Chronic Understaffing, Crumbling Infrastructure, and Rising Death Toll Spark Multiple Lawsuits
Fort Lauderdale, FL – Florida’s prison system, responsible for housing over 82,000 inmates, is facing a crisis of epic proportions. Years of neglect, underfunding, and mismanagement have led to crumbling infrastructure, severe staffing shortages, and a lack of adequate medical care, resulting in a surge of inmate deaths, correctional officer injuries, and a tidal wave of lawsuits. According to a 2022 report by the Florida Department of Corrections (FDC), 70% of the state’s prisons require major repairs or replacement.
A recent report by KPMG, a leading consulting firm, revealed that a third of Florida’s correctional facilities are in critical or poor condition. Leaky roofs, corroded doors, broken windows, and crumbling stucco are among the numerous issues plaguing the state’s prisons. The report also highlighted the urgent need for significant investments to address these infrastructure deficiencies, estimating that the state will require between $6 billion and $12 billion over the next 20 years to maintain its prison system.