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r FLORIDA PRISON LEGAL ers ectives VOLUME 12 ISSUI; 4 ' Ex-prisons' Chief and Crony Face Prison Time for Corruption by Bob and Teresa Bums Posey • Former .FDOC Secretary James V. Crosby, Jr, and his i right-hand man Allen Clark were charged with accepting kickbacks from a subcontractor ofthe state's privatized prison canteen business in July. Both pleaded guilty ~d are facing up to 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine; JACKSONVILLE-The fonner head of the Florida Department pf COJTeCtions (FDOC), James Crosby, and his pro~g6, friend and former' FDOC regional director, Allen Clark, were charged July 5, 06, With jointly accepting over $135,000 in kickbacks from a Gainesville businessman in return. for a piece of , the prison system's privatized' -. commissary business. ISSN# 1091·8094' JULY/AUG 2006 and Clark had been fon:ed to resign In return' for favorable in August 2005. consideration at sentencing and: Gov. Jeb Bush who .had dropping other unspecifi~ criminal appointed Crosby in 2003 to run the charges against them, Crosby, 54, :state's huge prison system and who and Clark, 40, agreed to,plead guilty later asked him to resign, issued a to the single charge of accepting statement: "I am disappointed by corrupt kickbacks. Clark appeared this violation ofthe public's trust and before a federal judge on July 6 and, by the abuses committed by those in entered' his guilty plea, Crosby did leadership positions. Our . work the same on July 11. . Both also requires the highest level of integrity. agreed to cooperate with the FBI in a An~ing less is ~nacceptable and continuing investigation of others undermines.the good work' done by connected with the prison system. ' many capable and committed state In addition to Crosby and employees." But ·Bush, who Crosby Clark, eight other current or former had campaigned for in both elections FDOC employees were also indicted to become governor, seems to have by a statewide grand jury on July S been blind to the fact that Crosby on grand theft charges in~olving was rotten all along. stealing state property and/or Bush ignored the fact that iIIeg~lIy using prisoners to perform Crosby had been the warden at personal work for them. Florida State Prison in t 999, when a The charges filed on July S gang of prison.' guards brutally bringS the total to 2 t people who have been prosecuted .on charges : murdered death roW prisoner Frank Valdes for trying to stop the guards related to corruption within the from' beating other prisoners,. when ,Florida prison system! In he appointed him to take over the anticipation'that charges were going prison system. When Crosby to be brought against them, Crosby' admitted last year to dining in New was forced to resign as the York, with executives' seeking deparbnent's Secretary in. February privatiZed service prison contacts and rosby to Face Federal Civil Trial ON THE INSIDE : 3 Mail-. Readers Respond ' 6 Institutional Transfers •.•...•.• ~"'..:...•.........•..••............•......•.....•...•9 ota.ble Case:s•.•••.•.••••.•;.•••••••••..••••••••••••••.•.....••••••.......••••... ~ ••.•12 Toast. ••To Our Health : ; 18 Florida Prison Legal Penpec~ives FLORIDA PRISON LEGAL PERSPECTIVES 1'.0, BOX 1511 CHRISTiv/AS, FI.OIW)!\ ;nOlJ l'ublishill!l Divisioll of: FLORIDA PRISONERS' LEGAL AID ORGANIZATION, INC. 1\ :'111 (") (3) NolI,plolil (Irgallizalillll, FPLAO DIRECTORS Teresa Bllrns-I'ose)' noh Posey, eLA David W, llaller, Esq: LorL'n D. Rhoton, Esq. FPLP STAFF I'lIhlisll\:r Editor Research Teresa Burns-Posey Boh Posey Sherri Johnson Anthony SllIart Florida I'risolh'rs' Legal Aid Orgallizali'lll, Ille., 1'.0, Box 1511. Cllri,tll1a,_ I'l . .1::!7(J'). Illlhli"he; FJ.()/{\Il!\ I'IUSON J.ECii\l. I'EltSI'ECTIVI':S (1'1'1.1') up 10 ,i~ lime.' a year. FI'L1' is a nllil-prolil puhlil'alilln !ilCilsing Oil Ihe Florida pri,'on :lIlderimin;tI .in'li"e S">lell". 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I',Tllli.'.'ioli is <:r:llllet! 10 reprilll ulakrial,appcarillg ill FI'L1' 111:11 dol'S 11111 imli":lle it is copyrightL'd prm'iddl 111lI1 1'1'L1' and allY illdi":lkd an' hoI' aI',' idL'llli lil'll ill the reprilll alld a eupy 01' IIII' pllhlil'alioll ill wllich Ihe makri;tI i., pllhli,h"11 is prol'i,kd 10 Ih,' 1'1'1.1' pllhli,'h,'r. This pllhliL'alioll is 1101 Illl'alll 10' h"a snhslillil': IiII' II'[:a I or olher proti:,'sional a,ll·il'e. The malerial' ill FI'L1' sholl III 1I0t he rdied nl"1l1 ;IS authorilalil'" alltl 11I:'y ,~,I( nJlllilin surtiei""1 illhll'lilalioll 10 deal wilh a kg;tI prohklll. 1'1'1.1' i;; antoillalieally S,,"1 10 al/ lI1elllhl'r" or FI'J.I\U, Ille. a, a Illelilhn,hip h""l'/iL '\'klllller"ltip dill'S I'm FI'I.AO, Inc.. "P"I~'I,; ye:lrly aIII I :Ire S \I) IiII' pri,'<II'ers. $15 'i.r 1:llIlil)' IIl\.'JIlber":lJId ollJ,'r pril'ale illllil'illllaJ,;. $,10 Ji,r :tllume)". :,,"I SI,OI,'r a",ell,i"", libr.lri,·", allll iil,'litllli"n"., 2.1 hobnobbing with lobbyists at concerts and ball games, Gov. Bush had no problem with it When investigators ,discovered a steroid trafficking and distribution ring operated by prisanguards and employee-on-employee assaults, a phantom employee hired as a ringer for a prison employee softball team, 81ld theft' of state' property by employees during Crosby's tenure as top dog, Bush had little to say. Even after investigators took state property from Crosby's home last Fall, Bush called him "8 good person, a good , leader" and told him "don't let the 'blanks' get you down.'" Court records now show that within months of Gov. Bush appointing him as prisons' Secretary, Crosby had started'taking kickbacks. Federal court documents say Crosby and Clark hateheda deal with Keefe Commissary Network, a St. Louis company hired in 2003 by Crosby to run the prison canteen system, to. subcontract some of the business to a GainesvilJe .busiQess man. The court documents do not name the Gainesville man, but prison officials identified the subcontractor as Edward L. Dugger, who set up American Institutional Services just to get the subcontract. FBI and state officials raided the Gainesville offices, of AIS on June 7 taking records and the company was banned from state prisons, the day after the raid' took place. Dugger is a longtime friend ofCrosby. ' According to cOurt • documents, the deal was worked out in the summer of 2004 at a Suwannee River retreat where Crosby and Clark met with Dugger an Keefe officials to persuade Keefe t~ give Dugger a subcontract to operate canteens at prison visiting parks. Once the deal was set up, Clark began receiving monthly payments from Dugger and delivered half to Crosby, according to federal prosecutors. 'The kickback payments grew from $1,000 a month to about $12,000 a month between November Florida Prison.Legal Perspectives 2004 and February 2006 and totaled more than $135,000. Following Clark's resignation from the prison system in August 2005, after a scandal involving Clark reportedly assaulting a former FDOC employee at a party, Crosby told Clark to keep Crosby's. share of the kickbacks because federal officials were investigating the deal, say court records. After entering their guilty pleas, both Crosby and Clark remained free on bond until they are sentenced, which is expected within 90 days of their pleas. The two face. up to 10 years in federal prison and a $250,000 fine. Crosby and Clark's downfall could have political implications for state Senator Rod Smith, D-Alachua, a candidate for governQr. When Crosby was appointed FDOC secretary in 2003, Smith (who was the state prosecutor in 1999 who many feel intentionally botched the trial of the FSP prison guards who killed Frank Valdes, leading to an acquittal), said "it's a dream come true." For Smith, who later ran for and was elected as state senator for the heavily prison-dominated North Central Florida area and is now one of two democrats running for governor this year, it may have turned into a "nightmare." Smith is a longtime friend of both Crosby and Edward Dugger, the subcontractor who apparently was paying the kickbacks to Crosby and Clark. Smith admits that Dugger is a close friend who has helped him raise campaign money in every political race he has entered. When it was discovered that Dugger and his company AIS had made donations to Smith's gubernatorial run after the FBI raid on AIS offiCes in June, Smith quickly returned the money. It was also discovered that AIS was funneling money to a political campaign group set up by an Orlando businessman to campaign for Smith. That group, Floridians for Responsible government, was also shut down after the FBI raid. (See: FPLP, Vol. 12, Iss. 3) From appearances, it seems that the scam was set up to bilk money out of prisoners' families who visit prisoners and purchased the high priced food and drinks from the AIS visiting park canteens so everyone got a piece of the action. Keefe got a profit off the low quality, high priced sales to prisoners' families, AIS arid Dugger got a cut of the sales, Crosby and Clark got their kickbacks, and part of the money was gambled on a political campaign that was expected to reap future benefits to everyone involved. . The current and former FDOC employees who were also indicted on July 5 by the statewide grand jury for grand theft are: . • • • • • • • • Richard A. Frye Jr., 37, former· corrections colonel. Paul L. Miller, 33, former corrections guard. Theodore J. Foray, 46, former corrections sergeant. Bryan K. Griffis, 36, former corrections sergeant. Christopher P. Taylor, 34, current corrections sergeant. Bobbie D. Ruise, 41, current corrections lieutenant. Stephen R. Parker, 32, current corrections guard. Lamar E. Griffis, 49, fornier corrections sergeant, charged with accepting unlawful compensation. The three "current" employees were fired on the same day the indictments were returned. James McDonough, who was appointed by Gov. Bush to take over running the FDOC in February when Crosby was ousted (the "interim" was removed from his title as FDOC Secretary in July), commenting on the recent charges said,. "Did rot enter into the system? Yes. Are we purging it out? Yes. Are· we ashamed of what they did? Yes." Since taking over as Secretary, McDonough, a former Army colonel, 40, FDOC employees have been fired, demoted or been forced to resign. [Sources: St. Petersburg Times, 7/6/06, 717/06; Gainesville sUn, 717/06; Tampa Tribune, 7/8/06] • Ex-FDOC Secretary Crosby to Face Federal Civil Trial in Prisoner Murder Case I n 1999 James V. Crosby, Jr., was the warden at Florida State Prison. While he was the warden there a gang of prison guards, under the guise of needing to force death row prisoner Frank Valdes to leave his cell, beat Valdes to death. An autopsy report' following Valdes' death concluded that he had suffered l!- massive physical beating, while the involved guards claimed that Valdes killed himself by repeatedly throwing himself off his bunk onto the floor. The guards were later acquitted of killing Valdes at a trial' held in the small town near the prison where almost the entire economy is dependant on the surrounding prisons. Although the murder occurred while Crosby was warden and supposedly responsible. for the "care and custody'" of all prisoners at FSP, he was never held responsible for the murder having occurred while he was suppose to be in charge. Instead, almost immediately after Valdes was killed, Crosby was promoted to. being director over onefourth of the state's prisons. And less than four years after Valdes was murdered, Crosby was appointed by Gov. Jeb Bush to 'be the head of the entire prison system. Crosby never paid any penalty for the murder happening under his watch, in fact, to all appearances he was rewarded. That may be about to change. 