1976

INMATE POPULATION JUNE 30, 1976: 16,809

Hillsborough Correctional Institution (Riverview, FL), Brevard Correctional Institution (Sharpes, FL), Dade Correctional Institution (Homestead, FL) and Indian River Correctional Institution (Vero Beach, FL) open. Berrydale Forestry Camp is established.

The Supreme Court overturns its ruling and upholds the constitutionality of the death penalty in the case of Gregg vs. Georgia. Executions, which had ceased in 1964, resume. (Florida's first execution under the new ruling will not take place until 1979.)

Florida legislature establishes Interagency/Community Service program to provide free inmate labor to counties, cities and municipalities.

State officials commit to making the computer an integral part of the construction of what is largely a brand new corrections system. The department creates the Bureau of Management Information Systems and begins to develop the first computer databases for inmate records. Data collection starts with an active and inactive inmate name file, as well as an inmate movement file that only keeps a record of five movements at a time. The information is entered on a single terminal by a Health and Rehabilitative Services (HRS) employee on loan to the department.

1977

INMATE POPULATION JUNE 30, 1977: 18,963

Broward Correctional Institution (Pembroke Pines, FL), Lawtey Correctional Institution (Lawtey, FL) and Zephyrhills Correctional Institution (Zephyrhills, FL) open.

Hosting of the growing inmate computer system is moved from HRS to Florida State University, making additional data collection possible for personal histories as well as expanding the file for inmate movements. Name search capabilities are added. Unfortunately, electronic data is not available to field staff and there are no reports available other than an occasional ad hoc report for use by those in Central Office in Tallahassee.