FL S1048

Florida Department of Corrections must establish an Independent Incentivized Prison Program under the Office of Programs and Re-Entry for nonviolent offenders who have demonstrated positive behavior, focusing on education, vocational training, job readiness, substance abuse treatment, mental health treatment, life skills, and postrelease planning

Eligible inmates must be U.S. citizens, serving time only for nonviolent offenses (excluding sexual offenses, certain violent crimes, and other specified statutes), with a tentative release date between 24 and 60 months away; veterans receive priority consideration

The program must be located at a rural correctional institution housing at least 1,500 male inmates in a county with a population between 25,000 and 30,000, and the facility must be fully equipped with air conditioning

Transition specialists must develop individualized reentry plans addressing identification documents, vocational credentials, benefits eligibility, health services, job placement, housing, life skills, and 12 months of postrelease support

The department must submit an initial implementation report to the Governor and legislative leaders by October 1, 2025, and annual reports beginning October 1, 2028, including recidivism rates, participant demographics, course enrollment, job placements, and program removals; the act takes effect July 1, 2024