FCCB Supports Budget Appropriations to Bolster Florida Prison System

As Florida's population continues to increase, the inmate population is expected to increase by 18-32% in the next 20 years. The state anticipates that the population in Florida prisons will exceed its capacity as early as 2025. Additionally, almost 29% of current prisoners are older than 50 with chronic health issues, and the state is failing to meet the increased demand for healthcare services, projecting a deficit of 420 hospital beds by 2030. 
The FCCB supports the appropriation of funds to increase capacity, improve failing infrastructure, retain staff and create a path towards an efficient correctional system that treats inmates with respect to their inherent human dignity, while also ensuring public safety in our state. 
Currently, the proposed House budget provides only $50 million in “non-reoccurring” funds. However, the Senate’s proposed budget provides $100 million “recurring” annually for 30 years, a total of $3 billion, to address both long-term construction projects and the repair of our aging prison infrastructure. The first year of funding would provide funds to complete the Lake Mental Health facility and funding for four new dorms at existing prisons.