Institutions

Bureau of Security Operations

The Security Auditing and Special Operations Unit is responsible for conducting the statutorily mandated comprehensive security audit of all state and private correctional institutions. These audits are conducted by a team of Security Consultants who are charged with evaluating the physical plant, landscaping, fencing, security alarms and perimeter lighting, staffing policies, and procedural compliance of each institution. The audit instrument utilized by the security assessment team, is a set of 282 standards, which are divided into 17 sections. These sections include: Weapons and Security Equipment, Key Control, Property, Perimeter, Entrance Procedures, Tool Control, Sensitive Items, Communications, Mail, Counts, Transportation of Inmates, Security Inspections, Confinement Areas, Outside Work Squads, Bloodborne Pathogen Precautions, General Emergency Plans, and Security Threat Groups. Upon completion, the findings of the security assessment, to include "best practices", are compiled into a formal report by the team members and the Warden of the institution is provided a copy from which a plan of corrective action is developed. Additionally, this section promulgates rules and procedures relative to security operations, issues security advisories, and coordinates the review and evaluation of innovative security concepts. This section also assists in evaluating the appropriations of enhancement funds, monitors staff utilization, and hears civil rights issues. This section also provides oversight of emergency response team operations statewide for rapid response teams (baton, chemical agent, and shotgun squads), CERT, and hostage negotiation/crisis intervention.

The Automated Roster Management System Unit has been added to the Bureau of Security Operations. This section oversees the on-going development, installation, training, and monitoring of the Roster Management System. Currently, the system is in place and is operational in fifteen correctional facilities.

The Emergency Action Center (EAC) Unit is a significant enhancement of the former duty officer process. The EAC is a central command and information center receiving pertinent data from the field and disseminating data to executive staff twenty-four hours a day. The EAC serves the department as the central contact point for relaying information to executive staff and initiates appropriate incident management steps as directed by executive staff. The EAC provides: twenty-four hour NCIC/FCIC terminal access for warrant checks and criminal history reviews, broadcast scriptwriter pager capabilities to all executive staff and staff charged with activation of emergency response teams, and database capabilities to track and monitor problem areas. In the event of any major disaster or emergency, the EAC will integrate with the Emergency Operations Center to provide a central information and command post. The EAC is equipped with a programmable fax and multi-line phone systems, and will augment escape and recapture efforts through the capability of entering escape information on the FDC's web site.

The Disaster Preparedness and Coordination Unit is an addition to the Bureau of Security Operations. Due to the vulnerability of the State of Florida to natural/man-made disasters, such as hurricanes and chemical spills, the department has established a Disaster Preparedness Plan and made provisions to activate an Emergency Operations Center when disaster threaten the facilities, staff, and inmate population of the FDC. The Disaster Plan provides for an orderly method in which to prepare facilities for potential disaster events and to assist them during and after a disaster situation. The Emergency Operations Center is the "nerve center" of that effort. Coordinating issues, such as preparing facilities for a potential threat of disaster, possible evacuation of facilities, and recovery efforts, are the main functions of this operation.

The Drug Testing Unit oversees the inmate random drug testing program in which 10% of the inmate population is selected and tested for illegal substances each month through a computerized random selection system. In addition to random drug tests, the program also includes "for cause" testing of any inmate based on reasonable suspicion of involvement with drugs or alcohol. The role of testing, as an integral part of effective substance abuse treatment programs, has been recognized as highly effective in identifying those who have substance abuse problems, getting them into treatment, and monitoring them during the treatment process. Since the inception of the drug testing program in January 1994, the rate of positive tests has declined from 6% to 1% indicating an overall reduction in inmate drug use in our system.

• Conducted unannounced security audits at 33 correctional institutions and served as team leader of the security component of Management Review for 22 correctional institutions.
• Continued the statewide implementation of security enhancements to include upgraded perimeter barriers, electronic detection systems, additional single cell housing units, upgrade of security locking systems, and security cameras.
• Coordinated, in conjunction with the Bureau of Staff Development, a basic Hostage Negotiations course for institutional team members to include 4 team members from each institution.
• Developed security auditing criteria and related standards for technology application within the secure perimeter of correctional facilities.
• Intelligence gathering was enhanced on 400 security threat groups consisting of 2,324 members and suspected members. An average of 160 inquiries were responded to per month by facilities, outside agencies and the public which included graffiti analysis, training, communication decoding and gang profiles.
• Automated printouts are now provided to all major facilities and probation and parole circuit offices identifying all Security Threat members at each facility. This report allows each facility and the Security Threat Group Unit to track and manage those inmates identified as security threats.