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2024 Florida Statutes
Chapter 944
STATE CORRECTIONAL SYSTEM
STATE CORRECTIONAL SYSTEM
CHAPTER 944
STATE CORRECTIONAL SYSTEM
944.01 Short title.
944.012 Legislative intent.
944.02 Definitions.
944.023 Comprehensive correctional master plan.
944.0231 Reduction of capacity.
944.024 Adult intake and evaluation.
944.026 Community-based facilities and programs.
944.033 Community correctional centers; existence; location; purpose; restriction.
944.053 Forestry Work Camps.
944.0611 Department employees; personal vehicle damage claims.
944.08 Commitment to custody of department; venue of institutions.
944.09 Rules of the department; offenders, probationers, and parolees.
944.091 United States prisoners, board authorized.
944.095 Siting of additional correctional facilities; procedure.
944.096 Budget requests for residential facility construction; estimates; appropriations; population in excess of capacity.
944.10 Department of Corrections to provide buildings; sale and purchase of land; contracts to provide services and inmate labor.
944.105 Contractual arrangements with contractor-operated entities for operation and maintenance of correctional facilities and supervision of inmates.
944.11 Department to regulate admission of books.
944.115 Smoking prohibited inside state correctional facilities.
944.14 Supervision of correctional institutions; enforcement of orders and regulations.
944.151 Safe operation and security of correctional institutions and facilities.
944.17 Commitments and classification; transfers.
944.171 Housing of inmates.
944.1905 Initial inmate classification; inmate reclassification.
944.23 Persons authorized to visit state prisons.
944.24 Administration of correctional institutions for women.
944.241 Incarcerated pregnant women.
944.242 Dignity for women in correctional facilities.
944.275 Gain-time.
944.278 Cancellation of administrative gain-time and provisional credits.
944.279 Disciplinary procedures applicable to prisoner for filing frivolous or malicious actions or bringing false information before court.
944.28 Forfeiture of gain-time and the right to earn gain-time in the future.
944.281 Ineligibility to earn gain-time due to disciplinary action.
944.282 Rules governing inmate use of weight training equipment.
944.291 Prisoner released by reason of gain-time allowances or attainment of provisional release date.
944.292 Suspension of civil rights.
944.31 Inspector general; inspectors; power and duties.
944.32 Reports of prison inspectors; recordation; inspection.
944.33 Failure of inspector to make report; false report; penalty.
944.331 Inmate grievance procedure.
944.35 Authorized use of force; malicious battery and sexual misconduct prohibited; reporting required; penalties.
944.36 Permitting inmates to escape.
944.37 Acceptance of unauthorized compensation; penalty.
944.38 Acceptance of remuneration from contractor; dealing or barter with prisoners; interest in contract; penalty.
944.39 Interference with prisoners; penalty.
944.40 Escapes; penalty.
944.402 Reward for capture of escapee from correctional institution.
944.405 Warrant for retaking offender who has escaped from custody or absconded from rehabilitative community reentry program, or who is ineligible for release.
944.44 Holding persons as hostages; penalty.
944.45 Mutiny, riot, strike; penalty.
944.46 Harboring, concealing, aiding escaped prisoners; penalty.
944.47 Introduction, removal, or possession of contraband; penalty.
944.471 Short title.
944.472 Drug-free corrections; legislative findings and purposes.
944.473 Inmate substance abuse testing program.
944.4731 Addiction-Recovery Supervision Program.
944.474 Legislative intent; employee wellness program; drug and alcohol testing.
944.48 Service of sentence.
944.485 Subsistence fees with respect to certain prisoners; time of adoption; requirements.
944.512 State lien on proceeds from literary or other type of account of crime for which convicted.
944.516 Money or other property received for personal use or benefit of inmate; deposit; disposition of unclaimed trust funds.
944.52 Legal adviser.
944.596 Transfer of convicted foreign citizens or nationals under treaty.
944.597 Transportation and return of prisoners by private transport company.
944.602 Agency notification before release of intellectually disabled inmates.
944.605 Inmate release; notification; identification card.
944.606 Sexual offenders; notification upon release.
944.607 Notification to Department of Law Enforcement of information on sexual offenders.
944.608 Notification to Department of Law Enforcement of information on career offenders.
944.609 Career offenders; notification upon release.
944.611 Legislative intent.
944.612 Definitions for s. 944.613.
944.613 Methods of transportation.
944.70 Conditions for release from incarceration.
944.701 Short title.
944.702 Legislative intent.
944.703 Eligible inmates.
944.7031 Eligible inmates released from contractor-operated correctional facilities.
944.704 Staff who provide transition assistance; duties.
944.705 Release orientation program.
944.706 Basic release assistance.
944.7065 Transition course for inmates.
944.707 Postrelease special services; job placement services.
944.7071 Operation New Hope.
944.708 Rules.
944.710 Definitions of terms relating to contractor-operated state correctional facilities and s. 944.105.
944.711 Requests for proposals.
944.712 Bidder and private vendor qualifications.
944.713 Insurance against liability.
944.714 Quality assurance and standards of operation.
944.715 Delegation of authority.
944.716 Contract termination and control of a correctional facility by the department.
944.717 Conflicts of interest.
944.718 Withdrawal of request for proposals.
944.719 Adoption of rules, monitoring, and reporting.
944.72 Contractor-Operated Institutions Inmate Welfare Trust Fund.
944.73 State-Operated Institutions Inmate Welfare Trust Fund.
944.801 Education for state prisoners.
944.802 Direct-support organization; definition; use of property; board of directors; audit.
944.803 Faith- and character-based programs.
944.8031 Inmate’s family visitation; legislative intent; minimum services provided to visitors; budget requests.
944.804 Elderly offenders correctional facilities program of 2000.
944.8041 Elderly offenders; annual review.
944.01 Short title.—This act may be cited as “The Florida Corrections Code of 1957.”
History.—s. 45, ch. 57-121.
944.012 Legislative intent.—The Legislature hereby finds and declares that:
(1) Florida spends each year in excess of $60 million for its state correctional system, but Florida citizens have not received a fair return on that investment. Florida correctional institutions have contributed little to the reduction of crime. To the contrary, crime rates continue to rise; recidivism rates are notoriously high; and large prisons have for the most part become schools for crime, making successful reintegration into the community unlikely.
(2) It is clear that major changes in correctional methods are required. It is essential to abate the use of large institutions and continue the development of community-based corrections; to equip judges with more effective evaluative tools to deal with the criminal offender; and to provide alternatives to institutionalization, including the availability of probationers’ residences and community correctional centers.
(3) One of the chief factors contributing to the high recidivism rate in the state is the general inability of ex-offenders to find or keep meaningful employment. Although 90 percent of all offenders sent to prison return to society one day, the correctional system has done little to provide the offender with the vocational skills the offender needs to return to society as a productive citizen. This failure virtually guarantees the probability of return to crime. Vocational training and assistance in job placement must be looked to on a priority basis as an integral part of the process of changing deviant behavior in the institutionalized offender, when such change is determined to be possible.
(4) These changes must not be made out of sympathy for the criminal or out of disregard of the threat of crime to society. They must be made precisely because that threat is too serious to be countered by ineffective methods.
(5) In order to make the correctional system an efficient and effective mechanism, the various agencies involved in the correctional process must coordinate their efforts. Where possible, interagency offices should be physically located within major institutions and should include representatives of the public employment service, the vocational rehabilitation programs of the Department of Education, and the Florida Commission on Offender Review. Duplicative and unnecessary methods of evaluating offenders must be eliminated and areas of responsibility consolidated in order to more economically use present scarce resources.
(6) It is the intent of the Legislature:
(a) To provide a mechanism for the early identification, evaluation, and treatment of behavioral disorders of adult offenders coming into contact with the correctional system.
(b) To separate dangerous or repeat offenders from nondangerous offenders, who have potential for rehabilitation, and place dangerous offenders in secure and manageable institutions.
(c) When possible, to divert from expensive institutional commitment those individuals who, by virtue of professional diagnosis and evaluation, can be placed in less costly and more effective environments and programs better suited for their rehabilitation and the protection of society.
(d) To make available to those offenders who are capable of rehabilitation the job training and job placement assistance they need to build meaningful and productive lives when they return to the community.
(e) To provide intensive and meaningful supervision for those on probation so that the condition or situation which caused the person to commit the crime is corrected.
History.—s. 2, ch. 74-112; s. 472, ch. 77-147; s. 51, ch. 88-122; s. 1642, ch. 97-102; s. 308, ch. 99-8; s. 33, ch. 2002-22; s. 33, ch. 2011-213; s. 32, ch. 2014-191.
944.02 Definitions.—The following words and phrases used in this chapter shall, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, have the following meanings:
(1) “Commission” means the Florida Commission on Offender Review.
(2) “Correctional system” means all prisons and other state correctional institutions now existing or hereafter created under the jurisdiction of the Department of Corrections.
(3) “Department” means the Department of Corrections.
(4) “Elderly offender” means a prisoner age 50 or older in a state correctional institution or facility operated by the department.
(5) “Lease-purchase agreement” means an installment sales contract which requires regular payments with an interest charge included and which provides that the lessee receive title to the property upon final payment.
(6) “Prisoner” means any person who is under civil or criminal arrest and in the lawful custody of any law enforcement official, or any person committed to or detained in any municipal or county jail or state prison, prison farm, or penitentiary, or to the custody of the department pursuant to lawful authority.
(7) “Secretary” means the Secretary of Corrections.
(8) “State correctional institution” means any prison, road camp, prison industry, prison forestry camp, or any prison camp or prison farm or other correctional facility, temporary or permanent, in which prisoners are housed, worked, or maintained, under the custody and jurisdiction of the department.
History.—s. 1, ch. 57-121; s. 18, ch. 61-530; ss. 19, 35, ch. 69-106; ss. 1, 2, ch. 70-441; s. 1, ch. 71-345; s. 283, ch. 71-377; s. 3, ch. 74-112; s. 21, ch. 77-120; s. 34, ch. 79-3; s. 1, ch. 85-340; s. 52, ch. 88-122; s. 1, ch. 2000-214; s. 1, ch. 2002-32; s. 5, ch. 2004-248; s. 33, ch. 2014-191; s. 6, ch. 2023-268.
944.023 Comprehensive correctional master plan.—
(1) As used in this section, the term:
(a) “Criminal Justice Estimating Conference” means the Criminal Justice Estimating Conference referred to in s. 216.136(5).
(b) “Total capacity” of the state correctional system means the total design capacity of all institutions and facilities in the state correctional system, which may include those facilities authorized and funded under chapter 957, increased by one-half, with the following exceptions:
1. Medical and mental health beds must remain at design capacity.
2. Community-based contracted beds must remain at design capacity.
3. The one-inmate-per-cell requirement at Florida State Prison and other maximum security facilities must be maintained pursuant to paragraph (7)(a).
4. Community correctional centers and drug treatment centers must be increased by one-third.
5. A housing unit may not exceed its maximum capacity pursuant to paragraphs (7)(a) and (b).
6. A number of beds equal to 5 percent of total capacity shall be deducted for management beds at institutions.
(c) “State correctional system” means the correctional system as defined in s. 944.02.
(2) The department shall develop a comprehensive correctional master plan. The master plan shall project the needs for the state correctional system for the coming 5-year period and shall be updated annually and submitted to the Governor’s office and the Legislature at the same time the department submits its legislative budget request as provided in chapter 216.
(3) The purposes of the comprehensive correctional master plan shall be:
(a) To ensure that the penalties of the criminal justice system are completely and effectively administered to the convicted criminals and, to the maximum extent possible, that the criminal is provided opportunities for self-improvement and returned to freedom as a productive member of society.
(b) To the extent possible, to protect the public safety and the law-abiding citizens of this state and to carry out the laws protecting the rights of the victims of convicted criminals.
(c) To develop and maintain a humane system of punishment providing prison inmates with proper housing, nourishment, and medical attention.
(d) To provide fair and adequate compensation and benefits to the employees of the state correctional system.
(e) To the extent possible, to maximize the effective and efficient use of the principles used in private business.
(f) To provide that convicted criminals not be incarcerated for any longer period of time or in any more secure facility than is necessary to ensure adequate sanctions, rehabilitation of offenders, and protection of public safety.
(4) The comprehensive correctional master plan shall use the estimates of the Criminal Justice Estimating Conference and shall include:
(a) A plan for the decentralization of reception and classification facilities for the implementation of a systemwide diagnosis-and-evaluation capability for adult offenders. The plan shall provide for a system of psychological testing and evaluation as well as medical screening through department resources or with other public or private agencies through a purchase-of-services agreement.
(b) A plan developed by the department for the comprehensive vocational and educational training of, and treatment programs for, offenders and their evaluation within each institution, program, or facility of the department, based upon the identified needs of the offender and the requirements of the employment market.
(c) A plan contracting with local facilities and programs as short-term confinement resources of the department for offenders who are sentenced to 3 years or less, or who are within 3 years or less of their anticipated release date, and integration of detention services which have community-based programs. The plan shall designate such facilities and programs by region of the state and identify, by county, the capability for local incarceration.
(d) A detailed analysis of methods to implement diversified alternatives to institutionalization when such alternatives can be safely employed. The analysis shall include an assessment of current pretrial intervention, probation, and community control alternatives and their cost-effectiveness with regard to restitution to victims, reimbursements for cost of supervision, and subsequent violations resulting in commitments to the department. Such analysis shall also include an assessment of current use of electronic surveillance of offenders and projected potential for diverting additional categories of offenders from incarceration within the department.
(e) A detailed analysis of current incarceration rates of both the state and county correctional systems with the calculation by the department of the current and projected ratios of inmates in the correctional system, as defined in s. 945.01, to the general population of the state which will serve as a basis for projecting construction needs.
(f) A plan for community-based facilities and programs for the reintegration of offenders into society whereby inmates who are being released shall receive assistance. Such assistance may be through work-release, transition assistance, release assistance stipend, contract release, postrelease special services, temporary housing, or job placement programs.
(g) A plan reflecting parity of pay or comparable economic benefits for correctional officers with that of law enforcement officers in this state, and an assessment of projected impacts on turnover rates within the department.
(h) A plan containing habitability criteria which defines when beds are available and functional for use by inmates, and containing factors which define when institutions and facilities may be added to the inventory of the state correctional system.
(5) The comprehensive correctional master plan shall project by year the total operating and capital outlay costs necessary for constructing a sufficient number of prison beds to avoid a deficiency in prison beds. Included in the master plan which projects operating and capital outlay costs shall be a siting plan which shall assess, rank, and designate appropriate sites pursuant to s. 944.095. The master plan shall include an assessment of the department’s current capability for providing the degree of security necessary to ensure public safety and should reflect the levels of security needed for the forecasted admissions of various types of offenders based upon sentence lengths and severity of offenses. The plan shall also provide construction options for targeting violent and habitual offenders for incarceration while providing specific alternatives for the various categories of lesser offenders.
(6) Institutions within the state correctional system shall have the following design capacity factors:
(a) Rooms and prison cells between 40 square feet and 90 square feet, inclusive: one inmate per room or prison cell.
(b) Dormitory-style rooms and other rooms exceeding 90 square feet: one inmate per 55 square feet.
(c) At institutions with rooms or cells, except to the extent that separate confinement cells have been constructed, a number of rooms or prison cells equal to 3 percent of total design capacity must be deducted from design capacity and set aside for confinement purposes.
(d) Bed count calculations used to determine design capacity shall only include beds which are functional and available for use by inmates.
(7) Institutions within the state correctional system shall have the following maximum capacity factors:
(a) Rooms and prison cells between 40 square feet and 60 square feet, inclusive: one inmate per room or cell. If the room or prison cell is between 60 square feet and 90 square feet, inclusive, two inmates are allowed in each room, except that one inmate per room or prison cell is allowed at Florida State Prison or any other maximum security institution or facility which may be constructed.
(b) Dormitory-style rooms and other rooms exceeding 90 square feet: one inmate per 37.5 square feet. Double-bunking is generally allowed only along the outer walls of a dormitory.
(c) At institutions with rooms or cells, except to the extent that separate confinement cells have been constructed, a number of rooms or prison cells equal to 3 percent of total maximum capacity are not available for maximum capacity, and must be set aside for confinement purposes, thereby reducing maximum capacity by 6 percent since these rooms would otherwise house two inmates.
(d) A number of beds equal to 5 percent of total maximum capacity must be deducted for management at institutions.
History.—s. 4, ch. 74-112; s. 252, ch. 77-104; s. 22, ch. 77-120; s. 1, ch. 77-174; s. 35, ch. 79-3; s. 4, ch. 89-531; s. 8, ch. 92-47; s. 1, ch. 95-251; s. 15, ch. 95-325; s. 37, ch. 2010-117.
944.0231 Reduction of capacity.—
(1) When the population of the state correctional system exceeds 100 percent of its total capacity, as defined in s. 944.023, and remains in excess of 100 percent of total capacity for 21 days, the Governor, pursuant to s. 252.36, may use his or her emergency powers to reduce the population of the state correctional system as follows: The Governor shall inform any federal jurisdiction which has a concurrent or consecutive sentence or any active detainer placed on any prisoner in the state correctional system of his or her intention to transfer custody to that jurisdiction within 30 days. No prisoner shall be so transferred who is convicted of a capital felony in this state nor shall any transfer take place to any county or municipal jurisdiction within the state.
(2) When the inmate population of the state correctional system is projected, based upon the last criminal justice estimating conference, to exceed the total capacity, as defined in s. 944.023, the secretary shall develop a plan to address the projected bed-capacity deficiency. This plan shall be submitted to the Governor, the President of the Senate, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives at least 30 days prior to the projected bed-capacity deficit occurring.
History.—s. 39, ch. 93-406; s. 2, ch. 94-111; s. 2, ch. 95-251; s. 1643, ch. 97-102.
944.024 Adult intake and evaluation.—The state system of adult intake and evaluation shall include:
(1) The performance of pretrial investigation through a decentralized community-based procedure.
(2) Assistance in the evaluation of offenders for diversion from the criminal justice system or referral to residential or nonresidential programs.
(3) The provision of secure detention services for pretrial detainees who are unable to comply with the conditions of release established by the court or who represent a serious threat to the community.
(4) The provision of diagnostic, evaluation, and classification services at the presentence stage to assist the court and the department in planning programs for rehabilitation of convicted offenders.
(5) The performance of postsentence intake by the department. Any physical facility established by the department for the intake and evaluation process prior to the offender’s entry into the correctional system shall provide for specific office and work areas for the staff of the commission. The purpose of such a physical center shall be to combine in one place as many of the rehabilitation-related functions as possible, including pretrial and posttrial evaluation, parole and probation services, vocational rehabilitation services, family assistance services of the Department of Children and Families, and all other rehabilitative and correctional services dealing with the offender.
History.—s. 5, ch. 74-112; s. 13, ch. 75-49; s. 23, ch. 77-120; s. 473, ch. 77-147; s. 309, ch. 99-8; s. 320, ch. 2014-19.
944.026 Community-based facilities and programs.—
(1) In addition to those facilities and services described elsewhere in this chapter, the department shall develop, provide, or contract for a statewide system of community-based facilities, services, and programs dealing with the rehabilitation of offenders, which shall include, but not be limited to:
(a) A system of community correctional centers to be used for reintegration of the offender back into the community, located at various places throughout the state as provided in s. 944.033.
(b) Community-based residential drug treatment facilities that include:
1. Nonsecure facilities, whereby probationers and drug offender probationers who have violated their terms or conditions, or persons placed on community control whose presumptive sentence exceeds 22 months, may be required to reside while working, receiving treatment, or attending school, and whereby inmates may be placed who are nearing their date of release from a correctional institution or a community correctional center, who are in need of placement in a substance abuse transition housing program, and who are considered eligible for such placement by the department; and
2. Secure facilities which provide for limited access for the duration of the program for persons who have violated their conditions of probation, drug offender probation, or community control, and whose presumptive sentence exceeds 22 months.
(c) A system of probation and restitution centers throughout the state whereby probationers, drug offender probationers, and community controllees who have violated their terms or conditions, and whose presumptive sentence exceeds 22 months, may be required to reside while working, receiving treatment, or attending school, or for persons on probation, drug offender probation, or community control who may be required to attend outpatient substance abuse counseling and whereby inmates may be placed who are nearing their date of release from a correctional institution or a community correctional center, who are in need of placement in a substance abuse transition housing program, and who are considered eligible for such placement by the department. The purpose of these facilities and services is to provide the court with an alternative to committing offenders to more secure state correctional institutions and to assist in the supervision of probationers, drug offender probationers, and community controllees and to provide the department transitional-housing beds to assist inmates released into the community.
(2) Notwithstanding any other law, the department shall ensure that at least 400 of its contracted beds in nonsecure community-based residential substance abuse treatment facilities authorized under subparagraph (1)(b)1. or probation and restitution centers authorized under paragraph (1)(c) are designated for transition assistance for inmates who are nearing their date of release from a correctional institution or a community correctional center. These designated beds shall be provided by private organizations that do not have a faith component and that are under contract with the department. In making placement decisions, the department and the contract providers shall give priority consideration to those inmates who are nearing their date of release and who are to be placed in some form of postrelease community supervision. However, if an inmate whose sentence expires upon his or her release from a correctional institution or a community correction center and for whom community supervision is not required demonstrates the need for or interest in and suitability for transition-housing assistance, as determined by the department, the inmate is eligible to be considered for placement in transition housing. A right to substance abuse program services is not stated, intended, or otherwise implied by this subsection.
(3)(a) The department shall develop and implement procedures to diagnose offenders prior to sentencing, for the purpose of recommending to the sentencing court suitable candidates for placement in a community-based residential drug treatment facility or probation and restitution center as provided in this section. The department shall also develop and implement procedures to properly identify inmates prior to release who demonstrate the need for or interest in and suitability for placement in a community-based substance abuse transition housing program as provided in this section and pursuant to ss. 944.4731 and 944.704.
(b) Pretrial intervention programs in appropriate counties to provide early counseling and supervision services to specified offenders as provided in s. 948.08.
History.—s. 7, ch. 74-112; s. 25, ch. 77-120; s. 37, ch. 79-3; s. 2, ch. 81-323; s. 75, ch. 88-122; s. 3, ch. 89-378; s. 9, ch. 90-287; s. 10, ch. 91-225; s. 31, ch. 92-310; s. 3, ch. 2001-110; s. 147, ch. 2005-2; ss. 131, 140, ch. 2019-167.
944.033 Community correctional centers; existence; location; purpose; restriction.—
(1) A statewide system of correctional facilities is established to be known as “community correctional centers.”
(2) The purpose of these centers is to facilitate the reintegration of state inmates back into the community by means of participation in various work-release, study-release, community service, substance abuse treatment, and other rehabilitative programs.
(3) No person convicted of sexual battery pursuant to s. 794.011 is eligible for placement in any community correctional center.
(4) No facility shall be constructed, leased, or purchased in any county until public hearings have been held in that county. Such public hearings shall be held pursuant to uniform rules adopted by the department.
History.—s. 1, ch. 72-331; s. 1, ch. 83-274; s. 12, ch. 91-225; s. 20, ch. 93-156.
944.053 Forestry Work Camps.—
(1) The Department of Corrections shall operate a system of Forestry Work Camps on sites that are conducive to providing a meaningful work experience by having inmates clean the environment and beautify this state. The Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services shall determine and make available sites for placement of Forestry Work Camps. In addition to sites located by the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, the Department of Corrections shall determine sites for placement of Forestry Work Camps.
(2) The Forestry Work Camps shall provide services to the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, the Department of Transportation, other state agencies, political subdivisions, and nonprofit corporations by performing public works and engaging in programs to beautify this state. Inmate labor provided pursuant to this act shall be supervised according to the provisions of s. 946.40.
(3) Political subdivisions of the state may provide sites for placement of Forestry Work Camps and are encouraged to provide such sites. The Department of Corrections shall make inmate labor available at no cost to political subdivisions providing sites for placement of Forestry Work Camps.
(4) Forestry Work Camps shall house minimum custody inmates and medium custody inmates who are not serving a sentence for, or who have not been previously convicted of, sexual battery pursuant to s. 794.011.
(5) Due to severe prison overcrowding, the Legislature declares that construction of Forestry Work Camps is necessary to alleviate an emergency situation.
History.—s. 1, ch. 87-286; s. 49, ch. 91-110; s. 38, ch. 2010-117.
944.0611 Department employees; personal vehicle damage claims.—Employees of the Department of Corrections who are required to use their personal vehicles in the performance of their duty may file claims for damages made to their personal vehicles while on official state business. Such claims for reimbursement may be filed with the department at its office in accordance with rules adopted by the department. Such claims shall be limited to an amount for repairs at the insurance deductible amount. The department shall make or cause to be made such investigations as it considers necessary in respect to such claims.
History.—s. 14, ch. 95-283.
944.08 Commitment to custody of department; venue of institutions.—
(1) The words “penitentiary,” “state prison,” or “state prison farm,” whenever the same are used in any of the laws of this state, as a place of confinement or punishment for a crime, shall be construed to mean and refer to the custody of the Department of Corrections within the state correctional system, which shall include facilities operated by private entities with which the department enters into contracts pursuant to s. 944.105.
(2) For the purposes of all judicial proceedings, the institutions of the state correctional system and the precincts thereof shall be deemed to be within and part of the county in which they are situated, and the courts of such counties or circuits shall have jurisdiction of all crimes and offenses committed therein.
History.—s. 6, ch. 57-121; s. 18, ch. 61-530; s. 32, ch. 77-120; s. 42, ch. 79-3; s. 2, ch. 85-340.
944.09 Rules of the department; offenders, probationers, and parolees.—
(1) The department has authority to adopt rules pursuant to ss. 120.536(1) and 120.54 to implement its statutory authority. The rules must include rules relating to:
(a) The rights of inmates.
(b) The conduct to be observed by inmates and the categories of violations according to degrees or levels of severity, as well as the degrees of punishment applicable and appropriate to such violations.
(c) Disciplinary procedures and punishment.
(d) Grievance procedures which shall conform to 42 U.S.C. s. 1997e.
(e) The operation and management of the correctional institution or facility and its personnel and functions.
(f) The development of a staffing formula for security positions in its residential facilities, taking into account the factors of leave time, security needs, and training requirements.
