Northwest Florida Reception Center Annex

Northwest Florida Reception Center Annex is a Florida state prison for men located in Chipley, Florida that is managed by the Florida Department of Corrections. This is a Level 5 facility that opened in 2008, and it houses a maximum of 1,415 inmates of mixed security levels.

The Annex is adjacent to the Northwest Florida Reception Center. Between the Main Unit and the Annex, the complex can house a maximum of 2,718 inmates.

Prison Insights

Visiting Hours and Rules

The visiting hours at Northwest Florida Reception Center Annex are from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. CST on Saturdays and Sundays. Registration begins at 7:15 a.m. and they stop processing visitors at 1:00 p.m. 

Regular visiting is also permitted on New Year's Day, Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr. (third Monday in January), Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Veteran's Day (November 11th), Thanksgiving Day, the Friday after Thanksgiving, and Christmas Day.

Before you can visit an inmate at Northwest Florida Reception Center Annex you have to get on the inmate’s approved visiting list. The inmate must mail you a visitor applicationㅡwhich is available in both English and Spanish. Once you fill it out and send it back, the FDC will review your application. 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.

Visit procedures

You must have a valid photo ID to visit an inmate at Northwest Florida Reception Center Annex. This is the only way that officers can confirm that you are an approved visitor. When you present your photo ID  they will ask you some questions, and then you will go through a number of searches.

You will start with a property search, and then you will go through a metal detector and a Magneto Static Detector (which detects cell phones and other electronic devices). Next, you will get a pat search from an officer, and the last step is a barrier search conducted by a canine handler. 

You are not allowed to visit with an inmate until you have cleared all of these steps.

What you can bring to a visit

Each visitor is allowed to bring the following items into the visiting room at Northwest Florida Reception Center Annex:

• 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).

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

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

Dress Code

The following articles of clothing are not permitted in the visiting room at Northwest Florida Reception Center Annex:

• 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 Northwest Florida Reception Center Annex is available through JPay. You must be an approved visitor on the inmate’s visiting list, and you have to schedule the visit using the JPay calendar function.

You must have an account with JPay to visit with an inmate via video. The fee is $2.95 for 15 minutes, and video visits can last a maximum of 30 minutes.

Remember to include the inmate’s committed name, their DC number, and institutional address on all inmate mail. All correspondence must be sent through the US Mail, no FedEx, UPS, or courier services.

The general guidelines for inmate mail are:

• 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

The following packaging is not allowed:

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

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

There is also the option of emailing an inmate through JPay. Inmates at the Northwest Florida Reception Center Annex do not have internet access, but the staff can print out emails and deliver them at mail call.

JP5 tablets are also available for inmates at Northwest Florida Reception Center Annex. You can buy one for your inmate so they can read and write emails. The device also allows the inmate to purchase music, eBooks, games, and rent movies. 

How to Call an Inmate

You can’t call an inmate at Northwest Florida Reception Center Annex, but they do have phone access during approved hours. For complete details on how to call an inmate in Florida, please click here.

How to Send Money

JPay and MoneyGram are your two options for sending money to an inmate at Northwest Florida Reception Center Annex. Both companies charge fees to send money, and it is usually cheaper to send money online or with the app than it is by phone or in person. 

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 in person and use receive code 5188. You can also use a debit or credit card with this option. MoneyGram locations include all Walmarts and CVS Pharmacies. 

Programs For Inmates

Academic Programs

• Adult Basic Education
• General Educational Development (GED)
• Special Education Screening (Child Find)
• Volunteer Literacy Program

Substance Abuse Programs

• Residential Therapeutic Community
• Screening Assessments

Chaplaincy Services

• AA/NA
• Chapel Library Program
• Compound Visitation
• Holy Day Observations
• Personal Growth Programs
• Religious Volunteer Program

Institutional Betterment Programs

• Car Wash
• Library Program
• Law Library Program
• PM Unit Re-Entry

Pictures of Northwest Florida Reception Center Annex

Careers at Northwest Florida Reception Center Annex

Northwest Florida Reception Center Annex is currently offering a $1,000 hiring bonus, and they have three career paths: correctional officer, parole officer, and construction and facility maintenance. They also have open positions in different departments like Healthcare, Library, Finance & Accounting, and Education.

The Florida Department of Corrections is the third largest prison system in the country, and there are numerous open positions at Northwest Florida Reception Center Annex. If you are interested in a job, click here.