Fla. Gov. Bush Signs Prison Bill

Originally published by The Associated Press, June 13, 2001

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — Teen-agers sentenced to prison will be separated from adult inmates under a law Gov. Jeb Bush signed Wednesday.

"Although their actions deserve punishment, this legislation recognizes the need to safeguard young offenders within prison walls,'' Bush said in a statement.

The issue of how to house young inmates became prominent in Florida in two recent cases. Lionel Tate, now 14, was sentenced to a mandated life-in-prison term in January for killing a 6-year-old girl while imitating pro wrestling.

Nathaniel Brazill, also 14, fatally shot his English teacher last year. He was convicted of second-degree murder and is scheduled to be sentenced in July. The maximum sentence is 25 years to life.

Florida houses about 3,500 inmates younger than 21 in six facilities designated for young inmates. But more than 100 inmates under 18 are housed with adults, according to research by the bill sponsor, Sen. Steven Geller.

The law, which takes effect July 1, requires that all prisoners younger than 18 be housed in dormitories separate from adults.

Criminals who were 15 or younger when they broke the law will be sent to a youthful offender facility, regardless of the nature of the offense. The inmate could be transferred to adult prison anytime between the ages of 18 to 21 or if the teen threatens the safety of others.