While the Secretary's reorganization goals were commendable, the vision and scope of changes were not clear, some changes were made without adequate preparation, and little effort was made to gain employee acceptance.
Better fleet management is needed. The department could save $586,962 annually through contracts for parts and obtain $150,000 for unused vehicles.
The Legislature should revise requirements for correctional officers to tie more closely to the demands of the job; the currently required law enforcement training makes the officers attractive to local law enforcement agencies, leading to high turnover and state training expense.
Although education, vocational, substance abuse treatment, and other programs increase prison security and reduce recidivism, a significant number of inmates do not get the programs they need, and thousands of inmates leave programs before completion.
The department should assess the need to relocate or open additional mental health crisis stabilization units.
Managing the collection and disbursement of offender funds detracts from the department's public safety mission because highly trained probation officers function as fiscal clerks. This function should be transferred to the Department of Revenue.

Intermediate Sanctions for Non-Violent Offenders Could Produce Savings
Report 10-27 March 2010
Department of Corrections Should Maximize Use of Best Practices in Inmate Rehabilitation Efforts
Report 09-44 December 2009
Steps to Control Prison Inmate Health Care Costs Have Begun to Show Savings
Report 09-07 January 2009
While DMS Has Improved Monitoring, It Needs to Strengthen Private Prison Oversight and Contracts
Report 08-71 December 2008

Copies of this report in print or alternate accessible format may be obtained by email OPPAGA@oppaga.fl.gov, telephone (850) 488-0021, or mail 111 W. Madison St., Room 312 Tallahassee, FL 32399-1475.