Tomoka Correctional Institution

Tomoka Correctional Institution is a Florida state prison for men located in Daytona Beach, Florida. The Department of Corrections manages this facility, which opened in 1981. It can house a maximum of 1,263 prisoners of mixed custody levels.

In 2008, correctional officer Donna Fitzgerald was stabbed to death by an inmate, and an investigation by the DOC inspector general found that the warden and officials were to blame because of “critical security breaches, gross neglect of duty, and ineptitude.”

In 2014, eight inmates at Tomoka CI died in custody, more than any other Florida state prison. Some of those deaths were unexplained, and no additional information was released.

Prison Insights

Visiting Hours and Rules

The visiting hours at Tomoka Correctional Institution are on Saturdays and Sundays from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. EST. Visitor registration starts 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. 

Before you can visit an inmate at Tomoka Correctional Institution, you must get on their approved visiting list. The visitor applicationㅡwhich is available in both English and Spanishㅡmust be filled out completely and mailed to the Tomoka Correctional Institution. 

The Florida Department of Corrections will review your application, and the inmate will notify you of your application status.  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

You must have a valid photo ID to visit an inmate at Tomoka Correctional Institution. During visitor registration, officers 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 Tomoka 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 Tomoka Correctional Institution visiting room dress code prohibits the following clothing 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

Tomoka Correctional Institution also has video visitation, which is a service available through JPay. You must have a JPay account and use their calendar function to schedule a video visit.

The fee for video visitation is $2.95 for 15 minutes, and they can last up to 30 minutes.

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.

You can send an inmate email through JPay. They do not have internet access, but inmates can receive a printout during mail call. 

You can also buy your inmate a JP5 tablet. This device allows them to read and write emails, as well as purchase music, eBooks, games, and rent movies. 

How to Call an Inmate

Inmates at Tomoka Correctional Institution can’t receive incoming calls, but they do have access to phones 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 Tomoka Correctional Institution, you must use JPay or MoneyGram. There is a fee when you send money, and they vary based on which method you use and how much you are sending.

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

• Building Trades & Construction Design Technology
• Masonry

Chaplaincy Services

• Celebrate Recovery
• Chapel Library Program
• Horizon and Horizon+Faith Based Dormitories
• Inside Out Dads Study
• Kairos
• Making Peace with Your Past
• Religious Education/services provided by volunteers
• TBN Satellite Location

Institutional Betterment Programs

• 100-hour Transition Program
• AA/NA Meetings
• Anger Management
• Gavel Club
• International Bible College Institute
• Law Library Program
• Library Program
• Men Mentoring Men
• Music/Band
• Passport to Success
• Passport to Re-Entry
• Pups N Pals (Work Camp)
• Sports League/Fitness
• Thinking for a Change
• Thoughts and Feelings Group
• Wellness Education

Pictures of Tomoka Correctional Institution

Careers at Tomoka Correctional Institution

Tomoka Correctional Institution has numerous jobs available, and they are currently offering a $1,000 hiring bonus.  If you are interested in 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 such as healthcare, clerical support, and procurement and supply.

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.