PLEASE DO NOT EMAIL ME OR CALL ME ABOUT GETTING INTO THIS PLACE. THE PLACE IS NO LONGER THERE. IT HAS BEEN TORN DOWN.
PART 1 To see part 2 click here.
This is the Abandoned Broward Correctional Institution. Otherwise known as the woman’s correctional institution of Broward County in Florida.
This place closed down in 2012 since then it sits there quietly slowly dying away.
Abandoned Broward Correctional Institution
I have been to many many many abandoned places but the abandoned Broward Correctional Institution one was special and the weirdest one I have ever been to. This place has running water and electricity, it does!!! I’m not even joking. As you make your way through the prison you can switch on the lights and hear the AC units on, it’s the weirdest thing and it takes creepiness to a whole different level.
We went into every cell block and every room in this place. In fact, we even played basketball in the yard, there was a volleyball fully inflated sitting there, so I started shooting some hoops. It was strange.
There is paperwork all over this place, love letters in some cells and all kinds of weird stuff that are still fully functional. I suppose the inmates got lucky because all their paperwork got lost behind. The abandoned Broward Correctional Institution is one of the eeriest places I have ever been to.
About the prison:
The Broward Correctional Institution (BCI) was a correctional facility located in the former Country Estates CDP and in Southwest Ranches, Florida, operated by the Florida Department of Corrections.
The facility was opened in 1977 to house a male inmate population. However, in its history, the prison has had only female inmates. It housed female death row inmates until February 2003 when the female death row was moved to Lowell Annex. The Broward Correctional Institution served as a reception center for female inmates. As of 2011, a staff of approximately 272 individuals serviced the facility. As of 2012 624 prisoners, all female were housed there. The facility was closed in 2012. The closure was scheduled for May 1 of that year. The Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel said, “BCI was determined to have a relatively low population and a high per diem inmate cost of $111.48.” ($116.87 when adjusted for inflation)” Wikipedia
I shot lots of pics including some aerials. Scroll down to go throughout them, leave me a comment below I would love to hear your thoughts on this. If you served time here, please leave your story. This is a great place to connect with others.
Pretty cool shots!! Keep up the great work! Keep me posted when you are going out to shoot! Would love to tag along!!!
Thank you, I will post my next outing :)
Great pics brings back memories of a time long ago when I was young and dumb and hook on drugs I was sent to BCI great prison as far as prisons go Eventually transferred to lowell to finish my time so thanks for the memories, Cathy
creepy!!! is that place wide open now? anyone can just walk in there? it’s not managed, like a park or anything? it looked completely abandoned. I didn’t see any other people at all! kinda reminds me of going out exploring with my friends when we were kids…
It is not wide open, there is a security guard at the gate, once you get passed that you have to worry about two massive fences to get through, but I managed so anyone with some wits should be ok…
good shots :) very negative feel :)
Thank you, it was weird in there.
I was just looking at all your great photo’s of BCI ( Brwd. Corr. Inst. ) I was sentenced there in 1987 at 17 years old, first time ever in trouble, for not calling police on my husband. I came in pregnant, Spent months in H6 R & O and finally placed in the going home open dorm unit, when at 4:15 A.M. I went into labor, and had my son an hour and half later at 5:38 A.M. in 1988. Classification told me on Friday the 8th, that if I have my baby during the weekend, I would be released from the Hospital, BUT Sunday the 10th came, and 4 hours after I delivered, Before lunch was even started, They had me back at BCI. I ended up staying until the 14th (Thursday). I knew Friday was the last day classification would be opened until after weekend, I convinced them to let me sign a release form that I wouldn’t sue If any medical issues arose. Go figure, I spent 4 days over my sentence, BUT I got very lucky (sorta speaking), my son was kept for tests, and I left the prison drove straight to hospital with my mom and we ended up having to wait a few more hours for my son to be was released, ONLY a few hours AFTER I was…. He’s 28 years old now, and grown into such a successful, educated man with his own son…. I REALLY Want to THANK YOU SO VERY, VERY MUCH!!!
