Bid To Keep Florida Prison Inspectors Quiet Sparks Lawsuit

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TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (CBSMiami/AP) — A group of Department of Corrections employees have filed a lawsuit challenging a new policy meant to keep them from revealing what's going on in the troubled prison system.

An attorney representing six employees of the department this week filed a lawsuit challenging a new confidentiality policy ordered by Secretary Julie Jones.

The lawsuit contends investigators could lose their job if they don't agree to follow policy. The lawsuit asks a judge to block the department from going ahead with the change.

Jones said the policy is intended to keep investigators in the inspector general's office from gossiping about cases.Florida's prison system is under fire for suspicious inmate deaths.

She denied that anyone would be fired if they refused to agree to the new policy. But she said the employees would be reassigned to new duties.

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