Florida Department of Corrections We Never Walk Alone Senate Criminal Justice Committee November 4, 2009 Walter A. McNeil, Secretary Reception, Classification,

Florida Department of CorrectionsFlorida Department of Corrections

We Never Walk Alone

Senate Criminal Justice CommitteeNovember 4, 2009

Walter A. McNeil, Secretary

Reception, Classification, and Inmate TransfersReception, Classification, and Inmate Transfers

10/21/2009

More than 101,000 inmates.

60 major institutions

More than 111,000 inmate transfers annually

The Big Picture

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Reception & Classification

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Male Reception Centers

Reception and Medical CenterCentral Florida Reception CenterSouth Florida Reception CenterNorthwest Florida Reception Center

Female Reception Centers

Lowell AnnexBroward Correctional Institution

Broward C.I.Established in 1977

North West Florida Reception Center

Established in 2009

Reception and Medical Center

Established in 1968

South Florida Reception Center

Established in 1985

Central Florida Reception Center

Established in 1988

Lowell AnnexEstablished in 1956

Reception Centers

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Custody Level / Housing Level

Bed Space Availability

Medical Needs

Mental Health Needs

Program Needs (education, substance abuse, etc.)

Inmate Skills

Proximity to Home / Family

GOAL Assign the inmate to a suitable permanent facility that has available bed space.

Factors Considered for Permanent Placement

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Inmate Transfers

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Initial Classification transfers:From Reception Center to Permanent Facility based on priority needs and available bed space

Subsequent transfers may occur for the following reasons:Medical or Psychological NeedsManagement (Close & Protective Management, etc.)Population AdjustmentsProgram Needs (Education, Substance Abuse Treatment, etc.)Administrative MovesEmergency SituationsGood Adjustment

Transfer Types

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In the past year, the Department transferred more than 111,000 inmates.

94% of these transfers were carried out to fulfill the priority needs of the Department and/or the inmate.

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Transfers

Inmates may request a “Good Adjustment Transfer” at any time so long as they have met the following criteria:

Six months to three years at their current location

No disciplinary reports for last six or twelve months (6 months if less than 2 years remaining to serve, 12 months if two years or more remaining).

No mandatory program refusals or removals for unsatisfactory participation.

Good Adjustment Transfers

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Inmates may request up to three facilities

Inmates are not guaranteed transfer to one of their requested locations.

The facility may not be able to meet the inmate’s needs (medical, mental health, programs, security, etc.)

Due to the Department of Corrections’ need to manage and balance the inmate population statewide.

If approved, the inmate is placed on the transfer waiting list.

Inmates are scheduled for Good Adjustment transfers in order of approval. Depending on where the inmate is requesting to be transferred, there may be a waiting list.

Good Adjustment Transfers

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40% of the inmate population comes from Central Florida

35% of the inmate population comes from South Florida

The majority of transfer requests are to these areas.

Central Florida – only 21% of the beds are general population

South Florida – only 17% of the beds are general population

Good Adjustment Transfer Statistics

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These facts mandate that transfers be based on:

The needs of the Department

Bed space availability

The needs of the inmate

It is simply not feasible for all of the inmates

from Central and South Florida to be housed in

institutions in those areas.

Good Adjustment Transfers

10/21/2009

The Department believes that maintaining family contact is important to the overall success of the inmate’s development and eventual reentry into the community.

Despite the volume of inmate transfers and the complexities involved, the Department is taking steps to ensure that more inmates are housed closer to their homes and families.

Reception

Reentry Centers

Good Adjustment Transfers

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Comments or Questions?

10/21/2009