Jail/Prison
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How do I write to an inmate in prison?
Can I send e-mail to an inmate? Can inmates receive telephone calls? Can inmates receive packages/other items through the mail? Who can visit an inmate? When does visitation take place? What are the rules regarding visitation? Can suspended visitation rules be appealed? Can an inmate be transferred to a prison closer to home? Parole How can I provide input to the Parole Commission to support or oppose an offender's parole? How do I find out when an inmate is eligible for parole? Is parole the same as probation? Employment Where can I find Department of Correction job listings? How do I apply for a Department of Correction job? What things might disqualify me from being hired for a DOC job? Records Can I get copies of inmate records or medical records? How do I write to an inmate in prison? To write to an inmate, you need the inmate's name and DOC number and the name and address of the prison where they are housed. You can look up an inmate's DOC number and location on the Internet at http://www.doc.state.nc.us/offenders Prison addresses are available online at http://www.doc.state.nc.us/dop/list/county.htm. Address your mail like this: Inmate name DOC# Prison name Street Address or PO Box City, NC ZIP code Can I send e-mail to an inmate? No. Inmates do not have access to the Internet. Can inmates receive telephone calls? No. Inmates housed in regular population will be allowed to make outgoing telephone calls to family and friends. Inmates are not allowed to receive incoming telephone calls. The number of calls an inmate is allowed to make may be limited by the housing assignment or custody classification. All telephone calls will be collect and may be monitored. Family and friends may request that their telephone number be blocked, which will prevent the inmate from calling that number. Can inmates receive packages/other items through the mail? There are a limited number of items that can be sent to the inmate through the mail. No "cash on delivery" packages will be accepted. The following items may be received through the mail and are always subject to inspection: Clothing approved for use while in prison for those inmates who have been granted community based privileges Clothing to be used upon release, if received within 15 days of release date Unframed photographs, no larger than an 8" x 10" Legal papers Pre-approved publications Certain religious items Money should be sent by money order, cashiers check, or certified check. Approved items may vary from one prison facility to another due to the security level of the facility. It you should contact the prison where the inmate is housed before mailing any items not on this list. When does visitation take place? Visitation days and hours are established by each individual prison facility. Although most facilities have visiting hours on Saturday and Sunday, you should contact the particular prison facility to ask about its visiting schedule. Prison phone numbers are available online at http://www.doc.state.nc.us/dop/list/county.htm Some facilities offer weekday visitation with an appointment. Be aware that you may experience long lines at weekend visitation. Visitation will not occur on holidays. What are the rules regarding visitation? The Division of Prisons will implement new visitation procedures on Oct. 1, 2004. An overview of those new procedures is available here: http://www.doc.state.nc.us/DOP/visitation/ Normally, inmates will be allowed no more than one visiting session a week that does not last more than two hours. Generally, no more than three adults may visit during the visiting session. Children under 16 may accompany adults approved to visit, provided the adults supervise them at all times during the visit. A valid photo ID will be required to identify each adult visitor. Visitors must wear appropriate clothing that is not disruptive, offensive, and does not pose a security risk. Clothing should not be tight, revealing, suggestive, or see-through. Clothing items that display gang, racial or profane language or symbols will not be allowed. Inappropriately dressed visitors may be denied entry to visitation. All visitors and their property are subject to search. Personal items, such as handbags and briefcases, should be left outside the facility during visitation. Weapons, alcohol and drugs are illegal on prison property. It is a felony for anyone to deliver illegal drugs to an inmate or to bring any amount of illegal drugs onto prison property. Any visitor who attempts to deliver or transport drugs onto prison property will be prosecuted and will have their visiting privileges permanently revoked. Visitors are not allowed to bring money to inmates. Physical contact during visitation is limited. Inappropriate displays of affection or sexual activity are not allowed. The Division of Prisons does not allow conjugal visits, which are prison visits where sexual contact is allowed in a private setting. If someone is denied or disapproved for visitation, how can they appeal? What if they were initially approved but later suspended? Visitors initially denied the right to visit have no appeal rights. Visitors who are initially approved to visit but then are later suspended may appeal in writing to the Director of Prisons or his/her designated representative requesting restoration of visiting privileges and their justification for this action. The Direct of Prisons or his/her designee may modify any suspension or termination of visiting privilege. The address for filing an appeal is: Director of Prisons 4260 Mail Service Center Raleigh, NC 27699-4260 Can an inmate be transferred to a prison closer to home? The Division of Prisons recognizes that most families would like their relative in prison to be housed close to home, to make visitation easier for the family. Generally, the division attempts to facilitate this, but due to limited bed space, custody level, the inmate's program needs and other factors, transfer to the prison nearest home may not always be possible. If an inmate wants to transfer to another prison, he or she must submit a written request to his or her case manager. However, this does not guarantee that the transfer will be granted. How can I provide input to the Parole Commission to support or oppose an offender's parole? You can e-mail the Parole Commission at parole@doc.state.nc.us. You can also write to the Parole Commission at this address: NC Post-Release Supervision and Parole Commission 4222 Mail Service Center Raleigh NC 27699-4222 To schedule an appearance at a parole hearing, call the Parole Commission at 919-716-3010. How do I find when an inmate is eligible for parole? This information is not currently available online. You can call the Parole Commission at 919-716-3010 or call the DOC Public Affairs Office at 1-800-368-1985. Is parole the same as probation? No. Probation is a period of supervision in the community imposed by the court as an alternative to imprisonment. Parole is the release of a prisoner to supervision in the community after he/she has completed a part of his/her sentence in an institution. Where can I find Department of Correction job openings listed? DOC jobs open to the general public are posted on the Office of State Personnel website. Job listings including positions open only to current DOC or State Employees are available on the DOC Personnel Office website. How do I apply for a Department of Correction job? We have some helpful guidelines for getting a DOC job on the Personnel Office website. You can also contact one of our regional employment offices for more information. Raleigh Regional Employment Office Raleigh 919-733-3336 Eastern Carolina Regional Employment Office Greenville 252-830-3228 Southern Coastal Plains Regional Employment Office McCain 910-944-4735 Western Foothills Regional Employment Office Lenoir 828-757-5601 Piedmont Triad Regional Employment Office Kernersville 336-996-7129 What things might disqualify me from being hired for a DOC job? Many DOC positions require certification by the NC Criminal Justice Standards and Training Commission. A list of potential disqualifiers for certification is available. Can I get copies of inmate records or medical records? Offender Records Under North Carolina law, offender records are confidential. Portions of the individual offender records that have been determined public are available using the Public Access Information System on the DOC website. Requests for prison inmate records should be directed to the DOC Combined Records office at 919-716-3200. Probation records are maintained separately by the Division of Community Corrections at 919-716-3100. Medical Records Inmate medical records are also confidential and cannot be released to directly to active inmates or their family members. Medical records may be released to an inmate's attorney or physician, with the completion of a valid Authorization for Release form. Upon release from prison, inmates are provided with certain portions of their medical records including instructions for their physician to obtain additional parts of the record. Contact the Division of Prisons Medical Records office at 919-715-1570 for more information. 