Everglades Correctional Institution Q&A

[1nonlyTeRe]

Everglades Correctional Institution

o 1601 S.W. 187th Avenue
Miami, Florida 33185
o (305) 228-2000
o http://www.dc.state.fl.us/facilities/region4/401.html
o FAX: (305) 228-2039
o E-Mail: evergladesci@mail.dc.state.fl.us
o Chaplain's Office - (305) 228-2000

Directions: Take the Turnpike extension to Southwest 8th Street (SR-41). Go west on SR-41 to 187th Avenue (just past Krome Avenue). Turn left on 187th. The institution is approximately ½ mile.

Historical Information: This facility was established in 1995, originally as a mental health facility. Since then, it was converted to a major institution and houses adult male inmates.

Total Staff (on 8/04): 281

Type of Housing Units:

Open Bay Housing Units - 2
Cell Housing Units - 6
Room Housing Units - 0
Total Capacity - 1,525

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

Academic Programs:

Computer Assisted Instruction Lab
Volunteer Literacy Student
Volunteer Literacy Tutor

Vocational Programs:

PC Support Services

Wellness Education Services:

Fresh Start Smoking Cessation
Wellness Education
Weight Training
Sports Leagues

Library Services:

Library Program
Major Law Collection

Substance Abuse Programs:

Alcoholics Anonymous
Narcotics Anonymous
Modality I

Chaplaincy Services:

Faith and Character Dormitory
Kairos Week-ends
Chapel Library Program
Prison Fellowship Quarterly
Religious Education
T.D. Jakes Satellite Location
Way Home Bridge Builders
Worship Services

Institutional Betterment Programs:

None at this time.

Other Ongoing Programs:

Anger & Stress Management
Lifer's Group
CC Interactive Distance Learning
Distance Broadcast of 100 hour Transition Program

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

[LovingSoul4u2]

It is always crowded at this facility. The earlier you get there the better. I try to arrive early and am always in the first 10. I have gotten there at 5:30 am and have been the first, but on other occassions have been there at 5:30 am and have been second or third depending. When you turn to enter the facility we line up along the road leading to the institution. There is a yellow pole/gate (around the second curve you come to) and you don't go beyond this point until 8am. A corrections officer will come out to give you a number. If you are carpooling, tell the officer you need more than one number. The officer will then excort you on the property. You are about a quarter of a mile from the actual facility. They call numbers in sets of tens and usually start on time. If someone is a first time visitor they will be asked to go to the back of their set of 10, so if you're number 2 in line you'll be asked to be number 10 and so on. I personally don't think they are real picky but sometime you get someone who wants to make your visit unpleasant. You may get in wearing something and the CO in the visiting park may tell you to keep on your jacket. Not that you have no sleeves or something, just something they may think is wrong with what you have on. IE. My sister-in-law had on a shirt with a v-neck, they said nothing about the shirt coming in, the CO in the visiting area asked one of us to give her one of our jackets to wear because she thought the v-neck was too low. They use the computer hand system. They have outside and indoor visiting park. Indoors is bigger than outside as for as sitting space. You are able to purchase items from their canteen as well as vending machines. The vending machines are filled constantly, the guy never leaves until visiting hours are over. There are two ice cream vending machines. There is a Casino hotel only a block away. Double bed for $120 but part of that is security and you get some back. It's been a while since I've stayed there so not sure how much I did get back. I believe it was about $30 so the room was $90. Very nice hotel. Has a gameroom for kids and for the big kids all the gambling games you could want. Complimentary newspaper in the am, wake up call, etc.The writing address is:
Everglades C.I.
P.O.Box 949000
Miami, FL 33194-9000


"For as low as you go, ask God to take you that high."

[LovingSoul4u2]

I forgot to add that they have a form for you to fill out everytime that you visit and on this form you have to put the license number of your car, the make, model, inmate name and DC# and names of people visiting.


"For as low as you go, ask God to take you that high."

[Phil in Paris]

Visiting is Saturday OR Sunday depending on the inmates' DC#. They switch every 6 months.

Bank holidays are for every inmates whatever their DC# is.

Phil

[mojomuppet]

does immigration inmates follow these same rules?

[Shortimicfly]

this is REALLY good to know because my ex was just transferred there and i was plaining on going to see him the end of this month....

[APRILALUVTONY]

yea i agree with lovingsoul...i used to get to the prison at 5 or 5 30 am and Im usually 1 of the first 10 to get in faster than waiting hours to get in. It's a pain since its so early in the morning but its worth it.

