Reception and Medical Center

The Reception and Medical Center is a Level VI Florida state prison and hospital for male inmates that is located in Lake Butler, Florida and managed by the Florida Department of Corrections. It houses a maximum of 1,503 inmates at all security levels, as it is an intake center and secured medical center.

Because this is a reception center, inmates are only housed here temporarily before being transferred to their permanent facility. There are limited educational and treatment opportunities, but all prisoners go through classification and processing at the Reception and Medical Center to assess their education level and to determine if they need substance abuse treatment.

Prison Insights

Visiting Hours and Rules

Reception and Medical Center 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 such as Thanksgiving and Christmas. 

Before you can visit an inmate at the Reception and Medical Center, you must first get on their approved visiting list. Fill out a visitor applicationㅡwhich is available in both English and Spanishㅡand then mail it to the Reception and Medical Center. 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.

Visit procedures

Visiting an inmate at the Reception and Medical Center can be difficult if they are in reception and not the medical center The time it takes to get approved by the Florida Department of Corrections to visit may be longer than how long the inmate is housed at this facility. It might be a better idea to wait until they are transferred to their permanent facility.

When you are visiting an inmate at the medical center, be ready to show a valid photo ID, 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 must clear all of these steps to visit with an inmate.

What you can bring to a visit at Reception and Medical Center

Each visitor 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 following clothing items are not allowed in the visiting room at Reception and Medical Center:

• 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

There is also the option of video visitation at the Reception and Medical Center if you can’t visit in person. 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). 

There is also the option of sending an email through JPay. The inmates at the Reception and Medical Center 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, 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

The Florida Department of Corrections does not allow you to call an inmate at Reception and Medical Center, but inmates do have access to phones during approved hours for 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, you must use JPay or MoneyGram. There is a fee for the service, 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)
• Special Education Screening (Child Find)
• Special Education Services

Substance Abuse Programs

• Substance Abuse Screening Assessment

Chaplaincy Services

• Chapel Library Program
• Religious Education
• Worship Services

Institutional Betterment Programs

• Compass 100
• Fresh Start Smoking Cessation
• Law Library Program
• Library Program
• Marriage and Family Class
• Music/Band
• Weight Training
• Wellness Education

Pictures of Reception and Medical Center

Careers at Reception and Medical Center

There is currently a $1,000 hiring bonus at the Reception and Medical Center. If you are interested in applying for a job, 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 for employees of the Florida Department of Corrections include paid vacation, sick leave, holidays, health insurance, tuition-free college courses, and a 457 tax-deferred retirement plan.