TALLAHASSEE — The Florida Department of Corrections (FDC) had another monumental year in 2025 as it continued to advance Florida’s public safety mission through strategic investments in staffing, institutional security, officer safety, training, and technology, while maintaining fiscal responsibility and operational accountability.

“I am immensely proud of the progress FDC made in 2025,” said Florida Department of Corrections Secretary Ricky Dixon. “These accomplishments reflect the dedication of our staff and the strong support of Governor Ron DeSantis and the Florida Legislature. Through strategic investments, innovation, and impact, Florida continues to lead the nation in correctional operations, public safety, and institutional excellence, and we remain committed to building on that momentum in the year ahead.”

 Enhancements in Institutional Security and Operations 

• Strengthened inmate admissions and citizenship verification through ICE 287(g) certification and upgraded system access.
• Improved inmate classification accuracy and compliance through unannounced audits and enhanced field training.
• Conducted more than 3,165 canine interdiction operations statewide, removing large quantities of contraband from institutions.
• Expanded body-worn camera deployment, added inmate body scanners, implemented legal mail tracking, and upgraded officer uniforms to bolster accountability and professionalism.
• Implemented biometric scanning in partnership with FDLE, positioning Florida among national leaders in correctional identification technology.

 Improved Correctional Probation Officer Safet

• Implemented a $2.1 million statewide firearms initiative to equip all certified Correctional Probation Officers with Department-issued weapons and safety equipment.
• Deployed the Lone Worker Application statewide to enhance real-time officer safety during field operations.
• Introduced standardized field uniforms to improve professionalism, visibility, and operational consistency.
• Completed a comprehensive Emergency Events Plan aligned with statewide emergency management and continuity-of-operations standards.

Expansion of Recruitment, Retention, and Professional Development

• Implemented a post-certification pay increase to $23.14 per hour for Correctional Officers and Correctional Probation Officers.
• Extended $5,000 hiring and retention bonuses at 15 high-vacancy institutions to stabilize staffing.
• Deployed a $1 million recruitment marketing initiative supported by Governor DeSantis and the Florida Legislature to expand the applicant pool statewide.
• Expanded employee and family access to education and career development resources through a partnership with Kaplan.

Advancements in Training and Technology

• Delivered large-scale, mission-critical training by conducting 78 specialized classes and 46 instructor courses, training approximately 2,500 staff and certifying new Special Operations team members.
• Enrolled more than 3,300 recruits in the Correctional Officer Basic Recruit Training Program while expanding training capacity through modernized testing platforms and the construction of new training facilities.
• Advanced the Offender Based Information System (OBIS) Modernization Program through the launch of the Corrections Inmate Management System (CIMS), completion of foundational data infrastructure, and establishment of governance frameworks to support statewide analytics and operational readiness.
• Implemented enterprise records modernization using OnBase technology, digitizing inmate and personnel records to enhance security, accessibility, and compliance.

Improved Educational Opportunities to Reduce Recidivism and Inmate Idleness

• Awarded 1,054 certificates and 6,400 Career and Technical Education (CTE) credentials, strengthening workforce readiness and post-release employment opportunities.
• Enrolled 471 inmates in higher education programs, including associate’s, bachelor’s, and master’s degree coursework.
• Expanded Inmate Welfare Trust Fund (IWTF) investments to support workforce readiness classes, new program start-ups, CTE equipment, contracted training programs, and higher education infrastructure statewide.
• Delivered IWTF-funded CTE training in high-demand fields to up to 1,758 students across 106 cohorts, with 653 inmates enrolled through November, and administered 60,000 CASAS subtests, contributing to 1,700 GEDs earned this year.
• Provided 6,147 education program seats and expanded digital, therapeutic, and accessibility services, including z-learning lab access for 2,452 inmates and art therapy services delivering over 2,500 individual sessions.