MTWT Ronald Clark Jr.'s Hunger Strike Responses from DOC

Prison officials say that long hot summers are a fact of life in Florida. C.J. Drake, a spokesman for the Florida Department of Corrections, says that the 2 complaining inmates are longtime death- row residents, with Mr. Kelley arriving in 1984 and Mr. Chandler arriving in 1981.

"They haven't acclimated themselves to the heat after 16 and 19 years on death row?" Mr. Drake asks. "They are only now complaining about the heat?"

Drake says the lawsuit is based on inaccurate or incomplete temperature data and that prison officials are prepared to demonstrate in court that conditions at the prison are acceptable.

In response to your recent e-mail message to Secretary Crosby, we have ensured that the ventilation systems are functioning properly in the Death Row Units at Florida State Prison and Union Correctional Institution. There are no plans to allow the purchase of privately owned fans.

Linda Luther, Executive Secretary
On Behalf Of Bradley D. Carter
Regional Director of Institutions
Region II

This is exactly it! WHY NOT?????

I sent the email to Crosby and he forwarded it onto complaints, then Ebony Philmore-harvey forwarded it onto Carter and then Carter's Executive Secretary sent this reply to me. to Crosby, and to both wardens FSP & UCI. So don't know what this is saying but word has it that many have been saying that the contract for the fans had been signed well the horses mouth says NO NO NO. Now I guess have to try another approach somehow somewhere.

From: joyce kelly
Sent: Monday, June 28, 2004 1:30 PM
To: Roberts, Ernetta
RE: Fans

Thank you for your letter, but that does not answer the question why they are not allowed to have fans. Where is the security risk in a fan? As far as the staff, I know for a fact they have air conditioned spots where they can go for relief from the heat. The inmates don't.

J.Kelly

From: "Roberts, Ernetta"
To: 'joyce kelly'
Subject: RE: Fans
Date: Tue, 29 Jun 2004 10:54:34 -0400

Good Morning:

The mechanical parts of a fan can be devised as a weapon. You would be surprised of the innovative ways a weapon can be made from "plastic". Also, fans are located in the hallways, however, not readily accessible to inmates.

I hope this helps to clarify your concerns.

Cordially,

Ernetta P. Roberts

Liaison for Governor's Correspondence

/epr

Realistically, when was the last time anyone was injured by a plastic fan in Florida? The human hand is a deadly weapon, so are human feet. Does the DOC advocate amputating these appendages of all prisoners? Why do other states allow fans in the cells of prisoners, or in the extreme have air conditioned prisons?

On death row, those spending up to 25 years in a 6 by 9 cell with poor ventilation-- remember the mesh over the windows, heat, humanity, and stale air, adds to the punishment they are getting and is a hazard to their health. The spokesman for the Governor admits that the guards can get relief from the heat at times; why not the inmates too?

Keep in mind that growing up in Louisiana before the advent of air conditioning was a battle for survival in the heat and humidity, but we were all more resistant to this than people are today*. For close to 400 people on death row, killing them is what the state orders, and maybe half of them will be either electrocuted or poisoned; with maximal punishment, they do not have to physically suffer day in and day out because of a correctable ventilation problem. But then again, you have a captive audience that cannot complain.

The same decision that came down in Mississippi concerning its death row at Parchman should hold true for Florida-- that is if Florida still considers itself bound by federal law.

I do not know if Mr. Clark is guilty or not; it does not matter. While in custody, he can be treated as the human being he is, even if the state will ultimately kill him him. With 75% reversal in capital cases in Florida, that may not happen. Then what?

"Ole_grouch"
G M Larkin MD DABFM FACFE

From: joyce kelly
Sent: Saturday, June 19, 2004 9:15 AM
To: fl_governor@myflorida.com
Subject: Fans

Dear Gov. Bush,

I am writing about the inmates on death row not being able to have fans. I would like to know why not. As a citizen and taxpayer in Florida for over 30 years, I would like to know how having a plastic fan would be a security threat. These men are aleady being punished by living in these small cells away from society, what is the harm in allowing them to purchase fans with money sent to them by friends and family, who are also taxpayers.

I realize these men are less than human to you, but you as a Catholic should not think that. Even Jesus said we need to remember those in prison, because what we have done to the least of these, we have done to Him.

