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Only the incarcerated individual who is concerned for their safety can request protection.
One of the primary objectives of FDC is ensuring the safety of those they house. Florida Cares is often contacted by both incarcerated individuals and concerned loved ones regarding safety issues. These concerns highlight the importance of understanding the process for requesting protection. Please know that:
Only the incarcerated individual who is concerned for their safety can request protection. When an incarcerated person informs staff that they fear for their safety and need protection—or when staff have reason to suspect that an individual may require protection—the shift Officer in Charge (OIC) is notified. The OIC reviews the information, places the incarcerated person in administrative confinement, and compiles a report to initiate a protection needs investigation. While in administrative confinement, the incarcerated individual will not be permitted visitation or phone use but may still communicate through written messages on the tablet and by sending physical mail. Once the incarcerated person is placed in confinement, the Institutional Classification Team reviews the placement within 72 hours and determines whether confinement is appropriate.
Following this initial review, Security staff conduct an investigation. Any information not originally obtained by the shift OIC is gathered, including witness statements from the individual seeking protection, the alleged perpetrators, and all available witnesses. If applicable, physical evidence is collected, and video footage is reviewed. Once the investigation is complete, the investigator submits a report to the Institutional Classification Team. The team then reviews the report and conducts a hearing with the incarcerated person to determine whether there is a legitimate, verifiable need for protection. At the conclusion of the hearing, FDC will notify the individual of their recommendation.
After the Institutional Classification Team makes a recommendation, the State Classification Officer has the final authority on all protective needs requests. If a verifiable need for protection is established, appropriate action will be taken to ensure the individual's safety. This may include, but is not limited to:
- A special review to prevent placement near known assailants
- Transfer to another facility
- Placement in a protective custody unit
- Remaining in confinement until release for individuals with little time left on their sentence
If no verifiable need for protection is found, the individual will be returned to the general population. If the incarcerated person disagrees with the State Classification Officer’s decision, they can either accept the decision or file an appeal directly to Tallahassee using form DC1-303. If an appeal is filed, the individual will remain in administrative confinement until the appeal process is completed. If the appeal is approved, classification staff will take appropriate steps to resolve the protection concerns.
If the appeal is denied, the protection request is considered resolved, and the same issue will not be reconsidered unless the incarcerated person provides new evidence or information that was not previously known to the Institutional Classification Team at the time of the hearing. In that case, the individual will be removed from administrative confinement and returned to their prior status.
(updated 2/6/25)