IN THE NEWS
MOBILE, Ala. (WKRG) — A News 5 Investigation is showing you one of the most dangerous places to work along the Gulf Coast. We are talking about Mobile Metro Jail. Most of the inmates who come through the jail every year are men. Despite that, most of the corrections officers are women. In fact, seventy percent of the officers are females. Warden Trey Oliver describes Metro Jail, as a “hellhole.” He says, “You are working in hell on earth with a group of people that outnumber, are bigger than you, don’t respect you, and cannot follow the rules.” Oliver says often times, females are able to put up with more. “With the female officer, you typically have a little more understanding, and if you want to say, a motherly mindset.” Captain Sadie Stallworth is one of the two female Captains in charge of the jail. She’s been there thirty-one years. She says she takes on a motherly and fatherly role. She can be nurturing, but she can also turn “fatherly” on a dime when necessary. “The inmates know we are not here to play with them. When you are in here, we tell you what to do. We mean business.” Sergeants Pamela Lafitte and Ashanta McGee both say being a woman in a male-dominated prison isn’t a problem for them. They both say they have learned the confidence to deal with a mostly male inmate population. They feel women can often de-escalate a situation better than a man could. “We, as women, we know how to talk, to set up and maintain, make eye contact…to persuade them to change the situation. Men can’t do that.” Sgt. Lafitte says the inmates have no trouble realizing that the female corrections officers are serious. “We have to make sure the inmates know we are consistent, and that we do mean business.” News 5 talked to several female officers inside Metro, and they say their jobs have turned into a career. They also feel they are making a difference. Captain Stallworth says, “When they (the inmates) return to the free world, I hope they will take away something from here that will prevent them from coming back.” Sgt. McGee says, “I know my purpose here, why I have stayed so long. It is just to touch that one somebody.” Sgt. LaFitte adds, “I love my job. I love what I do because you are giving back to the community.” See the full article here .
MOBILE, Ala. (NBC 15) — Pamela J. Laffitte, Retired Mobile County Sheriff’s Office Corrections Sergeant, has announced her candidacy for Mobile Co. Sheriff: Retired Mobile County Sheriff’s Office Corrections Sergeant Pamela J. Laffitte has met qualifications to run as a Democratic Candidate for the Office of Sheriff for Mobile County. Her tenure at the Mobile County Sheriff’s Office was 26 yrs. 6 mos. of dedicated and decorated service. Throughout her tenure she was awarded: 1. Awarded Longevity Service Award(s) for 5, 10, 15, 20, and 25 years of continuous service 2. Certificate of Participation awarded for successful completion of Mental Health Basics 3. Corrections Officer of the Month; June 2005 4. Corrections Officer of the Month; October 2010 5. MCSO Commander’s Commendation for Outstanding Service and Devotion; 17 May 2007. 6. MCSO Commander’s Commendation for Outstanding Service and Devotion; 25 April 2000 7. Letter of Highest Commendation for Hurricane Ivan; September 13-17, 2004 8. Letter of Highest Commendation for Hurricane Dennis; July 08-10, 2005 9. MCSO Award of Excellence for Demonstrating Faithful Attention to Duty and Unusual Achievement; 13 May 2000 10. Certificate of Appreciation from the City of Mobile’s Parks and Recreation Special Activities; recognition as a Military Veteran; 10 Nov 2016 11. Association of County Commissions of Alabama (ACCA); Graduate; Alabama Jail Training Academy; Jul 2016 12. Alabama Crisis Intervention (CIT) Team Before joining the Mobile County Sheriff’s Office, she was employed by the City of Prichard as a Public Safety Dispatcher for the Police and Fire Department. As Sheriff, Pamela will be an effective VOICE for everyone. She has the experience as an administrative support professional and the experience working in a fast-paced and challenging environment demanding strong organizational, technical, and interpersonal skills while working under Commanders Support Group(s), Command Chief, Education, and Law Enforcement Leadership. She has strong Interpersonal Communication Skills, ethical, and discreet. Presently, she continues the U.S. Air Force Core Values: Integrity, Service before Self, Excellence in all she does, and committed to meet organizational mission, endeavors, and the needs of the community and will do so through effective Public Safety. Throughout her career as a military member and a member of law enforcement in the corrections arena, she remained confident, focused, determined, and poised in interaction with individuals of all levels. She is meticulous and resourceful in completing projects and multi-task effectively. She’s a