3 I Florida Prison Legal Penpectives • 4 In 2001 Frank Valdes' father, Mario Valdes, filed a federal lawsuit against Crosby and other FSP employees alleging that they violated the Eighth and Fourteenth Amendment rights of his son by subjecting him to an excessive and unjustified use of force, which led to his death while he was incarcerated at FSP. According to the allegations in the suit, while Crosby was warden of FSP, Frank Valdes was a death row prisoner housed on X-Wing at the prison, where prisoners with the most serious disciplinary problems were assigned. Valdes had been sent to death row,.at FSP after being convicted of killing a prison guard during a botched attempt to help a prisoner escape from a, prison transport van. On July 17, 1999,Valdes died after suffering extensive beating wounds all over his body. In an amended complaint filed in the lawsuit, it was alleged . that prison guards beat Valdes to death, and that Crosby knew about the general propensity for violence against prisoners by guards at FSP, especially by certain prison guards, some of whom were involved in beating Valdes to death, but that Crosby was deliberately indifferent to the risk of abuse. In the district court, Crosby moved for summary judgment, claiming that he was entitled to qualified imrilUnity. The district court denied Crosby's motion and he appealed. The Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals has now issued a decision affirming the lower court's denial of qualified immunity and held that more than adequate evidence exists for the case to go to trial where Crosby's deliberate indifference and liability becomes a question for a jury to decide. According to the evidence against Crosby, discussed in the appeal court;s May 31, 2006, opinion, Crosby maybe in more ,serious trouble when the case goes to trial. Qualified immunity gives protecti~n to' government officials I prisoners., McAndrews testified that sued in their individual capacities so Crosby refused to meet' with him to long as their conduct violates no discuss those problem offlcers~ some established constitutional rights of of whom were later involved in which a reasonable person would beating Frank Valdes, have known. However, if the McAndrew also testified that conduct violates federal law that was instead of listening to his advice clearly established at the time of the incident, then qualified immunity is about some of abusive guards, after Crosby took over he promoted some not available to protect the official. of them to high positions of The appeal court noted that authority, transferred a deputy government officials. can be held liable for subordinates' excessive use McAndrew had warden that specifically prought in to, help quell of force against prisoners in violation of the Eighth Amendment's prisoner abuse, and brou~t in other prohibition against cruel and unusual guards from other prisoris who had punishment when the supervisor documented histories ..of . aousi,ng ,prisoners, . including one ,who either personally participates in the "trained" other guards how toa~use constitutional violation, or when the official knows there is a history of prisoners and get away with it." abuse and does nothing to stop it, or Further, McAnd,rCw testified when the official's custom or policy that it was the policy willie ~e. was results in deliberate indifference to warden that all use of foree and celt extractions qf prisoners by' 'gUards the abuse, The appeal court agreed were requi~d to be videotaped 'to with the district court that there was help reduce excessive use of force. insufficient evidence that Crosby personally participated in or directed But McAndrew testified. that when Crosby took over 'the prison he others to beat Valdes, but found there was more than sufficient evidence stopped the videotaping.. The appeal that Crosby knew or should have court noted that from that it might be known that guards were abusing and inferred that Crosby "sent a message beating prisoners at FSP and did little to corrections officers that' the or.nothing to stop it. administration at FSP was going 'to In its opinion, the appeal permitfurther abuse of inmates," court first discussed the facts leading A prison chaplin, Andrew up to, during, and immediately after MacRae, who worked at FSP Frank Valdes' death and decided between 1994 and August 1999, that, based. on those facts (which are testified that after Crosby became detailed in the opinion), '~e have no warden there was a marked di~culty ruling that Mario Valdes difference in the culture'at FSP, that haS sufficiently states a claim that .Crosby had a more "hands off' guards at FSP committed a. approach, permitting the "good old constitutional violation." The court boys", network of guards to mistreat then turned to the issue of whether prisoners. MacRae also testify that Crosby could be held liable as a after Crosby became warden, tbetCt supervisor. were. instances where MacRae was The appeal. court noted that prevented from. seeing· prisoners Crosby's immediate predecessor as following uses of force. warden at FSP, Ron McAndrew, had Evidence was also provided testified extensively against Crosby. that Crosby had a practice of McAndrew testified that when allowing his secretary,. who had no Crosby succeeded him as FSP law enforcement background,' to warden he repeatedly tried to warn handle and respond to prisoners' Crosby about certain guards at the complaints about .use of force and prison who he believed were abusing guards' use of force incident reports. prisoners and who needed to be kept Crosby never read the complaints or out of areas where they could harm reports. McAndrew testified that he Florida Prison Legal Perspectives had warned Crosby about that secretary and that he had reasons to believe that same secretary was obstructing prisoner abuse investigations. Included in the numerous complaints and injury reports sent to Crosby between Dec. 1998 and July 1999 (Valdes was killed July 17, 1999), but that were handled by his secretary, was a request from prisoner ,~eburt Connor on June 16, 1999, informing Crosby that Connor . had been told by a guard that Frank Valdes was going to' be kilied. Connor also relayed that he had witnessed four guards handcuff and shackle Valdes, then kick him and hold a wet towel over his mouth and nose while holding' him' down. Numerous other complaints from prisoners .alleging that guards had threatened to kill them or who had abused them were filed during that period. The appeal court held that all that evidence taken together is sufficient to overcome Crosby's claim .of qualify immunity and to allow a jury to decide whether Crosby had establishe<l customs and policies that resulted in deliberate indifference to constitutional violations and whether Crosby failed to take reasonable measures to correct the alleged violations. The appeal court pointed out that it was well established by law by 1999 that prison wardens could be held liable for failing to take reasonable steps to' curb prisoner abuse. The appeal court affirmed that district court's denial of 'qualified immunity to Crosby, which will allow the case to now go to trial. - Parole Project ~ Donations ,Needed ., The FPLAO Parole Proj!=,ct continues to work to change the existing parole system and Parole Commission in Florida so that it actually works the way it should to give all parole-eligible prisoner~ a fair, unbiased, and objective opportunity to make parole. The last two issues of FPLP explained what is being done by t~e Project to force change to happen. The Project however is limited in what it can do by the ~mount of support it receives.' Donations have been requested from parole-eligibl~ prisoners to help fund the 'p~oject. ':-s prevIously explained, if every parole-ehglble pnsorier, approximately 5,200 of them left, will donate just $5 a year to the Parole Project, there will be a substantial war chest' for the Project to work from anq to keep contin\Jous pressure on the Parole Commission and legislators to abolish the current system in favor of one that works. So far, a few hundred dollars in donations have been received, which certainly helps and is much appreciated, but more is needed. If you can't donate $5 at one time,' donate what you can as you can. If you can donat~ more than $5, to help make up for those who have nothing, then please do so. Every penny donated to the Parole Project W!II go towards working to make parole more available to parole-eligible prisoners. Your donations are needed today. Send them to:' Florida Prisoners' Legal Aid Org., Inc. Attn: Parole Project P.O. Box 1511 .. Christmas, FL 32709-1511 Valdes 11. Crosby, Giebeig, el aI., 19 Fla.L.Weekly Fed C612 (11 111 . eir. 5131106) • Is Florida Prison L~gal Penpectives Dear FPLP: I wanted to write and let you know I'm being released to a halfway house and will not be able to receive FPLP. I want to thank youfor all you and those.involved do for the prisoners locked in the DOC. I am committed to getting involved in every way I can on prison reform. Believe me when I say after 30 years I'm . . going to do something to change things,ifI can. In any case; thank you and every o~e for all you do to try and help the ones with out champion or protector. DaVid D. CCI . FPLP: I have recently had the privilege to read one of your newsletters. It was quite informative and has drawn my attention to a new vie~ of DOC. JR SRCI .. .. DearFPLP: Greetings! I just want to commend you all for the newsletter as it was very instrumental in, helping. , me' overturn my conviction which I was sentenced to life for. I recently plead to a lesser included (2nd murder) and got a 20 year sentence. rll now be home with my children in 7 yrs. Loren Rhoten an<lPost Conviction Corner is an asset to those of us fighting the Florida Ju~icial systems. I'll still subscribe to your mag/newsletter. ' It is a necessity for Florida chain gang life style,plus I want to be a suppqrter for the cause. RC LCI Dear Staffof FPLP: I have been receiving the FPLP for S years now. Your publication has been a real blessing , to me; the teason I am writing you is to thank you for all you have done, and are doing for us behind the fences. I know it had to be from your fighting the FDOC on the phone prices that made them' bring them down to a reasonable price for our families to be able to accept our calls. It is so very important to keep in touch with others on the outside. I would 'like to humbly extend my gratitude and appreciation for a great job you all are doing to help ~s fight a corrupt system that cares nothing about any of us. WK ACI . • Dear FPLP: I just finished reading the newest FPLP and I am very sick ofheart on the Parole Commission .receiving another budget. I feel the Parole Commission is fighting to keep "Job Securlty~' nothing more, by keeping us old timers in with 2S to 3S year's in prison. I feel 90% or better should be given at least one chance, ifwe mess up lock the door forever. But this is a far.ce and inhuman to keep us locked up until we are too old to work or to be any good to anyone. How can the Senate and Governor not see the Parole Commission for what it is? I want to thank the FPLAO Parole Project team. Robert E Dear FPLP: I would like to point out a very important point in your magazine. ¥ou should have an "old con" corner in your magazine, offering issues involving pre-l 983 help, such as gain-time forfeitures due to technical parole violations, parole issues and some form ofhelp (case numbers) of other prisoners from that "barbaric" era, who have bad similar problems dealing with the courts on these issues. I can respect that 8S% ofthe Florida prisoners are guideline sentences, but we were around and subscribing to the "birth" ofthe Florida Prison Legal Perspectives ~d deserve to read something in your magazine that might help us! Old Con BJ NRCI Dear FPLP: Greetings I would like to acknowledge the help your publication has be.en to us through the years. FPLP has been instrumental in making us aware and keeping us informed of the actions taken by DOC and the courts. By your faithful and honest presentations of the facts and issues involved, we have come to respect roles and policies of institutions and the courts. Your articles have often been alarming, but true. Thank youfor your dedication, courage, arid vigilance. MB BCI 6 Florida Prison Legal Penpeetives FPLP: I've been a part of FPLP for a very long time and wish to thank you for all the work and news that you. have provided me with through out the years. I'm starting my 20th calendar year and the news of what's going on in the system is vital to me and you're the only one that provides it like it is...with out the sugar coating. So siDcere thanks to all. of you there for ajob that's well done. JH ZCI ,Dear FPLP: I just got my Legal Perspective yesterday in the mail and was outraged to see that the FloIjda Parole Commission did not get the ax. I have followed this since before last year. working with