I. Department of Labor
II. Criminal Record Repository
III. State Attorney General
IV. State Department of
Corrections
V. State Department of
Parole/Probation
VI. Legal Assistance
VII. Local Service Providers
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Florida I. Agency for Workforce Innovation
Information about State Department of Labor resources may be of interest to:
II. Criminal Record Repository A written request, completed fingerprint card and a $39 fee, payable to the "Florida Department of Law Enforcement," must be submitted. For information on how to explunge or seal a record in Florida, call 850-410-7870.
III. State Attorney General
IV. State Department of Corrections Prison Industry Program Prison Rehabilitative Industries and Diversified Enterprises (PRIDE) is a state authorized, not-for-profit manufacturing and services corporation that manages and operates the state's correctional industries. Inmates may be trained in any of 55 different industries. Market studies determine which products are manufactured. Prevailing market wages are paid to inmate workers if items produced are sold to wholesalers for retail resale. Much of the money paid to inmate workers is returned to the state in the form of room and board costs, victim restitution, crime compensation, as well as inmate transition and support services. PRIDE provides job readiness skills prior to release. When inmate workers are released PRIDE, through its Labor Line Division, offers job placement in private industry. Labor Line is a division of PRIDE that provides transitional support. Work Release There are 26 work release facilities in Florida. To be eligible for work release, an offender must meet the following criteria: (1) be in custody at least 90 days; (2) have no disciplinary reports for the previous 90 days; (3) be at community custody security level; and (4) have only 7 to 18 months remaining on his/her sentence. Work release participants leave the facilities for work during the day and return to the facility during non-working hours. Pre-Release The pre-release program is 100 hours in duration. As of December 2002 the course will be mandatory for all offenders being released from Florida prisons. Approximately 26,000 to 28,000 offenders are released yearly. The state currently operates a program developed by Daytona Beach Community College. The program teaches employability skills, value clarification, interview skills and general life skills. Offenders who do not have jobs are referred to One Stop Career Centers. Post Release Transitional Housing Program Post Release Transitional assistance provides substance abuse counseling and housing for recently released offenders if the former offender has need of such as determined by the parole department. Florida has contracted with faith-based organizations to provide post-release housing for up to 90 days. The state also provides Transitional Assistant Specialists to assist recently released offenders in their transition back into the community. New Organization Name
V. Florida Department of Corrections Community CorrectionsPost-release supervision is under the direction of the Florida Department of Corrections. Sentences are flat sentences. An inmate may be released with no supervision after the sentence has been served, or one may be released from state custody to probation supervision for a period of time as stipulated by the court. A small population remains who were sentenced under old laws and are released to parole supervision. There are four regions, divided according to Florida's judicial circuits, each with a number of local offices to provide easy access for supervision purposes.
VI. Legal Assistance
VII. Local Service Providers
One-Stop Career Centers One-Stop Career Centers offer employment services to job seekers and employers in Florida. There are 24 Regional Workforce Boards in Florida which are responsible for implementing the employment programs in their regions. Services available include referrals to employment, career counseling, assistance with job search and placement, access to computers/internet, resume preparation, phone/fax machines, copy machines, interest, aptitude and basic skills testing and other special programs tailored to meet employment needs of those facing barriers to employment. A directory of One-Stop Career Centers in Florida is available at www.workforceflorida.com Operation New Hope Community Development Corporation Operation New Hope Community Development Corporation rebuilds low-income communities by offering training and employment to neighborhood residents, 60% of whom are people with criminal records. Operation New Hope works with area churches to provide building/construction skills as well as mentors for each participant. Participation in the program ranges from three months to one year, after which time graduates may be placed in private construction industry jobs. Operation New Hope evaluates applicants before release from incarceration and works closely with the Florida Department of Corrections. House of Hope The House of Hope, a faith-based organization, offers shelter and job placement to recently released people with criminal records. Substance abuse, anger management and spiritual counseling are also available. Participants apply through the correctional facility chaplains' department six months before their anticipated release date. Program capacity is five residents. House of Hope staff utilizes one stop centers and program contacts to obtain employment for its participants. Residency time ranges from three to six months. Time for Freedom, Inc. Time for Freedom, Inc. offers transitional housing and support for recently released men with criminal histories. Time for Freedom mandates attendance at four programs, AA/NA, cognitive thinking, bible study and life skills. All residents are expected to work, with limited job referrals available. Future plans include expansion of cottage industries to generate operational funds as well as teaching vocational skills. Graphic arts/printing is operational at present. Pinellas Ex-Offender Re-Entry Coalition The Pinellas Ex-Offender Re-Entry Coalition, PERC, is a coalition of more than 40 churches, agencies and organizations working to promote services to individuals with criminal records and their families. PERC utilizes existing agencies within the public and private sectors to provide services such as temporary housing, clothing, food, resume writing expertise, job interview techniques and employment services. Urban League of Broward County The Urban League of Broward County offers an employment skill-building program to assist low-income hard-to-employ individuals, including those with criminal histories, overcome obstacles to obtaining and maintaining a job. Included in the program are training workshops, job coaching and assistance with childcare and transportation needs. Families can also receive assistance in becoming homeowners. Tampa Crossroads, Inc. Tampa Crossroads offers comprehensive residential and non-residential services to non-violent offenders and individuals with criminal histories. Defendants may be court mandated to Crossroads as an alternative to incarceration. Services include residential housing, case management, individual/group/family therapy, employability skills training, substance abuse therapy, and educational and transitional housing assistance.
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