1. How can I sign up to be notified of the release, transfer, escape, death, or out-to-court appearance of an inmate who is incarcerated in the Florida Department of Corrections. Whom should I contact to obtain status information and how? If I am a crime victim, are there different rules for signing up for this information? If you are a crime victim... You may write the Florida Department of Corrections -- Victim Assistance Office at 2601 Blair Stone Road, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-2500 and request to be added to our victim database. All victim information is confidential, per Sec. 914.27, Florida Statutes. Victim Information and Notification Everyday -- VINEBe sure to include the inmate name and inmate number (if you have it), as well as your first and last name(s), your home address with zip code, and your home, work or cellular telephone number(s) with the area code. If you provide your telephone number(s), you will be automatically registered with the VINE Service. We will provide automated written notification of the inmate's release from 30 to 120 days prior to his or her release. We will also provide written notification of emergency releases, as soon as we have been notified of the release. You may also register for email notification at www.vinelink.com. Information provided to www.vinelink.com is not shared with the Victim's Assistance Office. Please note that written release notification is only provided to the victim of the offender under his current incarceration. The Victim Assistance Office has a toll-free number and we can be reached at 1-877-8-VICTIM (1-877-884-2846) (Monday through Friday -- 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., Eastern Standard Time). You may also request to be added to the victim notification database by using our on-line request form at www.dc.state.fl.us/ apps/ victimasst.asp or through our on-line Victim Assistance Brochure at: www.dc.state.fl.us/ oth/ victasst/. If you are not a crime victim... If you wish to be notified only by telephone and/or email of the release, transfer, escape, death or out-to-court appearance of an inmate while he or she is incarcerated, you may register yourself directly with the Department's automated VINE Service by calling toll-free 1-877-VINE-4-FL (1-877-846-3435) or you can go to www.vinelink.com. Please note that the VINE Service is available to anyone. No matter which way you register, the VINE Service is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. When the inmate has a status change, the VINE Service will call you every 30 minutes until someone answers the telephone or your answering machine picks up the call. Then it will call every two hours up to 48 hours, until you enter your assigned pin number to acknowledge that you received the automated notification. Note: If you register with the VINE Service directly, this information is not given to the Florida Department of Corrections Victim Assistance Office. Offender search detail screen. 2. My sister has a prison pen pal who asks for money for various reasons, and I'm suspicious of him. How can I check out what he says he's in for, when he'll be released, etc? Probably the simplest way to verify information about this inmate is to look him up on the internet at www.dc.state.fl.us/ activeinmates/. You'll need the inmate's name or DC number. This web site will provide information about the inmate's offense, location, sentence, history, custody level, race, sex, age, release date and more. A photograph is also provided. If you do not have access to the Internet, you may call the Inmate Information Line at (850) 488-2533 or the institution where the inmate is incarcerated to get this information, which is public record. If you are looking for an inmate in a county jail, you will have to call the specific jail or detention facility where he or she is incarcerated. The Florida Department of Corrections does not have information about individual inmates in county facilities. Photo of femaile correctional officer speaking on walkie-talkie. 3.I am interested in a career with the Florida Department of Corrections. Where can I get more information? You may view State of Florida vacancies by accessing peoplefirst.myflorida.com. The statewide vacancy system is updated within 24 hours of a vacancy being advertised, and you can submit your application online or fax a State of Florida application to PeopleFirst at (904) 636-2627. If you experience any problems applying on-line, please call the PeopleFirst service center at 1-877-562-7287. Specific information about correctional officer and correctional probation officer benefits and requirements can be found at http://fldocjobs.com/. This web site also provides information on other career positions with the Department of Corrections including our top 15 “Hot Jobs”. If you have additional questions about the application process you may contact the Bureau of Personnel at (850) 488-3130. 4. What's the difference between a jail and a prison? The most notable difference is that the county generally manages jails and prisons are generally managed by the state. In addition, jail inmates may be awaiting sentencing, and prison inmates have already been convicted and sentenced, usually for a felony. Finally, jail inmates usually are sentenced to a year or less, whereas prison inmates usually have sentences of more than a year. The Florida Department of Corrections keeps track of the number and type of county jail inmates via its monthly "County Detention Facilities" report located at www.dc.state.fl.us/ pub/ jails/ or a copy can be obtained by calling the Bureau of Research and Data Analysis at (850) 488-1801. 5. My son was recently sent to prison and I would like to send him some spending money for the canteen, and his siblings and I would like to visit him. What are the procedures for visiting, sending money, writing to him, etc? For a complete list of common questions and answers regarding visiting, sending money to or corresponding with an inmate, please visit www.dc.state.fl.us/ oth/ inmates/. 6. My son is being harassed in prison, and I fear for him. To whom can I report this? Start by reporting it to the prison warden. Contact information can be found at www.dc.state.fl.us/facilities. If the situation is not resolved to your satisfaction, or if you deem it of a serious nature, you may want to write to the Office of the Inspector General, 2601 Blair Stone Road, Tallahassee, FL 32399-2500 or call them at (850) 488-9265. Provide detailed information of your concerns. 7. Do you have anything I can download that would give me a brief overview of the Florida prison system, including statistics about the inmate population, death row and prison costs? We have an online brochure called "Statistics in Brief" that features charts and graphs from the most recent annual report. The subject areas are prison admissions and population numbers; inmate costs per day, death row, community supervision, time served and prison facilities. It is two pages in Adobe Acrobat (PDF) format. Go to www.dc.state.fl.us/pub/statsbrief/. Photo of inmates in orange clothing marching with correctional officer beside a fence. 8. How many prisons does Florida have? As of June 30, 2007, Florida had 137 prison facilities, including 60 major institutions, 41 work/forestry camps, one treatment center, 30 work release centers and five road prisons. Florida correctional facilities are divided into major institutions, work camps, work release centers and road prisons. The classification of inmates into these different facilities takes into account the seriousness of their offenses, length of sentence, time remaining to serve, prior criminal record, escape history, prison adjustment, and other factors. The most serious offenders with the longest sentences and those least likely to adjust to institutional life are placed in more secure facilities. Number of Florida Prison Facilities Facility Summary Total Male Female Population on June 30, 2007 Percentage of Population Correctional Institutions* 60 43 6 78,437 84.5% Work Camps, Stand Alone Work/Forestry Camps, 41 38 3 10,796 11.6% Treatment Centers 1 1 0 80 0.1% Work Release Centers 30 22 8 3,054 3.2% Road Prisons 5 5 0 411 0.4% Total Facilities 137 120 17 92,777 99.9% Contract Jail Beds 67 0.1% Population Total 92,844 100.0% Institutions with separate units and hospitals are counted as one institution. These institutions are Apalachee East and West units; CFRC Main, East and South units; Gulf CI Main and Annex units; Hamilton CI Main and Annex units; Liberty CI and Quincy Annex; Lowell CI, Lowell Annex and Boot Camp units; New River CI East and West units; Reception and Medical Center (RMC) Main and West units; South Florida Reception Center (SFRC) and SFRC South; Sumter CI and Boot Camp units; and Taylor CI Main and Annex units. The total includes five private correctional facilities. For a complete list of facilities as of June 30, 2007, go to www.dc.state.fl.us/pub/annual/0607/facil.html. To learn more about specific Florida prisons visit www.dc.state.fl.us/ facilities/. Photo of Latin Kings cross necklace Photo of Latin Kings tattoo. Do you know which group uses the initials “LK” and five-point crown? 9. How can I find out more about gangs in prison? The Florida Department of Corrections has an extraordinary amount of information about gangs both in prison and around the country on its web site at www.dc.state.fl.us/pub/gangs/. The Security Threat Intelligence Unit can be contacted via e-mail at stgiu@mail.dc.state.fl.us or call them at (850) 410-4584. The tattoo on the right was found on an inmate and represents the Latin Kings. The Latin Kings represent their gang with the five-point crown, and “ALKN” (Almighty Latin King Nation). This group will also use the colors black and gold in their clothing, drawings, and jewelry, such as the necklace on the right. 