HEARD Report on Abuse of Deaf Prisoners in Florida

Please sign and share HEARD’s petition that calls for an end to horrifying abuse of deaf prisoners in the FL Department of Corrections!

Last week, after five elderly prisoners reported abuse to the warden, two of the alleged abusers were put into lockup. These two men, also gang members have vowed to murder or seriously injure five deaf elderly men upon their return to the general population. With the exception of one man who is 51 years of age, the others are between the ages of 70 and 88 years old. HEARD leaders and Deaf & Hearing Community members have contacted the warden’s office this morning but have been unable to speak directly with the warden.

This is just an example of the daily terror that deaf, elderly and disabled prisoners endure at Tomoka Correctional Facility and in the Florida Department of Corrections. HEARD has hundreds of letters and grievances from prisoners with disabilities that document horrendous human and civil rights violations that have only worsened over the years.

It’s time to tell Florida’s government officials that we will not allow this abuse to continue and that they are equally responsible for this abuse if they sit idly by while abuse continues. Please share widely.

HEARD’s most recent Report on this abuse can be viewed here.