FreedomForceFlorida.org
We Will Win
People who participate in Florida's work release program have approximately 30-40% lower recidivism rates compared to being released directly from prison. They have higher employment retention rates and increased financial stability post-release.
One former participant, Juan Rivera, shared how the program helped him realize his potential and set goals for his future. He mentioned that the program provided him with valuable work experience and a sense of purpose, which has been instrumental in his rehabilitation.
Inmates who are within 12 to 18 months of the end of their custodial sentences are evaluated for their readiness for work release. The following factors are considered:
Eligible inmates are transferred to Community Correctional Centers in or near major cities. These small facilities provide a secure environment during non-work hours where participants are subject to the following conditions that aim to balance rehabilitation opportunities with public safety considerations:
Participants are responsible for finding their own jobs, often through newspaper listings or online job boards. The following industries have a proven record of success with work release participants:
A portion of the participant's wages is garnished to cover room and board at the work release center and other financial responsibilities, such as:
Financial Limitations:
In addition to developing critical life skills such as financial literacy, the program helps participants develop essential social skills.
Unfortunately, only an estimated 3.6 percent of all prisoners in Florida qualify to participate in the current work release program, despite the fact that the legislature acknowledged in section 944.012(3), Florida Statutes (2024), that 90 percent of all offenders will return to society. That includes murderers, rapists, robbers, and every sort of person in prison. This means 96.4 percent of prisoners are released directly from prison, and these are the ones with the worst offenses and worst prison records.
Think about that for a second. The worst criminals with the worst prison records are being released with the least support. They are being set up for failure.
Under the current system, they will be unleashed on society with one change of clothes, a bus ticket, and $50 in their pockets after spending years, perhaps decades, with no rehabilitation and daily punishment. These are the "monsters" you see on the evening news who commit horrific crimes as soon as they are released from prison. And they're coming soon to a neighborhood near you!
This is scary. And it's illogical.
It is amazing that only 30 percent return to prison within three years.
Requiring everyone to participate in work release before their return to society will greatly increase public safety and improve the releasees chances for successful reintegration. Admittedly, however, including violent offenders would require significant safeguards and adjustments to address public safety concerns, ensure proper rehabilitation, and build community trust.
If implemented with appropriate safeguards, work release programs for violent offenders could:
Although requiring violent offenders to participate in work release can yield positive results, it presents unique challenges, including:
Expanding work release programs to include all offenders, including violent offenders, could result in:
To implement the RISE Act, we will :
Collaboration with organizations such as Bridges of America, Operation New Hope, and SMA Healthcare will enhance the success of The RISE Act by addressing critical aspects of offender rehabilitation and reentry. Bridges of America provides evidence-based addiction treatment and mental health services, ensuring that work release participants with substance use challenges are stable and prepared for employment. This aligns with the Act’s goal of reducing recidivism and fostering successful reintegration.
Operation New Hope’s Ready4Work program offers job training, placement assistance, mental health support, and case management, all of which complement the Act’s emphasis on offender employment and financial responsibility. The program’s proven success in promoting financial independence and reducing recidivism supports the Act’s objectives. Similarly, SMA Healthcare brings experience in running work release programs that include paid employment opportunities, behavioral healthcare, and family support, directly aligning with the Act’s focus on rehabilitation and community reintegration.
By partnering with these organizations, Freedom Force Florida can leverage their expertise to improve program outcomes, reduce FDC operational burdens, and strengthen public and legislative support for the Act. These collaborations ensure that offenders have the resources and skills needed for long-term success, making the Work Release Act a cost-effective and impactful reform for Florida’s criminal justice system.
HB - 0000, SB - 000
A bill to be entitled
The RISE Act (Reintegration and Inmate Skill Enhancement), repealing ss. 945.091, 945,092, F.S.; creating s. 945.0910, F.S., requiring all offenders committed to the custody of the Department of Corrections to participate in work release during the last 6 to 18 months of their sentences; permitting furloughs; and requiring offenders to pay partial costs of incarceration and court costs, fines, fees, restitution, etc., while participating in work release; providing an effective date.
Be it enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:
Section 1. Sections 945.091 and 945.092, Florida Statutes, are repealed.
