For the second year in a row, key state lawmakers are on a path to turn 29 state prison facilities over to private contractors. The plan is being criticized because Data on potential cost savings is incomplete.

29 prisons in 18 counties across south Florida could be up for bid to a private contractor by summer. As many as four thousand corrections officers could be out of a job, which brought unionized officers to Tallahassee in protest. One of them was Penny Reeder from Starke. “To turn us over to the for profit privatization corporations means our communities definitely will not be safe. I beg and plead.”

Last year, key lawmakers stuffed the prison privatization legislation into the state budget .there was not up or down vote, and a judge told them they couldn’t do that.

Five Private prison companies have given almost a million dollars this election cycle, the majority to Republicans. The legislation was developed in a committee headed by the former Chairman of the Republican Party.

Critic Mike Fasano from Pasco County says even after last years court case, the legislation is moving too fast. “Without having full debate, without having but very little testimony from the public, should concern anyone when you find out where the donations are coming from.”

One vote count had the measure failing and that prompted reports of Governor Rick Scott urging Senators to get on board. “if we do prison privatization, its going to save the state money and we’ll do it the right way.”

If the plan passes, the 4 thousand corrections officers who could be out of a job could move to prisons in other parts of the state, bumping officers with less seniority.

The privatization is supposed to save the state at least seven percent, but the only credible study done in the state by Florida State University in 2003 was inconclusive.