54.9%	Yes
41.17%	No

Comment: yes i feel it would be good to give early release to both fegeral and state non-violent inmates as it costs thousands off dollars anually to house them when they could be free to work and benefir the community as long as they are monitored by probation or parole for awhile. from milton fla by karen

Comment: Instead of releasing crim- inals into the society they have wronged, allow that so- ciety to profit. How? Trans- fer non-violent offenders to work camps (tent cities if necessay). Put them to work on infrastructure, etc. projects thereby saving dollers for other needs. Gaurds would be transfered also, not layed off and added to the unemploy- ment burden. from Pensacola, Florida by Robin

Comment: How about not keeping people on death row for 20-30 years before being executed? That should save plenty of money, since so much is spent eveery year to house death row inmates. And that should make for more room also!! from pensacola,fl by anonymous

Comment: I think that they should release non-violent prisoners. They are at times giving too much time for the crimes that they have done. Also some of them are given more time than the person that have killed someone. And if they are given early release they can get jobs and make a better life for themselves.My son for one, He was a 15 year old put in prison for stealing , which was wrong and but they gave him 13 years. I wanted my son to learn from what he did, but I think 13 years was a bit much. I also think that if I had the money to get a real Lawyer, I dont think he would have got that much time. Being a single parent makes it had to do much about a lot of things. from Fort Walton Beach,Florida by Angennetta

Comment: Were would jobs come from for released prisoners? from Molino, Fl. 32577 by Glen

Comment: The state of Florida should take lessons from Sheriff Joe Arpaio. Setup some tent cities! from Niceville by Janine

Comment: No criminal should get "Early Release". Everyone of them should serve full term. They did the crime & should do the time. from Pensacola, Fl. by Frank

Comment: It would probably work only if the Classification Department release first time offenders only. You would be surprised how many "Repeat" non-violent offenders we have (such as drug dealers). They would go back to doing the same thing to make the "fast dollar" in the way our jobs are now. from Crestview by Willis

Comment: Yes they need to be released it would be better for them to learn responsibilty, in prison it is too easy for them and when they do get out they do not know how to cope with the real world. Plus it would save our taxpayers money for their food, lodging, and medical care. They need more than just be looked up, it is more ainjustice to them and our society. from Fort Walton Bch FL by Betty

Comment: I like the idea of the job training but where is the money coming from for job training? Maybe there could be some community service performed by these released people to somehow trade out services of the training? from milton fl by maggie

Comment: I have mix feelings on this. I guess as long as they are not a threat on society. Some people that are in the prison system just made a bad choice and have learned from their mistake. So those people, yes I believe everyone deserves a second chance. from Milton,Florida by Denise

Comment: If an inmate were near release and non-violent I am in agreement. from Pensacola FL by Deborah

Comment: My father is in prison for a crime that he DID NOT commit. They had no evidence against him. He is 62 years old and has never commited a crime in his life. Our mistake was moving to Florida with all those crooked people. I want my father home so he don't miss anymore of my daughters life than he already has. I know there are alot of guilty men in prison but I also know there are alot of innocent men too. People don't realize the problem that is going on in Florida with the prison system and I think this needs to be brought to light. I do believe non violent prisoners should be sent home to live with their families. I think the 85% law passed by Jeb Bush is unreasonable and is part of the problem with the overcrowded prisons in Florida. Thank you for your time. from Wilmer/Al by Mandi

Comment: The dept of corrections dont support the plan as its all about job security- the department of corrections says they want to cut down on population- but not to the point to where you need so many corrections " officers" etc...The FPBA says they oppose it because it would cause " shockwaves" and it would not be "good public policy" HEY...let the public have thier say by a vote and go with it. Prisons are too lucrative for many undereducated people who want to wear the uniform and abuse behind closed doors and down hallways ( Like Washington Corrections who walk their inmates down the back way of the facility to a hallway with no cameras and assault anyone.You have good corrections officers and you have bad. Fire all the abusive uneducated "officers" and save more money. Florida thrives on tourisum and as California and Texas Neanderthal mentality is " more prisioners creates jobs..then complain about over population. from Pensacola/FL by D