[tms1234]

Hello, I am new to this forum and would like to know if any one has any information on Everglades CI. My bf was just transferred there. Any information is appreciated. Thank you.

[Mrs Miller]

Danny is in Everglades, been there four years..what would you like to know? xxx

[TLJDT]

I also know someone who is currently incarcerated @ Everglades.....don't know much about this particular place as my friend has been transferred 4 times in 10 years, ........Everglades is the most recent place that he is now having the pleasure of visiting, and he's been there for about 1 & 1/2 years now, but if I know an answer to any of your questions, I'd be glad to help, so feel free to message me privately if you want......we are all here, sharing a piece of the same heart so please don't be offended or misguided......
Cheers!!!
T!!

[spankssnowbunny]

From what I remember Everglades is a Psyche camp. Don't know if it has improved or not, but it used to be a less than desireable camp. I know they've had several escape attempts made from there.

[Tito<3Mia]

First the Good news:

A couple of days ago, I got a random call on my cellphone. I usually do not pick up numbers I am not familiar with, but I had a gut feeling I should pick this call up. I picked up the call and to my surprise, it was my baby's bunkie's girlfriend who had a message for me from my man! I was shocked! She told me that my boyfriend wanted me to know that he loves me and misses me and that my visitation to see him was finally approved! I was such a happy camper. I had to ask her if she was sure he said my visit was approved because prior to that, I had called Everglades to see if it was, and they said 6-8 weeks. So I was really happy to hear that I could FINALLY see my man! I thanked her for the great news and prepared for my visit to see him.

Now the Bad news:

I received the call from this lady on Saturday, so i figured it was too late to try and go see him then, so I decided that Sunday (Today) would be the day I would go see him. I read the visitation instructions a million times just to make sure all there rules were being followed. I didn't a wink of sleep last night because I was so excited that I was going to see him. I arrived to Everglades in like 20 minutes drive. I found the place pretty easily. I parked my car and I saw a whole bunch of people waiting outside. Now this is my first time doing this so I was really shocked to see that we as visitors had to wait outside in the hot Miami sun with the all mosquitoes. But I walked over to where everyone was, and I asked if this was the line. She told me that I had to go to the front of the building and get a white form to fill out. The form had a number on it, and that was your number. I was # 61. I had to go back to my car to write down my plate number which I don't know by heart, and then sat there waiting with all the other visitors. To my surprise the line went by really quickly. I was jumping for joy when she called out my number. Now I let the officer know that it was my first time here visiting. She seemed pretty nice. I had brought 4 packs of black and milds for my man since he requested I bring him that when I go visit. The officer told me I had to put 3 of those packs in my car and I could only bring in one. So I said fine, I ran to my car put 3 packs away and then ran back to her. I gave her my drivers license, and she told me to step on some yellow feet on the floor and look at a camera they had there. She then gave me a yellow card with some numbers on it and let me know that is my id when I go to visit next time. I said ok. She told me to walk through the medal detector like thing. I asked her if I needed to take off my belt or anything like that, she said no, you are ok just walk though. So at this point I am like YES! Finally! after almost a Year since I last seen my boyfriend I finally get to see him. AND THEN IT ALL CAME CRASHING DOWN....



She calls my name and tells me to come back to where she was, at this point i was like OH NO, what happened now???!!!??!! She tells me that today was not the day that I can visit. I have to come ONLY on Saturdays because an even odd number thing, I wasn't paying attention only to the part where she said I couldn't see my boyfriend. I was so hurt when she said that. I asked her if I could see him anyways because I didn't know there were specific days set, I thought you could come either sat or sun or both days. She said nope that there was no way I could see him and that I would need to come back on Saturday. I am so disappointed. I woke up early, went through this whole process, was right at the door and got turned away. Why couldn't someone have mentioned this to me before? I now have to wait til the rest of the week is over so I can hopefully see him this Saturday. Just wanted to share my story with you.

I'll let you know if I am able to see him, I just do not want to go through the process and get denied again, especially over something that I do not have any control over and could have easily been avoided if she or anyone mentioned that to me sooner. Thanks for listening.

[ben's girl]

I'm so sorry you were that close and couldn't visit. I've never heard of a DOC facility having specific visiting days. I know some of the private facilities do, but wasn't aware of DOC. I would call the facility on Monday to find out what HIS visiting days are so you know for sure in the future and this doesn't happen to you again.

