Facts about Florida Prisons:
- Florida is the third largest prison population
- 85 percent of Florida's prisons don't have air conditioning
- Prison system costs taxpayers 2.4 billion annually
- For a Florida state inmate, it costs on average $24,265 to house
Realistic snapshot from an E4C student
"There is no AC in any dorms. It's like a little mini city, stuck in a time warp. Nothing ever changes but added wrinkles and grey hairs. The clothes we wear are the same from colors, shoes, boots ugly ass crocks."
"We run the prisons in essence. We do all cooking, cleaning, maintenance, laundry, grounds keeping, clerical work, etc... No fans in the cell. no real airflow. They become a sweatbox 70% of the year."
A UM student's realization
My partner has informed me about the horrible prisons Florida has. No AC, especially in the state of Florida, is inhumane. How can they treat people like this? Yizrael said he felt a solid evil presence when he moved down here. It is hard to get many things there, like food, because everything has a price. It cost 5 dollars to get a medical visit, to get horrible assistance—71 CENTS for soup. In my partner's prison, they don't get paid at all. This is outrageous!
How does one remain positive?
"I asked him, "How do you continue with positive thoughts?" He said, "With effort, persistence, and dedication, we can change anything we put our minds to. It's a stepping stone, nothing to be ashamed of, but a testimony of strength and resilience. What gives me courage? My ancestry. Stories of people from different walks of life overcoming obstacles." This is amazing how he gets through everything, even considering the hardships one goes through in prison.
This website talks about stories from people on the inside and family members: everyone who has been affected by Florida prisons.
How did we get the mass in mass incarceration?
An E4C student's insights
"Back when this country declared the war on drugs also corresponds with the period of mass incarceration started with the war on drugs, the goal was originally to stem the flow of narcotics. This drove prices through the roof which also caused cartels to become much more violent to control the market and turf. From this, multiple federal agencies came into existence, which also creates tons of jobs. More prisons got built mostly in areas where land is dirt cheap. Take north fl and the panhandle for example- 75% of the prisons are built where 25% of the population lives. A lot of these towns in the middle of nowhere now rely on the prisons built there, and hundreds of jobs are created. Then factor in the vendors who provide products and services to the prison- more jobs, more revenue, more taxes paid, see where I’m going?"
A UM student's reflection
In this excerpt from a letter from Daze, you can see his theory on how the prison system was essentially created and has not been reformed due to greed. Too many jobs are created and as stated, small towns in the middle of nowhere are reliant on the job opportunities the prisons create, especially in Florida.
MEDICAL CARE IN THE SUNSHINE STATE
How well are we taking care of the incarcerated?
"They deny you of proper care. Let things go on forever. It takes them so long to act on issues. If you have people on the outside who can call in and complain is the only way things happen. There are so many horror stories. It's unbelievable! People are scared of going to the medical center in prison"
A story that makes a UM student understand there needs to be change:
"One of my friends just died from stage four cancer. He has been down for like over 20 years. He was 52 and had "yearly" doctor checkups and "physicals" How and why did they not catch it? When do they take blood work? They also lose a lot of their samples."
Florida prisons medical system is atrocious, according to my partner, Yizrael. People would instead stick with the pain than go to the actual medical center, which is dreadful. My partner has two bullets inside him, and lately, he has been feeling dizzy. The medical center isn't doing anything to help these people on the inside. I just wanted to point out the horrible treatment these human beings are receiving. HUMAN BEINGS! The prison needs a better medical system because if they continue with this, no one will survive in prison.
A UM student wishes she could...
I wish I can go into prison and expose everything that is happening in there! Take pictures! But I can't because of our limited access. How can I if the government prevents me from doing that? How can I fight this? How do I expose everything? How do I let everyone know that the prison system is causing more harm than good? E4C is a good example of how I can understand more about what is happening there. Maybe this program should be an obligation for students in universities! At least one class should be taken. I talk to my family every day about my partner and they get informed about everything. My family and I especially understand because of where we come from. I think this class is a very informational class about what is going on in the real world. We should really understand where our money is going.
