Warden Chris Landrum at the entrance of Suwannee Correctional Institution.

Many changes have come about in the three years since Suwannee Correctional Institution Work Camp opened near Wellborn.

Today, Suwannee CI employs over 700 men and women who serve in both security and non-security roles. These employees serve as correctional officers, doctors, chaplains and in various other key roles. Regardless of their title, they are all professionals in their chosen field, Suwannee CI Warden Chris Landrum said.

The institution consists of three units, or facilities, Landrum explained. These units include a work camp, which currently houses around 415 inmates, a main unit housing about 1,030 inmates and an annex, which currently houses around 1,260 convicted felons.

With 2,700 prisoners in the confines of the three units there are bound to be multiple behavior traits, custody classifications, medical classifications and psychological classifications for the staff to address on a daily basis.

“We have everything here, except for death row inmates,” Landrum stated.

It is with the utmost confidence that Landrum addresses his staff’s ability to deal with such a diverse population so successfully on a daily basis. Landrum explained that public safety is the first concern of the staff members at Suwannee CI. The Dixie County native does not hesitate to credit his staff for the institution’s stellar record. To date, there have been no successful escapes from the institution.

“This place has a group of people that were raised right,” Landrum said of his staff. “They have good morals and ethics. They’re just fine, fine folks.”

While Landrum is pleased with the efforts of his staff to ensure public safety, he is equally excited about the services Suwannee CI provides for the citizens of Suwannee County.

According to Landrum, there are 111 inmates assigned to work outside the gates of the institution. Because of this, Suwannee CI has saved Suwannee County and municipalities a total of $406,243 over the past year.

Inmate work squad labor has been used within the community for painting, construction, washing and detailing school buses and in various other ways. In addition to these work squads, the institution currently has two inter-agency squads assigned to non-departmental supervisors. These squads each have seven inmates assigned and provide another $165,260.54 in annual savings.

According to Landrum, there will be two more inter-agency squads established in the coming months, one of which will be responsible for maintaining 70 recreation areas in Suwannee County. The other squad will contribute to road maintenance, limb trimming, trash pick-up, land field maintenance and right-of-way clearing as the existing squads currently do.

“Our goal is to get more inmates working in the community and we would like for the community to help us achieve that goal,” Landrum explained.

Landrum has embraced Suwannee County and is delighted that Suwannee County has embraced him and his family.

“The people of this community have been great,” Landrum beamed. “They have accepted my family and me and I just can’t think of a better place to live.”

Landrum readily acknowledges his support for all aspects of Suwannee County.

“We try to buy local as state contract allows and help the local economy,” Landrum said.

It is difficult to discuss a correctional institution without discussing its K-9 unit. The K-9 program of Suwannee CI holds a very special place in the heart of Landrum, who fondly recalls serving as a K-9 unit sergeant during his career. Although K-9 units are commonly recognized for their ability to assist in capturing fugitives or suspects, Landrum emphasized their ability to assist in locating lost people. Suwannee CI’s K-9 unit is well trained and stands ready to respond quickly when called upon. According to Landrum, it is not unusual for the K-9 unit to assist other agencies six or seven times in one month.

While Landrum emphasizes public safety and the importance of security he remains adamant about preparing inmates for their reentry into society.

“Last year, we had 41 inmates receive a GED,” Landrum said. “We plan to double that this year.”

That goal is well on track with 51 inmates having earned their GED already this year. In addition to adult basic education and general education development, the staff and administration of encourage vocational development.

“We have a plumbing course, an irrigation course and a computer lab program will be coming,” Landrum explained. “We are also very proud of the parenting and fathering program that is presented through our chaplaincy services.”

In cooperation with the University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS), the inmates are able to grow and harvest some of the food they consume. In addition to inmates learning the value of agriculture, the program has also lowered the per diem of each inmate and provided cost effective measures, Landrum explained.

It is through the joint efforts of all departments and staff of its three facilities that the institution has enjoyed its success in maintaining a secure facility while promoting growth among its population, according to Landrum.

Those efforts were made evident recently when the institution experienced an unannounced security audit and received stellar reviews. Even more recently, Suwannee CI underwent a scheduled audit by the American Correctional Association and was found to be 100 percent compliant with all mandatory standards and 99.08 percent compliant with the non-mandatory standards.

Since opening in 2009, Suwannee CI has subtly become a vital part of the community through labor contributions. During that first year, the institution provided inmate labor to paint the gymnasium at the Florida Sheriffs Boys Ranch. Soon thereafter, employees of Suwannee CI teamed up with Guardian Ad Litem and provided Christmas gifts for 12 needy children.

Today, the spirit of community at the institution continues to expand as Warden Landrum and his team of professionals continuously seek ways to help a great community become even greater.

According to Landrum, no matter how tough some days become, the staff of Suwannee CI are brothers and sisters who never walk alone. It is a concept that he embraces extending to the community.