Florida Corrections HISTORICAL TIMELINE

Welcome to "Florida Department of Corrections: Over 200 Years of History." This timeline is a historical account of the evolution of the Florida Department of Corrections (FDC) from 1821 to the present day. The purpose of this narrative is to showcase how FDC has progressed over the centuries by implementing effective and innovative correctional practices while also highlighting the modernization and removal of outdated incarceration methods. As a result, it provides a comprehensive and accurate overview intended to educate the public about the history of Florida's corrections system.

The Florida Department of Corrections is the largest state agency in Florida and the third-largest state prison system in the United States. It has more than 24,000 employees, including certified correctional officers and probation officers. FDC manages approximately 85,000 inmates and nearly 146,000 offenders on community supervision, with a budget of $3.4 billion.

To begin your tour, click the next button below or select a date range from the Timeline menu bar on the right.