JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Two pictures of Duval County inmates surfaced on social media from a funeral attended in October 2019.
Inmates are allowed to attend funerals of close family if approved, but questions are being asked over protocol and proper supervision by Jacksonville Sheriff’s officers during the funeral.
One photo shows Robert Howard, who was arrested for a murder charge connected to the death of a 19 year old posing handcuffed in a jail uniform at a funeral. Behind him are two JSO officers.
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Another photo shows another inmate from the same funeral surrounded by nine people. No JSO officers can be seen in the picture.
Action News Jax asked JSO about the photos and their protocol when it comes to inmate transports to funerals. On page 7 of the 9-page protocol document under transportation for special reasons it states in part, “The officers shall remain in close proximity to the inmate at all times to prevent the inmate’s physical contact with anyone other than immediate family. Conversation related to pending charges, posing for photographs ... are all prohibited.”
It also states, “The inmate shall not be allowed to have any unauthorized personal contact with others.”
READ THE FULL JSO POLICY ON DETAINEE TRANSPORT BELOW:
We showed the pictures to Action News Jax law and safety expert Dale Carson.
Carson has had clients in the past transported to funerals. He said there are strict rules to keep the public and the inmate safe.
“You shouldn’t have any direct contact. Direct contact also allows for the transferring of narcotics, weapon and that’s potential for a serious problem,” Carson said.
JSO said it is investigating the circumstances surrounding the pictures.
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