my Senator from this area aswell as my House of Rep. I saw the initial bill 5017 where it did in fact abolish the Parole Board and then the amendment, but we thought that the amendment was an additiooto the bill not to take away part or all ofthe bill. So here we sit another year. lam so sick ofthis I could spit nickels and we would all be rich, b~ I know l have to continue to fight for him as well as others. asc Lehigh Acres ' FPLP: Today a friend of mine received a necklace that she'll never have to worry about losing. Her throat Was cut from ear to ear. by another inmate.,If she lives.... each time she looks into the mirror. the nec~ace around her throat will remind her ofjust another part of her REHABILITATION that went wrong. IroniCally..., my !friend knew something bad was going t'o happen to her. the threats had been coming all week and her days were cons~ with trying to get help. She had asked several officers to place her in Protective Custody just earlier in the morning. The Colonel, S. Snell, had told her to "shut up" and go back to her dormitory. There were 25 task members' here, appointed by Governor Bush to investigate BCl's wrongdoings. I guess the White Shirts didn'~ want any drama, and G~d forbid, the Colonel and her cohorts certainly didn't need an inmate to announce that shewas'ii1 fear ofher life; afterall."Custody, and Care, and Control is the DOC's motto. The incident happened under 1he pavilion, approximately 20 feet in front ofth~ Colonel's office and the control room. Not only waS my friend's throat slashed. but her attacker began to brutally kick her in her head and ribs. Where were all the white shirts? Some said trying to convince the Task Unit that Broward CI was, a fine establishment. Others said Colonel had all her officers shaking some poor soul down for colored pencils and extra shorts. Sti110th~rs said she had her officers once again in the maintenance building looking for hidden coke-colas. Whatever the reason, the fact remaining that Broward's Security Staffobviously were not practici~g Custody, Care. 8.Iid Control under the pavilion today. Approximately 75 inmates were left unattended. As I write about my frieJid,~y ~ger over Security's priorities threatens to consume me. Our Justice system within corrections has becomC? jaded; our safety has taken a backseat to contraband. An anonymous request, or tiP. regardit\g alleg~ contraband, whethedt involves extra clothes. hobby craft items. etc... warrants a full scale search. involving the Colonel and her, cobra te,am. but a sincere request for protection is denied. As I watched the helicopter 'air lift my friend to the hospital. I prayed for her to live. as I sitwriting this tonigh~ I'm praying that our Almighty God. imparts wisdom to Governor Bush's task unit who are here investigating BCI so that the truth 1s clearly revealed. SJ Bel ; , the This To ,FPLP: letter iS'in regards to the $5 donation that was requested in the article "FPLAO Parole Project Will Continue,Your Help Is Needed~' so I am having a 'donation made in my name regardless if it ever helps me persOnally in my own mandatory sentence. I am unable to, do mo~ than this. but what I lack in finances , I can niake up for in my brains to help you to get your message out to hUJ;ldreds,of ladies here. Thank you for keeping the good fight up for all· ofus. KN LCI .' !.etten sent to FPLP may be used in this section. All letters are subject to editing for length and, content. Oniy initials will be used to identify senders and their location. Letters are welcome from all FPLP members. Address letters to: Editor,'FPLP, P.O. Box 1511, C~8S, FL 3 2 7 0 9 . ' 7 Florida Prison Legal,Perspective8 -US SUPREME COURTOkays Pennsylvania Prison Policy Banning Newspapers, Magazines and Photograp~s From M~st Violent, Disruptive Prisoners I 8 n a 6 to 2 decision, the U.S. Supreme Court upheld a policy enacted by Pennsylvania prison officials that bans the state's most dangerous and ~calcitrant prisoners from having newspapers, magazines or photographs. The Court held that such a ban does not violate prisoners' First Amendment free speech rights. . Pennsylvania houses its 40 most violent and disruptive prisoners in a Long Term Segregation Unit (LTSU). Prisoners placed in the LTSU begin in Level 2, which has 'the most severe restrictions, but eventually they may graduate to Levell,. which offers a few more privileges. While on Level 2 prisoners cannot make phone calls, except in an emergency, can have only one visitor a month (an immediate family member), and are not allowed access to newspapers, magazines, or photographs. In 200 I, Ronald Banks, then a prisoner confined to LTSU Level 2, filed'a federal lawsuit against Jeffrey Beard, the Secretary of the Pennsylvania Department . of Corrections, claiming that the Level 2 policy of denying prisoners access' to newspapers, magazines, and photographs bears no reasonable relation to any legitimate penological objective and consequently violates First Amendment free speech rights. In the District Court, the PA Secretary filed an answer. The Court then certified as a class all shnilarly situated Level 2 prisoners, arid assigned to case to a Magistrate for Idiscovery. I Banks (who was represented pointed out, courts must give by counsel throughout the case) . "substantial deference to the deposed a deputy superintendent at professional judgment of prison the prison and both parties administrators." Under Turner, 'introd~ced various prison policy reStrictive 'prison regulations are manuals and related documents into aUowable, if they are "reasonably the record. The Secretary then filed related to legitimate penological a motion for summary judgment and interests." Wjthin that framework. a statement of material facts not in the Court had, little difficulty in dispute, to which was attached the fmding that the Pennsylvania deputy superinterident's deposition. restrictions are constitutional. , Instead of fili!1g an opposing ,In the District Court the case response to the summary judgment was decided for the Secretary on his motion, Banks, filed a cross-motion motion ,for summary judgment, for summary judgment. However, which went unopposed by' Banks. neither that cross-motion nor any The Secretary's motion was based other filing by Banks sought to place primarily on the undisputed facts any significant facts in dispute. statement and the affidavit of the Instead, Banks claimed that the deputy superintendent, Dickson. The undisputed facts, includiqg the 'first justification given by the deposi~ion, entitled him to summary Secretary for the Policy-the need to judgment. motivate better behavior on the part Based on the record,. the 'of difficult prisoners-satisfies ¥agistrate recommended that the . Turner's requirements, the high District Court grant the Secretary's, Court found. the statement and summary judgment motion and deny affidavit set forth' ~, "valid, rational Banks' cross-motion. The District connection" between the Policy and Court followed the recommendation, "legitimate penological interests,1t and Banks appealed. according to the Court. ' On appeal the Third Circuit Dickson's .affidavit' noted Court of Appeals reversed the that prison' officials are limited in District Court's granting of summary what they can and cannot deny to judgment to the Secretary, holding Level 2 prisoners, who have already that ihe prison regulation "cannot be been deprived of most privileges, and supported as a matter of ,law by the that officials believe that prohibiting record in this case." Banks v. Beard, the items at issue are legitimate 399 F.3d 134 (3 1ll Cir. 2005). The incentives, to encourage the prisoners Secretary then sought review by the to improve their behavior. The Supreme Court, which granted, undisputed facts statement added that review and reversed the Third the Policy enCourages progress and Circuit's decision aJidremanded for prevents backsliding (to Level 2 further proceedings with a fairly status) by Level 1 prisoners. The lengthy opinion. statements pointed to evidence that The high Court relied on the the regulations work. The standards set out in two. prior cases, deprivation of virtually the last Turner v. Safley, 482 U.S. 78 (1978), privilege left to a prisoner which and Overton v. Bazzetta, 539 U.S. serves as an, incentive. to' improve 126 (2003), to examine the Beard v. behavior hasla logical connection, Banks case. In Turner, the Court wrote the Court. And that, added to held that while imprisonment does the deference courts must show to not automatically deprive 11 prisoner ,prison officials' professional of constitutional protections, the judgment, provided sufficient Constitution sometimes permits support for finding thllt the Policy is greater restriction of such rights in a allowable and constitutional. prison than would be allowed Although summary judgment elsewhere. In Overton, the Court rules had given Banks an opportunity Florida Prison Legal Penpectives to have opposed the undisputed factS statement and affidavit, he didn't do so. Instead, he let them stand unopposed and filed a crosslmotion for summary judgment, arguing that the Policy fell of its. own weight. However, neither the cases that he cited nor the statistics he noted,. intended to show the Policy doesn't work, supported his argument, according to the Court. The Third Circuit erred by placing too high an evidentiary burden on the Secretary and gave too little deference to the prison officials' judgment, the Court held, but claimed that such deference does not make it impossible for prisoners challenging prison policies to ever sucCeed.. Prisoners may, in some circumstances, be able to marshal substantial evidence, for example through depositions, that a policy is Dot reasonable, or that there is a genuine issue of material fact in dispute requiring a trial, noted the Court. . Justice Breyer delivered the opinion for the Court. in which Justices Roberts, Kennedy and Souter joined. Justice Thomas wrote a Concurring opinion, in which Justice Scalia joined. And Justice Stevens gave a dissenting opinion, in which Justice Ginsburg joined. Justice Alito took no part in the decision as he had been involved at a lower level in the case before coming to the Supreme Court. The Third Circuit's decision was rev~rsed and the case remanded for further proceedings. BeanJ v. Banks, _ S.Ct. 19 Fla.L.Weekly Fed. S402 (6128/06).• --J -SUPREME COURTOpens Door to New Death Penalty Challenges . tw d th I2 2006,m n J une, 0 ea . penalty cases, the Supreme COurt opened 'the door to' new O challenges to states' lethal injection methods and held that a prisoner offering DNA evidence that ~ prove his innocence should get a new hearing. The latter case was the more divisive among the Court's justices. Decided 5-3 over a dissent. by Chief Justice Roberts it was the Court's first ruling involving DNA testing. The ruling focused narrowly' on Tennessee prisoner Paul House's case. Under the ruling, House, who was convicted of the 1985 murder of a neighbor, will be permitted to go before a U.S. judge to assert that his liial was' constitutionally flawed. Based on new DNA evidence and witness testimony House, who lower courts had barred because he had exhausted his regular appeals, will be allowed to argue that the new evidence casts suspicion on the victim's husband. If the jury had been aware of that evidence, the high Court noted, it's likely they would not have found House guiltY beyond a reasonable doubt. Justices Roberts, Scalia and Thomas dissented to the maiority ruling. which was penned :.I by Justice Kennedy. In the former case, involving Florida death row prisoner Clarence Hill, the Court unanimously voted to allow e..risonen who have exhausted ~eir regular a~peals to invoke a civil rights law. 42 U.S.C. § 1983. to .aiailenge the drugs and meth.B!is states use for lethal injectionsJ That meiliO<l of execution, used by almost all of the 38 states that allow capital punishment. has been a recent target in lawsuits alleging it is unconstitutional "cruel and unusual punishment" Hill, who was convicted of the 1983 shooting death of a Pensacola police officer, asserts that the three-drug combination that Florida uses to execute could cause needless pain. Hill had filed constitutjonalitY. of his sentence... Which could not be brou t in a civil ra ts ac Ion. The Supreme Court : disa The high Court did not address the merits of Hill's claims against the drug combination, but said allowing his claims to be heard as Ii civil rights action was r~rmissible.. The Court reversed the appeal court's decision and remanded the case for further proceedings. For more info on these cases see FPLP,Vol. 12, Iss. I, pgs. 3-4, and Vol. 12, Iss. 2, pg. 8.