TOMOKA SHOES
Every year that an inmate is incarcerated costs taxpayers about $24,000. Part of that money is designated for shoes for Florida's 74,873 prisoners. Yet many reports are coming in from various Florida prisons about ill-fitting shoes, used shoes, worn out shoes and no shoes at all.
It's time to take a realistic look at the problem we're dealing with. We put our sickest people in prison and have a right to expect that prison will be the most healing opportunity any of these people have ever had.
If you think prison should be just punishment, you are missing the most vital thing we should expect from the system, that criminals come out better people so we really are more safe than when they went in.
We pay good money for this social institution. We should demand so much more.
When prisoners go without medicine, coats, food, and shoes, you've got a gulag! Either the Florida Department of "Corrections" needs a bigger budget, heaven forbid, or the 85% rule needs amended back to 65% or maybe we just need to quit arresting so darn many people. And get rid of the dead weight guards!
From what Mike said when he went in because the shoes are so large to fit the width of his foot he had to have the larger size [lengthwise] and they put blisters on his feet and he was given a shower slide pass to not to have to wear them.. Here is what he said:
"Here is my update on the situation. The doctors are not going to do anything about them. Bandaids and ointment. That is it. The doctor told me that there are just way to many people with the same problem from these shoes. He just does not have the money in his budget to do anything with us. He keeps telling security that something has got to be done about them shoes. But they are not doing anything."
He thinks it is to force them to buy their own shoes out of the access catalog so that they can make some more money off of them.Deb Lolits
YES, I've gotten letters from inmates at Tomoka stating the same thing about blisters on their feet. I specifically asked one inmate why he didn't just buy a pair of shoes (the cheap $18.00 pair)...he said "besides the fact I had no money in my account, we can only order them every three months..."
Betty Lolit
To whom it may concern,
I too have observed the missing shoe problem within the Florida prisons. Prisoners are barefooted. Is something going to be done about this? Reports are coming in that some of the prisoners at Tomoka are wearing shoes with holes in the bottom of the soles. Visitors (families) were horrified to learn this. They saw this with their own eyes at the Visiting Park. They are too afraid to contact anyone, for fear of retaliation.
Shoes should be a basic necessity, and the shoes should fit.
Other reports are coming in from SFRC & CFRC that they don't even have enough shoes, and they are wearing double socks, as they don't have enough shoes to go around.Patty Lolit
"Hi. Just an informative note here. Today I visited with my son and met two of his friends as they were visiting with their families. One Young man said "Oh, ya want to see how good my shoes are?" and he picked up his foot displaying a LARGE hole in the bottom of his black canvas shoe!!! There was nothing but the boy's tattered sock between his foot and the cold wet ground!!! He'd already asked for another pair and an officer told him he'd have to wait! The other young man's shoes were in WORSE Condition!!!
These guys have NO other shoes!!!! I came away horrified at the lack of concern these "officers" have in keeping these men healthy!!!! Even if money was put into their accounts for tennis shoes (even the $18.00 pair), they can't order the shoes UNTIL FEBRUARY!!!!!! Ain't that a crock?"
FROM: Lindylou0728@aol.com
DATE: Tue, 17 Dec 2002 10:24:29 EST
To: Belcher.Judy@mail.dc.state.fl.us
RE: SHOES at TomokaMs. Belcher,
Reports are coming in that some of the prisoners at Tomoka are wearing shoes with holes in the bottom of the soles. Further more,,,,,,,,the shoes come in only 2 sizes. Size 7 and Size 14, I believe. Visitors (families) were horrified to learn this. They saw this with their own eyes at the Visiting Park. They are too afraid to contact anyone, for fear of retaliation. Shoes should be a basic necessity, and the shoes should fit.
Other reports are coming in from SFRC & CFRC that they don't even have enough shoes, and they are wearing double socks, as they don't have enough shoes to go around.
By the way, how much does the DOC spend on shoes each year?? Some families would be willing to pay the shoes. Can you check into this matter?
You should also contact the doctor at Tomoka. The doctor is aware of the shoe problem and the shoes not fitting properly. This is part of a letter I received from one prisoner out of many that have the same problem."Here is my update on the situation. The doctors are not going to do anything about them. Bandaids and ointment. That is it. The doctor told me that there are just way too many people with the same problem from these shoes. He just does not have the money in his budget to do anything with us. He keeps telling security that something has got to be done about them shoes. But they are not doing anything."
We need to address the problems with the shoes, as now the group, Florida STOP is getting more reports from other family members that have loved ones in other prisons, that are having the same problem.
Add Polk CI to your list, too.
I would also like to know what the State spends each year for the shoes.
Other reports also concern blisters on the feet and other foot problems related to improper fittings.
Hope this info helps.
Lindy Shelby
727-322-1520
FROM: "Belcher, Judy" <Belcher.Judy@mail.dc.state.fl.us>
TO: "'Lindylou0728@aol.com'" <Lindylou0728@aol.com>
SUBJECT: RE: SHOES at Tomoka
DATE: Tue, 17 Dec 2002 09:28:44 -0500I will have someone check into your allegations.
