Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Peter SchorschMarch 4, 2016

As the Legislature’s “big chairs” meet this weekend to try to take the 2016-17 state budget in for a landing, there are few issues more pressing and in the public eye than fixing Florida’s ailing Department of Corrections and prison system in general. The department has gained a reputation for cutting corners in a way that […]

Associated PressDecember 10, 2015

A Florida Panhandle county’s jail system is in turmoil after administrators fired its director after six inmate deaths in the past 13 months, three by suicide and three by natural causes. The first death under director Michael Tidwell, who was fired last week, came just months after a 2014 explosion killed two inmates, injured 200 […]

Ryan RaySeptember 22, 2015

Sen. Jeff Brandes dashed off a flurry of letters to state agency heads on Tuesday asking for more details on Florida’s system of revoking and suspending drivers’ licenses – and the financial strain, even incarceration, that comes with it. Brandes, a St. Petersburg Republican, chairs the Senate Transportation Committee, which he says will draft a new law […]

Jim RosicaSeptember 1, 2015

The company slated to get as much as $300,000 for an outside review of the state prison system is itself a designer and developer of correctional facilities. The Florida Legislature last month issued a “notice of intent” to award a contract to Carter Goble Associates, part of Miami-based CGL Cos. The study was funded as […]

Melissa RossJuly 13, 2015

Mental health advocates have reacted with cautious optimism to news that Gov. Rick Scott has ordered an independent analysis of the state’s prison system and the development of two prisons to test new ways of handling and housing prisoners with mental health issues. “It’s long overdue,” said Denise Marzullo, president and CEO of Mental Health America of […]

Associated PressJuly 9, 2015

Gov. Rick Scott is ordering an independent analysis of the state’s prison system and the development of two prisons to test new ways of handling and housing prisoners with mental health issues, as well as the general population. Scott issued the order Thursday. He is also directing the Department of Corrections to work with the […]

James CallMay 8, 2015

Gov. Rick Scott issued an executive order Friday to crack down on the violent culture within Florida’s prison system. The order includes provisions addressing safety and transparency and that hold guards, wardens and Department of Corrections Secretary Julie Jones accountable. Newspaper investigations have detailed a series of unexplained inmate deaths, allegations of retaliation against whistleblowers, […]

James CallApril 29, 2015

Instead of a Doctor of the Day, when the Florida House and Senate next meet, maybe they should consider a psychologist, counselor or mediator. After an exchange of insults and letters Wednesday it became even more uncertain when the two chambers will be able to begin budget negotiations. The gulf between the Florida House and […]

Phil AmmannApril 9, 2015

New documents reveal a legislative attack on a trust fund intended to pay for corrections officer training and equipment, which intensified already aggravated under-funding of the Department of Corrections. The situation has led to dangerous failures in felon supervision, reports Noah Pransky of WTSP News. In 2004, lawmakers closed the trust fund, although the state […]

Brendan FarringtonApril 3, 2015

Just past the midpoint of the Florida Legislature’s 60-day session, lawmakers have left town for the Easter and Passover holidays. Let’s take a look at what they have done with the more than 1,700 bills that have been filed. They set next year’s presidential primary for March 15. And they’re really, really close to sending […]

Tag: Department of Corrections

Don’t cut corners on Dept. of Corrections health funding

Panhandle county fires jail director after 6 inmate deaths

Jeff Brandes wants answers on “cruel” driver’s license suspension regime

Prison developer in line to review state’s corrections system

Mental health advocates say Scott’s executive order on prisons “long overdue”

Gov. Rick Scott orders independent analysis of Florida prisons

Governor reforms prisons with executive order

Senate President, House Speaker exchange letters as budget dispute deepens

While lawmakers starve DOC budget, probationers still pay for supervision

Lawmakers pass few bills as budget questions linger