FDC COVID-19 Response

Response to Confirmed Positive COVID-19 Cases

FDC’s Office of Health Services, institutional medical staff and institutional operations staff work hand-in-hand with the Florida Department of Health to quickly engage and resolve infectious disease outbreaks as soon as they occur. FDC’s primary goal is ensuring the health, safety and security of FDC staff and the inmates in our care and custody.

  • If an inmate presents to medical staff with symptoms indicative of COVID-19, medical staff will place the inmate in medical isolation and administer a COVID-19 test.
  • Medical co-pays for inmates who are experiencing respiratory symptoms are being waived. Inmates are never denied medical treatment for the inability to pay a co-pay.
  • With every positive case of COVID-19, a trace-back contact investigation is conducted to determine if additional inmates should be quarantined due to close contact risk factors.
  • Staff members who test positive for COVID-19 will not return to work until a full recovery is documented by a medical professional and Florida DOH and CDC guidelines are followed.
  • Inmates will be separated from general population until they have been medically cleared by an onsite medical professional.
  • While inmates are in medical quarantine or medical isolation, they still have access to property, restrooms, showers and medical care. Meals are provided to the inmates within their housing units.

  • FDC COVID-19 Action Items

  • FDC has dedicated staff members trained in the prevention and containment of infectious diseases and has initiated its Incident Command System in response to COVID-19.
  • FDC’s Office of Health Services coordinates with the Florida Department of Health for guidance on any type of outbreak and is closely monitoring new information as it is disseminated from Florida DOH and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) COVID-19 Information Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
  • FDC Community Corrections officers are working with offenders on supervision to adjust reporting schedules to minimize congregating at probation offices and prevent the spread of COVID-19. See the steps FDC Community Corrections is taking to keep offenders and staff safe here.
  • Community Corrections transitioned to a broader operational footing and resumed in-person reporting for high risk offenders. Probation Officers perform mission critical activities in the office setting in addition to the field monitoring and supervision activities; safety of staff and offenders remain paramount.
  • Following the State of Emergency issued in response to COVID-19 in Florida, FDC suspended visitation at all correctional institutions statewide. Modified visitation resumed October 2. See press release.
  • FDC partnered with vendors to provide some complimentary phone and video visitation services. See press release.
  • Anyone entering a correctional institution is screened in accordance with Federal, State and Department guidelines.
  • In order to comply with social distancing guidelines, as recommended by the CDC, program services have been temporarily adjusted, to include academic education, career and technical education, substance use treatment and limited chaplaincy services.
  • Inmate dining was adjusted to stagger seating and meal times to maximize social distancing. Medical co-pays for inmates who are experiencing respiratory symptoms are being waived. Inmates are never denied medical treatment for the inability to pay a co-pay.
  • Transfer of inmates between institutions has been reduced, and only transfers deemed necessary to support department operations are occurring.
  • Type B furloughs for inmates on community release are suspended.
  • New inmate commitments from county jails go through additional screening and 14-day security quarantine before placement within general population. More information here.

  • Information on Offenders on Probation

    Offenders living in the community will not be included in this reporting. If an offender on community supervision tests positive for COVID-19, they will work directly with their probation officer on reporting requirements. See the steps FDC Community Corrections is taking to keep offenders and staff safe here.

    COVID-19 Homepage Click Here.