Two state lawmakers say they have a plan to help stop the revolving door at Florida prisons for too many ex-convicts.

Sen. Thad Altman and Rep. Dennis Baxley have filed legislation that would offer more drug treatment and vocational training to nonviolent criminals in the last three years of their sentences.

Two of every five inmates admitted to prisons are reoffenders. Most don’t get any kind of treatment behind bars — only 23 percent of inmates receive any kind of treatment.

Rep. Baxley says the Department of Corrections can do more within its existing budget to help inmates succeed when they’re released.

Rep. Dennis Baxley/ R-Ocala (:13)
“That is our ultimate objective is fewer crimes and fewer crime victims, simply by doing some things smarter with people who are in our system we could reduce those recidivism numbers.”

Sen. Thad Altman/ R-Melbourne (:16) (says too often Florida just gives an inmate $50 upon release)
“It’s no wonder we have such a high recidivism rate here in the state of Florida and all throughout the country for that matter and it’s no secret that our criminal justice system is pretty much a revolving door. Something has to be done.”

Rep. Darryl Rouson/ D-St. Petersburg (:19)
“If you always do what you’ve always done you, will always get what you’ve always got. In this instance, it’s been broken. When you have captured a person’s body at the same time we must capture their minds and their souls and give them treatment.”

The ideas in the bill were developed by the Florida Smart Justice Alliance.

Some of the provisions include: developing a re-entry program for nonviolent offenders with shorter sentences and creating facilities where inmates can get substance abuse treatment or educational and vocational training.

Florida lawmakers are looking into a proposed initiative to rehabilitate non-violent inmates before they have a chance to reoffend. But, while many agree about the idea behind what’s called “Smart Justice reforms,” they’re not too happy with what the name implies.

“Why should the state spend billions of dollars to keep prisoners locked up, knowing that many of them have serious issues that need to be resolved and yet, were doing little to address these problems,” asked Barney Bishop, the President and CEO of the Florida Smart Justice Alliance.

Listen to the story at WFSU.org.

As reported in the SaintPetersBlog

This installment of the “4th Floor Files” features Barney Bishop. Here’s the file on Barney.

Significant other? Children? Grand kids?

Shelby Bishop and we’ve been married for 24 years; she is the Executive Assistant to Florida’s Secretary of State for the last five years; before that she worked for 18 years in the Florida House and Senate; no children; two God Daughters: Katelyn, a senior @ USF and Aubrey Lynn now 17 months old

In 25 words or less, explain what you do.

I first registered as a lobbyist in 1979; I advocate for clients and represent their interests before the Florida legislative and executive branches.

Without using the words Democrat, Independent or Republican, conservative or liberal, describe your political persuasion.

On fiscal matters I believe we must cut spending before raising taxes; on social issues I’m all over the board; on abortion I believe a woman should have a choice; I’m a strong believer in prayer in school, the death penalty and gun rights; on gay issues I’m ambivalent;

During your career, have you had a favorite pro bono client?

My favorite pro bono client was the Boy Scouts of America.

Three favorite charities.

Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy, Florida Juvenile Justice Foundation and the Innocence Project of Florida.

Any last-day-of-Session traditions?

I wear something pink, usually a pink tie which is customary among many lobbyists on the last day of session

What are you most looking forward to during the 2013 Legislative Session.

The end of the session!

If you could have another lobbyist’s client list, it would be…

GrayRobinson’s client list because it is varied and interesting

Professional accomplishment of which you are most proud?

Becoming President & CEO of Associated Industries of Florida

Lobbyists are often accused of wearing Gucci loafers; do you own a pair of Gucci loafers? If not, why not?

No Gucci shoes, but Allen Edmonds and Johnston Murphy yes; I don’t care for Gucci shoes

Who is your favorite Florida Capitol Press Corp reporter and why?

Steve Bousquet because he has always been a professional and I’ve had a lot of positive interactions with him over the years and when he has been critical of me or my actions he has been fair about it; I’d add that a very close second is Lucy Morgan who I admire for her tenacity and longevity!

Other than SaintPetersBlog.com, your reading list includes…

Sunshine State News because I appreciate the conservative bent and I enjoy reading Nancy Smith’s columns; next is BIZPAC Review, Sayfie Review, Larry Sabato’s Crystal Ball, and the Southern Political Reporter

What swear word do you use most often?

MF

The best hotel in Florida is…

The Breakers because of its inherent beauty, the gorgeous ceilings and the exquisite location; the service is excellent and I know the management

You’ve just learned that you will be hosting a morning talk show about Florida politics. Who are the first four guests you’d invite to appear?

Governor Rick Scott, former Senator Rod Smith, former Speaker of the House Allan Bense and Marian Johnson of the Florida Chamber.

Favorite movie.