(g) Mail to and from the state correctional system.
(h) Gain-time for good conduct of, release payments to, and release transportation of inmates.
(i) Uniforms for inmates and custodial personnel.
(j) Conduct of custodial and other personnel.
(k) Classification of personnel and duties assigned thereto and classification and separation of offenders according to age, sex, and such other factors as are deemed advisable.
(l) Credits for confinement prior to commitment to the department.
(m) Payments to prisoners for work performed. Such payments, if any, shall include restrictions on the use of earnings, including payments for support of dependents and release reserves. The rules shall provide that no payment shall be made to any prisoner who fails to perform the work assigned satisfactorily.
(n) Visiting hours and privileges. The rules shall provide that any inmate with a current or prior conviction for any offense contained in chapter 794, chapter 800, chapter 827, or chapter 847 for committing or attempting to commit aggravated child abuse or committing or attempting to commit a sex act on, in the presence of, or against a child under the age of 16 years, shall not be allowed visitation with anyone under the age of 18 years, unless special visitation is approved by the warden. The authorization for special visitation shall be based on extenuating circumstances that serve the interest of the children. If visiting is restricted by court order, permission for special visitation may be granted only by the judge issuing the order.
(o) Mail to and from inmates, including rules specifying the circumstances under which an inmate must pay for the cost of postage for mail that the inmate sends. The department may not adopt a rule that requires an inmate to pay any postage costs that the state is constitutionally required to pay.
(p) The feeding of prisoners, including diet and menus, and the furnishing of health and comfort items to indigent prisoners.
(q) The determination of restitution, including the amount and to whom it should be paid. The rules shall provide necessary explanation to support recommendations regarding restitution.
(r) The function and duties of employees working in the area of community corrections and the operations of probation field and administrative offices.
(2) It is the duty of the wardens to supervise the governance, discipline, and policy of the state correctional institutions and to enforce all orders and rules.
(3) The department shall cause a record to be kept of violations of rules of conduct, the rule or rules violated, the nature of punishment administered, the authority ordering such punishment, the duration of time during which the offender was subjected to punishment, and the condition of the prisoner’s health.
(4) The department shall:
(a) Investigate all cases referred to it by the circuit court and make its findings and report thereon in writing to such court with its recommendation.
(b) Cause to be delivered to each person placed on probation under its supervision a certified copy of the terms of such probation and any change or modification thereof and cause such person to be instructed regarding the same.
(c) Keep informed concerning the conduct, habits, associates, employment, recreations, and whereabouts of such probationer, by visits, by requiring reports, and in other ways.
(d) Make such reports in writing or otherwise as the court may reasonably require.
(e) Use all practicable and proper methods to aid and encourage persons on probation and to bring about improvement in their conduct and condition.
(f) Keep records on each probationer referred to it.
(g) Cooperate with circuit courts exercising criminal jurisdiction by supervising such probationers and prisoners upon whom the pronouncing of sentence has been deferred and by making such reports to such courts as are directed thereby.
(h) Supervise all persons placed on parole.
(i) Aid parolees and probationers in securing employment.
(5) The department may enter into cooperative agreements with the Federal Government or any department or agency thereof, with any county or municipality in this state or any department or agency thereof, or with any nonprofit charitable corporation or foundation concerned with the rehabilitation of persons who are probationers or parolees or who are under presentence investigation for the performance by the department of services relating to the evaluation and rehabilitation of such persons. Any such agreement shall provide for payment to the department of the actual cost of rendering the services contracted for.
(6) The department shall maintain the following information within its automated inmate information system regarding each inmate:
(a) The status of the restitution order.
(b) The amount of restitution ordered by the court.
(c) The amount of restitution owed by the inmate.
(d) The name and address of the victim.
(7) The department may take a digitized photograph of any inmate or offender under its supervision.
History.—s. 7, ch. 57-121; s. 18, ch. 61-530; ss. 19, 35, ch. 69-106; s. 14, ch. 74-112; s. 33, ch. 77-120; s. 43, ch. 79-3; s. 1, ch. 85-288; s. 3, ch. 85-340; s. 76, ch. 88-122; s. 23, ch. 90-337; s. 3, ch. 91-298; s. 5, ch. 96-312; s. 1852, ch. 97-102; s. 227, ch. 98-200; ss. 8, 9, ch. 99-271; s. 10, ch. 2000-161.
944.091 United States prisoners, board authorized.—The department is authorized upon request to board prisoners of the United States committed to their custody by any agency of the United States if such prisoners have less than 6 months remaining of their federal sentence, and if such prisoners have family relationships or job opportunities in this state, on a space-available basis only. Daily compensation for the board of such prisoners shall be paid at a rate to be mutually agreed upon by the department and the appropriate United States agency. Such compensation is to recover the total maintenance cost of such prisoners which shall be not less than the average cost per inmate per day for all inmates confined by the department.
History.—s. 1, ch. 69-240; ss. 19, 35, ch. 69-106; ss. 1, 2, ch. 70-441; s. 34, ch. 77-120; s. 44, ch. 79-3.
944.095 Siting of additional correctional facilities; procedure.—
(1) It is the intent of the Legislature that the siting of additional correctional facilities shall be achieved in the most cost-efficient manner possible.
(2) When the department proposes a site for a state correctional facility, it shall request that the local government having jurisdiction over such proposed site determine whether or not the proposed site is in compliance with local government comprehensive plans, local land use ordinances, local zoning ordinances or regulations, and other local ordinances in effect at the time of such request. If no such determination is made within 90 days of the request, it shall be presumed that the proposed site is in compliance with such plans, ordinances, or regulations.
(3) If the local government determines within 90 days of the request that construction of a correctional facility on the proposed site does not comply with any such plan, ordinance, or regulation, the department may request a modification of such plan, ordinance, or regulation without having an ownership interest in such property. For the purposes of this section, modification includes, but is not limited to, a variance, rezoning, special exception, or any other action of the local government having jurisdiction over the proposed site which would authorize siting of a correctional facility.
(4) Upon receipt of a request for modification from the department, the local government may recommend alternative sites to the department and shall give notice and hold a public hearing on the request for modification in the same manner as for a rezoning as provided under the appropriate special or local law or ordinance, except that such proceeding shall be recorded by tape or by a certified court reporter and made available for transcription at the expense of any interested party.
(5) When the department requests such a modification and it is denied by the local government or there is no action on such request within 90 days of the request, the department may appeal the decision of the local government on the requested modification of local plans, ordinances, or regulations to the Governor and Cabinet.
(6) The Governor and Cabinet shall consider the following when determining whether to grant the appeal from the decision of the local government on the requested modification:
(a) The record of the proceedings before the local government.
(b) Reports and studies by any other agency relating to matters within the jurisdiction of such agency which matters may be potentially affected by the proposed site.
(c) Existing studies and reports and information maintained by the department as the Governor and Cabinet may request addressing the feasibility and availability of alternative sites in the general area.
(7) The Governor and Cabinet, upon determining that the local government has recommended no feasible alternative site and that the interests of the state in providing correctional facilities outweigh the concerns of the local government, shall authorize construction and operation of a correctional facility on the proposed site notwithstanding any local plan, ordinance, or regulation.
(8) Actions taken by the department or the Governor and Cabinet pursuant to this section shall not be subject to the provisions of ss. 120.56, 120.569, and 120.57. The decision by the Governor and Cabinet shall be subject to judicial review pursuant to s. 120.68 in the District Court of Appeal, First District.
(9) Insofar as the provisions of this section are inconsistent with the provisions of any other law, general, special, or local, the provisions of this section are controlling. Additionally, the criteria and procedures set forth in this section supersede and are in lieu of any review and approval required by s. 380.06.
History.—s. 31, ch. 83-131; s. 74, ch. 85-62; s. 4, ch. 89-375; s. 4, ch. 89-536; s. 5, ch. 93-408; s. 17, ch. 95-283; s. 320, ch. 96-410; s. 113, ch. 2013-18.
944.096 Budget requests for residential facility construction; estimates; appropriations; population in excess of capacity.—
(1) Beginning October 1, 1983, all legislative budget requests for the construction of additional residential facilities in the Department of Corrections shall utilize the estimates of the Criminal Justice Estimating Conference. The estimates shall be based on current legal and constitutional standards and be accompanied by a supporting projected estimate of the inmate population for the period covered by the budget request. Each estimate shall include, but shall not be limited to, consideration of the following factors:
(a) Current law.
(b) Current sentencing practices.
(c) Current parole practices.
(d) Current Department of Corrections program rules.
(2) The Legislature shall accept the projected estimate from the Criminal Justice Estimating Conference as accurate, but it is not obligated to fund any budget based on the estimate. The Legislature may elect to modify any programs, practices, or procedures listed in subsection (1) and, based on a revised estimate of the impact of these modifications by the Criminal Justice Estimating Conference, adjust the level of required funding accordingly. Alternatively, the Legislature may elect to offset the need for funding the construction of residential facilities to meet the projected need through the establishment of programs alternative to incarceration.
(3) In the event the inmate population exceeds the total capacity of the residential facilities provided by the Legislature pursuant to this section, the control release procedures as defined in s. 947.146 shall apply.
(4) As used in this section, the term:
(a) “Criminal Justice Estimating Conference” means the designated professional staffs of the Governor’s office, the Legislature, and the Supreme Court who meet in regularly scheduled meetings chaired by the state economist or the state economist’s designee to forecast inmate and caseload counts and other information needed to support the state budgeting process.
(b) “Total capacity” of the state correctional system as defined in s. 944.023(1)(b).
(c) “State correctional system” means the system as defined in s. 944.02.
History.—ss. 3, 4, ch. 83-131; s. 2, ch. 87-234; s. 14, ch. 89-531; s. 9, ch. 92-47; s. 78, ch. 95-211; s. 3, ch. 95-251; s. 1644, ch. 97-102.
944.10 Department of Corrections to provide buildings; sale and purchase of land; contracts to provide services and inmate labor.—
(1) It is the intent of the Legislature to expedite the siting of, acquisition of land for, and construction by the Department of Corrections of state correctional facilities operated by the department or a private vendor under contract with the department. Other agencies shall cooperate with the department and expeditiously fulfill their responsibilities to avoid unnecessary delay in the siting of, acquisition of land for, and construction of state correctional facilities. This section and all other laws of the state shall be construed to accomplish this intent. This section shall take precedence over any other law to the contrary.
(2) The department shall cause all necessary buildings, facilities, and physical plants to be erected to accommodate all prisoners and from time to time shall make such additional alterations as may be necessary to provide for any increase in the number of prisoners; it shall cause to be established proper accommodations for such officers of the department who are required to reside constantly within the precincts of the institutions.
(3)(a) The department may enter into lease-purchase agreements to provide correctional facilities for the housing of state inmates. However, no such lease-purchase agreement shall be entered into without specific legislative authorization of that agreement, and funds must be specifically appropriated for each lease-purchase agreement. The facilities provided through such agreements shall meet the program plans and specifications of the department. The department may enter into such lease agreements with private corporations and other governmental entities. However, notwithstanding the provisions of s. 255.25(3)(a), no such lease agreement may be entered into except upon advertisement for and receipt of competitive bids and award to the lowest and best bidder.
(b) Such a lease-purchase agreement which is for a term extending beyond the end of a fiscal year shall be subject to the provisions of s. 216.311.
(4)(a) Notwithstanding s. 253.025 or s. 287.057, whenever the department finds it to be necessary for timely site acquisition, it may contract without the need for competitive selection with one or more appraisers whose names are contained on the list of approved appraisers maintained by the Division of State Lands of the Department of Environmental Protection in accordance with s. 253.025(8). In those instances in which the department directly contracts for appraisal services, it must also contract with an approved appraiser who is not employed by the same appraisal firm for review services.
(b) Notwithstanding s. 253.025(8), the department may negotiate and enter into an option contract before an appraisal is obtained. The option contract must state that the final purchase price cannot exceed the maximum value allowed by law. The consideration for such an option contract may not exceed 10 percent of the estimate obtained by the department or 10 percent of the value of the parcel, whichever amount is greater.
(c) This subsection does not apply to any purchase or acquisition of state land except for a purchase or acquisition made specifically for correctional facilities. This subsection does not mitigate in any manner the authority of the Board of Trustees of the Internal Improvement Trust Fund or the Division of State Lands to approve any contract for purchase for state lands as provided by law or to require policies and procedures to obtain clear legal title to parcels purchased for state purposes.
(5) The department may sell, to the best possible advantage, any or all detached parcels of land belonging to the bodies of land purchased for the state correctional institutions. The department is authorized to purchase any contiguous parcels of land within the boundary lines of the lands purchased for state correctional institutions.
(6) The department is authorized to begin preliminary site preparation and obtain the appropriate permits with regard to the construction of state correctional institutions after approval by the Board of Trustees of the Internal Improvement Trust Fund of the purchase agreement or option agreement if, in the department’s discretion, commencing construction is in the best interests of the state.
(7) The department may enter into contracts with federal, state, or local governmental entities or subdivisions to provide services and inmate labor for the construction of buildings, parks, roads, any detention or commitment facilities, or any other project deemed to be appropriate by the Department of Corrections, which includes site acquisition or preparation, management, or construction of such projects. The department may charge fees for providing such services. All fees collected must be placed in the Correctional Work Program Trust Fund.
History.—s. 8, ch. 57-121; s. 18, ch. 61-530; ss. 19, 22, 35, ch. 69-106; ss. 1, 2, ch. 70-441; s. 2, ch. 75-70; s. 35, ch. 77-120; s. 45, ch. 79-3; s. 4, ch. 85-340; s. 60, ch. 85-349; s. 50, ch. 91-110; s. 315, ch. 92-279; s. 55, ch. 92-326; s. 1, ch. 94-273; s. 40, ch. 96-312; s. 7, ch. 98-388; s. 118, ch. 99-3; s. 1, ch. 99-258; s. 4, ch. 99-271; ss. 3, 4, ch. 2009-63; s. 45, ch. 2016-233.
944.105 Contractual arrangements with contractor-operated entities for operation and maintenance of correctional facilities and supervision of inmates.—
(1) The Department of Corrections is authorized to enter into contracts with private vendors for the provision of the operation and maintenance of correctional facilities and the supervision of inmates. However, no such contract shall be entered into or renewed unless:
(a) The contract offers a substantial savings to the department, as determined by the department. In determining the cost savings, the department, after consultation with the Auditor General, shall calculate all the cost components that contribute to the inmate per diem, including all administrative costs associated with central and regional office administration. Services which are provided to the department by other government agencies without any direct cost to the department shall be assigned an equivalent cost and included in the per diem. The private firm shall be assessed the total annual cost to the state of monitoring the contract;
(b) The contract provides for the same quality of services as that offered by the department; and
(c) The Legislature has given specific appropriation for the contract.
(2) Any private vendor entering into a contract with the department pursuant to this section shall be liable in tort with respect to the care and custody of inmates under its supervision and for any breach of contract with the department.
(3) In the case of an inmate’s willful failure to remain within the supervisory control of the private entity, such action shall constitute an escape punishable as provided in s. 944.40.
(4) A contractor-employed correctional officer may use force only while on the grounds of a facility, while transporting inmates, and while pursuing escapees from a facility. A contractor-employed correctional officer may use nondeadly force in the following situations:
(a) To prevent the commission of a felony or a misdemeanor, including escape.
(b) To defend oneself or others against physical assault.
(c) To prevent serious damage to property.
(d) To enforce institutional regulations and orders.
(e) To prevent or quell a riot.
Contractor-employed correctional officers may carry and use firearms and may use deadly force only as a last resort, and then only to prevent an act that could result in death or serious bodily injury to oneself or to another person.
(5) Contractor-employed correctional officers shall be trained in the use of force and the use of firearms and shall be trained at the contractor-operated firm’s expense, at the facilities that train correctional officers employed by the department.
(6) The provisions of ss. 216.311 and 287.057 shall apply to all contracts between the department and any private vendor providing such services. The department shall promulgate rules pursuant to chapter 120 specifying criteria for such contractual arrangements.
(7) The department shall require the certification of contractor-employed correctional officers at the private vendor’s expense under s. 943.1395, and all such officers must meet the minimum qualifications established in s. 943.13. All other employees of the private vendor that perform their duties at the contractor-operated correctional facility shall receive, at a minimum, the same quality and quantity of training as that required by the state for employees of state-operated correctional facilities. All training expenses shall be the responsibility of the private vendor. The department shall be the contributor and recipient of all criminal background information necessary for certification by the Criminal Justice Standards and Training Commission.
(8) As used in this section, the term:
(a) “Nondeadly force” means force that normally would neither cause death nor serious bodily injury.
(b) “Deadly force” means force which would likely cause death or serious bodily injury.
History.—s. 5, ch. 85-340; s. 1, ch. 86-183; s. 23, ch. 89-526; s. 32, ch. 90-268; s. 11, ch. 2019-113; s. 17, ch. 2024-84.
944.11 Department to regulate admission of books.—
(1) The department shall regulate the admission of educational and other reading matter within the state institutions for the use of the prisoners, and for the proper observance of days of religious significance within the institutions and for the proper instruction of the prisoners in their basic moral and religious duties.
(2) The department shall have the authority to prohibit admission of reading materials or publications with content which depicts sexual conduct as defined by s. 847.001 or presents nudity in such a way as to create the appearance that sexual conduct is imminent. The department shall have the authority to prohibit admission of such materials at a particular state correctional facility upon a determination by the department that such material or publications would be detrimental to the safety, security, order or rehabilitative interests of a particular state correctional facility or would create a risk of disorder at a particular state correctional facility.
History.—s. 9, ch. 57-121; ss. 19, 35, ch. 69-106; s. 36, ch. 77-120; s. 46, ch. 79-3; s. 18, ch. 95-283.
944.115 Smoking prohibited inside state correctional facilities.—
(1) The purpose of this section is to protect the health, comfort, and environment of employees of the Department of Corrections, employees of privately operated correctional facilities, and inmates by prohibiting inmates from using tobacco products inside any office or building within state correctional facilities, and by ensuring that employees and visitors do not use tobacco products inside any office or building within state correctional facilities. Scientific evidence links the use of tobacco products with numerous significant health risks. The use of tobacco products by inmates, employees, or visitors is contrary to efforts by the Department of Corrections to reduce the cost of inmate health care and to limit unnecessary litigation. The Department of Corrections and the private vendors operating correctional facilities shall make smoking-cessation assistance available to inmates in order to implement this section.
(2) As used in this section, the term:
(a) “Department” means the Department of Corrections.
(b) “Employee” means an employee of the department or a private vendor in a contractual relationship with the department, and includes persons such as contractors, volunteers, or law enforcement officers who are within a state correctional facility to perform a professional service.
(c) “State correctional facility” means a state or privately operated correctional institution as defined in s. 944.02, or a correctional institution or facility operated under s. 944.105 or chapter 957.
(d) “Tobacco products” means items such as cigars, cigarettes, snuff, loose tobacco, or similar goods made with any part of the tobacco plant, which are prepared or used for smoking, chewing, dipping, sniffing, or other personal use.
(e) “Visitor” means any person other than an inmate or employee who is within a state correctional facility for a lawful purpose and includes, but is not limited to, persons who are authorized to visit state correctional institutions pursuant to s. 944.23 and persons authorized to visit as prescribed by departmental rule or vendor policy.
(f) “Prohibited areas” means any indoor areas of any building, portable, or other enclosed structure within a state correctional facility. The secretary of the department may, by rule, designate other areas, including vehicles, as “prohibited areas” to be regulated under this section. Neither employee housing on the grounds of a state correctional facility nor maximum security inmate housing areas may be designated as prohibited areas under this section.
(3)(a) An inmate within a state correctional facility may not use tobacco products in prohibited areas at any time while in the custody of the department or under the supervision of a private vendor operating a correctional facility.
(b)1. An employee or visitor may not use any tobacco products in prohibited areas.
2. The warden or supervisor of a state correctional facility shall take reasonable steps to ensure that the tobacco prohibition for employees and visitors is strictly enforced.
(4) An inmate who violates this section commits a disciplinary infraction and is subject to punishment determined to be appropriate by the disciplinary authority in the state correctional facility, including, but not limited to, forfeiture of gain-time or the right to earn gain-time in the future under s. 944.28.
(5) The department may adopt rules and the private vendors operating correctional facilities may adopt policies and procedures for the implementation of this section, the designation of prohibited areas and smoking areas, and for the imposition of the following penalties:
(a) Inmates who violate this section will be subject to disciplinary action as provided by rule and in accordance with this section.
(b) Employees who violate this section will be subject to disciplinary action as provided by rule.
(c) Visitors who violate this section will be subject to removal of authorization to enter a correctional facility as provided by rule.
History.—s. 16, ch. 99-271; s. 11, ch. 2000-161; s. 6, ch. 2004-248; s. 112, ch. 2019-3; s. 7, ch. 2023-268.
944.14 Supervision of correctional institutions; enforcement of orders and regulations.—Subject to the orders, policies, and regulations established by the department, it shall be the duty of the wardens to supervise the government, discipline, and policy of the state correctional institutions, and to enforce all orders, rules and regulations.
History.—s. 12, ch. 57-121; s. 18, ch. 61-530; ss. 19, 35, ch. 69-106; s. 39, ch. 77-120; s. 48, ch. 79-3; s. 12, ch. 2000-161.
944.151 Safe operation and security of correctional institutions and facilities.—It is the intent of the Legislature that the Department of Corrections shall be responsible for the safe operation and security of the correctional institutions and facilities. The safe operation and security of the state’s correctional institutions and facilities are critical to ensure public safety and the safety of department employees and offenders, and to contain violent and chronic offenders until offenders are otherwise released from the department’s custody pursuant to law. The Secretary of Corrections shall, at a minimum:
(1) Appoint appropriate department staff to a safety and security review committee that shall evaluate new safety and security technology, review and discuss current issues impacting state and contractor-operated correctional institutions and facilities, and review and discuss other issues as requested by department management.
(2) Direct appropriate department staff to establish a periodic schedule for the physical inspection of buildings and structures of each state and contractor-operated correctional institution and facility to determine safety and security deficiencies. In scheduling the inspections, priority shall be given to older institutions and facilities; institutions and facilities that house a large proportion of violent offenders; institutions and facilities that have experienced a significant number of inappropriate incidents of use of force on inmates, assaults on employees, or inmate sexual abuse; and institutions and facilities that have experienced a significant number of escapes or escape attempts in the past.
(3) Direct appropriate department staff to conduct or cause to be conducted announced and unannounced comprehensive security audits of all state and contractor-operated correctional institutions and facilities. Priority shall be given to those institutions and facilities that have experienced a significant number of inappropriate incidents of use of force on inmates, assaults on employees, or sexual abuse. At a minimum, the audit must include an evaluation of the physical plant, landscaping, fencing, security alarms and perimeter lighting, and confinement, arsenal, key and lock, and entrance and exit policies. The evaluation of the physical plant policies must include the identification of blind spots or areas where staff or inmates may be isolated and the deployment of video monitoring systems and other appropriate monitoring technologies in such spots or areas. Each correctional institution and facility shall be audited at least annually. The secretary shall annually report the audit findings to the Governor and the Legislature.
(4) Direct appropriate department staff to investigate and evaluate the usefulness and dependability of existing safety and security technology at state and contractor-operated correctional institutions and facilities, investigate and evaluate new available safety and security technology, and make periodic written recommendations to the secretary on the discontinuation or purchase of various safety and security devices.
(5) Direct appropriate department staff to contract, if deemed necessary, with security personnel, consulting engineers, architects, or other safety and security experts the department deems necessary for safety and security consultant services.
(6) Direct appropriate department staff, in conjunction with the regional offices, to establish a periodic schedule for conducting announced and unannounced escape simulation drills.
(7) Direct appropriate department staff to maintain and produce quarterly reports with accurate escape statistics. For the purposes of these reports, the term “escape” includes all possible types of escape, regardless of prosecution by the state attorney, and includes offenders who walk away from nonsecure community facilities.
(8) Direct appropriate department staff to adopt, enforce, and annually evaluate the emergency escape response procedures, which must at a minimum include the immediate notification and inclusion of local and state law enforcement through a mutual aid agreement.
(9) Direct appropriate department staff to review staffing policies and practices as needed.
(10) Direct appropriate department staff to adopt and enforce minimum safety and security standards and policies that include, but are not limited to:
(a) Random monitoring of outgoing telephone calls by inmates.
(b) Maintenance of current photographs of all inmates.
(c) Daily inmate counts at varied intervals.
(d) Use of canine units, where appropriate.
(e) Use of escape alarms and perimeter lighting.
(f) Use of the Florida Crime Information Center and National Crime Information Center capabilities.
(g) Employment background investigations.
(11) Direct appropriate department staff to submit in the annual legislative budget request a prioritized summary of critical safety and security deficiencies and repair and renovation security needs.
History.—s. 15, ch. 95-283; s. 13, ch. 2000-161; s. 2, ch. 2017-31; s. 18, ch. 2024-84.
944.17 Commitments and classification; transfers.—
(1) Each prisoner sentenced to the state penitentiary shall be committed by the court to the custody of the department.
(2) Each prisoner committed to the custody of the department shall be conveyed to such institution, facility, or program in the correctional system as the department shall direct, in accordance with its classification scheme.
(3)(a) Notwithstanding the provisions of s. 948.03, only those persons who are convicted and sentenced in circuit court to a cumulative sentence of incarceration for 1 year or more, whether sentence is imposed in the same or separate circuits, may be received by the department into the state correctional system. Such persons shall be delivered to the custody of the department at such reception and classification centers as shall be provided for this purpose.
(b) Notwithstanding paragraph (a), any prisoner incarcerated in the state correctional system or contractor-operated correctional facility operated pursuant to chapter 957 who is convicted in circuit or county court of a crime committed during that incarceration shall serve the sentence imposed for that crime within the state correctional system regardless of the length of sentence or classification of the offense.
(c)1. When the highest ranking offense for which the prisoner is convicted is a felony, the trial court shall sentence the prisoner pursuant to the Criminal Punishment Code in chapter 921.
2. When the highest ranking offense for which the prisoner is convicted is a misdemeanor, the trial court shall sentence the prisoner pursuant to s. 775.082(4).
