Florida is known for its sunny beaches, theme parks, and diverse culture. But it is also home to some of the most notorious and brutal prisons in the country.
In this blog post, we will rank the top 10 worst prisons in Florida based on factors such as violence, overcrowding, corruption, and human rights violations.
We will also explore how these prisons got that way and what can be done to improve them.
10. Dade Correctional Institution
Dade Correctional Institution (DCI) is a medium-security prison located in Miami-Dade County. It houses about 1,500 male inmates, mostly serving sentences for drug offenses, robbery, and burglary.
DCI has a history of abuse and neglect of mentally ill inmates, who make up about 20% of the population. In 2012, an inmate named Darren Rainey died after being locked in a scalding shower for two hours by prison guards as a punishment.
His skin peeled off his body and he suffered severe burns. The guards were never charged with his death. In 2015, another inmate named Richard Mair committed suicide after being denied mental health care and medication.
He left a note accusing the staff of torture and corruption. DCI has been sued several times by human rights groups and inmates’ families for violating the constitutional rights of prisoners.
9. Union Correctional Institution
Union Correctional Institution (UCI) is a maximum-security prison located in Raiford. It houses about 2,000 male inmates, mostly serving life sentences or death row.
UCI is one of the oldest and largest prisons in Florida, and also one of the most violent. In 2019, UCI had the highest number of inmate deaths in the state, with 18 fatalities, mostly due to homicide, suicide, and overdose.
UCI also has a reputation for gang activity, drug trafficking, and staff misconduct. In 2017, a former UCI sergeant was sentenced to five years in prison for accepting bribes from inmates to smuggle contraband.
In 2018, a UCI captain was arrested for beating an inmate who had filed a complaint against him. UCI has been criticized by civil rights groups and inmates’ advocates for its harsh and inhumane conditions.
8. Florida State Prison
Florida State Prison (FSP) is a maximum-security prison located in Starke. It houses about 1,400 male inmates, mostly serving death row or solitary confinement.
FSP is the only prison in Florida that carries out executions by lethal injection or electric chair. FSP is notorious for its brutal and corrupt staff, who have been accused of beating, torturing, and killing inmates.
In 1999, an inmate named Frank Valdes was beaten to death by a group of guards, who tried to cover up their crime by staging a suicide. In 2014, an inmate named Randall Jordan-Aparo was gassed to death by guards after he begged for medical attention.
FSP has been the subject of several investigations and lawsuits by federal authorities and human rights organizations for its widespread abuse and neglect of prisoners.
7. Lowell Correctional Institution
Lowell Correctional Institution (LCI) is a medium-security prison located in Ocala. It houses about 2,600 female inmates, ranging from minimum to maximum custody.
LCI is the largest women’s prison in Florida, and also one of the most abusive and dangerous. LCI has a long history of sexual assault, violence, and medical neglect of female inmates by male staff. In 2015, an inmate named Latandra Ellington died after being beaten by a guard who had threatened to kill her.
In 2019, an inmate named Cheryl Weimar was paralyzed from the neck down after being slammed to the ground by guards who had harassed her.
LCI has been exposed by several media reports and lawsuits by inmates and their families for its horrific and unlawful treatment of women.
6. Tomoka Correctional Institution
Tomoka Correctional Institution (TCI) is a medium-security prison located in Daytona Beach. It houses about 1,200 male inmates, mostly serving sentences for violent crimes, sex offenses, and escape attempts.
TCI is known for its frequent riots, fires, and escapes, which have resulted in injuries and deaths of inmates and staff. In 2018, a riot broke out at TCI after guards used excessive force on an inmate who had refused to obey orders.
The inmates set fire to several buildings and attacked the guards with homemade weapons. The riot lasted for several hours and left five inmates and two guards injured.
In 2019, an inmate named Gary Bullock Jr. escaped from TCI by cutting a hole in the fence and stealing a car. He was later captured and charged with murder for killing a woman during his escape. TCI has been condemned by prison reform groups and inmates’ families for its lack of security and safety.
