Governor Crist Announces 2010-11 Budget Recommendations for Department of Corrections

TALLAHASSEE — Department of Corrections Secretary Walter McNeil today commended Governor Charlie Crist’s budget recommendations for Fiscal Year 2010-11, which include a proposed budget of $2.5 billion for the Department of Corrections to maintain the care, custody and control of its 101,000 inmates and 156,868 offenders on supervision, and to expand its efforts to curb recidivism.

“I’m particularly pleased that Governor Crist has recommended funding for the operation of three re-entry centers, which will ultimately save millions by reducing recidivism by probationers and inmates alike,” said Corrections Secretary McNeil. “Currently, one of every three inmates released from state prison returns within three years. These re-entry centers will go a long way to reduce that recidivism rate by providing inmates and offenders with the tools to get an education, learn a trade, curb their substance abuse and become productive citizens upon release.”

The Governor recommended $3.19 million to open three re-entry centers in Baker, Miami-Dade and Gadsden counties. A total of 217 full-time positions are included in that budget recommendation for all three re-entry centers: 67 positions at the Miami-Dade facility, and 75 each at the Baker and Gadsden facilities.

Governor Crist’s proposed budget supports public safety by ensuring inmates serve their full sentences while advancing the Department’s re-entry initiative.  Other highlights of the $2.5 billion in recommendations for Corrections include the following:

• $9.8 million to open a female reception center with a mental health unit in the city of Lowell in Marion County that will serve 1,335 female inmates. About one-third of female inmates in prison on December 31, 2009, were considered “moderately impaired” from a mental health perspective. All state inmates in Florida must pass through a reception center for orientation, a health check up and evaluation before being assigned to a prison.
• $6 million to address prison maintenance issues.
• $2 million to provide 50 probation and parole specialists for analytical support to the more than 2,300 probation officers in the field. These positions will allow probation officers to spend more time in the field supervising offenders.
• $1.2 million for vehicle replacement for the Department’s perimeter security vehicles and inmate transport vehicles.     

For additional details on the Governor’s recommended Fiscal Year 2010-11budget, visit www.MyFlorida.com and click on “The People’s Budget,” or visit www.ThePeoplesBudget.state.fl.us.