Florida Department of Corrections | |
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Abbreviation | FDC |
Motto | "Inspiring success by transforming one life at a time." |
Agency overview | |
Formed | 1978 |
Preceding agency |
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Employees | 23,677 |
Annual budget | $3.4 billion [1] |
Operational structure | |
Headquarters | Doyle Carlton Building, Tallahassee, Florida. |
Agency executives |
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Website | |
www |
The Florida Department of Corrections (FDC) is the government agency responsible for operating state prisons in the U.S. state of Florida. It has its headquarters in the state capital of Tallahassee.
The Florida Department of Corrections operates the third largest state prison system in the United States. As of July 2022, FDC had an inmate population of approximately 84,700 and over 200,000 offenders in community supervision programs. [2] It is the largest agency administered by the State of Florida with a budget of $3.3 billion. [3]
The Department has 143 facilities statewide, including 43 major institutions, 33 work camps, 15 Annexes, 20 work release centers and 6 road prisons/forestry camps. It has almost 24,000 employees, about three-quarters of whom are either sworn certified corrections officers or sworn certified probation officers. The Department has K9 units statewide that are frequently utilized for tracking escapees and, in cases of small or rural law enforcement agencies, criminals who have fled from law enforcement or assisting in search and rescue for missing persons. [4]
Governor Harrison Reed established Florida's first penitentiary in 1868 at the U.S. arsenal property at Chattahoochee. The two-story brick building was originally the officer’s quarters of the Chattahoochee Arsenal before becoming Florida’s first prison. The prison was governed as a military operation under the supervision of the Florida Adjutant General. In 1870, the state legislature passed a law making the prison a civil organization rather than a military post. In 1877, supervision of inmates was placed under the control of the Commissioner of Agriculture.
Governor George Franklin Drew took office in January of 1877 and found the state in deep debt from Reconstruction. The Governor argued that prisoners should be economic assets to the state, beginning the convict lease system. Under this system, prisoners were leased to private corporations and individuals to work for them. The state was paid a fee from the leases and the private corporation or individual had to clothe, feed, house and provide medical care for the prisoner.
The program was initially very popular. People wanted criminals to be punished for their actions and earn their keep while incarcerated. Additionally, it was commonly believed at the time that hard work served as a deterrent against future crimes. The practice started slowly and became increasingly popular in the late 19th century as demand for cheap labor grew and because most people were unaware of the conditions and treatment of inmates in the convict lease system.
Main Article: Martin Tabert
In December of 1921, 22-year-old Martin Tabert was arrested in Leon County for vagrancy. Tabert was ordered to pay $25 or spend three months at hard labor. His family immediately sent him $25 plus an additional $25 so he could return home, but through mishandling, the Leon County court never received the money. Tabert was sent to the Putnam Lumber Company in Dixie County as a part of the convict lease system, where he worked in the swamps cutting and clearing timber. In his time working for the Putnam Lumber Company, Tabert was subjected to physical abuse by the whipping boss, Walter Higginbotham, on a daily basis. When Tabert could no longer work due to injury and exhaustion, Higginbotham propped him up on his swollen feet and flogged him an estimated 50 times with a 5-foot leather strap. Tabert died that night. [5]
In the aftermath of his death, Tabert's parents brought the case to the attention of those in charge in Tallahassee. The story gained national newspaper coverage and Higginbotham was tried for first-degree murder, but he was later acquitted. The Florida legislature immediately ordered a joint House-Senate committee to investigate Tabert's death and conduct a thorough investigation of all convict camps where cruelty had been charged. In a 31-1 vote held on April 20, 1923, the convict lease system was officially abolished. [6] About a month later, the Senate passed a bill prohibiting the use of corporal punishment on county convicts. Governor Cary Hardee signed both bills into law.
Florida State Prison and Union Correctional Institution each have a male death row, while Lowell Annex has the female death row. Florida State Prison houses the state's execution chamber. Unlike other prisoners, condemned prisoners wear orange over shirts. Condemned prisoners wear the same blue trousers worn by other prisoners. [7]
When Lowell Correctional Institution opened in 1956 as the Florida Correctional Institution, it housed the female death row. [8] The prison now known as Florida State Prison opened in 1961 as the East Annex; at the time of opening it began to house the execution chamber. [9]
At some point the Broward Correctional Institution housed female death row inmates. [10] Lowell Annex opened in April 2002. [11] The female death row was moved to Lowell Annex in February 2003. [12]
Pursuant to F.S. 944.151(3), the Department of Corrections must annually report their maximum capacity, current population, and condition of their facilities' infrastructure to identify specific needs, if any, to the state legislature and the Governor.
