33-601.504. Transition Assistance Program

(1) All inmates being released from the Department of Corrections are eligible to participate in the transition skills program except for those inmates meeting the criteria for exemption in paragraph (3)(b), below.

(2) The Department shall administer a Department-approved risk and needs assessment within 18 months of an inmate’s scheduled release date to identify community-specific reentry service provider referrals.

(3)(a) The Department shall provide a standardized transition skills program to every eligible inmate within six months of the inmate’s scheduled release date. The transition skills program shall consist of pre-release or post-release instruction that includes:

1. Employment skills.

2. Money management.

3. Special needs.

4. Community reentry concerns.

5. Community reentry support.

6. Any other appropriate instruction to promote the inmate’s successful reentry into the community.

(b) The transition skills program shall be provided to all inmates, and all inmates shall be required to complete the program prior to release except for the following:

1. Emergency releasees.

2. Inmates who are not to be released from incarceration such as those released to detainers to other state or federal authorities where the inmate will be detained or incarcerated. However, pursuant to Section 944.703, F.S., the Department shall determine whether cancellation of the detainer is likely or that the incarceration for which the detainer was issued will be of short duration, in which case the inmate will not be exempt from the program..

3. Inmates who are unable to attend due to mental or medical conditions as supported by written medical staff direction or opinion.

4. Inmates who are in the reception process.

5. Inmates who have completed the reception process but cannot complete the course.

6. Inmates who are serving a Florida sentence in another jurisdiction.

(c) The classification officer shall review all inmates at the institution or facility who are within 180 days of release to verify completion of the transition skills program.

(d) The Institutional Classification Team shall ensure that inmates required to participate in the transition skills program are informed of this requirement in accordance with classification procedures and that the consequences of refusing to participate are explained. The explanation shall include the following:

1. If eligible, the inmate is required to participate in the transition skills program.

2. Disciplinary action in accordance with Chapter 33-601, F.A.C., shall be imposed as a consequence of the inmate refusing to work or participate in mandatory programs.

3. In addition to disciplinary action, no eligible inmate shall be eligible to participate in a work release center assignment or work release program if he or she refuses to participate in the transition skills program or refuses to complete the program.

4. Disciplinary action shall also be taken if the inmate agrees to enter the transition skills program but is subsequently reassigned due to behavior problems or the inmate’s unwillingness to actively participate in program activities and follow program rules as determined by transition services staff.

(e) If an eligible inmate refuses to participate after program enrollment, the refusal shall be documented in the Offender Based Information System.

1. The inmate shall be required to sign Form DC5-415, Refusal of Mandatory 100-Hour Transition Skills Program. Form DC5-415 is hereby incorporated by reference. Copies of this form are available from the Forms Control Administrator, 501 South Calhoun Street, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-2500. The effective date of this form is 11-18-03.

2. If the inmate refuses to sign Form DC5-415, the refusal shall be noted on the form and witnessed by two staff members.

3. If the inmate refuses to participate and later recants, the inmate shall be allowed to request to participate by completing an Inmate Request, Form DC6-236, and submitting it to his or her classification officer. Form DC6-236 is incorporated by reference in rule 33-103.005, F.A.C.

(f) As part of the transition skills program, any inmate claiming to be a victim of domestic violence as defined in Section 741.28, F.S., shall be informed of the domestic violence center nearest his or her established residence. Upon release, the inmate shall be referred to the designated center.

(g) The Department is authorized to contract with public or private entities for the provision of all or part of the components of the transition skills program.

(4) Inmates being released shall be identified and screened by a designated officer prior to release. The screening shall consist of the following:

(a) Review of the inmate’s risk and needs assessment to update or identify the inmate’s post-release needs;

(b) Discussion with the inmate about participation in the transition assistance program if eligible;

(c) Review of visiting records to determine whether the inmate’s visitors could provide post-release residential or employment assistance;

(d) Verification from any authority having an active detainer on the inmate that the detainer is likely to be cancelled or that incarceration resulting from the detainer will be of short duration; and

(e) Any other steps necessary to make a reasonable judgment as to post-release needs.

(5) The following community resource contacts and available identification documents shall be provided to each inmate prior to release:

(a) A toll-free number that released inmates may call to obtain post-release resources and referrals for community-based reentry services.

