Florida taxpayers spend well over $1 billion per year keeping people locked up in county jails. Many of these people are low level offenders who simply can’t afford bail. Some of them are awaiting trial and haven’t been convicted of a crime.
Escambia County is an example. With a population of only 300,000, it will spend $47 million this year on jails. The expense has become too much to bear. County Commissioners Jeff Bergosh, a Republican, and Lumon May, a Democrat, agree it’s time to make changes. Listen to them talk it out. Maybe their bipartisanship will spread around the state and the country.
Download and read the report for more information.