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Staff ReportsAugust 23, 2018

A federal judge in Tallahassee has ruled in favor of a transgender inmate who sued the Department of Corrections two years ago for denying her “hormone therapy and other medically necessary treatment.” Reiyn Keohane is currently incarcerated at the Walton Correctional Institution, according to a press release from the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Florida, which represented her. […]

Staff ReportsJuly 22, 2018

A fetish video producer imprisoned for exploiting homeless people will soon be released from prison. Jeffrey Williams, owner of J.P. Productions and the force behind kink website SheFights.net, made national headlines when videos of scantily clad women beating “hobos” outraged advocates for the homeless and mentally ill. The videos were made in Tampa Bay, many in […]

Jim RosicaJune 8, 2018

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A Jacksonville man’s sentence on drug possession charges was struck down by an appellate court Friday because of the state’s “911 Good Samaritan Act.” A unanimous three-judge panel of the 1st District Court of Appeal reversed Thomas John Pope‘s 15-month sentence on possession of heroin and marijuana charges. Pope, 26, already was released from minimum custody this […]

Ana CeballosNovember 30, 2017

While the state has paid $11 million to settle sexual harassment workplace disputes over 30 years, records released Thursday show it also settled nearly a dozen cases that resulted in a zero-dollar payout. Florida Politics requested documents from the state Department of Financial Services, which list 11 state workers — both men and women — […]

Jim RosicaSeptember 29, 2017

O.J. Simpson won’t return to Florida if Pam Bondi has any sway over his homecoming. The state’s Republican attorney general sent a 2-1/2 page letter to Corrections Secretary Julie Jones on Friday, saying she objected to Simpson’s return on behalf of the state. He previously lived in Kendall, Miami-Dade County. Simpson’s lawyer also Friday said the […]

Staff ReportsApril 21, 2017

Wexford Health Sources is striking back at the Department of Corrections for canceling its contract to provide health care services at the state’s prisons. In a lengthy press release, the Pittsburgh-based private health care provider took issue with the department’s criticism of its performance: Wexford Health Sources disagrees with the assessment of the Correctional Medical Authority […]

Michael MolineFebruary 15, 2017

State attorneys and public defenders face off in court, but they agreed on one thing during a meeting Wednesday of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Criminal and Civil Justice: Their staff attorneys need pay raises. Trouble is, committee chairman Aaron Bean isn’t convinced there’ll be enough money to pay for that, as much as he sympathizes. […]

Staff ReportsJanuary 30, 2017

Gov. Rick Scott is looking to give Florida corrections officers a pay raise, including $38 million for the state’s prison system in his proposed budget. Mary Ellen Klas of the Miami Herald reports that the increase, part of the budget Scott will announce Tuesday, is for “officers up to and including the rank of captain.” […]

Jim RosicaDecember 23, 2016

The state’s leading death penalty opposition group is calling for more than 200 Florida death row inmates to have their sentences reduced to life imprisonment. Floridians for Alternatives to the Death Penalty (FADP) says a Florida Supreme Court decision on convicted killer Mark Asay out Thursday means that many are “entitled to be resentenced.” The court […]

Florence SnyderDecember 8, 2016

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State Representative — and glutton for punishment — David Richardson (D-Miami Beach) brought his lonely crusade for improved prison infrastructure to the Columbia Correctional Institution on Thanksgiving Eve, giving inmates and guards the rare gift of something to be grateful for. Florida’s correctional facilities have been decaying for decades, out of sight and out of mind […]

Tag: Department of Corrections
TALLAHASSEE, FLA. 4/18/25-Candles and remembrances are left near the Unconquered statue a few hours after the Florida State University Gathering of Unity Vigil held Friday to honor victims of the recent mass shooting. COLIN HACKLEY PHOTO

After ‘attempted self-castration,’ transgender inmate wins case against state

Fetish video producer’s prison term nears end

Drug case overturned because of ‘good Samaritan’ law

State settled 11 sexual harassment cases without payout agreement

Pam Bondi just saying ‘no’ to O.J. Simpson’s return to Florida

Wexford responds to DOC’s cancellation of health care contract

Lawyers for the state tell Senate committee they need pay raises, too

Rick Scott calls for widespread pay raises for corrections officers

After Asay decision, anti-death penalty advocates call for commutations

There oughta be a T-shirt for the David Richardson Tour