Reception and Medical Center - West Unit

The Reception and Medical Center, West Unit is a Level IV Florida state prison and hospital for male inmates that is located in Lake Butler, Florida and managed by the Florida Department of Corrections. It is located next to the Reception and Medical Center, and it houses a maximum of 1,148 inmates at all security levels.

Because this is a reception center, inmates are only housed here temporarily before being transferred to their permanent facility. All prisoners at this facility for intake purposes go through classification and processing at the Reception and Medical Center, West Unit to assess their education level and to determine if they need substance abuse treatment.

Prison Insights

Visiting Hours and Rules

The visiting hours at Reception and Medical Center, West Unit 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 must first get on an inmate’s approved visiting list before you can visit them at the Reception and Medical Center, West Unit . Fill out a visitor applicationㅡwhich is available in both English and Spanishㅡand then mail it to the Reception and Medical Center, West Unit. The Florida Department of Corrections will review your application, and when your application is approved, the inmate will notify you. 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.

You should be aware that visiting an inmate at the Reception and Medical Center, West Unit can be difficult if they are in reception and not the medical center. It takes at least a couple of weeks to get approved for visiting. While you are waiting, the inmate could be transferred to their permanent facility.

Visit procedures

When you are visiting an inmate at the Reception and Medical Center, West Unit, bring a valid photo ID, and be prepared to answer some questions and 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 must clear all of these steps to visit with an inmate.

What you can bring to a visit

Each visitor at the Reception and Medical Center, West Unit is allowed to bring:

• 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 dress code in the visiting room at the Reception and Medical Center, West Unit prohibits the following items:

• 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 is also an option at the Reception and Medical Center, West Unit. This service is available through JPay, and you must use the JPay calendar function to schedule a video visit.

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:

• There is a 15-page maximum on all letters (No glue, tape, or staples)
• Greeting cards are allowed, but no electronics or non-paper parts
• You are allowed to send pictures, but no nude photographs, Polaroids, or anything larger than 8”x10”
• You can send a maximum of ten, blank, greeting cards, blank pieces of paper, or envelopes and a maximum of twenty first-class stamps
• Non-paper items and stickers are prohibited in inmate mail

You are not allowed to send mail to an inmate that is packaged in boxes, padded envelopes, or card stock envelopes (U.S. Mail Priority or U.S. Mail Express card board type). 

E-mail and Tablets

There is also the option of sending an email through JPay. The inmates at the Reception and Medical Center, West Unit do not have internet access, but the staff can print out emails and deliver them at mail call.

If you would like to purchase a JP5 tablet for an inmate at Reception and Medical Center, West Unit, this device will allow your inmate to read and write emails, and they can also buy music, eBooks, games, and rent movies. 

How to Call an Inmate

You can’t call an inmate at the Reception and Medical Center, West Unit, but inmates do have access to phones and can make outgoing calls. 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 the Reception and Medical Center, West Unit, you must use JPay or MoneyGram. They do charge a fee, 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

• Adult Basic Education
• General Educational Development (GED)

Chaplaincy Services

• Bill Glass Weekend of Champions
• Chapel Library Program
• Religious Education
• Worship Services

Institutional Betterment Programs

• Compass 100
• Fresh Start Smoking Cessation
• Law Library Program
• Library Program
• PAL Program
• Wellness Education

Pictures of Reception and Medical Center - West Unit

Careers at Reception and Medical Center - West Unit

If you are interested in applying for a job at the Reception and Medical Center, West Unit, 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 healthcare, legal, and accounting.

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