April, 2003  Tallahassee is transferring inmates left and right with no apparent rhyme nor reason.... Lots of inmates who have been there for 15-23 years going out...  For WEEKS NOW those people who have been there a long time have been getting transferred out...and EVERYONE is surprised.

Thirty (30) medium custody inmates got shipped out yesterday from Union.

Only minimum and medium security inmates and those classified as Psych 1 (on a Psych scale of 1-5, one being fine, and five being either in the psych ward or on heavy psych meds) are being shipped out of UCI right now.

They're going all over the place.  Those who leave out early in the week go west (out to the Panhandle), and those who leave at the end of the week go south, all the way to Floral City.

...but it's quite interesting...it makes one wonder if they are going to bring in Psych 4-5's and Maximum and Close security inmates... Keep an eye on this situation.

All the guys who got transferred yesterday were medium security  Also, all the guys who got transferred had maintenance type jobs...

Sr. Classifications Officer Bassett appears to have NOTHING to do with these transfers. Tallahassee appears to be orchestrating the whole thing.

April 11, 2003: A whole bunch of new guys shipped into UCI today, way more than usual.

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UPDATE on
"Population Adjustment Movements"
May 4th, 2003

Union is shipping out 600 more inmates.  One hundred went out Thursday and 100 Friday.  Inmates from Psych grades 1-3 have been leaving, and many with professional jobs, from those who work in Medical, the dental lab, the chapel, and the Psych. unit are gone 

One of the dorms that housed many inmates who frequent the Visitors Park was completely emptied and cleaned out by Friday.  Most were transferred, but those who were staying at Union were assigned immediately to different quarters.

Tallahassee is calling these transfers "Population Adjustment Movements."  Quite a few inmates have had their medical and psych grades adjusted abruptly for the better to facilitate the moves quickly. 

All of the Union CI inmates who arrived at Jefferson CI in Monticello are being housed in A/C Confinement, since no bed space will be available to them until next week.

To: FDOC Inspector General Gerald Abdulwasi
FL Gov. Jeb Bush
FDOC James Crosby
Cc: FDOC Inmate Medical Issues
Sent: Sunday, May 04, 2003 4:16 AM
Subject: "POPULATION ADJUSTMENT MOVEMENTS"

My first question is, will adjusting medical and psych grades just for the move make a difference in the medical care sick inmates receive? Or does the Florida Department of "Corrections" think about these things?

Second question: Have you fixed the roof in the dining area or are you going to have these old men sit in the rain?

Kay Lee
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Of course, I never received an answer.

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Latest Update on
"Population Adjustment Movements"
May 8th, 2003

We have grown so weary of the DOC's secretive nature with the families and the general public who pay the bills. I think they laugh at how long it took us to figure out that UNION HAS BECOME A GERIATRIC PRISON.

I had heard they were making UCI an over-50 camp, but haven't been real sure how reliable that info was until lately.  I think it's pretty well confirmed now... information is coming in from all over about transfers to Union of guys over 50 years old.

"I was told that my loved one could be sent back to Union only if he met "Institutional Needs".  I asked what those might be, but she wouldn't tell me."

"I called state classifications the other day.  The lady in Tallahassee told me that a prisoner I was asking about could "only go back to Union if he fit the profile to be there."  Of course I asked what IS the profile, but she would not tell me what the profile was! She just said, "They are making a lot of changes."

"The lady answered the phone in the afternoon at the State Classifications Office at 850-488-9859.  When  I called the first time the lady who took the call could not answer any of my questions, so I was transferred to this lady who wouldn't."

"F.D.O.C. has been transferring men in droves from Taylor CI over to Union CI. All the inmates that have been transferred so far are over 50 with health problems. Heard that it is because there is a hospital closer."

"I spoke with a prisoner at Union on Monday nite. He seems to think the transfers are because the female officers won  a battle concerning them working throughout the prison, instead of just certain wings. He said the same thing, that it appears they are transferring anyone under age 50 away and leaving those over 50 at Union.  He said 200 more were being transferred to other locations."

"A total of 18 went from New River to UCI. They were 50 years and older that went. 10 went on Mon. and 8 went on Tues. Originally there was supposed to be 20 but two stayed due to institutional needs."

"My husband is at Union CI. He called last night after not being able to get to a phone for days because of all the moving.  He was assigned to a different dorm, like you were saying.  He has worked as a clerk at the tag plant for over a year and really likes his job and boss. His boss told everyone at the plant they would be transferred. If you hear any information would you please keep me informed?"

"Rumor has it at New River West that the reason that the men are being transferred is because they are 50 years or older. They are moving some of them starting tomorrow. Just thought you would want to know this."

"Kay, they are shipping men out in droves from Taylor to UNION. My husband told me they are all over 50 with health problems. He expects to be shipped any day now. WHAT THE HELL IS FDOC UP TO?"

"The rumors coming in are that they are turning Union into a geriatric prison.  New River East and Taylor CI have reported large movements to "an old folks prison".

"I WAS TOLD BY CLASSIFICATION IN TALLAHASSEE THAT UNION IS GOING TO BE A CAMP FOR THE ELDERLY. THAT IS WHY THEY HAVE BEEN TRANSFERRING AND BEFORE ITS OVER THERE WILL BE OVER 2000 INMATES LEAVING UNION. THE ONLY ONES THAT ARE STAYING AT UNION ARE CONSTRUCTION WORKERS AND A FEW OF MAINTENANCE."

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CROSBY'S "POPULATION ADJUSTMENT MOVEMENT" CONFIRMED

"It was very sad at the Visitors Park at UCI this past weekend, only about four regulars left, and they don't know if they'll be back week to week..." 

May 10, 2003

I did finally get official confirmation from Union officials on this.  Union CI is being made into a geriatric camp for inmates 50 and older.  The DOC is trying to place older inmates near medical centers and hospitals.

I do not know why the Florida Department of "Corrections" feels the need to stress the families out like this with their guessing games. Why can't they just announce these major changes are going to take place and explain why they feel the need for them? My guess is that, in most cases, they know they'd have to listen to some real common sense input from the families and who among them wants common sense to stand in the way of DOC plans?

Kay Lee