(b) A weblink to a comprehensive community resource directory, organized by county, which includes contact information and a description of services offered for each provider listed in the directory, including existing portals of entry.

(c) A social security card or other valid I.D., and any other information that would be of value in assisting the smooth transition of the releasee into society.

(d) The releasee shall be informed that the use of his or her social security card is a means of establishing employment eligibility for prospective employers in accordance with the Federal Immigration Reform and Control Act. The use of the card for this purpose is voluntary, and the inmate may refuse to disclose his or her social security number.

(6) Post-release transportation for inmates shall be provided by the most economical common carrier and shall be paid for by a non-negotiable travel voucher, or by private transportation provided by a family member, approved Type “B” furlough sponsor, or citizen volunteer whose purpose is to immediately transport the inmate to a designated location. Releasees shall be escorted to the common carrier terminal by a Department employee who shall remain with the releasee until he or she departs on the authorized transportation. The releasee shall be instructed to proceed immediately to the appropriate office of or to call the designated community resource liaison.

(7) Upon arriving at the post-release community resource, the releasee shall be identified and provided orientation and counseling. The post-release community resource shall work with the releasee in order to effect as smooth a transition into society as possible. This shall encompass follow-through efforts in regards to employment and special needs.

(8) The Department is authorized to enter into contracts for transition services as follows:

(a) The Department is authorized to enter into contracts with the Agency for Workforce Innovation for the provision of job placement services.

(b) The Department is authorized to enter into contracts with the Department of Children and Family Services, the Salvation Army, and other public or private organizations, including faith-based service groups, for the provision of basic support services for releasees.

(c) The Department will provide an Inmate Re-entry Programs Registration Application, Form DC5-759, on the Department’s public website to allow nonprofit faith-based organizations, professional businesses, or civic or community organizations to apply for registration with the Department to provide inmate reentry services. Form DC5-759, Inmate Re-Entry Programs Registration Application, is hereby incorporated by reference. Copies of this form are available from the Forms Control Administrator, 501 South Calhoun Street, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-2500, http://www.flrules.org/Gateway/reference.asp?No=Ref-12109. The effective date of the form is 8/20.

(d) The eligibility criteria that must be satisfied by the applicant are as follows:

1. The applicant must complete and submit an Inmate Re-Entry Programs Registration Application, Form DC5-759.

2. The applicant must be a nonprofit faith-based organization, a professional business, or a civic or community organization.

3. The applicant must be willing to provide its re-entry program at no cost to the Department or the inmate.

4. The applicant must be willing to provide its re-entry program at a Department institution or contracted facility.

5. The applicant must be willing to allow the Department to review and approve the program curriculum, and any subsequent revisions thereto, to ensure that the program addresses the criminogenic and/or transition needs of inmates.

6. Representatives of the applicant designated to provide programming at a Department institution or contracted facility must be willing to undergo and must pass a Level II background check. Final approval to access a Department institution or contracted facility will be made by the warden or designee in order to promote the safety, security, and good order of those institutions and facilities.

7. The applicant must be willing to adhere to all Department rules.

(e) Upon submission to the Department, the application will be reviewed by a designated Office of Programs and Re-Entry representative to ensure the application has been completed in full and all eligibility criteria have been met. The applicant will be notified in writing of the receipt and review of the application.

(f) If the application is complete and the applicant meets the eligibility criteria, the applicant will be advised to have its designated representatives obtain a Level II background check. The applicant must also provide the Department a copy of any curriculum that will be utilized by the applicant. The applicant will be placed on the Inmate Re-Entry Programs Registration Roster provided the necessary Level II background check results are approved by the Department, and the curriculum addresses the criminogenic and/or transition needs of inmates. The applicant will be notified in writing of its placement on the Inmate Re-Entry Programs Registration Roster.

Rulemaking Authority 944.09, 944.705, 944.706, 944.708 FS. Law Implemented 20.315, 944.291, 944.701-.708, 944.611, 944.613, 944.7065 FS. History–New 1-19-85, Formerly 33-7.08, Amended 11-8-86, 5-18-87, 4-19-89, 5-21-92, 1-5-93, 11-16-97, Formerly 33-7.008, Amended 11-18-03, 8-19-20.