(4) The department shall design and supply to the clerks of the circuit courts a uniform commitment form to be completed by the clerks and used in the issuing of commitments to the department of all persons convicted and sentenced in their respective courts. The department shall adopt the uniform judgment and sentence forms as promulgated by the Supreme Court in Rule 3.986, Florida Rules of Criminal Procedure.
(5) The department shall also refuse to accept a person into the state correctional system unless the following documents are presented in a completed form by the sheriff or chief correctional officer, or a designated representative, to the officer in charge of the reception process. The department may, at its discretion, receive such documents electronically:
(a) The uniform commitment and judgment and sentence forms as described in subsection (4).
(b) The sheriff’s certificate as described in s. 921.161.
(c) A certified copy of the indictment or information relating to the offense for which the person was convicted.
(d) A copy of the probable cause affidavit for each offense identified in the current indictment or information.
(e) A copy of the Criminal Punishment Code scoresheet and any attachments thereto prepared pursuant to Rule 3.701, Rule 3.702, or Rule 3.703, Florida Rules of Criminal Procedure, or any other rule pertaining to the preparation of felony sentencing scoresheets.
(f) A copy of the restitution order or the reasons by the court for not requiring restitution pursuant to s. 775.089(1).
(g) The name and address of any victim, if available.
(h) A printout of a current criminal history record as provided through an FCIC/NCIC printer.
(i) Any available health assessments including medical, mental health, and dental, including laboratory or test findings; custody classification; disciplinary and adjustment; and substance abuse assessment and treatment information which may have been developed during the period of incarceration before the transfer of the person to the department’s custody. Available information shall be transmitted on standard forms developed by the department.
In addition, the sheriff or other officer having such person in charge shall also deliver with the foregoing documents any available presentence investigation reports as described in s. 921.231 and any attached documents. After a prisoner is admitted into the state correctional system, the department may request such additional records relating to the prisoner as it considers necessary from the clerk of the court, the Department of Children and Families, or any other state or county agency for the purpose of determining the prisoner’s proper custody classification, gain-time eligibility, or eligibility for early release programs. An agency that receives such a request from the department must provide the information requested. The department may, at its discretion, receive such information electronically.
(6) If a person is sentenced by a circuit court to serve a term of imprisonment concurrently with a term being served in another jurisdiction, the sheriff or chief correctional officer shall notify the department of the location at which such person is serving such term of imprisonment and shall forward to the department the documents described in subsection (5).
(7) Pursuant to such regulations as it may provide, the department may transfer prisoners from one institution to another institution in the correctional system and classify and reclassify prisoners as circumstances may require.
(8) If a state prisoner’s presence is required in court for any reason after the sheriff or chief correctional officer has relinquished custody to the department, the court shall issue an order for the sheriff or chief correctional officer to assume temporary custody and transport the prisoner to the county jail pending the court appearance. The sheriff or chief correctional officer, or a designated representative, shall present a copy of the order to appropriate officers at the facility housing the prisoner prior to assuming temporary custody of the prisoner. Neither the court nor the sheriff or chief correctional officer may release such prisoner without first obtaining confirmation from the department that the prisoner has no commitments from other jurisdictions or outstanding detainers. It is the responsibility of the clerk of the circuit court to provide the department’s central office with certified copies of each court action that affects a state commitment.
History.—s. 15, ch. 57-121; s. 18, ch. 61-530; ss. 19, 35, ch. 69-106; s. 42, ch. 77-120; s. 51, ch. 79-3; s. 2, ch. 85-288; s. 2, ch. 87-211; s. 4, ch. 89-526; s. 18, ch. 91-225; s. 13, ch. 91-280; s. 3, ch. 92-310; s. 7, ch. 93-37; s. 29, ch. 97-194; s. 15, ch. 98-204; s. 310, ch. 99-8; s. 1, ch. 2001-93; s. 321, ch. 2014-19; s. 30, ch. 2016-224; s. 3, ch. 2017-31; s. 19, ch. 2024-84.
944.171 Housing of inmates.—
(1) Notwithstanding s. 944.17, the department may contract with county or municipal facilities for the purpose of housing inmates committed to the department.
(a) Notwithstanding ss. 944.17 and 944.1905, before transferring a state inmate to another facility as authorized under this section, the inmate must be reclassified and scored as to custody risk based on the current offense and not on prior criminal history. Upon return to a state correctional institution, the inmate must be reclassified based on ss. 944.17 and 944.1905.
(b) Any inmate placed in another facility under this section remains under the jurisdiction of the department.
(2) Notwithstanding s. 944.17, the department may enter into contracts with another state, a political subdivision of another state, or a correctional management services vendor in another state for the transfer and confinement in that state of inmates who have been committed to the custody of the department.
(a) Any such contract must include:
1. A termination date.
2. Provisions concerning the costs of inmate maintenance, extraordinary medical and dental expenses, and any participation in or receipt by inmates of rehabilitative or correctional services, facilities, programs, or treatment, including those costs not reasonably included as part of normal maintenance.
3. Provisions concerning participation in programs of inmate employment, if any, the disposition or crediting of any payments received by inmates on account of employment, and the crediting of proceeds or disposal of any products resulting from employment.
4. Provisions for the delivery and retaking of inmates.
5. A provision for a waiver of extradition by the parties to the contract.
6. Retention of jurisdiction of the inmates transferred by Florida.
7. Regular reporting procedures concerning Florida inmates by officials of the state, political subdivision, or correctional management services vendor with which the department is contracting.
8. Provisions concerning procedures for community supervision, including probation, parole, conditional release, and discharge.
9. The same standards of reasonable and humane care as the inmates would receive in an appropriate institution in this state.
10. Any other matters that are necessary and appropriate to establish the obligations, responsibilities, and rights of Florida and the state, political subdivision, or correctional management services vendor with which the department is contracting.
(b) Inmates from Florida state prisons while in an institution in another state are subject to all the laws and rules concerning the confinement of persons committed for violations of the laws of that state, except that the sentence must be executed consistent with the sentencing and gain-time laws of this state and except as otherwise provided for by any contract entered into under this section.
(c) The Florida Commission on Offender Review shall conduct any parole hearing for an inmate confined under a contract pursuant to this section according to the rules of the commission.
(d) Contracts under this section shall be procured in accordance with s. 287.057.
(3) Any beds contracted under this section shall be added to the total capacity of the correctional system as defined in s. 944.023, notwithstanding any law to the contrary.
(4) In making placements authorized by this section, the department shall consider, to the extent possible, the proximity of the receiving facility to the inmate’s family, consistent with s. 944.8031.
(5) The Department of Corrections may adopt rules to administer this section.
History.—s. 5, ch. 2009-63; s. 34, ch. 2014-191.
944.1905 Initial inmate classification; inmate reclassification.—The Department of Corrections shall classify inmates pursuant to an objective classification scheme. The initial inmate classification questionnaire and the inmate reclassification questionnaire must cover both aggravating and mitigating factors.
(1) In scoring either the initial inmate classification questionnaire or the inmate reclassification questionnaire, points must be added to the inmate’s overall score for factors indicating the inmate’s custody risk. Such factors may include:
(a) The severity of the crime;
(b) The length of the sentence; and
(c) The verified history involving intentional violence.
(2) In scoring the initial inmate classification questionnaire, points may be deducted from the inmate’s overall score for factors indicating the inmate’s stability. Such factors may include:
(a) Age 30 or over;
(b) High school diploma or high school equivalency diploma received; and
(c) Full-time employment, full-time school attendance, or part-time employment and part-time school attendance for 6 months or longer at the time of arrest.
(3) Points may be deducted from the inmate’s overall score on the inmate reclassification questionnaire for continuous positive behavior. Continuous positive behavior may include:
(a) Lack of any major penalties for a specified period of time;
(b) Completion of any correctional programs aimed at self-betterment, such as drug or alcohol counseling, vocational training, or academic programs;
(c) Above-average behavior or progress on work squads outside the perimeter of the institution; or
(d) Above-average behavior or progress in any employment inside the perimeter of the institution.
(4) The department shall cross-validate the initial inmate classification questionnaire and the inmate reclassification questionnaire using custody score sheets from other states to determine the validity of the Florida model. If any items prove to be invalid, the department may revise either questionnaire as needed.
(5)(a) Notwithstanding any other provision of this section or chapter 958, the department shall assign to facilities housing youthful offenders all inmates who are less than 18 years of age and who have not been assigned to a facility for youthful offenders under the provisions of chapter 958. Such an inmate shall be assigned to a facility for youthful offenders until the inmate is 18 years of age; however, the department may assign the inmate to a facility for youthful offenders until the inmate reaches an age not to exceed 21 years if the department determines that the continued assignment is in the best interests of the inmate and the assignment does not pose an unreasonable risk to other inmates in the facility.
(b) Any inmate who is assigned to a facility under paragraph (a) is subject to the provisions of s. 958.11 regarding facility assignments, and shall be removed and reassigned to the general inmate population if his or her behavior threatens the safety of other inmates or correctional staff.
History.—s. 83, ch. 88-122; s. 1, ch. 2001-210; s. 148, ch. 2005-2; s. 3, ch. 2008-250; s. 10, ch. 2014-20.
944.23 Persons authorized to visit state prisons.—The following persons shall be authorized to visit at their pleasure all state correctional institutions: The Governor, all Cabinet members, members of the Legislature, judges of state courts, state attorneys, public defenders, and authorized representatives of the commission. No other person not otherwise authorized by law shall be permitted to enter a state correctional institution except under such regulations as the department may prescribe. Permission shall not be unreasonably withheld from those who give sufficient evidence to the department that they are bona fide reporters or writers.
History.—s. 21, ch. 57-121; ss. 19, 35, ch. 69-106; s. 19, ch. 74-112; s. 45, ch. 77-120; s. 54, ch. 79-3.
944.24 Administration of correctional institutions for women.—
(1) This section may be cited as the “Corrections Equality Act.”
(2) All regularly employed assistants, officers, and employees whose duties bring them into contact with the inmates of the institution shall be women as far as practicable.
(3) Women inmates shall have access to programs of education, vocational training, rehabilitation, and substance abuse treatment that are equivalent to those programs which are provided for male inmates. The department shall ensure that women inmates are given opportunities for exercise, recreation, and visitation privileges according to the same standards as those privileges are provided for men. Women inmates shall be given opportunities to participate in work-release programs which are comparable to the opportunities provided for male inmates and shall be eligible for early release according to the same standards and procedures under which male inmates are eligible for early release.
(4) The department shall continue to provide prenatal care and such medical treatment as determined by the Assistant Secretary for Health Services for an inmate who is pregnant.
(5) An inmate who is pregnant shall be provided with prenatal care and medical treatment for the duration of her pregnancy. The department shall ensure that a pregnant inmate receives supplemental food and clothing and is excused from inappropriate work assignments. An inmate shall be transferred to a hospital outside the prison grounds if a condition develops which is beyond the scope and capabilities of the prison’s medical facilities.
(6) Any woman inmate who gives birth to a child during her term of imprisonment may be temporarily taken to a hospital outside the prison for the purpose of childbirth, and the charge for hospital and medical care shall be charged against the funds allocated to the institution. The department shall provide for the care of any child so born and shall pay for the child’s care until the child is suitably placed outside the prison system.
History.—s. 22, ch. 57-121; s. 18, ch. 61-530; ss. 19, 35, ch. 69-106; s. 46, ch. 77-120; s. 55, ch. 79-3; s. 1, ch. 79-331; ss. 1, 2, ch. 81-15; s. 1, ch. 91-195; s. 29, ch. 91-225.
944.241 Incarcerated pregnant women.—
(1) SHORT TITLE.—This section may be cited as the “Tammy Jackson Healthy Pregnancies for Incarcerated Women Act.”
(2) DEFINITIONS.—As used in this section, the term:
(a) “Correctional institution” means any facility under the authority of the department or the Department of Juvenile Justice, a county or municipal detention facility, or a detention facility operated by a private entity.
(b) “Corrections official” means the official who is responsible for oversight of a correctional institution or his or her designee.
(c) “Department” means the Department of Corrections.
(d) “Extraordinary circumstance” means a substantial flight risk or some other extraordinary medical or security circumstance that dictates restraints be used to ensure the safety and security of the prisoner, the staff of the correctional institution or medical facility, other prisoners, or the public.
(e) “Invasive body search” means a search involving a manual inspection of the breasts or a manual inspection using touch, insertion, or probing of the cavities of the human body, including the genitals, buttocks, or anus. An invasive body search may only be conducted according to a correctional institution’s written rules, policies, or procedures as required by subsection (6).
(f) “Labor” means the period of time before a birth during which contractions are of sufficient frequency, intensity, and duration to bring about effacement and progressive dilation of the cervix.
(g) “Postpartum recovery” means, as determined by her physician, the period immediately following delivery, including the recovery period when a woman is in the hospital or infirmary following birth, up to 24 hours after delivery unless the physician after consultation with the department or correctional institution recommends a longer period of time.
(h) “Pregnant prisoner” means any prisoner whose pregnancy is confirmed by or otherwise known to a qualified health care professional at the correctional institution.
(i) “Prisoner” means any person incarcerated or detained in any correctional institution who is accused of, convicted of, sentenced for, or adjudicated delinquent for a violation of criminal law or the terms and conditions of parole, probation, community control, pretrial release, or a diversionary program. For purposes of this section, the term includes any woman detained under the immigration laws of the United States at any correctional institution.
(j) “Restraints” means any physical restraint or mechanical device used to control the movement of a prisoner’s body or limbs, including, but not limited to, flex cuffs, soft restraints, hard metal handcuffs, a black box, chubb cuffs, leg irons, belly chains, a security or tether chain, or a convex shield.
(k) “Restrictive housing” means housing a prisoner separately from the general population of a correctional institution and imposing restrictions on her movement, behavior, and privileges. The term includes placing a prisoner in medical isolation, in a medical housing unit, or in the infirmary.
(3) RESTRAINT OF PRISONERS.—
(a) Restraints may not be used on a pregnant prisoner during labor, delivery, and postpartum recovery, unless the corrections official makes an individualized determination that the pregnant prisoner presents an extraordinary circumstance, except that:
1. The physician may request that restraints not be used for documentable medical purposes. The correctional officer, correctional institution employee, or other officer accompanying the pregnant prisoner may consult with the medical staff; however, if the officer determines there is an extraordinary public safety risk, the officer is authorized to apply restraints as limited by subparagraph 2.
2. Leg, ankle, or waist restraints may not be used on any pregnant prisoner who is in labor or delivery.
(b) If restraints are used on a pregnant prisoner pursuant to paragraph (a):
1. The type of restraint applied and the application of the restraint must be done in the least restrictive manner necessary; and
2. The corrections official shall make written findings within 10 days after the use of restraints as to the extraordinary circumstance that dictated the use of the restraints. These findings shall be kept on file by the department or correctional institution for at least 5 years.
(c) During the third trimester of pregnancy or when requested by the physician treating a pregnant prisoner, unless there are significant documentable security reasons noted by the department or correctional institution to the contrary that would threaten the safety of the prisoner, the unborn child, or the public in general:
1. Leg, ankle, and waist restraints may not be used; and
2. If wrist restraints are used, they must be applied in the front so the pregnant prisoner is able to protect herself in the event of a forward fall.
(d) In addition to the specific requirements of paragraphs (a)-(c), any restraint of a pregnant prisoner must be done in the least restrictive manner necessary in order to mitigate the possibility of adverse clinical consequences.
(4) RESTRICTIVE HOUSING.—
(a) Except as provided in paragraph (b) or paragraph (d), a pregnant prisoner may not be involuntarily placed in restrictive housing.
(b) A pregnant prisoner may be involuntarily placed in restrictive housing if the corrections official of the correctional institution makes an individualized determination that restrictive housing is necessary to protect the health and safety of the pregnant prisoner or others or to preserve the security and order of the correctional institution and that there are no less restrictive means available. After placing a pregnant prisoner in restrictive housing under this paragraph, the corrections official must write a report stating:
1. The individualized reason restrictive housing is necessary.
2. The reason less restrictive means are not available.
3. Whether a qualified health care professional at the correctional institution objects to the placement.
The corrections official must provide a copy of such report to the pregnant prisoner within 12 hours after placing the prisoner in restrictive housing.
(c) A pregnant prisoner who is placed in restrictive housing under this section must be:
1. Seen by a qualified health care professional at least once every 24 hours.
2. Observed by a correctional officer at least once every hour.
3. Housed in the least restrictive setting consistent with the health and safety of the pregnant prisoner.
4. Given a medical treatment plan developed and approved by a qualified health care professional at the correctional institution if the pregnant prisoner does not already have such a treatment plan in place.
(d)1. If a pregnant prisoner needs medical care, a primary care nurse practitioner or obstetrician must provide an order for the pregnant prisoner to be placed in a designated medical housing unit or admitted to the infirmary.
2. If a pregnant prisoner has passed her due date, she must be placed in a designated medical housing unit or admitted to the infirmary until labor begins. A pregnant prisoner who has been placed in a designated medical housing unit or admitted to the infirmary must be provided the same access to outdoor recreation, visitation, mail, telephone calls, and other privileges and classes available to the general population unless:
a. The corrections official, after consulting with a qualified health care professional at the correctional institution, determines that such access poses a danger to the safety and security of the correctional institution; or
b. A qualified health care professional at the correctional institution determines that such access poses a danger of adverse clinical consequences for the pregnant prisoner or others and documents such determination in the pregnant prisoner’s medical file.
(5) ENFORCEMENT.—
(a) Notwithstanding any relief or claims afforded by federal or state law, any prisoner who is restrained or placed in restrictive housing in violation of this section may file a grievance with the correctional institution and be granted a 45-day extension if requested in writing pursuant to rules promulgated by the correctional institution.
(b) This section does not prevent a woman harmed through the use of restraints or by placement in restrictive housing under this section from filing a complaint under any other relevant provision of federal or state law.
(6) RULES; NOTICE TO PRISONERS; LOCAL AND PRIVATE DETENTION FACILITY POLICIES AND PROCEDURES.—
(a) The department and the Department of Juvenile Justice shall adopt rules pursuant to ss. 120.536(1) and 120.54 to administer this section.
(b) Each correctional institution shall inform female prisoners of the rules developed pursuant to paragraph (a) upon admission to the correctional institution, including the policies and practices in the prisoner handbook, and post the policies and practices in locations in the correctional institution where such notices are commonly posted and will be seen by female prisoners, including common housing areas and medical care facilities.
(c) Each county or municipal detention facility and each detention facility operated by a private entity shall adopt written policies and procedures relating to the use of restraints and the performance of invasive body searches on pregnant prisoners.
History.—s. 1, ch. 2012-41; s. 1, ch. 2020-89.
944.242 Dignity for women in correctional facilities.—
(1) DEFINITIONS.—As used in this section, the term:
(a) “Correctional facility” means any part of the correctional system, any county detention facility, juvenile detention center or residential facility, temporary holding center, or other criminal detention facility operated by or on behalf of the state or any political subdivision.
(b) “Correctional facility employee” means a correctional officer employed by a correctional facility.
(c) “Health care products” includes the following:
1. Feminine hygiene products, including tampons.
2. Moisturizing soap that is not lye-based.
3. Toothbrushes.
4. Toothpaste.
5. Any other health care product the correctional facility deems appropriate.
(d) “State of undress” means not dressed or not fully dressed.
(2) HEALTH CARE PRODUCTS.—A correctional facility shall make available health care products to each woman incarcerated in the facility at no cost to the woman in a quantity that is appropriate to the needs of the woman without a medical referral. A correctional facility may not require that a woman be diagnosed with an illness in order to access health care products. A correctional facility shall make health care products available in common housing areas and in medical care facilities.
(3) MALE CORRECTIONAL FACILITY EMPLOYEES.—
(a) A male correctional facility employee may not conduct a pat-down search or body cavity search on an incarcerated woman unless the woman presents an immediate risk of harm to herself or others and a female correctional facility employee is not available to do the search.
(b) A male correctional facility employee shall announce his presence upon entering a housing unit for incarcerated women.
(c) A male correctional facility employee may not enter an area of the correctional facility in which an incarcerated woman may be in a state of undress or an area where an incarcerated woman in a state of undress may be viewed, including, but not limited to, restrooms, shower areas, and medical treatment areas. If a female correctional facility employee is not available or if a female correctional facility employee requires assistance, a male correctional facility employee may enter such area only in the event of a medical emergency or if an incarcerated woman presents an immediate risk of harm to herself or others.
(d) If a male correctional facility employee conducts a pat-down search or body cavity search or enters a prohibited area in an emergency situation as provided in paragraph (a) or paragraph (c), the male correctional facility employee shall document the incident, including the circumstances necessitating the male correctional facility employee’s actions, no later than 3 days after the incident. The correctional facility shall review and retain all documentation.
History.—s. 2, ch. 2019-65.
944.275 Gain-time.—
(1) The department is authorized to grant deductions from sentences in the form of gain-time in order to encourage satisfactory prisoner behavior, to provide incentive for prisoners to participate in productive activities, and to reward prisoners who perform outstanding deeds or services.
(2)(a) The department shall establish for each prisoner sentenced to a term of years a “maximum sentence expiration date,” which shall be the date when the sentence or combined sentences imposed on a prisoner will expire. In establishing this date, the department shall reduce the total time to be served by any time lawfully credited.
(b) When a prisoner with an established maximum sentence expiration date is sentenced to an additional term or terms without having been released from custody, the department shall extend the maximum sentence expiration date by the length of time imposed in the new sentence or sentences, less lawful credits.
(c) When an escaped prisoner or a parole violator is returned to the custody of the department, the maximum sentence expiration date in effect when the escape occurred or the parole was effective shall be extended by the amount of time the prisoner was not in custody plus the time imposed in any new sentence or sentences, but reduced by any lawful credits.
(3)(a) The department shall also establish for each prisoner sentenced to a term of years a “tentative release date” which shall be the date projected for the prisoner’s release from custody by virtue of gain-time granted or forfeited as described in this section. The initial tentative release date shall be determined by deducting basic gain-time granted from the maximum sentence expiration date. Other gain-time shall be applied when granted or restored to make the tentative release date proportionately earlier; and forfeitures of gain-time, when ordered, shall be applied to make the tentative release date proportionately later.
(b) When an initial tentative release date is reestablished because of additional sentences imposed before the prisoner has completely served all prior sentences, any gain-time granted during service of a prior sentence and not forfeited shall be applied.
(c) The tentative release date may not be later than the maximum sentence expiration date.
(4)(a) As a means of encouraging satisfactory behavior, the department shall grant basic gain-time at the rate of 10 days for each month of each sentence imposed on a prisoner, subject to the following:
1. Portions of any sentences to be served concurrently shall be treated as a single sentence when determining basic gain-time.
2. Basic gain-time for a partial month shall be prorated on the basis of a 30-day month.
3. When a prisoner receives a new maximum sentence expiration date because of additional sentences imposed, basic gain-time shall be granted for the amount of time the maximum sentence expiration date was extended.
(b) For each month in which an inmate works diligently, participates in training, uses time constructively, or otherwise engages in positive activities, the department may grant incentive gain-time in accordance with this paragraph. The rate of incentive gain-time in effect on the date the inmate committed the offense which resulted in his or her incarceration shall be the inmate’s rate of eligibility to earn incentive gain-time throughout the period of incarceration and shall not be altered by a subsequent change in the severity level of the offense for which the inmate was sentenced.
1. For sentences imposed for offenses committed prior to January 1, 1994, up to 20 days of incentive gain-time may be granted. If granted, such gain-time shall be credited and applied monthly.
2. For sentences imposed for offenses committed on or after January 1, 1994, and before October 1, 1995:
a. For offenses ranked in offense severity levels 1 through 7, under former s. 921.0012 or former s. 921.0013, up to 25 days of incentive gain-time may be granted. If granted, such gain-time shall be credited and applied monthly.
b. For offenses ranked in offense severity levels 8, 9, and 10, under former s. 921.0012 or former s. 921.0013, up to 20 days of incentive gain-time may be granted. If granted, such gain-time shall be credited and applied monthly.
3. For sentences imposed for offenses committed on or after October 1, 1995, the department may grant up to 10 days per month of incentive gain-time.
(c) An inmate who performs some outstanding deed, such as saving a life or assisting in recapturing an escaped inmate, or who in some manner performs an outstanding service that would merit the granting of additional deductions from the term of his or her sentence may be granted meritorious gain-time of from 1 to 60 days.
(d) Notwithstanding the monthly maximum awards of incentive gain-time under subparagraphs (b)1., 2., and 3., the education program manager shall recommend, and the Department of Corrections may grant, a one-time award of 60 additional days of incentive gain-time to an inmate who is otherwise eligible and who successfully completes requirements for and is, or has been during the current commitment, awarded a high school equivalency diploma or vocational certificate. Under no circumstances may an inmate receive more than 60 days for educational attainment pursuant to this section.
(e)1. Notwithstanding subparagraph (b)3., for sentences imposed for offenses committed on or after October 1, 2014, and before July 1, 2023, the department may not grant incentive gain-time if the offense is a violation of s. 782.04(1)(a)2.c.; s. 787.01(3)(a)2. or 3.; s. 787.02(3)(a)2. or 3.; s. 794.011, excluding s. 794.011(10); s. 800.04; s. 825.1025; or s. 847.0135(5).
2. Notwithstanding subparagraph (b)3., for sentences imposed for offenses committed on or after July 1, 2023, the department may not grant incentive gain-time if the offense is for committing or attempting, soliciting, or conspiring to commit a violation of s. 782.04(1)(a)2.c.; s. 787.01(3)(a)2. or 3.; s. 787.02(3)(a)2. or 3.; s. 794.011, excluding s. 794.011(10); s. 800.04; s. 825.1025; or s. 847.0135(5).
(f) An inmate who is subject to subparagraph (b)3. is not eligible to earn or receive gain-time under paragraph (a), paragraph (b), paragraph (c), or paragraph (d) or any other type of gain-time in an amount that would cause a sentence to expire, end, or terminate, or that would result in a prisoner’s release, prior to serving a minimum of 85 percent of the sentence imposed. For purposes of this paragraph, credits awarded by the court for time physically incarcerated shall be credited toward satisfaction of 85 percent of the sentence imposed. Except as provided by this section, a prisoner may not accumulate further gain-time awards at any point when the tentative release date is the same as that date at which the prisoner will have served 85 percent of the sentence imposed. State prisoners sentenced to life imprisonment shall be incarcerated for the rest of their natural lives, unless granted pardon or clemency.