FROM: kayleeusa@yahoo.com
TO: Belcher.Judy@mail.dc.state.fl.us
SUBJECT: SHOES AT TOMOKA
DATE: Wed, 18 Dec 2002 09:55:13 -0800 (PST)Ms. Belcher,
Regarding the lack of shoes at several of the prisons in Florida: I too have had numerous reports from parents who have visited their sons in DOC prisons around the state regarding the missing shoes. They tell me that their sons are coming into the visiting room wearing two pairs of socks because they have no shoes. I'd say this is more than mere 'allegations' unless we go with a new motto, "All visitors are liars."
Could you please tell me who the vague 'someone' is that you intend to have check into this matter?
Kay Lee
715-931-0076
JOEY HIPP USED TO BE ABLE TO WEAR HIS OWN SHOES FROM HOME (POLK CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTION) because the states need the money, the men are forced to wear state shoes and buy them through the prison. His feet are messed up as is every ones. (FORCED to send his own shoes home)
Joey Hipp's Mom
THIS IS A HEALTH PROBLEM
Inmates are wearing shoes with HOLES in the soles and are told they can't have another pair! WITH the size holes I observed they might as well have on NO shoes in 40 degree weather!
I've observed the missing shoe problem within the Florida prisons. Prisoners are barefooted. Is something going to be done about this?
Sincerely,
Betty Lilots
From: "Stewart, David (CO)" <Stewart.David@mail.dc.state.fl.us> To: 'DanielsDyessGene@aol.com'" <DanielsDyessGene@aol.com> CC: "Dugger, Richard" <Dugger.Richard@mail.dc.state.fl.us>, "Vaughan, Jerry" <vaughan.jerry@mail.dc.state.fl.us>, "Stewart, David (CO)" <Stewart.David@mail.dc.state.fl.us> Subject: NO SHOES Date: Thu, 19 Dec 2002 13:27:37 -0500I am responding to the NO Shoes e-mail of Wednesday, December 18, 2002. If you can provide me with additional information I will be happy to assist. We have NO reports of barefooted inmates in the FDC. There are systems in place by which an inmate can request new shoes should theirs become unserviceable. if you can provide me the specific location, inmate name and DC number I will be happy to investigate. Thanks, Dave Stewart, Bureau Chief Field Support Services.
All inmates should have shoes that fit!! My goodness, the DOC spends 1.6 BILLION dollars each year - certainly they should have included shoe expenses!!
Subj: Re: NO SHOES
Date: 12/19/02 5:34:32 PM Eastern Standard Time
From: DanielsDyessGene
To: Stewart.David@mail.dc.state.fl.us
CC: Dugger.Richard@mail.dc.state.fl.us, vaughan.jerry@mail.dc.state.fl.us
Dave Stewart
WE are compiling a list of inmates names and institutions now.
There is more than ONE inmate without proper shoes and more than ONE prison refusing to issue proper shoes.
Betty Lilots
SUGGESTED ADDRESSES FOR SHOES LETTERS:
TO: Belcher.Judy@mail.dc.state.fl.us
FDOC Inmate Medical Issues faq.health@mail.dc.state.fl.us
FDOC Jerry Vaughn Office of Institutions Dir vaughan.jerry@mail.dc.state.fl.us
FDOC Medical Dixie Parker parker.dixie@MAIL.DC.STATE.FL.US
FDOC Public Safety and Humane Systems co.corrections@mail.dc.state.fl.us
FDOC Richard L. Dugger, Deputy Secretary dugger.richard@mail.dc.state.fl.us
FL Assistant General Counsel to Gov Wendy Berger BergerW@eog.state.fl.us
FL Insp Gen Marsha Cooke Fl_govig@eog.state.fl.us
FDOC Michael Moore, Secretary moore.michael@mail.dc.state.fl.us
FDOC Complaints complaints@mail.dc.state.fl.us
FDOC Dr. Nazario nazario.michael@mail.dc.state.fl.us
FDOC Emma Edwards, Legislative Director edwards.emma@mail.dc.state.fl.us
FDOC Public Affairs publicaffairs@mail.dc.state.fl.us
MEDIA SHOULD BE INCLUDED
Associated Press opinion@thewire.ap.org
10 News 10news@wtsptv.com
13 News 13news@wibw.com
28 Investigates 28investigates@wfts.com
9 Investigates 9investigates@wftv.com
CounterPunch counterpunch@counterpunch.org
Court TV, Aletse Mellado melladoa@mail.courttv.com
FL Today Derek Osenenko dosenenk@brevard.gannett.com
Gainesville Sun Editor J. Levine levinej@gvillesun.com
Herald Tribune, Editor editor.letters@heraldtrib.com
Hernando Today Squigley squigley@hernandotoday.com
Impact Press editor@impactpress.com
Lake City Reporter info@lakecityreporter.com
MH Florida News statedesk@herald.com
Miami Herald Investigations investigations@herald.com
Mother Jones mojowire@motherjones.com
Orlando Weekly Jeff Billman jbillman@orlandoweekly.com
SP Local News local@sptimes.com
St Augustine, K. Lewis klewis@staugustinerecord.com
Tallahassee Demo. Rosica jlrosica@taldem.com
Tampa Tribune Dan Ruth druth@tampatrib.com
The Ledger, online online@theledger.com
Weekly Planet John F. Sugg, Editor johnsugg@weeklyplanet.com
WHOTV, Bachman john.bachman@whotv.com
WFTV CH 9 wftvch9@aol.com
If you have noticed a problem with footwear in any Florida prison, jail or other institution funded by state money,
Please contact Kay Lee
