South Bay Correctional Facility Q&A

[1nonlyTeRe]

South Bay Correctional Facility

o 600 U.S. Highway 27 South
South Bay, Florida 33493
o (561) 992-9505
o http://www.dc.state.fl.us/facilities/region4/405.html
o FAX: (561) 992-9551
o E-Mail: southbay@thegeogroupinc.com
o Chaplain's Office - (561) 992-9505

Directions: Located on US-27, just south of the intersection of US-27 and SR-80.

Historical Information: This facility was established in 1997 to house adult male inmates. It is operated by The GEO Group Inc. (formerly Wackenhut Corrections Corporation) under contract with the Correctional Privatization Commission.

Total Staff (on 8/04): 2 Department of Corrections staff

Type of Housing Units:

Open Bay Housing Units - 1
Cell Housing Units - 4
Room Housing Units - 0
Total Capacity - 1,318

Other Information:

Population Gender - Male
Adult or Youthful - Adult
Facility Level - 5
Self Contained Housing Units - Yes
Designated Confinement Space -Yes
Custody Grades - Close, Medium, Minimum, Community
Medical Grades -1 through 3
Psychological Grades -1 through 3
Wheelchair Capabilities - Yes
Hearing Impaired Capabilities - No

Law Library: Yes

Academic Programs:

Adult Basic Education/GED
Literacy

Vocational Programs:

Building Maintenance Technology
Business Software Applications
Carpentry & Cabinetmaking (Cabinetmaking)
Environmental Horticulture
Gasoline Engine Service Technology
Nursery Operations

Substance Abuse Programs:

Tier I - Substance Abuse Education (RTC)
Tier IV - Residential Therapeutic Community (RTC)

Other Ongoing Programs:

Alcoholics Anonymous
Narcotics Anonymous
Life Skills

P.R.I.D.E. Programs:

None at this time.

Community Work Squads:

Dept. of Transportation - 0 Squads
Public Work Squads - 0 Squads
Interagency Community Service Work Squads - No

Please post any additional information (or anything else that we should know!!):

Visitation Hours
Visiting Rules (not the ones listed in the 33’s, but first hand knowledge rules, things they do and don’t pick at, etc)
Visiting Hints (attire, what time you should get up there, is it crowded first thing in the AM, do you get a number? etc)
Visiting Procedures – Do they use the old system by just taking your ID and giving you a slip, or are they using the computer hand check-in system?
Visiting Room (Does it have indoor and outdoor visiting rooms? Big/Sm?)
Lodging Nearby

[PhillyGurLL]

I've visited this facility before! It was like NO OTHER facility I have ever been to! Maybe because it is private, I don't know. Men and women were going into the bathroom together, you could sit anywhere you wanted, etc. It was wild!

[nightbird]

If you were to put in for a transfer would you pick SouthBay or Martin?

[southbaysucks27]

to be honest, it all depends on race...if your loved one is African American, I would say go with South Bay...they have air conditioning, lax rules, not as "military" as Doc facilities..Of course, your loved one may end up with salmonella poisoning like @ 40 of the guys did a few months ago...
If your loved one is not African American, you may still opt for South Bay, but have him be prepared for a little "reverse discrimination"...the staff at SB is 95% black, and they are a lot more "cooperative" with black inmates and visiting family members than their Caucasian counterparts.......
The commissary prices are much higher than DOC facilities, the vending and change machines are usually out of order, the phones that the guys use don't work half the time...Drugs are readily available...so, if you’re loved one has a drug problem, I woudl pick Martin...although, I have been hearing a lot of bad things about Martin lately as well...it is a toss up,
But go with South Bay...just be mindful you will have to put up with a LOT of rudenes sand unprofessional behavior from the staff. ..some of which were fired for sneaking in drugs and contraband....

[nightbird]

Is Southbay a Private Prison?? I am confused?

[kory]

How do I find my girlfriend? I know she is in FL some place She lived in Naples before she went to prison any help would be great Thanks

[Free2BU&Me]

Originally Posted by kory

How do I find my girlfriend? I know she is in FL some place She lived in Naples before she went to prison any help would be great Thanks

kory welcome to PTO! Sorry your post did not get any replies yet - have you tried looking on the FL DOC site? (www.dc.state.fl.us)

Here is a site to search for active warrants in Collier County: http://www.colliersheriff.org/news/w...h_criteria.asp

And here's the number for the jail: 793-9529

Let us know how it goes!

[princes' girl73]

South Bay is a private prison...