• Institutional Transfers by Glenn Smith Many prisoners in Florida's prison system find themselves (apparently) arbitrarily transferred to the opposite end of the state from family and friends, making visits practically impossible. While existing case law and Florida Department of Correction's (fDOC) rhetoric APpear to claim that ~ FOOt may transfer a prisoner to 8!!X. institution, for any reason, at !!!D' ~-~-:-:---"";""":"';""-'--""':""""~';';':";""---:::'". ~ime..there appears to be support for a mandatnus cause of actiRn tbat of the would re i the Secre -=:~O~C::---:t""o""""":~;';;";;"~~=--';;':-";;"" 'tution closest to hIS pace Jli residence. or county of &):::in=m::r.itm=e=nt'.- - - - - - - - ; . . . . WithOut reference to any FDOC rule, classification officers routinely inform prisoners that they must be at least one year free of i ~rmiment disciplinary action before they will be considered for a transfer (with additional various ranges of time at the current institution). , Family medical hardship transfers being the only noted exception. However, those unwritten practices cannot a override the Secretary's legal duty. Exhaustion of the FDOC ,federal civil rights lawsuit t o ' - -challenge the drugs and method. The ad!!1inis,trative i!ieyanceJ!..rocedure~ fOiJOwln a denial re uesLf9L Il lb Circuit Court of Appeals 68cI 'if"'WU ~_a.!!!! e.!.~!oser to f!m!!x.!~d..lrUm~!, ~enu@ HI~js cnau:nfte, S&yIUB!'ffie' is n~~~ be!ore f!,!ing a .eetitign an Improper c a enge to C? wrat of man~s in the circYit or-a rc;r FIorldll PrIso" Leglll Perspectives Volume. 12 Issue 4 July/August 2006 Pages 9 aDd 10 9 f~~!:i~! P..[~~o,n J!.£g~~gsp~~ ~ ~ The following suggested Memorandum of Law sets out the basis of the position that should be taken in the grievance process and in support of the mandamus position, if it is necessary to go that far. (The author of this article was transferred shortly after filing his grievance ap~1 to Tallahassee, using this position.) Memorandum of Law Application of the reasohing of the Court in Florida Caucus of Black Legislators v. Crosby, 877 So.2d 861 (Fla. 1SI DCA 2004) to the facts of this case compels the conclusion that a mandamus cause of action lies for transfer of [petitioner] to Correctional .Institution against the Secretary ofCorrections. In that case the Court, citing § 20.315(3), Florida Statues, emphasized that ·the [Secretary of Corrections]: "[S]hall ensure that the programs and services of the department are administered in accordance with state and federal laws, rules, regulations, with established programs, and consistent with legislative intent." 877 So.2d § 864 (emphasis added by court). Florida Statutes show: 944.611 Legislative Intent. - The legislature finds and declares that: (1) It is desirable that each inmate be confined iii· and released from an institution or facility as close to the inmate's permanent residence or county ofcommitment as possible... See also, legislative intent set forth in § 944.8031, Florida Statutes. In this case, Correctional Institution is the FDOC institution closest to [Petitioner's] place of permanent residence [or county of commitment, as the case may be]. The combination of 10 I mandatory language· anu CI~fy stated legislative intent appe~ to establish a clear legal right to have Secretary assure that [Petitioner] is confined at _ _ Correctional Institution during his [or her] incarceration. Cf. Florida Caucus of Black Legislators, 877 So.2d § 863. Gel)erally, an "extraordinary writ of mandamus may not be used to establish the existence of an enforceable right, but rather to enforce a right already and certainly established at law." Sancho v. Joanos, 715 So.2d 382 (Fla. 111 DCA 1998). However, "[t]he fact that we may need to examine and interpret the statute in order to determine there is such a right [for the petitioner] does not make the right any more or less 'clear...' Schmidt v. Crusoe, 878 So.2d 361, 363 n.2 (Fla. 2003). There also appears to be an additional cause of action in regard to Rule 33-601.210(1)(a), Florida Administrative Code, which states: (1)(a) An inmate shall be assigned to a facility that can provide appropriate security and supervision, that can meet the health needs of the inmate as identified by the department's 'health services staff, and to the extent possible can meet the inmate's need for programs and is near the location of the inmate's family. (emphasis added) It is well established that "[a]n agency must comply with its own rules." Kearse v. Dept. of Health and Rehabilitative Services, 474 So.2d 819 (Fla. lSI DCA 1985); Gadsden State Bank v. Lewis, 348 So.2d 343 (Fla. 1SI DCA 1977). See also, Buffa v. Singletary, 652 So.2d 885, 886 (Fla. lSI DCA 1995), receded from on other grounds, Singletary v. Jones, 681 So.2d 837 (Fla. ISI DCA 1996) (in re, FDOC rule gaintime awards provision); Smith v. FDOC, 30 Fla.L.Weekly D2096 (Fla. III DCA 9/2/05) (''the appellant is' entitled to mandamus . Florida Prison Legal Perspectives Volume. 12 Issue 4 July/August 2006 Pages 9 and 10 relief c~mpemng that appellee to follow its own rules..."). For those prisoners who were committed in a county far away from their family, the above .rule appears to be authority mandating that the FDOC transfer them to an institution close to family. . [Note: Glenn Smith is a Florida prisoner and activist who in addition. to prevailing in the above-cited Smith v. FDOC case, also prevailed in the recent case finding that the FDOC never had statutory authority to charge or impose liens on prisoners for the cost of legal photocopies. Smith v. FDOC, 920 So.2d 638 (Fla. III DCA 2005), cert. den., FDOC v. Smith 923 So.2d 1162 (Fla. 2006). ed] • Microchip Implants Rejected For Now by Richard Geffken n May 31, 2006, Wisconsin's Governor Jim Doyle signed a O law which makes it a crime to require anyone be implanted with a microchip. As liberals cheered, many Republicans vowed the day will come when everyone sentenced for a crime or suspected of unwanted political activity will receive a VeriChip human microchip implant The VeriChip is a Radio· Frequency Identification (RFID) device in a glass capsule which can be easily injected into the flesh of criminals and other subversives. The tags are read by invisible radio waves even through clothing to number, identify, and locate people. An exfelon in a pawn shop might be arrested for being near guns. Subversives can be traced to meetings, making it possible to identify more political dissidents. Whore houses, dope dealers, and prolonged drinking at a bar can all be detected for immediate police action. Satellite tracking can reveal every person someone tagged spoke to for further questioning. These can then be warned the person is dangerous Florida Prison Legal Perspectiyes an immigrant's time is up, their and the risks involved in associating with them. . entire family can be rounded up. Corporations have fueled a Naturally, one the public War on Crime since the. Reagan accepts its use for these purposes; Administration. They not only ~ID devices can be introduced to receive contracts to construct new any workplace. prisons and to staff them, they profit The Wisconsin law sets back Republican plans, but it is believed from new products like the infamous' black box. The ALEC, lobby has ,only temporarily. In Florida, for been instrumental in getting new· example, the implants are being laws legislated which create new widely s.uggested for every sex crimes, and provide longer sentences offender and anyone with a history of gang related activity. "Liberals" are for everything. The result has vastly increased the prison population for so unpopular in many places there is 'little they can do to stop the spread of profit Over 2.3 million Americ8l)s RFID devices. • are now behind bars, 25% of the world's prison population. Ways of increasing the FDOC Proposes to number imprisoned are developed at Reduce think tanks. The world's most famous is Rand Corporations facility Prisoner Canteen in ~anta Monica, California. ',A Purchases spokesman for Rand, Robert D. Sprecht recently explained the joint and Service Charges on goal of the corporate alliance with Inmate Accounts the Republican Party, "Under any conditions anywhere, whatever you he Florida Departm~nt of are doing, there is some ordinance . .Corrections is, proposing to under which you can be booked." reduce the amount that prisoners can . VeriChip Corporation has spend each week in the prison not done as well as other ALEC . canteens from $100 to $65, in corporations. They began by trying addition to lowering the inmate to sell RFID chips to the Pentagon to account processing fee from $ I .00 replace use of military dog tags. . each week to one percent of the total Locating wounded soldiers and weekly canteen purchases (maximum POWs was part of its sales strategy. $0.65) and eliminate the $0.50 The military believed it might have charge for special withdrawals from an adverse affect on recruiting. the inmate account. US armed forces Using it to' tag medical veterans will not be charged any fees patients produced some profit, and under the proposal. . credit card companies like the idea to The· FDOC's proposal came ensure receiving payments when they less than a month after Florida are due. Requiring an implant as a Prisoners' Legal Aid Organization condition for granting a loan. was one Chairwoman Teresa Burns Posey and of the factors involved in the approximately 20 other family Wisconsin law. members met in Orlando with staff VeriChip has also suggested from the Legislature's Office of uses for controlling. immigration. Program Policy Analysis and' Guest workers can be registered, Government Accountability have their backgrounds checked, and (OPPAGA) in June 2006 to discuss the VeriChip "used for enforcement. how prisoners' ,families are purposes at the employer level," says negatively' ,impacted 'by FDOC VeriChip· CEO Scott, Silverman. policies. The burdens placed on Limiting coffee breaks is one of the families by FDOC raising the nicer uses. Workers will provide a amount of money prisoners can full day's work for their pay. When spend in lhe' canteens, so the T canteens can increase prices by 10% every six months, on top of the inmate· account processing fees that families have to send ~ore money to prisoner!i to cover, were discussed at the Orlando meeting. FPLAO also presented evidence tethe OPPAGA staff detailing the outrageous 60 to 76% markup that the FDOC places on Access Catalog orders by prisoners to purchase radios, shoes, underwear, etc., which markup profit the FDOC keeps as a "middleman" in the sales. The FDOC's proposal to reduce the weekly spending limit and prpce!ising fees was made in two Notices of Proposed Rule Development indicating the intent to amend Rules 33-203.101 and 33203.2(}1, Florida Administrative Code. Those first rule development notices in the two-notice ,rulemaking process were published and posted at all correctional facilities on July 21, 2006. The second and final· notice w~ published a"d posted on August 18, 2006. Barring any delays, the proposals should become effective about the middle of September. Many other issues were discussed at the Orlando meeting with OPPAGA, ·including. problems with family visitation. It is hoped more positive changes will develop as we all continue to work together on these issues. In other news, the contract. to operate the prison canteens is being rebid. The new cOntract, which will go into effect in October, will require a 20% reduction in prices currently being charged, and priCes can only be raised once a year and must be comparable to street prices. AdvertIse ID FPU' c1iCnl1 ar CUItllmcn TUFt _ etIrlluP IIlMnisIn& ill FPLP. Far IIIIva1IIcmcrit IIId r8Ie wrIlio or cmaillO tho below: .' FPLP illfomWioQ AtIlI: Advertlslll8 152,12 l!aIt CoIcm1oJ Dr•. OrIuIdo, FL 32826-5134 or III Florida Prison Legal Penpeetives The following are summaries ofrecent state andfederal cases that may be useful to or have a significant impact on Florida p,:isoners. Readers should always read the full opinion as published in the Florida Law Wr.. k/y (Flo. I- Weekly); Florida Law Weekly Federal (Flo. L Weekly Federai); Southern Reporter 2d (So. 2d); Supreme Court Reporter (S. Ct.); Federal Reporter 3d (F.3d),· or the federal Supplement 2d(F.S~pp. ~d), .si~~e these summaries arefor general information only. 1 FLORIDA SUPREME COURT n '!: • , In'Re: Standard Jury Instructions in . Criminal Cases (Fla. 5125106) The Supreme Court COmmittee on Standard Jury Id$tructions in Criminal Cases (the Committee) petitioned to amend the FlOrida Standard Jury Instructions in Criminal Cases. ; The proposed change i~olved Florida Standard Jury lJ1struetions '3.6(f), "Justifiable Use Qf 'Deadly Force," and 3.6(g), "Justifiable Use Of Non-deadly Force." The changes that were proposed are as follows. . With regard to Standard Jury In\truction 3-.6(f); "Justifiable Use of D~ly . ForCe,'~'" the Committee recommen4ed: ~ . (1:) substituting the words "deadly- force" for "force likely to cause~death or great bodily harm"; in' the, various parts of the instruction; (2) adding an instruction defining "deadly force" for "force likely to.causedeath or great bodily harm";.OJ.c~m~i!