COVID-19 has begun to spread through Florida’s prisons, and will continue to do so unless dramatic action is taken to stop the impending humanitarian crisis. That’s why we’re asking state officials to do more to protect the health and safety of some of Florida’s most vulnerable residents.
In a letter sent yesterday, FJI and other civil rights groups have urged Governor Ron DeSantis, Florida Department of Corrections Secretary Mark Inch, and the Florida Cabinet to: 1) review all elderly and medically vulnerable people in prison and suspend the prison terms of as many as possible through commutations or pardons, 2) release as many people as possible using the furlough system, and 3) drastically increase the testing capacity within the prison system. Doing so will save thousands of lives, in and out of Florida prisons. Read the full letter here.
If you have a loved one in prison, you can use this form to urge the Governor to issue a commutation or furlough to release them.
We will continue to advocate for the health and safety of those incarcerated in Florida’s prisons and jails. We hope you are staying healthy and safe during these times.
Read the press release here.