FDOC is allowing lighter uniforms due to extreme heat
The extreme heat continued in Florida this week. FDOC representatives confirmed that the temporary change to prisoner uniforms includes those on death row.
The extreme heat continues in Florida.
There were Excessive Heat Warnings across the State. Below is a screenshot from Google maps on Tuesday, August 8. Almost exactly where that little exclamation point is on the map is where almost 300 people are housed on Florida's death row at Union Correctional Institution (UCI). The unit where death row is housed does not have air conditioning. A recent article by the Tampa Bay Times said of UCI:
Many prisons are decades old - as an example, Union Correctional Institution . . . has been operating since 1913 - and installing air conditioning in all facilities would be expensive and take years to complete. Also, some aging facilities don’t have infrastructure that can be retrofitted for modern cooling systems.
(TFDP’s prior post about this summer’s heat and Florida’s death row is here.)
In light of this summer’s heat, the Florida Departments of Corrections (FDOC) has temporarily allowed inmates to wear different uniforms in light of the extreme heat across the State of Florida. The standard, required uniform is a “Class A” uniform, which consists of “long pants and an outer shirt, usually on top of a T-shirt,” according to an article by the Orlando Sentinel.
Due to the extreme heat, FDOC has relaxed its uniform requirements. Prisoners are now temporarily allowed to, instead, wear a “Class C uniform,” which “consist[s] of authorized athletic shorts, a T-shirt and closed-toe shoes.” This revised policy will be in place until October 1.
I was able to confirm via email with FDOC representatives that this revised policy applies to those on death row. I asked for a copy of the official written policy, and they responded:
It is not a new policy. During the summer months, measures are often taken to mitigate the adverse effects of the weather on the inmate population. The Department has temporarily lifted uniform restrictions, permitting inmates to dress in Class C uniforms.
News articles report that the change is the result of advocacy by prisoners’ rights groups. The Tampa Bay Times reported that the change comes after advocates pressed the FDOC “[t]hroughout July . . . to take steps to offer some relief to the roughly 85,000 people” in Florida prisons.
One that that is unclear, according to the Orlando Sentinel, is unclear whether prisoners are still required to wear the Class A uniforms “while moving between areas in the [prison], in addition to medical rooms, chapel services, visitation areas and in areas where programs take place.”1
News articles
Prior TFDP Coverage on this Topic
According to Florida’s administrative code, those on death row are “provided the same clothing and clothing exchange as inmates in general population.” However, they “shall be distinguished by designated different clothing that must be worn whenever they are out of the death row unit for the purpose of escort or transport.”
The fellow I write to on FL Death Row is housed at UCI and nearly every message since Summer started is, "It's so hot here I don't feel like moving." I don't blame him. :( He loves when they get rain!
He also said in a message last night that a few men "fell out" (passed out) and a lot are getting sick. He said he has to wet his shirt down and wear it, or just stand under the shower water. I wish I could win the lottery... I would use every bit of it to get them a new building with air conditioning.