\ing subparts 3 and 4 into a new subpart 3 in th~portion of the instruction dealing with claims of.self-defense predicated on section 7&'2.02, Florida Statues (2005); (4) expandirig the" explanation of when the first part of the" "aggressor" ex!=eption should be given; (5) deleting those subparts of the instruction concerning the necessity to avoid the use of deadly force, the .necessity to retreat, the, defense of the home, and the defense of the home against co-occupant; (6) adding new subpartS concerning the lack of duty to retreat and the presumption' 'of fear when the defendant -was in the' 'dwelling, resiiJence, occupied vehiCle, or place 12. I where he had a ri~t to be; (7) adding COURTS OF DISTRICT of "dwelling," definitions APPEAL ' ."residence," and "vehicle"; (8) amendi!1g the subpart addressing Saniana v. Stale, 31 Pla.L.Weekly prior threats to make it'mesh with the D1309 (Fla. 3d DCA 5/10/06) absence of a duty to retreat; (9) . Ronnie Steven Santana's adding the current year of revision to case presented an issue where a trial the comment section; and ( I0) court· enhanced Santana's sentence deleting the second sentence in the for his count one offense by inferring comment, which refers to the a finding of the requisite to enhance instruction for def~nse of the home from Santana's count two offense against a co-occupant, which without a jury's finding of' such instruction was deleted. requisite for count one's With regard to Standard Jury . enhancement. Instruction'3.6(g), "Justifiable Use of On appeal~ the Third District Non-deadly Force," the Committee Court of Appeal pointed out that the recommended: (I) substituting the Florida Supreme Court has found it words "non-deadly force" for '~force to be improper to infer a requisite not likely to cause death orgreat finding for enhancement . of one bodily harm" in tile various parts of count from the conviction on a the instruction; (2) adding an second count of the indiqtment. See: instruction defining "non-deadly State 'V. McKinnon, 540 So.2d III force" as "force not likely to cause (Fla. 1989). death or great bodily harm"; (3) Santana had been 'charged in substituting the words "another ,count one of attempted first degree person" for "other person" in the "In murder by discharging a firearm, arid Defense of Person" instruction; (4) in count two of unlawfully shooting adding the words "to be" to the into an occupied vehicle. After trial instruction for "In Defense of by jury. the verdict form showed he Person"; (5) adding new subparts on was found guilty in count one of the lack ofduty to retreat when the aggravated battery, as a lesser defendant is in a dwelling, residence, , included offense, with a firearm. In vehicle, or place where he has a right count two, Santana was found guilty to be;' (6) adding definitions of the of the crime charged. ' words "dwelling," "residence," and' The jury had not found that 'vehicle"; and (7) adding the current the weapon was discharged in count year of revision to the comment. on~ts verdict, only possession of a After consideration of the firearm: In section 775.087(2)(a)2., Committee's proposed changes, the Florida Statutes (1999), it provides Florida Supreme Court aut~orized three levels of mandatory minimum the pub_lication and use of the revised sentence depending on the fact-based instructions without any changes of "possession," distinctions from the Commi.ttee's recommended "discharge,", or "is a result of changes. Those changes were made discharge, death or great bodily harm effective the day the opinion was ' was inflicted.It Those distinctions final, 5125/06. have a consequence of receiving Flori~a ~risoD Legal Penpectivea David W. Collins, Attorney at Law Former state prosecutor with more than 20 years of criminal law experience "AV" rated by Martindale-Hubbell Bar register of Preeminent Lawyers Your voice in Tallahassee representing prisoners in aU areas ofpOSt-cODVictiOD reUel: A p p e a l s P l e a Bargain Rights 3.800 Motions Sen~encing andS,coresheet Errors Green, Tripp, Karchesky, Beggs cases 3.850 Motions State and Federal Habeas Corpus Jail-time Credit Issues ' Writs of Mandamus Gain-time Eligibility Issues Clemency .Habitualization Issues Probation Revocation Issues . .' .. Write me today about your case! " David W. Collinst Esquire P.O. Box 541 Monticello t FL 32345 (850) 997-8111 "The hiring ofa lawyer is an important decision that should not be based solely upon advertisements. Before you decide. ask me to send you free written information about my qualifications and experience." FOR CLEMENCY ASSISTANCE INFO. WRITE TO: TYPI·N.'G ,S'ERVICE, " C,oJIIPuler - Typewriter NATIONAL C~EMENCY PROJECT 8~4CAMPCOLUMBUSROAD HIXSON, TENNESSEE 37343 A LL K t ND8 0 F T YPI NG Indudl~ but not IlmIted to: LegIl8llefs, TIXtDocurneft1l. NewstetttfS, ArtIdes, BoOb. MinusCrtpts. D8tabase. Chatts. Forms. Fiy8ri;'EnvelOpes, e:rC. Black , Color PrInting &. COpyIng . " FOR A"FREE" PRICE UST AtI) MORE INFORMATION sEND A SASE TO: LET MV FINGERS DO. VOUR TVPING 8IndrI Z. Thomn PO 801417. WInfIr Pvk, FL mtUt71 , Phone: 407..s7N513 Florida Prison Legal Penpectives either a ten, twenty, or 25 year to life mandatory minimum sentence. . The rule in Florida is that before a trial court caJ1 enhance a ,sentence or apply a mandatory minimum sentence, the jury must expressly detennine the requisite necessary " for statutory fact application of a mandatory minimum " sentence. See: State v. Overfelt, 457 So.2d.l385 (Fla. 1984). Because "the ,jury in Santana's case did not make a . finding that the weapon was "discharged" in count one's verdict, it was error for the trial court to infer the requisite from count two's offense to enhance the sentence to a twenty year mandatory minimum for count one. As a result of the concluded opinion, conflict was certified with the Fourth District's opinion in Amos v. State, 833 So.2d 841 (Fla. 4111 DCA 2002) (where it applied enhancement for "discharge" of a weapon was proper because referenCe. to the information supported inference that CQuntQne'sconviction r:!'sted solely on the. findings of the use of a firearm in count two.) Santana;s sentence was reversed and. the case remanded for· re-sentencing on count one to a ten year mandatory minimum sentence. [Note: Also see: Wallace. v. State," 31 Fla.L.Weekly 01438 (FI~. 4th DCA 5124/06), where onnppeal it was shown that ajury is required to find actual, ,possession to justify imposition of the...mandatory minimum sentence, citing from Overfelt, 457 So.2d .l385 (Fla. 1984).] that the use of the firearm in Jefferson's case was the essential element of the crime. Consequently, it was error for the lower court to impose the fireann enhancement statute. , Section 775.087(1), Florida Statutes (200 I), the firearm enhancement statue, provides for enhancement to a higher degree of felony except for "a felony in which the use of a weapon or firearm is an essential element." Accordingly, Jefferson's case was reversed and remanded for resentencing. State v. Grandstaff, 31 Fla.L.Weekly 01336 (Fla. 4th DCA 5/10106) In David, Grandstaff's case the State appealed the lower court's judgment of granting Grandstaff's Rule 3.800(c) motion after expiration of the sixty-day period. Grandstaff had filed a timely motion" to mitigate his sentence. Hearing of the motion was delayed due to confusion within the lower court's administratio,a. It was not known which judge was going to hear Grandstaff's case and consequently, by the time the motion was heard and ruled on, the sixty-day time limitation had already past. The appellate court opined " that the absence of a judge to act on " the motion promptly was not the fault of Grandstaff. In fact, Grandstaff diligently sought to gain a hearing prior to the expiration of the time period. Where the lower court itself is at fault for failing to timely consider motions before 'it, strict adherence to procedural niceties leads to an inequitable result. ,-1:2find that jurisdiction was ultimately lost simply because no judge was available does not componwtth th~ CijmIii6le.mtent ~orida Rule" of Criminal Procedure. Such a finding would ~eal an "'injUstice:i9 lhOse who properly comely with~" terms of the Rules, but are thwarted Jefferson v. State, 31 FlaL.Weekly D1327 (Fla. 4th DCA 5/10106) "Quincy Jefferson's case presented an issue where a trial court applied the firearm enhancement statue to Jefferson's" sentence" for shooting a deadly missile. ( ]1-----obt8inrng-reHer-" It was' pointed out by the appellate court that although some circumstances .~ ih~r control. cases hold to the contrary, it opined , '~Cffided -oPinion of the. -aue-to, -14 I ' appellate court was that the lower court acted within the essential requirements of the law in granting Grandstaff's motion. It was also found that the issue presented was one of. great public importance and would have a great effect on the proper administration of justice. Therefore, a question was certified to 'the ''where Florida Supreme court: defendant timely files a motion, for reduction or modification of sentence pursuant to Florida Rule of Criminal Procedure 3.800(c), but, through no lack of diligence in obtaining a hearing date. or no fault of his or her own, the hearing does not take plaCe until after the expiration of the sixtyday period as provided in the Rule, is the Court divested of jurisdiction to consider and rule upon the timely filed motion?" The lower court's granting Grandstaff's motion was affirmed. Trout v. State, 31 Fla.L.Weekly 01339 (Fla. 41h DCA 5/10106) The issue presented to the appellate ~urt in Louis Blaine Trout's case prompted an opinion that gives one a clearer understanding of when a person is entitled' to jail credit for time serVed" in another county jail on pending charges. " A defendant has been found 'to be entitled to Jail credit for time spent in n county j:lil ~.'1heri he has been arrest!i'd pursuant to a warrant from another county~ See: Gathers v. State, 838 So.2d 504 (Fla. 2003); Daniels v. Stale, 491So.2d 543 (Fla. 1986); and Norman v. Slate, 900 So.2d 702 (Fla. 2d DCA '2005). The Gethers court drew the distinction between execution of an arrest warrant and the issuance of a detainer by..another county~ and further held that absenl the execution of an arrest warrant. a defendant who is in jail in specific county pursuant to an arrest on other charges n~d lnot be given credit for time served in that county on charges from another county when only a J a Florida Prison Legal Penpee~ives detainer has been lodged against the defendant. Section 901.04, Florida Statutes, 'provides for the direction and execution of a warrant, in that "a warrant shall be directed to all sheriff's of the state. A warrant shall be executed only by the sheriff' of the county in which the arrest is made.