Mission

To protect the public safety, to ensure the safety of Department personnel, and to provide proper care and supervision of all offenders under our jurisdiction while assisting, as appropriate, their re-entry into society. See also our Vision, Code of Conduct and Oath of Allegiance.

Each of these cold case violent felons escaped from a Florida prison or work release center sometime over the last 30 years. The Florida Department of Corrections, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and local law enforcement agencies are asking you to take a good long look at these men and to contact us if you have any information about their whereabouts. Rewards are being offered for the recapture of these men. Call 1-877-FLA-WANTED for more information or to report a tip. You may remain anonymous. Click here for more information, or for more details about these inmates, click on their picture.

Julio Bonchea Bonchea escaped from Calhoun Correctional Institution on 3/26/00 while serving an 18-year sentence from Dade County for Attempted Second Degree Murder, Kidnapping, Aggravated Battery with a Deadly Weapon, Grand Theft and Burglary.	Robert Finley Finley escaped from Kissimmee Correctional Center on 07/08/80 while serving 10 years for Manslaughter.	Robert Baldwin Baldwin escaped from Baker Correctional Institution on 07/01/88 while serving a life sentence for Robbery, Kidnapping, Attempted Murder and Escape.
Glen Chambers Chambers escaped from Polk Correctional Institution on 02/21/90 while serving a life sentence for Homicide.	Phillip Donovan Donovan escaped from Bradenton Work Release Center in Manatee County, Florida on 01/20/1982 while serving a life sentence for First Degree Murder.	Jano Evans Evans escaped from Tampa Salvation Army on 06/16/87 while serving 4 years for Drug Trafficking. He crashed a car on the night he escaped, injuring two daughters (10,6), their father and mother, who died several days later. Evans is wanted on a Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office warrant for the death of Catherine Thompson.
Fred Schueler AKA Howard Archie Baker, Leonard Lee Cook, Thomas Russ, Fred Groneau, Matt Williams, Max Wayne, Frederick Cook. Schueler escaped from Avon Park Correctional Institution on 05/16/85 while serving 120 years for Armed Robbery and Kidnapping.	Gary Prater Prater escaped from Tomoka Correctional Institution (Volusia County) on 01/31/1986 while assigned to the Maintenance Carpentry Squad (outside the prison perimeter). Prater was serving an 18 year sentence for sexual battery from Santa Rosa County.	Harry Braswell Braswell escaped from Sumter Correctional Institution on 02/22/83 while serving a life sentence for First Degree Murder.
Michael Salem Salem escaped from Polk Correctional Institution on 04/06/80 while serving 15 years for Kidnapping, Grand Theft, Escape, and Possession of Cocaine.	Frederick Barrett Barrett escaped from Union Correctional Institution on 08/17/79 while serving a life sentence for First Degree Murder	Oscar Richardson Richardson escaped from Kissimmee Work Release Center on 03/03/1979 while serving 10 year sentence for Robbery with a Firearm.

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Announcements

12/21/09: FDLE and DOC Announce First Capture in 12 Days of Fugitives Campaign

Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) Commissioner Gerald Bailey and Department of Corrections (DOC) Secretary Walt McNeil today announced the first capture in the “12 Days of Fugitives” campaign. Oscar Eugene Richardson, 61, was arrested at 3 p.m. Saturday in Ridgedale, Missouri as a result of information received through the campaign’s toll free hotline. Richardson had been on the run more than 30 years. Click here for more information

12/07/09: FDLE and DOC Launch “12 Days of Fugitives”

Florida Department of Law Enforcement Commissioner Gerald Bailey and Florida Department of Corrections Secretary Walt McNeil today announced an intensive public outreach blitz designed to generate tips and information about the whereabouts of 12 of Florida’s oldest and most violent prison escapees. The “12 Days of Fugitives” campaign offers a reward and a toll free tip line and will focus on one fugitive each day in hopes the public will provide authorities with information leading to their capture. Click here for more information...

4/22/09: Message from Secretary Walter McNeil regarding swine influenza

Several cases of this virus have been confirmed in Florida, and the Centers for Disease Control and the Florida Department of Health have indicated the virus is having mild effects (similar to a typical flu) upon infected patients in the United States; still we want to take precautions to prevent the introduction of this virus into our prisons.

As such, I am writing to remind all employees of the value of hand-washing and covering your mouth when you cough. Most importantly, employees with an influenza-like illness (ILI) should stay home from work, due to sickness.

At this point, the Department will maintain a monitoring posture and everyday operations will continue. Be vigilant as we continue to follow the guidance we have received. You will be informed of additional actions needed if circumstances change. Please continue to monitor the emergency management application, DC Web or the public website.

I appreciate your dedication and professionalism during these complicated times. I am committed to providing the best information and resources we have available.

Walter McNeil

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October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month