Comments on: Senate Seeks Stability In Prison System; Evers Takes Wait And See Approach

By: Jesse

Jesse — Thu, 08 Jan 2015 02:47:07 +0000

Kathi, I know from personal experience that abuse by guards is a very rare thing. I watched plenty of inmates abuse other inmates. As a former inmate x3, and 20 years incarceration spread out over 35 years, I can say the inmates are not the victims. The problem with the guards is not that they’re abusive, that would take effort . Most (99.9%) are too lazy to put forth that kind of effort. The inmates however are animals and act like such. They are bleeding the government dry. I am ashamed to say that I am part of it. If you do gooders want to help the poor inmates, repeal mandatory sentencing guidelines. This would separate the salvageable from the scum.

By: chris in Molino

chris in Molino — Thu, 08 Jan 2015 02:39:40 +0000

Mr.Evers, you cant legislate a change of attitude, not when its legislation that created it. They build these prisons in these po dunk towns where everyone works for DOC. Fathers tell their sons about the “job”, they tell their sons. Its also a business. Companies like Sprint amoung countless others depend heavily on corrections. They have yearly expos to try and sell the latest greatest whatever. When 7 gaurds beat Frank Valdez to death in 99, boot marks on his forehead, every rib broken, testicles crushed, etc. All because he kicked his door because gaurds had drug another inmate up and down a stairwell by a noose and refused to feed him and wouldnt let medical see him. As a prison nurse you cant speak out cause if your not down with what they do, you wont work there. 7 gaurds indicted for Franks death. They were moving the trial to Gainsville because prosecuters didnt think they could get a fair trial where FSP is located. 7 prisons in 5 sq miles. Prosecuters lost cause some DOC official went to a politician with some sway and said if the trial stays here you get re-elected. If it dont, you wont. Easily possible with most people in 3 counties working for DOC in some way. I witnessed beatings and killings by gaurds the entire 5 years i spent at FSP. BTW, privatization has been in DOC a long long time. Wexford Health Services out of Pittsburgh has provided healthcare in South Fl prisons for 15 years now.

By: No Excuses

No Excuses — Wed, 07 Jan 2015 21:32:57 +0000

Well said Kathi! I am a federal prison employee, and that is one of the first things the Warden who hired me told me. “The inmates are here for punishment. It’s not your job to punish them.” Wise words indeed.

By: just saying

just saying — Wed, 07 Jan 2015 12:42:48 +0000

I for one could not agree with what Kathi just wrote. Being there is the punishment.

By: Kathi Iannone

Kathi Iannone — Tue, 06 Jan 2015 15:55:24 +0000

Here is a novel idea – how about you talk to the inmates and their families. Some of the abuse by the officers is obvious. You can also start with food service!

Prison is where someone is sent as punishment, it is NOT up to the officers and staff to PUNISH the inmates!