proud Mobilian, who has dedicated her life to building a brighter future for her community, the great State of Alabama, and our Nation. A graduate from Faulkner University with her Bachelor of Science in Business Degree with an emphasis in Management. She was awarded two semester credit hours from Central Texas College for completion of a United States Air Force Reserve’s Leadership Development Program. She also completed requirements at Air University for completion of Airman Leadership School. She is a graduate of Southwest Alabama Police Academy and was awarded a Jail Management Training Certificate and a certificate in 2016 from the Alabama Jail Training Academy, which was presented by the Mobile County Commissioners. Beyond her education, Pamela served 14 years and 8 months as a member of the United States Air Force Reserves, and during Basic Military Training (BMT), Pamela served in a leadership role as Dorm Chief. The flight she led graduated as Honor Flight W024 BEST OF BEST October 12, 1994. Pamela played pivotal roles in the execution of Operations Noble Eagle, Enduring Freedom, and Iraqi Freedom. She excelled in handling tough situations and volunteered many times to provide the critical personnel expertise required to support the mobilization of more than six hundred reservists after the terrorist attack on September 11, 2001. During her time in the Air Force Reserves before being Honorably Discharged, she was awarded the Air Force Commendation Medal, Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with Valor Device, Air Reserve Forces Meritorious Service Medal with two Devices, National Defense Service Medal with one Device, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Air Force Longevity Service, Armed Forces Reserve Medal with 1 “M’ Device, and the Air Force Training Ribbon. Pamela was nominated “Sharp Troop” for July 2006 and recognized for the accomplishment in the 919 Special Operations Wing Midnight Express publications. Pamela also served as an Assistant Wing Career Advisor to the 919th SOW Wing Career Advisor involving counseling, keeping retentions, employment, reenlistment, goal setting, team building, leadership, etc. She’s presently a 2022 elected member of the State Democratic Executive Committee Place 99, member of the Mobile County Democratic Executive Committee, Mobile County Democratic Conference (MCDC), since the leadership of the late Honorable Judge Thomas Figures, who was serving as MCDC's County Chairman during her initial membership in the early 1990's. Under the leadership of the late Honorable Judge Thomas Figures, she served as MCDC's past Chairman of Youth Affairs. She’s a former board member of the Mobile County Merit System Employees Association serving as Vice-President and then President. She also formerly participated in Project H.O.P.E. (Helping Offenders Pursue Excellence) initiative (Re-Entry) as a demonstrated team member under the leadership of former U.S. Attorney Kenyen Brown for the Southern District of Alabama. Pamela has heard the voices of many voters and believe she has developed a strong platform, which will be beneficial for all Voters of Mobile County. 1. Reemphasize: Integrity, Honesty, Service, Excellence, Accountability, and Transparency. 2. Analyze the approved Sheriff’s Office Budget(s) from the Mobile County Commission and make necessary adjustments to ensure personnel: employment and overtime, employee merit and/or special merit raises, training, recruitment, retention, equipment, technology, etc. is allocated to keep the public’s trust and effectiveness. 3. Analyze the budget(s) and reclassify Corrections Officers to Deputy Corrections Officers, whereas they become trained and certified according to the Alabama Peace Officer Standards Training Commission (APOSTC) as a sworn law enforcement officer. The Deputy Corrections Officers would be certified to work the streets and/or the jail. The Deputy Corrections Officers would come under the “Stress Bill” and retire after 20 years of service instead of physically working 25 years. 4. Find budgetary avenues to increase the number of deputies. 5. Implement a gun buyback program. 6. To equip all Deputies and Corrections Officer with Body Worn Cameras (BWCs) to bring transparency and use redaction provisions for sensitive information for judicial proceedings. 7. To focus on building linkages to reduce recidivism at the Metro Jail. 8. To work with government officials and judges to implement a 24-hour bond hearing for all arrestees for Municipal and District Court. 9. *A mentoring program that empowers at risk students through tutoring, community service, and positive incentives. 10. Public Oversight Committee of constituents from each Municipality within Mobile County. 11. Increase the number of inmates allowed in the job skills training after released from incarceration. Read the NBS 12 News article online HERE .