Death Row inmates may be forbidden to touch visitors
The Associated Press
Web-posted: 8:09 p.m. Mar. 31, 2000
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- The Florida Department of Corrections is considering an end to letting death row inmates touch visitors, a move critics say may make the condemned prisoners more dangerous.
"No matter how disgusting the general public might think these people on death row are, they are human beings and they're going to react like human beings," said Hillsborough County public defender John Skye, a former prosecutor who has helped send five people to death row.
Skye and other critics say if death row inmates lose the right to hug their children, it takes away a privilege that can be used as an incentive not to get out of line.
"What they're going to do is make dangerous people more dangerous," Skye said. "It's like imposing a tougher sentence on the prison guards."
The proposed restriction is part of Corrections Secretary Michael W. Moore's plan to clean up the state's prison system, said spokesman C.J. Drake.
It's one of several changes outlined in a 33-page proposal that includes limits on the number of library books death row inmates may check out, how often they must shower and shave, and how much access to clergy and religious materials they should have.
Gov. Jeb Bush supports Moore's plan, preventing physical contact, a spokeswoman said.
Physical contact, such as hugging a wife or child, can only take place in common areas supervised by guards.
The rules can't change until after a public comment period in the coming weeks