Cut rising Florida prison costs by requiring students get degree, job

The Florida Department of Corrections had $2.05 billion in prison expenditures. However, the state also had $29.4 million in prison-related costs outside the department's budget.

The total cost of Florida's prisons -- to incarcerate an average daily population of 101,322 -- is a whopping $2.08 billion, of which 1.4 percent is outside the correction facilities.

There are 143 different facilities throughout the state. All the facilities are dormitories with Stark being the only cell-occupied facility.

48 percent of all inmates are black but only 15.5 percent of the total population in Florida.

26.3 percent of former prisoners will return to prison within five years.

There has been a 98 percent increase in the prison population in Florida since 1994.

The elderly prison population has increased more than any other age group in the past 10 years.

Why?

Free food, clothing, basic TV, a place to sleep and medical care, including dental, vision, etc. They are served kosher food, if so desired. Health care costs have skyrocketed in the last 10 years, running over $5,000 per prisoner per year.

Florida would save $51 million each year by punishing all first-degree murderers with life in prison without parole, according to the Palm Beach Post. Appeals, appellate costs, judges, etc., make this sentencing very costly to keep an inmate on Death Row. Currently Florida has 322 sitting on death row.

Solutions: Keep all students in high school until they graduate. No exceptions.

Those who don't attend college must attend a vocational school at student expense (student loan) with the remainder entering one of the military branches of service. No one sits on the porch unless disabled, physically or mentally.

How? Bring jobs back to America. People regardless of color or race will prosper if given a chance. They must earn the right to be free. Nothing comes without a price.

Sam Black

Palmetto

This story was originally published January 17, 2016 at 12:00 AM with the headline "Cut rising Florida prison costs by requiring students get degree, job ."