Pubdate: Wed, 10 Sep 2003 Source: Tallahassee Democrat (FL) Copyright: 2003 Tallahassee Democrat. Contact: http://www.tallahassee.com/mld/democrat/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/444 Author: Andrew T. LeFevre ATTACK ON PRISONS WAS UNFOUNDED Robert Batey's attack on prisons ("There's a prison industrial complex at work in Florida," Aug. 21) merely recycles discredited claims that prisons are government tools to hold down disenfranchised segments of our society. Of course, that is false. Citizens demanded safer neighborhoods, so elected officials adopted a tough-on-crime mentality that contributes to lower crime rates. Batey believes the public-private prison system adds to out-of-control spending in Florida. The facts say otherwise. By utilizing innovative partnerships in corrections and treatment, Florida is actually spending less to house inmates. In 1997, Florida's average daily expense to house an inmate was $50.51. By 2002, that cost declined to $48.13 a day. This saves nearly $869 each year per inmate or $66.6 million in annual savings for Florida's taxpayers. So before Batey talks again about Florida's prison system, I suggest he descend from his ivory tower and meet the people who live in Miami, Tallahassee and other metropolitan areas. He might be surprised to learn that they are thankful the bad guys are in jail, making them safer. ANDREW T. LEFEVRE,Executive director,Association of Private Correctional and Treatment Organizations, --- MAP posted-by: Keith Brilhart