Inmate idleness in Florida's prisons remains a problem since our 2000 report. Although work and education programs help prisons manage inmate populations, funding shortfalls have resulted in eliminating many academic, vocational, and substance abuse programs. Currently, one-third of inmates lack meaningful work assignments.
Revised correctional officer training designed to reduce turnover has produced better trained officers, but had little effect on turnover. Although officers who leave prior to one year are required by law to reimburse the state for their training costs, the department's recovery of monies is low and has improved only slightly since our last review.
The department needs to better coordinate its construction and program activities to ensure prudent construction decisions. The department has not adopted formal site selection criteria for locating prisons. However, use of prototype designs has helped the department construct facilities faster and cheaper and the backlog of small construction projects has been reduced.
Although the department has taken some steps to improve its vehicle fleet management, responsibility for maintaining the $41-million vehicle fleet is fragmented and the department lacks reliable data on vehicle maintenance.

No Title
Report 00-23
Alternative Placements for the Correctional Education Program Would Be More Costly
Report 08-16 March 2008
Progress Report: Inmate Health Care Consolidation Progressing; Privatization Requires Agency Vigilance
Report 04-61 August 2004
Progress Report: Corrections Education and Rehabilitative Programs Significantly Reduced
Report 04-59 August 2004

Copies of this report in print or alternate accessible format may be obtained by email OPPAGA@oppaga.fl.gov, telephone (850) 488-0021, or mail 111 W. Madison St., Room 312 Tallahassee, FL 32399-1475.