Inmate Attack on Officer Leaves Lasting Scars
The Attack
On December 7, 2021, Janel Navarro, a retired Miami-Dade corrections officer, was working at the Metro West Detention Center when she was attacked by an inmate, Jermaine Jones. Navarro suffered serious injuries, including a bruised eye and a wound on her forehead.
The Aftermath
Photos provided by Navarro show her bloody uniform, and she described the attack in detail. "He picked something up off the floor, ran towards me around the desk and he proceeded to stab me with whatever he had in his hand and punch me right here on the side of my head, and that’s the last thing I remember," she said.
Inmate’s History of Violence
Navarro shared surveillance video that shows Jones getting out of his bunk and smashing a computer on the floor. Documents provided by the department show that Jones had a history of violence, having been involved in a fight with another officer just a few weeks before the attack. He was moved to a special management unit but eventually ended up in general population at Metro West.
Navarro’s Account of the Incident
Navarro described how other inmates stepped in to help her, saying, "They were dragging me out of the pile of a bunch of inmates. If it wasn’t for the unit, and the rapport I had with my inmates, I firmly believe I would have died in the line of duty."
Lawsuit and Retaliation
Navarro is now suing Miami-Dade County, claiming she suffered "serious and permanent injuries." The lawsuit also states that her supervisor was retaliatory and knew that she "would be in unsafe working conditions" when she was assigned to that unit. In court filings, county attorneys denied the allegations, saying Navarro "failed to take preventive measures to avoid harm."
Conclusion
Navarro’s case highlights the ongoing issues with violence at the Miami-Dade detention center. With a ratio of 72 inmates to one officer in an open bay setting, the risk of violence is high. Navarro’s story serves as a warning of the dangers faced by corrections officers every day.
FAQs
Q: What happened to the inmate who attacked Janel Navarro?
A: Jermaine Jones was convicted of battery in Navarro’s case and the other two cases involving corrections officers in 2022 and is currently in state prison.
Q: What is Janel Navarro’s current status?
A: Navarro is retired and suing Miami-Dade County, claiming she suffered "serious and permanent injuries."
Q: What is the current situation at the Miami-Dade detention center?
A: The department has reported hundreds of incidents involving officers and inmates in recent years, and the ratio of inmates to officers remains a concern.
Q: What is Janel Navarro’s message?
A: "My life matters. The story needs to be told."
