Volunteers Say Inmates Being Transferred Out of Hillsborough Correctional Institute
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| Volunteers for the prison ministry at Prince of Peace Catholic Church, one of the many volunteer groups at the Hillsborough Correctional Institute. |
TAMPA (2012-2-23) -
Even as lawmakers debate whether to close a women's prison in southern Hillsborough County, the state Department of Corrections is already transferring some inmates out.
That's according to volunteers at Hillsborough Correctional Institution, who have been fighting to keep the prison open.
Those inmates are being transferred to Lowell Correctional Institution. And they're telling those volunteers the prison isn't ready for them, with prisoners being asked to bring pillows and blankets with them so they can sleep on the floor.
Anne Howard, spokeswoman for the Department of Corrections, says she can't comment on any movement of inmates for security reasons.
She also says she can't say whether they've started moving inmates or when any move might be complete.
As for the allegations about Lowell, she says any report of irregularities would have come across her desk -- and she has seen nothing.
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Hillsborough closing
I am a concerned Mother of an inmate that was transferred to Lowell Annex 11 days ago. According to them it was medical. She was only due for a follow up. Since she has been there she has informed me she still has no bath towel. She has been drying herself with a washcloth that she brought with her. I have called classification they tell me to call laundry which of course will not answer their phones. She is sleeping on 1/2 a mattress. Has one dirty sheet & blanket. She said the pajamas she was given were so dirty & smelly she would not put them on. As far as her eating--the salt & pepper are not put on her tray. and one day they were supposed to have chicken. She had none. She is scared & very depressed. She is still praying every day & I pray every day that the Lord will just protect her. Also, she has told me they have no education there. They opened it one day & as soon as represenatives passed through, they closed it. All she has to do with her day is clean the dorm & that's it. All the confidence she gained while in Hillsborough will soon be gone. I have called classification in Lowell as well as Tallahassee with no results. They told me next step is to call the Warden, but, I am afraid it could endanger my daughter.
Thank you for listening to me and if you can give me any advice it would be greatly appreciated.
Sharon Garner