The Action Plan
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The Action Plan
(24:22 min, 29.29 MB)
Fighting the Good Fight
Mission Statement: Freedom Force Florida (FFF) is a nonprofit coalition advocating for meaningful reforms to Florida's criminal justice system through legislative, judicial, and administrative action. We strive to create a system that prioritizes rehabilitation and reintegration, reducing human and financial costs while building safer communities.
Executive Summary: To achieve our mission, FFF pursues the following objectives:
- Establishing chapters in all 67 counties in partnership with local faith-based organizations (FBOs).
- Training members to take leadership roles in advancing criminal justice reform.
- Recruiting a board of advisors comprised of experts, officials, and community leaders.
- Proposing model legislation to amend outdated criminal statutes.
- Reforming Florida Department of Corrections (FDC) policies through the Administrative Procedures Act.
- Collaborating with legal aid groups to address civil rights violations within the FDC.
- Partnering with other reform organizations to amplify impact and align goals.
Operational Overview
Founding Local Chapters
FFF's foundation lies in partnerships with local faith-based organizations, especially in communities disproportionately affected by criminal justice inequities. Our initial focus is Tallahassee, the state capital, which offers proximity to Florida's legislative hub and a significant African-American population. Here, we will engage church leaders to establish our first chapter.
From Tallahassee, we will expand to counties represented by members of the Senate Criminal Justice Committee and legislators opposing reform efforts. By applying political pressure through protests, rallies, and advocacy campaigns, FFF chapters will ensure reform proposals are heard and supported. We aim to create a united, statewide movement for change.
Amending Criminal Statutes
FFF has identified three critical areas for reform: release eligibility, rehabilitation, and transitional support. These issues will be addressed in a phased legislative agenda, beginning with practical, low-cost reforms such as sentencing reform for parole-eligible juvenile offenders and releasing elderly and terminally ill inmates. In support of this legislative agenda, FFF has prepared the following model statutes:
Subsequent phases will focus on expanding work-release opportunities, revising punitive policies, and building comprehensive transitional programs, including halfway houses. These initiatives require collaboration with legislators, educational institutions, and nonprofit organizations to ensure lasting impact.
Amending FDC Rules
To complement Phase Two reforms, FFF will advocate for changes to FDC rules to reflect the system’s renewed focus on rehabilitation. Prison rules must serve legitimate penological goals, such as security and rehabilitation, but many existing regulations prioritize outdated notions of punishment and control. FFF’s rule revisions will ensure that all policies align with rehabilitative objectives and foster a positive environment for both staff and offenders.
Key reforms include transforming Reception Centers into Diagnostic Centers that prioritize evaluating offenders' rehabilitative needs. Officers will address offenders with respect, using courtesy titles such as "Mr." or "Ms.," signifying a fundamental shift in prison culture. Facilities will also be renamed to reflect their purpose, such as Rehabilitation Centers for those actively participating in rehabilitative programs and Special Management Units for those requiring more structured environments.
In Rehabilitation Centers, offenders will engage in peer mentorship programs, where progress is supported by mentors and staff. Special Management Units, on the other hand, will focus on intensive psychological therapy for those struggling to conform to rehabilitative processes. Body cameras will be mandatory for officers in these units to ensure accountability and transparency.
Collaborating With Legal Aid Organizations
FFF’s extensive network of offender contacts and the legal expertise of its executive director will enable the identification of civil rights violations within the FDC. Once actionable grievances are identified, FFF will collaborate with legal aid organizations to seek remedies:
- Florida Justice Institute (FJI): Instrumental in securing medical treatment for inmates suffering from hepatitis C through litigation against the FDC.
- Institutional Legal Services (FILS): Known for forcing the demolition of unsafe facilities, FILS has a proven track tock of fighting for humane prison conditions.
- Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC): Advocating for systemic change through a federal class-action lawsuit addressing inhumane prison conditions in Florida.
Collaborating With Other Criminal Justice Reform Groups
FFF will partner with other reform organizations, such as Florida Cares Charity Corp, which has played a pivotal role in protecting inmates' rights and organizing advocacy campaigns. Collaboration will amplify FFF’s efforts, creating a unified front for criminal justice reform in Florida.
SUMMARY
Florida’s current criminal justice system perpetuates cycles of victimization and despair, with offenders leaving prison no better equipped for life than when they entered. FFF’s comprehensive action plan will transform the system into one that prioritizes rehabilitation, offering offenders a chance to break free from destructive patterns and build productive, meaningful lives. By fostering hope and reducing recidivism, FFF’s reforms will benefit offenders, families, and society as a whole. Join us in creating a safer, more just Florida.