Bureau of Re-Entry Programs and Education
Education Services
The Education Services Section of the Bureau of Re-Entry Programs and Education is responsible for oversight and support of the department’s Academic Education, Special Education, Vocational Education, General Library, Law Library, and Wellness Education programs. Education Services also coordinates Teacher Certification activities for the department’s correctional educators.
Education Services Staff
- Central Office – Total of 22 positions in January 2011:
- Director
- 16 program administrators & consultants
- Speech and Hearing Therapist
- 4 paraprofessional and clerical staff
- Regions and Institutions – Total of 424 positions in January 2011:
- 4 regional Correctional Program Administrators
- 4 regional Library Program Specialists
- 21 Education Supervisors
- 18 Placement & Transition Specialists
- 105 Academic Teachers
- 84 Vocational Teachers
- 50 Special Education Teachers
- 2 Grant Specialist IIs (Youthful Offender Transition)
- 41 Teacher Aides
- 32 Librarian Specialists
- 44 Library Technical Assistants
- 19 Wellness Education Specialists.
- 86 correctional education positions are federal grant funded.
- All education administrators and instructors have the appropriate DOE or DC certifications.
NOTE: these position counts include education positions funded in other departmental budget categories, and OPS and contract positions.
Education Services Budget
Basic Education Skills. Fiscal Year 2010-11:
| Appropriation Categories | Positions | General Revenue | Federal Grants Trust Fund | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Salaries and Benefits | 348 | $15,010,115 | $2,514,771 | $17,524,886 |
| Other Personnel Services | $497,186 | $516,172 | $1,013,358 | |
| Expenses | $1,495,294 | $1,933,823 | $3,429,117 | |
| Operating Capital Outlay | $0 | $472,386 | $472,386 | |
| Special Categories. Contracted Services | $39,226 | $1,402,052 | $1,441,278 | |
| Special Categories. Risk Management Insurance | $70,486 | $0 | $70,486 | |
| Total | 348 | $17,130,043 | $6,840,800 | $23,970,843 |
| Note: Position count of 348 FTEs does not include OPS and contract positions. Also, some authorized education positions are funded in other departmental budget entities. | ||||
Academic and Special Education
Education programs staffed by certified Academic Teachers that provide inmates at all educational achievement levels with instruction in mathematics, reading, language, and workforce readiness skills, and the opportunity to secure general educational development (GED) diplomas. 2,603 inmates earned GEDs in Fiscal Year 2009-10 through participation in academic education. Academic Education includes:
- Adult Basic Education / General Education Development (ABE/GED): Certified academic teachers provide mathematics, reading, language, workforce readiness instruction to inmates with low academic skills. Students' academic levels are assessed on a regular basis and inmates are afforded the opportunity to secure general educational development (GED) diplomas. All of these programs also provide specially designed instruction to exceptional students. ABE/GED programs are in operation at 20 correctional facilities.
- The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) requires the department to provide a free and appropriate public education in the least restrictive environment to exceptional students. Exceptional students are students under twenty-two (22) years of age who have a previous special education history, have yet to obtain a high school diploma, continue to need special education and related services to benefit from participation in an educational assignment, consent to receive special education services, and have a current transition plan/individualized education plan.
- Close Management Education Program: Certified academic teachers provide close management inmates both cell-front and correspondence-study instruction in mathematics, reading, language, and workforce readiness skills. Close management inmates are also afforded the opportunity to secure general educational development (GED) diplomas. Close management education programs are in operation at 6 correctional facilities. All of these programs provide specially designed instruction to exceptional students.
- Inmate Teaching Assistant Program (ITA): Academic education services are provided at some institutions by utilizing trained Inmate Teaching Assistants (ITAs) working under the direction and supervision of a certified academic teacher. ITA Programs are in operation at 25 correctional facilities.
- Local Education Agency (LEA)-Operated Academic Education Programs: Federal grant-funded adult education programs provided by county school districts or community colleges are operating at 8 major institutions, annexes, work camps and forestry camps.
- Volunteer Literacy Programs: Volunteer Literacy Programs utilize citizen volunteers and/or inmate teaching assistants, who have received tutoring training to assist inmates in improving their educational abilities. Programs are supervised by correctional staff and are operational as an after-hours activity and regular program assignments. Volunteer Literacy Programs are in operation in nearly all major institutions, annexes and work camps.
