RECENT COMMENTS
an interview with candidate for sheriff CT Woody
We recently sat down at Jumpin J’s for an interview with candidate for sheriff Clarence T. “CT” Woody.
The 15 minute interview took place late afternoon on Friday, September 16, 2005 at Jumpin J’s. Mr. Woody arrived at the agreed upon time and was personable and professional. He is a tall man, serious, well-spoken, and not quite as gruff as he appears on his website. At each question he paused to consider the question and his answer before speaking. His answers and demeanor give the impression of a man that wants to be sheriff because he strongly feels that he can do a good job.
I’m not real clear on what the sheriff actually does. Can you describe that for me?
The basic responsability of the sheriff is to make sure that the jail is safe and secure. The sheriff is in charge of feeding all of the prisoners, responsible for all civil papers being served, for court room security, for actually running the jail. Another very impotant thing is the transportation of the prisoners, from jail to court, they transfer them to other locations where other courtrooms need them.
There have been some high-profile problems in the jail over the past year, two years… how would electing you change things?
The problems that I have seen myself in the sheriff’s department in the past 12 years really, they have some serious problems with leadership, serious problems with accountability, serious problems with accepting responsibility, and some serious problems with the jail being safe. There have also been some serous problems with misuse of funds.
To correct these problems, I would surround myself with individuals that are experts in finance, administration, court room and jail security. For instance, I’m not an expert on the budget. I would definitely hire someone to handle the budget. I would hold that person responsible. If something is found wrong by ouside auditors, state auditors, ciy auditors — when you find that there has been a misuse of funds, then someone should be fired, replaced. The sheriff needs to step up and say “I’m responsible for that, I’m going to correct that.” Don’t hem and haw and dodge… For instance, giving the governor a check for $10,000 out of the prison fund. That is a misuse of funds, there is no excuse for it. That is trying to buy a political position, that is really what it is. The governor was embarrassed by it, that’s why he sent it back to them.
The buck stops with the sheriff; they are responsible. This is what I mean by accountability… When something goes wrong at the jail, don’t fire the deputy, fire the person that is in charge of that deputy. Those are the hardest working people down there, the deputies themselves, and they’re working adverse conditions: the jail is insecure, there is a high turnover rate, there are training problems. A good leader will start from the top and clean up.
How does your background prepare you to be sheriff?
I’m a professional law enforcement officer. I’ve been invoved in law enforcement for approximately 38 years, 35 of those years with the Richmond Police Department. And while I worked with the RPD, I spend 22 years investigating homicides. I worked with the FBI, the DEA, the ATF… I feel that any sheriff should have a background in law enforcement.
After working with the RPD for 35 years, I went to the commonwealth’s attorney’s office (where I am presently employed). I train, consult, and advise new attorneys on how to prosecute cases in court. I handle special cases before grand juries. I work closely with the Richmond Police Department and the other local area law enforcement departments.
I’m experienced, I kow how to deal with criminals, I know what court room security means, I know what keeping a jail safe means.
Your website says that offering rehabilitation, preventive services, and reform opportunities are some of your goals. Could you tell me a little more about that?
Rehabilitation and programs for those that are addicted to drugs, those that that have drinking problems, those that that have mental problems — the jails, the bars don’t really change minds. What changes minds is the person themselves, but they need help.
A problem at the jail that I’ve learned about from the area ministers that I’ve interviewd and that I’ve talked to, is that they have been locked out of the Richmond City Jail. There are so many volunteers that want to get in there and work with these people. I plan to bring in the community itself, I plan to bring in the faith-based community, I plan to bring in the businessmen…
The sheriff’s office looks like both a civil service and political position. What kind of relationship to the mayor and/or the police chief does the sheriff’s office require?
The sheriff is elected by the citizens. It is not supposed to be a political job, but it is hard to take poilitics out of it. The sheriff should be able to work with the current administration, to work wth the mayor, to work with the chief of police, and other sheriffs in the surrounding counties.
I want to be a community sheriff. I want to work closely with the RPD. For instance, it does not make sense that an officer working here in Church Hill, that when an arrest is made, that the officer has to call the wagon and then follow the wagon downtown, fill out a report and carry (the arrestee) in there and let the sheriff process him. I will implement a program where my jail wagon is on the street 24-7, just like the police are. So that when an arrest is made, the wagon will come and pick up the arrestee. You have the same officer on the beat, he doesn’t have to go downtown and waste 2 or 3 hours waiting in line waiting to be processed.
