South Florida Reception Center

The South Florida Reception Center is a Level VI Florida state prison for adult and juvenile male inmates that is located in Doral, Florida. It is managed by the Florida Department of Corrections, and the facility houses a maximum of 1,315 inmates at all security levels.

Prison Insights

Visiting Hours and Rules

The visiting hours at South Florida Reception Center 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 do not process visitors after 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. 

You must be on an inmate’s approved visiting list before you can visit them at the South Florida Reception Center. To get on the approved list, fill out a visitor applicationㅡwhich is available in both English and Spanishㅡand then mail it to the South Florida Reception Center. Your application will be reviewed, and when it 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

When you arrive for your visit, be ready to show a valid photo ID, answer some questions, and go through a number of searches.

The officers will start by searching 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 must clear all of these steps to visit with an inmate.

What you can bring to a visit

Each visitor at the South Florida Reception Center is allowed to bring the following items into the visiting room:

• 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 have an infant, you may bring 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 at South Florida Reception Center prohibits the following clothing:

• 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 South Florida Reception Center. 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:

• 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

Mail that is packaged in boxes, padded envelopes, or card stock envelopes (U.S. Mail Priority or U.S. Mail Express card board type) is not allowed and will be returned.

You can also send an email to an inmate through JPay. The inmates at the South Florida Reception Center do not have internet access, but the staff can print out emails and deliver them at mail call.

You can also purchase a JP5 tablet device for an inmate at the South Florida Reception Center that will allow them to read and write emails, 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 South Florida Reception Center, but inmates do have access to phones during approved hours 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 South Florida Reception 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

• Special Education Screening (Child Find)

Substance Abuse Programs

• Alcoholics Anonymous
• Substance Abuse Screening Assessment

Chaplaincy Services

• Chapel Library Program
• Kairos Week-ends
• Prison Fellowship Monthly
• Religious Education
• T.D. Jakes Satellite Location
• Worship Services

Institutional Betterment Programs

• 100-hour Transition Program
• Law Library Program
• Library Program
• Thinking for a Change

Pictures of South Florida Reception Center

Careers at South Florida Reception Center

There is currently a $1,000 hiring bonus at the South Florida Reception Center. If you are interested in applying for a job, click here. There are numerous positions available and standard benefits for Florida DOC employees, including paid vacation, sick leave, holidays, health insurance, tuition-free college courses, and a 457 tax-deferred retirement plan.