(5) When a prisoner is found guilty of an infraction of the laws of this state or the rules of the department, gain-time may be forfeited according to law.
(6)(a) Basic gain-time under this section shall be computed on and applied to all sentences imposed for offenses committed on or after July 1, 1978, and before January 1, 1994.
(b) All incentive and meritorious gain-time is granted according to this section.
(c) All additional gain-time previously awarded under former subsections (2) and (3) and all forfeitures ordered prior to the effective date of the act that created this section shall remain in effect and be applied in establishing an initial tentative release date.
(7) The department shall adopt rules to implement the granting, forfeiture, restoration, and deletion of gain-time.
History.—s. 1, ch. 78-304; s. 57, ch. 79-3; s. 8, ch. 83-131; s. 3, ch. 91-281; s. 26, ch. 93-406; s. 26, ch. 95-184; s. 2, ch. 95-294; s. 59, ch. 96-388; s. 1853, ch. 97-102; s. 12, ch. 2014-4; s. 11, ch. 2014-20; s. 100, ch. 2015-2; s. 4, ch. 2017-31; s. 2, ch. 2023-146.
944.278 Cancellation of administrative gain-time and provisional credits.—All awards of administrative gain-time under 1s. 944.276 and provisional credits under 2s. 944.277 are hereby canceled for all inmates serving a sentence or combined sentences in the custody of the department, or serving a state sentence in the custody of another jurisdiction. Release dates of all inmates with 1 or more days of such awards shall be extended by the length of time equal to the number of days of administrative gain-time and provisional credits which were canceled. Inmates who are out of custody due to an escape or a release on bond, or whose postrelease supervision is revoked on or after the effective date of this act, shall have all administrative gain-time and provisional credits canceled when the inmate’s release date is reestablished upon return to custody. Offenders who are under provisional release supervision as of the effective date of this section shall be subject to the terms and conditions established at the time of release until such offenders have been discharged from supervision. Offenders who have warrants outstanding based on violation of supervision as of the effective date of this section, or who violate terms of supervision subsequent to enactment of this section, shall be terminated from supervision and returned to custody. All provisional credits shall be canceled when an offender’s tentative release date is reestablished.
History.—s. 35, ch. 93-406.
944.279 Disciplinary procedures applicable to prisoner for filing frivolous or malicious actions or bringing false information before court.—
(1) At any time, and upon its own motion or on motion of a party, a court may conduct an inquiry into whether any action or appeal brought by a prisoner was brought in good faith. A prisoner who is found by a court to have brought a frivolous or malicious suit, action, claim, proceeding, or appeal in any court of this state or in any federal court, which is filed after June 30, 1996, or to have brought a frivolous or malicious collateral criminal proceeding, which is filed after September 30, 2004, or who knowingly or with reckless disregard for the truth brought false information or evidence before the court, is subject to disciplinary procedures pursuant to the rules of the Department of Corrections. The court shall issue a written finding and direct that a certified copy be forwarded to the appropriate institution or facility for disciplinary procedures pursuant to the rules of the department as provided in s. 944.09.
(2) This section does not apply to a criminal proceeding.
(3) For purposes of this section, “prisoner” means a person who is convicted of a crime and is incarcerated for that crime or who is being held in custody pending extradition or sentencing.
History.—s. 5, ch. 96-106; s. 14, ch. 97-78; s. 1, ch. 2004-285.
944.28 Forfeiture of gain-time and the right to earn gain-time in the future.—
(1) If a prisoner is convicted of escape, or if the clemency, conditional release as described in chapter 947, probation or community control as described in chapter 948, provisional release as described in 1s. 944.277, parole, or control release as described in s. 947.146 granted to the prisoner is revoked, the department may, without notice or hearing, declare a forfeiture of all gain-time earned according to the provisions of law by such prisoner prior to such escape or his or her release under such clemency, conditional release, probation, community control, provisional release, control release, or parole.
(2)(a) All or any part of the gain-time earned by a prisoner according to the provisions of law is subject to forfeiture if such prisoner unsuccessfully attempts to escape; assaults another person; threatens or knowingly endangers the life or person of another person; refuses by action or word to carry out any instruction duly given to him or her; neglects to perform in a faithful, diligent, industrious, orderly, and peaceful manner the work, duties, and tasks assigned to him or her; is found by a court to have brought a frivolous suit, action, claim, proceeding, or appeal in any court; is found by a court to have knowingly or with reckless disregard for the truth brought false information or evidence before the court; or violates any law of the state or any rule or regulation of the department or institution.
(b) A prisoner’s right to earn gain-time during all or any part of the remainder of the sentence or sentences under which he or she is imprisoned may be declared forfeited because of the seriousness of a single instance of misconduct or because of the seriousness of an accumulation of instances of misconduct.
(c) The method of declaring a forfeiture under paragraph (a) or paragraph (b) shall be as follows: A written charge shall be prepared, which shall specify each instance of misconduct upon which it is based and the approximate date thereof. A copy of such charge shall be delivered to the prisoner, and he or she shall be given notice of a hearing before the disciplinary committee created under the authorization of rules heretofore or hereafter adopted by the department for the institution in which he or she is confined. The prisoner shall be present at the hearing. If at such hearing the prisoner pleads guilty to the charge or if the committee determines that the prisoner is guilty thereof upon the basis of proof presented at such hearing, it shall find him or her guilty. If the committee considers that all or part of the prisoner’s gain-time and the prisoner’s right to earn gain-time during all or any part of the sentence or sentences under which he or she is imprisoned shall be forfeited, it shall so recommend in its written report. Such report shall be presented to the warden of the institution, who may approve such recommendation in whole or in part by endorsing such approval on the report. In the event of approval, the warden shall forward the report to the department. Thereupon, the department may, in its discretion, declare the forfeiture thus approved by the warden or any specified part thereof.
(3) Upon the recommendation of the warden, the department may, in its discretion, restore all or any part of any gain-time forfeited under this section.
History.—s. 26, ch. 57-121; s. 18, ch. 61-530; s. 2, ch. 63-243; s. 1, ch. 65-197; ss. 19, 35, ch. 69-106; s. 20, ch. 74-112; s. 48, ch. 77-120; s. 58, ch. 79-3; s. 1, ch. 82-39; s. 9, ch. 88-122; s. 6, ch. 89-526; s. 6, ch. 89-531; s. 2, ch. 91-280; s. 6, ch. 96-106; ss. 1854, 1855, ch. 97-102; s. 14, ch. 2000-161; s. 39, ch. 2010-117.
944.281 Ineligibility to earn gain-time due to disciplinary action.—The department may declare that a prisoner who commits a violation of any law of the state or rule or regulation of the department or institution on or after January 1, 1996, and who is found guilty pursuant to s. 944.28(2), shall not be eligible to earn incentive gain-time for up to 6 months following the month in which the violation occurred. The department shall adopt rules to administer the provisions of this section.
History.—s. 3, ch. 95-294.
944.282 Rules governing inmate use of weight training equipment.—In the interests of safety, security, and order of the state correctional system, the Department of Corrections shall immediately adopt rules governing and limiting access to weights and other weight training equipment by inmates within the state correctional system. It is the intent of the Legislature to restrict the use of weight training equipment for those inmates who have committed disciplinary infractions within the previous 120 days or have not completed work assignments as determined by the department.
History.—s. 60, ch. 96-312.
944.291 Prisoner released by reason of gain-time allowances or attainment of provisional release date.—
(1) Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, a prisoner who has served his or her term or terms, less allowable gain-time deductions as provided by law, or who has attained his or her provisional release date shall, upon release, be placed under further supervision and control of the department. Any released prisoner who is not under further supervision and control of the department or who is not subject to any statute relating to parole shall be eligible, on a voluntary basis, for any assistance available to him or her through any parole or probation office under the department.
(2) Any prisoner who is convicted of a crime committed on or after October 1, 1988, which crime is contained in category 1, category 2, category 3, or category 4 of Rule 3.701 and Rule 3.988, Florida Rules of Criminal Procedure, and who has served at least one prior felony commitment at a state or federal correctional institution, or is sentenced as a habitual or violent habitual offender pursuant to s. 775.084, may only be released under conditional release supervision as described in chapter 947. Not fewer than 90 days prior to the tentative release date or provisional release date, whichever is earlier, the department shall provide the commission with the name and inmate identification number for each eligible inmate.
History.—s. 1, ch. 67-421; s. 21, ch. 74-112; s. 50, ch. 77-120; s. 1, ch. 78-223; s. 59, ch. 79-3; s. 1, ch. 81-229; s. 10, ch. 88-122; s. 7, ch. 89-531; s. 1645, ch. 97-102.
944.292 Suspension of civil rights.—
(1) Upon conviction of a felony as defined in s. 10, Art. X of the State Constitution, the civil rights of the person convicted shall be suspended in Florida until such rights are restored by a full pardon, conditional pardon, or restoration of civil rights granted pursuant to s. 8, Art. IV of the State Constitution. Notwithstanding the suspension of civil rights, such a convicted person may obtain restoration of his or her voting rights pursuant to s. 4, Art. VI of the State Constitution and s. 98.0751.
(2) This section shall not be construed to deny a convicted felon access to the courts, as guaranteed by s. 21, Art. I of the State Constitution, until restoration of her or his civil rights.
History.—s. 28, ch. 74-112; s. 1, ch. 76-139; s. 1, ch. 88-138; s. 1646, ch. 97-102; s. 28, ch. 2019-162.
944.31 Inspector general; inspectors; power and duties.—
(1) The inspector general shall be responsible for prison inspection and investigation, internal affairs investigations, and management reviews. The office of the inspector general shall be charged with the duty of inspecting the penal and correctional systems of the state.
(2) The office of the inspector general shall inspect each correctional institution or any place in which state prisoners are housed, worked, or kept within the state, with reference to its physical conditions, cleanliness, sanitation, safety, and comfort; the quality and supply of all bedding; the quality, quantity, and diversity of food served and the manner in which it is served; the number and condition of the prisoners confined therein; and the general conditions of each institution.
(3) The office of inspector general shall see that all the rules and regulations issued by the department are strictly observed and followed by all persons connected with the correctional systems of the state. The office of the inspector general shall coordinate and supervise the work of inspectors throughout the state.
(4) The inspector general and inspectors may enter any place where prisoners in this state are kept and shall be immediately admitted to such place as they desire and may consult and confer with any prisoner privately and without molestation.
(5)(a) The inspector general and inspectors shall be responsible for criminal and administrative investigation of matters relating to the Department of Corrections.
(b) The secretary may designate persons within the office of the inspector general as law enforcement officers to conduct any criminal investigation that occurs on property owned or leased by the department or involves matters over which the department has jurisdiction. All criminal investigations involving matters over which the department has jurisdiction at contractor-operated correctional facilities, as defined in s. 944.710, may be conducted by the law enforcement officers of the office of the inspector general.
(c) A person designated as a law enforcement officer must be certified pursuant to s. 943.1395 and must have a minimum of 3 years’ experience as an inspector in the inspector general’s office or as a law enforcement officer.
(d) The department shall maintain a memorandum of understanding with the Department of Law Enforcement for the notification and investigation of mutually agreed-upon predicate events that shall include, but are not limited to, suspicious deaths and organized criminal activity.
(e) During investigations, the inspector general and inspectors may consult and confer with any prisoner or staff member privately and without molestation.
(f) For matters over which the department has jurisdiction, persons designated as law enforcement officers under this subsection shall have the same arrest authority as provided for law enforcement officers generally in chapter 901, and may make arrests consistent with such authority in the following circumstances, including an arrest of:
1. Any prisoner of or visitor to a state correctional institution or a contractor-operated correctional facility, for a violation of the criminal laws of the state involving an offense that occurs on property owned or leased by the department or on the property of a contractor-operated correctional facility;
2. Offenders who have escaped or absconded from custody;
3. A staff member of the department, including any contract employee, subcontractor, or volunteer, for a violation of the criminal laws of the state that occurs on property owned or leased by the department, or any contractor-operated correctional facility staff member, contract employee, subcontractor, or volunteer at any contractor-operated correctional facility for a violation of the criminal laws of the state that occurs on the property of a contractor-operated correctional facility; or
4. Persons against whom arrest warrants have been issued.
(g) For any arrest made by a person designated as a law enforcement officer under this subsection, the arrested person shall be surrendered without delay to the sheriff of the county in which the arrest is made, with a formal complaint subsequently made against her or him in accordance with law.
History.—s. 29, ch. 57-121; s. 6, ch. 61-192; s. 18, ch. 61-530; ss. 19, 35, ch. 69-106; s. 52, ch. 77-120; s. 62, ch. 79-3; s. 2, ch. 85-330; s. 75, ch. 87-226; s. 18, ch. 95-325; s. 26, ch. 96-312; s. 1856, ch. 97-102; s. 2, ch. 99-271; s. 1, ch. 2002-75; s. 1, ch. 2024-84.
944.32 Reports of prison inspectors; recordation; inspection.—Upon completing an inspection of a correctional institution the inspector shall make a full and complete report on such forms as shall be provided by the department. One copy of each report shall be filed with the department, one copy shall be sent to the officer in charge of the correctional institution, and as many other copies as the department shall require; these reports shall be matters of public record and subject to inspection by the public at any time.
History.—s. 30, ch. 57-121; s. 18, ch. 61-530; s. 53, ch. 77-120; s. 63, ch. 79-3; s. 19, ch. 91-225; s. 19, ch. 95-325; s. 27, ch. 96-312.
944.33 Failure of inspector to make report; false report; penalty.—If any prison inspector shall fail to make a report of his or her findings, he or she shall be immediately discharged and shall not be again employed in such capacity. If any prison inspector shall knowingly make a false report of his or her findings, he or she shall be guilty of a felony of the third degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084.
History.—s. 31, ch. 57-121; s. 1166, ch. 71-136; s. 1647, ch. 97-102.
944.331 Inmate grievance procedure.—The department shall establish by rule an inmate grievance procedure that must conform to the Minimum Standards for Inmate Grievance Procedures as promulgated by the United States Department of Justice pursuant to 42 U.S.C. s. 1997e. The department’s office of general counsel shall oversee the grievance procedures established by the department.
History.—s. 3, ch. 85-288; s. 3, ch. 99-271.
944.35 Authorized use of force; malicious battery and sexual misconduct prohibited; reporting required; penalties.—
(1)(a) An employee of the department is authorized to apply physical force upon an inmate only when and to the extent that it reasonably appears necessary:
1. To defend himself or herself or another against such other imminent use of unlawful force;
2. To prevent a person from escaping from a state correctional institution when the officer reasonably believes that person is lawfully detained in such institution;
3. To prevent damage to property;
4. To quell a disturbance;
5. To overcome physical resistance to a lawful command; or
6. To administer medical treatment only by or under the supervision of a physician or his or her designee and only:
a. When treatment is necessary to protect the health of other persons, as in the case of contagious or venereal diseases; or
b. When treatment is offered in satisfaction of a duty to protect the inmate against self-inflicted injury or death.
As part of the correctional officer training program, the Criminal Justice Standards and Training Commission shall develop a course specifically designed to explain the parameters of this subsection and to teach the proper methods and techniques in applying authorized physical force upon an inmate.
(b) Following any use of force, a qualified health care provider shall examine any person physically involved to determine the extent of injury, if any, and shall prepare a report which shall include, but not be limited to, a statement of whether further examination by a physician is necessary. Any noticeable physical injury shall be examined by a physician, and the physician shall prepare a report documenting the extent and probable cause of the injury and the treatment prescribed. Such report shall be completed within 5 working days of the incident and shall be submitted to the warden for appropriate investigation.
(2) Each employee of the department who either applies physical force or was responsible for making the decision to apply physical force upon an inmate or an offender supervised by the department in the community pursuant to this subsection shall prepare, date, and sign an independent report within 1 working day of the incident. The report shall be delivered to the warden or the circuit administrator, who shall forward the report with all appropriate documentation to the office of the inspector general. The inspector general shall conduct a review and make recommendations regarding the appropriateness or inappropriateness of the use of force. If the inspector general finds that the use of force was appropriate, the employee’s report, together with the inspector general’s written determination of the appropriateness of the force used and the reasons therefor, shall be forwarded to the circuit administrator or warden upon completion of the review. If the inspector general finds that the use of force was inappropriate, the inspector general shall conduct a complete investigation into the incident and forward the findings of fact to the appropriate regional director for further action. Copies of the employee’s report and the inspector general’s review shall be kept in the files of the inmate or the offender supervised by the department in the community. A notation of each incident involving use of force and the outcome based on the inspector general’s evaluation shall be kept in the employee’s file.
(3)(a)1. Any employee of the department who, with malicious intent, commits a battery upon an inmate or an offender supervised by the department in the community, commits a misdemeanor of the first degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083.
2. Any employee of the department who, with malicious intent, commits a battery or inflicts cruel or inhuman treatment by neglect or otherwise, and in so doing causes great bodily harm, permanent disability, or permanent disfigurement to an inmate or an offender supervised by the department in the community, commits a felony of the third degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084.
(b)1. As used in this paragraph, the term:
a. “Contractor-operated correctional facility” has the same meaning as in s. 944.710.
b. “Female genitals” includes the labia minora, labia majora, clitoris, vulva, hymen, and vagina.
c. “Sexual misconduct” means the oral, anal, or female genital penetration by, or union with, the sexual organ of another or the anal or female genital penetration of another by any other object, but does not include an act done for a bona fide medical purpose or an internal search conducted in the lawful performance of the employee’s duty.
d. “Volunteer” means a person registered with the department or a contractor-operated correctional facility who is engaged in specific voluntary service activities on an ongoing or continual basis.
2. Any employee of the department or a contractor-operated correctional facility or any volunteer in, or any employee of a contractor or subcontractor of, the department or a contractor-operated correctional facility who engages in sexual misconduct with an inmate or an offender supervised by the department in the community, without committing the crime of sexual battery, commits a felony of the third degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084.
3. The consent of the inmate or offender supervised by the department in the community to any act of sexual misconduct may not be raised as a defense to a prosecution under this paragraph.
4. This paragraph does not apply to any employee, volunteer, or employee of a contractor or subcontractor of the department or any employee, volunteer, or employee of a contractor or subcontractor of a contractor-operated correctional facility who is legally married to an inmate or an offender supervised by the department in the community, nor does it apply to any employee, volunteer, or employee of a contractor or subcontractor who has no knowledge, and would have no reason to believe, that the person with whom the employee, volunteer, or employee of a contractor or subcontractor has engaged in sexual misconduct is an inmate or an offender under community supervision of the department.
(c) Notwithstanding prosecution, any violation of the provisions of this subsection, as determined by the Public Employees Relations Commission, shall constitute sufficient cause under s. 110.227 for dismissal from employment with the department, and such person shall not again be employed in any capacity in connection with the correctional system.
(d) Each employee who witnesses, or has reasonable cause to suspect, that an inmate or an offender under the supervision of the department in the community has been unlawfully abused or is the subject of sexual misconduct pursuant to this subsection shall immediately prepare, date, and sign an independent report specifically describing the nature of the force used or the nature of the sexual misconduct, the location and time of the incident, and the persons involved. The report shall be delivered to the inspector general of the department with a copy to be delivered to the warden of the institution or the regional administrator. The inspector general shall immediately conduct an appropriate investigation, and, if probable cause is determined that a violation of this subsection has occurred, the respective state attorney in the circuit in which the incident occurred shall be notified.
(4)(a) Any employee required to report pursuant to this section who knowingly or willfully fails to do so, or who knowingly or willfully prevents another person from doing so, commits a misdemeanor of the first degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083.
(b) Any person who knowingly or willfully submits inaccurate, incomplete, or untruthful information with regard to reports required in this section commits a misdemeanor of the first degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083.
(c) Any person who knowingly or willfully coerces or threatens any other person with the intent to alter either testimony or a written report regarding an incident where force was used or an incident of sexual misconduct commits a felony of the third degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084.
As part of the correctional officer training program, the Criminal Justice Standards and Training Commission shall develop course materials for inclusion in the appropriate required course specifically designed to explain the parameters of this subsection and to teach sexual assault identification and prevention methods and techniques.
History.—s. 33, ch. 57-121; s. 5, ch. 85-288; s. 85, ch. 86-163; s. 228, ch. 91-224; s. 6, ch. 96-312; s. 15, ch. 97-78; s. 15, ch. 2000-161; s. 2, ch. 2001-92; s. 2, ch. 2002-75; s. 8, ch. 2010-64; s. 12, ch. 2022-165; s. 1, ch. 2023-268; s. 20, ch. 2024-84.
944.36 Permitting inmates to escape.—Any agent, employee, or officer of the department having supervision over state inmates being worked under the provisions of law who willfully permits any prisoner to escape shall be guilty of a felony of the third degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084.
History.—s. 34, ch. 57-121; s. 18, ch. 61-530; s. 1167, ch. 71-136; s. 54, ch. 77-120; s. 64, ch. 79-3; s. 6, ch. 85-288.
944.37 Acceptance of unauthorized compensation; penalty.—No officer or employee of the department shall receive, directly or indirectly, from any prisoner or from anyone on behalf of such prisoner, any gift, reward, or any compensation whatsoever for his or her services or supplies other than that prescribed or authorized by law or the department. Whoever violates this section shall be guilty of a misdemeanor of the first degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.083.
History.—s. 35, ch. 57-121; s. 18, ch. 61-530; s. 1168, ch. 71-136; s. 55, ch. 77-120; s. 65, ch. 79-3; s. 1648, ch. 97-102.
944.38 Acceptance of remuneration from contractor; dealing or barter with prisoners; interest in contract; penalty.—
(1)(a) An officer or employee of the department may not receive any compensation whatsoever, directly or indirectly, for any act or service that she or he may do or perform for or on behalf of any officer or employee or agent, or employee of a contractor. An officer or employee of the department or the state may not have an interest, directly or indirectly, in any contract or purchase made, or authorized to be made, by anyone for or on behalf of the department.
(b) This subsection does not prevent an officer or employee of the department from accepting other employment or following any pursuit that does not interfere with the full and faithful discharge by the officer or employee of his or her duties to the department. This subsection does not prevent an officer or employee of the department from accepting secondary employment with an entity contracting with the department if the officer or employee does not have responsibilities or involvement with the department’s award or management of the contract or with the process of making referrals to or evaluating the contracting entity.
(2) An officer or employee of the department or of the state, or any contractor, or employee of a contractor, may not, without permission of the department, make any gift or present to a prisoner, receive a gift or present from any prisoner, or have any barter or dealings with any prisoner.
(3) For any violation of the provisions of this section the officer or employee of the state shall be discharged from her or his office or service; and every contractor, or employee, or agent of a contractor engaged therein, and a party thereto, shall be expelled from the institutional grounds, and not again permitted within the same as a contractor, agent, or employee.
History.—s. 36, ch. 57-121; s. 18, ch. 61-530; ss. 19, 35, ch. 69-106; s. 56, ch. 77-120; s. 66, ch. 79-3; s. 1649, ch. 97-102; s. 1, ch. 2004-51.
944.39 Interference with prisoners; penalty.—Any person who, without authority, interferes with or in any way interrupts the work of any prisoner under the custody of the department or who in any way interferes with the discipline or good conduct of any prisoner shall be guilty of a misdemeanor of the second degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083. No person shall, by disguise, misrepresentation of identity or other illicit means, attempt to gain admission to or enter upon the grounds of any state correctional institution for the purpose of visiting any prisoner in violation of the general visiting policy adopted by the department. A person, upon conviction of an offense as outlined in this section, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor of the second degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083. Any peace officer or any correctional officer of the department or any prison inspector or any employee of the department may arrest without warrant any person violating the provisions of this section.
History.—s. 37, ch. 57-121; s. 7, ch. 61-192; s. 18, ch. 61-530; ss. 19, 35, ch. 69-106; s. 1169, ch. 71-136; s. 57, ch. 77-120; s. 67, ch. 79-3; s. 16, ch. 95-283.
944.40 Escapes; penalty.—Any prisoner confined in, or released on furlough from, any prison, jail, contractor-operated correctional facility, road camp, or other penal institution, whether operated by the state, a county, or a municipality, or operated under a contract with the state, a county, or a municipality, working upon the public roads, or being transported to or from a place of confinement who escapes or attempts to escape from such confinement commits a felony of the second degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084. The punishment of imprisonment imposed under this section shall run consecutive to any former sentence imposed upon any prisoner.
History.—s. 38, ch. 57-121; s. 1, ch. 65-224; s. 1, ch. 69-332; s. 1170, ch. 71-136; s. 5, ch. 99-271; s. 54, ch. 2019-167; s. 21, ch. 2024-84.
944.402 Reward for capture of escapee from correctional institution.—The warden of a state correctional institution may pay a reward in an amount not greater than $100 from institutional funds to each person who is directly responsible for the capture of an inmate who has escaped from the institution. The warden of the institution from which the inmate escaped shall determine the amount of the reward. Employees of state, county, and municipal law enforcement or correctional agencies who are engaged in the apprehension, detection, or detention of prisoners are not eligible to receive such rewards.
History.—s. 1, ch. 88-169; s. 16, ch. 2000-161.
944.405 Warrant for retaking offender who has escaped from custody or absconded from rehabilitative community reentry program, or who is ineligible for release.—
(1) If there is reasonable justification to believe that an offender has escaped from the custody of the department or has absconded from a rehabilitative community reentry program before the offender has satisfied his or her sentence or combined sentences, or if it is determined an offender was released in error, or if it is subsequently determined the offender was statutorily ineligible for release, the secretary of the department or the secretary’s designated representative may issue a warrant for retaking the offender into custody until he or she has served the remainder of the sentence or combined sentences.
(2) An offender who is arrested as provided in subsection (1) is ineligible for bond, bail, or release on his or her own recognizance.
(3) A warrant issued under subsection (1) is in effect until the offender has been returned to the custody of the department, or until the sentence is deemed satisfied, whichever occurs first.
(4) The issuance of a warrant pursuant to this section does not negate or interfere with the right to issuance of a warrant under any other provision of law.
History.—s. 1, ch. 87-211; s. 51, ch. 91-110; s. 34, ch. 93-406; s. 1650, ch. 97-102.
