Hamilton Correctional Institution is a correctional facility located in Jasper, Florida. The facility is operated by the Florida Department of Corrections and houses male inmates. Hamilton Correctional Institution is a medium-security prison that houses inmates with sentences ranging from a few years to life. The facility has a capacity of approximately 3,100 inmates.
In recent years, Hamilton Correctional Institution has been the subject of controversy due to allegations of mistreatment of inmates. In 2020, three former correctional officers pleaded guilty to violating the civil rights of an inmate by striking him multiple times while he was handcuffed on the ground. The officers were sentenced to federal prison for their actions.
Additionally, in 2019, the Correctional Medical Authority conducted a physical and mental health survey of Hamilton Correctional Institution and found areas in need of improvement. The facility was given a corrective action plan to address these issues.
Temporarily closed satellite location: Hamilton Work Camp
| Security | Mixed |
| Capacity | 3,104 |
| Physical Address | 10650 S.W. 46th Street Jasper, Florida 32052-1360 |
| Mailing Address | PO Box 23608 Tampa, FL 33623 |
| Can You Send Gifts? | No |
| Visitation Hours | Saturdays and Sundays: 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. |
| Dress Code | Yes |
| Phone Number | (386) 792-5151 |
| Jurisdiction | State |
History and Overview
Opening Date
Hamilton Correctional Institution is a state prison facility located in Jasper, Florida. The facility was opened in 1993, and it has a total capacity of 3,104 inmates.
Location and Address
Hamilton Correctional Institution is located at 10650 SW 46th Street, Jasper, Florida 32052. The facility is situated in Hamilton County, in the northern part of the state. The prison is approximately 30 miles west of Lake City and about 70 miles east of Tallahassee.
The prison is adjacent to the Hamilton Correctional Institution Annex, which is a separate facility that houses minimum and medium-security inmates. The annex has a capacity of 1,416 inmates and was opened in 1997.
Hamilton Correctional Institution is responsible for the intake and processing of all male inmates sentenced to the Florida Department of Corrections in the northern region of the state. The facility also provides mental health and medical services to inmates, including dental care, substance abuse treatment, and HIV/AIDS education.
The prison has faced several challenges in recent years, including reports of staff misconduct and inmate abuse. In 2020, the Correctional Medical Authority conducted an on-site physical and mental health survey of Hamilton Correctional Institution, which identified areas of concern related to medical care and mental health services. The survey report recommended corrective actions to improve the quality of care provided to inmates.
Inmate Population and Security
Security Levels
Hamilton Correctional Institution is a closed custody facility that houses adult male offenders. The facility has a security level of close, which means that inmates are closely monitored and have limited movement outside of their assigned areas. The security level is determined based on the inmate’s criminal history, behavior, and risk of escape.
Inmate Demographics
As of December 31, 2019, Hamilton Correctional Institution housed 819 prisoners. The majority of the inmates are male, and the average age is 38. The facility houses inmates with a variety of offenses, including drug offenses, property crimes, and violent crimes. Inmates may be transferred to Hamilton Correctional Institution from other facilities in the state.
Inmate Search
Friends and family members of inmates at Hamilton Correctional Institution can search for an inmate by their ID number or name on the Florida Department of Corrections website. The website provides information on the inmate’s location, release date, and other details.
Overall, Hamilton Correctional Institution is a secure facility that houses adult male prisoners with a variety of offenses. The facility has a close security level, which means that inmates are closely monitored and have limited movement. Friends and family members of inmates can search for an inmate by their ID number or name on the Florida Department of Corrections website.
Facilities and Capacity
Physical Facilities
Hamilton Correctional Institution is located in Jasper, Hamilton County, Florida. It is a state prison facility that houses adult male inmates. The institution has a total of 13 buildings, including a medical building, a visitation building, and a chapel. The facility also has a recreation yard, a dining hall, and a laundry building.
The prison is surrounded by two perimeter fences, with a third fence surrounding the recreation yard. The facility is equipped with security cameras, metal detectors, and X-ray machines to ensure the safety of staff and inmates. The institution has a capacity of 3,104 inmates.
Prison Capacity
Hamilton Correctional Institution is one of the many prisons in Florida that is overcrowded. According to the Florida Department of Corrections (FDC), as of March 2022, the department housed 80,917 inmates in its facilities and was responsible for an additional 145,895 offenders on community supervision of which 86,391 were active, 29,243 were under active suspense, 5,381 out-of-state supervision, and 24,880 absconders. As of December 2021, Florida had the third-largest state prison population in the United States.
The FDC has been working to address the issue of prison overcrowding in Florida. One solution has been to transfer inmates to private correctional facilities. Private correctional facilities are major institutions operated by a private contractor. The Florida Department of Management Services oversees operational contracts for five facilities of male offenders: Blackwater River, Bay, Graceville, Moore Haven, and South Bay. These facilities have a combined capacity of 9,782 inmates.
Another solution has been to expand existing facilities and build new ones. In 2019, the FDC announced plans to build a new state prison facility in the Panhandle region of Florida. The facility is expected to have a capacity of 1,500 inmates and is estimated to cost $150 million.
Despite these efforts, prison overcrowding remains a significant issue in Florida. As of March 2022, the occupancy rate for Hamilton Correctional Institution was 120.8%, meaning the facility was housing more inmates than it was designed to hold.
