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State law enforcement agents are now reviewing more than 100 deaths within the state prison system. The cases were turned over to FDLE in August. As Mike Vasilinda tells us, the investigations cap what has been a very rough year for the embattled department.

Last fall, two inmates serving life sentences were able to walk out of Franklin Correctional using forged documents. They were quickly captured, but the escape forced the Department of Correction to change its policy of releasing inmates on a judges order. DOC Secretary Michael Crews assured lawmakers last November the problem was being fixed.  November 6, 2013 “To put in place measures that will significantly limit this from every happening again.”

Then came the case of Darren Rainey, a mentally ill inmate. The investigation into his scalding death at the hands of guards was stonewalled for two years. The Warden at Miami Dade was fired.

Next came the gassing death of Randall Jordan-Aparo. Four investigators sought whistleblower protections after they discovered problems with Jordan-Aparo’s death investigation.  Steve Andrews is the whistleblowers attorney  “And it took a lot of guts and bravery on their part to come forward” says Andrews.

Earlier this week an interview we had scheduled with an inmate was cancelled after he sought protective custody.  A text from our go between sites fear and intimidation.

Also this week, civil rights lawyers called for a federal investigation into the death of Latandra Ellington…she was in protective custody.

The high profile deaths have prompted Corrections to turn 108 death investigations

over to the state Department of Law enforcement. Spokesperson Gretl Plessinger says

“The number can change daily.”

Since January, more than 240 inmates have died while in the states custody. The majority have been ruled natural causes.