Polk Correctional Institution

Polk Correctional Institution is a Level V Florida state prison for men located in Polk City, Florida. The Department of Corrections manages this facility, and it can house a maximum of 1,208 inmates of various custody levels.

Prison Insights

Visiting Hours and Rules

The visiting hours at Polk Correctional Institution are 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 major holidays such as Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Before you can visit an inmate at Polk Correctional Institution, you must be on your their approved visiting list. The visitor applicationㅡwhich is available in both English and Spanishㅡmust be filled out completely and mailed to the Polk Correctional Institution. The Florida Department of Corrections will review your application, and 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 Polk Correctional Institution. During visitor registration, they will also ask you some questions and you will also 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). The next step is a pat search from an officer; 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 Polk 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 Polk Correctional Institution visiting room dress code is very strict. The following 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

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

How to Call an Inmate

You are not allowed to call an Inmate at Polk 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 Polk 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

• Adult Basic Education
• General Educational Development (GED)

Vocational Programs

• Computer Electronics Technology
• Manufacturing Skills Technology (Polk State College)
• Marine Service Technology
• Plumbing
• Library Services
• General Library
• Law Library

Substance Abuse Programs

• Anger Management
• Impact Of Crime
• Parenting
• Seeking Safety First
• Substance Abuse Education & Therapy
• Therapy Groups
• Thinking 4 Change

Chaplaincy Services

• 7th Day Adventist Service
• Abe Brown Ministries
• AA/NA
• Apostolic Service
• Buddhist Service
• Calvary Chapel Service
• Catholic Service
• Celebrate Recovery
• Chapel Band
• Chapel Choir
• Destined to Change Church
• Exodus Service
• Faith Based Dorm Program
• FIT - Family Integrity Training Program
• Full Pardon Ministries
• Gavel Club-Toastmasters
• Hebrew Israelite Service
• Iglesia De Dios Service
• Jehovah Witness Service
• Jesus Christ Ministry Service
• Jewish Service
• Jumah Prayer Service
• Kairos
• Life on the Rock Church
• Music as Worship
• Native American Service
• New Life Deliverance Service
• New Mt. Zion Service
• Northland Church Live Video Service
• Odinist Service
• Parkview Christian Church
• Revealing Truth
• Rocco Morelli Service
• Small Business Management
• Softball Ministries
• Spanish Ministry and Service
• Spanish Ministry Band
• Taleem Service
• Wiccan Service
• Wings of Eagles

Institutional Betterment Programs

• Compass 100
• Veterans Dorm & Honor Dorm
• Wellness & Recreation

P.R.I.D.E. Assignments

• Furniture Administration-Building 3
• IT Support- Building 3
• P.I.E.- Building 1
• Seating & Systems (now combined)-Buildings 1 & 3
• Warehouse (Outside shipping/receiving) - from Work Camp

Pictures of Polk Correctional Institution

Careers at Polk Correctional Institution

The Florida Department of Corrections is the third largest prison system in the country, and there are numerous open positions at Polk 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.