10. To whom can I talk about my family member's transfer, gaintime, discipline, release, etc.? Each inmate is placed on a classification team when he arrives at a state prison facility. Any questions concerning the above issues should be directed to the classification officer in charge of that team. (The phone numbers and addresses of each facility are located on the Internet at www.dc.state.fl.us/ orginfo/ facilitydir.html.) Before contacting the classification officer, please visit www.dc.state.fl.us/ oth/ inmates/ for answers to some of the most frequently asked questions regarding these issues. If you do not have access to the Internet, you may call the Inmate Information Line at (850) 488-2533 or the institution where the inmate is incarcerated to get this information, which is public record. If you are seeking information about county jail inmates, you will have to call the county jail or detention facility where the inmate is incarcerated - they have no central number to call. The Florida Department of Corrections does not have information on individuals in county jails or detention centers. Photo of execution gurney. 11. What is Florida's method of execution for death row inmates? Beginning January 14, 2000, lethal injection became the primary execution method for inmates on Florida's death row. Previously, electrocution was their sole option. For information about death row in general, including a death row inmate's daily routine and a list of those with active death warrants, go to www.dc.state.fl.us/ oth/ deathrow/. 12. How much does it cost to incarcerate an inmate for a year? In Fiscal Year 2005-06, it cost $19,002 a year or $52.06 a day to feed, clothe, house, educate and provide medical services for an inmate at a major prison, which is only $894 more per year than it cost the previous fiscal year. For more inmate cost per day information, go to www.dc.state.fl.us/ pub/annual/ 0506/budget.html. Photo of probation officer looking at computer screen showing GPS tracking. 13. How many inmates are in Florida prisons? On death row? On community supervision like probation? On September 16, 2007, there were 93,597 inmates in Florida prisons and 384 on death row. Of the 153,939 on community supervision on July 31, 2007, most (84.2%) were on probation, 6.4% were on community control and 5.9% were on pretrial intervention. For statistics on these and other prison populations, go to www.dc.state.fl.us/ pub/ annual/ 0506/stats/. 14. What is the recidivism rate for inmates in Florida? The department currently defines ‘recidivism rate’ as the percent of releases who return to prison for a new offense or technical violation within a specified time period after release. The latest, overall recidivism rate within 3 years after release is 32.8%. HomeHighlightsReports and StatisticsFacilitiesOffender SearchFrequently Asked QuestionsSearchAbout UsContact Us Locating an Inmate 1. What is the fastest and easiest way to find an inmate in the Florida Prison System? 2. How do I find an inmate's DC number (DC#?) 3. I have found the person I was looking for, but I do not see the information I wanted. What do I do now? 4. What does the search result "No Inmates Found" mean? Writing to an Inmate 1. How do I write to an inmate? 2. I need the address or other information about one of the department's institutions or facilities, how do I get it? 3. Can I send an inmate an e-mail message? 4. How does an inmate receive books, periodicals (magazine/newsletter), or other publications? Calling an Inmate 1. How do I call an inmate? Inmate Funds & Sending Money 1. How do I send money to an inmate? 2. Generally, what items do inmates need to purchase? 3. My friend has a prison pen pal who asks for money for various reasons. How can I learn more about this pen pal, such as what crime he committed, his release date, etc? Inmate Visitation 1. How do I qualify/apply for visitation? 2. What are the registration and visiting times? 3. Can I visit on a holiday? 4. What are the Visitation Rules? 5. What can/can't I bring? 6. Is visitation a right? 7. If I experience a problem during my visitation, whom should I contact? 8. I have been a pen pal with an inmate for quite awhile. May I visit the inmate? 9. Who do I contact about visitation? 10. What about Special Visits? 11. Who has final authority on visitation? Gaintime 1. What is Gaintime? 2. What are the various types of Gaintime? 3. I have a question about an inmate's Gaintime. Who should I contact? 4. I have a question about overcrowding credits, early release, the Gomez case. Who should I contact? Release Dates 1. How do I find an inmate's release date? 2. Is the release date showing on the website the actual date the inmate will get out of prison? 3. Why does his/her release date change? 4. Can you tell me the exact release date of an inmate? 5. How do I find detailed information about an inmate's release date? Work Release 1. What is work release? 2. What makes an inmate ineligible for work release? 3. When is an inmate eligible for work release program participation (paid employment)? 4. How does the department account for the money earned while in work release? Records 1. What should I do if I need an inmate's record, but I cannot find it on the website and he was released before October 1997? Detainers 1. What is a detainer? 2. Charges were dropped, why is the detainer still there? Death Row For more information on Death Row, please visit our Death Row Fact Sheet. Close Management (Confinement) 1. What is Close Management? 2. Why is the inmate in Close Management? Transfers 1. Will the department transfer an inmate closer to home to make visitation easier? 2. How is an inmate transferred? 3. I want to be notified of an inmate's transfer. How do I go about making this happen? Custody 1. What is Custody? 2. How is an inmate's custody grade changed? 3. Does custody affect release date, work release, or visitation? Circumstances of an Inmate's Crime 1. How do I get information about an inmate's crime? Parole 1. Who is eligible for parole? 2. How do I contact the Florida Parole Commission? Medical & Health 1. How do I get medical information about an inmate? Elderly Facilities 1. Are there facilities for elderly inmates? Statistics Please see the Statistics in Brief Brochure, Frequently Asked Questions, and our publications and statistics menu for this information. Chaplaincy Services 1. Can inmates in Florida Prisons get married? 2. Can inmates receive visits from family clergy? 3. Does every Florida prison have a chaplain? 4. How can I get a message about a family emergency to a family member in prison? 5. Can I send an inmate a religious book or publication? 6. Can inmates have a religious medallion? 7. What do religious volunteers do? 8. How can I become a religious volunteer? 9. What is the Faith and Character Based program? 10. How does an inmate get into a faith and character based residential institution? 11. I am interested in becoming a Chaplain. What is needed? # What is the fastest and easiest way to find an inmate in the Florida prison system? 1. Make sure the inmate is in the state of Florida prison system and not on probation or parole in Florida; in a Florida county jail; in a Federal prison; in prison or jail in another state; or already released from the Florida prison system. (See Question 4 below for more information.) 2. For inmates in the state of Florida prison system, go to our Inmate Population Information Search page. 1. Enter the inmate's name, DC# or any other identifying information you have in the appropriate box. You do not need all of the information--any of the identifiers will bring a result. (Note: Specifying too much information on the search page may exclude the intended inmate record. For instance, if you specify Calhoun as the "Current Location" and the inmate has been transferred, then the inmate's records will not be found.) 2. Scroll down until you see the "Submit Request" button and click on it. 3. The result you will see is titled "Inmate Population Information List." This list is a table (rows & columns) showing all inmates that matched your identifying data. 4. Click the number in the first column to open the "Inmate Population Information Details" page where you will see a photo of the inmate and accompanying information. 5. If you are not finding the person you are looking for, but feel sure the person was incarcerated, you may check the Inmate Release Information Search. # How do I find an inmate's DC number (DC#)? 1. Go to your Inmate Population Information Search page. Remember, this search database does not have inmates on probation or parole, those sentenced to a county jail or federal prison (see Question 4 below for additional help). 2. Type in the identifying information you have and submit the request. 3. When the search responds with the inmate information list, you will see the inmate's six digit DC number in the third column. # I have found the person I was looking for but I do not see the information I wanted. What do I do now? 1. Click on the number in the first column of the Inmate Population Information List page. 2. This will take you to the Inmate Population Information Details page which has the inmate's picture and other details relating to the inmate's incarceration history. # What does the search result "No Inmates Found" mean? It could mean the inmate you are looking for is: 1. On probation or parole If the inmate is serving probation or parole in Florida, please use the Supervised Population Information Search or search all offender records within the department. 