The Florida Department of Corrections canceled visitation and instituted a partial lockdown this weekend at all of its major prison facilities, citing "credible intelligence" of inmate disruptions.
- Visitation canceled at Florida correctional facilities
- Dept. of Corrections: credible intelligence of safety disruptions
- 148 facilities across the state
The partial lockdown means inmates are allowed to go to certain areas of facilities, such as the meal hall, recreational areas, TV areas, phones, and showers. However, they will not be allowed to go outdoors -- outdoor activities and educational programming has been suspended.
A "full" lockdown, according to department officials, would mean inmates would be restricted to their cells, and meals brought to them.
The department issued the following statement regarding the moves:
"The Florida Department of Corrections foremost responsibility is to ensure the safety of Florida communities, staff and inmates. In response to credible intelligence indicating that small groups of inmates at several institutions may attempt to disrupt FDC operations and impact safety and security, FDC has taken steps to enhance the security of its institutions across the state this weekend."
The cancellation order for visitation does not apply to the work release centers.
The DOC said there were indications that small groups of inmates may try to disrupt operations, impacting safety and security. In the last couple of months, four correctional facilities have already had visitation canceled at least one weekend.
The Central Florida and Tampa Bay areas have several correctional facilities affected by the order. They include:
- Hernando Correctional Institute in Brookesville, a female institution
- Sumter Correctional Institute in Bushnell
- Zephyrhills Correctional Institute in Pasco County
- The Polk Correctional Institute in Polk City
- The Central Florida Reception Center in Orange County
- The Lake Correctional Institute in Clermont
- The Marion Correctional Institute in Lowell
- The Lowell Correctional Institute in Ocala
- The Florida Women's Reception Center in Ocala
- The Tomoka Correctional Institute in Daytona Beach