The Corrections Bureau is responsible for providing the care, custody and control of the inmates incarcerated in the Marion County Jail.  The jail exists for the detention of persons as required by law. Confined in the jail are persons serving time for crimes for which they have been convicted, and others who are awaiting trial, transfer to other county or municipal facilities, or transfer to the state prison system. In keeping with the philosophy of the Marion County Sheriff’s Office, convicted prisoners are sentenced to jail as punishment, not for punishment, and will be treated in such a manner as to provide maximum security without undue discomfort. While the Marion County Jail is operated under a “No Frills” concept, all inmates are treated in a humane and courteous manner without regard to personal prejudices and feelings.  The primary goal of the Marion County Jail is to protect and maintain the peace and security of the community.

The primary responsibility of providing care, custody and control of approximately 2,000 inmates is provided by the Custody and Security Division which operates four (4) shifts on a 24 hour/7 day basis.

The Booking Division is responsible for the intake (booking) and release of every inmate brought to the Marion County Jail. Booking receives inmates from all of the Law Enforcement Agencies within Marion County to include:

• Marion County Sheriff's Office
• Ocala Police Department
• Dunnellon Police Department
• Belleview Police Department
• Florida Highway Patrol
• Department of Transportation
• Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
• United States Marshal
• Any other agency making arrests within the county

The Classifications Division is responsible for the classification and cell assignment of every inmate in the jail, clearing inmate workers for worker status, determining release dates, checking release packets, calculating inmate work time earned, reviewing inmate records and confirming warrants after hours. Additionally, they are responsible for processing court dispositions, criminal histories and arrest reports.

The Food Services Division, is responsible for providing meals, three times a day, to the inmate population. The menus used are reviewed on an annual basis by a licensed dietician to ensure the meals meet the nationally recommended requirement allowances for basic nutrition. In addition to the normal meals provided, they also ensure all medical and religious diets are provided that have been prescribed by the Physician or the Chaplain respectively.

The Inmate Services Division coordinates the Inmate Law Library, the Canteen, the Inmate Mail, the Medical Unit and the Agency’s Accreditation processes.

• The Law Library ensures the inmates are and provided access to legal materials as required by local, state and federal laws. Additionally, the law library oversees the book cart which is taken to the housing areas on a weekly basis so the inmates can check out reading.
• The Canteen offers the inmates the opportunity to purchase items that are not provided by the facility. The costs of the items provided must be comparable to fair market value of the local community and all proceeds must be used to benefit the overall inmate population.
• The Inmate Mail Unit inspects all incoming mail for contraband and forwards it to the housing unit where it is given to the inmate by the officers.
• The Medical Unit provides medical, dental, and psychological care to the inmate population. Medical Services at the facility is contracted through a private organization.
• The Accreditation Unit is responsible for coordinating the jail and law enforcement accreditation programs, developing and revising the agency’s operational directives and forms, coordinating the inmate grievance system, and provides support for Jail Administrative functions.

Inmate Work Farm Division operates a 125 acre Inmate Work Farm in cooperation with the Marion County Board of County Commissioners, the Community Technical and Adult Education Center, and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Office of Greenways and Trails.  The site is located at the intersection of CR-35 and CR-464. The Inmate Work Farm is comprised of three components:

• The first provides agricultural training opportunities involving the growing of crops for inmate consumption through the Jail's Food Service Unit;
• The second component involves the growing of ornamental plants for ultimate use at government facilities throughout the county; and
• The third component includes animal husbandry, including cattle, swine and poultry.

The Jail Investigator is responsible for investigating any criminal activity that may occur within the confines of the facility. Any such action may cause the inmate(s) to receive additional charges.

Through the Jail to Work Division, inmates are exposed to work intensive programs designed to develop employable skills to assist the inmate in acquiring a job upon release, and reduce recidivism.  Several businesses in Marion County have joined with the Sheriff’s Office and agreed to assist in finding jobs for the graduates of these programs.  As the inmates are learning the skills needed, they are providing a service to the community by working for numerous Governmental Agencies. Jail to Work is comprised of work related programs that includes:

• Formal vocational training;
• Inmate Worker Programs;  and
• Work Release Programs.

The Programs Division assist in the rehabilitation of the inmates be coordinating and scheduling specific programs to meet the needs of the inmates. These programs are provided to assist the inmates in learning to deal with their problems and to help prepare them for integration back into society as a productive citizen. Examples of programs provided include:

•   Adolescent Substance Abuse Program (ASAP)
•   Alcoholics Anonymous (AA)
•   Anger Management
•    Men In Transformation Education (MITE)
•   Parenting Skills
•   Religious Services    
•   Women Escaping the Sex Trade (WEST)

The Transportation Division has the responsibility of transporting inmates to and from other counties, state institutions, medical appointments and court appearances while ensuring the safety and security of the inmate(s) being transported, the transporting officer(s) and the general public.  In addition, this unit is also responsible for maintaining security during the first appearance court hearings at the jail.