Incarceration in Florida is one of the main forms of punishment, rehabilitation, or both for the commission of felony and other offenses in the state.
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History
Mandatory guidelines such as the 1999 10-20-Life and the 1995 Three-strikes law established minimum sentencing for those convicted of crimes. The 1995 law requiring convicts to serve 85% of their sentence and Zero tolerance have all contributed to lengthening prisoners sentences in Florida.
Cost
In 2013, the average cost to house a prisoner was $18,000 per inmate annually.
Population
In 2013, there were 100,844 inmates, aged 14 to 93. 93% of the population were males, 7% females. Figures do not include those in local jails or juvenile justice systems.
53% have been incarcerated for violent crimes. Drugs offenses constitute 17% of the population.
In 2013, 564 people were in prison for driving with a suspended license, in turn, often the result of failure to pay a fine or a fee.