What could we on the outside do?
"If you have people on the outside who can call in and complain is the only way things happen."
I agree with Yizrael that if we use our voices out here and expose everything that is going on, then maybe we can make a difference. Why don't we all call and complain? Make reports and fight for the people on the inside!
THE NEED FOR PRISON REFORM
Our E4C student partner insights:
At the very least, the prison system has to be reformed. The purpose of prisons have been marketed as rehabilitation, but the reality is that prisons are more punitive in nature.
More insights on reform
"We can get work release. Where we stay at a center and get jobs in society to slowly get reintegrated back into society. But the current rule is if you have murder charge or sex offender, you can not go. So-do 20 plus years incarcerated and don't give an opportunity to slowly get on your feet, what do you think will happed? Yeah just throw the person back into society not equipped. The excuse is people have had opportunity and when they were there, committed more crime. Punish the individual, not the masses. Collective punishment is cruel and not fair. This is a battle that I have coming up. Everyone with a release date should have the opportunity at work release."
A UM student reflects on her partners insights on reform
As we read a part of this letter, Yizrael's voice is strong and heard when he says to punish the individual and not the mass. "Collective punishment is cruel and not fair." He is battling with not having work release once he gets out of prison. How are they supposed to get on their feet once they are released from prison? They have no idea where to start and with work release, it will at least give them that opportunity to be prepared. Another issue is that once they get out of prison, they struggle with finding a job because of their background. They are labeled as murderers and no job wants these people to work for them. How is this rehabilitation? How are they getting ready to go back into the world if prison is making everything harder to do so? This prison system is doing the complete opposite.
OUR FINAL THOUGHTS
"So we are placed in a system that is totally inhumane. So, I feel that the way to approach this is being more mindful that we are the lives that matter. So to be treated more. like humans and not wild animals."
It goes without saying, but the Sunshine State is not all sunshine and rainbows. The prison system has lots of hidden trauma and punishments. People are treated like "wild animals" and their treatment is "inhumane". The people on the inside crave genuine human connection, fair medical treatment, and accessible programming. The more experiences that are shared, the more we understand where the Florida prison system needs to change.
Works Cited
Yizrael Letters to Amber Jordan January - May 2022. UM Exchange For Change (E4C) collection, Spring Semester 2022.
Huntsmasta Letters to Oceangirl and Clevertiger January - May 2022. UM Exchange For Change (E4C) collection, Spring Semester 2022.
Daze Letters to Nameless January - May 2022. UM Exchange For Change (E4C) collection, Spring Semester 2022.
Conarck, Ben. “In Florida Prisons, Canteens Are Big Money. but Not Everyone Pays the Same Price.” The Florida Times-Union, Florida Times-Union, 22 Dec. 2018, https://www.jacksonville.com/story/news/crime/2018/12/21/in-florida-prisons-canteens-are-big-money-but-not-everyone-pays-same-price/6578865007/.
“The Need for Oversight in Florida's Prisons: Stories from Affected People.” FAMM, 8 Mar. 2021, https://famm.org/stories/the-need-for-oversight-in-floridas-prisons-stories-from-affected-people/.
Walser, Adam. “Florida Prisoners 'Inches Away' from Emergency Release.” WFTS, WFTS, 11 Nov. 2021, https://www.abcactionnews.com/news/local-news/i-team-investigates/florida-prisoners-inches-away-from-emergency-release.
Credits:
Created with images by sutadimages - "A man in jail" • amazing studio - "Health insurance accident claim form with stethoscope, Medical concept. " • Liudmyla - "'Time to change' words on a modern board, clipboard with blank sheet of paper on a white wooden surface, top view. Overhead, from above. Flat lay. Copy space." • Mariakray - "Clearwater beach with beautiful white sand in Florida USA"