5. Santa Rosa Correctional Institution
Santa Rosa Correctional Institution (SRCI) is a close-security prison located in Milton. It houses about 1,700 male inmates, mostly serving long-term sentences for murder, rape, and kidnapping.
SRCI is infamous for its rampant corruption, violence, and extortion among inmates and staff. In 2012, a group of inmates known as the “Dirty White Boys” ran a criminal enterprise inside SRCI, selling drugs, weapons, and cell phones to other inmates.
They also bribed and threatened guards to help them smuggle contraband and assault rival inmates. The leader of the group, Shawn Rogers, was convicted of orchestrating the murder of another inmate who had cooperated with the authorities.
SRCI has been investigated and sued by state and federal agencies for its widespread criminal activity and civil rights violations.
4. Charlotte Correctional Institution
Charlotte Correctional Institution (CCI) is one of the top 10 worst prisons in Florida. It is a close-security prison located in Punta Gorda. It houses about 1,300 male inmates, mostly serving sentences for violent crimes, escape attempts, and habitual offenses.
CCI is notorious for its high rate of inmate deaths, which have been attributed to staff negligence, misconduct, and cover-ups. In 2008, an inmate at CCI died of a ruptured appendix after being ignored by medical staff for three days.
In 2014, another inmate at CCI was beaten to death by guards who tried to silence him after he filed a grievance. In 2018, a third inmate at CCI was found hanging in his cell after being placed in solitary confinement without proper supervision.
CCI has been the target of several lawsuits and protests by inmates’ families and human rights groups for its fatal and abusive practices.
3. Everglades Correctional Institution
Everglades Correctional Institution (ECI) is one of the top 10 worst prisons in Florida. It is a medium-security prison located in Miami. It houses about 1,600 male inmates, mostly serving sentences for drug offenses, theft, and fraud.
ECI is known for its severe overcrowding, poor sanitation, and lack of basic amenities. In 2017, ECI was declared a health hazard by the Department of Health after an inspection revealed mold, rats, roaches, and sewage leaks in the facility.
In 2018, ECI was hit by Hurricane Irma, which caused extensive damage and power outages. The inmates were left without food, water, or ventilation for days. ECI has been sued by inmates and their families for its unsafe and unhealthy conditions.
2. Franklin Correctional Institution
Franklin Correctional Institution (FCI) is one of the top 10 worst prisons in Florida. It is a medium-security prison located in Carrabelle. It houses about 1,300 male inmates, mostly serving sentences for sex offenses, assault, and manslaughter.
FCI is infamous for its widespread corruption, violence, and coercion among inmates and staff. In 2014, an inmate named Randall Jordan-Aparo was gassed to death by guards after he begged for medical attention. His death was covered up by the prison officials, who falsified records and evidence.
In 2016, an inmate named Mark Joiner was stabbed to death by another inmate who was paid by a guard to kill him. The guard was part of a criminal ring that extorted money and favors from inmates in exchange for protection or privileges.
FCI has been the subject of several scandals and investigations by state and federal authorities for its rampant criminal activity and civil rights violations.
1. Lake Correctional Institution
Lake Correctional Institution (LCI) is the worst prison in Florida. It is a close-security prison located in Clermont. It houses about 1,100 male inmates, mostly serving sentences for murder, robbery, and kidnapping.
LCI is notorious for its extreme brutality, torture, and murder of inmates by guards. In 2019, an inmate named Christopher Howell was beaten to death by guards who punched, kicked, and stomped on him.
His death was recorded by another inmate who smuggled a cell phone into the prison. The video showed the guards laughing and joking as they killed Howell.
In 2020, an inmate named Michael Riley was strangled to death by a guard who choked him with a towel. The guard claimed that Riley had attacked him first, but the autopsy report contradicted his story.
LCI has been exposed by several media reports and lawsuits by inmates and their families for its horrific and unlawful treatment of men.