Section 2. Section 945.00910, Florida Statutes, is created to read:
Section 945.0910, The RISE Act (Reintegration and Inmate Skill Enhancement).
(1) Legislative intent.
(a) This Act shall be known as the RISE Act (Reintegration and Inmate Skill Enhancement).
(b) In order to reduce the rate of recidivism and the costs of incarceration, and to increase compliance with court ordered payments and the ease of social reintergration, it is the intent of the Legislature that every offender in the custody of the department shall participate in work release for 6 to 18 months before the expiration of his or her sentence. Further, the department may grant offenders furloughs as described in (3) of this section.
(2) Work release operations.
(a) Those offenders with the weakest support networks, and therefore the greatest need,shall be prioritized for work release participation and shall participate the longest. Need shall be determined by the average balance of the offender's trust fundaccount for the 6 months preceding the last 18 months of his or her sentence and any other factors determined to be relevant by the offender's classification officer.
(b) The department shall house and maintain work release participants separately from other offenders in existing facilities.
(c) Attending academic or vocational training not offered by the department shall be considered employment for a total of 12 months. The offender shall be solely responsible for arranging and paying for such training.
(d) Work release participants may not work at bars, clubs, or other establishments where the primary activity is the consumption of alcohol or other intoxicants.
(e) Work release participants may travel to and from their places of employment by any means except walking, but no offender may keep a vehicle at the facility to which he or she is assigned.
(f) The department shall provide transportation for new participants in the work release program who are conducting job searches or interviews.
(g) The department may levy fines for disciplinary offenses committed by work release participants. Fines shall not exceed $50 for minor infractions or $100 For major infractions. Such fines shall be deposited in the General Revenue Fund, and a receipt shall be given to the offenders.
(h) The department shall close all community correctional centers within 50 miles of an existing major institution within 3 years of the effective date of this section.
(3) Furloughs
(a) The department may grant supervised or unsupervised furloughs to any offender to visit a dying relative or to attend a relative's funeral. If the furlough is supervised, the offender bears full responsibility for the cost of supervision, which shall be provided by either the department or a law enforcement agency.
(b) The department may grant unsupervised furloughs to work release participants for the purposes of finding alternative employment or a suitable residence when released, a conjugal visit with a spouse, or to otherwise aid in the offender's rehabilitation and his or her successful transition into the community.
(c) The Secretary may grant supervised or unsupervised Furloughs to any offender for any other compelling reason consistent with the public interest.
(4) Payments
(a) Employers shall deposit the earnings of work release participants directly in the offender's trust fund account. Cash payments are not permitted.
(b) The department shall deduct 50% of the offender's earnings for the costs of incarceration and the payment of any court ordered costs, fines, fees, restitution, etc. No more than half of the deduction shall be applied to the payment of court costs, etc. The offender shall be given a receipt detailing the allocation of the withheld funds.
(5) The department shall develop rules implementing this section.
Section 2. This act shall take effect July 1st in the year of its passage.
This document summarizes the key proposals put forth by Freedom Force Florida, a grassroots coalition focused on reforming Florida's criminal justice system. The core of their reform strategy centers around two primary initiatives:
Freedom Force Florida was founded by Randolph Baggett, an inmate serving a life sentence, to advocate for legislative, judicial, and administrative reform. Their central argument is that the current system fails to rehabilitate inmates effectively, leading to high recidivism rates and increased risks to public safety.
The RISE Act mandates work release for all inmates in the final 6 to 18 months of their sentence to provide practical job skills and financial responsibility, thereby reducing recidivism.
Additional provisions include furloughs for family emergencies and mental health evaluations under the Civil Commitment Act.
The RISE Act aims to reduce recidivism, alleviate taxpayer burden, and improve reintegration outcomes. Partnerships with organizations like Bridges of America and Operation New Hope enhance its feasibility.
The proposals represent a comprehensive strategy to address Florida's criminal justice system failures, emphasizing rehabilitation and reintegration. Public awareness and legislative advocacy will be crucial for success.
Freedom Force Florida’s proposal offers a cost-effective and impactful model for reducing recidivism, improving public safety, and facilitating successful reentry for offenders. The program will utilize existing infrastructure, close unnecessary facilities, and generate taxpayer savings through expanded participation and higher garnishment rates. Urge your legislators to support this groundbreaking initiative.