944.44 Holding persons as hostages; penalty.—Any prisoner who holds as hostage any person within any correctional institution or anywhere while under the jurisdiction of the department, or who by force, or threat of force holds any person or persons against their will in defiance of official orders, shall be guilty of a felony of the second degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084.
History.—s. 4, ch. 57-313; s. 18, ch. 61-530; s. 1173, ch. 71-136; s. 59, ch. 77-120; s. 69, ch. 79-3.
944.45 Mutiny, riot, strike; penalty.—Whoever instigates, contrives, willfully attempts to cause, assists, or conspires to cause any mutiny, riot, or strike in defiance of official orders, in any state correctional institution, shall be guilty of a felony of the second degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084.
History.—s. 5, ch. 57-313; s. 1174, ch. 71-136.
944.46 Harboring, concealing, aiding escaped prisoners; penalty.—Whoever harbors, conceals, maintains, or assists, or gives any other aid to any prisoner after his or her escape from any state correctional institution, knowing that he or she is an escaped prisoner, shall be guilty of a felony of the third degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084.
History.—s. 6, ch. 57-313; s. 1175, ch. 71-136; s. 1651, ch. 97-102.
944.47 Introduction, removal, or possession of contraband; penalty.—
(1)(a) Except through regular channels as authorized by the officer in charge of the correctional institution, it is unlawful to introduce into or upon the grounds of any state correctional institution, or to take or attempt to take or send or attempt to send therefrom, any of the following articles which are hereby declared to be contraband for the purposes of this section, to wit:
1. Any written or recorded communication or any currency or coin given or transmitted, or intended to be given or transmitted, to any inmate of any state correctional institution.
2. Any article of food or clothing given or transmitted, or intended to be given or transmitted, to any inmate of any state correctional institution.
3. Any intoxicating beverage or beverage which causes or may cause an intoxicating effect.
4. Any controlled substance as defined in s. 893.02(4), marijuana as defined in s. 381.986, hemp as defined in s. 581.217, industrial hemp as defined in s. 1004.4473, or any prescription or nonprescription drug having a hypnotic, stimulating, or depressing effect.
5. Any firearm or weapon of any kind or any explosive substance.
6. Any cellular telephone or other portable communication device intentionally and unlawfully introduced inside the secure perimeter of any state correctional institution without prior authorization or consent from the officer in charge of such correctional institution. As used in this subparagraph, the term “portable communication device” means any device carried, worn, or stored which is designed or intended to receive or transmit verbal or written messages, access or store data, or connect electronically to the Internet or any other electronic device and which allows communications in any form. Such devices include, but are not limited to, portable two-way pagers, hand-held radios, cellular telephones, Blackberry-type devices, personal digital assistants or PDA’s, laptop computers, or any components of these devices which are intended to be used to assemble such devices. The term also includes any new technology that is developed for similar purposes. Excluded from this definition is any device having communication capabilities which has been approved or issued by the department for investigative or institutional security purposes or for conducting other state business.
7. Any vapor-generating electronic device as defined in s. 386.203, intentionally and unlawfully introduced inside the secure perimeter of any state correctional institution.
(b) It is unlawful to transmit or attempt to transmit to, or cause or attempt to cause to be transmitted to or received by, any inmate of any state correctional institution any article or thing declared by this subsection to be contraband, at any place which is outside the grounds of such institution, except through regular channels as authorized by the officer in charge of such correctional institution.
(c) It is unlawful for any inmate of any state correctional institution or any person while upon the grounds of any state correctional institution to be in actual or constructive possession of any article or thing declared by this section to be contraband, except as authorized by the officer in charge of such correctional institution.
(2)(a) A person who violates this section as it pertains to an article of contraband described in subparagraph (1)(a)1., subparagraph (1)(a)2., or subparagraph (1)(a)6. commits a felony of the third degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084. A person who violates this section as it pertains to an article of contraband described in subparagraph (1)(a)7. commits a misdemeanor of the first degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083. Otherwise, a violation of this section is a felony of the second degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084.
(b) A violation of this section by an employee, as defined in s. 944.115(2)(b), who uses or attempts to use the powers, rights, privileges, duties, or position of his or her employment in the commission of the violation is ranked one level above the ranking specified in s. 921.0022 or s. 921.0023 for the offense committed.
History.—s. 7, ch. 57-313; s. 8, ch. 61-192; s. 1, ch. 65-225; s. 1, ch. 67-160; ss. 19, 35, ch. 69-106; s. 1176, ch. 71-136; s. 60, ch. 77-120; s. 1, ch. 78-42; s. 70, ch. 79-3; s. 2, ch. 81-88; s. 1, ch. 82-124; s. 184, ch. 83-216; s. 1, ch. 84-1; s. 52, ch. 91-110; s. 4, ch. 2008-250; s. 31, ch. 2016-145; s. 55, ch. 2019-167; s. 2, ch. 2020-59; s. 20, ch. 2023-268.
944.471 Short title.—Sections 944.471-944.473 may be cited as the “Drug-Free Corrections Act of 1992.”
History.—s. 18, ch. 92-310.
944.472 Drug-free corrections; legislative findings and purposes.—
(1) FINDINGS.—The Legislature finds that:
(a) Inmate substance abuse can cause a multitude of security and programmatic problems, including staff corruption, development of an unsafe and unproductive workplace, and the inability of inmate substance abusers to profit from vocational, educational, and substance abuse treatment programs.
(b) Maintaining a healthy and productive corrections workforce with safe conditions free from the effects of substance abuse is important to correctional employers, employees, inmates, and the public.
(c) Certain substance abuse testing standards are necessary to ensure uniform and economical application of policy throughout the state’s institutions and to protect both inmates and employers participating in random and reasonable suspicion substance abuse testing programs.
(d) In balancing the interests of correctional employers, employees, inmates, and the public, it is in the best interest of all concerned to establish standards to ensure uniform, fair, economical, and accurate substance abuse testing in the state correctional system.
(2) PURPOSES.—The purposes of the Drug-Free Corrections Act of 1992 are to:
(a) Promote the goal of a drug-free correctional system through fair, economical, and reasonable methods of random and reasonable suspicion substance abuse testing of inmates for the protection of inmates, employees, employers, and the public.
(b) Establish an aggressive, routine random substance abuse testing program and a reasonable suspicion substance abuse testing program to identify substance-abusing inmates, determine appropriate treatment, and provide a strong deterrent to future substance abuse.
History.—s. 19, ch. 92-310; s. 16, ch. 97-78.
944.473 Inmate substance abuse testing program.—
(1) RULES AND PROCEDURES.—The department shall establish programs for random and reasonable suspicion drug and alcohol testing by urinalysis or other noninvasive procedure for inmates to effectively identify those inmates abusing drugs, alcohol, or both. The department shall also adopt rules relating to fair, economical, and accurate operations and procedures of a random inmate substance abuse testing program and a reasonable suspicion substance abuse testing program by urinalysis or other noninvasive procedure which enumerate penalties for positive test results, including but not limited to the forfeiture of both basic and incentive gain-time, and which do not limit the number of times an inmate may be tested in any one fiscal or calendar year.
(2) SUBSTANCE ABUSE TREATMENT PROGRAMS.—
(a) An inmate who meets the criteria established by the department shall participate in substance abuse program services when such services are available. A right to substance abuse program services is not stated, intended, or otherwise implied by this chapter.
(b) Upon arrival at a department’s reception center for initial processing, each inmate shall be screened and assessed to determine if the inmate meets the department’s criteria for mandated participation in a substance-abuse program. Criteria for mandated substance abuse program services shall be based on:
1. The presence of a diagnosed psychoactive substance dependence or use disorder;
2. The severity of the addiction;
3. A history of criminal behavior related to substance abuse;
4. A recommendation by a sentencing authority for substance abuse program services;
5. Unsuccessful participation in community-based substance abuse services;
6. Sentencing by a drug court or drug division; and
7. Other classification or program criteria that the department finds will ensure security and optimal program placement.
(c) When selecting contract providers to administer substance abuse treatment programs, the department shall make every effort to consider qualified faith-based service groups on an equal basis with other private organizations.
(3) REPORTING REQUIREMENT.—The department shall, as part of its annual report, report the number of random and reasonable suspicion substance abuse tests administered in the fiscal year, the number of positive results obtained, the number of negative results obtained, the number of inmates requesting and participating in substance abuse treatment programs as the result of a positive random or reasonable suspicion substance abuse test, and the number of repeat substance abuse offenders.
History.—s. 20, ch. 92-310; s. 17, ch. 97-78; s. 4, ch. 2001-110.
944.4731 Addiction-Recovery Supervision Program.—
(1) This section may be cited as the “Addiction-Recovery Supervision Program Act.”
(2)(a) Any offender released from a state correctional facility who is convicted of a crime committed on or after July 1, 2001, must be given addiction-recovery supervision if the offender has:
1. A history of substance abuse or addiction;
2. Participated in any drug treatment;
3. No current or previous convictions for a violent offense;
4. No current or previous convictions for drug trafficking or for the unlawful sale of a controlled substance;
5. No current or previous convictions for a property offense, except for a conviction for:
a. Passing worthless checks, forgery, uttering, or counterfeiting;
b. Third degree felony grand theft, excluding a theft relating to firearms; or
c. Third degree felony burglary of an unoccupied structure or conveyance; and
6. No current or previous conviction for a traffic offense involving injury or death.
(b) An offender released under addiction-recovery supervision shall be subject to specified terms and conditions, including payment of the costs of supervision under s. 948.09 and any other court-ordered payments, such as child support and restitution. If an offender has received a term of probation or community control to be served after release from incarceration, the period of probation or community control may not be substituted for addiction-recovery supervision and shall follow the term of addiction-recovery supervision. A panel of not fewer than two commissioners shall establish the terms and conditions of supervision, and the terms and conditions must be included in the supervision order. In setting the terms and conditions of supervision, the commission shall weigh heavily the program requirements, including, but not limited to, work at paid employment while participating in treatment and traveling restrictions. The commission shall also determine whether an offender violates the terms and conditions of supervision and whether a violation warrants revocation of addiction-recovery supervision pursuant to s. 947.141. The commission shall review the offender’s record for the purpose of establishing the terms and conditions of supervision. The commission may impose any special conditions it considers warranted from its review of the record. The length of supervision may not exceed the maximum penalty imposed by the court.
(c) The Legislature finds that offenders released from state prison into the community who meet the criteria for participating in the addiction-recovery supervision program possess the greatest potential for successful substance abuse recovery through treatment and transition assistance.
(3)(a) Each fiscal year, and contingent upon funding, the department shall enter into contracts with multiple providers who are private organizations, including faith-based service groups, to operate substance abuse transition housing programs, including providers that:
1. Provide postrelease housing, programming, treatment, and other transitional services;
2. Emphasize job placement and gainful employment for program participants;
3. Provide a curriculum related to substance abuse treatment which uses a cognitive behavior model or 12-step model of addiction recovery;
4. Provide for a length of stay of not more than 12 months; and
5. Use community volunteers in operating the program to the greatest extent possible.
(b) The department shall allow providers to use innovative approaches to treatment and shall authorize a high level of flexibility in operating a program. The department shall ensure that an offender’s faith orientation, or lack thereof, will not be considered in determining admission to a faith-based program and that the program does not attempt to convert an offender toward a particular faith or religious preference.
(4) When facilitating job placement for an offender under this program, the provider shall make every effort to secure suitable employment that provides adequate wages, a potential for advancement, and a likelihood of stable and long-term employment. To measure the success of postrelease job placement, the department shall, as part of its annual report, track for 1 year offenders who successfully complete the program and shall determine their employment status.
(5) Each contract entered into under this section for operating a substance abuse transition housing program must invite innovation, minimize bureaucracy, and permit the private organization or faith-based provider to petition the department to waive any rule, policy, or procedure that is inconsistent with the mission of the private organization or faith-based provider.
(6) Six months before an offender is released, the chaplain and transition assistance specialist at the institution where the offender is incarcerated shall initiate the prerelease screening process in addition to the basic release orientation required under s. 944.705.
(a) The transition assistance specialist and the chaplain shall provide a list of contracted private providers, including faith-based providers, to the offender and facilitate the application process. The transition assistance specialist shall inform the offender of program availability and assess the offender’s need and suitability for substance abuse transition housing assistance. If an offender is approved for placement, the specialist shall assist the offender and coordinate the release of the offender with the selected program. If an offender requests and is approved for placement in a contracted faith-based substance abuse transition housing program, the specialist must consult with the chaplain prior to such placement. A right to substance abuse program services is not stated, intended, or otherwise implied by this section.
(b) If an offender has participated in a faith-based program while incarcerated or housed at a community correctional center and the same or a similar faith-based provider offers a contracted substance abuse transition housing program, the department shall make every attempt to maintain this continuum of care.
(7) While participating in a substance abuse transition housing program, an offender shall:
(a) Adhere to all conditions of supervision enforced by the commission and the program provider. Failure to comply with such rules or conditions may result in revocation of supervision pursuant to s. 947.141.
(b) Pay fees to defray program costs, costs of supervision required under s. 948.09, and any restitution or obligations for child support.
(c) Participate in a cognitive behavior model or 12-step model of recovery.
(8) The commission may adopt rules pursuant to ss. 120.536(1) and 120.54 as necessary for administering this section.
History.—s. 5, ch. 2001-110; s. 39, ch. 2004-373; s. 35, ch. 2014-191; s. 89, ch. 2016-10; s. 132, ch. 2019-167.
944.474 Legislative intent; employee wellness program; drug and alcohol testing.—
(1) It is the intent of the Legislature that the state correctional system provide a safe and secure environment for both inmates and staff. A healthy workforce is a productive workforce, and security of the state correctional system can best be provided by strong and healthy employees. The Department of Corrections may develop and implement an employee wellness program. The program may include, but is not limited to, wellness education, smoking cessation, nutritional education, and overall health-risk reduction, including the effects of using drugs and alcohol.
(2) An employee of the department may not test positive for illegal use of controlled substances. An employee of the department may not be under the influence of alcohol while on duty. In order to ensure that these prohibitions are adhered to by all employees of the department and notwithstanding s. 112.0455, the department may develop a program for the drug testing of all job applicants and for the random drug testing of all employees. The department may randomly evaluate employees for the contemporaneous use or influence of alcohol through the use of alcohol tests and observation methods. Notwithstanding s. 112.0455, the department may develop a program for the reasonable suspicion drug testing of employees who are in mandatory-testing positions, as defined in s. 440.102(1)(o), or special risk positions, as defined in s. 112.0455(5), for the controlled substances listed in s. 893.03(3)(d). The reasonable suspicion drug testing authorized by this subsection shall be conducted in accordance with s. 112.0455, but may also include testing upon reasonable suspicion based on violent acts or violent behavior of an employee who is on or off duty. The department shall adopt rules pursuant to ss. 120.536(1) and 120.54 that are necessary to administer this subsection.
History.—s. 9, ch. 96-312; s. 1, ch. 2006-116; s. 40, ch. 2010-117; s. 3, ch. 2012-8; s. 34, ch. 2016-105.
944.48 Service of sentence.—Whenever any prisoner is convicted under the provisions of ss. 944.44-944.47, the punishment of imprisonment imposed shall be served consecutively to any former sentence imposed upon any prisoner convicted hereunder.
History.—s. 8, ch. 57-313; s. 96, ch. 2018-110.
944.485 Subsistence fees with respect to certain prisoners; time of adoption; requirements.—
(1) In recognition of the fact that many prisoners in the correctional system have sources of income and assets outside of the correctional system, which may include bank accounts, inheritances, real estate, social security payments, veteran’s payments, and other types of financial resources, and in recognition of the fact that the daily subsistence cost of incarcerating prisoners in the correctional system is a great burden on the taxpayers of the state, each prisoner in the state correctional system, except those who have entered into an agreement under s. 947.135 prior to October 1, 1978:
(a) Shall disclose all revenue or assets as a condition of parole or other release eligibility.
(b) Shall pay from such income and assets, except where such income is exempt by state or federal law, all or a fair portion of the prisoner’s daily subsistence costs, based upon the inmate’s ability to pay, the liability or potential liability of the inmate to the victim or the guardian or the estate of the victim, and the needs of his or her dependents.
(2)(a) Any prisoner who is directed to pay all or a fair portion of daily subsistence costs is entitled to reasonable advance notice of the assessment and shall be afforded an opportunity to present reasons for opposition to the assessment.
(b) An order directing payment of all or a fair portion of a prisoner’s daily subsistence costs may survive against the estate of the prisoner.
History.—s. 1, ch. 78-441; s. 1, ch. 92-298; s. 1652, ch. 97-102.
944.512 State lien on proceeds from literary or other type of account of crime for which convicted.—
(1) A lien prior in dignity to all others shall exist in favor of the state upon royalties, commissions, proceeds of sale, or any other thing of value payable to or accruing to a convicted felon or a person on her or his behalf, including any person to whom the proceeds may be transferred or assigned by gift or otherwise, from any literary, cinematic, or other account of the crime for which she or he was convicted. A conviction shall be defined as a guilty verdict by a jury or judge, or a guilty or nolo contendere plea by the defendant, regardless of adjudication of guilt. The lien shall attach at the time of the conviction in county or circuit court. In the event of an appeal, the funds will be held in the Revolving Escrow Trust Fund of the Department of Legal Affairs until the appeal is resolved.
(2) The proceeds of such account shall be distributed in the following order:
(a) Twenty-five percent to the dependents of the convicted felon. If there are no dependents, this portion shall be distributed to the Crimes Compensation Trust Fund to be distributed as awards for crime victims.
(b) Twenty-five percent to the victim or victims of the crime or to their dependents, to the extent of their damages as determined by the court in the lien enforcement proceedings. If there are no victims or dependents, or if their damages are less than 25 percent of the proceeds, this portion, or its remainder, shall be distributed to the Crimes Compensation Trust Fund to be distributed as awards to crime victims.
(c) After payments have been made pursuant to paragraph (a) or paragraph (b), an amount equal to pay all court costs in the prosecution of the convicted felon, which shall include, but not be limited to, jury fees and expenses, court reporter fees, and reasonable per diem for the prosecuting attorneys for the state, shall go to the General Revenue Fund. Additional costs shall be assessed for the computed per capita cost of imprisonment or supervision by the state or county correctional system. Such costs shall be determined and certified by the prosecuting attorney and the imprisoning entity and subject to review by the Auditor General.
(d) The rest, residue, and remainder to the Crimes Compensation Trust Fund to be distributed as awards to crime victims.
(3) A judge may place a lien prior in dignity to all others in favor of the state or county upon any financial settlement payable to or accruing to a convicted offender or person on her or his behalf, as a result of injury incurred during or at the time of a violation of the state law, or as a result of an attempt to flee apprehension for the offense for which the offender was convicted. A conviction is defined as in subsection (1). The lien shall be attached by order of the judge at the time of the conviction in county or circuit court. In the event of an appeal, the funds shall be held in the Revolving Escrow Trust Fund of the Department of Legal Affairs until the appeal is resolved.
(4) The proceeds of such account shall be distributed in the following order:
(a) Payment of all medical care, treatment, hospitalization, and transportation resulting from said injury.
(b) Payment to the victim or victims of the crime or to their dependents, to the extent of their damages as determined by the court in the lien enforcement proceeding.
(c) Payment of all court costs in the prosecution of the convicted felon, which shall include, but not be limited to, jury fees and expense, court reporter fees, and reasonable per diem for the prosecuting attorneys and public defenders.
(d) Payment of cost of incarceration in state or county facilities.
(e) The rest, residue, remainder to the injured party.
(5) The department is hereby authorized and directed to report to the Department of Legal Affairs the existence or reasonably expected existence of circumstances which would be covered by this section. Upon such notification, the Department of Legal Affairs is authorized and directed to take such legal action as is necessary to perfect and enforce the lien created by this section.
History.—ss. 1, 2, 3, ch. 77-45; s. 73, ch. 79-3; s. 302, ch. 79-400; s. 8, ch. 88-96; s. 18, ch. 90-211; s. 1653, ch. 97-102; s. 130, ch. 2001-266.
944.516 Money or other property received for personal use or benefit of inmate; deposit; disposition of unclaimed trust funds.—The Department of Corrections shall protect the financial interest of the state with respect to claims which the state may have against inmates in state institutions under its supervision and control and shall administer money and other property received for the personal benefit of such inmates. In carrying out the provisions of this section, the department may delegate any of its enumerated powers and duties affecting inmates of an institution to the warden or regional director who shall personally, or through designated employees of his or her personal staff under his or her direct supervision, exercise such powers or perform such duties.
(1) The Department of Corrections may:
(a) Accept and administer as a trust any money or other property received for the personal use or benefit of any inmate.
(b) Deposit money so received in banks qualified as state depositories.
(c) Withdraw any such money and use it to meet the current needs of the inmate as they may exist from time to time.
(d) As trustee, invest in the manner authorized by law for fiduciaries such moneys not required to be used for current needs of the inmate.
(e) Commingle such moneys for the purpose of deposit or investment.
(f) Use interest earned from investments to replace any funds belonging to an inmate which have been stolen, lost, or otherwise misappropriated from the inmate’s trust account through no fault of the state and which cannot be replaced by appropriated funds, insurance payments, or other available resources. Such use of interest may be made only if, pursuant to a thorough investigation as part of the normal auditing process, the internal auditor of the department recommends in a written report that such use is appropriate. The report may also recommend other action, including prosecution, with respect to any missing funds. If the internal auditor of the department concludes that the department is at fault, the loss shall be replaced out of department funds; interest from the inmate trust fund may not be used to replace such loss.
(g) Establish, by rule, a limit on each inmate’s trust account, including the interest earned thereon, and deduct from any moneys in the inmate’s trust account exceeding that limit moneys sufficient to pay for the cost of postage of any mail sent by the inmate which postage the state is not constitutionally required to pay.
(h) Charge an administrative processing fee of up to $6 each month to inmates for banking services. Such fees shall be deposited into the department’s Grants and Donations Trust Fund and shall be used to offset the cost of the department’s operations. If the inmate account has a zero balance at the end of the billing cycle, a hold will be established to collect the processing fee when available.
(2) The department shall require documentation through an accounting of receipts for expenditures by inmates placed on extended limits of confinement pursuant to s. 945.091. However, the department may allow such inmates an amount up to $25 per week which may not require documentation and which may be used for discretionary needs. The $25 per week may be increased by $5 biennially, beginning in fiscal year 1985-1986, up to a total of $50.
(3) Moneys received by the department in payment of claims of the state against inmates shall be transmitted to the Chief Financial Officer for deposit into the General Revenue Fund.
(4) Upon the death of any inmate in an institution affected by the provisions of this section, any unclaimed money held for the inmate in trust by the department or by the Chief Financial Officer shall be applied first to the payment of any unpaid state claim against the inmate, and any balance remaining unclaimed for a period of 1 year shall escheat to the state as unclaimed funds held by fiduciaries.
(5) When an inmate is transferred between department facilities, is released from the custody of the department, dies, or escapes during incarceration, and the inmate has an unexpended inmate trust fund account balance of less than $1, that balance shall be transferred to the State-Operated Institutions Inmate Welfare Trust Fund or, as provided in s. 945.215(2)(b), into the General Revenue Fund.
History.—s. 1, ch. 81-315; s. 1, ch. 84-100; s. 7, ch. 85-288; s. 24, ch. 90-337; s. 19, ch. 95-283; s. 1654, ch. 97-102; s. 17, ch. 2000-161; s. 7, ch. 2003-179; s. 1929, ch. 2003-261; s. 21, ch. 2004-248; s. 1, ch. 2020-98; s. 3, ch. 2023-244.
944.52 Legal adviser.—The Department of Legal Affairs shall be the legal adviser of the Department of Corrections.
History.—s. 42, ch. 57-121; s. 18, ch. 61-530; ss. 11, 35, ch. 69-106; s. 63, ch. 77-120; s. 74, ch. 79-3.
944.596 Transfer of convicted foreign citizens or nationals under treaty.—When a treaty is in effect between the United States and a foreign country providing for the transfer of a convicted offender who is a citizen or national of a foreign country to the foreign country of which she or he is a citizen or national, the Governor or the Governor’s designee is authorized, subject to the terms of such treaty, to consent to the transfer of such convicted offender.
History.—s. 1, ch. 79-75; s. 1655, ch. 97-102.
944.597 Transportation and return of prisoners by private transport company.—
(1) The department is authorized to contract with private transport companies for the transportation of prisoners both within and beyond the limits of this state. Each prisoner shall be taken into custody by the transport company for the purpose of transportation and then delivered by the same transport company to the proper law enforcement official upon arriving at the point of destination. Any private transport company transporting a prisoner pursuant to this section shall be considered an independent contractor and shall be solely liable for the prisoner while she or he is in the custody of such company.
(2) The department shall include, but is not limited to, the following requirements in any contract with any transport company:
(a) That the transport company shall maintain adequate liability coverage with respect to the transportation of prisoners.
(b) That the transport company shall require its employees to complete at least 100 hours of training before transporting prisoners. The curriculum for such training must be approved by the department and include instruction in:
1. Use of restraints;
2. Searches of prisoners;
3. Use of force, including use of appropriate weapons and firearms;
4. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation;
5. Map reading; and
6. Defensive driving.
(c) That the transport company shall adhere to standards which provide for humane treatment of prisoners while in the custody of the transport company.
(d) That the transport company shall submit reports to the department regarding incidents of escape, use of force, and accidents involving prisoners in the custody of the transport company.
(3) Any company providing transport of inmates, pursuant to this section shall hold a Class “B” license pursuant to chapter 493, and any employee of such a company shall hold a Class “D” and Class “G” license pursuant to chapter 493.
(4) The department shall advertise for and receive competitive bids for the transportation of prisoners and award the contract to the lowest and best bidder.
History.—s. 7, ch. 85-340; s. 1656, ch. 97-102; s. 5, ch. 2017-31.
944.602 Agency notification before release of intellectually disabled inmates.—Before the release by parole, release by reason of gain-time allowances provided for in s. 944.291, or expiration of sentence of any inmate who has been diagnosed as having an intellectual disability as defined in s. 393.063, the Department of Corrections shall notify the Agency for Persons with Disabilities in order that sufficient time be allowed to notify the inmate or the inmate’s representative, in writing, at least 7 days before the inmate’s release, of available community services.
