State NAACP leader calls for U.S. Justice Department investigation of Barrow County inmate abuse

State NAACP leader calls for U.S. Justice Department investigation of Barrow County inmate abuse

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Friday, June 10. 2011

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The president of the Georgia State Conference of the NAACP on Thursday night called for a U.S. Justice Department investigation of the alleged abuse of inmates in the Barrow County Detention Center.

Speaking from the steps of the historic courthouse downtown – and standing behind a photographic display of bruised inmates – Edward DuBose at a press conference said the pictures sickened him.

“This looks like something right out of the 1920s, and I’m not sure who did it, but we can recognize that this is not how these individuals look unless somebody has taken it upon themselves to rearrange the faces of these individuals.”

DuBose said in addition to beating male inmates, detention officers allegedly have made fun of the exposed body parts of female inmates.

“The people in your jail, even if they are female, they’re not yours,” he said. “They deserve to be treated with dignity and respect and honor. It’s not your responsibility to abuse them.”

He also claimed that detention officers who reported the mistreatment of prisoners were fired.
One of those former detention officers also reported having had a tire tampered with and being harassed at her home.

“We know who have came forward,” DuBose said. “We are saying to you if anything happens to any one of the people who have came forward, you will be accountable.”

He said he has briefed the national president of the NAACP on the local situation, adding: “So this act is going to get the attention that it finally needs.”

DuBose also claimed that there were additional incidents involving Winder and Statham police officers.

But he acknowledged that the state organization had not yet investigated any of the allegations. And he noted that he had not discussed them with Sheriff Jud Smith, who along with several other local law enforcement officials attended the press conference.

At the conclusions of DuBose’s speech, a well-known local pastor in Winder’s African-American community took the microphone and called on DuBose to meet with the sheriff.

Rev. Alfred Hazel, pastor of White Oak Springs Baptist Church for 23 years, said he had not witnessed what was being alleged.

“I stand today to speak on behalf of our sheriff,” Hazel said. “We have a wonderful sheriff.”

Hazel told DuBose that he had said something “key” in his speech when he acknowledged that he had not spoken with him.

“I encourage you as NAACP leaders to sit down with our sheriff,” Hazel said. “He is a reasonable man, and I helped him to get elected, and I’m not ashamed to say that. I’ve known him for a number of years. He’s an honorable man, and he’s a Christian who will listen ant talk to you and I believe you can get the answers you desire.”

DuBose responded that as a 21-year military veteran he was taught that “the buck stops” with the leader.

“So we need to sit down and talk with the sheriff, but somebody committed these acts,” he said.

Again noting that the claims at this point are only allegations, DuBose said a “higher form of law enforcement” needs to investigate the allegations.

“The sheriff cannot investigate his own,” he said. “And so we are calling on the justice department to come in and take a look at this jail, to come in and take a look at these facts, and let the chips fall where they may.”

For more information about Thursday night's press conference, read the June 15 edition of the Barrow Journal.

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#1 My God on 06/10/11 at 09:33 AM [Reply]

“They deserve to be treated with dignity and respect and honor. It’s not your responsibility to abuse them.”

Seriously? Freaking inmates need to be treated with dignity, respect, and honor? Is the Barrow county jail the Four Seasons or a jail? This is freaking pathetic. Whats the thought process here? The guards just came in one morning and felt frisky so they beat up some guys and then laughed at a girls private parts? Jail should be very demoralizing and embarassing. It should make you feel so ashamed that you want to become a better person, get out and never go back.

Are the guards supposed to be best buddies with the inmates? "oh, high Bob! Good to see you here staying with us again. Just let us know if there is anything we can do for you." It couldn't possibly be that these dudes were being little smartmouth punks that were trying to stir crap up. Never...

#1.1 Sonny on 06/10/11 at 09:40 PM [Reply]

If it was your child, how would you want him or her to be treated? They are still humans and should be treated as such.

#1.1.1 Anonymous on 06/11/11 at 08:53 AM [Reply]

there not human being if they killed, raped or tortured anyone. if they do that then they should get whats coming to them

#1.1.1.1 Anonymous on 06/11/11 at 10:01 PM [Reply]

I do not think that all of the people making complaints murdered or raped someone.

