Florida Department of Corrections prison(WCTV/ Gray Florida Capital Bureau)
By Cody Butler
Published: Mar. 7, 2024 at 4:57 PM EST
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WCTV/Gray Florida Capital Bureau) - With just hours left in this year’s legislative session, families urged lawmakers Thursday to consider changes in the prison system. Several bills were filed this session addressing inmate conditions, but most didn’t go anywhere.
More than 250 inmates died while locked up in Florida’s prisons since July 1, according to the Florida Department of Corrections. Families said Thursday many of them could have been prevented.
“Justice must be served. Change must be done in the prison system,” Ronda Planes said during a news conference at the Florida Capitol Thursday morning.
A state report shows more than 260,000 prisoners asked for medical care last year. The report recommends that the Florida Department of Corrections grant conditional medical release to more inmates. Ronda’s son Michael just received one this month. She said he’s in a vegetative state and developed bed sores, including infections in his legs. He was healthy before his sentence. Michael Planes was serving 15 years for stealing a Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office cruiser in 2016.
“We acknowledge and know we have to do that we have to do something with the Department of Corrections. It’s a big ticket,” Sen. Kathleen Passidomo, (R) Senate President, said.
The legislature is expected to approve $3.6 billion for the Department of Corrections on Friday. That includes $100 million for capital improvements.
The legislature did approve measures to help people when they get out of prison. A bill letting convicted felons get a barber or cosmetology license is heading to Governor DeSantis.
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