Comment: Yes there is no reason to keep and pay for non violent inmates, when that same money could be put to better use. Private contracting of our prison system has become a political trap. and waste. from Pensacola by Bill

Comment: NON-VILOLENT OF VIOLENT---I THINK IF THEY DID SOMETHING WRONG AND THEY WERE SENTENCED TO A CERTAIN TERM IN PRISON THEY SHOULD SERVE THAT TIME. from Pensacola, FL by Crystal

Comment: No--not really. For the most part, the release of prisoners back into society IS NOT beneficial because of the fact that they are not walking out into society to be productive; in fact, they are merely changing locale settings were they are STILL dependent upon society for their survival (and not willing to contribute to perpetuate society as we know it). from Mary Esther, Fl. by Tom

Comment: these released inmates, if released early will be have to be supervised by a probation department that has all ready been cut and has high caseloads. These inmates will be on a conditional release under the parole commission, but supervised by the departent of corrections probation offcier's. these inmates will not just be released early!!! from milton/fl by mike

Comment: If you are going to release the inmates, then why not to save even more money, just abolish the laws they were arrested for violating. This would free up millions of dollars in law enforcement and judiciary funds to enforce violent offender infractions. It would also clean up a lot of useless outdated laws on the books now. We could then have legal crack houses in Florida. How do you think that would work for us? from Pace, FL by Ronny

Comment: I can see where this could benefit the taxpayers and the prison system. As long as these people are 1st time offenders and monitored at least for 1 year (GPS). It sounds like a win-win situation. However, the 1st offense -they go back with NO BENEFITS!!! from Milton, Fl by Tammy

Comment: I agree with the release because it will save us as taxpayers a whole lot of money it will also send home the inmates that have been away for home for a real long time. Its alot of inmates that are still in the prison system that have learned from their mistakes and are ready for a change. If its going to save us money bring them home. Its ridiculous at how much time some of these inmates have and alot of have served enough time to still be sitting there locked up and not able to be set free so they can make a change and be able to live their lives freely. We have enough violents criminals in the system to be punished for what they have down to let all of our non-violent inmates out and to let them start all over again and to show everyone that they can and will make a change. from Pensacola/Fl by Charmaine

Comment: no! i think they should be building new prisons to keep up with the increase. if they are not locked up, then they need to be used as laborors to help rebuild the infrastructure of this area. clean up the neighborhoods, after hurricanes, etc...what a great way to give back to the community! from p'cola by h

Comment: That is the problem with our world today. People don't make them pay near enough for the mistakes they make and they get way too many chances. from Pensacola by Jennifer

Comment: No, not just release. Impliment controlled payback to society. from Pensacola, FL by Nancy

Comment: Inmates should be released at their 85% date which is the maximum time according to the law. Some of the gain time is taken away for things such as having to go to the bathroom during count or not hanging up the phone fast enough. Yes they did something wrong but they are not animals. The families have been taking care of them monetarily as far as puting money on the books, paying for phone calls and a majority of them do have skills to work and a place to call home. Give the non-violent offenders a chance. from Pensacola, Florida by Susan

Comment: I feel that it can save alot of money for the budget, and they can be more productive and can help there family members release back into society rather than wasting money housing the inmates , especially the inmates that have been incarcirated for over ten years . from Pensacola/FL by Shirley

Comment: Florida has lost focus of the purpose of the prison system.Why are we paying to support offenders who are there for statute violations instead of criminal acts? ? from Panama City FL by Sandra

Comment: I think they should because everyone deserves a second chance, even the ones that are violent, first offenders. The economy is down, get these ppl out and save government money for people who need it that are out on the streets. from TN by Stephanie

