DOJ investigation into Lowell prison uncovers years of abuse, neglect and horror
Former inmates are pushing to shut the prison down, after DOJ found Eighth Amendment violations Photo by Ashley Hicks | The Independent Florida Alligator
Editor’s Note: The story contains mentions of sexual assault.
The guards handcuffing Kathryn Eno knew exactly how to clasp the cold metal onto the meaty parts of her wrists in a way that would make her wince.
While in a shower with nothing but a waist-high wall to hide behind, Eno could feel the heavy gaze of male prison guards.
Sometimes it would be a radio screeching right next to her ear to wake up. Other days it was slamming lockers or shining a flashlight into her eyes. The guards would grab the women, and if they refused to
"There's no room for this type of abuse. And these officers need to be held accountable," Rep. Susan Valdés of Tampa said during a video conference with reporters Thursday.
Four Democratic legislators called for the removal of some upper-level administrators and for mental-health evaluations of staff at Lowell Correctional Institution in Ocala, which was the focus of an investigation by the U.S. Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division and Florida federal prosecutors.
Home/Government and politics/Lawmakers Seek Reforms After Report Of Abuse At Women’s Prison In Ocala
Lawmakers Seek Reforms After Report Of Abuse At Women’s Prison In Ocala
By News Service of Florida
January 8, 2021
A group of female legislators hope other lawmakers are receptive to changes in Florida’s correctional system after a federal investigation found the state failed to protect inmates from sexual abuse by staff at the state’s largest women’s prison.
Four Democratic legislators called for the removal of some upper-level administrators and for mental-health evaluations of staff at Lowell Correctional Institution in Ocala, which was the focus of an investigation by the U.S. Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division and Florida federal prosecutors.
Miami Herald
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