(1) It is the intent of the Legislature that state inmates nearing release from a private correctional facility managed under chapter 957 are eligible for assistance under ss. 944.701-944.708, and all laws that provide for or mandate transition assistance services to inmates nearing release also apply to inmates who reside in private correctional facilities. (2) To assist an inmate nearing release from a private correctional facility, the department and the transition assistance specialist shall coordinate with a designated staff person at each private correctional facility to ensure that a state inmate released from the private correctional facility is informed of and provided with the same level of transition assistance services that are provided by the department for an inmate in a state correctional facility. Any inmate released from a private correctional facility shall also have equal access to placement consideration in a contracted substance abuse transition housing program, including those programs that have a faith-based component.
