By James Call
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wfsu/local-wfsu-947893.mp3
Tallahassee, FL – Two state senate committees began the task of finding ways to save money in the prison system. They held a joint meeting and James Call reports the key witness was a Texas lawmaker who implemented cost-cutting reforms in the Lone Star State's prison system.
Texas Representative Jerry Madden told Florida senators that if they want to save money they have to reduce the flow of inmates into the prison system. And to do that he said, Texas made a distinction between violent criminals and those that the state is mad at for breaking a law. Madden said Texas keeps the violent ones behind bars to protect society but that it makes no sense to keep nonviolent criminals behind bars. He said it costs too much money.
"Because if we lock them up in our prisons what do we provide them? You provide them free room, free board and free health care at public expense. How many of those people should be doing stuff within the community that says you repay the community but you keep them out there paying your taxes. That's the kind of stuff you look at."
Madden's presentation is part of lawmakers efforts to close a 3.6 billion dollar budget shortfall. Florida spends about 20-thousand dollars a year on each of its more than 100 thousand inmates. Bradenton Senator Mike Bennett appeared to be receptive to Madden's suggestion to stop locking up people who are nonviolent. Bennett is willing to explore alternatives to prison for what he called soft crimes.
"For example marijuana, do we really want someone stuck in prison for 15 years because of marijuana? I agree it's a crime. I agree they are guilty. But is that the best use of our money? Or are we better off trying to find some type of treatment program for these kind of people."
The state's correction budget is 2.4 billion dollars. On the campaign trial Governor Rick Scott proposed reducing it by a billion dollars through cost savings in payroll, food and medical care. Criminal Justice budget chairman Mike Fasano is not sure if that can be done. And he said he will oppose any effort to save money by privatizing any of the state's public safety obligations.
"Government has the responsibility to protect its citizens whether it be at the federal level or state level or local level. And the one thing I don't want to have happen is to put public safety at risk. I don't want to start turning over public safety issues to the private section. It should never happen."
The governor's plan on how to reduce prison costs is expected to be included in his budget proposal scheduled to be released the first week of February. Lawmakers will convene the Legislature's annual session the second week of March.