skip to content

how we serve

Jail Programs & Support

Jail Support & Programs

The Florida jails  ensure the constitutional rights of those incarcerated are upheld. Prior to 1996, the Florida Department of Corrections was responsible for the standards and inspection process for local county jails. Legislation was passed in 1996 that gave the authority of inspections to the local level. This change required the Florida Sheriffs Association govern standards that local jails must comply with. In addition to this FSA provides resources and support for jails and jail administrators across Florida.

Medicated Assisted Treatment and Overdose Prevention Toolkit

Medicated Assisted Treatment (MAT) and Overdose Prevention  Toolkit is to provide a strategically innovative tool that intentionally connects the Jail Administrators and their substance abuse program staff within the Florida Sheriffs Association network directly to Naloxone distributing community partners, sheriff office locations, parole office locations, police departments, and state prison, MAT providers and other resources. By using this tool, the county jail staff can provide a PDF printout to those who will be released from their facilities so they can connect with MAT providers, receive naloxone and other resources in the community.

 

FMJS Training

Jail Inspectors and Jail Medical Inspectors must be certified in order to conduct inspections.

Recertification for inspectors must be completed every four years. FMJS Jail and Medical Certifications are valid until December 31 of the fourth certification anniversary date. Each FMJS Jail and Medical Inspector must complete an eight-hour Refresher/Recertification Class. Successful completion of the eight-hour refresher course includes a test at the end of the course. You must achieve a score of 80% or better to pass the recertification course.

fmjs logomark

Accreditation

Florida’s sheriffs committed in 2020 to help these agencies become CFA accredited by authorizing the FSA Accreditation Assistance program. FSA Accreditation Coordinators provide direct assistance to these agency staff with policy review and revision, facilities inspections, and training. FSA added additional staff to support this, and this is the only program of its kind in the United States. Twenty-four agencies are currently working with FSA’s Accreditation Assistance Program, with many more to come.

Awards & Nominations

Annual FMJS Inspector of the Year and Team Leader of the Year Award Nominations:

Each year we honor members of the FMJS community by presenting awards to deserving individuals who ensure and maintain the integrity of the FMJS process. This is a great opportunity to recognize the exceptional work FMJS professionals do around the state. We encourage you to get your nominations in as soon as possible; the deadline for nominations is January 1 annually.

FMJS Medical Inspector of the Year Award:

Eligibility Criteria:

  • Currently holds an active FMJS certificate
  • Health care license or EMT certificates remain current
  • Currently or previously employed in a correctional setting

Selection Criteria:
Actively participates in yearly inspections, actively participates in inspections as Team Leader, and provides agency assistance. The Inspector nomination form must carry the endorsement of the administrator of the agency in which the inspector is currently employed. Inspector demonstrates exceptional knowledge and assistance to the agency being inspected.

FMJS Inspector of the Year

Eligibility Criteria:

  • Currently holds an active FMJS certificate
  • Currently or previously employed in a correctional setting

Selection Criteria:
Actively participates in yearly inspections, actively participates in inspections as Team Leader, and provide agency assistance. The Inspector nomination form must carry the endorsement of the administrator of the agency in which the inspector is currently employed. Demonstrates exceptional knowledge and assistance to the agency being inspected.

FMJS Team Leader of the Year

Eligibility Criteria:

  • Leadership
  • Currently holds an active FMJS certificate
  • Coaching and mentoring FMJS Inspectors
  • Demonstrated commitment to the FMJS process
  • Currently or previously employed in a correctional setting.

Selection Criteria:
Actively participates in yearly inspections, actively participates in inspections as Team Leader, and provide agency assistance. The Inspector nomination form must carry the endorsement of the administrator of the agency in which the inspector is currently employed. Team Leader demonstrates exceptional knowledge and assistance to the agency being inspected. Coordinates the inspection with the assigned team members and demonstrates exceptional leadership skills.

FMJS Chairman’s Award

Eligibility Criteria:

  • Currently or previously employed in a correctional setting
  • Contributions have made significant improvement to the FMJS process.

Selection Criteria:
Actively participates in the process, for outstanding achievement, innovation, creativity, and smart work that measurably increases the FMJS program efficiency, or furthers the FMJS goals. The nomination must carry the endorsement of the sheriff or county administrator of the agency in which the individual is employed.