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How to Contact an Inmate at Facility

Need to report criminal activity, an escape, or an absconded offender connected to a Florida Department of Corrections facility? Here are the official reporting options and numbers to use.

• 2 min read Based on general FL policies
How to Contact an Inmate at Facility

The Florida Department of Corrections (FDC) runs a Prison TIPS program for collecting intelligence about criminal activity inside and outside the state prison system. Inmates can report information by dialing TIPS (Star 8477) and following the prompts. If you're calling from outside, use the public Prison TIPS line at 1-877-660-6850 and follow the prompts to submit your tip.

Confidential tip reporting: You don't have to identify yourself when calling. Your identity is kept confidential.

For serious, time-sensitive situations, Florida DOC publishes separate contacts. If you have information about an escape, contact your local law enforcement agency, the facility the inmate escaped from, or call Florida DOC at 850-922-6867 or 1-866-850-0355. For information about an absconded offender's whereabouts, reach the Bureau of Probation and Parole Absconder Unit at (850) 717-3475 (weekdays 8:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M.), or contact local law enforcement.

How to Contact an Inmate at Facility

Steps to Follow

  • ✓ If the report is coming from inside a Florida DOC facility: have the inmate dial TIPS (Star 8477) and follow the prompts.
  • ✓ If you are reporting as a member of the public: call the Florida DOC Prison TIPS line at 1-877-660-6850 and follow the prompts.
  • ✓ If you want to remain anonymous: you are not required to identify yourself, and caller identity is kept confidential.
  • ✓ To report an escape: contact local law enforcement, the facility from which the inmate escaped, or call Florida DOC at 850-922-6867 or 1-866-850-0355.
  • ✓ To report an absconded offender’s whereabouts: contact Florida DOC’s Bureau of Probation and Parole Absconder Unit at (850) 717-3475 (weekdays 8:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M.) or contact local law enforcement.

Make sure you're calling the right number for your situation. The Absconder Unit is at (850) 717-3475, available weekdays 8:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. Escape reporting goes through Florida DOC at 850-922-6867 or 1-866-850-0355 (or through local law enforcement or the facility itself). Not sure which category fits? Calling local law enforcement is a solid starting point.

Phone prompts and programs can change over time, so confirm the current Prison TIPS instructions before calling. As of the last published process: inmates dial TIPS (Star 8477) and follow prompts, while members of the public dial 1-877-660-6850 and follow prompts. You don't need to identify yourself, and caller identity is kept confidential. If anything you hear on the phone doesn't match what you expected, stop and verify directly with Florida DOC or the facility.

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