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Inmate Re-Entry Bill Re-Emerges
December 27, 2012
Many nonviolent felons would be funneled into substance-abuse programs and work re-entry training instead of serving out their sentences behind bars, under a proposal filed Wednesday by Rep. Daphne Campbell, D-Miami.
The bill, HB 69, calls on the Department of Corrections to establish such a diversion program and sets parameters on who could qualify to participate. Lawmakers in recent sessions have been looking for ways to reduce the state’s prison population as part of an effort to save money.
In recent sessions, the legislation has been sponsored by former Sens. Ellyn Bogdanoff, R-Fort Lauderdale, and Paula Dockery, R-Lakeland. In the House, former Rep. Ari Porth, D-Coral Springs, joined Campbell in co-sponsoring the proposal in the past.
New House Judiciary Chairman Dennis Baxley, R-Ocala, has made it clear he is looking for reforms in the state’s correctional system, a push that has the growing support of business and fiscal-conservative groups seeking to cut costs.
By The News Service of Florida
Comments
9 Responses to “Inmate Re-Entry Bill Re-Emerges”
How can the State of Florida expect inmates re-entering the community to be successful if they set them up immediately for failure? I have a good friend being released on 02/14/2013 that has a good plan to re-enter by leaving out of state to Texas where a stable home, financial support, a job and counseling are awaiting. Yet, Florida Department of Corrections refuses to let this inmate put their plan into action, even though it has been requested numerous times to various people the refuse to do the paperwork or take the time to help. So they would rather a person be homeless, without a job, or support then to see someone succeed. I believe that the entire system is a set up to fail for anyone re-entering in the state of Florida. I believe that there needs to be an entire overhaul of the system, and the release process for inmates to ensure and make the re-entry rate lower. Unless this is about making money I do not understand it. Thoughts…
REGARDING:
“because I also realize that not all felonys adopt rehabilitive measures”
Please expand on this statement
David asking
As a retired warden from another state, I agree with the perspective of alternative sentencing. More prisons are not the answer, but society’s attention is diverted until it becomes one of their family members. Florida’s sentencing laws should be revamped, also. I would much rather have a felon become a productive citizen instead of a out of pocket cost for taxpayers. I’m not in a dream world, because I also realize that not all felonys adopt rehabilitive measures and this can’t be force (but should be offered). Thank you.
its easy. look at the statistics. we have peopel incarcerated ove stupid crimes. we have people in prison for 5 years for habitual driving while suspeded license. yes they should be punished, but prison? we have people in there for criminal mischief. one of the lowest felonies you can recieve when the damage is $1k or more. we have all these petit non violent crimes in there sucking tax dollars but the serious crimes often get away on probation and then never do time because they sell drugs to pay it off. i mean the guidlines is were it needs to start.
The parameters of drug offenders. Something that would put you in jail but wasnt extreme as armed robbery murder or sexual assault.
REGARDING:
“How do you make something work that is put together by a college brat that never set foot on or near a prison and just read a book about it.
ANSWER: You don’t.
Nor does anything imply they tried to do it that way. In fact, it makes clear they instructed the “Department of Corrections to establish such a diversion program and sets parameters on who could qualify to participate. “
Which is to say, they’re calling on the people with their boots on the ground to come up with a workable solution.
David for using experienced people
more employers willing to accept work-release inmates would do much (on the other end) to reduce the prison population as well- hopefully, the FEDERAL BONDING PROGRAM, which offers a tax incentive, (as well as a monetary guarantee) to employers willing to hire work–release inmates will continue in the coming 2013 year.
The idea doesnt seem like a bad one but it also seems like another failure of an idea coming from legislature that doesnt have a clue on the subject. They try saying this would work and they are going off of numbers. When first hand knowledge would show them better. They’re trying this already and they’re telling the correction facilities to make it work. How do you make something work that is put together by a college brat that never set foot on or near a prison and just read a book about it. All do respect but all prisons throughout the country is having these problems.
What parameters are they using to qualify these inmates for the program?