[GottaLuvJustice]

A nice plus is that the guys have air conditioning in their cells. That's a definite plus in South Florida with the heat and humidity.

VP...well, it all depends on who's working. Some days it is sweet and others it just isn't.

[kitkat3612]

My husband was transferred yesterday to South Bay CF, which is a private prison. The chaplain called my work on a conference call and he was able to tell me that they have a different phone system and it would take 72 hours to be cut on and they also have pre-paid. If your loved one is at a private institution, do you rather the pre-paid or collect calls. Thanks Cat

[cc63]

My husband is at South bay, too. Overall, I think the prepaid is better. I can call the company (Infinity) that handles the prepaid account and charge an amount that I choose to my credit card. If I call before 1pm, the money is on the account by that evening. I can also make a western union quick collect (if I do it before 1pm, it is also available that evening). The biggest advantage is that he can call my cell phone. So, no matter where I am I can talk to him. Also, we can talk on the phone until midnight on the weekends, 11pm on weeknights. What I don't like is that the calls are only 10 minutes long. But, he can usually call me right back when the phone hangs up. I believe the calls are $3.20 each. Also, you have to rely on your husband to track the balance because you do not receive any statements from Infinity. But, that's no problem because the guys hear their balance every time they make a call.

[chriswifeyaaf]

i have a questionn about south bay... is it true that there is conjugal visits there? ive heard lots of stories and i just wanted to know..???

[cc63]

Nope...no conjugal visits at South Bay.

[APRILALUVTONY]

i was just wondering...how can one be transferred to South Bay?

[cc63]

My husband says he should ask for a program transfer, instead of an adjustment transfer. Of course the other rules apply (i.e. dr free and at least being transferred to South Bay.

[APRILALUVTONY]

cc63...what if one is a lifer but was transferred to another facility over a year ago...does that still mean he has to stay there for 5 years or can he still put in for a program transfer? Thanks a mil!

[cc63]

Sorry....Not too sure how long lifers have to be at their current camp. But, they do have lifers at South Bay.

[joeysmuneca]

My baby wants to transfer from Dade CI to South Bay and he says in Florida if the family can pay for an attorney that the attorney can get the inmate to the camp of his choice. I find this VERY hard to believe. I am very familiar with NC prisons where paying for a transfer would NEVER be allowed. Is this true and how would I go about finding an inexpensive, yet effective attorney?

[joeysmuneca]

pay for transfers? My baby wants to transfer from Dade CI to South Bay and he says in Florida if the family can pay for an attorney that the attorney can get the inmate to the camp of his choice. I find this VERY hard to believe. I am very familiar with NC prisons where paying for a transfer would NEVER be allowed. Is this true and how would I go about finding an inexpensive, yet effective attorney?
__________________
am i to assume that nobody out there knows about this? if you do please give some advice!

[kitkat3612]

Went the first time this weekend. Visits are from 7:30-4. This is good. Takes over an hour for the guys to get out. That's the bad. They take your id and hold it That is when the guys are supposedly called for a visit. I find that procedure a little lax and only a few do get called at that time. Vending machine with a good selection of food. A little more pricey, than DOC but overall better selection. Nice TV and play area for the children. Two days and not one time did I hear what time are we leaving. I found that your 15-year old son cannot wear a white shirt not an undershirt just a shirt but the women can, I was there over 2.5 hours was let in by the sargent and than a female told me I had to go to the corner store and by him a t-shirt. I was able to leave my 7-year old with his dad and come back. The woman say that a slip is a must. As for the size of the visiting park. Big inside-small outside no grassy area just a concrete wall with a few picnic tables reminds me of an inside racquet ball area. But I found that the facility is a plus for the men. A/C and better phone systems they do calling cards-so no more huge phone bills.

[worshipy2k]

I've been to many prisons in Florida nothing like GEO prisons. This company, I feel is all about the family staying together. GEO Group what you say about the Conjugal Visitation?

[APRILALUVTONY]

i have to ask....do they get visits on saturday a sundays and holidays as well???

[kitkat3612]

Yes....both Sat and Sunday and the same as holidays.

[APRILALUVTONY]

sounds like a better prison than FLDOC...My hun talked about that place so much that he literally wants to LIVE there but of course he would be... :0) I told him to look into it. I don't feel very safe where he is right now and I actually fear for his life because of so many killings and riotings at this particular prison he is at now. It would really make my day if he can get to South Bay.

[zory1975]

i would like to know if any anyone knows or heard about this prison