Greetings. My name is Andrew and I reside in a Florida prison. I am still trying to figure out what I will accomplish by writing you and informing you of my situation. But since there’s nowhere else to turn — or anybody to turn to, for that matter — I’ll attempt to lean on you.
In September 2013, I was only one step away from living on the least restrictive housing level. One day during breakfast, an orderly knocked my biscuit off my tray. When I asked an officer for a new one, he said, “Suck my dick.” I ignored the comment and sat down on my bunk. When he came around for cell clean-up, I asked again and he told me, “If you suck my dick, I’ll think about getting you a biscuit.”
Every time the officer came around after that he made inappropriate comments, about doing sexual things to me. I finally told him that I was going to report him for sexual harassment and that I needed to speak to a supervisor. He said he wouldn’t let me.
Later that day, I reported him anyway. He stopped at my cell door and yelled, “You’re going to write me up? Is that what you’re doing now, you little punk? I’ll teach you about writing me up, and I’m still going to fuck you.” Later on in the week I received a disciplinary report and another one the next day. I explained that the reports were false and that the officer was retaliating against me for reporting him, but I was still given 50 days disciplinary confinement, even without any evidence.
I was placed on the same officer’s wing for my confinement. He escorted me to my cell and took off all my restraints except the handcuffs. He pushed me into the wall and began to punch my face, chest, and stomach. He then started to hit and pull my privates. He walked away and said, “Welcome to my world, it’s not over.”
I reported the incident and was escorted to medical for an assessment of the sexual and physical abuse. The very next day, I was placed back in the same wing as the officer. I stayed there for 80 days. He played with my food, taunted me, and kept writing me up. I kept reporting him, and reporting the retaliation, but nothing was ever done. He flaunted his power over me. One day while I was using the bathroom, he stopped by my cell and watched me. He whistled and taunted me.
When I finally got out off his wing, I was moved to the most restricted housing level. I also lost my visiting privileges.
What is the point of trying to seek justice when no one will believe you? Even when there are witnesses (there’s one in my situation) they’re afraid to testify and the institution covers up everything.
I have been diagnosed with post- traumatic stress disorder. I’ve got severe mood swings and emotional and psychological issues. I have nightmares and wake up pouring sweat. I suffer from anxiety, severe depression, and stress. I feel guilty, as if I caused it. Maybe I shouldn’t have reported him, because I suffered instead of feeling any better. I was already on medication for my mental health issues, and it’s only gotten worse.
I feel like the whole world is against me.
– Andrew, Florida