The Florida Senate defeated a measure yesterday that would have privatized the state’s prisons, a plan that has faced accusations that Gov. Rick Scott’s desire to hand over the prisons to private companies was a favor to an industry that has been generous in its campaign contributions.

Before the vote yesterday, a group of Florida faith leaders led by FOCUS Florida and PICO United Florida condemned the plan, specifically citing a report Public Campaign co-authored with PICO National Network on the campaign money behind such measures:

“Faith leaders also have concerns about the millions of dollars in campaign contributions from the private prison industry. In November, the PICO National Network released a report titled “Unholy Alliance,” which cites the escalation of campaign contributions to state legislators from private prison companies, namely GEO Group and CCA, in Florida. PICO organizations are working for a criminal justice system that brings lifelines to healing, restoration for those who commit crimes, opportunities for youth, and maintains public safety.”

Bishop Carroll Johnson from Maximum Life Church said in the release, “It is a scheme rife with the potential to make politically connected corporations benefit from a steadily increasing supply of our young people.”

He’s right. As Public Campaign Action Fund's David Donnelly wrote last November, “The growing influence of these private prison companies over our criminal justice and immigration policies is a chilling reminder of what happens when corporations can spend large amounts of money to curry favor with elected officials."

Yesterday, though, people power won.