History.—s. 8, ch. 83-274; s. 1657, ch. 97-102; s. 311, ch. 99-8; s. 64, ch. 2006-227; s. 40, ch. 2013-162.
944.605 Inmate release; notification; identification card.—
(1) Within 6 months before the release of an inmate from the custody of the Department of Corrections or a contractor-operated correctional facility by expiration of sentence under s. 944.275, any release program provided by law, or parole under chapter 947, or as soon as possible if the offender is released earlier than anticipated, notification of such anticipated release date shall be made known by the Department of Corrections to the chief judge of the circuit in which the offender was sentenced, the appropriate state attorney, the original arresting law enforcement agency, the Department of Law Enforcement, and the sheriff as chief law enforcement officer of the county in which the inmate plans to reside. In addition, unless otherwise requested by the victim, the victim’s parent or guardian if the victim is a minor, the lawful representative of the victim or of the victim’s parent or guardian if the victim is a minor, the victim’s next of kin in the case of a homicide, the state attorney or the Department of Corrections, whichever is appropriate, shall notify such person within 6 months before the inmate’s release, or as soon as possible if the offender is released earlier than anticipated, when the name and address of such victim, or the name and address of the parent, guardian, next of kin, or lawful representative of the victim has been furnished to the agency. The state attorney shall provide the latest address documented for the victim, or for the victim’s parent, guardian, next of kin, or lawful representative, as applicable, to the sheriff with the other documents required by law for the delivery of inmates to those agencies for service of sentence. Upon request, within 30 days after an inmate is approved for community work release, the state attorney, the victim, the victim’s parent or guardian if the victim is a minor, the victim’s next of kin in the case of a homicide, or the lawful representative of the victim or of the victim’s parent or guardian if the victim is a minor shall be notified that the inmate has been approved for community work release. This section does not imply any repeal or modification of any provision of law relating to notification of victims.
(2) Within 60 days before the anticipated release of an inmate under subsection (1), a digitized photograph of the inmate to be released shall be made by the Department of Corrections or a contractor-operated correctional facility, whichever has custody of the inmate. If a contractor-operated correctional facility makes the digitized photograph, this photograph shall be provided to the Department of Corrections. Additionally, the digitized photograph, whether made by the Department of Corrections or a contractor-operated correctional facility, shall be placed in the inmate’s file. The Department of Corrections shall make the digitized photograph available electronically to the Department of Law Enforcement as soon as the digitized photograph is in the department’s database and must be in a format that is compatible with the requirements of the Florida Crime Information Center. The department shall provide a copy of the digitized photograph to a local law enforcement agency upon request.
(3)(a) If an inmate is to be released after having served one or more sentences for a conviction of robbery, sexual battery, home-invasion robbery, or carjacking, or an inmate to be released has a prior conviction for robbery, sexual battery, home-invasion robbery, or carjacking or similar offense, in this state or in another jurisdiction, and if such prior conviction information is contained in department records, the department shall release to the sheriff of the county in which the inmate plans to reside, and, if the inmate plans to reside within a municipality, to the chief of police of that municipality, the following information, which must include, but need not be limited to:
1. Name.
2. Social security number.
3. Date of birth.
4. Race.
5. Sex.
6. Height.
7. Weight.
8. Hair and eye color.
9. Tattoos or other identifying marks.
10. Fingerprints.
11. A digitized photograph as provided in subsection (2).
The department shall release the information specified in this paragraph within 6 months prior to the discharge of the inmate from the custody of the department.
(b) The department may electronically submit the information listed in paragraph (a) to the sheriff of the county in which the inmate plans to reside, and, if the inmate plans to reside within a municipality, to the chief of police of that municipality.
(4) An inmate who refuses to submit to the taking of a digitized photograph commits a felony of the third degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084.
(5) The department shall, at least 10 days before the anticipated date of release on work release of an inmate, notify in writing the county law enforcement agency in the county in this state in which the inmate is scheduled to be released.
(6) Upon request of the victim, the personal representative of the victim, or the state attorney, the department shall notify the requesting person when an inmate has been approved for community work release within 30 days after the date of approval.
(7)(a) The department, working in conjunction with the Department of Health and the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, shall provide every Florida-born inmate with a certified copy of his or her birth certificate and a state identification card before the inmate’s release upon expiration of his or her sentence. A replacement driver license shall be provided in lieu of a state identification card when an inmate has a valid state driver license issued by the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles which was lost, stolen, or destroyed.
(b) Paragraph (a) does not apply to inmates who:
1. The department determines have a valid driver license or state identification card, except that the department shall provide these inmates with a replacement state identification card or replacement driver license, if necessary.
2. Have an active detainer, unless the department determines that cancellation of the detainer is likely or that the incarceration for which the detainer was issued will be less than 12 months in duration.
3. Are released due to an emergency release or a conditional medical release under s. 947.149.
4. Are not in the physical custody of the department at or within 180 days before release.
5. Are subject to sex offender residency restrictions, and who, upon release under such restrictions, do not have a qualifying address.
(c) The department shall assist each inmate in applying for and obtaining a social security card before release if the inmate needs a social security card.
(d) The department, for purposes of assisting the inmate in obtaining a birth certificate, shall submit to the Department of Health on all Florida-born inmates in its custody, the department’s inmate photo or digitized photo, and as provided by the inmate his or her date of birth, full name at birth and any subsequent legal name changes, city or county of birth, mother’s full name including her maiden surname, and father’s full name.
(e) For inmates born outside of this state, the department shall assist the inmate in completing the necessary forms or applications to obtain a social security card, driver license, or state identification card. The department shall also provide the inmate with the location and address of the appropriate licensing authority the inmate will need to obtain a valid identification card in proximity to the inmate’s release address.
(f) The department shall, as part of its annual report, provide a report that identifies the number of inmates released with and without identification cards, identifies any impediments in the implementation of this subsection, and provides recommendations to improve obtaining release documents and identification cards for all inmates.
History.—s. 3, ch. 85-107; s. 9, ch. 88-96; s. 54, ch. 88-122; s. 1, ch. 91-65; s. 22, ch. 91-225; s. 2, ch. 92-76; s. 35, ch. 96-312; s. 10, ch. 97-299; s. 9, ch. 98-81; s. 3, ch. 2001-124; s. 1, ch. 2001-209; s. 9, ch. 2010-64; s. 4, ch. 2014-193; s. 22, ch. 2024-84.
944.606 Sexual offenders; notification upon release.—
(1) As used in this section, the term:
(a) “Convicted” means there has been a determination of guilt as a result of a trial or the entry of a plea of guilty or nolo contendere, regardless of whether adjudication is withheld. A conviction for a similar offense includes, but is not limited to, a conviction by a federal or military tribunal, including courts-martial conducted by the Armed Forces of the United States, and includes a conviction or entry of a plea of guilty or nolo contendere resulting in a sanction in any state of the United States or other jurisdiction. A sanction includes, but is not limited to, a fine; probation; community control; parole; conditional release; control release; or incarceration in a state prison, federal prison, contractor-operated correctional facility, or local detention facility.
(b) “Electronic mail address” has the same meaning as provided in s. 668.602.
(c) “Internet identifier” has the same meaning as provided in s. 775.21.
(d) “Permanent residence,” “temporary residence,” and “transient residence” have the same meaning as provided in s. 775.21.
(e) “Professional license” has the same meaning as provided in s. 775.21.
(f) “Sexual offender” means a person who has been convicted of committing, or attempting, soliciting, or conspiring to commit, any of the criminal offenses proscribed in the following statutes in this state or similar offenses in another jurisdiction: s. 393.135(2); s. 394.4593(2); s. 787.01, s. 787.02, or s. 787.025(2)(c), where the victim is a minor; s. 787.06(3)(b), (d), (f), or (g); former s. 787.06(3)(h); s. 794.011, excluding s. 794.011(10); s. 794.05; former s. 796.03; former s. 796.035; s. 800.04; s. 810.145(8); s. 825.1025; s. 827.071; s. 847.0133; s. 847.0135, excluding s. 847.0135(6); s. 847.0137; s. 847.0138; s. 847.0145; s. 895.03, if the court makes a written finding that the racketeering activity involved at least one sexual offense listed in this paragraph or at least one offense listed in this paragraph with sexual intent or motive; s. 916.1075(2); or s. 985.701(1); or any similar offense committed in this state which has been redesignated from a former statute number to one of those listed in this subsection, when the department has received verified information regarding such conviction; an offender’s computerized criminal history record is not, in and of itself, verified information.
(2) The Legislature finds that sexual offenders, especially those who have committed their offenses against minors, often pose a high risk of engaging in sexual offenses even after being released from incarceration or commitment and that protection of the public from sexual offenders is a paramount governmental interest. Sexual offenders have a reduced expectation of privacy because of the public’s interest in public safety and in the effective operation of government. Releasing sexual offender information to law enforcement agencies and to persons who request such information, and releasing such information to the public by a law enforcement agency or public agency, will further the governmental interests of public safety.
(3)(a) The department shall provide information regarding any sexual offender who is being released after serving a period of incarceration for any offense, as follows:
1. The department shall provide: the sexual offender’s name, any change in the offender’s name by reason of marriage or other legal process, and any alias, if known; the correctional facility from which the sexual offender is released; the sexual offender’s social security number, race, sex, date of birth, height, weight, and hair and eye color; tattoos or other identifying marks; address of any planned permanent residence or temporary residence, within the state or out of state, including a rural route address and a post office box; if no permanent or temporary address, any transient residence within the state; address, location or description, and dates of any known future temporary residence within the state or out of state; date and county of sentence and each crime for which the offender was sentenced; a copy of the offender’s fingerprints, palm prints, and a digitized photograph taken within 60 days before release; the date of release of the sexual offender; all electronic mail addresses and all Internet identifiers required to be provided pursuant to s. 943.0435(4)(e); employment information, if known, provided pursuant to s. 943.0435(4)(e); all home telephone numbers and cellular telephone numbers required to be provided pursuant to s. 943.0435(4)(e); information about any professional licenses the offender has, if known; and passport information, if he or she has a passport, and, if he or she is an alien, information about documents establishing his or her immigration status. The department shall notify the Department of Law Enforcement if the sexual offender escapes, absconds, or dies. If the sexual offender is in the custody of a contractor-operated correctional facility, the facility shall take the digitized photograph of the sexual offender within 60 days before the sexual offender’s release and provide this photograph to the Department of Corrections and also place it in the sexual offender’s file. If the sexual offender is in the custody of a local jail, the custodian of the local jail shall register the offender within 3 business days after intake of the offender for any reason and upon release, and shall notify the Department of Law Enforcement of the sexual offender’s release and provide to the Department of Law Enforcement the information specified in this paragraph and any information specified in subparagraph 2. that the Department of Law Enforcement requests.
2. The department may provide any other information deemed necessary, including criminal and corrections records, nonprivileged personnel and treatment records, when available.
(b) The department must provide the information described in subparagraph (a)1. to:
1. The sheriff of the county from where the sexual offender was sentenced;
2. The sheriff of the county and, if applicable, the police chief of the municipality, where the sexual offender plans to reside;
3. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement;
4. When requested, the victim of the offense, the victim’s parent or legal guardian if the victim is a minor, the lawful representative of the victim or of the victim’s parent or guardian if the victim is a minor, or the next of kin if the victim is a homicide victim; and
5. Any person who requests such information,
either within 6 months prior to the anticipated release of a sexual offender, or as soon as possible if an offender is released earlier than anticipated. All such information provided to the Department of Law Enforcement must be available electronically as soon as the information is in the agency’s database and must be in a format that is compatible with the requirements of the Florida Crime Information Center.
(c) Upon request, the department must provide the information described in subparagraph (a)2. to:
1. The sheriff of the county from where the sexual offender was sentenced; and
2. The sheriff of the county and, if applicable, the police chief of the municipality, where the sexual offender plans to reside,
either within 6 months prior to the anticipated release of a sexual offender, or as soon as possible if an offender is released earlier than anticipated.
(d) Upon receiving information regarding a sexual offender from the department, the Department of Law Enforcement, the sheriff or the chief of police shall provide the information described in subparagraph (a)1. to any individual who requests such information and may release the information to the public in any manner deemed appropriate, unless the information so received is confidential or exempt from s. 119.07(1) and s. 24(a), Art. I of the State Constitution.
(4) This section authorizes the department or any law enforcement agency to notify the community and the public of a sexual offender’s presence in the community. However, with respect to a sexual offender who has been found to be a “sexual predator” under chapter 775, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement or any other law enforcement agency must inform the community and the public of the sexual predator’s presence in the community, as provided in chapter 775.
(5) An elected or appointed official, public employee, school administrator or employee, or agency, or any individual or entity acting at the request or upon the direction of any law enforcement agency, is immune from civil liability for damages resulting from the release of information under this section.
History.—s. 3, ch. 92-76; s. 20, ch. 95-283; s. 10, ch. 96-312; s. 65, ch. 96-388; s. 11, ch. 97-299; s. 10, ch. 98-81; s. 119, ch. 99-3; s. 10, ch. 99-201; s. 4, ch. 2000-207; s. 3, ch. 2000-246; s. 5, ch. 2001-209; s. 5, ch. 2002-58; s. 3, ch. 2004-371; s. 4, ch. 2006-200; s. 5, ch. 2006-299; s. 161, ch. 2007-5; s. 11, ch. 2007-143; s. 6, ch. 2007-209; s. 4, ch. 2009-194; s. 7, ch. 2010-92; s. 5, ch. 2012-19; s. 12, ch. 2012-97; s. 8, ch. 2014-5; s. 29, ch. 2014-160; s. 11, ch. 2016-24; s. 5, ch. 2016-104; ss. 4, 8, ch. 2017-170; s. 10, ch. 2021-189; s. 3, ch. 2024-73; s. 23, ch. 2024-84.
944.607 Notification to Department of Law Enforcement of information on sexual offenders.—
(1) As used in this section, the term:
(a) “Change in status at an institution of higher education” has the same meaning as provided in s. 775.21.
(b) “Conviction” means a determination of guilt which is the result of a trial or the entry of a plea of guilty or nolo contendere, regardless of whether adjudication is withheld. Conviction of a similar offense includes, but is not limited to, a conviction by a federal or military tribunal, including courts-martial conducted by the Armed Forces of the United States, and includes a conviction or entry of a plea of guilty or nolo contendere resulting in a sanction in any state of the United States or other jurisdiction. A sanction includes, but is not limited to, a fine; probation; community control; parole; conditional release; control release; or incarceration in a state prison, federal prison, contractor-operated correctional facility, or local detention facility.
(c) “Electronic mail address” has the same meaning as provided in s. 668.602.
(d) “Institution of higher education” has the same meaning as provided in s. 775.21.
(e) “Internet identifier” has the same meaning as provided in s. 775.21.
(f) “Sexual offender” means a person who is in the custody or control of, or under the supervision of, the department or is in the custody of a contractor-operated correctional facility:
1. On or after October 1, 1997, as a result of a conviction for committing, or attempting, soliciting, or conspiring to commit, any of the criminal offenses proscribed in the following statutes in this state or similar offenses in another jurisdiction: s. 393.135(2); s. 394.4593(2); s. 787.01, s. 787.02, or s. 787.025(2)(c), where the victim is a minor; s. 787.06(3)(b), (d), (f), or (g); former s. 787.06(3)(h); s. 794.011, excluding s. 794.011(10); s. 794.05; former s. 796.03; former s. 796.035; s. 800.04; s. 810.145(8); s. 825.1025; s. 827.071; s. 847.0133; s. 847.0135, excluding s. 847.0135(6); s. 847.0137; s. 847.0138; s. 847.0145; s. 895.03, if the court makes a written finding that the racketeering activity involved at least one sexual offense listed in this subparagraph or at least one offense listed in this subparagraph with sexual intent or motive; s. 916.1075(2); or s. 985.701(1); or any similar offense committed in this state which has been redesignated from a former statute number to one of those listed in this paragraph; or
2. Who establishes or maintains a residence in this state and who has not been designated as a sexual predator by a court of this state but who has been designated as a sexual predator, as a sexually violent predator, or by another sexual offender designation in another state or jurisdiction and was, as a result of such designation, subjected to registration or community or public notification, or both, or would be if the person were a resident of that state or jurisdiction, without regard as to whether the person otherwise meets the criteria for registration as a sexual offender.
(g) “Vehicles owned” has the same meaning as provided in s. 775.21.
(2) The clerk of the court of that court which convicted and sentenced the sexual offender for the offense or offenses described in subsection (1) shall forward to the department and the Department of Law Enforcement a certified copy of any order entered by the court imposing any special condition or restriction on the sexual offender which restricts or prohibits access to the victim, if the victim is a minor, or to other minors. The Department of Law Enforcement may include on its Internet site such special conditions or restrictions.
(3) If a sexual offender is not sentenced to a term of imprisonment, the clerk of the court shall ensure that the sexual offender’s fingerprints are taken and forwarded to the Department of Law Enforcement within 48 hours after the court sentences the offender. The fingerprints shall be clearly marked “Sexual Offender Registration.”
(4) A sexual offender, as described in this section, who is under the supervision of the Department of Corrections but is not incarcerated shall register with the Department of Corrections within 3 business days after sentencing for a registrable offense and otherwise provide information as required by this subsection.
(a) The sexual offender shall provide his or her name; date of birth; social security number; race; sex; height; weight; hair and eye color; tattoos or other identifying marks; all electronic mail addresses and Internet identifiers required to be provided pursuant to s. 943.0435(4)(e); employment information required to be provided pursuant to s. 943.0435(4)(e); all home telephone numbers and cellular telephone numbers required to be provided pursuant to s. 943.0435(4)(e); the make, model, color, vehicle identification number (VIN), and license tag number of all vehicles owned; permanent or legal residence and address of temporary residence within the state or out of state while the sexual offender is under supervision in this state, including any rural route address or post office box; if no permanent or temporary address, any transient residence within the state; and address, location or description, and dates of any current or known future temporary residence within the state or out of state. The sexual offender shall also produce his or her passport, if he or she has a passport, and, if he or she is an alien, shall produce or provide information about documents establishing his or her immigration status. The sexual offender shall also provide information about any professional licenses he or she has. The Department of Corrections shall verify the address of each sexual offender in the manner described in ss. 775.21 and 943.0435. The department shall report to the Department of Law Enforcement any failure by a sexual predator or sexual offender to comply with registration requirements.
(b) If the sexual offender is enrolled or employed, whether for compensation or as a volunteer, at an institution of higher education in this state, the sexual offender shall provide the name, address, and county of each institution, including each campus attended, and the sexual offender’s enrollment, volunteer, or employment status required to be provided pursuant to s. 943.0435(4)(e). Each change in status at an institution of higher education must be reported to the department within 48 hours after the change in status at an institution of higher education as provided pursuant to s. 943.0435(4)(e). The Department of Corrections shall promptly notify each institution of the sexual offender’s presence and any change in the sexual offender’s enrollment, volunteer, or employment status.
(c) A sexual offender shall report in person to the sheriff’s office within 48 hours after any change in vehicles owned to report those vehicle information changes.
(5) In addition to notification and transmittal requirements imposed by any other provision of law, the department shall compile information on any sexual offender and provide the information to the Department of Law Enforcement. The information shall be made available electronically to the Department of Law Enforcement as soon as this information is in the department’s database and must be in a format that is compatible with the requirements of the Florida Crime Information Center.
(6) The information provided to the Department of Law Enforcement must include:
(a) The information obtained from the sexual offender under subsection (4);
(b) The sexual offender’s most current address, place of permanent, temporary, or transient residence within the state or out of state, and address, location or description, and dates of any current or known future temporary residence within the state or out of state, while the sexual offender is under supervision in this state, including the name of the county or municipality in which the offender permanently or temporarily resides, or has a transient residence, and address, location or description, and dates of any current or known future temporary residence within the state or out of state, and, if known, the intended place of permanent, temporary, or transient residence, and address, location or description, and dates of any current or known future temporary residence within the state or out of state upon satisfaction of all sanctions;
(c) The legal status of the sexual offender and the scheduled termination date of that legal status;
(d) The location of, and local telephone number for, any Department of Corrections’ office that is responsible for supervising the sexual offender;
(e) An indication of whether the victim of the offense that resulted in the offender’s status as a sexual offender was a minor;
(f) The offense or offenses at conviction which resulted in the determination of the offender’s status as a sex offender; and
(g) A digitized photograph of the sexual offender which must have been taken within 60 days before the offender is released from the custody of the department or a contractor-operated correctional facility by expiration of sentence under s. 944.275 or must have been taken by January 1, 1998, or within 60 days after the onset of the department’s supervision of any sexual offender who is on probation, community control, conditional release, parole, provisional release, or control release or who is supervised by the department under the Interstate Compact Agreement for Probationers and Parolees. If the sexual offender is in the custody of a contractor-operated correctional facility, the facility shall take a digitized photograph of the sexual offender within the time period provided in this paragraph and shall provide the photograph to the department.
If any information provided by the department changes during the time the sexual offender is under the department’s control, custody, or supervision, including any change in the offender’s name by reason of marriage or other legal process, the department shall, in a timely manner, update the information and provide it to the Department of Law Enforcement in the manner prescribed in subsection (2).
(7) If the sexual offender is in the custody of a local jail, the custodian of the local jail shall register the offender within 3 business days after intake of the offender for any reason and upon release, and shall forward the information to the Department of Law Enforcement. The custodian of the local jail shall also take a digitized photograph of the sexual offender while the offender remains in custody and shall provide the digitized photograph to the Department of Law Enforcement.
(8) If the sexual offender is under federal supervision, the federal agency responsible for supervising the sexual offender may forward to the Department of Law Enforcement any information regarding the sexual offender which is consistent with the information provided by the department under this section, and may indicate whether use of the information is restricted to law enforcement purposes only or may be used by the Department of Law Enforcement for purposes of public notification.
(9) A sexual offender, as described in this section, who is under the supervision of the Department of Corrections but who is not incarcerated shall, in addition to the registration requirements provided in subsection (4), register and obtain a distinctive driver license or identification card in the manner provided in s. 943.0435(3), (4), and (5), unless the sexual offender is a sexual predator, in which case he or she shall register and obtain a distinctive driver license or identification card as required under s. 775.21. A sexual offender who fails to comply with the requirements of s. 943.0435 is subject to the penalties provided in s. 943.0435(9).
(10)(a) The failure of a sexual offender to submit to the taking of a digitized photograph, or to otherwise comply with the requirements of this section, is a felony of the third degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084.
(b) A sexual offender who commits any act or omission in violation of this section may be prosecuted for the act or omission in the county in which the act or omission was committed, the county of the last registered address of the sexual offender, or the county in which the conviction occurred for the offense or offenses that meet the criteria for designating a person as a sexual offender.
(c) An arrest on charges of failure to register when the offender has been provided and advised of his or her statutory obligations to register under s. 943.0435(2), the service of an information or a complaint for a violation of this section, or an arraignment on charges for a violation of this section constitutes actual notice of the duty to register. A sexual offender’s failure to immediately register as required by this section following such arrest, service, or arraignment constitutes grounds for a subsequent charge of failure to register. A sexual offender charged with the crime of failure to register who asserts, or intends to assert, a lack of notice of the duty to register as a defense to a charge of failure to register shall immediately register as required by this section. A sexual offender who is charged with a subsequent failure to register may not assert the defense of a lack of notice of the duty to register.
(d) Registration following such arrest, service, or arraignment is not a defense and does not relieve the sexual offender of criminal liability for the failure to register.
(11) The department, the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, the Department of Law Enforcement, the Department of Corrections, the Department of Juvenile Justice, personnel of those departments, and any individual or entity acting at the request or upon the direction of those departments are immune from civil liability for damages for good faith compliance with this section, and shall be presumed to have acted in good faith in compiling, recording, reporting, or providing information. The presumption of good faith is not overcome if technical or clerical errors are made by the department, the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, the Department of Law Enforcement, the Department of Juvenile Justice, personnel of those departments, or any individual or entity acting at the request or upon the direction of those departments in compiling, recording, reporting, or providing information, or, if the information is incomplete or incorrect because the information has not been provided by a person or agency required to provide the information, or because the information was not reported or was falsely reported.
(12) Any person who has reason to believe that a sexual offender is not complying, or has not complied, with the requirements of this section and who, with the intent to assist the sexual offender in eluding a law enforcement agency that is seeking to find the sexual offender to question the sexual offender about, or to arrest the sexual offender for, his or her noncompliance with the requirements of this section:
(a) Withholds information from, or does not notify, the law enforcement agency about the sexual offender’s noncompliance with the requirements of this section, and, if known, the whereabouts of the sexual offender;
(b) Harbors, or attempts to harbor, or assists another person in harboring or attempting to harbor, the sexual offender;
(c) Conceals or attempts to conceal, or assists another person in concealing or attempting to conceal, the sexual offender; or
(d) Provides information to the law enforcement agency regarding the sexual offender which the person knows to be false information,
commits a felony of the third degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084. This subsection does not apply if the sexual offender is incarcerated in or is in the custody of a state correctional facility, a contractor-operated correctional facility, a local jail, or a federal correctional facility.
(13)(a) A sexual offender must report in person each year during the month of the sexual offender’s birthday and during the sixth month following the sexual offender’s birth month to the sheriff’s office in the county in which he or she resides or is otherwise located to reregister.
(b) However, a sexual offender who is required to register as a result of a conviction for:
1. Section 787.01 or s. 787.02 where the victim is a minor;
2. Section 794.011, excluding s. 794.011(10);
3. Section 800.04(4)(a)2. where the victim is under 12 years of age or where the court finds sexual activity by the use of force or coercion;
4. Section 800.04(5)(b);
5. Section 800.04(5)(c)1. where the court finds molestation involving unclothed genitals or genital area;
6. Section 800.04(5)(c)2. where the court finds molestation involving use of force or coercion and unclothed genitals or genital area;
7. Section 800.04(5)(d) where the court finds the use of force or coercion and unclothed genitals or genital area;
8. Section 825.1025(2)(a);
9. Any attempt or conspiracy to commit such offense;
10. A violation of a similar law of another jurisdiction; or
11. A violation of a similar offense committed in this state which has been redesignated from a former statute number to one of those listed in this paragraph,
must reregister each year during the month of the sexual offender’s birthday and every third month thereafter.