To be able to see the place where I lived, while carrying my first child, was truly a flash back. The pictures brought such memory’s flooding back, I was in H6 R&O and they had 5 Death Row cells in there also, I was in with Judy (The Black Widow) and Andrea Jackson ( she killed a Officer, But I heard her sentenced was reduced off death row and now she will do life. They would have us in our cells, when they let them out twice a week, for showers and cleaning out their cells, they had T.V, and package permits, where they could have family send them items, like comforters, hair items, make up, they weren’t allowed matches, or cigarettes, but girls would sneak them under their cell door, and they would leave cool things in exchange. The food wasn’t to bad, BUT you would get tired of knowing that Tuesdays was fish & Grit day, we had weekend brunches, and were allowed radio boom boxes, blow dryers and even perfume. We could keep
$ 5.00 and $ 1.00 bills. cash in our pockets and change for vending machines. I was the second youngest inmate at the time ever housed there, and In a way I felt happy go lucky, we giggled and played tricks on guards. Once on April Fools day, The other girls talked me into pretending I was going into labor, I was scared they give me a D/R ( discipline report = loss of gain time), But I did, and the Ltnt’s, came running, slipped and fell, OMG I started freaking out, But she had a feeling we were pranking them, I ended up giggling and blew it, I didn’t want them to call the ambulance and they laughed with us, because earlier they pranked us, by saying we all had the crabs in our cell block, BUT we really didn’t… Sorry This was so long, BUT I TRULY ENJOYED MY FLASH BACK!!!! I’m not sure if I am even commenting in the right area, But Thank You All The Same! You made finding photo’s of BCI after they closed easy… Great job… Now I only wonder If just anybody can go visit BCI Now??? What would you say to the guard to get in?
I was there as well same people were on death row I cant say I knew you but kara and her mother were there at the time did you know of them they killed the mothers father karas grandfather? You brought back memories for me sundays were great for brunch there not a bad prison at all if your young With not much time 😕
My mother was there during 1989-1994
I was there when Cara and Paulette came in. She was a scared little child. If it hadnt been for Aaron Rubin (attorney) taking her case for free, she would have died in prison just like her mother. I was there from the June of ’86 to Feb of ’89, then shipped to Lowell and onto the newly reopened River Junction. I eos’d in Jan of ’91 having done a little over 6yrs on a 22yr sentence.
I’m feeling the same way.
I served 20 years there. You have no idea of the horrors I witnessed in those seclusion rooms, or while in the death row unit, which was also Close Management. Too bad you weren’t able to see the confinement until……P-Dorm…..across from the basketball court. Too many bad memories. But…..you took good pictures. Do you have any more that you did not post?
Hi CeCe, thank you for dropping in. Im sorry you had to go through that. it doesn’t look like a fun place to be. I do have lots more photos, I will release a second part soon.
Could you possibly email me with them? I would like to show them all to my family so they can see the whole experience.
CeCe I will be posting the other photos soon, keep checking back, thank you for dropping in and sharing a bit of your story with us.
Please do release more. It’s healing….
20 years, WOW…. What years? And yes I too am wondering if you have other pictures taken there, that you didn’t post here???
I spent many years in BCI , those are some very emotional pictures for me. Looking at them i felt a whole whirlpool of emotions, the bond that many of us shared due to the monstrous amount of pain that we all experienced daily, could never be explained or understood by anyone who hasn’t been through such an experience. These pictures are very moving I read in the comments some one said it had a very negative feel. It does. but thank you for capturing that, maybe someone can get just a minor ideal of what the average person goes through upon incarceration. could you send me any more pictures you have. Along with the painful memories, I also have some very good memories of friendships & people who will forever be a part of me.
Sisie, thank you for sharing that, Im sorry you had o go through that. I will be posting other photos soon, for now feel free to come back as often as you would like.
