Bill Text: FL H4215 | 2011 | Regular Session | Introduced

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Bill Title: Faith-based Prison Programs

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2011-05-07 - Indefinitely postponed and withdrawn from consideration [H4215 Detail]

Download: Florida-2011-H4215-Introduced.html

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HB 4215

1	A bill to be entitled
2	An act relating to faith-based prison programs; amending
3	s. 944.803, F.S.; deleting a requirement that a specified
4	percentage of inmates in such programs be within 36 months
5	of release; providing an effective date.
6
7	Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:
8
9	Section 1.  Subsection (3) of section 944.803, Florida
10	Statutes, is amended to read:
11	944.803  Faith-based programs for inmates.-
12	(3)  The department must have at least six new programs
13	fully operational. These six programs shall be similar to and in
14	addition to the current faith-based pilot program. The six new
15	programs shall be a joint effort with the department and faith-
16	based service groups within the community. The department shall
17	ensure that an inmate's faith orientation, or lack thereof, will
18	not be considered in determining admission to a faith-based
19	program and that the program does not attempt to convert an
20	inmate toward a particular faith or religious preference. The
21	programs shall operate 24 hours a day within the existing
22	correctional facilities. The programs must emphasize the
23	importance of personal responsibility, meaningful work,
24	education, substance abuse treatment, and peer support.
25	Participation in the faith-based dormitory program shall be
26	voluntary. However, at least 80 percent of the inmates
27	participating in this program must be within 36 months of
28	release. Assignment to these programs shall be based on
29	evaluation and the length of time the inmate is projected to be
30	assigned to that particular institution. In evaluating an inmate
31	for this program, priority shall be given to inmates who have
32	shown an indication for substance abuse. A right to substance
33	abuse program services is not stated, intended, or otherwise
34	implied by this subsection. The department may not remove an
35	inmate once assigned to the program except for the purposes of
36	population management, for inmate conduct that may subject the
37	inmate to disciplinary confinement or loss of gain-time, for
38	physical or mental health concerns, or for security or safety
39	concerns. To support the programming component, the department
40	shall assign a chaplain and a full-time clerical support person
41	dedicated to each dormitory to implement and monitor the program
42	and to strengthen volunteer participation and support.
43	Section 2.  This act shall take effect July 1, 2011.

CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.