2. No longer in our custody and was released Go to the Inmate Release Information Search or search all offender records within the department. 3. In a county jail If the inmate is in a county jail within Florida, please go to www.floridasmart.com or officer.com to locate the county jail website. Since the county sheriff usually runs these facilities, by going to the county sheriff's website you may find the information you need about a particular jail. However, at this time, not every county sheriff's office has online records. It may be necessary for you to contact that particular facility by telephone. 4. In a Federal Bureau of Prisons institution Information on Inmates in federal prison is found at the Federal Bureau of Prison's website (www.bop.gov). 5. Incarcerated in another state To search for inmates in other states, visit www.dc.state.fl.us/crimpage.html (Look under "U.S. State Governments") or http://www.corrections.com/links/show/20 6. In our system, but you are entering the wrong identifying information or you may be entering too many identifiers. You can simply type the inmate's last name and click the submit button. If too many records are found using only the last name, then also use the first letter of the inmate's first name. For instance, if you are searching for "John Smith" you would enter "Smith" as the last name and "J" for the first name. This will find inmates named Jon Smith and John Smith. 1. How do I write to an inmate? 1. All correspondence addressed to inmates must be sent by U.S. Postal Service mail. Correspondence sent by other courier or delivery services will be refused. 2. Inmates shall not be permitted to receive routine mail in padded envelopes. 3. Always use the inmate's committed name, DC number, and institutional address when addressing your letters. 4. Use the Facility Profiles to locate the address for major institutions. Use the printable directory to locate Work and Forestry Camps, Road Prisons, Work Release Centers, and Administrative Service Center addresses. 5. Address the envelope as follows: Inmate's last name, first name, DC# Institution name Mailing address City, State Zip Code Example: Doe, John DC# 012456 Some Correctional Institution 1212 South Street Any Town, Florida 11111 6. All routine mail sent to an inmate is opened, examined and read by designated department staff. 7. Inmates will be permitted to receive only the following types of materials through routine mail: 1. Written correspondence (no limit as to number of pages). Correspondence may be written on greeting cards, but cards containing electronic or other non-paper parts, cards which are constructed in such a way as to permit concealment of contraband, or which are larger than 8"x10" will not be permitted. 2. Up to 5 pages of additional written materials, unless prior approval is obtained from the warden to send in an enclosure of greater than five pages Each page can be no larger than 8 1/2 x 14 inches in size; material can be on both sides of a page. This does not include bound publications which will be handled pursuant to rule 33-501.401, F.A.C. Individual newspaper or magazine articles or clippings or clippings from other publications are permissible, up to the 5 page limit. No item can be glued, taped, stapled or otherwise affixed to a page. Requests to send enclosures of greater than five pages shall be made to the warden or his designee prior to sending the material. Exceptions to the five page limitation are intended for enclosures concerning legal, medical, or other significant issues, and not for material for general reading or entertainment purposes. The warden shall advise the sender and the mail room of his approval or disapproval of the request. 3. Photographs. Photographs will be counted toward the 5 page additional materials limitation. Nude photographs or photographs which reveal genitalia, buttocks, or the female breast will not be permitted. Polaroid photographs will not be permitted. Photographs will not exceed 8"x10". 4. Self-addressed stamped envelopes. These items do not count toward the 5 page limitation for additional materials, but cannot exceed the equivalent of 20 (1 ounce) first class stamps. 5. Blank greeting cards (no larger than 8"x10"), stationery or other blank paper or envelopes. These items do not count toward the 5 page limitation for additional materials, but cannot exceed 10 in number, with a total possession limit of 15 of each item. 6. U.S. postage stamps. The value of the stamps cannot exceed the equivalent of 20 (1 oz.) First class stamps. These items do not count toward the 5 page limitation for additional materials. 8. The following items are not permissible for inclusion in or attachment to routine mail addressed to an inmate: 1. Non-paper items; 2. Items of a non-communicative nature such as lottery tickets or matchbooks; 3. Stickers or stamps (other than postage stamps, postal service attachments, and address labels affixed to the outside of the envelope); 4. Address labels (other than those affixed to the outside of the envelope); 5. Laminated cards or other laminated materials. 9. Incoming mail shall be disapproved for mailing or delivery to an inmate if any part of it: 1. Depicts or describes procedures for the construction of or use of weapons, ammunitions, bombs, chemical agents, or incendiary devices; 2. Depicts, encourages, or describes methods of escape from correctional facilities or contains blueprints, drawings or similar descriptions of department of corrections facilities or institutions, or includes road maps that can facilitate escape from correctional facilities; 3. Depicts or describes procedures for the brewing of alcoholic beverages, or the manufacture of drugs or other intoxicants; 4. Is written in code; 5. Depicts, describes or encourages activities which may lead to the use of physical violence or group disruption; 6. Encourages or instructs in the commission of criminal activity; 7. Is dangerously inflammatory in that it advocates or encourages riot, insurrection, disruption of the institution, violation of department or institution rules, the violation of which would present a serious threat to the security, order or rehabilitative objectives of the institution or the safety of any person; 8. Threatens physical harm, blackmail or extortion; 9. Pictorially depicts sexual conduct as defined by s. 847.001, Florida Statutes, as follows: (a) actual or simulated sexual intercourse; (b) sexual bestiality; (c) masturbation; (d) sadomasochistic abuse; (e) actual contact with a person's unclothed genitals, pubic area, buttocks, or, if such person is a female, breast; (f) any act or conduct which constitutes sexual battery or simulates that sexual battery is being or will be committed. 10. Presents nudity or a lewd exhibition of the genitals in such a way as to create the appearance that sexual conduct is imminent, i.e., display of contact or intended contact with genitals, pubic area, buttocks or female breasts orally, digitally or by foreign object, or display of sexual organs in an aroused state. 11. Contains criminal history, offender registration, or other personal information about another inmate or offender which, in the hands of an inmate, presents a threat to the security, order or rehabilitative objectives of the correctional system or to the safety of any person; 12. Is not in compliance with incoming mail regulations set forth in subsections (2) and (3) of Administrative Rule 33-210.101; 13. Contains or appears to contain unknown or unidentifiable substances; or 14. Otherwise presents a threat to the security, order, or rehabilitative objectives of the correctional system, or to the safety of any person. 10. When an inmate is prohibited from receiving any item of mail, the inmate and the sender will be given notice in writing that the mail has been disapproved stating one of the authorized reasons for disapproval. 1. The Unauthorized Mail Return Receipt, Form DC2-521, will be placed in the original envelope with the correspondence and returned to the sender. 2. If contraband is discovered in the mail (other than contraband of an illegal nature), the contraband item and the correspondence will be returned to the sender with the Unauthorized Mail Return Receipt included. 11. When an inmate is transferred or released, routine mail addressed to the inmate at his old institution shall be treated as follows: 1. For 1 month after the transfer or release, all first-class and second-class mail will be returned to the post office within 10 working days of receipt with a forwarding address, if available, and a request will be made to postal authorities to forward. 2. All postage due is the responsibility of the inmate and must be paid in accordance with postage regulations. 3. At the end of the 1-month period, all first-class and second-class routine mail will be returned to the U.S. Postal Service with no attempt to have mail forwarded. 4. From the date of transfer or release, all routine mail other than first-class and second-class will be returned to the U.S. Postal Service for its disposition. 12. Inmates may not send mail to any person who has advised the warden that he does not wish to receive mail from the inmate. 1. The parents or legal guardians of a person under the age of 18 may advise that mail is not to be sent to such person. 2. Upon receipt of such advisement, the warden will cause to be prepared an acknowledgment specifying that the inmate will not be permitted to send mail to the person requesting the correspondence restriction and that such person should return any further mail received from the inmate and notify the warden of the attempt to correspond. 