Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government On April 4, the Florida Department of Corrections restricted those who are eligible to send an inmate money. Now, only the people on an approved visitation list are able to do so.
At first glance, this may seem inconsequential. Look a little deeper, however, and you’ll see how serious a problem this rule change may become. Indeed, it will likely engulf the inmate population in a maelstrom of economic strife, theft, and violence.
In an email to me, the FDOC claims that “the purpose of the rule amendment is to provide greater accountability in order to prevent fraudulent, unauthorized, or other illegal financial transactions involving inmate trust fund accounts.”
Fraud is as much a problem in inmate trust deposits as it is in every aspect of online commerce. Still, relying on the approved visitation list to restrict most people from depositing money is overkill. Many in the FDOC refused to comment on the record. But speaking anonymously, an employee in the department’s central office with knowledge of the situation admitted many department veterans disagreed with the rule change. They are very concerned about the impact this move will have on the inmate population. And they’re predicting higher levels of gang activity and an increase in robberies and theft from other prisoners as likely results…
