Entergy Tent. For five pesos, Kim will sell you a chance to win a deed to a crack house on Ridgeway Street stuffed in the Howard Industries pinata. Don't worry if the pinata is beaten to shreds, as Mr. Wade has Jose, Emmanuel, and Carlos, all illegal immigrants, available as replacements for the it. Upon leaving the Entergy tent, fig leaves will be available in case Entergy literally takes everything you have as part of its Trollfest ticket price adjustment charge.

Donna Ladd of The Jackson Free Press will give several classes on learning how to write. Smearing, writing without factchecking, and reporting only one side of a story will be covered. A donation to pay their taxes will be accepted and she will be signing copies of their former federal tax liens. Ms. Ladd will give a dramatic reading of her two award-winning essays (They received The Jackson Free Press "Best Of" awards.) "Why everything is always about me" and "Why I cover murders better than anyone else in Jackson".

In the spirit of helping those who are less fortunate, Trollfest '09 adopts a cause for which a portion of the proceeds and donations will be donated: Keeping Frank Melton in his home. The “Keep Frank Melton From Being Homeless” booth will sell chances for five dollars to pin the tail on the jackass. John Reeves has graciously volunteered to be the jackass for this honorable excursion into saving Frank's ass. What's an ass between two friends after all? If Mr. Reeves is unable to um, perform, Speaker Billy McCoy has also volunteered as when the word “jackass” was mentioned he immediately ran as fast as he could to sign up.


In order to help clean up the legal profession, Adam Kilgore of the Mississippi Bar will be giving away free, round-trip plane tickets to the North Pole where they keep their bar complaint forms (which are NOT available online). If you don't want to go to the North Pole, you can enjoy Brant Brantley's (of the Mississippi Commission on Judicial Performance) free guided tours of the quicksand field over by High Street where all complaints against judges disappear. If for some reason you are unable to control yourself, never fear; Judge Houston Patton will operate his jail where no lawyers are needed or allowed as you just sit there for minutes... hours.... months...years until he decides he is tired of you sitting in his jail. Do not think Judge Patton is a bad judge however as he plans to serve free Mad Dog 20/20 to all inmates.

Trollfest '09 is a pet-friendly event as well. Feel free to bring your dog with you and do not worry if your pet gets hungry, as employees of the Jackson Zoo will be on hand to provide some of their animals as food when it gets to be feeding time for your little loved one.

Relax at the Fox News Tent. Since there are only three blonde reporters in Jackson (being blonde is a requirement for working at Fox News), Megan and Kathryn from WAPT and Wendy from WLBT will be on loan to Fox. To gain admittance to the VIP section, bring either your Republican Party ID card or a Rebel Flag. Bringing both and a torn-up Obama yard sign will entitle you to free drinks served by Megan, Wendy, and Kathryn. Get your tickets now. Since this is an event for trolls, no ID is required. Just bring the hate. Bring the family, Trollfest '09 is for EVERYONE!!!

This is definitely a Beaver production.


Note: Security provided by INS.

Trollfest '07

Jackson Jambalaya is the home of Trollfest '07. Catch this great event which promises to leave NE Jackson & Fondren in flames. Sonjay Poontang and his band headline the night with a special steel cage, no time limit "loser must leave town" bout between Alan Lange and "Big Cat"Donna Ladd following afterwards. Kamikaze will perform his new song F*** Bush, he's still a _____. Did I mention there was no referee? Dr. Heddy Matthias and Lori Gregory will face off in the undercard dueling with dangling participles and other um, devices. Robbie Bell will perform Her two latest songs: My Best Friends are in the Media and Mama's, Don't Let Your Babies Grow up to be George Bell. Sid Salter of The Clarion-Ledger will host "Pin the Tail on the Trial Lawyer", sponsored by State Farm.

There will be a hugging booth where in exchange for your young son, Frank Melton will give you a loooong hug. Trollfest will have a dunking booth where Muhammed the terrorist will curse you to Allah as you try to hit a target that will drop him into a vat of pig grease. However, in the true spirit of Separate But Equal, Don Imus and someone from NE Jackson will also sit in the dunking booth for an equal amount of time. Tom Head will give a reading for two hours on why he can't figure out who the hell he is. Cliff Cargill will give lessons with his .80 caliber desert eagle, using Frank Melton photos as targets. Tackleberry will be on hand for an autograph session. KIM Waaaaaade will be passing out free titles and deeds to crackhouses formerly owned by The Wood Street Players.

If you get tired come relax at the Fox News Tent. To gain admittance to the VIP section, bring either your Republican Party ID card or a Rebel Flag. Bringing both will entitle you to free drinks.Get your tickets now. Since this is an event for trolls, no ID is required, just bring the hate. Bring the family, Trollfest '07 is for EVERYONE!!!

This is definitely a Beaver production.

Note: Security provided by INS
.