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NPAMC Blog

Saturday, November 07, 2009

Advocates Tackle Justice Reform in Florida

Florida’s prison population now exceeds 100,000 inmates. The system is overwhelmed and the state cannot afford the $100 million it costs to build another prison, let alone the additional $25 million in recurring costs to operate it annually.

A group of some of the state’s most experienced and esteemed officials have created the Coalition for Smart Justice. The Coalition partnered with the Collins Center for Public Policy and issue an open letter to the Governor and state Legislature urging reform of the justice system. The letter was signed a slew of recognized experts, including Jim McDonough (Florida’s Secretary of the Department of Corrections from 2006-2008), former state Attorneys General Richard Doran, Jim Smith and Robert Butterworth, Parker Thomson (Chairman of the Collins Center for Public Policy), David Murrell (Executive Director of the Florida Police Benevolent Association), Barney Bishop (President and Chief Executive Officer of Associated Industries of Florida), Chris Holley (Executive Director of the Florida Association of Counties), Dominic Calabro (President and Chief Executive Officer of Florida Tax Watch).

On November 16-18, the Coalition and Collins Center are hosting Justice Summit 2009 in Tampa, Florida. The Summit will feature nationally recognized speakers, including Senator Jim Webb (Virginia), State Representative Jerry Madden (Texas) and Adam Gelb, Director of the Pew Charitable Trust’s Public Safety Performance Project, as well as a veritable who’s who of Florida policy makers. View the agenda at http://www.collinscenter.org/resource/resmgr/smart_justice/summit_agenda_final_2.pdf.

This conference will serve as a call to action and challenge participants to help create ways to improve the justice system through better use of community corrections programs.

You can learn more about the effort and obtain information about the Summit at http://www.collinscenter.org/event/justicesummit.

NPAMC strongly supports these and other efforts designed to address offenders’ alcohol, drug and mental health issues in smart and efficient ways that promote rehabilitation, better protect the public and save tax dollars. Kudos to these public officials for taking an aggressive stance and tackling the issues head on.


Comments

Thanks to Steve Talpins for posting the information on the Florida Justice Summit. Its organizers include responsible past and present leaders in Florida who are well known for their support of public safety issues.  Nary a one has ever been accused of being “soft on crime”. What is striking here is their commitment to find a smarter way to enhance public safety without breaking the public bank.  The Summit will bring together some of the best minds in the nation and the state on how best to do that.  There is room for more, so all are welcome.

NOTE: It is not yet clear if Senator Webb will make it.

Posted by (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)  on  11/08  at  05:45 PM

Florida Voters and Tax Payers are not aware of the misuse and abuse the Florida Parole Commission imposes on the State of Florida. In 2008 the cost was 250 million dollars for sending back to prison men and women on minor technical violations, instead of rehab or a less costly program and counseling. The Florida Parole Commission is not supervised and make decisions that cost the tax payers millions of dollars. This is a state agency that needs to be investigated and changes need to be made.

This money can be used for : Education, Healthcare, Universtiy Scholarships, Job Training, Elderly care, Law Enforcement and Rentry programs for those being released from prison.

How can we send someone back to prison for a technical violation for substance abuse no new crime and sentence them to 50 yrs in prison.

My husband is an example of the waste of tax payers money, when he can be working and contributing as a tax paying citizens.

Mary Diaz
(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

Posted by (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)  on  11/19  at  11:15 AM

The Florida Justice Summit was impressive, as expected.  Approximately 300 people attended!  The presentations were fantastic.  Speakers represented all stakeholders, including the prosecution, defense, judges, treatment, offenders, victims, etc.

Kudos to the Florida Coalition for Smart Justice, the Collins Center and advocate extraordinaire Jim McDonough.  It was a privilege to be there.

Posted by (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)  on  11/19  at  09:46 PM

Awesome post!! The facts you shared pretty venerable. Yes the Florida justice summit did a great job for inmates. They are worthy for appreciations. Thanks smile
Tucson DUI Attorney

Posted by (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)  on  08/23  at  07:06 AM

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