As of June 30, 2022, 93.6% of inmates in Florida were male and 6.4% were female. Of the male inmates, 48.5% were black, 38% were white, and 13% were Hispanic. Of the female inmates, 63.8% were white, 28.4% were black, and .7% were Hispanic. [3]
Type of Offense | Number | Percent | Avg. Sentence Length | Avg. Age at Offense |
---|---|---|---|---|
Murder, Manslaughter | 15,440 | 18.8% | 36.7 years | 28.5 |
Sexual Offenses | 12,304 | 15.0% | 25.5 years | 34.6 |
Burglary | 11,387 | 13.9% | 15.9 years | 31.3 |
Drug Offenses | 11,008 | 8.3% | 8.3 years | 36.2 |
Violent Personal Offenses | 10,633 | 13.0% | 14.4 years | 32.1 |
Robbery | 9,654 | 11.8% | 23.4 years | 27.4 |
Weapons | 3,997 | 4.9% | 7.4 years | 31.3 |
Theft/Forgery/Fraud | 3,781 | 4.6% | 6.4 years | 37.3 |
Other | 3,920 | 4.8% | 7.1 years | 37.2 |
The Florida Department of Corrections defines recidivism as a return to prison, as the result of either a new conviction or a violation of post-prison supervision, within three years of their prison release date. The Department began releasing annual recidivism reports in 2012. As of 2018, the recidivism rate was 21.2%. [13]
1–12 Months | 13–24 Months | 25–36 Months | Total | |
---|---|---|---|---|
2008 | 10.2% | 10.3% | 7.1% | 27.7% |
2009 | 9.6% | 9.7% | 7% | 26.3% |
2010 | 8.8% | 9.6% | 7.3% | 25.7% |
2011 | 8.3% | 10% | 7.8% | 26.2% |
2012 | 8.0% | 9.6% | 7.5% | 25.2% |
2013 | 8.6% | 9.3% | 7.4% | 25.4% |
2014 | 9.4% | 9.4% | 7% | 24.5% |
2015 | 8.5% | 9.2% | 7.1% | 24.7% |
2016 | 8.4% | 9.4% | 7.6% | 25.4% |
2017 | 8.5% | 9.6% | 5.9% | 24.1% |
2018 | 8.4% | 7.4% | 5.3% | 21.2% |
2019 | 6.3% | 6.8% | ||
2020 | 4.7% |
As of October 2023, there were between 50 and 60 inmates under the age of 17 in the custody of the Department of Corrections. Female juvenile delinquents are housed at Lowell Correctional Institution and males at Suwannee Correctional Institution. [3]
It costs on average $24,265 per year to incarcerate an inmate in Florida. [14] This includes $2.32 per day for 2,800 calorie meals. [15]
In first quarter 2011, the State of Florida announced the closing of 6 institutions in order to save up to $30 million. Three prisons, two bootcamps, and a road prison were closed. Brevard Correctional Institution, [16] which is a youthful offender prison, Lowell Boot Camp, a youthful offender female boot camp, Sumter Basic Training Unit, a youthful offender male boot camp, Hendry Correctional Institution, [17] the female prison Hillsborough Correctional Institution, [18] and Tallahassee Road Prison were the institutions that were closed. No inmates were released as a result of the closing, and the employees of the closing institutions were offered jobs at other prisons. The institutions began moving inmates on April 1, 2011, and finished as of June 30, 2011. Hillsborough Correctional Institution and Sumter BTU were not closed. [19] [20]
Governor Rick Scott ordered a second group of prisons to be closed. The Florida Department of Corrections stated that aside from the obvious financial reasons, another reason for the closings is because of a declining prison population. The following prisons were closed: [21]
As of June 30, 2022, the Florida Department of Corrections (FDC) had a total of 23,525. The department had 17,498 certified criminal justice officers in institutions or probation/parole offices. [23]
The Florida Department of Corrections is constantly hiring to fill its ranks due to retirements, and turnovers. Florida Correctional Officers start at $48,620. [24]
FDC recruits are paid while they attend recruit training, and Officers can transfer anywhere in the State with FDC. Opportunities include K9 Team, Correctional Emergency Response Team (CERT), Rapid Response Team (RRT), and Institutional Inspectors.
