‘Our family members don’t deserve a death sentence’: Orlando commissioner demands action after brother dies from COVID-19 in prison

ORLANDO, Fla. — Orlando Commissioner Regina Hill is demanding action from the Florida Department of Corrections after her brother died after contracting COVID-19 in prison.

“Or dreams for our loved ones been snatched from us because they didn’t think enough to give these guys the masks, sanitizers and keep them safe from this COVID and isolate them,” Hill said Monday.

Her brother, Edward Hill, 52, died after contracting the virus while serving his last year in South Bay state prison.

READ: A COVID-19-positive inmate died after being transferred back to prison from the hospital. His daughter wants answers.

She, along with state Sen. Randolph Bracy said state prisons and local jails have to provide better care and safety for inmates and corrections staff.

“Our family members don’t deserve a death sentence if the judge and jury didn’t give that to them,” Hill said. “And it seems like that’s what the state of Florida is doing by their lack of leadership.”

They said they want a process in place allowing inmates to choose what's known as a "healthcare surrogate" in the event they become ill behind bars.

As of Monday, about 39,000 state prisoners or staff have tested positive for COVID-19 or are in some form of isolation, suspected of having the virus. Of those, 75 have died.

The Florida Department of Corrections released the following statement on the issue:

“The case you are referring to occurred at a private facility. South Bay Correctional Facility is operated by The GEO Group, Inc. and their contract is managed by Department of Management Services.

An inmate’s treating clinician at the institution manages his or her care and can assess the needs of the patient as the care plan evolves. If an inmate needs outside medical care, they will receive it.

Ensuring inmates incarcerated in Florida’s prisons receive an appropriate level of medical and behavioral treatment is one of FDC’s core constitutional responsibilities.

Without a properly executed Consent for Release form, FDC is prohibited from addressing, explaining or informing anyone regarding an inmate’s medical, psychological, and dental health information by applicable privacy laws. If an inmate is incapacitated or severely injured and a Consent for Release form is on file, then the inmate’s family members may be notified by institution health services staff. FDC has an extensive chaplaincy program which provides assistance to inmates and inmate family members in times of crisis.

The hospital where the inmate is admitted for care will assume responsibility for the medical care, which includes decisions based on prognosis of the condition. Hospitals have policies and procedures that direct end of life decisions if no previous decision has been made by the inmate.

Inmates are encouraged to execute advance directives, such as health care surrogate designations or living wills, in accordance with Florida law.  If the inmate has an acute medical condition, the inmate’s treating hospital physician assesses the inmate’s medical needs. An inmate’s treating physician consults with the inmate or, if the inmate lacks capacity, his/her health care surrogate or proxy.”

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