Okeechobee Correctional Institution

Okeechobee Correctional Institution is a Level VI Florida state prison for men located in Okeechobee, Florida. The Department of Corrections manages the facility, and it can house a maximum of 1,632 inmates of minimum, medium, and closed-custody levels.

Prison Insights

Visiting Hours and Rules

The visiting hours at Okeechobee Correctional Institution is on Saturdays and Sundays from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. EST. Registration begins at 8:15 a.m. and they stop processing visitors at 2:00 p.m. You will not be allowed to visit If you arrive after 2:00 pm.

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.

Before you can visit an inmate at Okeechobee Correctional Institution, you must be on your inmate’s 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. 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

A valid photo ID is required to visit an inmate at Okeechobee Correctional Institution because this is the only way that officers can confirm that you are an approved visitor. They will also ask you some questions, and then you will go through a number of searches.

The visiting room officers will search your property, and then you will go through a metal detector and a Magneto Static Detector (which detects cell phones and other electronic devices). The next step is a pat search from an officer; and finally, there 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

The following items are allowed in the visiting room at Okeechobee 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 allowed in the visiting room at Okeechobee 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

If you aren’t able to visit your inmate in person, you have the option of video visitation. This service is available through JPay, but you must be an approved visitor on the inmate’s visiting list. To schedule a video visit, you must use the JPay calendar function.

A JPay account is required 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. 

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.

Email is also an option through JPay. The inmates at the Okeechobee Correctional Institution do not have internet access, but the staff can print out emails and deliver them at mail call.

You can also buy your inmate a JP5 tablet. 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

You can’t call an Inmate at Okeechobee Correctional Institution, but they can make calls during approved hours. For complete details on how to call an inmate in Florida, please click here.

How to Send Money

To send money to an inmate at Okeechobee Correctional Institution, you must use JPay or MoneyGram. You must pay a fee when you 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

• ABE/GED
• Smart Horizons High School Diploma

Vocational Programs

• Technology Support Services

Substance Abuse Programs

• Intensive Outpatient
• Pre-Treatment Motivation Program

Chaplaincy Services

• Freedom Project
• Faith & Character Based Programming
• T.D. Jakes Satellite Programming
• KAIROS Weekends
• Prison Fellowship Quarterly
• Religious Education
• Multi-faith Worship Services

Institutional Betterment Programs

• Library Services
• Law Library Program
• Problem Discussion - Mental Health
• Anger & Stress Management
• 100 Hour Transition Program
• Fresh Start Smoking Cessation
• Toastmasters Gavel Club
• Pre-Release Counseling
• Alcoholic Anonymous
• Resume Writing
• English as a Second Language
• Life Mapping
• Marriage & Parenting
• Culinary, Automotive, CDL Instruction
• Veterans Program
• Children of Inmates
• Active and Passive Sports
• Thinking for Change
• Wastewater Treatment
• Celebrate Recovery
• Dog Program

Pictures of Okeechobee Correctional Institution

Careers at Okeechobee Correctional Institution

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

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 investigation, library, administrative support, and legal.

Standard benefits include paid vacation, sick leave, holidays, health insurance, tuition-free college courses, and a 457 tax-deferred retirement plan.