Florida Department of Corrections
Michael D. Crews, Secretary

According to Florida Statute 20.315(5), "The department shall report annually to the Governor, the President of the Senate, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives recounting its activities and making recommendations for improvements to the performance of the department." The following accomplishments and recommendations are provided to fulfill those requirements.

1. Managed 72,007 incarcerated felons and supervised 152,018 offenders on probation and parole, admitted 25,731 new inmates and carried out the lawful release of over 26,800 from the department's custody while ensuring that statutory requirements were met.
   
   
2. Collected approximately $83,550,000 in court-ordered payments from offenders. Of this total, $31,360,393 or 37.5% was paid to victims in the form of restitution.
   
   
3. Reduced the statewide absconder population by 2.6%.
   
   
4. Continued to reduce offender probation revocation rate (down 5% since 1996). The percentage of offenders not revoked in the first year of supervision has increased steadily over the five-year period from 62.8% in FY 1995-96 to 67.8% in FY 1999-2000.
   
   
5. No escapes from secure institutional perimeters in the last year.
   
   
6. Improved reporting structure and reduced rate of inmate on staff assaults by 7.6%.
   
   
7. Reduced rate of inmate on inmate assaults by 4.0%.
   
   
8. Community work squads performed 5,766,307 hours of work valued at more than $55.9 million. The total program costs were $28.9 million, providing taxpayers of Florida a net benefit of $27 million. Work included local, county and state roadway and right of way work, public works, grounds and building maintenance, litter removal and construction projects.
   
   
9. Provided approximately 17,000 inmates with in-prison substance abuse programming and 33,000 offenders with community-based substance abuse programming. Moved select inmates from voluntary to mandatory drug treatment. In order to provide substance abuse programming for under-served inmates, two intensive outpatient programs of 40 slots each were opened at Union and Baker CI. Moved all in-prison substance abuse programs formerly staffed by department employees to private contract providers.
   
   
10. Redesigned substance abuse screening and placement system in prison to an automated, centralized process that considers all substance abuse-related factors in the Offender Based Information System (OBIS) as well as the sentencing court's recommendation, counselor's interview and the Drug Simple Screening Instrument (DSSI) screening. Modified the computer program and statistical analysis, reducing the number of required tests by 32% and creating a more valid random sample.
    
    
11. Implemented the Automated Fingerprint Identification System (AFIS) at all five reception centers. The system captures high quality fingerprint images, thereby positively identifying newly received inmates and establishing a criminal record for each print and comparing the prints to any unsolved crimes and latent prints.
    
    
12. Completed statewide implementation of Central Visitation Authority using a new computer screen to coordinate and track visitors in institutions. The primary objective includes the rejection of visitors who may be detrimental to security.
    
    
13. Completed the first phase of Automated Visitor Registration, eliminating the use of 4" x 6" index cards for visitor registration. Instituted biometric hand geometry readers for visitors at entry/exits in pilot projects at eight institutions and began statewide implementation. The initiative improves security and streamlines entry and exits from prisons.
    
    
14. Began Security Threat Reduction by Interdiction and Drug Elimination (STRIDE). STRIDE combines data from the existing and new mainframe OBIS systems and client servers systems into a single set of display screens.
    
    
15. Implemented new three-year contract with Florida Drug Screening, Inc.
    
    
16. Reduced the number of service centers from seven to four.
    
    
17. Exceeded our goal for expenditures with certified minority vendors by $15.2 million.
    
    
18. Privatized comprehensive health services in Region IV and food services statewide.
    
    
19. Created a quarterly management performance report to establish measures for periodic review. Performance outcomes are quantified to identify problem areas. The research and data analysis staff created follow-up reports to determine if solutions are successful in measurable terms.
    
    
20. Developed a web-based paperless purchase system that allows purchase requestor to view online the status of their requests from the approval stage to the issuance of a purchase order. Developed desktop guide to assist employees in the procurement process.
    
    
21. Changed close management population procedures and closed five close management units.
    
    
22. Established ten full time narcotic K-9 teams, staffed with employees freed from changes made to the random drug-testing program. The team trucks are equipped through a federal drug interdiction grant. Although in operation less than a year, the unit logged over 205 drug seizures.
    
    
23. Replaced 70 certified intake officers with non-certified staff to ensure maximum use of certified officers in field supervision.
    
    
24. Completed statewide Classification, Assessment and Reassessment System (CARS) automating and refining inmates' classifications that impact housing, education and all aspects of inmate life.
    
    
25. Implemented centralized Inmate Bank System (IBS), streamlining accounting of inmate funds and links to the balances of the old cashless canteen system.
    
    
26. Installed new sentence structure system to track and monitor court orders and correspondence from sheriff offices and courts. Also under design is a system to track transfer/courts for the Transportation section.
    
    
27. Augmented data sharing with Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) to provide more information to the FDLE for their public and criminal justice databases.
    
