Letter regarding Florida State Hospital, Chattahoochee, Gadsden Co., FL

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                             November 4, 1960

Honorable S. C. Smith
Chairman, Council's Committee
on State Institutions
P. O. Box 231
Arcadia, Florida

Dear Chesterfield:

During the recent Legislative weekend in Tallahassee, I had the opportunity
to meet with Representative Charles Usina to hear his views of what might
be considered by the Subcommittee on Mental Health as preparation for its
final report to the full Committee on State Institutions.

Mr. Usina requested that: I investigate the Tampa Tribune's criticism of
Florida State Hospital's use of inmates as maids and house boys and try to
determine if this system is being used as a means of getting inmates back
to society. He also requested that I write Dr. Rogers for clarifying
explanation of this matter. I have located the Tribune articles mentioned
and preparing the basic criticisms as requested.

Mr. Usina advised me that be had net with Mr. Bill Mapoles at the Orlando
Training Center and is in complete accord with the proposed addition there.
He concurs with the consensus at the Hollywood meeting on March 16, 1960
that the necessary appropriations should be provided to construct the
50-bed children's psychotic unit authorized by the 1959 Legislature. In
addition, he feels that salaries generally are too low.

We also met briefly with Senator Cross to determine when the Interim
Committee on Mental Health would meet and draft its final report. Senator
Cross decided that the final meeting would be held in Ft:. Lauderdale on
November 25, 1960. Mr.Usina indicated that be would like to have you and
Representative Mann present at this meeting so that the Council's
Subcommittee on Mental Health could give support to the Interim Committee's
proposals and the Interim Committee, in turn could endorse the
Subcommittee's recommendations which would be developed at that time.
(However, Bob Mann has a health and welfare meeting schedu1e for the same
date.) He also requested that staff members of the Legislative Reference
Bureau be present to aid the Interim Committee and assist in the
development of the Subcommittee's report.

Honorable S. C, Smith
Page 2
November 4 1960

Dr. Rogers has written an excellent letter an the subject of
hospitalization of mentally ill persona, in answer to our previous request.
He has also given a very fine comparison of the major differences existing
between the Georgia and Florida law on the same subject. He indicated that
you have received a carbon copy of this letter and research comparison of
the laws of the two states. If you feel that additional study is required,
we will be mast happy to pursue this matter further.

Mr. Bill Mapoles of the Sunland Training Center at Orlando has written this
office on October 21 1960, in reply to your request of providing budget
information and plans for additional expansion. Be outlined the Orlando
Contorts tentative program and furnished a plan of the institution which
was also sent to you. This plan is too large to reproduce; I will take it
to the Ft. Lauderdale meeting so that the subcommittee may examine it at
that time.

With kindest personal regards, I am
Sincerely,

John J. Parker
Aide to the Committee on
State Institutions

JJP/er

Cc: Hon. Robert T, Mann
Hon. F. Charles Usina
Senator S. Emory Cross
Mrs. Lamar Bledsoe