Very emotional an stunning photos. My partner served 12 yrs. and I met her 4 yrs. before her release. Just looking at the photo of what use to be the chapel where I met her (12/04/04 ), brings it back home. And even dough I was not the one serving the time,I felt the wait, pain, suffering, and loneliness of each and every lady that was serving a sentence in there. I thank God is over for her, now it’s been 10 years we’ve known each other and 6 years we’ve been together and yes it hits home for both of us. Thank you for posting your photos, unforgettable memories that are kept in the heart and soul of those who serve the time and those who stood by them during such horrible time. I would look forward to seeing the other photos.
Thank you Sulma, and thank you for sharing your story, its very touching. Im glad you and your partner are now together.
I SERVED OVER 2 YEARS OF A 3 YEAR SENTENCE HERE AT BCI……IT WAS HELL ON EARTH, I WAS SENT TO BCI BECAUSE I WAS PREGNANT FROM LOWELL C I ….I LEFT HERE IN JAN OF 2012 BEFORE IT CLOSED……….I SERVED MY TIME IN GOOD OLE CHARLIE DORM. FIRST ON B SIDE WHILE I WAS PREGNANT, THEN I MOVED TO A SIDE…..MEET A LOT OF WONDERFUL WOMEN WHOM I HAVE AS GOOD FRIENDS STILL TODAY STILL IN CONTACT WITH…..THANK YOU FOR THE PICTURES YOU HAVE POSTED FUNNY LOOKING IN FROM THE OUTSIDE FOR THE FIRST TIME, IT WAS A BAD PLACE , LOTS OF BAD THINGS HAPPENED …………HELL EVEN I WOULD DO A WALK THUR…………..MADE ME CHANGE MY WAYS……….THANKS FOR SHARING
Hi Angie, thank you for sharing your story, Im glad you made it out. Happy Thanksgiving :)
I have memories here. Wow. It seemed like a lifetime ago. Someone saved me and moved me to a minimum custody facility. I didnt know it closed.
Hi Teresa, Im glad you made it out, thank you for sharing.
I was a correctional officer there for 6 years, had no idea it closed down. Thank you for the pics, brought back a lot of memories good and bad.
Hi Liz, than you for sharing. Im glad you enjoyed the photos.
Hey dude do u know if there r still security guards? Me and my friends want to go explore this place because it seems pretty creepy. Also I heard it might be haunted do u know anything about that?
It’s not there anymore, it got leveled a couple years ago.
I remember when I was sentenced at 19 to 10 yrs in Prison back in 99 I did my R & O there in F dorm and eventually throughout my constantly being shipped finally ended my sentence there to say that place was horrid is an understatement many girls died there many committed suicide and others murdered but no one to care so it is awesome to see that place finally shit down I lived in many different dorms there the last one was Delta on the other side of the compound. Many tragedies occured in that facility and I’m ever so grateful not to be there anymore…It was weird seeing this at first almost in a way depressing but I’m glad you did the video as an inmate I was never allowed to see certain areas as you must know inmates are kept on a tight leash anyhow great pics great work…
Thank your sharing your story. It is very touching, Im glad you made it out ok.
I had no idea BCI had closed and been abandoned. I started working there as a CO before it officially opened to inmates,in the summer of 1977, finishing the construction clean up, etc. I was sent to Raiford for training and returned to receive the first 37 inmates. Over the next two years we continued to receive inmates on a regular basis. We had one inmate get pregnant from a CO and I was the Officer that took her to outside OB/GYN appointments. Also the officer that took inmates being released to Hollywood Mall to buy their “free world ” clothes. Also an officer that walked Sonya Jacobs, at that time the only female death row inmate, for her hour outside solitary. Solitary then was simply a hospital safety cell converted for her. Given all that working in a prison involves I can say that many of the staff, officers and outside employees as well as supervisory individuals were decent people. Some were not. That is also true of the inmates. Many were in for situations that any one of us could have been caught up in. Never once did I feel disrespected or fearful in my job. It was something different every day. I am sorry to read in previous posts that in the end it was not run well. Prison can and should be a place for reform. Some of the women that were in made sure I was safe at all times and hope that those with life sentences are ok. Still remember many names and pray for their well being. Thanks for the extraordinary photos.
