Charly Norton, [email protected], (561) 320-3750
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: September 8, 2016 CONTACT: Charly Norton, [email protected], (561) 320-3750 FloridaStrong Unveils 2016 “Wall of Shame”: For-Profit Prison Edition Lawmakers Remain Beholden To Corporate Donors, Including Private Prisons Notorious For Corruption, Violence, Prisoner ABuse, Sexual Assault & Civil Rights Violations Last month, the U.S. Department of Justice declared that they will no longer utilize private prisons due to safety, security and effectiveness concerns. These for-profit prison companies are notorious for corruption, violence, prisoner abuse, sexual assault and civil rights violations – and not to mention a poor use of taxpayer dollars. It will be up to Florida’s newly elected legislature to determine whether Florida will follow suit and stop allowing corporations to run our penitentiary system. For years, the for-profit prison industry has wielded significant influence in Tallahassee – offering lawmakers hefty campaign donations in return for contracts and policies that only boost the companies’ profits. From dozens of lobbyists storming the Capitol each legislative session, to millions of dollars in contributions, these corporations are relentlessly corrupting the political process as they collect Florida politicians who are on their side. Since the beginning of 2015 alone, the private prison industry has given more than $500,000 to Florida lawmakers. It is clear the for-profit prison corporations are worried about their bottom line and are actively trying to buy legislators for 2017 and beyond. Without further ado… Wall of Shame – 2016 Election Cycle: Top Recipients Of For-Profit Prison Dollars RECIPIENT AMOUNT FOR-PROFIT PRISON CONTRIBUTORS Florida Republican Senatorial $150,000 GEO Group, Armor Correctional Committee Health Services Republican Party of Florida $135,000 GEO Group, Correct Care Solutions (GEO Group Subsidiary) Bill Galvano (incl. his Innovate $33,500 GEO Group, Armor Correctional Florida PAC) Health Services, Correct Care Solutions (GEO Group Subsidiary) Wilton Simpson (incl. his Jobs $25,000 GEO Group For Florida PAC) Jack Latvala (incl. his Florida $25,000 GEO Group Leadership Committee PAC) Anitere Flores (incl. her $22,000 Corrections Corporation of Floridians for Strong Leadership America, GEO Group, GEO PAC) Care Jeff Brandes (incl. his Liberty $18,000 GEO Group, GEO Care, George Florida PAC) Zoley (GEO CEO) Dana Young (incl. her Friends of $15,000 GEO Group, GEO Care Dana Young PAC) Carlos Trujillo (incl. his $6,000 Corrections Corporation of Conservative and Principled America Leadership for Florida PAC) Jason Brodeur (incl. his Friends $5,000 GEO Group of Jason Brodeur PAC) Joe Negron (incl. his Treasure $5,000 Corrections Corporation of Coast Alliance PAC) America Richard Corcoran (incl. his $5,000 Corrections Corporation of Florida Roundtable PAC) America Wall of Shame – Dishonorable Mentions: Each has taken at least $1,000 from the for-profit prison industry during the 2016 cycle Kathleen Passidomo Miguel Diaz de la Portilla Frank Artiles David Rivera Considering these companies’ track records, one can only assume the politicians taking their money condone their activities. If they do not, each lawmaker ought to make a clear statement and return all contributions received from the for-profit prison industry. ADDITIONAL BACKGROUND: GEO Group Was Awarded Contracts, Putting Them In Control Of 80% Of The Private Prisons In Florida. In December 2013, The Florida Times Union reported, “The state has traded one private prison giant for another when deciding in October to award three contracts to manage 3,854 prison beds to The GEO Group, a private prison management company that estimates the new contracts will be worth $57 million annually. The Boca Raton-based company, which already oversees two prison facilities, now manages prisons that house 76 percent of the state’s private prison beds. The expiring contracts are currently held by Nashville-based Corrections Corporation of America.” [Florida Times Union, 12/16/13] The State Entered Into 5 Year Contracts Worth $1.4B With Private Prison Companies – As Complaints About Quality Increased The Companies Renegotiated And Got More Money From The State. In February 2015, The Miami Herald reported, “Two years ago, the state entered into two five-year contracts worth $1.4 billion with Corizon Health Inc. and Wexford Health Services for inmate healthcare services. Last year, DOC paid $145 million to Corizon and another $30 million to Wexford but as complaints about the quality of care increased and costs climbed, Jones announced this month she is renegotiating the contracts. The new agreement is expected to cost the state more but, it is hoped, give inmates better care and