Treatment of Inmates

This bill is about how incarcerated people are treated in Florida.

• Incarcerated people: People who are in prison or jail because they broke the law

This bill:

• Adds a new section to the official rules and laws that people in Florida must follow, that lays out the rights of incarcerated people.

• Makes the Florida department of Corrections give each person a written copy of their rights.

  • Florida Department of Corrections: a government office that is responsible for the state’s jails and prisons, and the well-being of incarcerated people in Florida.

• Allows incarcerated people to make complaints if their rights are ignored.

• Updates part of the official rules and laws that people in Florida must follow, to clarify that "permanently incapacitated inmate" is about what counts as permanent physical inability or non-threatening disabilities, to guide when to let very sick or disabled people leave prison early so they can get medical care outside.

• Includes a list of basic rights for incarcerated people, including:

  • The right to proper air movement with air conditioning or other options.

  • At least 20 minutes set aside for each meal, which can be longer for medical reasons.

  • Food programs during emergencies.

  • Ability to get health supplies they need when they ask for them, like masks, gloves, and hygiene products.

• Makes the Florida Commission on Offender Review, a group that oversees letting incarcerated people leave prison, and the Florida Department of Corrections, set up a conditional medical release program.

  • Conditional Medical Release program: a special program that lets very sick or disabled people leave prison early so they can get medical care outside.

If this bill is passed, these changes will start on July 1, 2025.