Road Camp 12 fire — Board of Commissioners records, S1805, box 8, folder 6 — reading text

E. Conner Commissioner of Agriculture Tallanassee, Florida Dear Commissioner Conner: With reference to your letter of July 20, in which you requested information and recommendations for completely eliminating wooden buildings in the road prison system, I would like to offer the following information. As you know,, the construction program in the Division of Corrections during the last few years has been moving at a rapid pace. On or before November 1 we should have completed two additional dormitories at Sumter Correctional Institution for which no funds have been appropriated to use during the present biennium. It would be my recommendation that we begin November 1 to phase out six of the present thirteen Division of Corrections Road Prisons that are of wooden structure and plan to operate the Sumter Correctional Institution F at full capacity. This would require establishment of 67 additional positions at that institution, as requested in the legislative budget but for which no funds were appropriated. This action would also require the following appropriation. : 1967-68 $336, 758 1968-69 550, 689 Total for the biennium 1967-69: $887, 447 Also, considerable study will necessarily have to be given to the remaining seven road prisons by both the Division of Corrections and the State Road Department as to which of the remaining camps could be closed without seriously affecting the Road Department's program. To phase out the total thirteen wooden camps during the present biennium would require major changes in the operation of the Division of Corrections as well as the State Road Department and would necessarily increase the amount of General Revenue Commissioner Doyle Conner -2- July 24, 1967 money required by the Division. It would also bring the major institutions near capacity and would not provide space for normal yearly increases within the Division. In addition to the above, I would seriously recommend that we immediately begin to inaugurate the Work Release Program, which would assist in reducing the population. A number of men could be placed in the Work Release Program during the last six months of their confinement and at the same time they would be paying part of the expenses presently borne by the State. The inmates would be greatly benefited by their participation in this program in that there would be an orderly transition from institutional life to the community, as well as other rehabilitative benefits. I shall be happy to furnish you detailed information upon request. Respectfully yours, —_ AMADA AAO XA x Ve. LOUIE L, WAINWRIGHT Director ¢/ . LLW:pc cc: Honorable Fred O. Dickinson, Jr. Honorable Earl Faircloth Mr. Gerald Mager FLORIDA DIVISION OF CORRECTIONS Proposal Close 6 Road Prisons and move 288 of the inmates from these A. road prisons to Sumter Correctional Institution. B. Effective date: November 1, 1967 Cc. Cost as follows: 1967-68 $336, 758 1968-69 550, 689 Biennium 1967-69 - $887, 447 (This includes establishment of.67 new positions as requestéd in the legislative budget. ) Caecktine- Atrial ~~ q | / | 4 4 July 21, 1967 Mr. Earle V. Rifas Attorney at Law Suite 910, Biscayne Building 19 West Flagler Street Miami, Florida 33130 Re: Lee Andrew Mitchell, Deceased Prisoner Dear Mr. Rifas: I am taking the liberty of forwarding your letter of July 20 -on the above subject matter to the Director of the Division of Corrections. I am sure he will give you a reply without delay. Sincerely, Terry C. Lee, Coordinator State Institutions TCL:4r ce: Mr. L. L. Wainwright, Director : Division of Corrections i w/enclosure | EARLE V. RIFAS ATTORNEY AT LAW SUITE 910, BISCAYNE BUILDING 19 WEST FLAGLER STREET MIAMI, FLORIDA 33130 TELEPHONE 373-0276 20 July 1967 Board of Commissioners of State Institutions State of Florida Tallahassee, Florida RE: Lee Andrew Mitchell, Deceased Prisioner Gentlemen: I represent Willie Mae Mitchell, wife of the above named Deceased. Mr. Mitchell was one of the prisioners who expired by reason of the recent fire and destruction in Berrydale State Prision, As of this date, his wife has not been contacted by any State official concerning this matter and she is anxious to know when the body of her husband will be returned for burial. In addition to the above, please advise as to whether or not the State intends to pay for funeral expenses or any other sum aS compensation for the death of Mr. Mitchell. I understand that Mr. Mitchell had served about one-third of a six-year sentence at the time of his death, Thanking you in advance for your Cooperation, I remain Very truly yours, a ra V4 “fer, EARLE V, RIFAS Attorney for Willie Mae Mitchell EVR/1dw