Florida Department of Corrections

The state is laying off 80 probation officers because of budget cuts ordered by the Legislature, but they will be offered lower-paying jobs as correctional officers in Florida prisons. It was said the Department of Corrections cut 75 positions, mostly vacant, when lawmakers took their first big whack at the current budget last October. In the regular 2008 session, 199 more probation positions were cut, so the agency was in a virtual hiring freeze, softening the blow somewhat. But more cuts are on the way throughout state government.