A correctional facility is a place where prisoners who have been sentenced to time in prison go to serve their sentences. The sentences could be of varying severity, with the majority of them being for serious offenses. One of the goals of prison facilities is to rehabilitate offenders while they are in custody so that they can be reintegrated into society, especially for people who did not get a life sentence. Let’s Know more about Lowell Correctional Institution Annex.
Lowell correctional institution annex is the other compartment of the main facility where women inmates between the ages of 59 and above are detained for their jail term. The annex includes a 240-bed solitary confinement unit for prisoners who pose a threat to other inmates.
Things to note about the prison facility
- It was built in Ocala, Florida.
- It was built primarily as a female prison facility.
- It has two compartments: one for the younger inmates and the annex for the older offenders.
- It is both a minimum and maximum-security prison.
- The facility has a capacity of over 3000 inmates.
- The management believes in the vision of individuals who are transformed through various correctional programs.
- Young female offenders are enrolled in educational programs.
Correctional programs.
Their programs range from academic to vocational development, as well as religious and betterment programs.
- Educational programs include
Adult Basic Education, General Education Development, Ashland University College Program, and Special Education Services. Most of these educational programs center around open populations and close management.
- Their vocational development is in various fields, but architecture is a major in this aspect.
- Other fields include
- Horse care
- Cosmetology
- Computer Support
- Culinary arts
They also have drug abuse activities, and there are three specific areas under this:
- Outpatient Services
- Residential Therapeutic Community
- Intensive Outpatient Services
There are also religious activities such as:
- Religious and worship services
- Chapel’s library management
- Religious Educational Activities
While the lifestyle modification category boasts the most activities, they include
Freedom from Alcohol and Narcotics, Compass 100, Dance to be Free, the Gavel Club, Inmate Wellbeing Program, and Library services include regular library services as well as a customized program on law library services, Pre-Release Counseling, and the Women Helping Women program.
The Establishment’s visiting policy
- You have to receive a visitor’s mailing application from the incarcerated person.
- You fill out the application and send it to Florida’s state Department of Corrections for approval.
- Upon approval, you are placed on the visiting list, which means that you are granted the privilege to visit your loved ones in this prison facility.
- Visitors aged 17 years or under shouldn’t come to visit unless an adult that has been registered is with them.
- There is a dress code that is allowed for visitors. Dresses such as see-throughs, nets, skimpy dresses and jumpers, bum shorts, dresses that hug the body tightly, and shoes with detachable soles are among the prohibited types of dresses.
- You are allowed in with no more than 50 dollars in your purse and a car key that doesn’t have metallic holders or attachments.
- You must check with the staff to find out the kind of food items that you can bring with you.
- Not all types of medications are allowed, so you should do well to find out from their desk before visiting with drugs.
Time to visit.
- Their visitation days are usually Saturdays and Sundays.
- The time is from 9 am to 3 am.
- They start computing the visiting list as early as 8:15 am.
- Processing of visitors usually ends at 2:00 pm.
visitor’s processing
Step one
Visitors are always required to always come with a valid means of identification that contains their picture.
Step two
The processing officers will verify your approval status.
Step three
Some searches will be conducted on you. At least three types of searches will be conducted, and they are mainly for concealed weapons, drugs, and contraband. The steps are manual search, metal detector, and canine search.
Step four
Once you have been cleared, you are then directed to the visiting venue.
Handling ill-treatment at the facility.
Inhumane treatments and abuses have been an ugly part of the American prison system.
However, inmates still have some of their rights preserved and, should they experience abuse of any kind, they can do the following:
- They can hire a lawyer who specializes in prison abuse cases. This person will educate them on how to seek reprieve through the law.
- A personal injury lawsuit can be filed if they are mistreated by fellow inmates. This always helps to draw attention to the level of abuse occurring in the facility.
The management of the facility can also be brought to justice due to their negligence on this end.
Conclusion
Lowell correctional facility annex has become an integral part of rehabilitation for women offenders through their programs. The facility has its mode of operation, which stands it out among the other facilities of this nature. It has been reputed to be the largest correctional facility in Florida.
Frequently asked questions about Lowell’s Prison Annex
- Does the facility house only middle-aged female offenders?
No! It houses offenders in different age groups. Only the annex is used to contain women over the age of 59.
- How long do inmates stay in reception in Florida?
They usually don’t stay beyond five days, after which they are taken to their permanent cells.
