Topic: FL Dept. of Corrections

Correctional officers say they want "equal pay for equal risk" with state police. They say Florida can afford a $30 million pay increase when the state has a projected budget surplus of $1 billion.

Gov. Rick Scott's plan includes a $542 million increase in education spending, but part of the increase will likely come from an increase in property values and property taxes. ... Related Research: Governor's Budget Recommendations for Fiscal Year 2014-2015.

FDLE and state prison system officials discuss the complex forgery operation that led to the escape of two inmates from Franklin Correctional Institution in August and September. Forged release papers gave the duo a brief hiatus from prison. ... Related Research: Dec. 19, 2013 Press release, "FDLE arrests 6 in the inmate escape scheme," and related articles.

Gov. Rick Scott told reporters Tuesday he isn't talking about his process for finding a lieutenant governor, but he also has a handful of positions at Citizens Property Insurance Corp. to fill. He's in no rush to make such decisions after several high-profile appointments have left in scandal or controversy.

Democrats don't like it, call for tight oversight of the private corporations that have been hired to take care of Florida's prison inmates. ... Related Research: Sept. 25, 2013 House Justice Appropriations Subcommittee meeting packet.

The union contends that when it comes to compensatory time off that prison officers must "use it or lose it" and often lose hours they've earned. ... Related Research: Aug. 21, 2013 Press release, "Teamsters Sue Florida Governor And State Agencies."

Global Tel Link, Securus Technologies and CenturyLink are taking their fight for a multimillion contract to provide telephone services at state prisons to administrative court. Meanwhile, the current contract expires Sept. 24. ... Related Research: Formal Written Protest in ITN No: 12-DC-8396 (Embarq vs. Dept. of Corrections), and other related documents.

State agrees to pay for the time it takes for prison guards to pass through security checks going to and from their posts. It can take up to a half hour each way, they say. The Labor Department agreed.

The Florida Current summarizes the 2013 legislative session as Democrats push Scott to call a special session for health care and environmental groups question whether the state can sell enough of its land to make the $70 million allocation for land acquisition to work.

Department of Corrections officials tour the new re-entry center with hopes to open the 432-bed lock-up in Gadsden County by July 1. They emphasize that it is not a work-release facility.

Bills would emphasize drug and mental treatment, job training for nonviolent prison inmates in order to keep them from committing more crimes and returning to jail. ... Related Research: Feb. 19, 2013 Smart Justice Alliance press release.

The state Department of Corrections Prison system says it faces a revenue shortage and will have to cut costs through June 30. ... Related Research: Small County Coalition of Florida 2013 Legislative Program.

Odds against Rep. Michelle Rehwinkel Vasilinda's bill are long, but she's not discouraged, saying such a move would make fiscal sense. And, she contends, the death penalty has not proved to be a deterrent. ... Related Research: Jan. 4, 2013 press release "Representative Michelle Rehwinkel Vasilinda Files Death Penalty Repealer Bill."

About 400 state jobs will be affected in nine South Florida institutions as the state agrees to a $48 million contract with Wexford Health Sources to provide health-care services for inmates. ... Related Research: Nov. 14, 2012 press release "Wexford Health and DOC discussing inmate health care services in South Florida."