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Advocates urge creation of independent ombudsman for Florida Department of Corrections
Summary
A local advocate urged the delegation to back legislation creating an independent ombudsman office to investigate prison conditions, monitor compliance and serve families of incarcerated people.
A Putnam County resident asked the delegation to support legislation creating an independent ombudsman office for the Florida Department of Corrections to investigate facility conditions and provide families an advocate.
Diane Lozick, who identified herself as a registered voter in Putnam County, said she would provide the delegation with a bill summary and argued a state-level ombudsman would improve transparency, investigate complaints, monitor facility conditions and advocate for both incarcerated people and staff. "The time to act is now," she told the delegation.
Lozick said an ombudsman model has been enacted in other states and that families currently ask legislators to make unannounced prison visits and investigate conditions. She asked delegation members to consider sponsoring or supporting a bill that would establish independent oversight.
Delegation members acknowledged the request and offered to receive the draft materials; the delegation did not adopt or sponsor legislation at the meeting.
