Florida Administrative Code for Community Release Centers

Joining a Bridges International Program

Our Florida programs fall into two categories, Community Release Center (CRC) Assignment and Community Based Substance Use and Reentry Programs (CBSURP). 

Clients coming into the Community Release Center assignment must be under sentence and in the custody of the Florida Department of Corrections and offenders who meet the criteria set forth in FAC Chapter 33-601.602 Community Release Programs. Any incarcerated offender may consult their assigned Classification Officer at their institution to determine if the offender is eligible to participate in the program. Their classification officer can begin the process for those that are eligible for CRC assignment.   

Offenders who wish to make application to the CBSURP must be under jurisdiction of a Florida Court and/or under supervision of the FDOC Community Corrections/Probation and Parole. Anyone interested in these programs should work through their defense attorney, prosecutor, judge, and/or assigned FDOCC P&P Officer. This team works together to ensure that the offender meets all the requirements to be enrolled into the program and ensures that all the required documentation goes to a Qualified Professional, as defined by Department of Children and Families, who reviews the application and then notifies the referring authority (defense attorney, prosecutor, judge, and/or assigned FDOCC P&P Officer). 

Visitation

Visitation in our Florida facilities is conducted within the FDOC Rules and Regulations governing visitation. All visitors must be approved by the FDOC prior to visit taking place. The best way for family and friends of clients assigned to a CRC should go to Visitor Information & FAQ (state.fl.us). This link will provide step by step instructions as to applying for visitation privileges. It is important to emphasis that Bridges Employees play no part in the application review and approval process. All prospective visitors to a Bridges Facility should review this information to ensure that when they are approved to visit, they may do so within the requirements for this program. Clients assigned to the BSURP programs will have the opportunity to receive visits after they have been received into the program and completed their orientation and assessment and treatment planning phase of the program. The Program Director and staff assigned will work to expedite this process.

Personal Property

During Orientation, our clients receive a list of authorized items they will need.  Property rules for our facilities mirror those contained in FDOC Rules, Chapter 33-602-201 Inmate Property. This Rule covers property retention for all inmates and there are some subtle differences for CRC clients. Family can access this information on the FDOC website. 

The confusion seems to come when family try to anticipate what a client might need before they arrive. This results in some unauthorized items to be sent from family wo are not aware of the requirements and limitations. The best course of action is to allow the client to arrive on site and complete their orientation process. We provide all health and comfort items the client will need during this time. As part of the orientation process the client will receive a specific list of items they will need. Many times, the need will change based on the type of employment the client engages in. 

If family can wait at least 10-14 days before sending packages or other items, it would prevent much of the confusion that arises. It is understandable that client’s supporters want to be helpful but sending property to the facility before the client knows what they need leads to storage and accountability issues.