Florida Department of Corrections Banner, Secretary Mark S. Inch

 

Press Release

August 22, 2022
 

FDC Encourages Visitation and Seeks to Expand Opportunities

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -The Florida Department of Corrections (FDC) strongly encourages visitation and continuously seeks to expand options for inmates to maintain family ties while incarcerated. FDC recently initiated a rule development process for modernizing and defining visitation procedures, with the goal of ensuring safety and security of all inmates, staff and visitors.

“FDC recognizes that active visitation and family reunification supports successful outcomes upon release and FDC actively facilitates visitation opportunities, to the extent possible, while balancing the safety of all concerned,” said FDC Secretary Ricky Dixon. ”The Department greatly appreciates the input we received from visitors and groups. As the process moves forward, FDC will ensure the proposed changes establish clear and transparent visitation procedures which promote family ties and do not unnecessarily complicate or restrict visitation.”

In line with national research regarding the importance of family visitation in maintaining family connections, maintaining productivity while incarcerated, and improving public safety by reducing recidivism, FDC has implemented several changes to increase visitation opportunities:

  • Increasing available visitation days in numerous facilities throughout the state.
  • Increasing capacity limits in visitation parks to allow more families to participate in in-person visitation.
  • Implementing video visitation, which has been widely used and allows more access to loved ones than traditional visitation and lessens the cost burden of travel.

As outlined in the proposed rule change, modified visitation and visitation suspensions are clearly defined and will only be considered when absolutely necessary, and only after specific criteria is met. In the event consideration of modified visitation occurs, the proposed rule also includes an extensive and stringent review process by both regional and statewide administrators.

For visitation updates and information alerts, FDC visitors can text “FDCVISIT” to 888-777.

###


As Florida's largest state agency, and the third largest state prison system in the country, FDC employs 24,000 members, incarcerates 80,000 inmates and supervises nearly 146,000 offenders in the community.

Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.
Inspiring success by transforming one life at a time.
Visit our website at http://www.dc.state.fl.us.