Lancaster Correctional Institution

By BpRichfield, 25 March, 2024
Name of Warden:
Shannon Varnes
Description of Facility

Lancaster Correctional Institution is located in Trenton, Florida, part of Gilchrist County. The facility was originally established in 1971 as a coed juvenile detention unit, but in 1979 was converted to a medium custody male youthful offender program for those from ages 15-24 who were adjudicated as adults and held by the Florida Department of Corrections. In 2012 it was designated for males from 18-24 years of age of different classifications. Currently the facility is designated as an adult male facility and can house a maximum of 544 inmates.

The adjacent Work Camp was opened in 1989 as a facility for adult male offenders to provide labor for the exterior perimeter of both the Main Unit and Work Camp and as a work force for community work projects.

The Main Unit consists of nine cottage style open bay dormitory living units with rooms of various sizes totaling up to 37 inmates each. In
addition, there is an open bay dormitory housing 150 inmates. In this general area of the expansive compound are the Vocational Buildings, Canteen and Barbershop, Caustics Building, Boiler Room and Security staff office. Additionally, there is a building with 238 secure cells for administrative and disciplinary confinement and a mall like structure with an open center court containing cell housing with 112 general
population beds.

Facility Telephone Number
352-463-4100
Fax Number
352-463-3476
Facility Address

Lancaster Correctional Institution
3449 S.W. State Road 26
Trenton, FL 32693-5641
United States

Inmate Mailing Address

Inmate's First Name, Last Name, DC#
P.O. Box 23608
Tampa, FL 33623
United States

Legal Mail/Privileged Mail
Inmate's Name, DC#
3449 S.W. State Road 26
Trenton, FL 32693-5641
United States

What you can send an inmate

 Inmates in Florida prisons utilize a centralized mail system that scans and electronically delivers all mail from friends and family members of an inmate.  Legal and Privileged mail should still be sent directly to the inmate at the facilities mailing address.

Mail any inmate in the Florida Department of Corrections by sending your letter to:

  • Inmate's Last Name, First Name, DC Number
    P.O. Box 23608
    Tampa, FL 33623

Inmates incarcerated in Florida can receive the following (processed electronically):

  • Letters up to 15 pages
  • Photos up to 8"x10" in size cannot contain nudity or be Polaroids

All mail sent to an inmate must contain the following:

  • Inmate's Full Name and ID number
  • Inmate mailing address
  • The full name and address of the sender

Read Florida Department of Corrections policy on inmate mail here.

Inmates in Florida are permitted to receive publications through the mail, this includes newspapers and softcover books but they must come NEW and directly from a reputable publisher like Barnes and Noble, sent directly to the inmate facility mailing address via USPS .  There are also restrictions on the content, as it may not contain sexually explicit material, or pose a threat to the security or order of the institution.

Read the Florida Department of Corrections policy on inmate publications/admissible reading material here.

How Inmate Calls Work

Inmates in Florida are allowed to make outgoing collect phone calls to approved numbers.  Florida Department of Corrections utilizes GTL ConnectNetwork for prepaid inmate calls.  This allows loved ones to pay for phone minutes.  Inmates are allowed two free 5 minute phone calls each month.  Paid calls can be a maximum of 30 minutes in length.  Inmates must wait 30 minutes between phone use.

How to send money to an inmate

   Florida Department of Corrections provides convenient ways to send funds to an inmate.  Inmates can use these funds to purchase an assortment of items from the commissary including telephone time, food, stamps, and hygiene items.

You must be on an inmate's approved visitation list in order to send funds to them.

To send money you will need the inmate's full name, and DC number.

Send money to inmates in Florida in the following ways:

  • Online:  Send money online through JPay.com or through the JPay mobile application
  • Telephone: By calling 800-574-5729 using a debit or credit card
  • By Mail: Send a postal money order, cashier's check, or certified bank draft (Funds over $400 may be held for 10 days) made payable to JPAY with a filled out deposit slip.  On the money order include the inmate's name and DC number.
    Mail money order and deposit slip to:
    • JPAY
      P.O. Box 260010
      Hollywood, FL 33026
How to do an Inmate Search

 Search the Florida inmate database to obtain an inmate's DC number, current location, view photos, charges and sentencing information.

Visiting Information/FAQs

All visitors 12 years and older must have an approved visitors application on file before they can visit.

Fill out a Lancaster Correctional Institution visitors application here.

Mail the completed application to the facility address listed at the top right of the application, or you can e-mail it to the corresponding visitation e-mail on this list.  It can take up to 30 days to process the visitors application.  Once you are approved you can schedule a visitation appointment.

All visits are by appointment only.  You must complete an inmate search which will allow you to access the visitation scheduling form the week prior to each visit.  The form is available between Monday 5:00am and Wednesday 5:00pm and can only be accessed from the inmate population information detail page that is returned when you do an inmate search.  You will receive an e-mail confirmation once you have successfully scheduled a visit.

Visiting Hours for Lancaster Correctional Institution:
Saturdays, Sundays, and approved holidays
9:00am-3:00pm

Registration for visitors begins at 8:15am
Processing of visitors stops at 2:00pm
Parking spaces open at 7:30am

Bring a valid government issued photo ID with you in order to enter into visitation.  You may also bring up to $50 in currency to purchase food, snacks, and drinks during visitation, and a single car key.

Everyone is searched upon entering into the correctional facility.

Dress Code
The following clothing is not allowed:

  • No camouflage
  • No skintight, see-through, or fishnet clothing
  • No halter tops, or bra-less attire
  • No underwear type t-shirts or tank tops
  • No shoes with removable parts
  • No clothing that contains metal
  • No clothing that contains offensive or threatening language/images
  • No dresses, skirts, or shorts that expose three inches above the knee

Read the Department of Corrections visitor information summary which gives an overview on the rules and regulations of visiting an inmate in Florida.

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