#2 TickedOff on 06/10/11 at 11:21 AM [Reply]

Just asking. Did this little gathering get approval and file for a permit to hold this rally? If not put them in the same jail.

#2.1 mark my words on 06/14/11 at 04:59 AM [Reply]

Dear Ticked Off,

Maybe you should actually read the Constitution and the Bill Of Rights...especially the part that guarantees the freedom of assembly.

The First Amendment (Amendment I) to the United States Constitution is part of the Bill of Rights. The amendment prohibits the making of any law "respecting an establishment of religion", impeding the free exercise of religion, infringing on the freedom of speech, infringing on the freedom of the press, interfering with the right to peaceably assemble or prohibiting the petitioning for a governmental redress of grievances.

#3 Buddy Darden on 06/10/11 at 11:42 AM [Reply]

The audacity of these mainstream, society-sanctioned racists is unbelievable. African-Americans should cringe every time fools like Edward DuBose opens their mouths. We need to be just as intolerant of racist organizations such as the NAACP as we are of the Klan, Black Panthers or any other supremacy group...

#4 If the shoe fits on 06/10/11 at 11:42 AM [Reply]

If you deserve a black eye and you get one, why do you want to whine. Be a man and say that you deserved it. I cant stand these little losers who want to complain becasue they were put in jail. Jail is not a nice place. Get that in your head. I know people will comment that their loved one was mistreated but you dont know how they acted when they were put in the jail. I have never been beaten by a deputy or Officer because I dont do anything to deserve it. Go away trouble makers!

#5 Fortitude on 06/10/11 at 11:57 AM [Reply]

This is sad, the NAACP has nothing to do now but try to let people know they are still around.

#6 Anonymous on 06/10/11 at 05:55 PM [Reply]

Well its because we have allowed children to believe they are untouchable. Parents don't spank, teacher can barely raise their voice at a kid without getting in trouble. There are no consequences for not doing as your told, unless you count being told to do it again or a "time-out" oooooooooooohhh.
So a kid thinks nothing will ever happen to him regardless of who is telling them to do it. So when they get in trouble with the law they assume nothing will happen,then a cop has to resort to physical force to get compliance and they run home and cry to momma.
No discipline,No child left behind,Everybody passes, Nobody loses, every kid gets a trophy no matter how much their team stinks, All perfect examples of how we are failing to prepare our kids for the real world.

#7 Odins Eye on 06/10/11 at 09:34 PM [Reply]

Good, Im glad to see these Nazi bastards get there feet held to the fire.
BC leos need to be held accountable like the rest of us are.
I would like to see the names and photos of the leos who are accused of the henious crimes against humanity.

This is what happens when you give GED graduates the authority to use force.

-harrier

#8 Jon on 06/10/11 at 10:09 PM [Reply]

You people have no idea how law enforcement, regularly and without provocation abuse their power. I'm currently in public safety and I see it all the time. They believe that because they have a badge and a gun, they are untouchable, watch some YouTube Videos by Cletis 357 and maybe you will have a different view afterwards.

#8.1 ok on 06/10/11 at 11:20 PM [Reply]

Jon if "You see it all the time" and do nothing then you to are breaking the law and should be put on trial and have your certification revoked. How dare you get on here and talk about how others do these terrible crimes and yet "you see it all the time" and do nothing. If you are scraed then get out of this line of work and find something safe for your self to do while others protect you.

#9 Jus Saying on 06/10/11 at 11:36 PM [Reply]

If Racism went away these people would have to work for a living!

#10 Odins Eye on 06/11/11 at 08:52 AM [Reply]

COPS GONE BAD..its a national epidimic.

-TSA firing 36 Honolulu Airport workers, suspends 12 others.

-Former State Parole Officer Arrested on Public Corruption Charges

- U.S. Border Agents Bribed By Mexican Drug Cartels

-Police: Off-duty Annapolis cop drunk, speeding in fatal crash

-Officer testifies he never took money in drug sting

-More charges against 3 Upshur County officials

there are many more stories out there and in our own community.

google any of these stories for details.

