Part 2: Inside Century Correctional Institution

April 3, 2012

Today, we continue our exclusive look inside the Century Correctional Institution with look inside the chapel and medical facility. Our series will continue tomorrow as we look at how 1,400 inmates are fed and take a look at the one room inmates hope will mean an early release.

The chapel is as nondescript as the other buildings in the compound. Unlike most churches when viewed from the outside, there’s nothing ornate and no religious symbols. Just a simple “Chapel” over the door and the number “10617032″ in one corner — the state’s building number.

The inside of the chapel appears a lot like any small country church — wooden pews, a mural of a river flowing from down from the hills.  But still no religious symbols — no crosses, no Star of David, no Menorah. That’s because the State of Florida recognizes over 100 different religions, any one of which can be practiced in the chapel.  Christian, Jewish and Islamic services are common in the non-denominational chapel.

There’s a small room for a fellowship hall or meetings with a small kitchen. It’s used by faith based groups that may serve coffee or light food, or for the preparation of foods called for in specific religious practices.

The nearby medical facility is a doctor’s office, dentist and urgent care clinic rolled into one.  Inmates line benches in the waiting room, facing windows  away from the front desk. They sit quietly, no television and no magazines. There’s a dentist on staff.  There’s always at least an LPN or RN present, allowing CCI to operate an infirmary. Inmates that are transported to a hospital for services not provided are able to return to the infirmary for recovery.

Heading to the clinic is not an easy out from a prisoner’s cell — there’s a copay from their prison accounts unless it’s a medical emergency. Century CI houses and cares for inmates up to medical grade 3 and psych grade 2. That means no wheelchairs and no inmates on continuous psychiatric drugs (those inmates are transferred to the Santa Rosa Correctional Institution).

For Part 1 of this series from Monday, click here.

Our series “Inside Century Correctional Institution” continues tomorrow on NorthEscambia.com.

Picture top two photos: Outside and inside the non-denominational chapel at Century Correctional Institution. Picture bottom inset: An exam room in the prison’s clinic. Pictured below: The medical facility that services up to 1,400 inmates at Century CI. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.

Comments

5 Responses to “Part 2: Inside Century Correctional Institution”

  1. gene Presley jr on April 11th, 2012 9:15 am

    Kairos(Greek word for GODS SPECIAL TIME) Prison Ministry can change lives inside Century CI.
    Volunteer Chaplain Schrock rocks! The Chapel is a great place to meet.Thank you Kairos for the opportunity to spend a few days with the Brothers in Blue in that Chapel.

  2. Eager to Learn on April 7th, 2012 4:30 pm

    What wonderful articles on this prison. Still wouldn’t want to be there.

  3. Taylor on April 4th, 2012 2:07 pm

    The state pays to care for the ones without money. And relatives of the inmates can put money in their accounts, or some of the inmates work. There are a lot of ways for them to get money.

  4. dad on April 4th, 2012 9:21 am

    So what happens when an inmate needs care and has no money in their account, and how do they get money anyway? I’m thankfully ignorant of how the system works.

  5. mick on April 3rd, 2012 7:29 pm

    Inmates have more than a lot of people that are not incarcerated…burdens on the taxpayer…

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News