Take these 3 actions TODAY

1. Send an Email to:  fdcrulecorrespondence@fdc.myflorida.com 

Write:  (In this instance we ask that you write this exactly the same so they know we are united)

I am a substantially affected person under F.A.C. 120.536(3) as I am an approved visitor. This is my request in writing regarding all rule developments on visitation 33-601.713 - 33-601.732 filed  on 7/6/22 that FDC hold a public workshop pursuant to F.A.C. 120.54(2)(c). I also request FDC participate in negotiated rulemaking and appoint a balanced committee for the purpose of these rule changes to include Florida Cares Charity Corp. who represents thousands of visitors and incarcerated individuals.

2. Tell your incarcerated loved one for both  themselves and anyone else they can get in the prison to send a letter right away to:

Office of the General Counsel

Attn: FDC Rule Correspondence

501 South Calhoun Street

Tallahassee, Florida 32399

Write in these exact words: I am incarcerated and a substantially affected person under F.A.C. 120.536(3). This is my request in writing regarding all visitation rule changes published on 7/6/22 that FDC hold a public workshop pursuant to F.A.C. 120.54(2)(c). Further, I request that FDC participate in the negotiated rulemaking process and appoint a balanced committee to include Florida Cares Charity who are our voice since we cannot attend the workshop.

3. Send an email to your legislator and any other legislators you can.   Use this link to find your legislator:  https://www.myfloridahouse.gov/findyourrepresentative (state legislators are the ones with the Capital office address in Tallahassee) that says something like:

Dear [legislator]:

I am writing to let you know that on 7/6/22 FDC announced a proposed rule change that would reduce family visitation time at state prisons by 50% despite F.S. 944.8031(1) which states that “the Legislature finds that maintaining a prisoner’s family and community relationships through enhancing visitor services and programs and increasing the frequency and quality of the visits is an underutilized correctional resource that can improve behavior in the correctional facility and, upon release from a correctional facility, will help to reduce recidivism.”

In this vein I am asking you to participate in the FAMM Florida Cares #VisitAPrison challenge, which launched on July 11, 2022.

Please visit a prison nearest to you right away to speak with currently incarcerated people and officers working in the dorms to gain their perspective on how critically important visitation and other programs are while they are incarcerated.

After your visit, share about your visit on social media using the hashtag #VisitAPrison. Your social media post can include photos of you at the prison, or a short video sharing your impressions of the visit afterwards. FAMM and Florida Cares Charity will publicly recognize your visit and share your posts on social media to encourage other lawmakers to visit prisons also.

If you would like help scheduling your visit, please contact Florida Cares at (561) 855-0833 or info@FloridaCaresCharity.org with the date and time you would like to visit a prison and they will coordinate it for you with the warden to ensure a smooth arrival.

Thank you for serving our state and considering my request.  I look forward to hearing back from you soon.