Politics & Government

Judge Refuses to Block Closure of Riverview Women's Prison

Circuit Court Judge Terry Lewis on Friday refused to issue a temporary injunction blocking the closure of the Hillsborough Correctional Institution, the Tampa Bay Times reports.

A judge has refused to block the closure of a Riverview women's prison, according to the Tampa Bay Times' Florida politics blog.

Circuit Court Judge Terry Lewis on Friday refused to issue a temporary injunction blocking the closure of the Hillsborough Correctional Institution, the Times writes, saying the inmate plaintiffs in a pending lawsuit had not proven the Department of Correction's plan to close the facility violated state law.

"Under the proposal, inmates will be transferred to dormitories currently under construction at Lowell Correctional Institution in Marion County complex," the blog states. "The successful faith- and character-based program will also transfer with them."

Find out what's happening in Bloomingdale-Riverviewwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Dozens of volunteers and other prison supporters have protested the closure of the prison, at 11150 County Rd. 672 in Riverview, testifying to the success of the program.

"I've had a lot of success working with these women," said Bloomingdale resident Minnette Webster, who began a popular arts program at the correctional institute nine years ago. "I have one woman who opened an art store. Another one is going to open an art school. Several of them didn't know anything about art and are now really interested in pursuing art. It’s helped them immensely with their self-esteem. It’s just been wonderful. It gives them something to look forward to"

Find out what's happening in Bloomingdale-Riverviewwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Though Lewis refused to halt Hillsborough Correctional's closing, the lasuit itself is still pending, the Times reports.


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