Fact: power corrupts. authority is abused.

its about time people stood up to these corrupt officials.

Now lets the ad hom attacks begin.

-Thund

#10.1 Are you kidding? on 06/24/11 at 09:21 PM [Reply]

Still waiting on your response, what do you do for a living? Too scared to tell us, thought so. Cause you know I'll will hammer you...you are a sorry , sorry man. With one eye it is apparent you only see half the world in front of you.....your half.

#11 Anonymous on 06/11/11 at 09:34 AM [Reply]

the naacp always looking to do something. everything is about racism.

#11.1 Anonymous on 06/13/11 at 10:12 PM [Reply]

The photos shown were of white people. So how is this about racism? Seems that the naacp is willing to help anyone who feels as if they have been abused.

#12 Fortitude on 06/11/11 at 10:21 AM [Reply]

So some of you "cop haters" say we should just take the law in our own hands, the boy should have had is butt handed to him by his friends and family instead of the police. Then, his resisting arrest would not have lead to his black eye. Im all for it, then we only call the police for traffic accidents and when we need them right !
Sorry, but Im sure the whole story is not being told here, if the officer did beat him for no reason, get rid of him or atleast bust him to the jail, if the boy fought the officer, then he got what he deserved

#13 Matthew on 06/11/11 at 01:33 PM [Reply]

“The people in your jail, even if they are female, they’re not yours,” he said. “They deserve to be treated with dignity and respect and honor. It’s not your responsibility to abuse them.”

What? Even IF they're female?? What in the world is that supposed to even mean??

#14 Hard working human being on 06/11/11 at 09:28 PM [Reply]

This gathering had nothing to do with racism - it was all about everyone being a human being and should be treated as such. I don't know if you all saw the pictures that were on the poster boards across the courthouse steps, but if you did there is no way that you can tell me that that was not excessive. I don't care if the inmate ran off at the mouth, there was no cause to beat them like they were beat. It is about time that something gets done about this problem because it is unacceptable and has nothing to do with race. All of the inmates are human beings and there is no excuse for this kind of treatment. The white guy who looked like they beat his eyeball all the way to the back of his head and he will probably never see out of that eye again - that is despicable and just wrong. It is not up to me or you to cast the first stone because we all have sinned and come short of the glory of God. Way to go NAACP!!!!! Stay on this!!!!

#15 First Hand on 06/13/11 at 06:16 PM [Reply]

If I were championing a cause, I would NOT use Donald Jackson (DJ) as my poster child. DJ doesn't discriminate... I've seen him violate citizen's civil rights FIRST HAND (regardless of color).

#16 First Hand on 06/14/11 at 02:36 PM [Reply]

I also see Cathy Smith standing front and center. If being terminated for sleeping with your supervisor, then blaming your failing of the academy on that affair, is covered under the NAACP… I misunderstood the organization completely.

The article states: But he acknowledged that the state organization had not yet investigated any of the allegations. And he noted that he had not discussed them with Sheriff Jud Smith, who along with several other local law enforcement officials attended the press conference.

So, you have no background information, no reports and no solid foundation for your accusations. Talk about putting the cart before the horse. That makes this a witch hunt. “Innocent until proven guilty” is the cry of so many. It’s a two way street. But we both know all it takes is a few people and an accusation… no documentation necessary.

Realize, sir, if the man, or men and women, involved are found guilty (after an actual investigation by qualified people) then they should be held accountable. I find it interesting that you refer to women as second class citizens:

“The people in your jail, even if they are female, they’re not yours,” he said. “They deserve to be treated with dignity and respect and honor. It’s not your responsibility to abuse them.”

I’m not sure how many you impressed with that one. “Hard working human being” was correct. This isn’t about racism. It’s about furthering a prideful, personal agenda.

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State NAACP leader calls for U.S. Justice Department investigation of Barrow ...

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State NAACP leader calls for U.S. Justice Department investigation of Barrow County inmate abuse

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