MIAMI (AP) - State law enforcement officials want money to keep up with the growing demand of death investigations at Florida's prisons.
The Department of Corrections has been marred by allegations of inmate abuse and cover-ups at Florida prisons this year, prompting dozens of firings and an agency-wide overhaul.
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement says investigations of in-custody and use of force deaths has increased 29 percent in the past five years. Authorities asked members of the Senate committee on Monday for $8.4 million to help with the 82 cases it inherited from DOC, plus the 104 cases FDLE opened on its own.
During the Tallahassee meeting, lawmakers also said DOC and FDLE must clarify whether all deaths are being investigated or only suspicious deaths. Lawmakers expressed concerns about whether DOC staff could be trusted to accurately report suspicious deaths amid allegations of cover-ups.