redress if they are harmed.” [Miami Herald, 2/28/15] Gov. Scott And Legislative Leaders Secretly Privatized Pieces Of The Prison System. In February 2015, The Miami Herald reported, “Scott didn’t openly discuss the strategy, or include it as part of his ‘Let’s Get to Work’ campaign, but documents show he and the legislative leaders used the budget process to do exactly as Eaton suggested — gradually privatize pieces of the prison system without calling attention to it.” [Miami Herald, 2/28/15] Contracts With Private Prison Companies Guarantee Them A 90% Occupancy Rate And Pay Them Per Inmate Per Day – Incentivizing Longer Prison Sentences. In February 2015, The Miami Herald reported, “Unlike the state-run prisons, the contracts with the private companies guarantee them a 90 percent occupancy rate, pay them per inmate, per day, and allow them to charge more for extra services and programs. Proponents say private prisons save money because they are more efficient and better managed than publicly run prisons. Opponents say their profit motive provides an incentive not to give inmates gain time, which increases costs, and their lower wages and benefits lead to staff turnover.” [Miami Herald, 2/28/15] In Florida, There Are Seven Private Prisons, 21 Inmate Work Camps Have Contracted Out Services, And Mental Health & Substance Abuse Treatment Has Been Outsourced. In April 2015, The Tampa Bay Times reported, “But the legislative panel could also open the door to an evaluation of the recent shift in priorities that has led the state to open seven private prisons, contract out services for 21 inmate work camps, and shift mental health care and substance abuse treatment and inmate health care to private vendors.” [Tampa Bay Times, 4/19/15] Report Showed Suspicious Inmate Deaths Were Covered Up, Complaints Of Bad Medical Care Were Ignored, Nursing And Staffing Shortages, And Hundreds Of Lawsuits Claiming Inadequate Medical Care. In April 2015, The Tampa Bay Times reported, “The call to action was prompted by a series of reports in the Tampa Bay Times and Miami Herald that showed suspicious inmate deaths were covered up or never reviewed, inmate grievances and complaints of harmful medical care were dismissed or ignored, and internal controls were inconsistent. Audits conducted by the state's Correctional Medical Authority also found problems with inadequate medical care, nursing and staffing shortages, and hundreds of pending lawsuits claiming inadequate medical care.” [Tampa Bay Times, 4/19/15] Private Prisons Thrive At The Expense Of The Public Prison System Private Prison Industry Was Given Special Attention While Public Prisons Crumbled And Became Dangerous For Inmates And Staff. In February 2015, The Miami Herald reported, “Prisons weren’t discussed as a priority for either Scott or legislative leaders on the campaign trail, but budget records reviewed by the Herald/Times show the private prison industry was given special attention. Over the past four years, lawmakers and the governor increased spending on prison vendors by creating new programs and steering millions to them in state contracts, even as the public prisons crumbled and became more dangerous for inmates and staff.” [Miami Herald, 2/28/15] Sen. Evers Said Understaffing The Prisons May Be Used To Help Private Vendors Gain An Edge. In February 2015, The Miami Herald reported, “Sen. Greg Evers, R-Baker, a longtime advocate for the state’s corrections officers, said he is worried that understaffing may be used to help private vendors gain an edge. ‘Two weeks ago I would have said, ‘No, that’s not what’s going on’,’ he said. ‘Today, I have my doubts. The responsibilities we’ve placed upon them and the level of funding is definitely at a critical situation.’” [Miami Herald, 2/28/15] Florida Legislature’s Failure To Fund Prison System “Is Endangering Staff, Inmates, And The Public.” In a September 2015 editorial, The Tampa Bay Times opined: “Florida's cash-strapped prison system is hemorrhaging money and guards, and the state's refusal to spend what it takes to maintain safety behind bars is endangering staff, inmates and the public. Those findings, by an outside auditor commissioned by the Florida Department of Corrections, should be a wakeup call for Gov. Rick Scott and the Legislature to finally restore adequate funding to the state's prison system.” [Tampa Bay Times, editorial, 9/25/15] • Tampa Bay Times: Prison Failures Were “A Sweeping Indictment Of This Governor And Legislature When It Comes To Funding The System For Keeping Prison Facilities Safe.” In a September 2015 editorial, The Tampa Bay Times opined: “There is no obligation more fundamental to government than ensuring public safety. But the findings by the National Institute of Corrections amount to a sweeping indictment of this governor