I would love to read a similar interview with Michelle Mitchell
Yes, nothing against Woody, but Mitchell deserves a lot of credit for trying to hold the City accountable for the state of the jail.
I sent the same email out to Sheriff Mitchell, Mr.Woody, and EJ Jafari. Mr. Woody as yet is the only one that I have heard from,
Doesn’t the jail have a rehabilitation program already?
CT Woody brings the combination of experience, integrity and proven
expertise that are sorely
needed on 17th St.
He deserves our support.
Actually, going on experience, I have to say Sheriff Mitchell has my support. I am sure running a jail is a lot different than working as a police officer. It would take a different form of administration.
Received no request for an interview. if it was overlooked, please -resend. Thanks.
Coming from someone who has actually perfromed correctrional work, at all levels, Mr. Woody’s supporters are mistaken in viewing his past work as a Partolman as being corrections experience. The two lines of work are totally different. One is apprehension, the other is corrections. I will elborate if extended an interview.
E.J. “Emmett Jay” jafari
I think that with the condition of the jail as in and the way the Sheriff Mitchell has been able to handle it is amazing. To say that she is not doing her job right or that one can do it better is wrong. Woody was right about one thing it should not be political but he is making it that way.
We’ve recently interviewed Mr.Jafari. Look for this to be on the site sometime early next week.
When comparing the three candidates I really don’t see how one could not choose Woody. Let me explain. My observation of Richmond Government is that it is in need of extreme reform. You have a system of excuses and no accountability set up. I think that with Gov. Wilder’s election as Mayor has the city is headed in the right direction. We should not be looking for someone who has just done the same old thing year after year after year. When I read interviews of Michelle I hear excuses and don’t see any personal responsibility taken. Leadership is about taking responsibility and making things happen. When someone who works for me doesn’t get the job done its MY FAULT. This is the attitude that needs to be taken. Michelle seems to not agree. There is an excuse for everything. Twelve years of excuses. Jafari may be a nice person but he just seems out of touch and unqualified. His resume is filled with half-qualifications. If you just take a look at the second page of his website it speaks for itself. We need Woody because he is not full of excuses, he will compliment Mayor Wilder’s fresh approach to governing Richmond, and he seems to be an honest guy. I could not be more impressed. There are very few people who are experienced sheriffs. I would much rather have a fresh perspective and a new approach than someone whose experience includes 12 years of doing a mediocre job.
I just noticed an endorsement on Sheriff Mitchell’s website. It was Com. Atty. Hicks. Doesn’t Woody work for Mr. Hicks? It says a lot to me if one’s boss does not even endorse them. Is there a reason?
The sheriff’s offices policies are clearly written in pencil. We need ya Woody!!!!!
Michelle Mitchell is the only smart person running for sheriff.
The corruption in the Richmond area has gone on long enough…Only way to fix is to get someone in there w/ good ideas, experience, and overall an ethical candidate who will listen and respond instead of point fingers and deflect blame elsewhere..In my opinion, CT Woody is the only person who could clean up the dark cloud hanging over the Sheriff’s office….Get rid of the hypocrisy around this town
Why we the city needs somebody in the jail to continue to overlook the major problems and making excuses for everthing else. He also needs to filter out the corrupted Deputy’s that are employed at the jail as well. Because when ever you have a deputy to arrest someone doing a favor for a civillian then he’s not consider obeying his oath.
To Mr C.T.WOODY
I would like to say you have done a very good job at the jail. I know because i was in your jail and you treat every inmate with the up most respect. I seen the news but you know what? Dont let that get you down because i know you love your wife and family. I want you to keep this in mind if nothing else .People will always try to mass your life up.If they dont have nothing they will try anything to try to get money out you or make you lose your job. Out of all the years i have none you from vice people and det. you have never had any one to make a story up on you like that. The lady need help is all i have to say. I wish you the best and may god keep blessing you. Keep your head up and dont let anything get in your way because i know with in my heart and mind you would never disrespect your self or wife in any way. GOOD LUCK Mrs priscilla robinson.