Florida - Friday September 9, 2022: Governor Ron DeSantis has activated the Florida National Guard to assist the Florida Department of Corrections (FDC) in an effort to reduce overtime and provide relief for correctional officers on a temporary basis.
According to the executive order, the Florida Department of Corrections is "experiencing a severe shortage of correctional officers resulting in the temporary closure of 176 inmate dorms and suspension of 431 supervised work squads."
In addition the shortage "threatens the safety of officers, inmates, and the public," states the order.
A copy of Executive Order 22-213 can be downloaded here.
Record pay increases to recruit and retain corrections officers were approved during the 2022 Legislative Session and signed into law by the Governor. These pay increases and other incentives have resulted in the addition of nearly 640 officers since the conclusion of the 2022 session, according to a release from the Governor's office.
Efforts continue to address officer vacancies and recruit more highly qualified officers to the Florida Department of Corrections.