State House Panel Takes Up Prisons Reform Proposal
TALLAHASSEE (CBSMiami/NSF) - After numerous reports of alleged wrongdoing by guards and abuse of inmates, the House Criminal Justice Subcommittee on Tuesday will consider a plan that would take steps to improve oversight of the state's prisons.
The bill doesn't go as far as a Senate proposal, but it includes expanding the scope of security audits at prisons and would give priority to facilities that have high levels of inappropriate use of force against inmates, assaults on employees or inmate sexual abuse, according to a House staff analysis.
Among other things, the House plan would require inspectors who investigate sexual-abuse allegations to receive specialized training.
Meanwhile Tuesday, the full Senate could take up SB 7020, sponsored by Sen. Greg Evers, R-Baker. In part, that bill would create a Florida Corrections Commission to oversee the operations of prisons.
The News Service of Florida contributed to this report.