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FDOC Asks Fla. Legislature For Money Back From Failed Prison Privatization Plan

The Florida Department of Corrections is hoping the Florida Legislature will give them back about $11 million that was taken out of its budget when lawmakers planned to privatize about 30 prisons in South Florida. The department made its legislative budget requests for the next fiscal year Wednesday.

When the Republican-led Florida Legislature aimed to privatize about 30 South Florida prisons, they projected it would provide a 7-percent cost savings. Since the effort failed to get off the ground, the Florida Department of Corrections wants the money to be put back in its budget.

“We’re just asking for the restoration of the 7-percent savings, which was $10.8 million. When they cut our budget the previous year, and the privatization didn’t move forward, we did not get restored the seven-percent,” said Mark Tallent, the department’s Director of Budget and Finance.

Tallent says the Legislature has the option to try to privatize the state’s prisons in South Florida again. But, for now, the department is focused on moving forward on an effort to privatize the state’s health care services.

For more news updates, follow Sascha Cordner on twitter @SaschaCordner.

Sascha Cordner has more than ten years of public radio experience. It includes working at NPR member station WUFT-FM in Gainesville for several years. She's worked in both radio and TV, serving in various capacities as a reporter, producer and anchor. She's also a graduate of the University of Florida with a bachelor's degree in telecommunications. She is the recipient of 15 awards from the Associated Press, Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ), and Edward R. Murrow. Her award-winning stories include her coverage on the infamous “Dozier School for Boys” and a feature titled "Male Breast Cancer: Lost in the Sea of Pink." Currently, Sascha serves as the host and producer of local and state news content for the afternoon news program "All Things Considered" at WFSU. Sascha primarily covers criminal justice and social services issues. When she's not reporting, Sascha likes catching up on her favorite TV shows, singing and reading. Follow Sascha Cordner on Twitter:@SaschaCordner.