Legislature provided small increase for edible crops in 2012-13

To help get to the goal of reducing prison costs by $1 billion, Rick Scott called for "utilizing inmate labor to grow prison food” when he ran for Governor in 2010.

The state already had an edible crops program that involves prisoners growing fruits and vegetables, so we are rating Scott's progress on increasing the program.

We rated Scott's promise Stalled after the Legislature rejected his request to provide a $2.5 million increase for the program in 2011.

But the 2012-13 budget included a one-time $300,000 increase to expand the program for a total of $1.24 million, said Ann Howard, spokeswoman for the Florida Department of Corrections.

The department used that extra money to add 135 acres of production capacity and purchase irrigation systems and farm equipment. The expansion led to an increase in the weight of crops and dollar value:

The Legislature did not approve any line-item increase for edible crops for 2013-14. That means the program is likely to continue at the base rate of $940,000.

The increase in 2012-13 was more modest than what Scott had previously sought. The state was able to use extra money to expand the scope of the program, but the expansion was relatively small.

Overall, we rate this promise a Compromise.