Florida Policies Needlessly Derail Young Lives, Fill Prison Cells

Florida Policies Needlessly Derail Young Lives, Fill Prison Cells
Friday, 24 April 2015 00:00
By Tania Galloni, Southern Poverty Law Center | Report

Susana Marino knew she couldn’t let her facial expression change.

She was listening to her 16-year-old son recount his experience in Florida’s Pasco County Jail. Showing shock or horror might cause him to shut down – and she needed to know what happened if she hoped to help him. So, she kept her emotions in check as her son, a teenager who had never been in trouble with the law, described the four days he spent in jail after being arrested on charges stemming from a vandalism case.

What Miguel endured in 2009 as his mother attempted to secure a $30,000 bond for his release left her in shock. Only two hours after his arrest, other inmates threatened to beat him and sexually assault him unless he fought – something he refused to do. He was also forced to lick a toilet seat, and even drink water from it. The inmates created a list of humiliating chores for him to complete, such as rubbing lotion on the backs of other prisoners. He was slapped, beaten and threatened as he completed these tasks.

He endured the abuse for three days before a guard put him in protective custody. The officer discovered the youth crying in his cell after being hit in the face by one of the prisoners. He was emotionally breaking down.

“Miguel was never the same again,” Susana said, holding back tears. “He tried to get back into school, but he couldn’t concentrate anymore. He was angry. He couldn’t sleep well at night. He really was trying to focus on his school. He said he couldn’t cope. It’s really bad because Miguel had tremendous potential.”

More:
http://www.truth-out.org/news/item/30412-florida-policies-needlessly-derail-young-lives-fill-prison-cells