(c) The sheriff’s office may determine the appropriate times and days for reporting by the sexual offender, which must be consistent with the reporting requirements of this subsection. Reregistration must include any changes to the following information:
1. Name; social security number; age; race; sex; date of birth; height; weight; tattoos or other identifying marks; hair and eye color; address of any permanent residence and address of any current temporary residence, within the state or out of state, including a rural route address and a post office box; if no permanent or temporary address, any transient residence; address, location or description, and dates of any current or known future temporary residence within the state or out of state; all electronic mail addresses and Internet identifiers required to be provided pursuant to s. 943.0435(4)(e); all home telephone numbers and cellular telephone numbers required to be provided pursuant to s. 943.0435(4)(e); employment information required to be provided pursuant to s. 943.0435(4)(e); the make, model, color, vehicle identification number (VIN), and license tag number of all vehicles owned; fingerprints; palm prints; and photograph. A post office box may not be provided in lieu of a physical residential address. The sexual offender shall also produce his or her passport, if he or she has a passport, and, if he or she is an alien, shall produce or provide information about documents establishing his or her immigration status. The sexual offender shall also provide information about any professional licenses he or she has.
2. If the sexual offender is enrolled or employed, whether for compensation or as a volunteer, at an institution of higher education in this state, the sexual offender shall also provide to the department the name, address, and county of each institution, including each campus attended, and the sexual offender’s enrollment, volunteer, or employment status.
3. If the sexual offender’s place of residence is a motor vehicle, trailer, mobile home, or manufactured home, as defined in chapter 320, the sexual offender shall also provide the vehicle identification number; the license tag number; the registration number; and a description, including color scheme, of the motor vehicle, trailer, mobile home, or manufactured home. If the sexual offender’s place of residence is a vessel, live-aboard vessel, or houseboat, as defined in chapter 327, the sexual offender shall also provide the hull identification number; the manufacturer’s serial number; the name of the vessel, live-aboard vessel, or houseboat; the registration number; and a description, including color scheme, of the vessel, live-aboard vessel or houseboat.
4. Any sexual offender who fails to report in person as required at the sheriff’s office, who fails to respond to any address verification correspondence from the department within 3 weeks of the date of the correspondence, who fails to report all electronic mail addresses or Internet identifiers before use, or who knowingly provides false registration information by act or omission commits a felony of the third degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084.
(d) The sheriff’s office shall, within 2 working days, electronically submit and update all information provided by the sexual offender to the Department of Law Enforcement in a manner prescribed by that department.
History.—s. 9, ch. 97-299; s. 11, ch. 98-81; s. 5, ch. 2000-207; s. 3, ch. 2000-246; s. 6, ch. 2002-58; s. 4, ch. 2004-371; s. 11, ch. 2005-28; s. 5, ch. 2006-200; s. 6, ch. 2006-299; s. 162, ch. 2007-5; s. 12, ch. 2007-143; s. 5, ch. 2007-207; s. 7, ch. 2007-209; s. 5, ch. 2009-194; s. 8, ch. 2010-92; s. 6, ch. 2012-19; s. 13, ch. 2012-97; s. 62, ch. 2013-116; s. 11, ch. 2014-4; s. 9, ch. 2014-5; s. 30, ch. 2014-160; ss. 12, 52, ch. 2016-24; ss. 6, 24, ch. 2016-104; ss. 5, 9, ch. 2017-170; s. 25, ch. 2021-156; s. 8, ch. 2024-73; s. 24, ch. 2024-84.
944.608 Notification to Department of Law Enforcement of information on career offenders.—
(1) As used in this section, the term “career offender” means a person who is in the custody or control of, or under the supervision of, the department or is in the custody or control of, or under the supervision of, a contractor-operated correctional facility, and who is designated as a habitual violent felony offender, a violent career criminal, or a three-time violent felony offender under s. 775.084 or as a prison releasee reoffender under s. 775.082(9).
(2) If a career offender is not sentenced to a term of imprisonment, the clerk of the court shall ensure that the career offender’s fingerprints are taken and forwarded to the Department of Law Enforcement within 48 hours after the court sentences the career offender. The fingerprints shall be clearly marked “Career Offender Registration.”
(3) A career offender who is under the supervision of the department but is not incarcerated must register with the department and provide his or her name; date of birth; social security number; race; gender; height; weight; hair and eye color; tattoos or other identifying marks; and permanent or legal residence and address of temporary residence within the state or out of state while the career offender is under supervision in this state, including any rural route address or post office box. The department shall verify the address of each career offender.
(4) In addition to notification and transmittal requirements imposed by any other provision of law, the department shall compile information on any career offender and provide the information to the Department of Law Enforcement. The information shall be made available electronically to the Department of Law Enforcement as soon as this information is in the department’s database and must be in a format that is compatible with the requirements of the Florida Crime Information Center.
(5) The information provided to the Department of Law Enforcement must include:
(a) The information obtained from the career offender under subsection (3);
(b) The career offender’s most current address and place of permanent and temporary residence within the state or out of state while the career offender is under supervision in this state, including the name of the county or municipality in which the career offender permanently or temporarily resides and, if known, the intended place of permanent or temporary residence upon satisfaction of all sanctions;
(c) The legal status of the career offender and the scheduled termination date of that legal status;
(d) The location of, and local telephone number for, any Department of Corrections’ office that is responsible for supervising the career offender; and
(e) A digitized photograph of the career offender, which must have been taken within 60 days before the career offender is released from the custody of the department or a contractor-operated correctional facility or within 60 days after the onset of the department’s supervision of any career offender who is on probation, community control, conditional release, parole, provisional release, or control release. If the career offender is in the custody or control of, or under the supervision of, a contractor-operated correctional facility, the facility shall take a digitized photograph of the career offender within the time period provided in this paragraph and shall provide the photograph to the department.
(6)(a) The department shall notify the Department of Law Enforcement if the career offender escapes, absconds, or dies while in the custody or control of, or under the supervision of, the department.
(b) If any information provided by the department changes during the time the career offender is under the department’s custody, control, or supervision, including any change in the career offender’s name by reason of marriage or other legal process, the department shall, in a timely manner, update the information and provide it to the Department of Law Enforcement in the manner prescribed in subsection (4).
(7) A career offender who is under the supervision of the department but who is not incarcerated shall, in addition to the registration requirements provided in subsection (3), register in the manner provided in s. 775.261(4)(c), unless the career offender is a sexual predator, in which case he or she shall register as required under s. 775.21, or is a sexual offender, in which case he or she shall register as required in s. 944.607. A career offender who fails to comply with the requirements of s. 775.261(4) is subject to the penalties provided in s. 775.261(8).
(8) The failure of a career offender to submit to the taking of a digitized photograph, or to otherwise comply with the requirements of this section, is a felony of the third degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084.
(9) The department, the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, the Department of Law Enforcement, personnel of those departments, and any individual or entity acting at the request or upon the direction of those departments are immune from civil liability for damages for good faith compliance with this section, and shall be presumed to have acted in good faith in compiling, recording, reporting, or providing information. The presumption of good faith is not overcome if technical or clerical errors are made by the department, the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, the Department of Law Enforcement, personnel of those departments, or any individual or entity acting at the request or upon the direction of those departments in compiling, recording, reporting, or providing information, or, if the information is incomplete or incorrect because the information has not been provided by a person or agency required to provide the information, or because the information was not reported or was falsely reported.
History.—s. 4, ch. 2002-266; s. 11, ch. 2004-371; s. 63, ch. 2013-116; s. 53, ch. 2016-24; s. 29, ch. 2016-104; s. 25, ch. 2024-84.
944.609 Career offenders; notification upon release.—
(1) As used in this section, the term “career offender” means a person who is in the custody or control of, or under the supervision of, the department or is in the custody or control of, or under the supervision of a contractor-operated correctional facility, who is designated as a habitual violent felony offender, a violent career criminal, or a three-time violent felony offender under s. 775.084 or as a prison releasee reoffender under s. 775.082(9).
(2) The Legislature finds that certain career offenders, by virtue of their histories of offenses, present a threat to the public and to communities. The Legislature finds that requiring these career offenders to register for the purpose of tracking the career offenders and providing for notifying the public and a community of the presence of a career offender are important aids to law enforcement agencies, the public, and communities if the career offender engages again in criminal conduct. Registration is intended to aid law enforcement agencies in timely apprehending a career offender. Registration is not a punishment, but merely a status. Notification to the public and communities of the presence of a career offender aids the public and communities in avoiding being victimized by the career offender. The Legislature intends to require the registration of career offenders and to authorize law enforcement agencies to notify the public and communities of the presence of a career offender.
(3)(a) The department must provide information regarding any career offender who is being released after serving a period of incarceration for any offense, as follows:
1. The department must provide the career offender’s name, any change in the career offender’s name by reason of marriage or other legal process, and any alias, if known; the correctional facility from which the career offender is released; the career offender’s social security number, race, gender, date of birth, height, weight, and hair and eye color; date and county of sentence and each crime for which the career offender was sentenced; a copy of the career offender’s fingerprints and a digitized photograph taken within 60 days before release; the date of release of the career offender; and the career offender’s intended residence address, if known. The department shall notify the Department of Law Enforcement if the career offender escapes, absconds, or dies. If the career offender is in the custody of a contractor-operated correctional facility, the facility shall take the digitized photograph of the career offender within 60 days before the career offender’s release and provide this photograph to the Department of Corrections and also place it in the career offender’s file. If the career offender is in the custody of a local jail, the custodian of the local jail shall notify the Department of Law Enforcement of the career offender’s release and provide to the Department of Law Enforcement the information specified in this paragraph and any information specified in subparagraph 2. which the Department of Law Enforcement requests.
2. The department may provide any other information deemed necessary, including criminal and corrections records and nonprivileged personnel and treatment records, when available.
(b) The department must provide the information described in subparagraph (a)1. to:
1. The sheriff of the county where the career offender was sentenced;
2. The sheriff of the county and, if applicable, the police chief of the municipality, where the career offender plans to reside;
3. The Department of Law Enforcement;
4. When requested, the victim of the offense, the victim’s parent or legal guardian if the victim is a minor, the lawful representative of the victim or of the victim’s parent or guardian if the victim is a minor, or the next of kin if the victim is a homicide victim; and
5. Any person who requests such information,
within 6 months prior to the anticipated release of a career offender or as soon as possible if a career offender is released earlier than anticipated. All such information provided to the Department of Law Enforcement must be available electronically as soon as the information is in the agency’s database and must be in a format that is compatible with the requirements of the Florida Crime Information Center.
(c) Upon request, the department must provide the information described in subparagraph (a)2. to:
1. The sheriff of the county where the career offender was sentenced; and
2. The sheriff of the county and, if applicable, the police chief of the municipality, where the career offender plans to reside,
within 6 months prior to the anticipated release of a career offender or as soon as possible if a career offender is released earlier than anticipated.
(d) Upon receiving information regarding a career offender from the department, the Department of Law Enforcement, the sheriff, or the chief of police shall provide the information described in subparagraph (a)1. to any individual who requests such information and may release the information to the public in any manner deemed appropriate, unless the information is confidential or exempt from s. 119.07(1) and s. 24(a), Art. I of the State Constitution.
(4) The department or any law enforcement agency may notify the community and the public of a career offender’s presence in the community. However, with respect to a career offender who has been found to be a sexual predator under s. 775.21, the Department of Law Enforcement or any other law enforcement agency must inform the community and the public of the career offender’s presence in the community, as provided in s. 775.21.
(5) An elected or appointed official, public employee, school administrator or employee, or agency, or any individual or entity acting at the request or upon the direction of any law enforcement agency, is immune from civil liability for damages resulting from the good faith compliance with the requirements of this section or the release of information under this section.
History.—s. 5, ch. 2002-266; s. 15, ch. 2004-371; s. 54, ch. 2016-24; s. 26, ch. 2024-84.
944.611 Legislative intent.—The Legislature finds and declares that:
(1) It is desirable that each inmate be confined in and released from an institution or facility as close to the inmate’s permanent residence or county of commitment as possible, in order to lessen the transportation expense to the public.
(2) It is the intent of the Legislature that:
(a) To the extent possible, an inmate be returned, upon release, to the same area from which the inmate was committed.
(b) An inmate being released from a community work-release program is not eligible for the provision of transportation.
(c) Transportation provided for an eligible inmate upon release shall be to one of the following points:
1. The county where parole placement has been approved and supervision is to commence.
2. Another state.
3. The county of employment within the state.
4. The county of legal residence within the state.
5. The county of original commitment within the state.
(d) Each releasee who is eligible for the provision of transportation shall be escorted to the site of embarkation by an officer of the correctional facility, who shall remain until the releasee has departed.
History.—s. 38, ch. 83-131; s. 1658, ch. 97-102.
944.612 Definitions for s. 944.613.—As used in s. 944.613, the term:
(1) “Florida releasee” means:
(a) An inmate paroled before expiration of his or her sentence, who will be supervised at the location shown on his or her parole certificate.
(b) An inmate whose sentence has expired or who is released by means of gain-time.
(2) “Out-of-state releasee” means:
(a) An inmate being released on interstate compact pursuant to s. 949.07.
(b) An inmate whose sentence has expired and who intends to leave the state or is required to leave the state upon release.
History.—s. 39, ch. 83-131; s. 1659, ch. 97-102.
944.613 Methods of transportation.—
(1) OUT-OF-STATE RELEASEE.—In instances when a releasee intends or is required to leave the state, transportation shall be provided by common carrier utilizing the most economical means. Transportation as authorized herein shall be furnished by nonnegotiable travel voucher payable to the common carrier being utilized, and in no event shall there be any cash disbursement to the releasee or any person, firm, or corporation. Such travel voucher shall not be valid for more than 5 days after its issuance. The source of any private transportation must be by a family member or friend whose purpose is to immediately transport the releasee out of this state.
(2) FLORIDA RELEASEE.—In instances when a releasee remains in this state but leaves the county where the correctional institution or facility of her or his confinement is located, transportation shall be provided by common carrier using the most economical means. Transportation as authorized herein shall be furnished by nonnegotiable travel voucher payable to the common carrier being utilized, and in no event shall there be any cash disbursement to the releasee or any person, firm, or corporation. Such travel voucher is to be utilized immediately by the releasee. The source of any private transportation must be a family member or friend whose purpose is to immediately transport the releasee to the approved location pursuant to s. 944.611.
History.—s. 40, ch. 83-131; s. 1660, ch. 97-102; s. 169, ch. 2020-2.
944.70 Conditions for release from incarceration.—
(1)(a) A person who is convicted of a crime committed on or after October 1, 1983, but before January 1, 1994, may be released from incarceration only:
1. Upon expiration of the person’s sentence;
2. Upon expiration of the person’s sentence as reduced by accumulated gain-time;
3. As directed by an executive order granting clemency;
4. Upon attaining the provisional release date;
5. Upon placement in a conditional release program pursuant to s. 947.1405; or
6. Upon the granting of control release pursuant to s. 947.146.
(b) A person who is convicted of a crime committed on or after January 1, 1994, may be released from incarceration only:
1. Upon expiration of the person’s sentence;
2. Upon expiration of the person’s sentence as reduced by accumulated meritorious or incentive gain-time;
3. As directed by an executive order granting clemency;
4. Upon placement in a conditional release program pursuant to s. 947.1405 or a conditional medical release program pursuant to s. 947.149; or
5. Upon the granting of control release, including emergency control release, pursuant to s. 947.146.
(2) A person who is convicted of a crime committed on or after December 1, 1990, and who receives a control release date may not refuse to accept the terms or conditions of control release.
History.—s. 16, ch. 98-204.
944.701 Short title.—Sections 944.701-944.708 may be cited as the “Transition Assistance Program Act.”
History.—ss. 4, 12, ch. 87-298; s. 13, ch. 88-122.
944.702 Legislative intent.—It is the intent of the Legislature to provide persons released from incarceration from the Department of Corrections with certain fundamental resources in the areas of employment, life skills training, job placement, and access to as many support services as possible in order to appreciably increase the likelihood of the inmate’s successful reentry into free society. The Legislature intends that these support services include faith-based service groups on an equal basis with other private organizations.
History.—ss. 5, 12, ch. 87-298; s. 13, ch. 88-122; s. 6, ch. 92-310; s. 6, ch. 2001-110.
944.703 Eligible inmates.—Sections 944.701-944.708 apply to all inmates released from the custody of the department. However, priority should be given to substance-addicted inmates to help break the cycle of drug abuse, prostitution, and other self-injurious criminal behavior that causes harm to families and communities. Those inmates with a detainer are eligible if the department determines that cancellation of the detainer is likely or that the incarceration for which the detainer was issued will be of short duration. The department shall confirm the detainer with the originating authority prior to release.
History.—ss. 6, 12, ch. 87-298; s. 13, ch. 88-122; s. 7, ch. 92-310; s. 21, ch. 95-283; s. 7, ch. 2001-110.
944.7031 Eligible inmates released from contractor-operated correctional facilities.—
(1) It is the intent of the Legislature that state inmates nearing release from a contractor-operated correctional facility managed under chapter 957 are eligible for assistance under ss. 944.701-944.708, and all laws that provide for or mandate transition assistance services to inmates nearing release also apply to inmates who reside in contractor-operated correctional facilities.
(2) To assist an inmate nearing release from a contractor-operated correctional facility, the department and the transition assistance specialist shall coordinate with a designated staff person at each contractor-operated correctional facility to ensure that a state inmate released from the contractor-operated correctional facility is informed of and provided with the same level of transition assistance services that are provided by the department for an inmate in a state correctional facility. Any inmate released from a contractor-operated correctional facility shall also have equal access to placement consideration in a contracted substance abuse transition housing program, including those programs that have a faith-based component.
History.—s. 8, ch. 2001-110; s. 27, ch. 2024-84.
944.704 Staff who provide transition assistance; duties.—
(1) The department shall provide a transition assistance specialist at each of the major institutions.
(2) The department may increase the number of transition assistance specialists in proportion to the number of inmates served at each of the major institutions and may increase the number of employment specialists per judicial circuit based on the number of released inmates served under community supervision in that circuit, subject to appropriations.
(3) The transition assistance specialists’ duties include, but are not limited to:
(a) Coordinating delivery of transition assistance program services at the institution and at the community correctional centers authorized pursuant to s. 945.091(1)(b).
(b) Assisting in the development of each inmate’s postrelease plan.
(c) Obtaining job placement information. Such information must include identifying any job assignment credentialing or industry certifications for which the inmate is eligible.
(d) Providing a written medical discharge plan and referral to a county health department.
(e) For an inmate who is known to be HIV positive, providing a 30-day supply of all HIV/AIDS-related medication that the inmate is taking before release, if required under protocols of the Department of Corrections and treatment guidelines of the United States Department of Health and Human Services.
(f) Facilitating placement in a private transition housing program, if requested by any eligible inmate. If an inmate who is nearing his or her date of release requests placement in a contracted substance abuse transition housing program, the transition assistance specialist shall inform the inmate of program availability and assess the inmate’s need and suitability for transition housing assistance. If an inmate is approved for placement, the specialist shall assist the inmate and coordinate the release of the inmate with the selected program. If an inmate requests and is approved for placement in a contracted faith-based substance abuse transition housing program, the specialist must consult with the chaplain before such placement. In selecting inmates who are nearing their date of release for placement in a faith-based program, the department shall ensure that an inmate’s faith orientation, or lack thereof, will not be considered in determining admission to the program and that the program does not attempt to convert an inmate toward a particular faith or religious preference.
(g) Providing a photo identification card to all inmates before their release.
(4) A transition assistance specialist may not be a correctional officer or correctional probation officer as defined in s. 943.10.
History.—ss. 7, 12, ch. 87-298; s. 13, ch. 88-122; s. 30, ch. 89-526; s. 4, ch. 91-281; s. 8, ch. 92-310; s. 22, ch. 95-283; s. 9, ch. 2001-110; s. 5, ch. 2002-292; s. 56, ch. 2019-167.
944.705 Release orientation program.—
(1) The department shall provide participation in a standardized release orientation program to every eligible inmate.
(2) The release orientation program instruction must include, but is not limited to:
(a) Employment skills.
(b) Money management skills.
(c) Personal development and planning.
(d) Special needs.
(e) Community reentry concerns.
(f) Community reentry support.
(g) Any other appropriate instruction to ensure the inmate’s successful reentry into the community.
(3)(a) The department shall establish a toll-free hotline for the benefit of released inmates. The hotline shall provide information to released inmates seeking to obtain postrelease referrals for community-based reentry services.
(b) Before an inmate’s release, the department shall provide the inmate with a comprehensive community reentry resource directory organized by county and which must include the name, address, and a description of the services offered by each reentry service provider. The directory must also include the name, address, and telephone number of existing portals of entry and the toll-free hotline number required by paragraph (a).
(c) The department shall expand the use of a department-approved risk and needs assessment system to provide inmates and offenders with community-specific reentry service provider referrals.
(4) Any inmate who claims to be a victim of domestic violence as defined in s. 741.28 shall receive, as part of the release orientation program, referral to the nearest domestic violence center certified under chapter 39.
(5) The department shall conduct a needs assessment of every inmate to determine which, if any, basic support services the inmate needs after release.
(6) The department may contract with public or private entities, including faith-based service groups, for the provision of all or part of the services pursuant to this section.
(7)(a) The department shall notify every inmate in the inmate’s release documents:
1. Of all outstanding terms of the inmate’s sentence at the time of release to assist the inmate in determining his or her status with regard to the completion of all terms of sentence, as that term is defined in s. 98.0751. This subparagraph does not apply to inmates who are being released from the custody of the department to any type of supervision monitored by the department; and
2. In not less than 18-point type, that the inmate may be sentenced pursuant to s. 775.082(9) if the inmate commits any felony offense described in s. 775.082(9) within 3 years after the inmate’s release. This notice must be prefaced by the word “WARNING” in boldfaced type.
(b) This section does not preclude the sentencing of a person pursuant to s. 775.082(9), and evidence that the department failed to provide this notice does not prohibit a person from being sentenced pursuant to s. 775.082(9). The state is not required to demonstrate that a person received any notice from the department in order for the court to impose a sentence pursuant to s. 775.082(9).
(8) A nonprofit faith-based or professional business, or a civic or community organization, may apply for registration with the department to provide inmate reentry services. Reentry services include, but are not limited to, counseling; providing information on housing and job placement; money management assistance; and programs that address substance abuse, mental health, or co-occurring conditions.
(9) The department shall adopt policies and procedures for screening, approving, and registering an organization that applies under subsection (8). The department may deny approval and registration of an organization or a representative from an organization if it determines that the organization or representative does not meet the department’s policies and procedures.
(10) The department may contract with a public or private educational institution’s veteran advocacy clinic or veteran legal clinic to assist qualified veteran inmates in applying for veterans’ benefits upon release.
(11) The department may contract with public or private organizations to establish transitional employment programs that provide employment opportunities for released inmates.
(12) The department shall adopt rules to implement this section.
History.—ss. 8, 12, ch. 87-298; ss. 12, 13, ch. 88-122; s. 31, ch. 89-526; s. 9, ch. 91-210; s. 9, ch. 92-310; s. 26, ch. 94-134; s. 26, ch. 94-135; s. 3, ch. 97-239; s. 17, ch. 98-204; s. 164, ch. 98-403; s. 10, ch. 2001-110; s. 29, ch. 2019-162; s. 57, ch. 2019-167.
944.706 Basic release assistance.—
(1) Any inmate who is being released is eligible for transition assistance. Those inmates released to a detainer are eligible pursuant to s. 944.703.
(2) The department may contract with the Department of Children and Families, the Salvation Army, and other public or private organizations, including faith-based service groups, for the provision of basic support services for releasees.
(3) The department shall adopt rules for the development, implementation, and termination of transition assistance.
History.—s. 41, ch. 83-131; s. 9, ch. 85-340; ss. 9, 12, ch. 87-298; s. 13, ch. 88-122; s. 10, ch. 92-310; s. 23, ch. 95-283; s. 312, ch. 99-8; s. 11, ch. 2001-110; s. 322, ch. 2014-19.
Note.—Former s. 944.601.
944.7065 Transition course for inmates.—In an effort to ensure that inmates released from the Department of Corrections successfully reenter the community, beginning December 1, 2002, each inmate released from incarceration by the department must complete a 100-hour comprehensive transition course that covers job readiness and life management skills. This requirement does not apply to inmates released in an emergency situation.
History.—s. 20, ch. 2001-110.
944.707 Postrelease special services; job placement services.—
(1) The department shall generate and provide to every releasee, identified by the prerelease needs assessment, support services such as, but not limited to, substance abuse counseling, family counseling, and employment support programs. The department may select and contract with public or private organizations, including faith-based service groups, for the provision of these basic support services. When selecting a provider, the department shall consider faith-based service groups on an equal basis with other private organizations. Provider selection criteria include, but are not limited to:
(a) The depth and scope of services provided.
(b) The geographic area to be served.
(c) The number of inmates to be served and the cost of services per inmate.
(d) The individual provider’s record of success in the provision of inmate services.
(2) The department, with the assistance of the State Office on Homelessness, shall maintain and regularly update a comprehensive directory of support services offered by private organizations and faith-based service groups for the purpose of assisting transition assistance specialists and chaplains in making individualized placements and referrals.
History.—ss. 10, 12, ch. 87-298; s. 13, ch. 88-122; s. 32, ch. 89-526; s. 11, ch. 92-310; s. 24, ch. 95-283; s. 12, ch. 2001-110.
944.7071 Operation New Hope.—As authorized by and consistent with funding appropriated in the General Appropriations Act, the department may contract, in accordance with s. 944.706, with Operation New Hope, a nonprofit organization exempt from taxation pursuant to s. 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, to provide reentry services, including, but not limited to, counseling; providing information on housing and job placement; money management assistance; and programs that address substance abuse, mental health, and co-occurring conditions.
History.—s. 1, ch. 2023-276.
944.708 Rules.—The Department of Corrections shall adopt rules to implement the provisions of ss. 944.701-944.707.
History.—ss. 11, 12, ch. 87-298; s. 13, ch. 88-122; s. 41, ch. 2010-117; s. 34, ch. 2011-213.
