PRISON BLUES

Last week, Florida's prison population exceeded 100,000 for the first
time. Only California and Texas have more inmates. And Florida
Corrections Secretary Walter McNeil says the DOC may have to put up
tents to house all the inmates. McNeil said at the current growth
trend, Florida will need 19 new prisons in the next five years. That
will require the DOC budget to nearly double, to about $4 billion.

But that's not what McNeil is recommending. Instead, he wants
lawmakers to reevaluate tough mandatory sentencing laws and
concentrate on reducing high recidivism rates so inmates are less
likely to return to prison once released.

One way to reduce recidivism is to ensure that inmates have access to
education, vocational, mental health and substance abuse programs.
Unfortunately, when budgets are cut, those are usually the first
things to go.

"Research data show that correctional education and associated
academic achievement provide a positive turning point for incarcerated
offenders in their post-release lives," says Tom Blomberg, dean of the
Florida State College of Criminology and Criminal Justice. "They are
more likely to gain employment, and therefore, less likely to re-offend."

In short, Florida needs to stop throwing money at new prisons and
become a lot smarter about who it locks up, what happens to inmates
while they are incarcerated and how well prepared they are to re-enter
society after their sentences are up.