PLATFORM

      Campaign 2006  Planks:      
    
        
      Prisons         
   
      Let’s stop making career criminals out of non-violent offenders who wind up in the system with hardened criminals. The current prison system is costly to taxpayers and works against their interests. I want a lower-cost, more effective system. 

      I am in favor of a two-tiered system. I wish to separate violent criminals from non-violent criminals through strict segregation of the two classes of offenders.

I also intend to put a greater emphasis on rehabilitation. Inmates on both tiers should receive education and learn vocational skills while they are behind bars so they can be prepared for the job market on the outside. I want offenders to be able to earn a living and avoid being driven to crime upon their release. 

      Florida must be protected from predators and habitual criminals. Parole violators should be returned to prison immediately if they break the terms of their probation. They must not be released again until they can prove to a judge that they no longer pose a danger to the community. 

      Floridians became aware of the importance of this issue after the murders of Jessica Lunsford, Carlie Bruscia and Sarah Lund. All killed by parole violators. 

      I will enforce a zero-tolerance policy for offenders who violate the privileges of their parole. I also believe that prisoners should help defray the cost of their own incarceration after their release. 

      When prisoners have completely fulfilled their obligation to society they should also be permitted to vote. 

      Services for the correctional system should be privatized. This privatization does not include the correctional and rehabilitative functions of the system. These are responsibilities that belong exclusively to the government.