Pubdate: Sat, 20 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: Harold Blessing
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v03/n1361/a08.html

RECOVER PRISONERS, SAVE MONEY, TEAR DOWN PRISONS

I see that Andrew T. Lefevre (Letters, Sept. 10) is pointing out that 
relatively minor reductions in the daily cost to house prison inmates 
initiated by the organizations he represents did result in annual savings 
to the taxpayers of some $66 million. Real money indeed.

This is possible since the current Florida prison population is currently 
estimated at a bit over 77,000. The Tallahassee Democrat recently suggested 
editorially that through rehabilitation and education, recidivism could be 
reduced and a released individual, able to find employment, could have a 
chance at a good life.

A program of rehabilitation likely could reduce the prison roster by 
10,000, perhaps more. At an annual cost of $18,000, this would save the 
taxpayers $180 million plus the cost of maintaining all those prison cells. 
Lefevre feels the people of Tallahassee are happy that the prisons keep the 
bad guys off the streets. They might be even happier if we could turn a few 
of the bad guys into good guys and save $180 million to boot.

We might even be able to tear down a few of Lefevre's prisons.

Harold M. Blessing
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MAP posted-by: Larry Stevens