- Mandatory Literacy: Chapter 944.801 (3)(i), Florida Statutes, requires inmates who have 2 years or more remaining to serve on their sentence at time of reception and who have Tests of Adult Basic Education (TABE) total battery scores below grade level 6.0 to attend not fewer than 150 hours of sequential instruction in a correctional adult basic education program. These inmates are enrolled in the ABE-GED program but tracked separately until they complete a minimum of 150 hours of instruction. Upon completion of 150 hours of instruction or the achievement of a total battery score of grade level 6.0 on the TABE, whichever comes first, the inmates may enroll in the ABE-GED program or withdraw from academic education.
- Ready To Work: a Florida Department of Education sponsored employee credentialing program that tests – and scores – job skills. It gives jobseekers a competitive edge – a Credential that proves to employers that they have the right skills for the job.
- Federally Funded Academic Programs and Services: For Fiscal Year 2010-11 the Department of Corrections will receive $4,553,864 in federal grant funds to provide academic and exceptional education services to inmates and training to correctional educators: $1,000,000 in Adult Education and Family Literacy Act (ABE) grant funds, $1,650,865 in No Child Left Behild Act, Subchapter I, Part D, Subpart 1 (Title I) grant funds, $1,858,298 in Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) grant funds, and $44,701 in No Child Left Behild Act, Subchapter II (Title II) grant funds.
- The ABE grant provides funding for 19 academic teachers and 7 Teacher Aides working in ABE/GED programs.
- The Title I grant funds 13 academic teachers, 13 teacher aides, and a varying number of OPS staff working in ABE/GED programs providing academic and transition services to neglected, delinquent or at-risk students 21 years or younger who do not have high school diplomas.
- The IDEA grant provides funding for 4 program consultants/monitors working in the central office and 18 Teacher Aides working in institutional education programs, ancillary services, educational equipment, instructional materials, and teaching supplies.
- The Title II grant provides professional development opportunities for correctional educators to comply with the No Child Left Behind Act. Training targets effective instructional strategies, disabled students needs, classroom management, assessment guidelines and technology integration.
The Department operates academic education programs in 50 correctional facilities. Enrollment capacity is 3,702 students. In addition, local education agencies operate programs in another 21 facilities; these programs enroll another 656 students. Total enrollment capacity is 4,358 students (4% of the total inmate population).
Vocational Education
Training programs taught by certified vocational teachers that use curriculums approved by the Florida Department of Education or in accordance with industry standards that provide inmates with the essential knowledges, skills and abilities needed to secure employment in occupations identified by the US Department of Labor and/or the Florida Agency for Workforce Innovation to be in-demand in the State of Florida.
Career and Technical Education Programs: The Department provides 84 vocational education courses in 33 distinct vocational trades at 36 DC facilities. Total enrollment capacity is 1,562 students (1.5% of the total inmate population). All Vocational Teachers are certified, and all programs utilize DOE approved curriculum frameworks.
In Fiscal Year 2009-10, inmates were awarded 1,823 vocational certificates. Vocational Teacher salaries are a general revenue expense; however, the Department receives $500,000 in Perkins grant funds annually to supplement GR funds in support of vocational training programs. These funds may only be used for purchasing supplies and equipment, grant administration and teacher in-service costs.
