Lawtey Correctional Institution

Operated by the Florida Department of Corrections, Lawtey Correctional Institution is a faith and character-based state prison for men that is located in Lawtey, Florida. This level III facility opened in 1973 and it can house a maximum of 832 minimum and medium-security inmates.

This facility also supervises the Dinsmore Work Release Center, the Bridges of Jacksonville Work Release Center, and the Shisa East Work Release Center.

Prison Insights

Visiting Hours and Rules

Before you can visit an inmate at Lawtey Correctional Institution, you must get on the inmate’s approved visiting list. Your inmate will need to mail you a visitor applicationㅡwhich is available in both English and Spanishㅡand then you must fill it out completely and mail it back to Lawtey Correctional Institution. 

Everyone 12 or older must complete this form and have it approved by the Florida Department of Corrections before they can visit an inmate.

Lawtey Correctional Institution has visiting hours on Saturdays and Sundays from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time. Registration starts at 8:15 a.m. and they stop processing visitors at 2:00 p.m. 

An approved adult on the inmate’s visiting list must accompany visitors who are 17 and younger.

Visit procedures

You must bring a valid photo ID when you visit an inmate at Lawtey. Once the officers check your ID and confirm that you are on the approved visiting list, they will start the registration process by asking a few questions, and then you will go through a series of searches.

First, your property will be searched, and then you will go through a metal detector and a Magneto Static Detector (which detects cell phones). The next step is to go into a separate room for a pat search, and finally you will go through a barrier search that is conducted by a canine handler. 

Items like cell phones, electronic devices, tobacco, weapons, and drugs are contraband, and trying to bring these items into the prison could get you arrested.

Once you have cleared all of these steps you will be allowed to visit with your inmate.

What you can bring to a visit

Each visitor is allowed to bring up to $50.00 ($1, $5, $10, and $20 denominations only or silver change) for the vending machines, and you can carry the money in a small wallet or pouch. You can also bring one car key, but keychains and keyless entry devices are not allowed.

They do make exceptions for necessary medication, but only the dosage needed during the visit. All meds must be in the original prescribed container and clearly marked. 

If you have a medical condition that require injections, you will be able to leave the visiting room. Needles and syringes are not allowed inside, and before you can return to your visit the officers will conduct another pat search.

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

Dress Code

There is a strict dress code in the visiting room at Lawtey Correctional Institution. The following clothing items are not allowed:

• 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

Lawtey Correctional Institution does have video visitation available through JPay. You must pay for video visitsㅡwhich can last up to thirty minutesㅡand you must be on the inmate’s approved visiting list.

All inmate mail must have the inmate’s committed name, their DC number, and institutional address written clearly on the envelope. All correspondence addressed to inmates must be sent by U.S. Postal Service mail. Correspondence sent by other courier or delivery services will be refused.

All mail must be written in English or Spanish, and you can include any of the following items:

• Letters up to 15 pages (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

Mail in boxes, padded envelopes, plastic bags, multi-layer packaging, envelopes that include metal parts, or card stock type envelopes (U.S. Mail Priority or U.S. Mail Express card board type) is not allowed. You are also not allowed to send mail with bubble wrap or packing peanuts.

Email

Inmates don’t have access to the internet, however, you can use JPay to send an email to an inmate, and the Lawtey staff will print them out and deliver the emails at mail call. The cost of one email is $.39

JP5 tablets are also available for inmates to purchase, and these devices allow them to send and receive monitored emails (for a fee). Music, eBooks, and games are also available for purchase with the JP5 tablets. 

How to Call an Inmate

You can’t call an inmate at Lawtey Correctional Institution, but they are able to make phone calls to approved numbers. For complete details on how to call an inmate in Florida, please click here.

How to Send Money

You can use either JPay or MoneyGram to send money to an inmate at Lawtey Correctional Institution.

JPay Options

• Online or Mobile App: To send an inmate money with your credit or debit card, visit JPay.com or download the JPay Mobile App that is available at the Apple App Store (for iPhones) and Google Play (for Android phones).
• By phone: Call (800) 574-5729 to talk with a live JPay call center agent and send money with a debit or credit card. 
• Mail a money orderㅡmade payable to JPayㅡwith a deposit slip to:

JPay
P.O. Box 260010
Hollywood, FL 33026

Money order deposit slip available in English here.

Hoja de Depósito para Giros Bancarios disponible en Español aqui.

Moneygram

If you want to use cash, visit a MoneyGram location (includes all Walmarts and CVS Pharmacies) and use receive code 5188. You can also use a debit or credit card with this option.

Programs For Inmates

Academic Programs

• Adult Basic Education
• General Educational Development (GED)

Vocational Programs

• Drafting Architectural

Chaplaincy Services

• Chapel Library Program
• Faith Services
• Faith and Character Programming - Self Awareness, Communication and Anger
• Journaling
• Mentoring
• Over 500 volunteers provide self-betterment programs
• Parenting from the Inside
• Victim Impact
• Why Try & Strategies for Success

Institutional Betterment Programs

• Alcoholics Anonymous
• Choir Program
• Law Library Program
• Library Program
• Pre-Release Counseling
• Self Awareness
• T.A.I.L.S. - Teaching Animals and Inmates Life Skills
• Toastmasters
• Wellness Education

Pictures of Lawtey Correctional Institution

Careers at Lawtey Correctional Institution

The Florida Department of Corrections is the third largest prison system in the country, and there are job openings across the state. To view a list of available jobs at Lawtey Correctional Institution, click here.