Comment: It actually makes very good sense and sound correctional policy to shift money from hard prison beds to community-based supervision and treatment. It also will make the prisons safer for correctional staff and inmates. from Miami / Florida by Tara

Comment: For all these people that think that everyone in jail or prison should do all their time, remember what Jesus said: let those who are without guilt cast the first stone. Do a study on Federal laws. More than half of the people incarcerated in the Federal prison system were convicted on conspiracy charges. A conspiracy is where 2 or more people implicate you in a crime. Let me explain to you how this works. You and, say, 2 other people get arrested with a truck load of drugs. They take all of you downtown and tell you that they are going to lock you up for 40 years unless you give them the names of as many other people as you can. They write out a statement and make all 3 of you sign it. Then all the people that they named are now involved in a conspiracy. You could me their neigbor or a friend who never did anything or maybe you smoked a marijuana cigarette with them 1 time. You are arrested for conspiracy. Constitutional rights fly out the door with the feds. You are not allowed bail. Most of the time, you don't get a speedy trial. The feds have what they call mandatory minimums which means you will be sentenced to at least what the minimum sentence is for whatever type of drug these people were arrested with. These people get time knocked off of their sentence for giving your name. You will probably end up getting more time than they did even though you were never arrested with any drugs. Remember, you were arrested for conspiracy to possess/sell drugs. On their word. And don't think for one minute that you can take it to a jury trial because you know you're not guilty and the jury will find you innocent. The feds don't work like that. They have a 99% conviction rate. That's because everybody pleads guilty because your lawyer will tell you that you can't beat the feds and if you take it to trial they will double the amount of time that you will get. Sounds like a horror story from a 3rd world country doesn't it? But believe me, it's not happening in a 3rd world country, it's happening right here in the good old USA. There are thousands and thousands of people sitting in a federal facility right now that will tell you that it could happen to you. So before you so quickly judge other people, think about it, what if it was your mother, father, brother, sister, daughter, or son. I'm not saying that none of these people deserve to be where they are right now. But I think there is something seriously wrong with a system that will give a man 40 years in prison for drugs and give a murderer or rapist or child molester 3 years. from PENSACOLA FL by JOHN

Comment: It is absolute Political Retardation to keep non-violent Convicts in Prison, occupying valueable bedspace at the cost of taxpayer dollars! If after release these Prisoners did not act as they are expected, they can always be brought back to finish the remainder of their sentences as I'm more than sure that they would be under supervision. Release them and put them to work in society in real jobs (a requirement of their supervision) where they will actually be paying monies to the government--covering the cost of their supervision, and any/all of their court costs--instead of "COSTING" the government (tax payers) to keep them locked up accomplishing absolutey nothing!!! Force them to become responcible citizens (probably something that most want, anyway), instead of letting them hang around achieving nothing for any of us...Political Retardation to keep them there, with the option to bring them back if they don't do the right thing when released! Open your eyes, tax-payers! from Pensacola, Florida by Stewart

Comment: no because 4years ago the person who carjacked and assaulted me was one of those same people that was let go early and then he went on a rampage stalked me carjacked and assaulted me left me for dead quickly was caught was sentenced to 3life sentences with no chance of parole! I THINK WE NEED TO THINK ABOUT THOSE WHO ARE LET OUT IN THE FIRST PLACE!ANY WAY THANK YOU FOR LETTING ME VENT GOD BE WITH US , AND WATCH OVER US..SINCERELY ANNALIZA from mobile,alabama by annaliza

Comment: Save? Ha. We would still be supporting them only this time they get a free ride. Seems everyone but the common law abideing citizen gets a bail out. What is going to happen when we run out of money too? from Pensacola Fl by Sandra

Comment: I think that is a good plan financially. There are to many people in prison for a non-criminal charge. Florida's prison system is a money maker next to orange groves. Murderers, sex offenders any violent charge should not be included in this release. The public needs to be aware that most of the early releasees would be on some type of supervision. from Pensacola, Florida by Dave