Florida — Jail and Prison Conditions — Galsworthy Criminal Justice Reform Program

Florida Prisons Chief: Status Quo 'Unsustainable'

“The pair of proposals includes a $60 million retention-pay plan for correctional officers and a $29 million pilot program that would convert one third of the state prisons’ 12-hour shifts to 8-hour work days. Under the agency’s proposed retention-pay plan, correctional officers would get a $1,500 pay increase after 2 years of service and a $2,500 increase after 5 years of work. The hourly shift changes, which would be more costly and are expected to be a contentious part of union negotiations, are more complicated, Inch admitted.“

Sunshine State News

October 17, 2019

Understaffing, Prison ViolencePhillip ReevesOctober 17, 2019Sunshine State News, FloridaComment

(Can't) book 'em! Florida's banned reading list

“Prominent on the list of censored publications are titles with relevance to the experience and needs of people who are incarcerated in Florida. As this list demonstrates, prisons improperly broaden the use of “threats to security” to include information that could help prisoners understand their experiences with incarceration or seek political or legal help. Moreover, books that discuss or criticize brutality, corruption, misconduct and racism in the criminal justice system in general and prisons in particular are singled out for censorship.“

The Arcadian

July 25, 2019

Access to Outside WorldPhillip ReevesJuly 25, 2019The Arcadian, FloridaComment

Reminder: It's 2019 and Most Florida Prisons Still Aren't Air-Conditioned

“Despite this, most Florida prison inmates spent the day locked in dorms that have no air-conditioning. That's right — it's 2019, and the vast majority of state prisons are still not fully air-conditioned. The Prison Policy Initiative (PPI), a nonpartisan advocate for reform, drew attention to the issue last week with a report showing Florida is among at least 13 states that lack universal AC inside correctional facilities. The organization says inmates exposed to extreme heat can experience dehydration and heat stroke, which can be deadly. Those on blood pressure medications or psychotropic drugs, who already have a hard time regulating their body temperatures, are particularly vulnerable.“

Miami News Times

June 25, 2019

Jail & Prison ConditionsPhillip ReevesJune 25, 2019Miami News Times, FloridaComment

Florida prisons are in terrible shape. Wardens themselves just said so.

“State prison wardens pleaded with Florida senators Wednesday to adequately fund the Department of Corrections and help alleviate a variety of dire conditions in their facilities, from maintenance deficits to gang violence epidemics. Low salaries, frequent overtime shifts and poor working conditions have created a statewide epidemic of correctional officer and prison staff turnover, wardens said.“

Florida Times Union

February 20, 2019

Jail & Prison Conditions, UnderstaffingPhillip ReevesFebruary 20, 2019Florida Times Union, FloridaComment

Postcards from hell: Inmate’s manuscript describes horrors of Florida prison system

“Hempstead is far from unique in complaining about the brutalities and indignities of the Florida prison system from an inmate’s perspective. But he is one of the few to have the focus and dedication to write a more than 400-page book cataloging everything he saw and experienced. He calls it: ‘Department of Corruption: Darren Rainey, the Untold Story’.“

Miami Herald

November 1, 2018

Death in PrisonPhillip ReevesNovember 1, 2018Miami Herald, Florida, Tennessee, Darren RaineyComment

Will the Supreme Court Strike a Blow Against Prison Censorship?

“Since 2009, the Florida Department of Corrections (FDOC) has banned every issue of PLN, claiming that the advertisements in the magazine raise security concerns. FDOC’s blanket ban on PLN makes Florida an outlier. No other state, county or even our federal government has a de facto ban on PLN because of its ads. Nevertheless, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit upheld the ban. Soon, the Supreme Court will have a chance to weigh in.“

The Crime Report

October 29, 2018

Access to Outside WorldPhillip ReevesOctober 29, 2018The Crime Report, Florida, Prison Legal NewsComment

A Banned Magazine Is Trying to Take Florida Prison System to the Supreme Court

“In that petition, Prison Legal News calls the 11th Circuit decision ‘an outlier ruling upholding an outlier policy.’ As it notes, Florida is alone in its position. Although the publication has battled censorship in 29 states, making it perhaps the most frequently banned magazine in the country, neither the federal prison system or any other state prison systems bans the magazine in its entirety.“

Reason Magazine

September 17, 2018

Access to Outside WorldPhillip ReevesSeptember 18, 2018Reason Magazine, Prison Legal News, FloridaComment

Prison Legal News v. Secretary, Florida Dept. of Corrections Petition for Writ of Certiorari

Prison Legal News is petitioning the Supreme Court to take up their case against the state of Florida for censoring the distribution of Prison Legal News in state prisons. If the case is taken, it would be an attempt to reverse the decision of the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals.

Prison Legal News

September 14, 2018

Access to Outside WorldPhillip ReevesSeptember 17, 2018Florida, Prison Legal News, Supreme CourtComment

Feds to probe sexual extortion, other abuse allegations at Florida women’s prison

"The women described a system of flagrant sexual extortion and other abuses. They said guards illegally smuggled drugs, tobacco and other contraband into the facility, used excessive force against inmates for minor infractions such as talking in the chow hall and forced women to perform degrading acts, such as exposing themselves."

Miami Herald

August 8, 2018

Jail & Prison Conditions, Police ViolenceAnthony BradleyAugust 9, 2018Miami Herald, Florida

Why Do Prisoners in Florida Keep Dying?

"Florida is currently on track to outpace its 2017 record for most prison deaths at 428, with 97,794 prisoners in the state system. As of June 2018, 216 people have died in Florida prisons. In 2015, the Miami Herald chronicled a steep rise in prison deaths since 2000, and since then the numbers have continued to climb. "

The Appeal

June 25, 2018

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