Costs of prison privatization are disputed

By Bill Cotterell

TALLAHASSEE DEMOCRAT POLITICAL EDITOR

Confronted with conflicting cost and benefit numbers, a Senate budget committee ordered a special audit Thursday to determine whether privatizing prisons really saves Florida taxpayers any money.

Lobbyists for the Police Benevolent Association said the private companies have used their political influence to cut corners and dodge a legal mandate of operating 7 percent cheaper than state-run prisons.