Gov. DeSantis says convicts are helping out with Helene cleanup
Ron DeSantis calls in inmate labor for Helene cleanup. Image via @GovRonDesantis/X.

DeSantis Horseshoe Beach EOG X
'We're utilizing our resources.'

Gov. Ron DeSantis says prisoners are helping the state recover from Hurricane Helene.

Speaking in Horseshoe Beach, DeSantis remarked on “debris” being cleaned up by inmates, which facilitates taxpayer savings.

“We’re utilizing our resources. We’ve got low-security inmates that are out there who do normal prison labor. The Department of Corrections is bringing them to help with hurricane cleanup,” DeSantis said.

The Governor went on to discuss savings from them being “out there cleaning up in the debris, which would cost us way more money if you had to do that through some of these private contractors.”

It’s unclear how many convicts have been tasked with storm recovery.

Visitation at some facilities was curtailed for a few days, being reinstated on Sunday. And more than 4,600 inmates were relocated to hardened facilities ahead of the storm’s landing.

The Governor didn’t just talk about prison labor on Tuesday, however. He also said he doesn’t expect any October surprises in the form of a Special Session to address Hurricane Helene impacts.

The state doesn’t have “plans to do it now because we haven’t been presented with the need to do it now,” DeSantis said, noting that the state’s disaster preparedness fund exists for contingencies like storm recovery.

The Governor’s Office also announced Tuesday that power outages are below 50,000 as of Tuesday afternoon, with more than 2.35 million accounts restored.

A.G. Gancarski

A.G. Gancarski has been the Northeast Florida correspondent for Florida Politics since 2014. He writes for the New York Post and National Review also, with previous work in the American Conservative and Washington Times and a 15+ year run as a columnist in Folio Weekly. He can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter: @AGGancarski


6 comments

  • A day without Libturds

    October 1, 2024 at 2:00 pm

    That was quick! Thanks Ron!

    Reply

    • Keeps illegals in prison

      October 1, 2024 at 8:15 pm

      No thanks Ron. I don’t want dangerous illegal immigrants criminals performing whatever work around my kids. They gonna rape little Susie and fill little Billy with their immigrant indoctrination! How dare you!!

      Reply

  • ScienceBLVR

    October 1, 2024 at 2:03 pm

    I wonder if Charlie Crist AKA Chain Gang sees the irony here…of course, he was a Republican back then. Part of Project 2025 perhaps? Ahhh the old forced labor camp trick!

    Reply

  • Victoria Olson

    October 1, 2024 at 2:06 pm

    This is slave labor having convicted criminals put to work without pay. I NEVER want to hear from Fl. Republicans about chain gag Charlie. Truly they are a bunch of hypocrites

    Reply

    • A day without Libturds

      October 1, 2024 at 2:11 pm

      Crying more will help. You blue cultists are the biggest hypocrites.

      Reply

  • MHDuuuval

    October 1, 2024 at 11:08 pm

    There will be inmates who volunteer and kudos to them. But coercing inmates to do this work is unethical.

    Reply

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