FDC-Union Correctional Institution

State Prison

Last Updated: February 25, 2024
Address
25636 NE SR-16, Raiford, FL 32083
Beds
1486
County
Union
Phone
386-431-2000
Fax
386-431-2016
Email
UnionCI.WardenOffice@fdc.myflorida.com
Mailing Address
PO Box 23608, Tampa, FL 33623

Union CI is for State Prison offenders sentenced anywhere from one year to life by the State Court in the county where the charges were filed

All prisons and jails have Security or Custody levels depending on the inmate’s classification, sentence, and criminal history. Please review the rules and regulations for State - medium facility.

The phone carrier is Global Tel Link (GTL) - ConnectNetwork, to see their rates and best-calling plans for your inmate to call you.

If you are unsure of your inmate's location, you can search and locate your inmate by typing in their last name, first name or first initial, and/or the offender ID number to get their accurate information immediately Registered Offenders

Satellite View of FDC-Union Correctional Institution

You can support your loved ones at Union CI on InmateAid, if you have any immediate questions contact the facility directly at 386-431-2000.

Located at 25636 NE SR-16 in Raiford, FL, Union CI carefully assigns inmates based on their custody level, considering factors like criminal history. Union CI offers diverse educational and vocational programs aimed at equipping offenders for successful reintegration into society and reducing recidivism. Through these initiatives, inmates gain skills and confidence, fostering personal growth and resilience.

Union Correctional Institution, situated in Raiford, stands as a level VII facility known for housing approximately 1,486 adult male inmates. Notably, it accommodates maximum-security inmates, making it one of the few facilities in the state to do so. In the past, Union Correctional was recognized as home to Florida's Death Row. The institution also caters to inmates across other custody levels, including closed, medium, and minimum security.

While vocational and substance abuse programs are currently not listed as offerings at this facility, Union Correctional Institution provides various academic and institutional betterment programs aimed at promoting personal growth and rehabilitation among its inmate population.

Academic Programs include Adult Basic Education and General Educational Development, providing inmates with opportunities to enhance their literacy and educational levels. Additionally, Special Education Services are available for inmates in close management.

Chaplaincy Services at Union Correctional Institution encompass a range of faith-based programs, including chapel services, religious education, and faith- and character-based dormitories. These programs aim to address the spiritual needs of inmates and promote moral and ethical development.

Institutional Betterment Programs offered at the institution cover diverse areas such as cognitive-behavioral interventions (e.g., Thinking for a Change), recreational activities (e.g., sports leagues, weight training), pre-release counseling, and wellness education. These programs are designed to foster personal development, prepare inmates for reintegration into society, and promote overall well-being. Union Correctional also participates in the P.R.I.D.E. (Prison Rehabilitative Industries and Diversified Enterprises) program, providing inmates with opportunities for vocational training and meaningful work experiences. Inmates can engage in various work assignments, including roles in a dental lab, slaughterhouse, metal production, tag plant, cattle operations, and forestry division, contributing to their skill development and potential for successful reentry into society.

The Union Correctional Institution, situated in unincorporated Union County, has a rich history dating back to its establishment in 1913. Originally known as the State Prison Farm, it was created to house infirm inmates who could not be leased to private businesses. At its inception, the prison had a population of around 600 inmates, both male and female, and covered an expansive 18,000-acre property, primarily utilized for farming activities.

Over the years, the institution underwent several expansions and restructurings. Notably, it was one of the last prisons in the United States to abolish the practice of convict leasing in 1923. In 1955, the East Unit was established, subsequently becoming the new Florida State Prison in July 1972, while the original site was redesignated as the Union Correctional Institution.

Throughout its history, the institution has seen various changes and developments. The construction of key facilities such as "The Rock" in 1928 and the "Flat Top" maximum security building in 1935 marked significant milestones in its expansion. Additionally, the prison has housed diverse inmate populations, including both male and female offenders, though the West Unit, initially built for female inmates, ceased operation for that purpose in 1954.

Tragically, instances of violence have occurred within the institution, such as the stabbing death of a Corrections Officer in 1983. Despite such incidents, the institution has persisted, adapting to changing needs and standards within the corrections system.

Today, the Union Correctional Institution remains one of the largest prisons in the Florida system, housing adult male inmates across various security levels. It continues to play a crucial role in the state's corrections infrastructure, providing housing, security, and rehabilitation services for its inmate population.

Inmate Locator

Union CI maintains a database of current inmates and their locations within the system. To locate an inmate, begin by using the DOC locator tool, which requires entering the first three letters of the inmate's first and last name, allowing for variations in spelling.

If unable to locate the desired information through free resources, users may opt to use the Arrest Record Search, which requires payment. While this option incurs a small fee, it provides access to the most up-to-date data available.

Get an Arrest Record immediately.

Visitation Information

FDC Visitation Information

Regular visiting is held on Saturdays and Sundays from 9:00 a.m. through 3:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (8:00 a.m. through 2:00 p.m. Central Standard Time). Registration begins at 8:15 a.m. (7:15 a.m. CST) on both days. Visitors will not be processed after 2:00 p.m. (1:00 p.m. CST) unless authorized by the duty warden. Visitors will be allowed to park in designated spaces no earlier than 7:30 a.m. EST and 6:30 a.m. CST on visiting days.
Regular visiting is permitted on the following holidays:
• New Year's Day
• Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr. (third Monday in January)
• Memorial Day
• Independence Day
• Labor Day
• Veteran's Day (November 11th)
• Thanksgiving Day
• Friday after Thanksgiving; and
• Christmas Day
If any of the holidays listed above falls on Saturday, the preceding Friday will be observed as a holiday. If any of these holidays fall on Sunday, then the following Monday will be observed as the holiday

Ask The Inmate

Ask a former inmate questions at no charge. The inmate answering has spent considerable time in the federal prison system, state and county jails, and in a prison that was run by the private prison entity CCA. Ask your question or browse previous questions in response to comments or further questions of members of the InmateAid community.