On Saturday, October 24th the morning meal shift did again violate the social distance seating policy and I filed a formal grievance to the warden concerning the shift’s reckless disregard for our health and safety. On October 29, 2020 Sergeant____, CO ____, CO ____, and as for now an unidentified correctional officer did come in my dorm housing unit after master roster count to conduct an alleged shakedown. Myself and several inmates who live around me were picked for the shakedown. After the shakedown was completed Sergeant ____ called me into the bathroom off of camera where the three officers with him did surround and he proceeded to question me why was my name on grievances concerning seating in the dining hall. He stated I was the reason that they were in the dorm and told me that I had better lay down and be still because if he sees my name On one more grievance they were going to come back and tear up the whole dorm and before they left he would tell the inmates in the dorm the shakedown was because of me.
Letter from Elder Prisoner at Gulf Correctional in Florida dated 11/1/2020:
Need to contact you and tell you what is going on. On October 7, 2020 I did file a grievance concerning violation of the social distance seating policy at the morning meal. My informal grievance was approved which I received back on the week of the 12th-16th. On October 20, 2020 the morning meal shift did again violate the social distance seating policy and I personally showed the shift officer in charge, Captain XXX my approved grievance on this matter. He stated he would take care of it and the next day his officers were in compliance.
On Saturday, October 24th the morning meal shift did again violate the social distance seating policy and I filed a formal grievance to the warden concerning the shift’s reckless disregard for our health and safety. On October 29, 2020 Sergeant____, CO ____, CO ____, and as for now an unidentified correctional officer did come in my dorm housing unit after master roster count to conduct an alleged shakedown. Myself and several inmates who live around me were picked for the shakedown. After the shakedown was completed Sergeant ____ called me into the bathroom off of camera where the three officers with him did surround and he proceeded to question me why was my name on grievances concerning seating in the dining hall. He stated I was the reason that they were in the dorm and told me that I had better lay down and be still because if he sees my name On one more grievance they were going to come back and tear up the whole dorm and before they left he would tell the inmates in the dorm the shakedown was because of me. I took this as a direct threat to my health, safety, and well-being. Sergeant___ called the other inmates who were shookdown into the bathroom and he told them that I was the reason they got shookdown and if they didn’t want to be shookdown again they need to take care of me.
The actions of Sergeant____ and the three correctional officers were completely unprofessional and did violate Florida administrative code 33-103.001, 33-103.017 and 33-208.001 – .003 and Florida statutory law. The act of conspiring together to intimidate me and deprive me of my fundamental civil rights is blatantly unlawful. I am an elderly inmate. I turned 65 years old Friday and the officers here at Gulf have consistently exhibited a pattern of disrespect harassment and disregard for the elderly inmates in their care. I did file a formal grievance of reprisal to the warden concerning what happened to me and I am now reaching out to outside agencies in an effort to Shield myself from potential harm and to hold these people accountable if something does happen to me. Blank said he would email you and let you know I am sending this letter. I anxiously look forward to hearing from you.