Graceville Correctional Facility

Graceville Correctional Facility is a Florida state prison for men located in Graceville, Florida. This is a private facility that is managed by the GEO Group.

On September 27, 2005, the Florida Department of Management Services (DMS) announced its intent to award a contract to The GEO Group, Inc. for the design, construction, and operation of a 1,500-bed correctional facility in Graceville, Florida. The construction of the facility was completed on schedule, and it opened in September 2007. 

An expansion by 384 beds was completed in March 2008, bringing the capacity to 1,884 beds. GEO successfully managed the facility through September 2010. Following a competitive rebid process, the contract for operations was awarded to another vendor. 

On October 11, 2013, GEO was again awarded a contract to operate the Graceville Correctional and Rehabilitation Facility through a competitive rebid process. After a successful transition period working in collaboration with the previous contractor, GEO assumed operations at the facility on February 1, 2014.

Services provided by GEO include security, programs, medical services, and food service. The facility is program-intensive, offering a wide-range of programs such as academic, vocational, life skills, substance abuse education programs, and pre-release transition planning.

The facility achieved initial accreditation through the American Correctional Association in 2015 and was reaccredited in 2018 with a score of 100%. On October 3, 2016, Graceville Correctional and Rehabilitation Facility was recognized as the first 'GEO Continuum of Care' certified facility after it scored 100% in all required enhanced programs and assessment standards.

The 'GEO Continuum of Care' program is specifically designed to reduce recidivism and to aid offenders in a successful transition through the reentry process into our communities across the country.

Notable inmates include Lance Kirkpatrick, who was sentenced to life in prison for the murder of Kim Dorsey. The case was profiled on Dateline NBC.

Prison Insights

Visiting Hours and Rules

The visiting hours at Graceville Correctional Facility are on Saturdays and Sundays from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. CST. Visitor registration begins at 7:15 a.m. and visitor processing stops at 1:00 p.m. You will not be allowed to visit if you arrive after 1:00 pm. 

You must first get on your inmate’s approved visiting list before you can visit them at Graceville Correctional Facility. The visitor applicationㅡwhich is available in both English and Spanishㅡmust be filled out completely and mailed to the facility. 

After your application is reviewed, the inmate will let you know if you have been approved.  If you are not approved, you will not be allowed to visit.

Everyone 12 or older must complete a visitor application, and all visitors 17 or younger must be accompanied by an approved adult on the inmate’s visiting list.

A valid photo ID is required to visit an inmate at Graceville Correctional Facility. During visitor registration, officers will also ask you some questions, and you will also go through a number of searches.

You are allowed to bring the following items into the visiting room at Graceville Correctional Facility:

• A maximum of $50.00 ($1, $5, $10, and $20 denominations only or silver change) for the vending machines. You are allowed to carry the money in a small wallet or pouch.
• One car key. No key chains or keyless entry devices.
• Medication. Bring only the necessary dosage in the original prescribed container (it must be clearly marked).

Do not attempt to bring a cell phone or any other electronic device to the visiting room.

If you are bringing an infant into the visit, you may have the following items:

• A maximum of five diapers
• Three, clear, plastic, baby bottles or two sipper cups for toddlers
• One, clear, plastic, baby pacifier
• Three, clear, plastic jars of baby food with the original seal intact 
• Baby wipes or towelettes (in a clear plastic bag) 
• An infant baby carrier (subject to search)
• One set of infant clothing
• One, non-quilted baby blanket to keep the infant warm

The dress code at the Graceville Correctional Facility visiting room is conservative and doesn’t allow the following clothing items:

• Halter tops or bra-less attire
• Underwear-type t-shirts or tank tops
• Fishnet clothing
• Skin tight clothing
• Shoes with removable parts
• See-through fabric without an undergarment
• Dresses, skirts, or shorts more than three inches above the knee
• Clothing with a threatening picture or language
• Camouflage
• Any clothing with metal

Video Visitation

If you can’t visit your inmate in person, Graceville Correctional Facility does have the option of video visitation, which is a service available through JPay. You must have a JPay account and use their calendar function to schedule a video visit.

The fee for video visitation is $2.95 for 15 minutes, and they can last a maximum of 30 minutes.

There are restrictions on what you can mail to an inmate. You can’t mail packages in boxes or anything in card stock envelopes, like US Mail Priority or US Mail Express.

Everything must be sent in a non-padded paper envelope through the US Postal Service.

• Letters can be a maximum of 15 pages in length (You cannot glue, tape, or staple anything to the pages)
• Greeting cards, but nothing with electronic or non-paper parts
• Pictures, with the exception of nude photographs, Polaroids, or anything larger than 8”x10”
• A maximum of ten, blank, greeting cards, blank pieces of paper, or envelopes
• A maximum of twenty, first class stamps

Non-paper items and stickers are prohibited in inmate mail.

You can send an inmate email through JPay. They do not have internet access, but inmates can receive an email printout during mail call. 

You can also buy your inmate a JP5 tablet. This device allows them to read and write emails, as well as purchase music, eBooks, games, and rent movies. 

How to Call an Inmate

Inmates at Graceville Correctional Facility can’t receive incoming calls, but they do have access to phones during approved hours. For complete details on how to call an inmate in Florida, please click here.

How to Send Money

The only way to send money to an inmate at Graceville Correctional Facility is via Access Corrections. You can use their website, or call 1.866.345.1884 to reach one of the 24/7 Access Corrections domestic call centers. The agents provide exceptional support, and the bilingual representatives accommodate the diversity of all callers.

Programs For Inmates

Academic Programs

• Adult Basic Education
• General Educational Development (GED)
• Mandatory Literacy Program

Vocational Programs

• Barber
• Digital Design
• Electrical Wiring
• Landscape Management
• Technical Support Services
• Business Management
• Architectural Drafting

Chaplaincy Services

• Worship Services
• Religious Education
• Chapel Library Program
• Chapel Music Program
• Personal Growth Programs
• Spiritual Advisor Visit program
• Special Events
• Religious Volunteers
• Holy Day Observation Program

Substance Abuse Programs

• Intensive Outpatient

Institutional Betterment Programs

• 100-hour Transition Program
• Law Library Program
• Library Program
• Life Skills

Pictures of Graceville Correctional Facility

Careers at Graceville Correctional Facility

If you are interested in a job at Graceville Correctional Facility, click here. Career opportunities at GEO Group include: Case Manager, Finance and Accounting Professionals, Medical Technicians, Teachers and Instructors, Design and Construction Professional, Information Systems Professionals, Psychologists, and Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurses.

The benefits package includes:

• Paid time off
• Dental and Vision
• Medical PPO with Prescription Drug coverage
• Short and Long term disability
• Employee Assistance Program
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Paid holiday
• Health and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts
• 401(k) Retirement Plan