The tragedy of the commons occurs when a resource is held in common and there is no mechanism to discourage overconsumption. The study compared county prison bed use with county prison beds purchased through sales tax across all 67 counties in Florida from 1989 through 1995. The study tested county crime measures and other prison use considerations to determine if there was justification for county overuse of prison space. Several counties were consuming a disproportionate number of prison beds, and the overconsumption was largely unjustified by their crime rates. The study concludes that the tragedy of the commons is a salient problem troubling the Florida State correctional system; however, publicizing the results of a prison-use study creates a risk. As local government officials become aware of the disparity in the use of the system, they may want to use more State prison space and reduce their costs for local prison alternatives. This will further burden the overtaxed State system and will reduce the State’s ability to provide any meaningful rehabilitative programs. Tables, appendix, notes, references