    
28. Finalized the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement pilot to begin January 2002. The pilot establishes distance learning or web-based training for criminal justice officers with over 800 courses. One hundred student slots are available during the one-year pilot period at no cost to the department. Additional slots are available at a cost of $100 per student.
    
    
29. Began statewide installation of personal body alarm system to enhance employee safety by providing employees with the constant ability to alert security for assistance should they be in danger.
    
    
30. Processed 38,367 inmate grievances and developed a more consistent and efficient grievance process through the use of regional and institutional grievance coordinator positions.
    
    
31. Improved recruitment, filling 94% of entry-level correctional officer positions and 94.7% of correctional probation officer positions.
    
    
32. Implemented a new five-year Employee Assistance Program contract with vendor Corporate Care Works.
    
    

33. View the Video Real Video LoFi | HiFi Windows Media AVI (19.2 MB)

    Piloted the correctional officer basic recruit curriculum to implement a field-training component inside the institution. Standardized the course curriculum statewide and ensured more hands-on training for trainees.
    
    
34. Assumed responsibility for conditional release interviews from the Florida Parole Commission.
    
    
35. Continued partnerships with law enforcement agencies statewide to increase public safety through sharing of information, technology, and techniques. Expanded resources for probation officers with access to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement database. Joined with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) in the Innocent Image program to apprehend sex offenders.
    
    
36. The Bureau of Interstate Compact launched new in-house tracking program enhancing data collection, entry, retrieval and processing to eliminate duplication. The bureau assumed the monitoring for 403 Florida Parole Commission interstate cases. To ensure more timely offender supervision and improved database the bureau now automatically prints reports of accepted or rejected cases monthly at each Probation and Parole office.
    
    
37. Conducted Restorative Justice training for inmates. The training emphasizes restitution and the impact of crime on victims. Former crime victims visited youthful offender facilities to discuss their recovery from crime.
    
    
38. Formed educational partnership program with the Ford Motor Company to provide a Light Maintenance Service Center at Dade CI. The center trains female offenders as service technicians. Secured donation of state-of-the-art automobile for Autotronics program at Dade CI from the Ford Motor Company. Additional vehicle donations were secured from other sources for use in two other program sites as well.
    
    
39. Expanded the state-of-the-art Center of Automotive/Autotronics Emphasis Program in partnership with the University of South Florida's Center for High Technology Development to include Autotronics at Brevard CI.
    
    
40. Entered into educational partnership with AAMCO Transmissions, Inc. to provide for the training of offenders at Polk CI as transmission technician specialists using the AAMCO training curriculum.
    
    
41. Entered into partnership with the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation to provide training for inmates at Marion CI in the care and handling of thoroughbred horses.
    
    
42. Entered into a grant agreement with the USDA, the Florida Department of Community Affairs and three non-profit developers to construct housing components for the migrant farm workers housing initiative. This four-year subcontract involves three sites - Avon Park CI, Hardee CI, and Hendry CI - using the labor of inmates enrolled in Cabinetmaking/Carpentry programs.
    
    
43. Introduced vocational teachers to the Florida Masonry Association Pre-Apprenticeship Program. We continue to work with the FMA to extend this apprenticeship opportunity to all inmates enrolled in Vocational Masonry program.
    
    
44. Expanded the number of program sites offering the A+ and other Microsoft certifications in electronics and computer services. These nationally recognized certificates enhance the post-release employment and salaries for students.
    
    
45. Inmate labor at Cross City CI and New River CI renovated a Mayflower moving van into a state-of-the-art mobile computer classroom. This mobile lab moves between youthful offender facilities to enhance vocational programming at those sites.
    
    
46. Inmates enrolled in Vocational Cabinetmaking/Carpentry programs at Indian River CI and Hardee CI completed housing components for local chapters of the Habitat for Humanity organization.
    
    
47. In the last quarter of FY 2000-2001, the statewide vocational certificates awarded per teacher ratio were 9.5% higher compared to the first quarter of FY 2000-2001 (4.6 compared to 4.2).
    
    
48. The National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER) recognized the department as the first state agency sponsor in the United States. Sponsor status allows the department to offer the NCCER's Instructor Certification Training Program to 45 vocational teachers who can now certify our offender-students in the applicable crafts (trades). The offender-student's certification will help the students secure employment upon release.
    
    
49. Provided GED programming to 2,528 inmates. A total of 1,943 inmates were administered the GED test, and 1,171 inmates were awarded GED certificates.
    
    
50. Provided Title I supplemental instructional services to 11,985 inmates.
    
    
51. Provided special education services to 2,839 inmates with disabilities.
    
    
52. Secured over $1,000,000 in federal grant funding for the supplement of academic and vocational instruction for inmates with disabilities.
    
    
53. Provided literacy instruction to 4,000 inmates not enrolled in academic programs or unable to attend academic programs due to work assignments.
    
    
54. Continued educational partnerships with Broward, Palm Beach, Marion and Hillsborough County public schools for the provision of literacy services under the Family Literacy Act Even Start Grant Program.
    
