TaxWatch Center for Smart Justice

The Center for Smart Justice is centered on the belief that public safety is paramount, and because of the magnitude of this responsibility, there truly is no room for inefficiency. The Center’s research focuses on evidence-based reforms to Florida’s criminal and juvenile justice systems that ensure less crime, fewer victims, and no wasted tax dollars. 

 

History of the Center for Smart Justice

The Center for Competitive Florida analyzes policies and programs that affect Florida's economic growth and competitiveness. Through research into fiscal, economic, and demographic data the Center makes policy recommendations that enhance Florida’s ability to successfully compete in the global economy. The Center’s work is supported by the Florida Council of Economic Advisors at Florida TaxWatch, a group of eight prominent public and private economists from around the state.

Center Research


Report on 2012 Justice Summit
2/2013 This Report includes a recap of the 2012 Justice Summit in Florida, as well as three pre-meeting recaps from the run up to the Summit.


Smart Justice Poll Results
1/2012 "A joint project between TaxWatch and Associated Industries of Florida, the poll shows overwhelming support from more than 600 Republican likely voters for Smart Justice reforms. "


Findings of the Florida TaxWatch Center for Smart Justice: Review of Criminal Justice Data
12/2011 "An incisive review of Florida's prison system examines issues related to funding, growth, reasons for incarceration, recidivism and sentencing. Only Texas and California imprison more of their residents."


A Billion Dollars and Growing: Why Prison Bonding is Tougher on Florida's Taxpayers Than on Crime
4/2011 Florida's prison population is growing while public safety is diminishing. This report outlines the reasons for this discrepancy and shows how other states are dealing with similar issues.


Expansion of Civil Citation Programs Statewide Would Save Money and Improve Public Safety
4/2011 Diverting juvenile offenders from the traditional juvenile justice model is paying big dividends in public safety and savings. This report shows how some counties are going about this and why others should create their own civil citation programs.


Briefing: Corrections 2.0: A Proposal to Create a Continuum of Care in Corrections through Public-Private Partnerships
1/2011 "Many current correctional systems operate under policy decisions made decades ago, a leading factor in persistently high recidivism rates. This report shows how private sector involvement could be the key to improved inmate outcomes. "


Fiscal Responsibility:The Key to a Safer- Smarter- and Stronger Juvenile Justice System
12/2010 Florida's incarceration of children is excessively high and is actually making citizens more vulnerable. This report offers some proven paths toward improving the system.


Analysis of the Collection and Allocation of Court-Related Revenues within Florida's Judicial System
4/2009 "This Special Report examines the court system's cost efficiency, effectiveness, transparency, accountability, and related issues. Among the findings: cost efficiency standards could result in cost savings of between $34 million and $140 million. "


Charging Indigent Floridians Civil Court Filing Fees Raises Questions of Cost Efficiency and Equal Access to the Florida Court System
3/2008


Complete and Accurate Costing of Residential and Detention Juvenile Justice Programs Is Needed to Properly Evaluate State- and Privately Operated Facilities
1/2008


Florida s Prison Industries Training Program is Back on Track
12/2006


Implementing State Funding of Florida s Courts System for More Uniform Justice and Protection of Citizen Rights
9/2006


Increasing the Safety of All Floridians through Data Integration in the State s Justice System
4/2006


Proper Management- Accountability and Funding of the State Courts System is Crucial to Rule of Law- Taxpayer Confidence and a Healthy Economy
3/2005


Getting Florida's Prison Industries Training Program Back on Track
2/2005


Improving State Attorney and Public Defender Budget Process and Targeting Salary Increases Will Help Achieve Revision 7 Goals- Reduce Trial Lawyer Turnover
3/2004


Proper Funding of the State Courts System is Crucial to Rule of Law- Taxpayer Confidence and a Healthy Economy: Inadequate Funding May Result in Justice Delayed- Justice Denied
2/2004


Assessment of Prevention Services of the Florida Network of Youth and Family Services
9/2001


Crime In Florida's Counties: Community Cohesion Makes A Difference-
7/1999


Revision #7: Closing the Loophole! by John Smith
10/1998


Crime in Florida and the Nation: A Symptom of Cultural Decay
3/1995


A Look at Crime by Senator Rick Dantzler
2/1994


Special Corrections District Act: A Proposal That Warrants Consideration
3/1993


Making Our Correctional Education Investment Payoff
4/1991


PRIDE: Is Florida's Prison Industries Experiment Succeeding?
9/1989


The Future of Florida's Prisons a Task Force Report on Ways to Improve Our State Correction System
9/1988


Government Performance Review: Florida's Prison Health Care - Hemorrhaging From Carte Blanche Spending
5/1987

Center Advisory Board

Chairman
Justice Ken Bell
 Vice Chairman
Barney Bishop 

Mr. Lester Abberger John Delaney
Dr. Nate Adams
 Sheriff Don Eslinger
Robert Blount
 		Dr. Ann Henderson
Lori Costantino-Brown
 		Lt. Gov. Jeff Kottkamp
General Bob Butterworth
 Dale Recinella, JD/MTS
Joseph Clark
 James D. Sewell, Ph.D.

Honorable Irene Sullivan

 

Voter Guides

2013 Taxpayer Independence Day


Economic Commentary: The Disproportionate Effect of Sequestration on Florida

Morgan McCord
Communications
Coordinator
850.222.5052
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