3. After the inmate is notified of the correspondence restriction, any further attempt to correspond will be considered a violation of Administrative Rule 33-210.102 and of Section 9-14 of the Rules of Prohibited Conduct, (Administrative Rule 33-601.314, F.A.C.) and will subject the inmate to disciplinary action. 2. I need the address or other information about one of FDC's institutions or facilities, how do I get it? 1. Use our Directory of major facilities. In addition to address information, this directory provides driving directions, historical information, staff information, facility profiles, and programs offered. 2. Use our printable directory to locate address information for Work and Forestry Camps, Road Prisons, Work Release Centers, and Administrative Service Centers. 3. Can I send an inmate an e-mail message? 1. No. For obvious security reasons, inmates are not authorized access to the Internet, or to computers connected to the Internet that can send or receive e-mail messages. 2. Inmates are only allowed letters sent through the US Postal Service. See Question 1 above. 4. How does an inmate receive books, periodicals (magazines/newsletters), or other publications? 1. The sending of publications to inmates is addressed in Administrative Rule 33-501.401, " Admissible Reading Material" F.A.C. 2. Publications will be rejected if they include subject matter that: 1. Depicts/describes construction or use of weapons, ammunition, bomb, chemical agents, incendiary devices. 2. Depicts/encourages/describes methods of escape or contains blueprints, drawings, descriptions of facilities or maps that facilitate escape. 3. Depicts/describes procedures for brewing alcoholic beverages or manufacture of drugs or other intoxicants. 4. Is written in code. 5. Depicts/encourages/describes activities leading to use of physical violence or group disruption. 6. Encourages/instructs in the commission of criminal activity. 7. Is dangerously inflammatory in that it advocates or encourages riot, insurrection, institutional disruption, or violation of department rules. 8. Threatens physical harm, blackmail or extortion. 9. Depicts sexual conduct as follows: actual or simulated sexual intercourse; sexual bestiality; masturbation; sadomasochistic abuse; actual contact with a person's unclothed genitals, pubic area, buttocks, or, female breast; any act or conduct which constitutes sexual battery or simulates that sexual battery is being or will be committed. 10. Depicts nudity or a lewd exhibition of genitals in such a way as to create the appearance of sexual conduct is imminent Display of contact or intended contact with a person's unclothed genitals, pubic area, buttocks or female breasts orally, digitally or by foreign object. Display of sexual organs in an aroused state. 11. Contains criminal history, offender registration, or other personal information about another inmate or offender, which , in the hands of an inmate, presents a threat to the security, order or rehabilitative objectives of the correctional system or to the safety of any person; 12. Contains or appears to contain unknown or unidentifiable substances; or 13. Otherwise presents a threat to the security, order or rehabilitative objectives of the correctional system or the safety of any person. 3. Finally, ensure you are familiar and comply with the requirements of 33-501.401 (10) through (13). Briefly they are: 1. Inmates, except for those in Close Management, may subscribe to no more than one daily or weekly newspaper and four other periodicals. Inmates in Close Management are limited to one (1) newspaper and one (1) periodical subscription. 2. An inmate is not allowed to keep more than one copy of any volume, issue or edition of any book, periodical or other publication. (For example: may keep January and February 2003 issues, but not two copies of the January 2003 issue.) 3. Inmate must be able to store the materials in his/her personal living area. 4. Unless otherwise provided in 33-601.800, inmates are limited to possession of 4 books. Religious materials, law books (not in the institution's law library), and books received pursuant to an approved correspondence study course do not count against this limit. 5. For security concerns, inmates at Florida State Prison Main Unit or in death row and close management status other institutions are not allowed to receive hard-bound books. 6. Books, periodicals or other publications must be sent directly to an inmate from a publisher, mail order distributor, or bookstore. DO NOT attempt to send a package of any type to inmate--it will be rejected. 7. Books, periodicals or other publications forwarded to inmates must be sent through the United States Postal Service. Materials delivered by package delivery services, such as United Parcel Service (UPS), Fed Ex, etc., will be refused. # How do I call an inmate? 1. Florida prison inmates are not permitted to receive telephone calls. 2. If there is a family emergency, family members are urged to contact the institution’s chaplain. The chaplain will notify the inmate and he/she may be granted a special telephone call. 3. Once an inmate enters the Florida prison system, he/she will have an inmate telephone account established with a Personal Identification Number (PIN) and be provided with instructions for placing collect calls to family and friends. Before an inmate is permitted to call a telephone number, he/she must submit the telephone number for verification and activation prior to being added on an approved call list. This approved call list can be changed every 6 months, or sooner under specific circumstances provided in the instructions. Every new number an inmate requests be added to the approved call list must be verified and activated before the inmate is allowed to call. 4. Correctional Billing ServicesFor questions concerning inmate telephone services, contact Correctional Billing Services (CBS) at 800-844-6591 or click on the logo shown at the right to visit the CBS website (www.correctionalbillingservices.com/). CBS is a subsidiary of the Inmate Telephone Services contractor, SECURUS, and they provide the account set-up; billing; and customer service information functions for inmate family and friends. How do I send money to an inmate? 1. The funds must be in the form of a money order, cashier's check, or a certified bank draft--DO NOT SEND CASH. The funds should be made payable to the Inmate Trust Fund along with the name and DC#. What is the problem? Who completes suicide in prison? Who completes suicide in jails? What are the causes of prison suicides? Why do suicides happen in jails? What are high-risk periods for inmate suicides? What are the warning signs of inmate suicidality? What are some of the myths of jail and prison suicide? How do I Apply for Visitation? 1. Complete a visitation application: The inmate you wish to visit must send you an application. An application must be completed by all visitors 12 years of age or older. The application form consists of two parts: Form numbers DC6-111A and DC6-111B. You complete and submit the DC6-111A. The DC6-111B is a visitor information summary which should be reviewed and retained by the visitor. Send the completed DC6-111A form to the Classification Department at the inmate's current location (see the Statewide Facility Directory for address information). 2. Where do I mail the visitation application? Completed applications should be mailed to the Classification Department at the inmate's current location (see the Statewide Facility Directory for address information). 3. How long does it take to process a visiting application? It takes approximately 30 days to process an application from the date it is received. 4. Can more than one visitor fill out the same application? No. Each person wishing to visit must fill out a separate application. 5. Who will notify me if I am either approved or disapproved to visit? When a decision is made regarding your application, a notice is given to the inmate. The inmate will notify you either by phone or correspondence. 6. What are some of the things that can disqualify me? To list a few, a criminal history, lying on a visiting application, mailing an incomplete application, etc. Possessing a criminal record will not automatically disqualify you for visitation. The nature, extent, and recency of criminal offenses are taken into consideration. 2. What are the registration and visiting times? Eastern time visiting is 9:00 a.m. through 3:00 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. Registration begins at 8:15 a.m. on both days. For Central time visiting is 8:00 a.m. through 2:00 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays, and registration begins at 7:15 a.m. on both days. Visitors will be allowed to park in designated spaces no earlier than 7:30 a.m. EST and 6:30 a.m. CST on visiting days. 3. Can I visit on a holiday? Regular visiting is permitted on the following holidays: New Year's Day Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr. (third Monday in January) Memorial Day Independence Day Labor Day Veteran's Day (November 11th) Thanksgiving Day Friday after Thanksgiving; and Christmas Day If any of the holidays listed above falls on Saturday, the preceding Friday will be observed as a holiday. If any of these holidays fall on Sunday, then the following Monday will be observed as the holiday. 4. What are the Visitation Rules? 