Summary:
Since 2010, the City of Orlando has contracted with the Florida Department of Corrections to provide two inmate labor crews to assist with maintaining City rights of way. Based on the success of the program to date, staff recommends entering into the agreement for another term. The new contract will commence on or about April 30, 2014 and extend for one year. The contract is renewable for an additional year through mutual consent of both parties.
Under the terms of this contract, the Florida Department of Corrections will provide two 8 person inmate work crews and two corrections officers to supervise them, for 40 hours a week. The City reimburses for the salaries and contract related expenses of the assigned Corrections Officers. The City does not pay for the inmate labor but is required to provide these crews with transportation, mowers, safety equipment, power tools and hand tools. These crews will be assigned to mowing, landscape maintenance and litter removal duties on the City's rights of way. Using these inmate crews reduces the cost of maintenance, which enables the City to provide a higher level of service throughout the City. All inmates assigned to these crews are nonviolent offenders that are close to being released from prison. They are thoroughly vetted by corrections officials before being assigned to work outside of prison. These crews will not be assigned to work inside residential neighborhoods or near schools, day care centers or senior citizen facilities. |
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Fiscal & Efficiency Data:
Contracting with the Florida Department of Corrections to form these two 8 person inmate work crews will cost $114,994 the first year (FY 2014/2015) with a projected 5% increase the following year. Equipment and vehicle operating costs are estimated at $12,600 per year for a first year total cost of $127,594. These crews will allow us to increase the frequency of mowing and landscape maintenance work. The cost to equip, pay salaries/benefits and operational needs of a similar sized City crews would exceed $600,000 a year.
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