    
55. Provided Mandatory Literacy programming to 5,917 inmates.
    
    
56. Provided Adult Basic Education programming to 12,900 inmates.
    
    
57. Partnered with Workforce Florida Inc. to provide employment assistance and transition services for inmates through a network of over 200 career service one-stop centers located throughout the state.
    
    
58. Project Reconnect served over 1,400 inmates to provide transition assistance for job placement, housing, transportation, and education.
    
    
59. 3,800 inmates participated in the 100-hour transition skills program for inmates at select institutions and facilities. The department's recidivism study shows the recidivism rate for inmates who completed the 100-hour transition course was reduced by 5.6%.
    
    
60. Implemented a pre-apprenticeship training program in construction trades and piloted a driver improvement program at Dinsmore Work Release Center. The driver's course is required in order to reinstate the licenses of individuals who had licenses suspended, revoked or expire.
    
    
61. Through partnership with the Palm Beach Workforce Development and Palm Beach Community College, started a Telecommunications Cable Technician Program for young offenders at Hendry Correctional Institution. This program prepares young offenders for entry-level positions in the telecommunications industry.
    
    
62. Florida is now one of eight states participating in the National Institute of Corrections transition program initiative through development and implementation of a Model Transition Program for Columbia County and Reentry Court Initiative for Broward County.
    
    
63. Broadcast and/or received over 15 satellite delivered training and education programs covering over 30 hours and reaching over 3,000 personnel. These included several partnership broadcasts produced with Florida Department of Education's Workforce Development Office and programs for the Justice Distance Learning Consortium with New York and Texas for youthful offenders.
    
    
64. Began videoconferencing network for Health Service tele-medicine diagnosis and evaluation of Tuberculosis cases with institution doctors at six sites.
    
    
65. Provided videoconferencing to Florida State Prison for close management dorm to educate confined inmates.
    
    
66. Expanded the Partnership for Efficient Adjudication program to use video-conferencing for Immigration and Naturalization Service hearings for DC offenders. With a grant from INS, we expanded service to six institutions and four courtrooms. Weekly hearings from site to site average six hours per day.
    
    
67. Connected 30 institutions and four state courts in Central and South Florida for inmate hearings. Reduced the transport costs and increased safety.
    
    
68. Concluded 29 years of continuous litigation in the class action lawsuit Hooks v. Moore. The United States District Court in Jacksonville approved our law library plan stating that it afforded inmates adequate opportunities to secure their constitutional right of access to the courts.
    
    
69. Hosted the Fourth Female Offender Focused Symposium designed to better equip correctional professionals to work with female offenders.
    
    
70. Expanded the Reading Family ties Face to Face (Video Visiting) program, which allows incarcerated mothers to have visits with their children via computer and Internet.
    
    
71. Extended the AmeriCorps VISTA grant. The grant funds 20 workers to develop partnerships, recruit volunteers, and solicit donations of goods and services for the department.
    
    
72. Increased the number of offenders electronically monitored on Global Positioning Satellite from 120 offenders to over 500. Trained 18 of the 20 judicial circuits on GPS. Officers on-call 24 hours a day, seven days a week to immediately respond to violations. GPS establishes inclusion and exclusion zones for offenders.
    
    
73. Received a $1.2 million grant from Office of Justice Programs, Residential Substance Abuse Treatment to provide non-secure residential substance abuse services. The grant will serve offenders in the Tampa and St. Petersburg areas.
    
    
74. Expanded substance abuse programs at Lowell CI, Marion CI, Hernando CI and Apalachee CI.
    
    
75. With grant funding from the Edward Byrne Memorial State and Local Law Enforcement Assistance Formula Grant Program, the Department implemented a 12-month comprehensive substance abuse program center at the Hollywood Work Release Center.
    
    
76. Developed database-reporting capabilities on substance abuse program participation to provide weekly reports to Central Office and field staff. The weekly monitoring significantly increased the level of program utilization to maximize use of contract staff resources.
    
    
77. Implemented electronic invoicing system to streamline vendor procedure.
    
    
78. Expanded spiritually based programs and increased use of voluntary mentors. Opened faith-based dormitory program at Hillsborough CI for youthful offenders. Formulized plans for the establishment of five additional faith-based dorm programs. Mobilized volunteers for Faith-Based Dorm programs at Gulf, Wakulla, Polk, and Lowell CI. Developed a faith-based dormitory program manual.
    
    
79. Installed satellite systems donated by the T. D. Jakes Ministries at 82 locations including institutions and work release centers.
    
    
80. Received volunteer services from more than 6,000 volunteers a month. These volunteers served over 21,000 hours each month in Florida's prisons.
    
    
81. During fiscal year July 1, 2000 through June 20, 2001, the Foundation for Partnerships in Correctional Excellence provided emergency financial assistance to 85 department employees totaling $128,500 through our Employee Assistance Program.