944.710 Definitions of terms relating to contractor-operated state correctional facilities and s. 944.105.—As used with respect to contractor-operated state correctional facilities and s. 944.105, the term:
(1) “Bidder” means any individual, partnership, corporation, or unincorporated association that submits a proposal with the department to construct, lease, or operate a contractor-operated correctional facility.
(2) “Contractor-employed correctional officer” means any full-time or part-time employee of a private vendor whose primary responsibility is the supervision, protection, care, and control of prisoners within a contractor-operated correctional facility.
(3) “Contractor-operated correctional facility” means any facility, which is not operated by the department, for the incarceration of adults or juveniles who have been sentenced by a court and committed to the custody of the department.
(4) “Department” means the Department of Corrections.
(5) “Private vendor” means any individual, partnership, corporation, or unincorporated association bound by contract with the department to construct, lease, or operate a contractor-operated correctional facility.
History.—s. 13, ch. 89-526; s. 2, ch. 2024-84.
944.711 Requests for proposals.—The department shall develop a request for proposals to construct or construct and operate a single-cell prototype institution or any facility of the department specified in s. 945.025. Competitive proposals shall be solicited by the department pursuant to chapter 287.
History.—s. 14, ch. 89-526.
944.712 Bidder and private vendor qualifications.—Any private vendor selected by the department must have the qualifications and operations and management experience to carry out the terms of the contract. In submitting a proposal, the bidder must demonstrate financial ability to fulfill the requirements of the contract and must submit an independently audited financial statement for the previous 5 years. If the contract includes construction and if the state is required to make payments for construction prior to the completion of construction, the contract shall contain a construction performance bond approved by the secretary of the Department of Corrections as adequate and appropriate for the construction portion of the contract.
History.—s. 15, ch. 89-526.
944.713 Insurance against liability.—
(1) A bidder must provide an adequate plan of insurance against liability, including liability for violations of an inmate’s civil rights by an insurance agency licensed in this state, pursuant to chapter 287. The insurance plan shall, at a minimum, protect the department from actions of a third party, assure the private vendor’s ability to fulfill the conditions of the contract, and provide adequate protection for the department against claims arising as a result of any occurrence during the term of the contract on an occurrence basis. The adequacy of the insurance plan shall be determined, at the bidder’s expense, by an independent risk management or actuarial firm selected by the Department of Management Services. The risk management or actuarial firm selected must have demonstrated experience in assessing public liability of state government.
(2) The contract shall provide for indemnification of the state by the private vendor for any liabilities incurred up to the limits provided under s. 768.28(5). The contract shall provide that the private vendor, or the insurer of the private vendor, is liable to pay any claim or judgment for any one person which does not exceed the sum of $100,000 or any claim or judgment, or portions thereof, which, when totaled with all other claims or judgments arising out of the same incident or occurrence, does not exceed the sum of $200,000. In addition, the contractor must agree to defend, hold harmless, and indemnify the department against any and all actions, claims, damages and losses, including costs and attorney’s fees.
History.—s. 16, ch. 89-526; s. 316, ch. 92-279; s. 55, ch. 92-326.
944.714 Quality assurance and standards of operation.—
(1) The level and quality of programs provided by a private vendor at a contractor-operated correctional facility must be at least equal to programs provided at a correctional facility operated by the department that houses similar types of inmates and must be at a cost that provides the state with a substantial savings, as determined by a private accounting firm selected by the Department of Corrections.
(2) All contractor-employed correctional officers employed by a private vendor must be certified, at the private vendor’s expense, as having met the minimum qualifications established for correctional officers under s. 943.13.
(3) Pursuant to the terms of the contract, a private vendor shall design, construct, and operate a contractor-operated correctional facility in accordance with the standards established by the American Correctional Association and approved by the department at the time of the contract. In addition, a contractor-operated correctional facility shall meet any higher standard mandated in the full or partial settlement of any litigation challenging the constitutional conditions of confinement to which the department is a named defendant. The standards required under a contract for operating a contractor-operated correctional facility may be higher than the standards required for accreditation by the American Correctional Association. A private vendor shall comply with all federal and state constitutional requirements; federal, state, and local laws; department rules; and all court orders.
History.—s. 17, ch. 89-526; s. 12, ch. 2019-113; s. 28, ch. 2024-84.
944.715 Delegation of authority.—
(1) A private vendor shall incarcerate all inmates assigned to the contractor-operated correctional facility by the department and as specified in the contract. The department may not exceed the maximum occupancy designated for the facility in the contract.
(2) Inmates incarcerated in a contractor-operated facility are in the legal custody of the department. A private vendor may not award gain-time or release credits, determine inmate eligibility for furlough or work release, calculate inmate release dates, approve inmate transfers, place inmates in less restrictive custody than that ordered by the department or approve inmate work assignments. A private vendor may not benefit financially from the labor of inmates except to the extent authorized under chapter 946.
History.—s. 18, ch. 89-526; s. 29, ch. 2024-84.
944.716 Contract termination and control of a correctional facility by the department.—A detailed plan shall be provided by a private vendor under which the department shall assume control of a contractor-operated correctional facility upon termination of the contract. The department may terminate the contract with cause after written notice of material deficiencies and after 60 workdays in order to correct the material deficiencies. If any event occurs that involves the noncompliance with or violation of contract terms and that presents a serious threat to the safety, health, or security of the inmates, employees, or the public, the department may temporarily assume control of the contractor-operated correctional facility. A plan shall also be provided by a private vendor for the purchase and assumption of operations of a correctional facility by the department in the event of bankruptcy or the financial insolvency of the private vendor. The private vendor shall provide an emergency plan to address inmate disturbances, employee work stoppages, strikes, or other serious events in accordance with standards of the American Correctional Association.
History.—s. 19, ch. 89-526; s. 30, ch. 2024-84.
944.717 Conflicts of interest.—
(1) An employee of the department or any governmental entity that exercises any functions or responsibilities in the review or approval of a contractor-operated correctional facility contract or the operation of a contractor-operated correctional facility, or a member of the immediate family of any such person, may not solicit or accept, directly or indirectly, any personal benefit or promise of a benefit from a bidder or private vendor.
(2) A private vendor may not have any interest at the time of entering into a contract with the department, or acquire any interest at a later time, that would directly or indirectly conflict in any manner or degree with the performance of the contract. A private vendor may not, in the performance of the contract, employ any person who has any known interests which conflict with the performance of the contract.
History.—s. 20, ch. 89-526; s. 31, ch. 2024-84.
944.718 Withdrawal of request for proposals.—
(1) When soliciting proposals for the construction, lease, or operation of a contractor-operated correctional facility, the department may reserve the right to withdraw the request for proposals at any time and for any reason. Receipt of proposal materials by the department or submission of a proposal to the department does not confer any rights upon the proposer or obligations upon the department.
(2) The department may not award a contract to a private vendor unless the department receives a proposal from a vendor that meets or exceeds the requirements of ss. 944.710-944.719.
History.—s. 21, ch. 89-526; s. 32, ch. 2024-84.
944.719 Adoption of rules, monitoring, and reporting.—
(1) The department shall adopt rules pursuant to chapter 120 specifying criteria for contractual arrangements and standards for the operation of correctional facilities by private vendors. Such rules shall define:
(a) Various categories of contractor-operated correctional facilities.
(b) Physical facility requirements.
(c) Critical staffing levels.
(d) Minimum program offerings.
(e) Maximum capacity levels.
(f) The characteristics of inmates to be incarcerated in contractor-operated correctional facilities.
(g) Circumstances under which inmates may be transported.
(h) Procedures for inmates to leave the grounds of a facility.
(i) A disciplinary system in accordance with the standards of the American Correctional Association.
(j) Comprehensive standards for conditions of confinement in accordance with the standards of the American Correctional Association.
(2) The department shall appoint a contract monitor who shall document the private vendor’s adherence to the contract and compliance with rules, policies, procedures, and performance standards of the department.
(3) The private vendor shall provide a work area at the contractor-operated correctional facility for use by the contract monitor appointed by the department and shall provide the monitor with access to all data, reports, and other materials that the monitor, the Auditor General, and the Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability determine are necessary to carry out monitoring and auditing responsibilities.
(4) The private vendor shall employ a person who shall monitor all aspects of the private vendor’s performance under the contract. The monitor shall submit to the department periodic reports documenting adherence by the private vendor to performance standards established by the department. The monitor shall also submit a report to the Governor and the Legislature, by January 1 of each year, which shall include a report of the adherence to the contract by the private vendor and its compliance with rules, policies, procedures, and performance standards established by the department and an independently audited financial statement.
(5) The Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability shall conduct a performance audit, including a review of the annual financial audit of the private entity and shall deliver a report to the Legislature by February 1 of the third year following any contract awarded by the department for the operation of a correctional facility by a private vendor.
(a) The report shall determine the reasonableness of the cost analysis procedures used by the department for comparing services provided under the contract and for comparing the quality of the services provided under the contract with the costs and quality of similar services provided by the department.
(b) In preparing the report, the office shall consider, in addition to other factors it determines are significant:
1. The extent to which the private vendor and the department have complied with the terms of the contract and ss. 944.710-944.719.
2. The wages and benefits that are provided to the staff of the contractor-operated correctional facility as compared to wages and benefits provided to employees of the department performing comparable tasks.
History.—s. 22, ch. 89-526; s. 1661, ch. 97-102; s. 17, ch. 99-333; s. 131, ch. 2001-266; s. 33, ch. 2024-84.
944.72 Contractor-Operated Institutions Inmate Welfare Trust Fund.—
(1) There is hereby created in the Department of Corrections the Contractor-Operated Institutions Inmate Welfare Trust Fund. The purpose of the trust fund shall be the benefit and welfare of inmates incarcerated in contractor-operated correctional facilities under contract with the department pursuant to this chapter or chapter 957. Moneys shall be deposited in the trust fund and expenditures made from the trust fund as provided in s. 945.215.
(2) Notwithstanding the provisions of s. 216.301 and pursuant to s. 216.351, any balance in the trust fund at the end of any fiscal year shall remain in the trust fund at the end of the year and shall be available for carrying out the purposes of the trust fund.
History.—s. 1, ch. 98-386; s. 2, ch. 2002-109; s. 7, ch. 2004-248; s. 8, ch. 2023-268; s. 34, ch. 2024-84.
944.73 State-Operated Institutions Inmate Welfare Trust Fund.—
(1) The State-Operated Institutions Inmate Welfare Trust Fund is created within the Department of Corrections. The purpose of the trust fund is to benefit and provide for the welfare of inmates incarcerated in state-operated correctional facilities.
(2) Moneys shall be deposited and the expenditures made from the trust fund as provided in s. 945.215.
(3) Notwithstanding s. 216.301 and pursuant to s. 216.351, any balance in the trust fund at the end of any fiscal year shall remain in the trust fund at the end of the year and shall be available for carrying out the purposes of the trust fund.
History.—s. 1, ch. 2020-97; s. 4, ch. 2023-244; s. 2, ch. 2024-26.
944.801 Education for state prisoners.—
(1) There is hereby established under the Department of Corrections a Correctional Education Program which shall be composed of the educational facilities and services of all institutions and facilities housing inmates operated by the Department of Corrections and shall be supervised by the Department of Corrections.
(2) The Department of Corrections is vested with the authority and responsibility to manage and operate the Correctional Education Program as provided by law.
(3) The responsibilities of the Correctional Education Program shall be to:
(a) Develop guidelines for collecting education-related information during the inmate reception process and for disseminating such information to the classification staff of the Department of Corrections. The information collected shall include the inmate’s areas of educational or vocational interest, vocational skills, and level of education.
(b) Monitor and assess all inmate education program services and report the results of such evaluation in the annual report of activities.
(c) Develop complete and reliable statistics on the educational histories, the city/intracity area and school district where the inmate was domiciled prior to incarceration, the participation in state educational and training programs, and the occupations of inmates confined to state correctional facilities. The compiled statistics shall be summarized and analyzed in the annual report of correctional educational activities required by paragraph (f).
(d) Approve educational programs of the appropriate levels and types in the correctional institutions and develop procedures for the admission of inmate students thereto.
(e) Enter into agreements with public or private school districts, entities, community colleges, junior colleges, colleges, or universities as may be deemed appropriate for the purpose of carrying out its duties and responsibilities and ensure that agreements require minimum performance standards and standards for measurable objectives, in accordance with established Department of Education standards.
(f) Report annual activities to the Secretary of Corrections.
(g) Develop and maintain complete and reliable statistics on the number of high school equivalency diplomas and vocational certificates issued by each institution in each skill area, the change in inmate literacy levels, and the number of inmate admissions to and withdrawals from education courses. The compiled statistics shall be summarized and analyzed in the annual report of correctional education activities required by paragraph (f).
(h) Develop a written procedure for selecting programs to add to or delete from the vocational curriculum. The procedure shall include labor market analyses that demonstrate the projected demand for certain occupations and the projected supply of potential employees. In conducting these analyses, the department shall evaluate the feasibility of adding vocational education programs that have been identified by the Department of Commerce, the Department of Education, or a regional coordinating council as being in undersupply in this state. The department shall periodically reevaluate the vocational education programs in major institutions to determine which of the programs support and provide relevant skills to inmates who could be assigned to a correctional work program that is operated as a Prison Industry Enhancement Program.
(i) Ensure that every inmate who has 2 years or more remaining to serve on his or her sentence at the time that he or she is received at an institution and who lacks basic and functional literacy skills as defined in s. 1004.02 attends not fewer than 150 hours of sequential instruction in a correctional adult basic education program. The basic and functional literacy level of an inmate shall be determined by the average composite test score obtained on a test approved for this purpose by the State Board of Education.
1. Upon completion of the 150 hours of instruction, the inmate shall be retested and, if a composite test score of functional literacy is not attained, the department is authorized to require the inmate to remain in the instructional program.
2. Highest priority of inmate participation shall be focused on youthful offenders and those inmates nearing release from the correctional system.
3. An inmate shall be required to attend the 150 hours of adult basic education instruction unless such inmate:
a. Is serving a life sentence or is under sentence of death.
b. Is specifically exempted for security or health reasons.
c. Is housed at a community correctional center, road prison, work camp, or vocational center.
d. Attains a functional literacy level after attendance in fewer than 150 hours of adult basic education instruction.
e. Is unable to enter such instruction because of insufficient facilities, staff, or classroom capacity.
4. The Department of Corrections shall provide classes to accommodate those inmates assigned to correctional or public work programs after normal working hours. The department shall develop a plan to provide academic and vocational classes on a more frequent basis and at times that accommodate the increasing number of inmates with work assignments, to the extent that resources permit.
5. If an inmate attends and actively participates in the 150 hours of instruction, the Department of Corrections may grant a one-time award of up to 6 additional days of incentive gain-time, which must be credited and applied as provided by law. Active participation means, at a minimum, that the inmate is attentive, responsive, cooperative, and completes assigned work.
(j) Recommend the award of additional incentive gain-time for inmates who receive a high school equivalency diploma or a vocational certificate.
(k) Ensure that all education staff are certified in accordance with the Department of Education standards.
(l) Develop goals and objectives relating to all phases of the correctional education program.
(4) The department may expand the use of job assignment credentialing and industry certifications.
(5) The Correctional Education Program may establish a prison entrepreneurship program and adopt procedures for admitting student inmates. If the department elects to develop the program, it must include at least 180 days of in-prison education. The program curriculum must include a component on developing a business plan, procedures for graduation and certification of successful student inmates, and at least 90 days of transitional and postrelease continuing educational services. Transitional and postrelease continuing educational services may be offered to graduate student inmates on a voluntary basis and are not a requirement for completion of the program. The department shall enter into agreements with public or private colleges or universities, other nonprofit entities, or other authorized providers under s. 1002.45(1)(a)1. to implement the program. The program must be funded with existing resources.
(6) The Correctional Education Program may work in cooperation with the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Florida Forestry Service Division, and the Florida Department of Financial Services, Division of State Fire Marshal to develop a program for implementation within state correctional institutions or correctional facilities to train and certify inmates as firefighters. The program should include, but not be limited to, certification of inmates as state forest staff trained to help protect homes, forestland, and natural resources from the effects of wildfires throughout the state.
(7) The department may contract with a district school board, the Florida Virtual School, a charter school authorized to operate under s. 1002.33, or a Florida College System institution to provide education services in the Correctional Education Program. The education services may include any educational, career, or vocational training authorized by the department.
(8) Minors who are adjudicated as adults and who are in the custody or under the supervision of the Department of Corrections may receive and participate in educational services provided within the department without the parental consent of the minors.
(9) Notwithstanding s. 120.81(3), all inmates under 22 years of age who qualify for special educational services and programs pursuant to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, 20 U.S.C. ss. 1400 et seq., and who request a due process hearing as provided by that act shall be entitled to such hearing before the Division of Administrative Hearings. Administrative law judges shall not be required to travel to state or contractor-operated correctional institutions and facilities in order to conduct these hearings.
History.—s. 16, ch. 95-325; s. 2, ch. 96-314; s. 18, ch. 97-78; s. 36, ch. 97-93; s. 120, ch. 99-3; s. 1, ch. 99-260; s. 1044, ch. 2002-387; s. 163, ch. 2010-102; s. 42, ch. 2010-117; s. 445, ch. 2011-142; s. 12, ch. 2014-20; s. 1, ch. 2018-104; s. 58, ch. 2019-167; s. 1, ch. 2022-143; s. 238, ch. 2024-6; s. 35, ch. 2024-84.
944.802 Direct-support organization; definition; use of property; board of directors; audit.—
(1) DEFINITION.—For the purpose of this section, the term “direct-support organization” means an organization:
(a) That is a corporation not for profit that is incorporated under chapter 617, exempted from filing fees, and approved by the Department of State;
(b) Organized and operated to conduct programs and activities; initiate developmental projects; raise funds; request and receive grants, gifts, and bequests of moneys; acquire, receive, hold, invest, and administer, in its own name, securities, funds, objects of value, or other property, real or personal; and make expenditures to or for the direct or indirect benefit of the Department of Corrections or individual units of the state correctional system;
(c) Determined by the Department of Corrections to be consistent with the priority issues and objectives of the Department of Corrections and in the best interest of the state; and
(d) Approved in writing by the Secretary of Corrections to operate for the direct or indirect benefit of the Department of Corrections or individual units of the state correctional system. Such approval shall be in a letter of agreement from the Department of Corrections.
(2) USE OF PROPERTY.—
(a) The Department of Corrections may permit, without charge, appropriate use of fixed property and facilities of the state correctional system by a direct-support organization subject to this section. Such use must be directly in keeping with the approved purpose of the direct-support organization and may not be made at times or places that would unreasonably interfere with opportunities for inmates and staff to use the areas for established purposes.
(b) The Department of Corrections may prescribe by rule any condition with which a direct-support organization shall comply in order to use fixed property or facilities of the state correctional system.
(c) The Department of Corrections shall not permit the use of any fixed property or facilities of the Department of Corrections by a direct-support organization that does not provide equal membership and employment opportunities to all persons regardless of race, color, religion, sex, age, or national origin.
(3) ANNUAL AUDIT.—The direct-support organization shall provide for an annual financial audit in accordance with s. 215.981.
History.—s. 11, ch. 96-312; s. 132, ch. 2001-266; s. 27, ch. 2014-96; s. 1, ch. 2018-143.
944.803 Faith- and character-based programs.—
(1) The Legislature finds and declares that faith- and character-based programs offered in state and contractor-operated correctional institutions and facilities have the potential to facilitate inmate institutional adjustment, help inmates assume personal responsibility, and reduce recidivism.
(2) It is the intent of the Legislature that the department expand the faith- and character-based initiative through the use of faith- and character-based institutions. The department is encouraged to phase out the faith-based and self improvement dormitory programs and move toward the goal of only implementing faith- and character-based institutions. The department is also encouraged to dedicate and maintain faith- and character-based institutions that serve both male and female inmates at their respective institutions.
(3) It is the intent of the Legislature that the department and the private vendors operating contractor-operated correctional facilities continuously:
(a) Measure recidivism rates for inmates who have participated in faith- and character-based programs.
(b) Increase the number of volunteers who minister to inmates from various faith-based and secular institutions in the community.
(c) Develop community linkages with secular institutions as well as churches, synagogues, mosques, and other faith-based institutions to assist inmates in their release back into the community.
(4)(a) The department shall ensure that an inmate’s faith orientation, or lack thereof, will not be considered in determining admission to a faith- and character-based program and that the program does not attempt to convert an inmate toward a particular faith or religious preference.
(b) The programs shall operate 24 hours a day within the existing correctional facilities and must emphasize the importance of personal responsibility, meaningful work, education, substance abuse treatment, and peer support.
(c) Participation in a program shall be voluntary. Assignment to a program shall be based on evaluation and the length of time the inmate is projected to be assigned to that particular institution. The department may not remove an inmate once assigned to a program except for the purposes of population management, for inmate conduct that may subject the inmate to disciplinary confinement or loss of gain-time, for physical or mental health concerns, or for security or safety concerns.
(5) The department shall ensure that any faith component of any program authorized in this chapter is offered on a voluntary basis and an offender’s faith orientation, or lack thereof, will not be considered in determining admission to such a program and that the program does not attempt to convert an offender toward a particular faith or religious preference.
(6) Within faith- and character-based institutions of the state correctional system, peer-to-peer programming shall be offered, such as Alcoholics Anonymous, literacy instruction, and other activities.
(7) The department shall ensure that state funds are not expended for the purpose of furthering religious indoctrination, but rather, that state funds are expended for purposes of furthering the secular goals of criminal rehabilitation, the successful reintegration of offenders into the community, and the reduction of recidivism.
History.—s. 19, ch. 97-78; s. 4, ch. 98-388; s. 13, ch. 2001-110; s. 8, ch. 2003-179; s. 149, ch. 2005-2; s. 1, ch. 2011-185; s. 5, ch. 2014-193; s. 36, ch. 2024-84.
944.8031 Inmate’s family visitation; legislative intent; minimum services provided to visitors; budget requests.—
(1) The Legislature finds that maintaining an inmate’s family and community relationships through enhancing visitor services and programs and increasing the frequency and quality of the visits is an underutilized correctional resource that can improve an inmate’s behavior in the correctional facility and, upon an inmate’s release from a correctional facility, will help to reduce recidivism.
(2) The department shall provide, at a minimum, the following services at designated visiting areas for approved visitors in state correctional facilities:
(a) Information relating to applicable visiting regulations, dress codes, and visiting procedures.
(b) A sheltered area, outside the security perimeter, for visitors waiting before and after visiting inmates.
(c) Food services with food choices which are nutritious and acceptable for children and youth visitors.
(d) Minimal equipment and supplies which assist staff and visitors in managing and occupying the time and meeting the needs of children and youth visitors.
(3) Upon determining any deficiencies and barriers to the effective and efficient operation of the department’s visitation program and services, the secretary shall submit annual budget requests identifying capital improvements, staffing, and programmatic needs necessary to improve the quality and frequency of family visits and the visitation program and services.
History.—s. 13, ch. 99-271.
944.804 Elderly offenders correctional facilities program of 2000.—
(1) The Legislature finds that the number and percentage of elderly offenders in the Florida prison system are increasing and will continue to increase for the foreseeable future. The current cost to incarcerate elderly offenders is approximately three times the cost of incarceration of younger inmates. Alternatives to the current approaches to housing, programming, and treating the medical needs of elderly offenders, which may reduce the overall costs associated with this segment of the prison population, must be explored and implemented.
(2) The department shall establish and operate geriatric facilities or geriatric dorms within a facility for generally healthy elderly offenders who can perform general work appropriate for their physical and mental condition.
(a) In order to decrease long-term medical costs to the state, a preventive fitness/wellness program and diet specifically designed to maintain the mental and physical health of elderly offenders shall be developed and implemented. In developing the program, the department shall give consideration to preventive medical care for the elderly which shall include, but not be limited to, maintenance of bone density, all aspects of cardiovascular health, lung capacity, mental alertness, and orientation. Existing policies and procedures shall be reexamined and altered to encourage offenders to adopt a more healthy lifestyle and maximize their level of functioning. The program components shall be modified as data and experience are received that measure the relative success of the program components previously implemented.
(b) Consideration must be given to redirecting resources as a method of offsetting increased medical costs. Elderly offenders are not likely to reenter society as a part of the workforce, and programming resources would be better spent in activities to keep the elderly offenders healthy, alert, and oriented. Limited or restricted programming or activities for elderly offenders will increase the daily cost of institutional and health care, and programming opportunities adequate to reduce the cost of care will be provided. Programming shall include, but not be limited to, recreation, education, and counseling that is needs-specific to elderly offenders. Institutional staff shall be specifically trained to effectively supervise elderly offenders and to detect physical or mental changes that warrant medical attention before more serious problems develop.
(3) The department shall adopt rules that specify which elderly offenders shall be eligible to be housed at the geriatric correctional facilities or dorms.
(4) While developing the criteria for eligibility, the department shall use the information in existing offender databases to determine the number of offenders who would be eligible. The Legislature directs the department to consider a broad range of elderly offenders for the department’s geriatric facilities or dorms who have good disciplinary records and a medical grade that will permit them to perform meaningful work activities, including participation in an appropriate correctional work program (PRIDE) facility, if available.
(5) The department shall also submit a study based on existing offenders that projects the number of existing offenders who will qualify under the rules. An appendix to the study shall identify the specific offenders who qualify.
History.—s. 2, ch. 2000-214; s. 10, ch. 2010-64.
944.8041 Elderly offenders; annual review.—For the purpose of providing information to the Legislature on elderly offenders within the correctional system, the department and the Correctional Medical Authority shall each submit annually a report on the status and treatment of elderly offenders in the state-administered and private state correctional systems and the department’s geriatric facilities and dorms. In order to adequately prepare the reports, the department shall grant access to the Correctional Medical Authority that includes access to the facilities, offenders, and any information the agencies require to complete their reports. The review shall also include an examination of promising geriatric policies, practices, and programs currently implemented in other correctional systems within the United States. The reports, with specific findings and recommendations for implementation, shall be submitted to the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives on or before December 31 of each year.
History.—s. 3, ch. 2000-214; s. 8, ch. 2004-248; s. 2, ch. 2006-32; s. 11, ch. 2010-64; s. 9, ch. 2023-268.