1. Can I just show up at the institution to visit an inmate? No. You must fill out a visiting application and wait for the inmate to notify you. 2. Can I give anything to the inmate during our visit? No. With the exception of foods purchased inside the visiting park, you may not exchange or give anything to the inmate. You may contact the on-duty warden to request a special exception to this rule. 5. What Can/Can't I Bring? 1. Can I bring an approved minor/child even if I am not the parent? Any minor 17 years of age or younger must be accompanied by an approved adult on the inmate's visiting list. Further, if you are not the parent, you must present a notarized document from the parent or legal guardian, not an inmate, giving you permission to bring the minor/child in to visit, regardless if the minor is approved. The visitor bringing the minor to visit cannot notarize the document. 2. What baby items can I bring in to the visiting park? A maximum of five (5) diapers, three (3) clear baby bottles or two (2) sipper cups for toddlers, three (3) clear, plastic jars of baby food with the original seal intact, and baby wipes or towelettes (in a clear plastic bag). Also, you may bring in an infant baby carrier (subject to search), one (1) set of infant clothing, and one (1) non-quilted baby blanket to keep the infant warm. 3. What clothing should I NOT wear to the institution? It's always a good idea to dress conservatively. The following is a list of some of the clothing deemed inappropriate: Tank tops, spandex clothing, shorts that are more than 3 inches above the knee, skirts, fish net style clothing, clothing with offensive language/pictures, and see thru clothing. 4. How much money can I bring in during my visit? Up to $50.00, in $1.00, $5.00, $10.00 and $20.00 denominations only or silver change, per visitor, regardless of age, to purchase snacks and beverages from visiting park canteens or vending machines. All snacks and beverages shall be purchased and consumed in the visiting area. A small wallet or pouch may be used for containing the bills and any change received from the canteen or vending purchases. 5. What else may I bring into the visiting park? The following is a list of some other items you may bring into a prison facility: (1) unopened pack of cigarettes or cigars, (1) lighter (bic type lighters or matches are prohibited), and a vehicle key necessary to operate your vehicle. 6. What If I need my prescription medication? You may bring in medication, but only the dosage necessary. The medication must be in the original prescribed container and must be clearly marked. However, certain restrictions apply and the department reserves the right to prohibit certain prescription's which may pose a threat to institutional security. 7. What if I require injections for medical purposes? If you have a medical condition, such as diabetes, which requires injections, you will be permitted to depart the visiting park and take the necessary medications. Needles and syringes must be secured in your locked vehicle and are not permitted inside the visiting park for security reasons. Do not dispose of needles and syringes on institutional grounds. 6. Is visitation a right? No. Visitation is a privilege and as such is subject to suspension/revocation if circumstances dictate. For the complete rules governing visitation, please see Florida Administrative Code, Chapter 33, Section 601.712-732. 7. If I experience a problem during my visitation, whom should I contact? You should ask to speak to the officer in charge (OIC) at the visiting park. If you are unable to resolve the issue, you may contact the on-duty warden. 8. I have been a pen pal with an inmate for quite awhile. May I visit the inmate? Yes. You must submit an application for consideration. However, we urge the public to be cautious before establishing social or pen pal relationships with inmates. Please visit our web-site at www.dc.state.fl.us/activeoffenders to verify information about Florida inmates before engaging in correspondence with them. 9. Who do I contact about visitation? You must contact the Classification Officer at the inmate's current facility (see the Statewide Facility Directory for address information). 10. What about Special Visits? 1. How do I get a special visit? Contact the institution and speak with the inmate's Classification Officer. Special visits are not given routinely but are reserved for extenuating circumstances and are granted at the discretion of the Warden. 2. Do I still need to fill out a visiting application even if the warden already granted me a one-time special visit? Yes, unless you were already approved to visit. 11. Who has final authority on visitation? The warden at each facility has the final approval or disapproval authority for each visitation request. (See the Statewide Facility Directory for contact information). What is Gaintime? 1. Gaintime is an inmate's opportunity to earn a reduction (if eligible) in his/her overall sentence imposed by the court. 2. Gaintime has been in existence in Florida since 1889. 3. Gaintime is a tool the department uses to encourage satisfactory inmate behavior and motivate program and work participation. 4. Inmates serving life sentences or certain minimum mandatory sentences are not eligible for Gaintime (during the portion of time these mandatory sentences are in effect). 5. Awards of Gaintime are made according to statutory authorization pursuant to s.944.275 F.S. 6. Just as Gaintime can be awarded, it can be withheld or forfeited in accordance with s. 944.275, s. 944.279, s. 944.280, and s.944.281 F.S. What are the various types of Gaintime? 1. Basic Gaintime (s. 944.275 F.S.) was eliminated effective January 1, 1994 as part of the Safe Streets Act passed by the 1992-93 Legislature. Inmates whose offense was committed on or after July 1, 1978 through December 31, 1993 received 10 days of basic Gaintime for each month of sentence imposed. This was awarded in a lump sum upon entering prison. Inmates sentenced before July 1, 1978 did not receive basic Gaintime. 2. Incentive Gaintime (s. 944.275(4)(b) F.S.) is awarded to inmates for institutional adjustment, work and participation in programs. 1. The awards are made on a monthly basis as earned unless prohibited by law. (These awards are posted by the 15th of the following month.) 2. The award amount varies in relation to the inmate's rated performance and adjustment. 3. Inmates who committed crime(s) on or after January 1, 1994 may earn up to 25 days of incentive Gaintime per month, if the crime falls within levels 1 through 7 of the revised sentencing guidelines (see s. 921.0012 F.S.). 4. If the crime was committed after 1983, but before January 1, 1994, the inmate is only eligible for up to 20 days per month of incentive Gaintime, if the crime(s) falls within levels 8-10 (see s. 921.0012 F.S.). 5. For crimes committed on or after October 1, 1995, inmates are required to serve 85% of the sentence imposed. Satisfaction of 85% includes time served in the county jail as credited by the sentencing court. These inmates are eligible to earn up to 10 days per month incentive Gaintime. This Gaintime is earned until the tentative release date reaches the date equal to 85% of the sentence imposed. At that point, Gaintime no longer is applied to reduce the sentence. For example, lets say an inmate committed a crime after 10/1/95 and was given a 10 year sentence. Assuming he had no jail time credit, he will serve at least 8.5 years in prison. He could earn 1,020 days of incentive gaintime (8.5 years or 102 months x 10 days incentive gaintime per month), but only 540 days (1.5 years or 18 months x 30 days) can be applied to the reduction of his sentence. 3. Meritorious Gaintime (s. 944.275(4)(c) F.S.) may be considered for an inmate who commits an outstanding deed. Maximum award is 60 days. Examples of outstanding deeds are saving a life or assisting in recapturing an escaped inmate, or in some manner performing an outstanding service. 4. Educational Achievement Gaintime (s. 944.275(4)(d) F.S.) in the amount of 60 days may be awarded to an inmate who receives a General Education Development (GED) diploma or a certificate for completion of a vocational program. Inmates whose offense was committed on or after October 1, 1995 are not eligible. This is a one-time award. 5. Education Gaintime (s. 944.275(2)(e) F.S.) may be awarded to an inmate who satisfactorily completes the Mandatory Literacy Program. The institution's Education Program Manager determines award compliance. This is a one-time award of six days per commitment. 6. Prison Releasee Reoffender Punishment Act (s. 775.082(9) F.S.) provides for an inmate to serve 100% of his/her new sentence, with no allowance for Gaintime, if they commit a specified offense within 3 years of their release. Specified offenses are: treason; murder; manslaughter; sexual battery; carjacking; home-invasion robbery; robbery; arson; kidnapping; aggravated assault with a deadly weapon; aggravated battery; aggravated stalking; aircraft piracy; unlawful throwing, placing, or discharging of a destructive device or bomb; any felony that involves the use or threat of physical force or violence against an individual; armed burglary; burglary of an occupied structure or dwelling; or any felony violation of s. 790.07, s. 800.04, s. 827.03, or s. 827.071; I have a question about an inmate's Gaintime. Who should I contact? 1. Direct questions about a specific inmate's Gaintime awards to the Classification Officer in the inmate's assigned facility. 2. Use our Facility Directory or Facility Profiles to locate addresses, e-mail or other contact information. # I have a question about overcrowding credits, early release, the Gomez case. Who should I contact? 