My Cousin Vinny because I always wanted to be a lawyer and it’s very funny movie; I love the Brooklyn accents and the characters; the best part of the movie is when Vinny is trying to sleep and he asks the hotel desk manager if the train always comes through very early in the morning;

Before the ‘gift ban’, what was your favorite restaurant in Tallahassee? What is your favorite today?

Before Gift Ban: Governors Club and the same afterwards; Georgio’s is another favorite along with Avenue, Marie Livingston’s and now Massa

When you pig out, what do you eat?

Frozen Yogurt; I love White Chocolate Mousse from TCBY with fresh strawberries but my absolute favorite is ¾ White Chocolate Mouse with ¼ Orange Sorbet which comes out like an Orange Freeze ice cream bar which I have fond memories from my childhood.

If you could have dinner with a historical figure no longer living, who would it be?

John F. Kennedy; I’ve had an obsession with JFK since I was 8 years old and watched the Presidential Debate against Nixon – which is why I became a Democrat; I have a huge collection of JFK books, photographs, a PT-109 tie bar, political buttons, medals, etc. The best recent book about JFK is Chris Mathew’s Jack Kennedy: An Elusive Hero; importantly I learned two things: that JFK was a conservative to begin with and he had to overcome the suspicions of the Adlai Stevenson’s liberal wing of the party, and second that the then-three Catholic Governors of California, Ohio and Pennsylvania all believed strongly that a Catholic could never be elected President of the USA.

The Orlando Business Journal reports:

The Florida Smart Justice Alliance announced Jan. 10 it has named Barney Bishop III as the organization’s new president and CEO.

Bishop previously served as vice president of the organization, which works to find approaches to Florida’s justice system that enhance public safety and save taxpayer dollars. He succeeds Mark Flynn, Florida Smart Justice Alliance’s inaugural president and CEO.

Bishop also previously served as president and CEO of Associated Industries of Florida until he resigned from that position in December 2011. He now holds a similar position at Barney Bishop Consulting LLC.

In his new role as president and CEO of Florida Smart Justice Alliance, Bishop said he plans to advance efforts to inform legislators of the organization’s initiatives and begin preparations for the Justice Summit 2013 in the fall, according to a news release.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                          

Jan 10, 2013                                                                                        

Smart Justice Alliance Names Bishop as New President/CEO

 TALLAHASSEE, Fla. ­– With the successful Justice Summit 2012 concluded, the Florida Smart Justice Alliance today announced that veteran Tallahassee business leader and advocate Barney Bishop III has been named to serve as President and CEO of the organization. Bishop had previously served as Vice President of the Alliance, which works to find approaches to Florida’s justice system that enhance public safety while saving taxpayer dollars.

“We are fortunate to have a man of such talent, reputation and dedication willing to lead our organization into the future,” said Lori Costantino-Brown, founding Chair of the Florida Smart Justice Alliance. “Barney Bishop is a man of vision and an advocate who knows how to get things done. The cause of Smart Justice in Florida is in good hands under his leadership.”

The Smart Justice Alliance also announced the addition of Florida government veteran Jim DeBeaugrine to help develop legislative proposals to implement Smart Justice initiatives. DeBeaugrine, a former long-time legislative staffer and then Director of the Agency for Persons with Disabilities under two Governors, is now CEO of RFJ Governmental Consultants. DeBeaugrine will work with members of the GrayRobinson firm Fred Leonhardt, Robert F. Stuart Jr. and Chris Carmody, who have been the lobbying team for the Florida Smart Justice Alliance.

In assuming the leadership of the Smart Justice Alliance, Bishop succeeds the organization’s inaugural President and CEO, Mark Flynn, who is leaving to pursue other opportunities now that the Justice Summit is done. Flynn played a key role in bringing a group of diverse organizations into the Alliance, culminating in the Summit in Orlando December 12-14. At the Summit, more than 200 experts convened with a goal of furthering Florida’s efforts to move toward a smarter, more affordable approach to criminal justice issues.

Bishop is a former CEO of Associated Industries of Florida and now holds a similar position at Barney Bishop Consulting, LLC. In his role as Vice President of the Smart Justice Alliance, he coordinated all activities associated with the Justice Summit, which was Florida’s first such gathering since 2009. Among his many civic and professional roles, Bishop serves as vice chairman of the advisory board for Florida TaxWatch’s Center for Smart Justice, as chairman of the board of directors of the Florida Juvenile Justice Foundation, as chairman of the board of directors of the Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy, as a member of the board of trustees of the Collins Center for Public Policy, and on the board of the Innocence Project of Florida.

“I am excited by the opportunity to lead the Alliance at such an important time in its history, as we build on the success of the past year and move forward to make a meaningful difference in 2013,” said Bishop. “Florida cannot afford an approach to criminal justice that spends too much money for too few results, and I look forward to helping our state craft effective, workable solutions.”

Bishop said his immediate goals are to advance efforts to inform legislators about Smart Justice initiatives as they approach the 2012 legislative session, and to begin preparations for Justice Summit 2013 in the fall.