Incarceration in Florida
Incarceration in Florida is one of the main forms of punishment, rehabilitation, or both for the commission of felony and other offenses in the state.
History
[edit]Mandatory guidelines such as the 1999 10-20-Life and the 1995 Three-strikes law established minimum sentencing for those convicted of crimes. The 1995 law requiring convicts to serve 85% of their sentence and Zero tolerance have all contributed to lengthening prisoners sentences in Florida.[1]
Two-strikes law
[edit]Florida passed HB 1371, the Prisoner Release Reoffender Act, in May 1997.[2] This so-called "two-strikes" law dictates that individuals convicted of certain categories of crime who reoffend within three years is subject to life in prison without parole, even if this is only a second offense, gaining the distinction of, "one of the strictest sentencing laws in the US."[3]
Cost
[edit]In 2013, the average cost to house a prisoner was $18,000 per inmate annually.[1]
Population
[edit]In 2013, there were 100,844 inmates, aged 14 to 93. 93% of the population were males, 7% females. Figures do not include those in local jails or juvenile justice systems.[1]
53% have been incarcerated for violent crimes. Drugs offenses constitute 17% of the population.[1]
In 2013, 564 people were in prison for driving with a suspended license, in turn, often the result of failure to pay a fine or a fee.[1]
See also
[edit]Notes
[edit]- ^ a b c d e Dockery, Paula (December 7, 2013). "Tackling state's prison crunch". Florida Today. Melbourne, Florida. pp. 13A. Retrieved December 29, 2013.
- ^ "Locked Up for Life After 'Two Strikes'". FRONTLINE. Retrieved 2024-02-05.
- ^ "Florida's 'two-strikes' law: History, impact of one of the strictest sentencing laws in the US". Tallahassee Democrat. Retrieved 2024-02-05.
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