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.
6 comments
A day without Libturds
October 1, 2024 at 2:00 pm
That was quick! Thanks Ron!
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!!
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!
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
A day without Libturds
October 1, 2024 at 2:11 pm
Crying more will help. You blue cultists are the biggest hypocrites.
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.