Recommendations

As required by F.S. 20.315(16), the Department of Corrections has developed recommendations for improving correctional services in the state. Based on accomplishments during the last fiscal year and objectives defined in the department's Strategic Plan, it is recommended that action be taken and/or resources provided to accomplish the following departmental objectives.

• Reduce the escape rate from major institutions and the rate of felony crimes committed by offenders while in prison.
• Increase the percentage of single cell housing units commensurate with the increase in violent and disruptive inmates.
• Conduct formal risk assessments for all offenders sentenced to prison.
• Conduct formal risk and needs assessments for all offenders placed on Community Control, probation or other community supervision programs.
• Reduce the number of probationers and community controlees revoked and committed to prison for technical violations.
• Reduce the recommitment rate for drug offenders who have received treatment.
• Establish security components in all facilities commensurate with accepted professional standards and mission requirements.
• Meet at least 75% of identified needs associated with department programs and services based on results of needs assessments.
• Substantially reduce the recommitment rate of released inmates.
• Implement programs and services which will result in a 10% reduction in the rate of supervised revocations.
• Expand the work assignments for all inmates available for work.
• Achieve the level of funding required for new beds and for all strategic plan strategies.
• Compensate correctional officers and other career service employees equitably when compared to state law enforcement officers and staff of other state agencies.
• Maintain correctional officer turnover and correctional probation officer turnover at a rate not exceeding 10% annually.
• Employ a work force which reflects the community in terms of all races, genders and cultures in the available labor market.
• Adopt the Sterling Award criteria to validate departmental productivity increases.
• Establish a Quality Assurance Program to include all major department components.
• Standardize training curricula.
• Increase development of partnerships with private and public agencies.
• Increase the number of contracts with the private sector to provide prison-based industry programs.
• Increase employee awareness of agency issues, policy and practices.
• Increase awareness of media, educators, students, business/civic leaders and the general public of the role and scope of the Department.
• Increase the Department's capability to retrieve and manage data critical to public safety and departmental cost effectiveness.
• Increase technical support staff for management information systems to adequate levels.
• Implement according to their projected schedules the innovative technology projects identified in the Information Resources Management Plan. 
• Equip central office, regional offices and at least 50% of major institutions to receive satellite broadcast programs.