1. All overcrowding credits as relief under the Gomez decision have been awarded. (www.dc.state.fl.us/ secretary/ press/ gomez-index.html). 2. An exception is those few who have multiple offenses and incarceration dates that may affect the impact of overcrowding credits. Review of these cases is done in release date order. The inmate is notified once the review is completed. How do I find an inmate's release date? 1. The release date is a complex calculation affected by type of sentence, gaintime, and county jail credit. Florida statute, court decisions, inmate behavior, and program participation may affect release dates. Release dates are continually recalculated until approximately three weeks before the inmate's sentence ends. 2. The quickest way to find a release date is to visit our website. 1. Go to the Inmate Population Search and type in the inmate's name or six-digit Department of Corrections number (DC#) and submit the request. 2. When the list appears with your search results, click on the number in the first column to open the detailed page with the inmate's picture, release date, and other information. 3. Please remember this database does not show persons on probation or parole, nor if they are in county jail or federal prison. # Is the release date showing on the website the actual date the inmate will get out of prison? 1. The release date showing is the release date as of the moment. 2. The release date may change based upon gaintime awards or forfeitures and court orders--these changes will appearon the website within 24 hours of the award or forfeiture. 3. Gaintime input for inmates statewide is completed by the 15th of the month following the month the gaintime is earned. # Why does his/her release date change? The release date changes because the inmate is either earning or losing gaintime, court orders,or case law decisions. # Can you tell me the exact release date of an inmate? 1. Due to the influence of gaintime on the release date calculation, giving an exact release date is not possible until about 30 days before the inmate's end of sentence. At that time, the release date calculation is set and an anticipated release date is established (unless the inmate forfeits gaintime previously earned). 2. The Classification Officer at the institution is the best source of this date (see Question 5. 3. If the release date is outside of the 30 day window, please refer to Question 2, above. # How do I find detailed information about an inmate's release date? 1. The best source for this information is the Classification Officer at the inmate's facility. 2. Each facility has a Classification Unit which can be contacted at the address and phone number listed in our Facility Directory. # What is work release? 1. Work release is that portion of the Community Release Program that allows selected inmates to work at paid employment in the community during the last months of their confinement. 2. Inmates must return to the Department's custody at the end of each workday. Work Release provides: Gradual reintegration back into the community. Gainful employment. Accumulation of savings from paid employment. Preservation of family and community ties. Participation in self-help programs. # What makes an inmate ineligible for work release? These inmates are ineligible to participate in community release programs: 1. Inmates convicted of sexual battery pursuant to s.794.011 F.S. 2. Inmates serving their fourth or more commitment to prison, including commitments from any other state or federal correctional agency. 3. Any inmate found guilty of a Rule 33-601.314 4-1, violation for escape within the last five years. 4. Any inmate who has a detainer filed against him/her unless: The detaining authority, in writing, does not object to the inmate's placement and furlough participation. It can be established the detainer would be withdrawn upon payment of restitution, fines, or court costs. In addition, it appears likely the inmate will earn sufficient funds to pay the restitution, fines or court costs within the period the inmate is participating in the program. Inmates terminated from a community release program on their current commitment for a rule violation or disciplinary action. # When is an inmate eligible for work release program participation (paid employment)? Inmates with an advanceable release date sentence who are within the last 15 months of confinement are considered. Inmates serving an 85% sentence (a non-advanceable release date) or mandatory sentences are evaluated at the 10-month point. # How does the department account for the money earned while in work release? The money inmates earn on work release is accounted for in this way: 1. Subsistence is 45% at state facilities. 2. Subsistence is 55% at contract facilities. 3. 10% of net pay goes toward restitution or court ordered payments. 4. 10% of net pay goes to family assistance, including child support. 5. 10% of net pay is mandatory for the inmate's savings account. 6. The remaining amount goes into the inmate's savings account. 7. Sixty-five dollars ($65) per week goes toward the inmate's personal incidentals, etc. # What should I do if I need an inmate's record, but I cannot find it on the website and he was released before October 1997? 1. The automated records that are available on our website do not contain information on inmates released prior to October 1997. 2. To get information on inmates released before October 1997, you must contact our Central Records Unit through this e-mail address: faq.inmaterecords@mail.dc.state.fl.us # What is a detainer? 1. A detainer is a warrant placed against an inmate for pending charges from another jurisdiction. 2. These pending charge(s) are usually from Florida counties and/or out-of-state law enforcement agencies. 3. A detainer warrant may also be placed against an inmate who has had concurrent or consecutive sentences imposed in other jurisdictions. 4. A third type of detainer one in which a jurisdiction wants to be notified of an inmate's pending release. # Charges were dropped, why is the detainer still there? 1. The charging agency has not officially notified the department of the removal of the detainer, or the cancellation is being processed. 2. Please allow us two work weeks to receive and process the cancellation and post it to our computer database. # What is Close Management? 1. Close Management (CM) is confinement of an inmate apart from the general inmate population. 2. This status is designed to house inmates who commit acts that threaten the safety of others, threaten the security of the institution, or demonstrate an inability to live in the general population without abusing the rights and privileges of others. 3. The CM system consists of three levels with objective criteria for placement and specific privileges for each level. 1. Inmates are assigned to the least restrictive level that will meet their management needs. 2. The inmate is returned to open population as soon as the inmate's behavior and facts of the case suggest the inmate can honor the rights and privileges of the general inmate population. 4. The CM system requires the department to adhere to certain due process protection requirements afforded inmates before placement in a restrictive status. 5. There are three levels of CM (CM I, CM II, CM III). CM I is the most restrictive cell housing level and CM III is the least restrictive. 1. Close Management I: Restrictive single cell, single occupancy housing level. 1. Inmates at this level have committed the most serious violations and are considered extreme security and management risks. 2. An inmate assigned to CM I is not eligible for a work assignment inside or outside the CM unit. 3. Privileges are the most restrictive at this close management level. 2. Close Management II: Restrictive cell housing--may be single or double occupancy. 1. Inmates at this level have committed serious violations of policy and are considered extreme security and management risks. 2. Inmates in CM II status are eligible for work assignments in CM I, CM II, death row housing units, and restricted labor squads. 3. Inmates in this status are afforded more privileges and program opportunities than CM I inmates. 3. Close Management III: Restrictive double occupancy cell housing. 1. This is the least restrictive of the three close management levels. 2. CM III inmates are provided program opportunities outside of their cell housing as a transition phase preparing for their return to the general inmate population. 6. CM III inmates are eligible for consideration for an institutional work/program assignment outside of their cell housing. 1. CM III inmates are eligible for work on the restricted labor squad, work inside CM units, or work usually designated for general population inmates. 2. Work/program assignments and their individual type is based upon the inmate's behavior, CM level, and the need to provide a transition back into open population status. # Why is the inmate in Close Management? 1. The best source of information as to why an inmate is in Close Management status is the Classification Unit at the inmate's facility. 2. Use our Directory to locate addresses for Work and Forestry Camps, Road Prisons, Work Release Centers or major institutions. # Will the department transfer an inmate closer to home to make visitation easier? 1. Visitation, in and of itself, is no longer considered justification for transferring an inmate. Justification for exceptions must be validated at the institutional level by the inmate's Classification Officer. Their recommendation is then reviewed by the Institutional Classification Team and the State Classification Office. 