Rank | Insignia |
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Correctional Officer Colonel | |
Correctional Officer Major | |
Correctional Officer Captain | |
Correctional Officer Lieutenant | |
Correctional Officer Sergeant | |
Correctional Officer | |
Correctional Officer (trainee) |
In 2017, Florida Corrections Officers changed the traditional Light Brown shirts and dark brown trousers to Gray shirts and black trousers. The polo shirt was discontinued and FDC went back to gray button up shirts with breathable backs. In 2020 the polo shirts with embroidered badges and names were again authorized in a dark gray for Officers and Sergeants, and white for Lieutenants and Captains.[ citation needed]
The headquarters of the agency are in the Doyle Carlton Building in downtown Tallahassee. Some offices are in the Southwood Office Complex in Tallahassee. In 2011, the department moved into its current headquarters and office buildings. [25] The Department's headquarters were previously at 2601 Blair Stone Road in Tallahassee. [26]
Since the establishment of the Florida Department of Corrections, 38 correctional officers have died in the line of duty. Corrections Officers are frequently placed in dangerous situations where officers have lost lives. The Department has a standing memorial to officers who have died in the line of duty at the Wakulla Correctional Institution where the names of the fallen are carved into the memorial. [27]
Name | Date of Death | Manner of Death | |
---|---|---|---|
1 | Captain Ike Steel | September 6, 1928 | Stabbed |
2 | Correctional Officer Rufus W. Waters | July 22, 1938 | Gunfire |
3 | Correctional Officer William Henry Hunt | August 28, 1945 | Gunfire |
4 | Correctional Officer W.R. Brandon | August 20, 1948 | Gunfire |
5 | Correctional Officer Grant Dohner | January 15, 1953 | Assault |
6 | Correctional Officer John F. Gradon | February 1, 1953 | Assault |
7 | Assistant Superintendent James G. Godwin | April 4, 1955 | Gunfire |
8 | Sergeant Howard D. Starling | July 4, 1964 | Heart Attack |
9 | Correctional Officer Lester B. Sumner | April 26, 1965 | Stabbed |
10 | Captain James W. Parr, Sr. | August 11, 1966 | Drowned |
11 | Parole Officer William F. Gambill | July 11, 1973 | Automobile Crash |
12 | Correctional Officer Paul Jordan | January 24, 1976 | Heart Attack |
13 | Correctional Officer Lauriston F. Hustus | July 16, 1980 | Heart Attack |
14 | Correctional Officer Richard James Burke | October 12, 1980 | Stabbed |
15 | Probation Supervisor Bjorn Thomas Svenson | August 31, 1982 | Gunfire |
16 | Correctional Officer Donald L. Pawlizak | April 21, 1983 | Accidental |
17 | Sergeant John S. Dennard | May 5, 1983 | Stabbed |
18 | Parole Officer Michael Peter Serano | January 6, 1984 | Automobile Crash |
19 | Correctional Officer Fred Sidney Griffis | June 24, 1987 | Gunfire |
20 | Correctional Officer Hoyt L. Ergle | December 15, 1987 | Gunfire |
21 | Lieutenant Charles Andrew Cooper | September 15, 1988 | Heart Attack |
22 | Sergeant Kenneth M. Hendrick | January 28, 1993 | Heart Attack |
23 | Correctional Officer Lee Charles Dunn | January 24, 2000 | Automobile Crash |
24 | Correctional Officer Darla Kay Lathrem | June 11, 2003 | Assault |
25 | Correctional Officer Donna Fitzgerald | June 25, 2008 | Stabbed |
26 | Correctional Officer Adam Sanderson | March 6, 2009 | Vehicular Assault |
27 | Correctional Officer Gregory Malloy | February 2, 2011 | Gunfire |
28 | Sergeant Ruben Howard Thomas III | March 18, 2012 | Stabbed |
29 | Sergeant Jorge Ramos | May 1, 2016 | Heart Attack |
30 | Sergeant Joseph Ossman | September 10, 2017 | Automobile Crash |
31 | Correctional Officer Tawanna V. Marin | June 18, 2018 | Struck by Vehicle |
32 | Sergeant Robert Wayne Rogers | July 31, 2020 | COVID-19 |
33 | Correctional Officer Jack Sale Stewart | February 13, 2021 | COVID-19 |
34 | Correctional Officer William Fox | March 4, 2021 | COVID-19 |
35 | Inspector John Annarumma | March 6, 2021 | COVID-19 |
36 | Sergeant Derek Stewart | April 28, 2021 | COVID-19 |
37 | Correctional Officer Trainee Whitney Cloud | August 28, 2021 | Gunfire (Inadvertent) |
38 | Correctional Officer Kelly Jo Klimkowski | September 28, 2021 | COVID-19 |
There have been several recorded cases of corruption and prisoner abuse in the Florida Department of Corrections.
In 2007, the state faced lawsuits alleging "excessive as well as "malicious and sadistic" use of pepper spray," and "that its prisons subject too many inmates, including the mentally ill, to a prisoner 'warehousing' culture of unlawfully extreme isolation and deprivation, usually with little or no rehabilitation efforts to prevent recidivism." [28]
In 2010, there was a 10-count federal indictment against sixteen individuals connected with the FDC, eleven of whom were corrections officers at the Glades Correctional Institution. [29] The charges included "nine counts of attempting to possess cocaine with intent to distribute." The indictment alleges that the defendants "allegedly agreed to transport and did in fact transport on multiple occasions what they believed to be multi-kilo quantities of cocaine from the undercover warehouses in Miami-Dade County to locations in West Palm Beach", and that the defendants allegedly received a combined total of $145,000 through the drug scheme. [30]
In 2010, two correctional officers at the Lancaster Correctional Institution [31] were charged with malicious battery and cruel or inhumane punishment after an inmate collapsed in the exercise yard during routine drills. An investigation discovered that the correctional officers forced the inmate to perform strenuous exercises in the sand, heat and provided no water breaks while denying his request for medical help and failed to call for emergency help after the inmate collapsed. The inmate was in critical condition, but has since recovered. [32] [33] [34]
Press reports indicate that in June 2012, a mentally ill prisoner was forced into a locked shower by staff at Dade Correctional Institution. After more than an hour in the hot water, Darren Rainey died from his injuries. The investigation is not yet complete. [35]
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