Comments on: Florida Taxwatch Joins Scott In Calling For Prison Cost Cuts

By: c.o2

c.o2 — Thu, 10 Feb 2011 16:51:30 +0000

Don’t let your love ones fool you they just complain because they can’t do what the hell they want. I work in confinement these inmates are the biggest baby. Until you go pass the v.p. area you don’t know what the hell you talking about.

By: Donna R. Butler

Donna R. Butler — Mon, 27 Dec 2010 16:25:10 +0000

I have a loved one in the FDOC, and it’s true, until you become a member of that “family” and see things firsthand, you can’t even come close to imagining the cruel and inhumane treatment they suffer. DB is in an old dorm with NO heat, has an exhaust fan blowing constantly on him that used to be the furnace. The guards could turn it off when it’s 20 degrees, but don’t. He is in the first stages of liver damage from Hep C which causes him to be cold all the time so he he has to sleep in all of his clothes while the guards sit in their wicker nice and warm. If you try to complain to someone, it’s taken out on the prisoner and life is made even more unbearable. I trust Rick Scott will do the right thing and force the policy already in place for the HUMANE Treatment of the men and women incarcerated in the FDOC. I had no idea our inmates suffer at the hands of the “powers that be”!

By: Phil

Phil — Mon, 13 Dec 2010 19:29:38 +0000

I have a close family member in prison. This inmate does not get enough to eat, they continue to give less and less food. It is necessary for me to maintain money in his account so he can supplement his food and buy other needed items. Medical care is almost non-existent.

They are starting to give out pants that have elastic so they don’t have to provide belts – the material keeps getting thinner and thinner.

It is a joke to say they can grow their own food – the prision I visit grew some food this year – the crop was barely enough for one meal for the 1600 inmates.

The inmate (first time offender)I visit was given 30 years for a non violent crime, which the State had recommended only 10 years. The Judge gave him 30 years becuase he took his case to trial. If the Court went on State recommendations for punishment this would certainly help with the prison over crowding situation and save the State money. Maybe consideration should be given to reviewing these type of sentences where the sentence has been excessive.

Also consideration should be given to going back to serving 65% of time served and return the Parole Board.

By: Wanda Moench

Wanda Moench — Mon, 13 Dec 2010 04:03:33 +0000

It is my opinion no one can comment about the harshness of prison., unless you have been there. Floridas minimum mandatory sentences have much to be desired. If there is no violence in the crime, no weapons, no confrontation one can still be listed as a prison release reoffender all it takes is someone to be in a structure when you go inside even if your intent was not to harm anyone or anything. There are unspoken things happening behind those bars, ask an ex prisoner. If you think it’s cushy try fighting off other prisoners, try going hungry, try not seeing your family for 15 years and then try to wrap your mind around what’s in store for you if you do make it out alive. No work.. no home,, .no help., no licence. Everything and everyone you knew all different. Some loved ones already passed because of age. Prison is not what you think. If you’d like to get an idea of what it is like I suggest you visit a website Torture in american prisons. It’s sickening to see what happens. Oh and if you get sick while there, good luck getting any help. If afer you make it out, be sure and check yourself for HIV, hepititus and any other disease that may have been put upon you while there. Prison is not a topic to be discussed lightly. Nor is it a debate to be spoken about as though inmates are afforded the comforts of home. Prison my fellow debators in a living H_ LL. May God have mercy on all those who impose pain on prisoners who are trying to just do their time. May mercy also fall upon those of you who stand in judgement. Minimum mandatory sentences need to be abolished, it divides powers, and is unconstitutional.

By: David Huie Green

David Huie Green — Sun, 12 Dec 2010 03:41:30 +0000

REGARDING:
“. . . when they mess their drug court up do they go to prison nnnnoooo just more help.”

Several years back a neighbor stole a number of things from us while out on probation. The judge put him back on probation. It’s a tough job being a judge. You want to do what’s right but will never know for sure until it’s too late.

Most killers had run-ins with the law several times first but were released until someone died, sometimes even after that.

Some decide one run-in was enough and fly straight afterward. Some go to prison and you wonder if they should have done so.

Many crimes which seem petty yield prison when others which seem terrible are treated as nothing.

And a judge has to live with every decision.

David for a perfect system

By: A. Davis

A. Davis — Sun, 12 Dec 2010 00:20:28 +0000

The system is not fair never will be so just accept it or waste our time talking about how we know its not fair I think most of us have had someone we know locked up before. I have not had any respect for these judges since I watch them give some crackheads all the drug help they need and when they mess their drug court up do they go to prison nnnnoooo just more help. think about how many females get drug court. Maybe we need more female judges so they dont fall for their stupied sad stories.

By: David Huie Green

David Huie Green — Sat, 11 Dec 2010 22:33:03 +0000

thanks, you too

By: DAGB

DAGB — Sat, 11 Dec 2010 22:20:34 +0000

DHG- You continue to go the wrong way with this, but ok. Cities- Yes we can, but unless you have heard something in Bluff Springs that I have not, I cant recall when we have done so. Lastly I’m not trying to compare criminals with Soilders- (wow the stuff you come up with) Have a good day!

By: David Huie Green

David Huie Green — Sat, 11 Dec 2010 18:48:20 +0000

REGARDING:
“You are keeping a man that has clean record, business and family in prison for 3 years ”

If his record were actually clean, he would not have a conviction on it. If he was growing it for his personal consumption, I wonder how he was caught. If he was growing it for distribution, he is an illegal drug dealer.

I wouldn’t make it illegal, but it IS illegal. Unless he were ignorant, he knew the law, the risks and the possible penalties and chose his path.

So we should blame the system?

David for proper assignment of responsibility

By: David Huie Green

David Huie Green — Sat, 11 Dec 2010 18:35:06 +0000

REGARDING:
“Ok DHG- Maybe I left my comment too open. Your “Words in my mouth” comment on violent criminals would not be a great idea” AND ” Wipe out cities- come on!”

Not YOUR mouth, that would be rude. It’s just a general verbalization of the concept countrygirl correctly considered unwise.

You probably haven’t heard, but we’ve had the capability to wipe out cities for some time now. Not everybody gets access to it, but it’s there. They don’t even have to be violent people for it to be a problem. A few years back some of our jets crossed the country with live nukes and thought they were carrying dummies. Somebody dropped the ball, but be thankful nobody dropped the “dummy.“ Inattentive people can be just as deadly as folks who actually want to hurt people. Consider all the road deaths, most could be avoided if all drivers were paying attention. Or for that matter, Deep Water Horizon.

Putting people in positions of responsibility is unwise if they have shown a history of doing irresponsible things. That’s why we take away gun rights from convicted felons and keep the doped and/or insane away from red buttons attached to weapons systems.

Further, I think you touched on another problem, treating criminals like soldiers would look a lot like thinking of soldiers as criminals, which they are NOT, or at least we like to think not.

David for respect to those
in service to our country