Dade Correctional Institution

Dade Correctional Institution
Entrance to Dade & Homestead CI, 2009
Interactive map of Dade Correctional Institution
Location19000 SW 377th St #200
Florida City, Florida
StatusOperational
Security classminimum, medium, and close
Capacity1,406
Population1,335 (as of February 11, 2025)
OpenedJune 1976 [1]
Managed byFlorida Department of Corrections
WardenJimmy Love[2]

The Dade Correctional Institution (Dade CI or DCI) is a prison in unincorporated Miami-Dade County, Florida,[3] near Florida City. This facility houses adult males and minimum, medium, and close security levels.[4] It was established in September 1996 and is part of the Florida Department of Corrections. It is situated right next to the Homestead Correctional Institution, which houses female inmates.[5]

History

The prison was opened in 1976 as a minimum security facility. Originally designed for 528 inmates, it cost US$8.8 million (equivalent to $49,794,000 in 2025) to construct.

Controversies

In 2005, three prisoners escaped for an hour and a half but were captured and sent back to prison.[6]

In May 2014, Julie K. Brown of The Miami Herald penned the inaugural article in a series that delved into the pervasive issues of violence and corruption within Dade County Jail (Dade CI) and other prisons. Her article highlighted the persistent accusations of inadequate treatment of mentally ill inmates, deplorable conditions in the food preparation area, and other pressing concerns.[7]

In 2014 former Dade CI prisoner Harold Hempstead accused prison authorities of fatally torturing prisoner Darren Rainey by scalding him with 180 °F (82 °C) water in a shower for hours, resulting in his body being found with strips of skin burned off.[8] At least eight other prisoners had also been subjected to a scalding shower within Dade's "Transitional Care Unit".[9]

In July 2014, Mike Crews, the FDOC secretary, suspended the warden of the Dade Correctional institution and put him on paid leave.[10] Later that month Cummings was fired.[11] Les Odom became the new warden.[12]

On July 28, 2014, prison authorities discovered 35-year-old prisoner Lavar Valentin dead from strangulation. Valentin had expressed fear of his cellmate and authorities accused the cellmate of killing him.[12]

Another escape occurred in November 2014. West Palm Beach police apprehended the escaped prisoner.[13] This prisoner had a life sentence. Cummings said that he was not surprised by the fact that a prisoner had escaped, saying that he found guards derelict in duty in a surprise inspection. According to Cummings, "[Dade] is, by far, the most dangerous prison I’ve ever worked in."

On April 29, 2022, four correctional officers were arrested for the February beating death of Ronald Ingram during a prisoner transfer. After a lengthy investigation, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement arrested Ronald Connor, Jeremy Godbolt, Christopher Rolon and Kirk Walton. Ingram allegedly threw urine on a correctional officer and was beaten so severely he was carried to the transport van. Ingram was found dead hours later in Ocala, Florida.[14]

References

  1. ^ Burnside, Susan (June 20, 1976). "528 Inmates Moving to New Prison". The Miami Herald. p. 1-D – via newspapers.com.
  2. ^ Florida Department of Corrections. "Dade Correctional Institution". www.fdc.myflorida.com. Archived from the original on 2025-08-14. Retrieved 2026-05-11.
  3. ^ "2020 CENSUS - CENSUS BLOCK MAP: Miami-Dade County, FL" (PDF). U.S. Census Bureau. p. 90 (PDF p. 91/154). Retrieved 2022-08-13. Dade Correctional Instn
  4. ^ Florida Correctional Medical Authority (March 25, 2025). "Physical And Mental Health Survey - Dade Correctional Institution" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on April 23, 2025.
  5. ^ Press, Eyal. "Madness." The New Yorker. May 2, 2016. Retrieved on June 22, 2016.
  6. ^ Torres, Ginelle G. "Miami-dade Prison Escape Shortlived" (Archive). South Florida Sun Sentinel. April 30, 2005. Retrieved on June 28, 2014. "Three men who briefly escaped from a state prison in Homestead stole a pickup and led police on a chase that ended when they plunged the truck into a canal, authorities said. Miami-Dade police said the three convicted felons escaped from Dade Correctional Institution[...]"
  7. ^ Brown, Julie K. "Prisoner: I cleaned up skin of inmate scalded in shower; human-rights groups call for federal intervention" (Archive). Miami Herald. June 25, 2014.
  8. ^ Ferner, Matt (2017-08-04). "Autopsy Photos Of Inmate Allegedly 'Boiled' To Death Raise Questions About State's Report". HuffPost. Retrieved 2020-06-21.
  9. ^ Press, Eyal (25 April 2016). "The Torturing of Mentally Ill Prisoners". The New Yorker. Retrieved 2020-06-22.
  10. ^ Cordner, Sascha. "DOC Sec. Crews Suspends Warden Over Inmate Death Two Years Ago" (Archive). WFSU. July 10, 2014. Retrieved on May 26, 2015.
  11. ^ Brown, Julie K. "Dade Correctional Institution warden fired after inmate death in shower reported" (Archive). Miami Herald. July 17, 2014. Retrieved on July 4, 2015.
  12. ^ a b Brown, Julie K. "Dade Correctional back in spotlight after strangling" (Archive). Miami Herald. August 1, 2014. Retrieved bn July 4, 2014.
  13. ^ Whigham, Julius II. "West Palm Beach cops nab convict who escaped from Homestead prison" () Palm Beach Post. Monday November 13, 2014. Retrieved on July 4, 2015.
  14. ^ "4 Florida State Corrections officers charged in murder of inmate". 28 April 2022.

25°24′49″N 80°29′54″W / 25.413703°N 80.498368°W / 25.413703; -80.498368

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