Florida spent $34M on tech, IT at Everglades lockup, but says phones for detainees too expensive

By: Liv Caputo

Outlets: Florida Phoenix

Published: April 24, 2026

Words: 662

Last Updated: 3 months ago

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Florida officials are fighting a court order to expand detainee phone access at the so-called “Alligator Alcatraz” center, arguing it would be too costly for taxpayers — but they’ve already spent roughly $34 million in public dollars on technology, IT support, and more, state records show.

The agency in charge of the remote center, the Florida Division of Emergency Management (DEM), did not explain why the millions it has already spent in that silo doesn’t …

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