| Career and Technical Education Programs as of January 2011 | |
| Facility / # of Programs | Career & Technical Education Programs |
|---|---|
| Apalachee CI - East (1) | (1) Carpentry. |
| Avon Park CI (6) | (1) Automotive Service Technology, (2) Cabinetmaking, (3) PC Support Services, (4) Printing and Graphic Communications, (5) Turf Equipment Technology, (6) Welding Technology. |
| Baker CI (4) | (1) Cabinetmaking, (2) Electricity, (3) Masonry, Brick and Block, (4) Plumbing Technology. |
| Brevard CI (5) | (1) Air Conditioning, Refrigeration & Heating Technology, (2) Autotronics/Automotive Service Technology, (3) Carpentry, (4) Electronics Technology, (5) Masonry, Brick and Block. |
| Broward CI * (3) | (1) Commercial Art Technology, (2) Fashion Design and Production, (3) PC Support Services. |
| Calhoun CI (1) | (1) Printing and Graphic Communications/WEB Design Services. |
| Columbia CI (1) | (1) PC Support Services. |
| Cross City CI (3) | (1) Auto Collision Repair & Refinishing, (2) Cabinetmaking, (3) PC Support Services/Business Supervision/Computer Programming and Technology. |
| Demilly CI (1) | (1) PC Support Services. |
| DeSoto Annex (3) | (1) Carpentry, (2) Masonry, Brick and Block, (3) Welding Technology. |
| Franklin CI (1) | (1) Plumbing Technology. |
| Hamilton CI (3) | (1) Cabinetmaking, (2) Electricity, (3) Masonry, Brick and Block. |
| Hamilton CI Annex (1) | (1) PC Support Services. |
| Hardee CI (1) | (1) Carpentry. |
| Hernando CI * (1) | (1) Digital Design. |
| Hillsborough CI * (2) | (1) Carpentry, (2) Commercial Foods and Culinary Arts. |
| Holmes CI (3) | (1) Auto Collision Repair and Refinishing, (2) PC Support Services, (3) Welding Technology. |
| Homestead CI * (2) | (1) Automotive Technology Career Services, (2) PC Support Services. |
| Indian River CI (3) | (1) Environmental Services, (2) Masonry, Brick and Block, (3) PC Support Services. |
| Lake CI (2) | (1) Cabinetmaking, (2) Wastewater/Water Treatment Technologies. |
| Lancaster CI (6) | (1) Autotronics/Automotive Service Technology, (2) Carpentry, (3) Commercial Foods and Culinary Arts, (4) Environmental Services, (5) PC Support Services, (6) Printing and Graphic Communications. |
| Lawtey CI (1) | (1) Drafting Architectural. |
| Lowell CI and Work Camp* (5) | (1) Cosmetology, (2) Drafting Architectural, (3) PC Support Services, (4) Gasoline Engine Service Technology, (5) Equine Care Technology |
| Lowell CI Annex * (1) | (1) Fashion Design and Production. |
| Marion CI (4) | (1) Cabinetmaking, (2) Drafting Mechanical, (3) Electricity, (4) Water/Wastewater Treatment Technologies |
| New River CI (4) | (1) Consumer Electronic Repair, (2) PC Support Services, (3) Plumbing Technology, (4) Printing and Graphic Communications. |
| Polk CI (3) [1] | (1) Auto Service Technology, (2) Computer Systems Technology, (3) Plumbing Technology/Fire Sprinkler Systems Technology. |
| Sago Palm WC (1) | (1) PC Support Services. |
| Sumter CI (3) | (1) Automotive Service Technology, (2) Electronics Technology, (3) Masonry, Brick and Block. |
| Suwanee CI Annex (1) | (1) Plumbing Technology/Fire Sprinkler Systems Technology. |
| Taylor CI (1) | (1) Plumbing Technology. |
| Taylor CI Annex (3) | (1) Masonry, Brick and Block, (2) PC Support Services, (3) Carpentry. |
| Tomoka CI (1) | (1) Masonry Brick and Block. |
| Wakulla CI (1) | (1) Environmental Services. |
| Walton CI (2) | (1) Carpentry/Cabinetmaking, (2) Air Conditioning, Refrigeration and Heating Technology. |
| (#) = DC-operated career and technical education programs | |
| * = Female facility | |
Specter Grant: The Grants to States for Workplace and Community Transition Training for Incarcerated Individuals (Specter)is a Federal grant that provides postsecondary vocational training for incarcerated offenders 35 years of age or under, have GED or high school diploma, are within seven years of release from prison, must not be convicted of murder, or a crime involving a victim who is a minor, or sexual offense. Participants receive postsecondary vocational certificates upon successful completion of the training. This program assists inmates in the transition process by providing relevant job skills training necessary to obtain gainful employment upon release. The Department will receive $1,743,224 in Specter grant funds in Fiscal Year 2010-11.
Re-entry Seminars are offered to Specter participants to provide valuable information regarding employment opportunities, community resource providers, social services, housing, and other resources available within their respective communities to insure a smooth transition upon release. Federal, state and local entities are invited into the prisons to provide inmates with specific information relating to the services they offer.
Specter Grant funded Programs. As of January 2011:
- Bradford-Union Area Career Technical Center: Provides postsecondary vocational training in Web Design to inmates at Lawtey Correctional Institution.
- Brevard Community College: Provides postsecondary vocational training in Commercial Foods and Culinary Arts to inmates at Brevard Correctional Institution.
