Two More Starke Prison Inmates End Hunger Strike, Four Remaining

The Associated Press
Feb 6, 2004

STARKE, Fla. (AP) - The number of Florida State Prison inmates refusing to eat in protest of their treatment inside a disciplinary unit dropped to four from the original eight Friday, a Department of Corrections spokeswoman said.

Ending their hunger strike Friday morning were Daniel Orosco, 44, serving a 22-year sentence, for burglary of an occupied dwelling and grand theft from Miami-Dade County, and Johnny Turrill, 33, serving a life sentence for kidnapping and robbery with a firearm in Bay County. Two others had earlier ended their strike, which began Sunday.

Orosco was placed in the disciplinary area, known as Q wing, for using a fire extinguisher to hit an Aramark employee at Washington Correctional Institution. Turrill was placed on Q wing in December for his involvement in an escape attempt from Apalachee Correctional Institution.

The inmates and outside supporters claim prison officials are denying the residents of Q wing, a disciplinary housing area, basic human needs such as recreation, decent food, visitation and access to canteen items.

The two who resumed eating earlier were Michael Jones, 47, and Stephen Smith, 43. Both are charged with first-degree murder in the death of Corrections Officer Darla Lathrem during an escape attempt in June at Charlotte Correctional Institution.

The 24 inmates on Q wing are considered by the DOC as the worst of the worst prisoners. Their cells are directly above the state's execution chamber.

Prison officials said they would seek a court order to force-feed any inmates whose lives become endangered.

http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/news/breaking_news/7891906.htm