[TOROSE]

Awww, that was horrible! but don't get discouraged, atleast you know that you are approved and will get to visit on saturday, do call to confirm it will o.k.,keep your chin up and stay strong in this..God Bless!

[JackieFlorida]

I am sorry this happened. It is weird very time my husband is transferred to a different prison - I know there are strange rules and always try to find out what they are. At least you are in the system now so you next visiting process time will be quicker.

[nightbird]

Maybe that is a really crowded prison and you only get one visiting day instead of both, i never heard of it either, I feel for you too, i would be crushed..

[tinkerbell716]

That was horrible for you, but I will add that to my don't forget to check on visitation questions. Maybe by sharing we can all learn a few things. I am praying for a WONDERFUL first visit for you both. God Bless.

[tweedybird]

Ive had that happen for other reasons..its very upsetting. I think when you are visiting a new prison it is best to call them up and ask them what you need to know. Even the forms of ID are different from one prison to the next.

[tampagirl23]

I know someone who used to be at everglades and it is in fact only one day out of the weekend...I guess it is a very large prison and they can't accomodate everyone for both Saturdays and Sundays.

[Tito<3Mia]

I will be going to try again to see my man tomorrow (Saturday). I hope all goes well, I will keep you updated as to how it went.

I do have a quick question though, It says in the rules that you can bring 1 unopened pack of cigs/b&m and 1 lighter. But for the lighter they say you can not bring matches or "Bic" type lighters. So what lighter are you supposed to bring?

I can't wait, I'm super excited! I plan on waking up early and getting there by 8:30am. I know I probably won't be first in line, but hopefully I won't be last either. At least I have an idea of what to expect with the waiting and process at Everglades C.I. It will be new for me once I am finally let through the doors

[ben's girl]

You need to get a "clear" lighter. It doesn't have to actually be clear in color but needs to be see through.

[Tito<3Mia]

Update:

Sorry it's taken me so long to write back, we had a hurricane/tropical storm over here and my internet connection has been on and off along with the power.

Anyways, I was able to see my baby [FINALLY] this Saturday that just past! OMG it was so good to see him. It was so worth the waiting and the getting pat down and searched etc. Just to spend the day with him meant so much to the both of us. Everything went well. It was cool to eat a meal with him again. We played a board game, talked about things, hung out. I felt like a little kid in a candy store. It's a great feeling to have being around the one you love. All I know is this week is going by super slow! HURRY UP SATURDAY!! Anyways, he kinda got into trouble for talking to another inmate but I figured this would be the only time they could talk to each other. oh well. It was great to spend time all that time with him. I couldn't be happier. I can't wait to see him again this weekend. BTW we are engaged! I was joking around with him, like so when are you going to ask me the 2nd question. And he was like what's that. And i was like when are you going to ask me, to marry me. Now I wasn't expecting anything, I was just asking just to ask. But he responded with, I want to ask you to marry me, I just didn't think this is the right place. I was so shocked! I was like wait!!! U are going to ask me????!!!!???!!!! So he asked me (and he plans on asking me again once he gets out, more romantic like) and I said YES! So we are engaged and I'm super happy to know that I will be marring the love of my life. He gets out Nov 19th 2008. So it's around the corner. Wish us luck! I know in my heart everything will go smoothly.

[TOROSE]

So not only did you get to finally see him, but he proposed..how awesome is that???? Im so happy your day went well..May Gods Blessings be upon your relationship, November, will be here before you know it, you will have some time to plan your perfect, special day! Congratulations..

[LovingSoul4u2]

Congratulations on your upcoming Wedding! I am glad that you enjoyed your visit! I know seeing your loved one after not seeing them for some time can be like a kid in a candy store, you don't know what you want to pick first!

Yes some facilities in the DOC do have that odd/even visiting days. My husbands sister is in prison and gets out in Oct. and her visiting day is Saturday's. My Mother-in-law found out about that the hard way just as you did but her trip was a 4 hour drive.

[miamidolfangirl]

Congratulations....my hubby asked me to marry him in everglades... that was in the begining of 2002 we were married at martin in August 2002. I liked everglades compared to where he is now.. It took me an hour and 20 minutes to get there but like you said it is worth the wait.

Yes, they had to change the way visits went because in 2002, you used to have to be in line at no later than midnight to get in to see your man. There were that many visitors. Thank God your tour is almost over. God Bless and I wish you both well. Keep him out of trouble... We have been doing this for 8 years 4 and 1/2 more to go.. Then all will be well.