2. Inmates may request a Good Adjustment transfer through their Classification Officer at their routine scheduled progress reviews. The criteria considered include, but are not limited to are: Must be disciplinary report-free for at least one year. At the current location for at least one year. Did not refuse recommended program(s). Has overall satisfactory gaintime (job performance and security) evaluations during the current evaluation period. The length of time at the current location is considered in relationship with the length of time the inmate has left to serve. Inmates approved for Good Adjustment transfers are relocated as soon as possible based on available bed space at the requested facility. Inmates may be diverted to a facility within reasonable driving distance if bed space is not available at the approved facility. # How is an inmate transferred? 1. 76% of the inmate population comes from Central and South Florida, thus the majority of transfer requests are for these two areas. 2. 57% of available inmate beds are in North Florida, leaving only 43% of the beds are in Central and South Florida. 3. These facts mandate that transfers be based on the needs (security, health, educational) of the inmate and/or the needs of the Florida Department of Corrections. 4. At a minimum, the criteria listed in Question #1 must be met. 5. The inmate makes a request at his/her routine scheduled progress review and his/her Classification Officer initiates a transfer recommendation at the institutional level, if the criteria for transfer are met. 6. The Institutional Classification Team (ICT) then reviews the transfer request and makes a recommendation that is forwarded to the State Classification Office (SCO) for final approval or disapproval. Each institution has a waiting list for transfers; therefore, an approval does not constitute an immediate transfer. Inmates may be diverted to a facility within a reasonable driving distance if bed space is not available at the approved facility. 7. For inmate medical treatment or court-ordered transfers, the Bureau of Sentence Structure and Transportation is the coordinator--the ICT and SCO do not review these requests. Upon completion of the treatment or satisfaction of the court order, the inmate is returned to the originating facility, if that placement is still appropriate. Other types of transfers, such as Good Adjustment transfers, can not be considered while the inmate is out to court or until medical services have been completed and the inmate has returned to his/her permanent facility. # I want to be notified of an inmate's transfer. How do I go about making this happen? 1. If you are a victim of an inmate and want notification before an inmate is transferred or released, you may contact our Victims Assistance Office, toll-free at 1-877-8 VICTIM (1-877-884-2846). For additional information on Victim Services, please visit the Victims Assistance Program Information. 2. Because of the large volume of transfers, we are not able to notify family and friends of inmate transfers. Our web site's Inmate Population Information Search database is updated every 24 hours. A completed transfer is reflected on the inmate's detail record page in the "Current Facility" data field. # What is Custody? 1. Custody is determined using the Custody Assessment and Reclassification System (CARS) that groups inmates according to the level of risk they represent to the public, the staff, other inmates and the facility itself. 2. The system uses five (5) distinct groups, described as custody levels: maximum, close, medium, minimum, and community. 1. Maximum: Refers to inmates who are under a sentence of death. 2. Close: Refers to inmates who must be maintained within an armed perimeter or under direct, armed supervision when outside of a secure perimeter. 3. Medium: Refers to inmates eligible for placement at a work camp with a secure perimeter, but who are not eligible for placement in an outside work assignment without armed supervision. 4. Minimum: Refers to inmates eligible for outside work assignments, but not for placement at a community residential facility. 5. Community: Refers to inmates eligible for placement at a community residential facility. # How is an inmate's custody grade changed? 1. As the inmate serves his sentence, he or she will be reevaluated whenever something happens that could change the inmate's custody. These events could be positive or negative. Examples of this would be earning gaintime that reduces time remaining to serve and would tend toward lower custodies, or an inmate receives a disciplinary report for a rule violation that would tend towards higher custodies. The custody system is paperless and dynamic. Any event that changes the inmate's suggested custody causes an appointment for the inmate's Classification Officer to review the inmate's custody. 2. Items affecting custody are: Criminal history and the inmate's history of violent crime. Time remaining to serve. Disciplinary reports. Sex offenses and escapes. Detainers and alien status. Good adjustment and program participation. 3. As an inmate completes more of his or her sentence, the time remaining drops, thus reducing his or her CARS custody score (as long as he or she is behaving or does not have a sex offense, escape or detainer). # Does custody affect release date, work release, or visitation? 1. An inmate must be classified at the community custody level to qualify for work release. 2. Visitation and release dates are not affected by an inmate's custody. 1. How do I get information about an inmate's crime? 1. The department's automated records do not contain court information or crime details. 2. You may obtain a copy of this information from the Clerk of the Circuit Court in the county where the inmate was convicted. 3. Use these listings to locate Clerks of the Circuit Courts: www.flcourts.org/courts/circuit/circuit.shtml www.flclerks.com/directory.html 1. How do I get medical information about an inmate? 1. After Release from Prison: 1. A completed DC4-711B, Consent and Authorization for Use and Disclosure Inspection and Release of Confidential Information, must be completed and signed by the inmate. By signing the DC4-711B, the inmate is authorizing release of medical, dental, or mental health information to a designated person/entity. By signing the release, the inmate(s) also understands that if the person or entity authorized to receive the health information is not a health-care provider, then the disclosed health information may no longer be protected from further disclosure by state or federal law. 2. This form can be completed by the inmate's family member, healthcare provider, attorney, or any individual that the inmate consents to receive PHC information. 3. The completed form must be mailed to: Reception Medical Center Attn: Medical Records 7765 S. CR 231 P.O. Box 628 Lake Butler, Fl 32054-0628 2. While Incarcerated: 1. The inmate must contact the medical department at their facility and request/complete a Release of Information form. Jail/Prison Auditor Cook County The Department of Corrections employs approximately 3,800 sworn and civilian staff, and has a 2006 operating budget of $205,989,440 (excluding medical and facilities management). The average 1996 cost per day to house one detainee was $59. In 1996, 11 million meals were prepared and served, and over a million pounds of laundry was processed. Each day, about 750 to 1,500 men and women are transported to and from local outlying district courts. The Department is headed by the Executive Director and three Assistant Executive Directors for Internal Operations, special programs, and administration and planning. External Operations is responsible for the Canine Unit, transportation of all detainees to court, and the security of facility perimeters. Superintendent Central Jail Staff Titles Correctional Sergeant Correctional Sergeants supervise Correctional Officers and perform custody work, which involves providing safety and securityas well as controlling, directing and monitoring the activities and movement of adult inmates. Correctional Sergeants have a variety of duties depending upon where they are assigned. Each facility has a Public Access or Visit Sergeant who generally can resolve issues relating to the visiting process. Correctional Lieutenant A Correctional Lieutenant is responsible for security operations during his or her shift and supervises Correctional Sergeants. This position manages any response to emergency situations that may arise. Correctional Captain This is the senior custody staff member responsible for facility-wide custody and security operations and supervision of Lieutenants. Community Corrections Officer (CCO), Classification Counselor (CC) Each inmate has an assigned CCO or CC, depending on the facility in which they reside or the county in which they are supervised. Counselors handle day-to-day issues or concerns of inmates in a housing unit. Counselors are responsible for classification and case management (education and work programs) and release preparation. CCOs are in the community offices, pre-release and work release facilities, providing a similar service to inmates who are on community supervision. Correctional Unit Supervisor (CUS) A CUS is responsible for the management of a housing unit, including the supervision of CCs or CCOs, and custody staff (Sergeants and COs).
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