Visitation Information
Visiting an inmate at Hamilton Correctional in Florida is possible, but there are certain rules and regulations that visitors must follow. This section will provide information on visiting hours, visitation registration, and dress code.
Visiting Hours
Regular visiting is held on Saturdays and Sundays from 9:00 a.m. through 3:00 p.m. EST. Registration begins at 8:15 a.m. on both days. Visitors will not be processed after 2:00 p.m.
Visitation Registration
All visitors must be on the inmate’s approved visiting list. To be added to the list, visitors must complete a Visitation Application form and submit it to the facility. The form can be obtained from the Florida Department of Corrections website or from the inmate. The application must be completed in its entirety, including the signature of the visitor and the inmate.
Visitors must also provide a valid form of identification, such as a driver’s license or state ID card. The ID must be current and not expired. Visitors who are under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.
Visitation Dress Code
Visitors must dress appropriately for their visit. Clothing that is revealing or suggestive is not allowed. Visitors should wear modest clothing that covers their entire body, including their arms and legs. Shorts, skirts, and dresses should be no shorter than knee-length. Visitors should also avoid wearing clothing with offensive language or graphics.
Visitors must also wear appropriate footwear. Shoes must be closed-toe and have a back strap. Sandals, flip-flops, and high heels are not allowed.
In conclusion, visiting an inmate at Hamilton Correctional requires visitors to follow certain rules and regulations. Visitors must arrive during designated visiting hours, be on the inmate’s approved visiting list, and dress appropriately. By following these guidelines, visitors can have a successful visit with their loved ones.
Communication with Inmates
Effective communication with inmates is an essential part of the rehabilitation process in correctional facilities. Hamilton Correctional in Florida provides several ways for inmates to communicate with their loved ones and the outside world.
Mailing Information
Inmates can send and receive mail while incarcerated at Hamilton Correctional. All incoming and outgoing mail is subject to inspection by the Department of Corrections. Inmates must use their inmate mailing address when sending and receiving mail. The mailing address for Hamilton Correctional is:
Inmate’s last name, first name, DC#
PO Box 23608
Tampa, FL 33623Inmates can receive letters, cards, and photographs. However, they cannot receive packages or any items that are not approved by the facility. All incoming mail must have the sender’s name and return address on the envelope.
Phone Calls
Inmates at Hamilton Correctional can make collect calls to approved phone numbers. The facility does not allow incoming calls to inmates. Inmates must submit a list of approved phone numbers to the facility. Friends and family members can set up an account with the phone provider to receive collect calls from inmates. The phone number for the facility is (386) 792-5151.
Email Communication
Hamilton Correctional does not provide email communication for inmates. However, inmates can use the JPay system to send and receive electronic messages. Friends and family members can set up an account with JPay to send and receive messages from inmates.
In conclusion, Hamilton Correctional provides several ways for inmates to communicate with the outside world. Inmates can send and receive mail, make collect phone calls, and use the JPay system to send and receive electronic messages. All communication is subject to inspection by the Department of Corrections.
Educational and Vocational Programs
Hamilton Correctional in Florida offers a range of educational and vocational programs to its inmates. These programs are designed to help inmates acquire skills and knowledge that can help them succeed in their personal and professional lives after they are released from prison.
Academic Programs
Hamilton Correctional offers academic programs that include Adult Basic Education (ABE) and General Educational Development (GED) courses. These courses are designed to help inmates improve their reading, writing, and math skills. Inmates who complete these courses may be better equipped to find employment after they are released.
Vocational Programs
The vocational programs offered at Hamilton Correctional are designed to help inmates acquire skills that can lead to employment opportunities after they are released. Some of the vocational programs offered at Hamilton Correctional include Cabinetmaking and Masonry.
The Cabinetmaking vocational program teaches inmates the skills necessary to build and repair cabinets. Inmates who complete this program may be able to find employment in the construction or woodworking industries after they are released.
The Masonry vocational program teaches inmates the skills necessary to work with bricks, concrete, and other masonry materials. Inmates who complete this program may be able to find employment in the construction industry after they are released.
Overall, the educational and vocational programs offered at Hamilton Correctional are designed to help inmates acquire the skills and knowledge they need to succeed in their personal and professional lives after they are released from prison.
Financial Information
Hamilton Correctional Florida provides various financial services to inmates, including sending money and purchasing items from the commissary.
Sending Money
Inmates can receive money from their family and friends through JPay, a third-party service provider that offers electronic money transfers. The funds are credited to the inmate’s account within one to three business days. The sender can use JPay’s website or mobile app to send money, and the inmate can access the funds using their JPay account.
Commissary Information
Hamilton Correctional Florida offers a commissary where inmates can purchase items such as food, personal hygiene products, and clothing. Inmates can use the funds in their accounts to purchase items from the commissary. The commissary is typically open once a week, and inmates can place orders through the kiosk system provided by JPay.
Hamilton Correctional Florida also allows inmates to earn money through work assignments. Inmates can use the money earned to purchase items from the commissary or to pay for other expenses such as phone calls or medical co-pays.
Overall, Hamilton Correctional Florida provides various financial services to inmates to ensure that they have access to basic necessities and the ability to communicate with their loved ones outside of the facility.