The Florida Department of Corrections has opened dorms for military veterans incarcerated at correctional institutions in Santa Rosa, Gulf, Martin, Sumter and Lowell counties.
We are always looking for creative ways to encourage the inmate population to make positive changes in their lives, Florida Department of Corrections Secretary Ken Tucker stated in a release. The military emphasizes pride, character and integrity. By housing veteran inmates in the same dorm before their release from prison, they can work together to recapture some of those qualities, while also learning about programs and benefits available specifically for veterans.
Inmates housed in the dorm must: conduct daily flag-raising and -retiring ceremonies; abide by military standards for the dorm areas, bunks and clothing; refrain from profanity and racial slurs; and attend evening group meetings.
Only vets with three or fewer years remaining on their sentences can participate in the program, which is to be overseen by correction officers with military backgrounds.
For those housed in the dorms, which can collectively accommodate about 400 inmates, specialized prerelease services will also be available, such as cognitive thinking training, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) counseling, improved access to Veterans Affairs benefits and strict military standards for veterans' dormitories.
Currently, about 6,700 of Floridas 101,000 inmates are registered as military veterans.
The dorms are located at: Santa Rosa Correctional Institution in Milton, Gulf Correctional Institution in Wewahitchka, Martin Correctional Institution in Indiantown, Sumter Correctional Institution in Bushnell, and Lowell Correctional Institution in Ocala.
The Lowell facility will house male and female inmates.
Contact Jim Turner at jturner@sunshinestatenews.com or at (850) 727-0859 or (772) 215 9889.
