This does not, however, relieve this agency from instituting appropriate reform-a goal we have been working toward. DOC employees put their lives on the line everyday working in prisons for pay that will never compensate them for the risks they face for the safety of the citizens of the State of Florida. These men and women walk the toughest beat in the state, and your paper has done them a great injustice. This agency has approximately 27,000 employees and the vast majority are honest and hard working individuals who do their jobs professionally and with integrity. Our employees understand their personal responsibility in the workplace and are encouraged and supported when expressing concerns that affect their jobs.
Prisons are dangerous and volatile.
Incidents occur every day, and it is the correctional officer who must intervene to prevent injury. Officers are subjected to constant humiliation, abuse and harassment. Fortunately, this year the Florida Legislature passed new legislation that makes it a felony battery to throw, toss or expel certain fluids or materials on an employee of a correctional facility. DOC has tried for five years to make this a law and are pleased that the lawmakers have come to the same conclusion we have regarding this despicable practice. The inmate's most powerful weapon is to allege abuse.