•• An arrest may be made on any day and at any time of the day or night." Section 901.16, Florida Statutes, provides for the method of making an arrest with a warrant in that "A peace officer making an arrest by a warrant shall inform the person to be arrested of the cause of arrest and that a warrant has been issued...The officer need not have the warrant in his or her possession at the time of the arrest but on request of the person arrested shall show it to the ~rson as soon as practicable." Both statutory sections show that a warrant may be executed merely by a peace officer informing the person that a warrant had been issued. This was the case with Trout's arrest. He was informed of a warrant for his arrest on a violation of probation. Therefore, Trout was entitled to jail credit from the time he served in the county where he was arrested for the violation of probation from another county. Because Trout's lower court refused to grant the credit due to reasons contrary to the appellate court's opinion, Trout's case was reversed with directions to the lower court to credit Trout with the jail time he spent in the other county. . Green v. Commission, Florida Parole 31' Fla.L.Weekly 01461 (Fla. III DCA 5125/06) Jammie Dwight Green had filed a petition for writ of mandamus in the lower court alleging that the Florida Parole Commission failed to consider his entire official inmate file in making its decision to suspend his presumptive parole release date. Apparently, when the commission responded to the lower court's order to show cause, it failed to include the complete inmate file relevant to Green's allegation. However, the lower court denied Green's petition anyway. Consequently, Green filed a petition for writ of certiorari' in the First District Court of Appeals. Green argued in the appellate court that it was eiTor for the trial court to deny him relief when it failed to review the portions of his' file that were relevant and material as to the Commission's cited reasons .and the issues presented in the petition for writ of mandamus, pursuant to Willia"fS v. Fla. Parole Commission, 625 So.2d 926 (Fla. III DCA 1993) The appellate court found that the Commission had not provided the entire inmate file, which was relevant also to Green's initial argument in the lower court. Therefore, the lower court's order of denial was found to be error and the order was quashed. Green's petition for writ of certiorari was granted and the case was remanded with directions for the Commission to supplementits response to the writ of mandamus in the lower court with all relevant and material documents from Green's complete' official inmate file. Further; the lower court was instructed to reconsider Green's request for mandamus relief once the Commission complied with its directed order.. 4 Vega v. Kilhefner, 31 Fla.t.Weekly D1636 (Fla. lSI DCA 6/14/06)' Prisoner Juan Vega appealed a circuit court order dismissing his petition for writ of mandamus based on his allegedly failing to pay the filing fee or submit indigency information as required by a case management order. The appeal court noted that the record reflected that Vega did attempt to comply with the case management order before dismissal, as conceded to by the appellee, but that the lower court may have overlooked that attempt. Accordingly the appeal court reversed the order dismissing Vega's petition and remanded for further proceedings with instructions to allow Vega to correct any deficiencies in his filings. Further, the appeal court addressed another issue raised .by Vega in his appeal: the fact that the trial court found him indigent for purposes of the appeal, but then directed that a [§ 57.085(2), F.S.] lien be placed on his inlJlate account to recover the appeal's filing fees and costs. Because this issue involved indigency for appellate purposes, the appeal court elected to treat this portion of Vega's appeal brief as a "motion for review" pursuant to Rule 9.430, Fla.R.App.P. 'And because Vega's underlying actjon must have been a collateral criminal proceeding, to which the lien provisions of § 57.085, F.S., do not apply, the appeal court quashed the imposed lien on the authority of Wagner v. McDonough, 31 Fla.L.Weekly D1223 (Fla. lSI DCA 512/06). [Editor's Note: Although Florida prisoners are almost always required to file any legal challenges to FDOC or Parole commission actions in the Second Judicial Circuit Court in Tallahassee, most of the judges in that Court do everything they can to Those discoumge such filings. judges' latest deal seems to be ignoring the Florida Supreme Courts' .decision in Schmidt v. Crusoe, 878 So.2d 361 (Fla. 2003), which held that the indigency provisions of § 57.085, F. S. (placing liens on inmate ' accounts, requiring six-month account statements to be filed. etc.), do not apply to any type collateral criminal proceeding. Such proceedings include mandamus petitions challenging' prison disciplinary action, gaintime issues, parole issues, and any other issue that affects the duration of a prison sentence. In Schmidt the high Court noted that § 57.081 not § 57.085, IS Florida Prison LegalPerspectives indigency. provisions apply i"n collateral, criminal' writ petition cases. Iiowever, at the time of that decision, ',§ 57.081 provided for,' waiver offees and cost.. Last year § 57.01l WQS amended to" delete "waiver" 'and substitute "deferral" and.§ 57.082 was created to provide a procedu~ for monthly. payments, based on ability to pay, of court costs and fC«?S for those persons found to be indigent under§ 57.081. :Since then many judges of the Second Judicial Circuit Court, and even the Clerk of that Court, apparently' feeling that it· is not practicable· to expect that prisoners will voluntarily pay· monthly, payments, under §§ 57.081 and 57.082, have taken to forcing 'prisone1'S who file collateral criminal proceeding petitions to comply with a hybrid mixture of §§ 57.081, 57.082 and 57.085, F.S. Specifically, they are threatening prisoners with dismissal of their petitions if they do not file § 57.085 six-month account ·statements,'and then when prisoners do that the judges are directing the FDOC to place § 57.085 liens on their inmate' accounts, instead of setting up a payment plan under § 57.082.' In that way prisoners, Ii~e Juan Vega, above, are sidetracked from tho merits of their· petitions to having to challenge the ,improperly . imposed, .indigency·. requirements, causing delay, frustration, and waste of taxpayers' money 'and court resources. See, Cason v. Crosby, 892 So.2d 536 (Fla. 111 DCA 2005); Thomas v. State, 904 So.2d 502 (Fla. 4th DCA 2005); Muhammad v, Crosby, ,.30 Fla.L.Weekly D2552 (Fla. I I1 0CA 2005). See also, Cox v. Crosby, 31.fla.L.Weekly D 310 (Fla. lit DCA 1126/06), rev. granted sub nom.. McDonough v. Cox, 924 So.2d 809 (Fla. 2006) (unpublished table. opinion); and following cases, herein.] 16'/ Babji v. Department of Corrections, 31 Fla.L.Weekly D1699 (Fla. 1st DCA 6/22/06) . , Prison Johathan Babji (mistakenly) filed a motion pursuant to Rule 9.430, Fla.R.App.P., seeking review of the Second Jud. Cir. Court's order denying him relief from an order that found him to; be indigent but placed a lien on his inmate account to recover costs and fees for his fil,ing a petition for writ of mandamus in the circuit court (presumably a collateral criminal proceeding, see prior case and note thereto, herein). . The appeal court noted that Rule 9.430,only authorizes review of, an order of a lower court concerning a request to proceed as indigent in appel/ate proceedings. Quixotically, the appeal court therefore treated B~bji's motion fOJ: review as a certiorari petition, but then said that remedy is inappropriate since Babji can raise the indigency issue once a final order is issued in his mandamus case (which will leave. the improper lien on his account just that much longer). [Editor's Note: No doubt before having the lien placed on Babji's .account the clerk or court made him file a six-month acCount statement. If he had refused' to file such statement and immediately filed a Petition for Writ of Prohibition to stop the clerk or court from requiring him to comply with § 57.085 provisions, which do not apply to collateral criminal proceedings, and which the clerk or court do not have jurisdiction to require, then he could have stopped the imposition of ~e lien, before it was imposed.] Flowers v. McDonough. 31. Fla.L.Weekly 01808 (Fla. 1st DCA 7/3/06) . Prisoner Gary Flowers petitioned the appeal court to find that the Second Jud. Cir. Court from the essential departed requirements of law in denying his petition for writ of mandamus and 'in having a Iien,plaeed onnis inmate .account for costs and fees of filitlg : .the mandamus petition; . The appeal court heldthl\t Flowers' argument challenging t~e,' order ~enying the mandamus petiti~n . was without merit, but found that because the petition was a "collateral . criminal .proceeding" pursuant to § 57.085(l0}, .Fla.Stat., that the lower cOurt 'improperly imposed the Ii~n (citing to Cox and Schmidt,supra). Accordingly, the, appeal court quashed the, lien order, and direct6',d the. trial.:- court to direct the. . reimbursement. of· any money,' that had been.taken from Flowers' inmate ~ccount "to satisfy the improper lien ~rders." : McCaskill .v. McDonough, 31 Fla.L.Weekly 01811 (Fla.' 1" DCA 7/3/06) In this case the ~ppeal court denied prisoner Obidiah MeCaski1l"~ petition for writ of· certiorari, but found ,that. because the underlying petition for writ of mandamus was a "collateral, criminal. proceeding" the appeal court remanded with directions that the trial court remove the [improperly imposed] lien from • McCaskill's,inmate aecount or direct the reimbur~ment of any funds tha! had been taken to satisfy the lien (Citing Cox, suprQ).- . ADVERTISING Nance: Florida Prison Legal Penpectives LorenD. Rhoton I ------------.----P~stconviction ,Attorney • • • • • • Direct Appeals Belated Appeals Rule -3.850 Motions Sentence, Corrections "New Trials" Federal Habeas" Corpus Petitions 412 East Madison Street, Suite 1111 . 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To order, send $20.00 in the form of a money order,cashier's check or inmate bank check (no stamps, cash or personal checks ple~e) to the address above, or order online at www.rhotonpostconviction.com. I 17 Florida Prison Legal Penpectives P" . ---==.)' F A Toast•.• To Our Health by Mark Osterback or the past ten years, prisoners in Florida haven't had any means of challenging environmental health cond~t~ons in their Jiving areas.' During that time, health condItions. at least in the Dept. of Corrections. (DOC), were governed by American Correctional Association standards, which ~ unenforceable in court. As such, we had been at the mercy of our keepers in regard to said conditions. That was the case until July 2006. According to a letter from William Harrold at the Florida Legislature's Joint Administrative Procedures Committee (JAPC), who informed this author that based on the recent voiding of Chapter IOD-7's repeal "the Department of' H~.lt!t (DOH]. filed the necessary information with. the '. DIVISIon of LIbrary and Information ServiceS. Chapter 100-7, F;A.C.,. ~ilI. be ~ublished in the supplement to tlie . code, whIch wIll be available in August." That notice was the culmination of considerable effort expended over the past 10 years, authoritatively settled by Chief Judge Kahn's scathing rebuke of the Dept. of Health's second appeal. See, Fran~ois v. Osterback, 928 So.2d 396 (Fla. III DCA 2006). . . . N~w tha.t part of the struggle has concluded, the questions arIse: But what is the significance? What to do now? Here are the answers. Chapter IOD-7, F.A.C., codifi~s in rules the intent of § 3~6.006, Florida Statutes, and regulates, among other thm~, environmental health conditions in prisoner housmg areas; e.g., the number of sanitary fixtures-tonum~er-of-prisoners in a dormitory, the:amount of spaces. reqUired to be between bunks, ~e .washing and sanitation of clothing and bedding. and the amount of required airflow. . Many of us who had been imprisoned prior to the [illegal and invalid} repeal in 1996 will recognize that 100-7's provisions weren't being followed in many cases by the DOC then, so why would it be any different now? . Two reasons: First, back .then, the rules' existence was largely unknown but to a select few prisoners and of those, fewer still acted on their kn·owledge. With' the publication of this article, and the others preceding it in FPLP, an entire new generation of prisoners has been educated about IOD-7. Second, 'once made aware its ~port .b~mes self-evident, and hopefully ~ore pnsoners will (or should) seek enforcement of its provisions to prot~t their health where the DOC does