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Plans to privatize 18 state prisons are on hold.

Friday a circuit judge ruled methods the state legislature used to pass the privatization plans are unconstitutional. The plans were put in to the state budget, so it wasn’t vetted through the normal committee process. The Police Benevolent Association sued the state legislature over the plans. PBA General Counsel Hal Johnson says the judge got it right.

“We were extremely pleased with the victory, but I think we are more pleased for the correctional officers down in South Florida and actually this is a victory for the citizens,” said Johnson.

The PBA fears, if lawmakers are allowed to make major changes to state government using spending bills, then it will be harder for the public to be involved in the process. The state is expected to file an appeal.