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FJI Files Wrongful Death Lawsuit against Florida Department of Corrections for Prisoner Murdered at Dade CI (6/6/2018) - The Florida Justice Institute, Inc. (FJI) today filed a wrongful death lawsuit on behalf of Mr. Vidal’s family alleging that Anthony Vidal’s death was caused by negligent guards at Dade Correctional Institution (DCI). Not only did these guards fail to help him once the attack began, guards at Dade CI knowingly put a very violent ... Continue Reading
ACLU, FJI, and Others Return to Court to Enforce Historic Pottinger Agreement Protecting Miami Homeless From the ACLU (6/4/2018) - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – June 1, 2018 MIAMI, FL – The Greater Miami Chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Florida has filed a motion urging a federal court to enforce a historic legal agreement protecting the rights of homeless persons in Miami, in response to recent actions by the City of Miami that ... Continue Reading
Advocates File Lawsuit Over Threat to Eject and Arrest People Left Homeless by Miami-Dade Residence Restrictions Legal Services of Greater Miami, Florida Justice Institute, and ACLU of Florida Greater Miami Chapter seek court order to prevent evictions and arrests of individuals forced to live in encampment in Hialeah due to onerous residence restrictions (5/8/2018) - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - May 7, 2018 CONTACT: ACLU of Florida Media Office, media@aclufl.org, (786) 363-2737 MIAMI, FL – Attorneys from Legal Services of Greater Miami, Florida Justice Institute, and the ACLU of Florida’s Greater Miami Chapter have filed a lawsuit on behalf of a group of homeless individuals encamped at NW 71st Street and NW 36th Avenue, challenging ... Continue Reading
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FDC withdraws proposed rule to cut prison visitation hours From WCTV (7/25/2018) - TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (CNS) -- Prison reform groups are celebrating a victory after a proposed rule to cut visitation hours in Florida prisons was withdrawn after extensive public outcry. The Florida Department of Corrections had been trying to cut prison visitation hours since February. The department was met with outrage from families of those behind bars. “I ... Continue Reading
Despite Privatization, Prison Health Costs Continue To Rise From WUSF (7/19/2018) - As a candidate, Gov. Rick Scott pitched the idea of having private companies provide health care to the state's prisoners in a plan to save taxpayers $1 billion over seven years. But in the first five years of privatization, the cost has climbed from $278 million to $375 million. Privatization isn't the only cause for ... Continue Reading
As he was strangled by his cellmate at Dade prison, guards did nothing, complaint says From the Miami Herald (6/6/2018) - Anthony Vidal was sentenced to 15 years in prison — not to death — for a non-violent robbery in 2006. But he died by the actions of the Florida Department of Corrections anyway, alleges a wrongful death lawsuit filed by the Florida Justice Institute against the department in Miami-Dade circuit court Tuesday morning. Vidal was ... Continue Reading