not do so. The new DOC Secretary, James McDonough, seems committed to righting many of the numerous wrongs which permeate the entire Department, and making it respected. This means following the law. Chapter IOD-7, F.A.C., had been repealed back in 1996 18 aj the' request of the DO~, which deceptively told the Dept. of Health that chapter was "duplicative" of DOC rules (that did not exist) on health issues. In the past the DOC has always tried to avoid having to follow inconvenient laws or resist for as long as possible, all the while consciously delaying justice as long as possible when challenged in the courts. Lately, however, there have been major.shakeups in Tallahassee, one being the departure of long-time General Counsel (DOC) Lou Vargus. Already, ,it seems the DOC's attitude towards litigation is ,shifting. Since the new Secretary believes in "Honesty in all things," we should at least make an attempt to hold him and the DOC to it. Especially where our health is concerned. . Throughout the litigation to have 1OD·7 .revived, theDOH has also been less than honest and continues to obfuscate and delay implementation of 100-7. Under the Adminis~tive Procedures Act (APA), not only i$ the DOH reqUired to publish the circuit court's order. voiding the repeal in the Florida Administrative Weekly (See, § 120.S6(3)(b), Fla. Stat.), but it is also required to give notice to the particular class of persons affected by IOD-7 (See, § 120.54(3)(c)3.) when charges are made thereto. Neither of those statutory duties are being performed. Recently a Motion for Supplemental Relief was filed (pursuant to § 86.061, Fla. Stat.) in the circuit court as to the former statute, and a Petition to Initiate Rulemaking . (pursuant to§ 120.54(7), Fla. Stat.) was filed with the DOH as to that latter statute. Circuit Judge Rassmussen has yet to errter order on the Motion for Supplemental Relief, but DOH has already deni~d. the rulemaking petition on perhaps the most S~IOUS (but characteristic) reasoning imaginable. . The petition sought adoptiQn of a rule similar in nature to Rule 33-102.201(7) (~), F.A.C., which prescribes the manner in which rulemaking notices of the DOC are to be posted for prisoner viewing in DOC facilities. Eric Grimm, the DOH's Bureau 'Chief of the Bureau of . Community Environmental Health, denied the petition claiming that under the APA, the DOH was unable to adopt such a "rule of Procedure," that only. the Administratiqn Commission c.ould. That. position is patently false and blatant misinterpretation of § 120.54(5), Fla. Stat•. Mr. Grimm's denial order has been brought to the attentIon of the JAPe, which, in addition to having a duty under § 120.545(1) (e) to review allstate ageiioies~ proposed rules or rule changes to ensure that affected persons receive adequate rulemaking notice but that also h~ authority to review the manner in whi~h the petition ~as denie~ by Mr. Grimm. What this will ultimately yield IS uncerlam,as the JAPC has traditionally sided with .agencies against individuals, and as a prisoner action;' even less is expected. ' . . Another matter which must be addressed if 10D-7's provisions are ever to be invoked for our protection, is to . actually be able to view a copy of them. As it stands right now none of the DOH's rules nor IOD-7 is available in an Florida Prison Legal Penpeetives DOC law libraries. And since the DOH refuses to adopt a rule to give us notice ofany future amendments to 100:-7, we will remain ignorant of, such. However, ·there .is another solution. Any prisoner wishing to obtain a copy of 100-7, F.A.C., should write to the man responsible for the subject matter of that section of rules and whose office would be responsible for enforcement, Eric Grimm. Send requests for copies of 100-7, F.A.C., and any rule it might be renumbered as, and explain your inability to obtain access in the DOC law libraries, to: Eric Grimm. Chief Bureau ofCommunity Envir. Health 4052 Bald Cypress Way, BIN#AO Tallahassee, FL 32399- J703 While Mr. Grimm has refused to adopt a rule whereby prisoners would be given' notice of any future changes to 100-7, the APA also provides a solution to that. The APA provides that any person who desires to receive notice of any state agency's rulemaking activities only have to write to the agency to get on a mailing list to receive, by mail, all rulemaking no.tices of the agency. See, § 120.54(3) (a) 3., Fla. Stat., and Rule 28-103.001, F.A.C. You can get on the DOH's rulemaking notice mailing list by writing to the Secretary of the DOH, M. Rony Franc;ois, and requesting to be placed on the list. If enough prisoners make the above requests, they will substantially burden the DOH and probably cause it to adopt a rule to have notice of its rulemaking activities related to 100-7 posted in ,all the institutions. That would be in all prisoners' best interests., ' One benefit of a rule requiring posting, is that IOD.7 could not again be quietly and nefariously repeale~ as in 1996. Notice by posting would also give prisoners an opportunity to provide input into any efforts of the DOH to change 1OD.7 in the future. It is hoped that, should this author's efforts to have a rule adopted to provide such notice, be unsuccessful, that the number of requests to be included on the DOH's rulemaking notice mailing list will tip the scales of reason in our favor. Consider this, if only I percent ofthe prison population (which is approaching 90,000)request to be placed on the DOH mailing list, that's 9,000 notices. Just paper, envelopes and postage to mail all those notices would cost thousands of dollars. Not that i would ever advocate wastefulness simply for the sake of depriving DOH's resources, but the expenditure. of such should cause pragmatism to. trump the, DOH's pigheadedness and·. reason may prevail under such conditions. Once informed of the rule (and any attempts to change it) prisoners should' begin to seek 'enforcement of its provisions by the DOH. ' Complaints concerning DOC violations of 100-7 should be made first to the director of the respective County Health Unit in which the facility is located. Any . move by DOH staff to delegate inspection or enforcement duties to DOC officials, or refusal to inspect or enforce, should be protested, in writing, and. challenged as well. Again, Mr. Grimm, at the DOH Central Office, would be the person to write concerning such local shenanigans to circumvent 100-7, and the DOH's responsibilities thereto. Should such an informal complaint (which can be in simple letter format, keep a copy) not yield satisfactory results, then mandamus relief should be sought in the local circuit court in which the prison is located (not in Leon County - by rule, the DOH could request transfer ofvenue to where its central office is located in Leon Co., but should not be encouraged to do so since enforcement is sought locally, not in Leon Co.). Mandamus can be sought immediately, after your informal complaint is not adequately responded to or followed' up on, as DOH does not have, to this author's knowledge, any formal grievance procedure available to prisoners to redress violations of 100-7. A petitioner would seek DOH performance of its duties under the rule and relief would be that DOC (or a 'private prison company or detention center)' be coerced by DOH to comply with the rules' provisions. A more difficult question is whether the DOC has a ministerial dLity to comply with 100-7 provisions. Perhaps the most prudent course of action would be a joint action against the DOH and DOC simultaneously, after DOC grievance procedures and the informal complaint to DOH have been exhausted. Either DOH has.a duty to coerce the DOC to comply with 10D-~;. or the DOC (and private prisons) has a duty to comply of its own accord. So, what are we to dQ? Will this be another opportunity' to improve our safety and condjtions squandered? If so, then I would remind you that IOD-7's provisions act as a check, against overcrowded dormitories, inadequate ventilation, infectious diseases spreading unchecked, etc. While there may be no way to guard against most pathogens taking hold within ~ur ranks, IOD-7's provisions exist (again) to prevent and/or minimize the spread of same. That is why they are so very important and warrant all prisoners' interest and efforts to ensure they are enforced. _ Health J{uleS Are Again in Effect , Shortly after Mark Osterback wrote the above article the Department of Health did have (former) Chapter 100-7 reinserted into the Florida .Administrative Code (p.A.C.) renumbered, however, as Chapter 64E-26, F.A.C. Since the moe does not have that chapter ofrules in the institutional law libraries, and because of the rules' importance, FPLP staff did obtain a copy ofthe revived, renumbered rules which are printed in the following pages of this issue in their entirety. The following rules,.as ofmid-August 2006, are. again. active and in I effect. It will largely be up to prisOners to ensure that they are followed and enforced. - Editor, Bob Posey. , , 19 Florida Prison ~egal Perspectives r I~ CHAPTER 64E-26 STATE AND LOCAL DETENTION FACILITIES 64E-26.001 64E-26.002 64E-26.003 64E-26.004 64E-26.oo5 64E-26.006 64E-26.oo7 64E-26.oo8 64E-26.009 ,64E-26.010 64E-26.0II 64E-26.012 64E-26.013 64E-26.014 64E-26.015 General. Definitions. Water Supply. Food Service. Sanitary System, Facilities and FJXtures. Garbage and Rubbish. Housing. Laundry and Dry Cleaning. Bedding, Clothing and Personal Items. Housekeeping. ' Insect and Rodent Control. Outdoor Areas. Industries. Plan Review. Inspection ofState and Local Detention Facilities. '. Edlt#t1Jl Nl1tt:'Clttlptu IOD-7lRU retlUll1led by IRClIlDn O/IM FIm DIstrla COIII1 ofApptoh In FrarroUll OstulNtd. 64E-26.001 General. Sanitary practices relating to construction, operation and maintenance ofState and Local Detention Facilities. Specific Authorlty'3,/.006 FS.LDw /mplemented 38/.006(6) FS. HIs;ory-New //-18·76. Formerly /0D-7.0/. 64E-26.002 DeliDltions. (I) Detention Facilities: A municipal, county or'state facility used for the incarceration ofprisoners or inmates charged with or convicted of either a felony, misdemeanor, or a municipal offense. ' ' (2) Prisoner or Inmate: A person who is lawfully incarcerated in a detention facility. (3) Cell: Housing space designed to accommodate one (I) or more inmates., .' (4) Dormitory: Housing area designed to accommodate more than four (4) prisoners with common bathroom facilities. (5) Department: The Department of Health and its representative county health departments. (6) Secretary: The Secretary ofthe Department ofHealth and its representative county health departments. Specific Authority 3381.006 FS.LDw Implemenled 38/.006(6) FS. HislDry-New //·/8·76. Formerly /0D-7.01. 64E-26.003 Water Supply. '. Water supplies shall be, adequate to serve the demands of the de~ention facility and should be from: an approved existing public supply where possible. When an on-site water supply is developed, the system shall be constructed, operated, and maintained in accordance with requirements of Chapters 62-550, 62-555, and 62-560, F.A.C., to insure that the water supply is of safe bacteriological and chemical quality. Routine water samples shall be ~bmined to determine that the quality of the water does not deteriorale. Specific Authority 381.006 FS.lDw Implemented 38/.006(6) FS. His/ory-New / /./8-76. Formerly 10D-7.03. 64E-26.004 Food Service. 'Food suppUes must be obtained from approved sources and be prepared and served in approved facilities in a safe and sanitary manner as prescribed by Chapter 64E·II , FA.C. If prepared food is catered from outside sources, these must comply with Chapter 64£-11, F.A.C. ' Speclji& Authority 381.006 FS.LDw /mplemellled38/.006(6) FS. History-New /1-/8·76, Formerly 10D-7.().I. 2. 