Florida is Swinging in the Right Direction

By Kirsten Bokenkamp Senior Communications Strategist Business Week magazine is calling it a setback for GEO, but we call it a big win for criminal law reform and public safety. With a 21-19 vote, the Florida Senate said “no” to privatizing the state’s prison system.  Had this measure passed, it would have been the largest for-profit prison system in the U.S.  Texans should watch and learn. Florida Gov. Rick Scott is in favor of the plan claiming it will save the state $16.5 million a year. But we all know what comes with those supposed savings: less safe prison conditions for guards and inmates, fewer prison employees who all have less training, cuts in medical care and educational programming, higher recidivism rates resulting in a decrease in public safety…and the list goes on.  According to Florida law, Scott still has the power to approve the contract – something we hope will not happen. We applaud Floridians for looking out for the public interest and sending one of the world’s largest private prison corporations on its way.  But, Texans (and the rest of the world) must keep our eyes open.  After losing what would have been such a lucrative contract, GEO is likely on the prowl for its next target.  President of the GEO Care Unit said, "There are other states looking at doing similar things and you’re seeing things happening abroad.” Watch out, Texas! A for-profit prison company makes money by imprisoning as many people as possible as cheaply as possible. Imprisoning people shouldn’t be a money-maker in Texas or anywhere else. GEO and companies like it need to be stopped. Turning our prisons into a for-profit industry is a bad idea.  Congratulations, Florida, for coming to the right conclusion that the public safety of Floridians is not for sale. Texans should keep it that way.