State Correctional Officers Police Benevolent Association

Welcome

PBA Wins South Florida Prison Privatization Lawsuit
Judge Rules its Unconstitutional

Senator Fasano wants hearings on prison privatization

Join the fight, PBA files a lawsuit to stop privatization!

PBA files a lawsuit to stop privatization!

Florida Roll Call

Florida: Influential Senator
says for-profit prisons don’t work

SIX WINS -- NOT A BAD DAY AT COURT!

You have heard a lot about the PBA’s legal defense benefit program, its benefits and its attorneys. Some of you probably believe that’s all it is, just talk. Well, it’s not! Here is a prime example: today, two PBA legal teams won “not guilty” verdicts in two separate criminal cases. Six members represented by the PBA, fees and expenses paid by the PBA, with attorneys provided by the PBA are no longer facing criminal charges for allegations which arose out of the performance of their duties. That is the PBA legal defense benefit at work!

Three Dade County members, represented by the legal team of Douglas Hartman, Michael Cornely and Richard Sharpstein, faced criminal charges relating to an arrest they made. Today, after a week-long federal criminal trial, a jury found them “not guilty” on all charges. [About a month ago, Mr. Hartman successfully defended a member of the State Corrections Chapter in another federal criminal case.]

In North Florida, the legal team of Gloria Fletcher, Therese’ Truelove and Jeffrey Siegmeister, successfully defended three State Corrections Chapter members in Lake Butler relating to allegation of excessive force involving an inmate. Once again – today – a jury found these members “not guilty” of all criminal charges brought against them.

These six members were represented by attorneys paid by the PBA, with all expenses incurred in their legal defense paid by the PBA. That is what we promised and that is what we delivered.

If you aren’t already a member of the PBA, you need to join! Because PBA delivers on its promises! When you need the PBA, it’s there!

Final Legislative Report 2010 Session
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SCO President
James Baiardi

Message from the President:
by JIM BAIARDI, PRESIDENT

Welcome to the Florida PBA State Correctional Officer Chapter web site. Our brother and sister Correctional Officers walk the toughest beat in law enforcement. We do so with pride, dignity, and a desire to protect the public. The State Correctional Officers Chapter is proud of the great job Correctional Officers do in protecting the public from the criminal element. Under our watch, there are few prison escapes and the state's most violent predators are kept off the street, away from the law-abiding public.

Behind the walls, our brothers and sisters are underpaid and outnumbered while working in a dangerous environment that is overcrowded with violent felons and gang members. To make the situation even worse, prisons in Florida and nationwide are understaffed with extremely high turnover rates. Correctional Officers are routinely assaulted on the job and sometimes killed. There have been 34 State Correctional Officers killed in Florida alone. Please check out our memorial site remembering those who lost their lives protecting the public.

The State Correctional Officers Chapter of the PBA is committed to working toward making the lives of State Correctional Officers better. We are striving to improve the pay, benefits, and working conditions of Florida Correctional Officers. We are the only voice for Correctional Officers and have a zero tolerance for prison privatization. Public safety should not be for sale!

Most importantly, PBA has one of the best legal staffs to protect our members from the numerous false allegations made against them from the criminal element that did not follow laws while living in society, and who are now using that same system against the officers who keep them behind bars.

The State Correctional Officers Chapter of the PBA represents some 17,000 Correctional Officers across the state. We are united, strong, professional, and PBA. Please feel free to call me with any questions at 305-986-4071 or 1-800-733-3722.

JAMES T. BAIARDI
President

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Last Update 6/3/11