Along with the District Court security function that was placed on the Sheriff's Office, we were also made responsible to transport prisoners to and from these courts. This has increased the demand for transportation services.
The video arraignment system that has been put in place was
designed to relieve the demand for transportation services,
however the demand transportation service continues to grow, as
the agencies utilizing the video arraignment system lack the
manpower and accommodations to facilitate the overnight holding
of prisoners. As a result, the Sheriff's Office now makes
daily trips not only to the courts, but to a number of Police
Departments as well.
In addition to these transports, the Sheriff's Office is also
statutorily responsible for providing transportation to persons
involuntarily admitted to the State Hospital. The
potential risk to the safety of Deputies is greatly elevated
when dealing with the often times violent nature of these
people.
The concern of the safety of my Deputies is not limited to State
Hospital Patients, but to their dealings with prisoners as
well. The Transportation Division provided transport
services for court appearances, as well as for medical and
rehabilitative services not only in Hillsborough County, but
also throughout the state, for inmates held at the County House
of Corrections. Anytime an inmate is outside of the secure
environment of a correctional facility, the opportunity for
escape is greatly enhanced, and the risk to deputies is greatly
elevated.
Our challenge has continued to be in
meeting these demands with limited resources, while maintaining
the safety of the Deputies providing these services. I am
happy to report that my Deputies have risen to these challenges,
and met them, providing approximately 13,328
transports a year
safely, while ensuring the security of both the prisoners and
the community.
Transport Division: (603) 627-5636
|
