History

The Citrus County Jail is a correctional facility located in Lecanto, Citrus County, Florida. The jail was established in 1965 to house adult inmates from Citrus County. The jail is operated by the Citrus County Sheriff's Office.

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Capacity

The Citrus County Jail has a capacity of 432 inmates. The jail consists of two housing units, one for male inmates and one for female inmates. The jail also has a medical unit, a mental health unit, and a substance abuse treatment program.

Security

The Citrus County Jail is a medium-security jail. The jail is staffed by a team of correctional officers who are responsible for the safety and security of the inmates. The jail also has a security system that includes surveillance cameras and electronic locks.

Programs and Services

The Citrus County Jail offers a variety of programs and services to its inmates. These programs and services include:

• Educational programs: The jail offers a variety of educational programs, including GED classes, vocational training, and computer literacy classes.
• Substance abuse treatment programs: The jail offers a variety of substance abuse treatment programs, including drug and alcohol counseling, and detoxification services.
• Mental health services: The jail offers a variety of mental health services, including counseling, medication management, and psychiatric care.
• Medical services: The jail offers a variety of medical services, including routine checkups, sick call, and emergency care.

Controversies

The Citrus County Jail has been the subject of several controversies over the years. These controversies include:

• In 2017, the jail was sued by a group of inmates who alleged that they were subjected to excessive force by correctional officers.
• In 2019, the jail was cited by the Florida Department of Corrections for a number of violations, including overcrowding and inadequate medical care.
• In 2020, the jail was the site of a COVID-19 outbreak that resulted in the deaths of several inmates.

Recent Developments

In recent years, the Citrus County Jail has been the subject of a number of renovations and upgrades. These renovations and upgrades include:

• The construction of a new mental health unit in 2021.
• The installation of new security cameras and electronic locks in 2022.
• The implementation of a new body camera program in 2023.

These renovations and upgrades have been made in an effort to improve the safety and security of the jail and to provide inmates with better access to programs and services.

Challenges

The Citrus County Jail faces a number of challenges, including:

• Overcrowding: The jail is frequently overcrowded, which can lead to a number of problems, including increased violence, the spread of disease, and inadequate access to programs and services.
• Staffing shortages: The jail is also facing a shortage of correctional officers, which can make it difficult to maintain a safe and secure environment for inmates and staff.
• Mental health and substance abuse: A significant number of inmates in the Citrus County Jail have mental health and/or substance abuse problems. These inmates require specialized care, which can be difficult to provide in a jail setting.
• Budget constraints: The Citrus County Jail is also facing budget constraints, which can make it difficult to provide inmates with adequate programs and services.

Future Plans

The Citrus County Sheriff's Office is currently working on a number of plans to address the challenges facing the Citrus County Jail. These plans include:

• Expanding the jail: The Sheriff's Office is planning to expand the jail by adding a new housing unit. This will help to alleviate overcrowding and provide inmates with more space.
• Hiring more correctional officers: The Sheriff's Office is also planning to hire more correctional officers. This will help to improve safety and security and allow the jail to provide inmates with better access to programs and services.
• Providing more mental health and substance abuse treatment: The Sheriff's Office is also working to provide more mental health and substance abuse treatment to inmates. This will help to reduce recidivism and improve the overall well-being of inmates.