Senate wants to expand prison capacity, pointing to Lancaster specifically

A Senate criminal justice budget proposal includes $52 million for new correctional housing units.

But that doesn’t cover the $127 million that a proposed House budget sets aside for a new 4,800-bed prison.

Spreadsheets for budget silos were published at 10 a.m. Friday, a day after the House released its budget with no warning to the Senate.

“Our budget reflects a balanced approach to addressing key priorities in corrections, juvenile justice, law enforcement, and the court system, including significant, targeted pay raises to help address recruitment and retention of law enforcement and correctional officers who protect our state,” said Sen. Ileana Garcia, the Civil and Criminal Justice Appropriations Chair.

Both chambers support a significant increase in beds available at state corrections facilities, a seeming response to complaints from county Sheriffs across Florida as a federal deportation effort overwhelms jails.

The Florida prison system incarcerates about 89,000 people, according to the Department of Corrections.

Garcia referenced a shortage of beds in the budget, but her statement focused on the potential to expand existing facilities, naming one facility in North Florida.

“We are making a significant investment to support day-to-day operations and responsibly plan for the projected growth in the prison population next year,” the Miami Republican said. “We also include funding to continue the expansion of dorms at Lancaster Correctional Institution to meet future capacity needs.”

Lancaster is located in Gilchrist County, about 35 miles west of Gainesville.

Gov. Ron DeSantis’ budget proposal did not include construction of a new prison either, and it remains unclear if an appetite exists for the major expense.

But a state audit dating back to 2023 that spotlighted a lack of beds in Florida’s corrections system. That report by KPMG said Florida needed a new 4,800-bed prison, the same size facility identified in the House budget plan. The House budget includes the prison and a connected 600-ped hospital unit.

The KPMG report listed four different potential locations. Two of those were in the Homestead area, as noted by the Miami Herald in 2024, as well as possible venues in Polk and Bradford counties.