Scott: Fla. Prison Privatization Hinges On Savings

MIAMI (CBS4) -- Gov. Rick Scott said a massive South Florida prison privatization plan won't fly if it doesn't save the state money.

Scott on Friday also downplayed the cost of laying off state employees at those prisons.

The Republican governor discussed the plan for privatizing 29 facilities in 18 counties during an interview with The Associated Press in Miami.

Scott said a $25 million estimate for such expenses as unused vacation and sick time is based on all of the prison employees being laid off.

He said they can instead transfer to other state prisons that have about 2,000 openings.

Scott said the deal won't go through unless bids come back in compliance with a requirement for at least 7 percent in savings.

That would be about $22 million a year.