Putnam Correctional Institution

Putnam Correctional Institution is a Level IV Florida state prison for men located in East Palatka, Florida. The Department of Corrections manages this facility, and it can house a maximum of 458 inmates at minimum, medium, and community custody levels.

Prison Insights

Visiting Hours and Rules

Putnam Correctional Institution visiting hours 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. There are also visiting hours on major holidays like New Year’s Day, 4th of July, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. 

You must be on an inmate’s approved visiting list before you can visit them at Putnam Correctional Institution. First, you must fill out a visitor applicationㅡwhich is available in both English and Spanishㅡand mail it to the Putnam 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

When you arrive at Putnam Correctional Institution to visit an inmate, be ready to show a valid photo ID. You will also have to answer some questions and go through a number of searches.

The officers will search your property first, 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

Only the following items are allowed in the visiting room at Putnam 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

Cell phones and all other electronic devices are not allowed in the visiting room.

Dress Code

The visiting room dress code is very strict at Putnam Correctional Institution. The following clothing is prohibited:

• 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

You do have the option of video visitation at Putnam if you can’t visit in person. This service is available through JPay, and you must be an approved visitor on the inmate’s visiting list. To schedule a video visit, use the JPay calendar function.

A JPay account is required for video visitation. The fee is $2.95 for 15 minutes, and video visits can last a maximum of 30 minutes.

The general guidelines for inmate mail are:

• Letters can be up to 15 pages long (No glue, tape, or staples)
• Greeting cards, no electronics 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
• Non-paper items and stickers are prohibited in inmate mail

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

You can also send an email through JPay. The inmates at the Putnam 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

Inmates at Putnam Correctional Institution can’t receive incoming calls, 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

You must use JPay or MoneyGram to send money to an inmate at Putnam Correctional Institution. There is 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 prefer 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)

Chaplaincy Services

• Alcoholics Anonymous
• Celebration Recovery
• Chapel Library Program
• Kairos Week-ends
• Narcotics Anonymous
• Prison Fellowship Quarterly
• Religious Education
• T.D. Jakes Satellite Location
• Worship Services

Institutional Betterment Programs

• 100-hour Transition Program
• Law Library Program
• Library Program

Pictures of Putnam Correctional Institution

Careers at Putnam Correctional Institution

There are a number of open positions at Putnam Correctional Institution. If you are interested in a job with the Florida Department of Corrections, click here.

There are three career paths available: correctional officer, parole officer, and construction and facility maintenance. They also have open positions in different departments like clerical support and computer specialist.

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