- Florida Atlantic University: Provides postsecondary vocational training in Construction Project Coordinator certification to inmates at Glades Correctional Institution, Martin Correctional Institution and Polk Correctional Institution.
- Indian River Community College: Provides postsecondary vocational training in Air Conditioning to inmates at Indian River Correctional Institution.
- Lake City Community College: Provides postsecondary vocational training in Landscape Irrigation to inmates at Lancaster Correctional Institution, and offers postsecondary vocational training in Heating, Ventilating, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) to male inmates at Columbia Correctional Institution-Annex.
- Pasco-Hernando Community College: Provides postsecondary vocational training in Web Design to inmates at Hernando Correctional Institution.
In Fiscal Year 2009-10, inmates were awarded 456 Specter certificates.
Library Services
General Library Programs: Provide access to library programs comparable to public libraries. Programs and services include providing access to current print and non-print materials, reference services, reader’s guidance, self-betterment/educational/cultural programming, resources and services essential to support the activities of the institution’s other education and treatment programs, and resources to permit inmates to achieve functional literacy. Programs are operating in 75 major institutions, annexes and work camps. In Fiscal Year 2009-2010 inmates used general library programs on 1,055,933 occasions. - Law Library Programs:Provide access to services required to permit inmates access to the courts.
Programs and services include: a computerized law collection with state and federal materials, additional print materials, legal supplies, copying services, and research assistance from persons trained in the law and legal research. There are approximately 350 inmate law clerks currently assigned to work in law libraries to provide assistance to their peers. Library Services provides inmate law clerks with training on on post-conviction/post-sentence remedies, inmate grievance procedures, disciplinary procedures and prisoner’s rights. There are 76 law library programs. All major institutions, annexes and work camps housing more than 500 inmates operate law library programs. In Fiscal Year 2009-10 inmates used law library programs and services on 622,893 occasions. - Admissible Reading: The Florida Department of Corrections limits inmate access to publications that contain subject matter detrimental to the security, order or disciplinary or rehabilitative interests of any institution of the department. The Department’s policies on admissible reading material are established in Rule 33-501.401, Admissible Reading Material, F.A.C. The rejection criteria for admissible reading material are established in Section (3) of that rule.
- Wardens and assistant wardens have the authority to impound any publication that they believe is inadmissible per the rejection criteria. Wardens and assistant wardens impound publications by completing Form DC5-101, Notice of Rejection or Impoundment of Publications.) Impoundment is not the same as rejection. Impoundment authorizes all institutions to interdict publications until such time as the department’s Literature Review Committee reviews it and determines whether it is admissible (i.e., approved for issue) or inadmissible (i.e., rejected and not approved for issue).
- The Department’s Literature Review Committee reviews all impoundment decisions, and only the Committee can reject a publication. The Literature Review Committee is composed of representatives from the Office of Education and Initiatives, Inmate Grievance Appeals, and Security Operations. The representative from the Office of Education and Initiatives, usually an administrator in Library Services, serves as committee chair and schedules/coordinates committee activities. Rule requires the Literature Review Committee to schedule meetings within 30 days of receipt of institutional actions to impound publications and/or inmate grievance appeals that concern admissible reading material issues. However, the Literature Review Committee meets as often as weekly.
- Literature Review Committee decisions are disseminated to department staff via electronic mail and through use of an Outlook public folder on our agency’s wide area network. The name of the Outlook public folder is the ARM Bulletin Board.
Wellness Education
Wellness education programs are operated at institutions and includes programming in Wellness Education, Active and Passive Sports, Intramural Sports, Fitness Training, Tobacco Cessation, and support for passive leisure time activities such as Band & Music Programs, puzzles and games.
- 63-Hour Wellness Education Course: provides instruction on aerobics and anaerobic exercises; cardiovascular exercises; muscular strength; muscular flexibility; body composition; nutrition; weight management; cardiovascular diseases; cancer risk; stress management; smoking cessation; addictive behavior and sexually transmitted diseases.
- Freshstart Smoking Cessation Program: This program is available to all inmates who desire assistance in quitting the use of tobacco products.
- Inmate Fitness Program: This program provides physical fitness training to help inmates improve and maintain muscular strength and endurance and address all components of physical fitness (cardiovascular, body composition, and flexibility).