February 4th, DAY FOUR
The Vigil at FSP was this evening. Will include reports as they come in. It is now reported that one man has dropped out of the strike, leaving seven inmates not eating on day 4.
MEDIA COVERAGE
Gainesville radio station Am850 aired a segment on the FSP hunger strike this afternoon between 4:00 and 4:30. It will also be broadcast on the Web at: www.am850.com
STARKE
Miami Herald
Wednesday, February 04, 2004DEATH ROW INMATE GIVES UP
HUNGER STRIKE, 7 PERSISTThe number of inmates involved in a hunger strike on a disciplinary wing at Florida State Prison has dropped to seven, after one prisoner resumed eating, officials said Tuesday.
Stephen Smith, 43, ate his dinner Monday and his breakfast Tuesday, Department of Corrections spokeswoman Debra Buchanan said. Already serving a life sentence for kidnapping and sexual assault, Smith is awaiting trial and a possible death sentence for the murder of prison guard Darla Lathrem. She was killed during a June escape attempt at Charlotte Correctional Institution.
He had been one of eight inmates on Q wing who began a hunger strike Sunday, claiming prison officials are denying them basic human needs such as recreation, decent food, visitation and access to canteen items.
A statement released by the inmates through the Florida Death Row Advocacy Group, states: ``On Feb. 1, the inmates housed on Q wing will begin a hunger strike in protest of the erroneous and unconstitutional conditions that we are being forced to endure. Those who are not participating are either mentally ill or in fear of retaliation from this administration.''
Another inmate charged in Lathrem's death, Michael Jones, 47, was still participating in the strike with six other inmates.
Seven Florida State Prison inmates remain on hunger strike
The Associated Press
STARKE, Fla. --
Seven inmates were still refusing meals Wednesday at Florida State Prison, marking the fourth day of their hunger strike, a Department of Corrections spokesman said.
The inmates claim prison officials are denying the residents of Q wing, a disciplinary housing area, basic human needs such as recreation, decent food, visitation and access to canteen items.
The hunger strike began Sunday with eight inmates, but one inmate resumed eating Monday night.
A rally supporting the hunger strikers was scheduled Wednesday night at Florida State Prison during the execution of Johnny Robinson.
The 24 inmates on Q wing are considered by the DOC as the worst of the worst prisoners. Their cells are directly above the state's execution chamber.
Prison officials would force-feed the inmates if their lives were endangered.
Last modified: February 04. 2004 10:53AM
PLEASE SIGN THE PETITION TO SUPPORT AN INVESTIGATION OF MAXIMUM MANAGEMENT PRACTICES. If there is nothing wrong, why not be sure? If there are things that need improvement, let's do it!
http://www.petitiononline.com/hst1/petition.html
The article written by a Death Row Inmate regarding the
'Abuse of power, Abuse of rules'
https://www.angelfire.com/fl4/fci/ronaldclarkMM.html