0 I 64E-26.005 Sanitary System, Facilities aDd Fixtures. . (I) All sewage and liquid waste shall be disposed of into an approved public sewage, system, ifavailable.lfthe facility has 2,000 gallons or less flow per day, and public sewage is not available, the disposai system shall meet requirements stated in Chapter 64E-6, F.A.C. Ifgreater than 2,000 gallons flow per day, it shall meetrequirements ofChapters 62·601 and 62-600, F.A.C. (2) All plumbing shall comply with.requirements stated in Florida Building Code,2004, Plumbing and the Florida Building Code, Plumbing Supplement. (3) Drinking water shall be acce~ible to all inmates. When drinking fountains are available, the jet ofthe fountain shall issue from a nozzle ofnon·oxldizing impervious material set at an angle from the vertical. The nozzle and every other opening in the water pipe or conductor leading to the nozzle shall be aboveihe edge ofthe bowl so that such nozzle or opening wiU nol be flooded in case a drain from the bowl of the fountain becomes clogged. The end of the nozzle shall be protected by non-oxidizing guards to prevent Florida Prison Legal Penpectives persons using the fountain from coming in contact with the nozzle. Vertical or bubbler drinking fountains shall be replaced with approved type water fountains or be discOMected. Inmates In areas where no approved drinldng fowtains are available shall be provided with single service cups which shall be stonifand dispensed in a manner to prevent contamination. Common drinking cups are prohibited. (4) Plumbing fixtures such as toilets and lavatories shall be constructed of smooth, non-absorbent, easily cleanable material and be kept in good repair. Penal or security type flXtures may be used if construction meets the above requirements. If conventional toilets are installed, they shall be equipped with open fronJ seats. (5) Mop sinks or curbed areas with floor drains equipped with hot and cold ruMing Willer shall be available In convenient locations throughout the facility for the proper disposal of cleaning water and to facilitate cleaning. (6) Showers shall have tempered ruMing water under pressure and shall be available for inmates to take showers at least twice weekly (daily access to showers preferred). The hot water supply to the shower shall not exceed 120· F. to prevent scalding. (7) In secure housing areas there shall be at least .one (I) lavatory and one (1) toilet In each cell. Donnltorles and multiple OCA:upancy cells shall have at least one (I) toilet and one (I) lavatory for each eigh~ (8) Inmates or fraction thereof. One (1) showu head with tempered water shall be provided for each sixteen (16) inmates or fraction thereof. (8) All floor drains shall be kept clean and equipped with tamper proofdrain covers at all times. Ifself-primlng floor drains are utilized, proper backflow devices shall be installed to prevent siphonage. All floor drain traps shall be kept wet to prevent sewer g8s from entering the building. (9) Plumbing fixtures shall be kept clean and sanitary at allUmes and shall be properly maintained. Specific Authority 38/.006 FS. Law /mplemenled 38/.006(6) FS. History-New //·/8-76, Formerly /0D-7.0S. 64E-26.006 Garbage and Rubbish. (1) All garbage, trash and rubbish from inmate residential areas shall be collected dally and taken to storage facilities. Garbage shall be removed from storage facilities at least twice per week. Wet garbage shall be collected and stored In impervious. leak proof, fly tight containers pending disposal. All contaIners, storage areas and surrounding premises shall be kept clean and free of vennin. (2) Ifpublic or contract garbage collection service is avail~ble, the detention facility shall subscribe to these services wiess the volume malces on-site dIsposal feasible. If garbage and trash are disposed of on premises, the methodofdisposaI shall not create sanitary.nuisance condItions and shall comply with Chapter 62-701, F.A.C. SpecIfic Aidhoriry38/.006 FS. Law /mplemenled 38/.006(6) FS. History-New //·/8·76, Formerly /0D-7.06. 64E-26.007 HousIng. (I) Floors, walls, ceilings, wIndows, doors and all appurtenances of the structure shall be of sound construction, properJy maintaIned, easIly cleanable and shall be kept clean. Walls, ceilings. and area partitIons shall be of lIght c:olor. (2) All areas of the detention facility other than closets or cabinets shall be well lIghted. Cell areas, donnltorles, toIlets and dayrooms shall have light fixtures capable of provdlng at least twenty (20) foot candles of lIJumination to pennlt observation, cleaning, maintenance and reading. Light fixtures shall be kept clean and maintaIned. . (3) Sufficient space shall be provided in all livIng and sleeping quarters to satisfy sanItary needs ofall IndivIduals Incarcerated. Every bed, cot or bunk shall have a clear space of at least twelve inches (12") from the floor. There shall be a clear celllng heIght of not less thanthlrty·six Inches (36") above any mattress and there shall be a clear space of not less than twenty-seven Inches (2T) between the top of the lower mattress and the bottom ofthe upper bunk ofa double deck facIlIty. Single beds, cots or bunks shall be spaced not less than thirty inches (30") laterally or end to end and double-deck facilitIes shall be spaced not less than thlrt)'-5ix Inches (36") laterally or end to end. Sleeping arrangements shall insure that a minImum distance ofsix feet (6') Is provided between inmate heads. (4) All housing facilitIes shall be kep free ofoffensIve odors with a.dequate ventilation. , (a) If natural ventIlation Is utilized, the opened window area for ventilation purposes shall be equal to one-tenth (1/10) ofthe floor space In the inmate residential area. . (b) When mechanical ventilation or cooling systems are employed, the system shall be kept clean and properly maIntained. Intake air ducts shall be designed and Installed so that dust or filters can be readily removed. In Inmate ~Idence areas and segregation cells with solid doors. mechanIcal ventilatIon systems shall provIde a minimum of ten (10) cubIc feet of fresh or purified recycled air per minute for each inmate occupying the area. (c) All toilet rooms shall be provided with direct openings to the outside or provided with mechanical ventilatIon to the outsIde. (d) Adequate heating facilities shall be provIded to maIntain a minimum temperature of 60- F. at a poInt twenty Inches (20") above the floor In inmate sleeping areas. . Specljic Authority 38/.006 FS. Law /mplemented 38/.006(6) FS. History-New //·/8·76, Formerly /0D-7.07. 21 Flor~da. Prison Legal Penpectives 64E-26.008 Laundry and Dry Cleaning. Where laundry facilities are provided, they shall be adequate to Insure an ample quantity ofclean clothing, bed linens and towels. Laundry fa.:lllties shall be ofsound ~onstructlon and shall be kept clean and In good repair. Laundry lOOms shall be well lighted and properly ventilated. Clothes dryClS and dry cleaning machines shall be vented to the exterior. Exposure to dry cleaning solvents shall not exceed threshold limit values set by the American Conference of Governmental Hygienists. Iflaundry facilities are not available, sheets and blankets shall be sent to commercial laundries. Specific Alllhorily 381.006 FS. lAw Implemented 381.006(6) FS. History-New J1·18-76. Fonnerly 101).7.08. 64E-26.009 Bedding, Clothing and Penonalltems. Beds and bedding shall be kept in good repair and cleaned and sanitized regularly. Used mattress and plllow.covers shall be laundered or washed and sanitized before issued. Sheets and personal clothing shall be washed at least weekly and blankets washed or dry c:h~aned at least quarterly. Sheets and blankets shall be stored In a clean, dry place between laundering and Issue. Inmates to be held longer than twenty·four (24) hours should be issued clothing and personal comfort items, such as soap, towels, toothbrush and toothpaste. RaZors and blades may be Issued on a controlled basis. . Specific AII/hQTlty 381.006FS. lAw Implemented381.006(6) FS. Hlitory-New J1.18·76, Formerly 10lJ.7.D9. 64E-26.010 Housekeeping. Inmate residential areas shall be kept clean and sanitary at all times. Floors, walls, ceilings and bars shall be kept clean. Urinals, showers, toilets and lavatories shall be cleaned daily. Mops, brooms and other cleaning equipment shall be stOred in well ventilated areas. Mop sinks and otherjanitorial facilities shall be kept clean. Inmates shall not store perishable foods In their lockers or living areas. Specific AII/hority 381.006 FS.lAwlmplemented 381.006(6) FS. History-New 11·18-76, Formerly 101).7.10. 64E-26.01lInsect and Rodent Control. Detention facilities shall be kept free of all insects and rodents. All outside openings shall be effectively sealed or screened to prevent entry of insects or rodents. All pesticides used to control insects or rodents shall be applied in accordance with Instructions and cautions on the registered product label. Persons applying restricted use pestlcid,es shall be certified by the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. Facilities not having certified pest control operators shall utilize commercial licensed pest control companies. . Specific Authority 381.006 FS.lAw Implemented 381.006(6) FS. Hlstory-New 11·18·76, Fonnerly 101).7.012. 64£-26.012 Outdoor Areas. Ifa facility as an outdoor exercise area, it shall be kept free of liner and trash and be well drained. Iftoilet and lavatory facilities are provided, they shall be kept clean and maintained. Spec(/ic Allthorlly381.006 FS.lAw Implemented 381.006(6) FS. History-New 11·18-76. Fonne;1y 101).7~011. 64E-26.013Industrles. Industrial areas shall be kept clean. Noise levels shall not exceed an average of9OdBA on a time weighted average for an eight (8) hour day as measured on the A scale of a sound level meter set at slow response, unless proper ear protection Is provided. Thirty (30) foot candles ofillumination shall be provided at task levels. Adequate ventilation shall be provided to prevent exposure to dust and toxic gases or fumes. Specific Authority 381.006 FS.lAw Implemented 381.006(6) n, History-New 1/·18·76, Fonnerly 101).7.013. 64E-26.014 Plan Review. . " Prior to any detention facility being built or extensively remodeled, the departinent shall review plans and make comments on aspects affecting sanitary practices or conditions. Specific Authority 381.006 FS. Lmv Implemented381.006(6) FS. History-New 11-18-76, Formerly 101).7.014. 64E-26.015Inspectlon orState aDd Local Detention Facilities. . The health authority shall inspect all stale and local detention facilities to determine sanitary practices and conditions as often as necessary for enforcement of the provisions ofthis chapter. Specific Authority 381.00~ FS. Lmv Implemented 381.006(6) FS. Hlstory-New 11·18-76. Fonnerly 101).7.01S. • 22 I I Florida Prison Legal Penpectives Florida Prisoners' Legal Aid Organlzatl,on Inc. BECOME A MEMBER' YES ! I wish to become a member ofFtorida Prisoners' Legal Aid Organiution, Inc. . 1. Please Check 0/ 3. Your Name and Address (pLEASE PRINT) One:, _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _.......;DC#. LI Membership Renewal _ Name [] New Meinbership AgencylLibrllylIDstitutioD 10rW 2. Select 0/ Category Address LI $15 Family/AdvocatelIndividual [] $1() Prisoner Zip City LI $30 AttomeySlProfessio~als ~l CI $60 Oov't AgenciesILibrarieslOrgsJete. Addiess and lor Phone Nwnber r:r Please make all checks or money orders payable to Florida Prisoners' Legal Aid Org., Inc. Please comple~ the above form and send it along with the indicated membership dues to: FPLAO, Inc" P.O. Box lSI I, Christmas FL 32709·1511. For family members or loved ones ofFlorida prisoners who arc unable to afford the basic membership dues, any contribution is acceptable for membership. Memberships run one year. If you would like to make a'donation,to FPLAO, Inc., to help the organization continue its work for prisoners and their families, send donations in any amount to the same address. Thank~ou. All members receive Florida Prison Legal p'enpectives. EXlimuENcED 'CRlMINAL DBFENSEATrORNBY . 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If so. please complete the below information and mail it to JlPLP so that the mailing list can be updated: Name P3)1!al For aoari:aaawilttd iadMduak. }be )at subscripdoQ rare it $25•. Insti!utionat or prabicaaI IibrIria. gawanmcIlt. ~ OIpnimlioast sabsaij6a I1lfI:I are S60 a A . smnple copy of PLN k available for, SI. To. subscrihc to PLN Cl:lllIICa: (1Uomc)'J. Year. Prison LcpI NcwI 2400 NW loA ST. fll48 (206)246.1022 1d!p:·,.....·piJmt.ePliW&tIrlr (Ordai,~ bY lust. Address City State r:"'iIM '1 t ~ 01 FPLP 0: • Zip P. .0. Box 1511 Christmas. FL 32709-151 i Pii.e ci"-ci!rml:t VOLUME 12 ISSUE4 JULY/AUG 2006 ---------------------.-.;;..----------------------------Florida Prison Legal Perspectives ! P.O. Box 1511 Chrisbnas, FL 32109-1511 NONPROFIT u.s. POSTAGE PAID OVElDO, FL l'£IUfIT 110. 65065