Okaloosa Correctional Institution

Okaloosa Correctional Institution is located in Crestview, Florida. It is a Level V Florida state prison for men that is managed by the state’s Department of Corrections. This facility can house a maximum of 894 inmates of mixed custody levels.

Prison Insights

Visiting Hours and Rules

The visiting hours at Okaloosa Correctional Institution are on Saturdays and Sundays from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. CST. Registration begins at 7:15 a.m. and they stop processing visitors at 1:00 p.m. If you arrive after 1:00 p.m. you will not be allowed to visit.

Visits are also permitted on New Year's Day, Martin Luther King, Jr.’s birthday (third Monday in January), Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Veteran's Day (November 11th), Thanksgiving Day, the Friday after Thanksgiving, and Christmas Day.

You must be on your inmate’s visiting list before you are allowed to visit. 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. The inmate will notify you when your application is 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.

Visit procedures

To visit an inmate at Okaloosa Correctional Institution, you must present a valid Photo ID. This is the only way that officers can confirm that you are an approved visitor. The officers will also ask you some questions, and then you will go through a number 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 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 Okaloosa Correctional Institution:

• 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 Okaloosa Correctional Institution:

• 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 Okaloosa Correctional Institution 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.

All correspondence must be sent through the US Mail, and it must include the inmate’s committed name, their DC number, and institutional address.

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 Okaloosa Correctional Institution do not have internet access, but the staff can print out emails and deliver them at mail call.

You also have the option of purchasing a JP5 tablet for your inmate at Okaloosa Correctional Institution. This device allows your inmate to read and write emails, as well as purchase music, eBooks, games, and rent movies. 

How to Call an Inmate

Inmates at Okaloosa Correctional Institution aren’t allowed to receive incoming calls, but they do have phone access. For complete details on how to call an inmate in Florida, please click here.

How to Send Money

You can send money to an inmate at Okaloosa Correctional Institution with JPay or MoneyGram. There are fees to send money, and the lowest fees are usually online or with the app compared to the 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. MoneyGram locations include all Walmarts and CVS Pharmacies. 

Programs For Inmates

Academic Programs

• General Educational Development (GED)

Substance Abuse Programs

• ACTs-Alcohol and Chemical Treatment Series
• Alcoholics Anonymous
• Narcotics Anonymous

Chaplaincy Services

• Chapel Library Program
• Kairos
• Religious Education
• Worship Services

Institutional Betterment Programs

• 100-Hour Transition Program
• Active and Passive Sports
• Anger & Stress Management
• ARK
• Financial Literacy
• FIT-Family Integrity Training
• Florida Ready to Work
• Forward in Faith
• Law Library Program
• Library Program
• Marriage Enrichment
• Music/Band
• Parenting
• Quest
• Truth Project
• Victim Impact Class
• Wellness Education

Pictures of Okaloosa Correctional Institution

Careers at Okaloosa Correctional Institution

The Florida Department of Corrections has three career paths: correctional officer, parole officer, and construction and facility maintenance. They also have open positions in different departments like computer specialist, clerical support, procurement and supply, and library.

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