Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability
Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability

Some Inmate Family Visitation Practices Are Not Meeting the Legislature's Intent

Report 07-16, February 2007

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Report Summary

National studies have shown that inmates with continued family contact while in prison have lower recidivism rates. Florida law sets forth requirements for the Department of Corrections to facilitate frequent and quality contact between inmates and their families. The department has recently taken steps to strengthen inmate family contact by reducing its telephone commissions and inmate phone rates. However, other weaknesses remain:

  • information about visiting regulations and dress codes is poorly defined and rules are inconsistently enforced;
  • inconsistent efforts are made to manage the time of visiting children and youth; and
  • insufficient statewide oversight is exercised over family visitation.

Conditions are similar at Florida's private prisons, which provide only half the visitation opportunities of public prisons and charge families more for inmate phone service.

Related Reports
  1. While DMS Has Improved Monitoring, It Needs to Strengthen Private Prison Oversight and Contracts
    Report 08-71 December 2008
  2. Corrections' Contraband Effort Is Sound; Cell Phone Penalties and Warden Consistency Are Needed
    Report 08-20 April 2008
  3. Higher Priority Should Be Given to Transition Services to Reduce Inmate Recidivism
    Report 07-17 February 2007
  4. Corrections Experiences Turnover and Vacancies, But Performance Not Diminished
    Report 07-15 February 2007
Copies of this report in print or alternate accessible format may be obtained by email OPPAGA@oppaga.fl.gov, telephone (850) 488-0021, or mail 111 W. Madison St., Room 312 Tallahassee, FL 32399-1475.
Copies of this report in print or alternate accessible format may be obtained by email OPPAGA@oppaga.fl.gov, telephone (850) 488-0021, or mail 111 W. Madison St., Room 312 Tallahassee, FL 32399-1475.
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