TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- A think tank comprised of four schools -- including Florida State University and St. Petersburg College -- describes problems plaguing the state's prison system. Problems the group says could have a negative effect statewide.
Terrible stories of inmate abuse, some cases leading to death, have plagued the Florida Department of Corrections.
Secretary Terry Crew has promised change, but has he done enough?
Allison DeFoor, the think tank's chairman, says failure with the Corrections department means less safety for everyone in the state.
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According to the paper, if inmates in prison made up an entire county, the population would be home to more people than in 44 of Florida's 67 counties.
"Eighty-five percent of the prisoners will be released within five years so when the system doesn't work it's bad inside and then it's bad outside."
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The recommendations include starting a commission overseeing the prison system and adding more support for correctional officers.
Dale Landry with the NAACP says the call for change has been a long journey. "Granted we are seeing some change but yet the reality of it, we've got a long way to go."
DeFoor says other states like Georgia have started commissions that look at ways to improve their prison systems. He says that has been a great success.