Remember also the family and friends of these inmates are taxpayers and voters.

Sincerely,

Joyce Kelly

Clearwater

"Roberts, Ernetta" <roberts.ernetta@MAIL.DC.STATE.FL.US> wrote:

From: "Roberts, Ernetta"
To: "'teddy4none@yahoo.com'"
Subject: RE: Fans
Date: Mon, 28 Jun 2004 12:48:16 -0400

M999, 06I, G, A AC for deathrow inmates

Governor Bush asked me to thank you for your e-mail and let you know that he always appreciate hearing from concerned citizens. There are only a few state funded air-conditioned prison dormitories in Florida, which are reserved for those inmates who are very ill or who have respiratory problems. However, the department is mandated by statute to provide an appropriate amount of ventilation in all prison dormitories, and the department complies with that requirement. Keep in mind that prison staff also work in the same environment.

Please feel free to write again with matters of concern to you.

Cordially,
Ernetta P. Roberts, Liaison for Governor's Correspondence

/epr

This is the answer I got concerning fans. I wrote her back and said she still did not answer the question why they cannot have fans and where is the security threat. I also said how the employees can go to a/c rooms to cool off.

I always understood that the decision regarding fans was up to the Wardens. Nothing was guaranteed just because Florida had negotiated a contract for fans.

Florida Hunger Strike - DOC is trying to Cover Their A**!!

Monday, June 21, 2004

Very, very interesting... I just got a letter from Ronnie Clark. Very interesting...

Yesterday the guards got real sarcastic and rolled a great big industrial fan in front of his cell, directed it straight at him and turned it on full blast. I know he and the people around him are enjoying that, but it was done in sarcasm by tight-lipped guards who are very angry. So the story continues.

The TV's etc are bought from a company called Access and the TV's are clear so they can be seen inside well in this same company catalogue on page 52 Item #51046 Lakewood All Cear 12" Fan $26.79

This is information I passed on to Secretary Crosby. There are smaller fans too but this was used as an example. Hope this information helps out

From: Barbarahumann@aol.com
Sent: Sunday, June 20, 2004 4:23 PM
To: jeb@myflorida.com
Subject: inmate account fee

Governor Bush,

there is something else concerning death row conditions. these men there are suffering a terrible heat in their cells. can´t you make it possible that they are at least allowed to get a fan? i know the ventilation system should work but it isn´t , at least not in a way that it is to recognize in all wrings . i write to several men in different wrings who told me all the same.
maybe you should send one to UCI who check this out .

this is a response from Warden Carters office to a letter from a group member
In response to your recent email message to Secretary Crosby, we have ensured that the ventilation systems are fuctioning properly in the death Row Units at FSP & UCI. There are no plans to allow the purchase of privatley owned fans.

but the inmates are still feeling like they sit in a oven.

thank you for reading this mail. i know it´s much what i ask you for but it´s not more than an act of humanity in a world that is ruled by money and power
with greetings from Germany
Barbara Humann

just want to let you know the response i got from Governor Bush to an e-mail i sent,
maybe you are interested to read it
with greetings BA

M999, G, A 06I/06L

Governor Bush asked me to thank you for your e-mail and address your concerns. It is not the department's intent to bring undue hardship on an already difficult situation.

The Office of the Legislature enacted a fee up to $6.00 monthly processing fee to provide banking services to inmates. The fees will be deposited into the Department's Grants and Donations Trust Fund and shall be used to offset the cost of the department's operations.

The Office of Finance and Accounting advised that beginning July 1st, 2004, inmate accounts will be assessed a $6.00 administrative processing fee on the last working day of the month. If the inmate has a $0.00 balance at the beginning the month and did not have any deposit activities during the month, the monthly fee will not be assessed.

If the inmate does not have sufficient funds in his/her account at the end of the month to cover the assessed fee, a lien will be placed on his/her account, which will be collected the next time a deposit is received.

Further, in response to your query regarding fans in maximum management, please be advised that the mechanical parts of a fan can be devised as a weapon. You would be surprised of the innovative ways a weapon can be made from even "plastic". Fans are located in the hallways, however, not readily accessible to inmates.

I hope the information provided helps to clarify your concerns.
Cordially,

Ernetta P. Roberts, Liaison for Governor's Correspondence

/epr

REPLY ABOUT THE FANS