Marion Correctional Institution

Marion Correctional Institution is a Level IV Florida state prison for men of various security levels that is located in Ocala, Florida. It is managed by the Florida Department of Corrections and has a capacity of 1,324.

Prison Insights

Visiting Hours and Rules

Marion Correctional Institution visiting hours are on Saturdays and Sundays from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. EST. Registration starts at 8:15 a.m. and they stop processing visitors at 2:00 p.m. 

All visitors 17 or younger must be accompanied by an approved adult on the inmate’s visiting list.

Before you can visit an inmate at Marion Correctional Institution, they have to put you on their visiting list, and you must get approved by the Florida Department of Corrections. The inmate must mail you a visitor application (available in both English and Spanish) and then you can fill it out and mail it back to their caseworker for approval. Everyone 12 and older must fill out a visitor application.

Visit procedures

You must have a valid photo ID when you are visiting an inmate at Marion Correctional Institution so officers can confirm that you are an approved visitor. When you arrive, the officers will start the registration process by asking you some questions before you go through a number of searches.

First, there is the property search, and then you will go through a metal detector and a Magneto Static Detector (which detects cell phones). You will also go through a pat search and a barrier search, which is conducted by a canine handler. 

When visiting an inmate, it is best to only bring your ID, money, and car keys. Items like cell phones and tobacco are considered contraband, and you are not allowed to bring them inside.

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 can bring the following items into the visiting room:

• A maximum of $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.
• One car key. No key chains or keyless entry devices.

You can bring medication to your visit, but only carry the necessary dosage. All meds must be in the original prescribed container and clearly marked. 

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 Marion Correctional Institution visiting room. You are not allowed to wear any of 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

Video visitation at Marion Correctional Institution is available through JPay. You must be an approved visitor on the inmate’s visiting list and you will need to schedule the visit using the JPay calendar function. The visits can last up to thirty minutes, and there is a fee. All you need for a video visit is a computer and a webcam.

All inmate mail must be sent through the US Postal Service. Sending mail through private companies like UPS or FedEx is not permitted. Remember to always include the inmate’s name and ID number on all correspondence. 

• 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

Remember to keep your packaging simple. The following packaging is not allowed:

• Boxes
• Padded envelopes
• Plastic bags
• Multi-layer packaging
• Envelopes that include metal parts
• Card stock envelopes like U.S. Mail Priority or U.S. Mail Express card board
• Bubble wrap
• Packing peanuts

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

You can also email an inmate through JPay. The cost of each email is roughly the price of a stamp. Inmates do not have internet access, so the Marion CI staff will print out emails and deliver them to the inmate at mail call. Or, they can use their JP5 Tablet to read your emails.

You can purchase a JP5 tablet for your incarcerated loved one so they can read and write emails, purchase music, eBooks, and games, view photos and videos, read the news, and rent movies.

How to Call an Inmate

You can’t call an inmate at Marion Correctional Institution, but they do have access to phones during daytime hours. For complete details on how to call an inmate in Florida, please click here.

How to Send Money

JPay and MoneyGram are the two services available for sending money to an inmate at Marion Correctional Institution. JPay has multiple options for sending money: their website, their app, by phone, or by mail. To use MoneyGram, you must visit a location in person (locations include all Walmarts and CVS Pharmacies).

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 would like to use cash, visit a MoneyGram location 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)
• Mandatory Literacy Program
• NCCER Core Safety Course
• Special Education Services
• Title I Services

Vocational Programs

• Air Conditioning, Refrigeration and Heating
• Building Construction Technology
• Cabinetmaking
• Wastewater/Water Treatment Technologies

Substance Abuse Programs

• Residential Treatment Community

Chaplaincy Services

• Bible Studies (various denominations)
• Chapel Library Program
• Discipleship Class
• Faith and Character Based Programming
• Faith Based 12-Step programs
• Fatherhood Class
• Holy Day Observance
• Journey to the Heart
• Kairos
• Worship Services
• Religious Education
• Special Events
• Weekend Seminars
• Xtreme Solutions

Institutional Betterment Programs

• 100-hour Transition Program
• Active and Passive Sports
• Band Program
• Children of Inmates Bonding Visits
• Community Preparedness
• Guides to Better Living
• Law Library Program
• Library Program
• Life Mapping
• Wellness Education

P.R.I.D.E. Assignments

• Garments
• Corrugated Box Production

Work Release

• Department of Transportation

Pictures of Marion Correctional Institution

Careers at Marion Correctional Institution

The Florida Department of Corrections is the third largest prison system in the country. If you are interested in a job at Marion Correctional Institution, click here. 

Standard Benefits Include:

• Paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays
• Comprehensive health insurance and life insurance with accidental death and dismemberment benefits
• Supplemental dental, vision, life, disability and hospitalization insurance
• Promotional Opportunities
• Tuition-Free college courses
• 457 Tax Deferred Retirement Plan
• Correctional Officers and Probation Officers May Also Receive the "Special Risk" retirement multiplier
• Criminal Justice Incentive Pay