Thank you for sharing your story Gerri. Im glad you were one of the good guys.
I was there 81-83 at the age of 19. Remember Moskowitz, Huntsinger and many other officers that once they got to know me, treated me like if I was in the free world. With respect. I rememberSonja and met many good women that went home and never returned, like me. A time in my life I wish I could erase but not possible. Been a long time. Like you said, situations anyone can be caught in. Wow, these pictures took me back.
Were you there when Terry Jean moore was there?
I was the officer that took Terri Jean Moore to the outside OB appointments. They were in Hollywood. Back then the prison wasn’t equipped to treat a pregnant inmate. Years later a movie was made about her situation. It was called Love Child.
I spent 3 years there… thanks for taking the pictures! Flashback like whoa. I was there when they shut it down and they shipped us out like a 100 inmates at a time and I was on the last bus going out it was really weird to see all the officers watching the last bus go, their last day on the job. Interesting. I spent my last 6 months at Lowell.
That’s crazy, I can only imagine what you were feeling. Thank you for sharing your story.
Dayna,we were bunkies the last few weeks until we were transferred to Lowell, this is Mayme Clemons Davis
Heyyyyyy!!!! We sure did this shitttttt
Hey Edin,
Do you think there is still security on sight? I’d like to explore the place with friends and perhaps take some pictures as well. Let me know please.
Hi RK, im not sure man, I haven’t been there for a long time, no idea what it looks like now a days. Go check it out.
Wow great pictures I was incarcerated there from 2008 to 2009 I did my are no there R&O I also was lucky enough to get teamed out there and in the prison is a bad thing and you’re sad because you’re away from your family you have to try to make the best of something and learned a lesson I was there I started off in a lifers dorm bunks buy some money it was great you know a lot of them women are good people they just made really bad mistakes 2030 years ago and I can only imagine the pain that some of these lifers felt being that they’re only house for so many years and having to move I eventually move down to Charlie Dorm I’m finished out my time I went from inside grounds to outside grounds to do so and all this time some of the best officers I have ever met have worked there officers that treat inmates like they’re human but still has their guard up I met some really good friends which I’m still in touch with today and even the love of my life I still talk to her even though we are not together it wasn’t scary to me it actually hurts my heart to see that it had shut down because I know how many inmates in lifers loved that place as far as that was their home and to think that some of the officers were out of jobs that really made a difference in our lives no I have not been back in trouble since and don’t plan on it but that was my home for over a year and we tried to make the best of a bad situation and my heart goes out to everybody who lost their jobs inmates who have been there since the day that it opened people just don’t understand they are people that made mistakes and are paying her time and are going to die in there or a prison and they’re okay with it believe it or not the lifers are the most positive inspirational people that make you want to get out change your life and never go back to any Correctional Institution great memories there you know the inmates were the one who kept that prison going from the food to the laundry to the maintenance two grounds and mowing it was ran by us inmates the flowers that are in the beds were planted by an inmate that are no longer there although I’m talking like it was a very positive thing for me it was it was very life-changing there are also also some bad things I seen some very bad things people dying people committing suicide it’s a hard situation and when you break the law you have to pay your debt by going to jail or prison or whatever the situation is I just chose to take a really bad situation that I was in and try to turn it into a positive thing and learn from it maybe make some friends maybe be able to say some things to change their lives thank you for taking these pictures lot of memories
Brewer….we were in there together. We worked outside grounds together. My last name was Brown at the time. Sgt. Polo and Sgt. Deal always had me doing trash. Do you remember having to board up all the CLQs and got shipped to Lowell for the hurricane? Crazy shit. I can’t remember your face but I remember Sgt. Deal always yelling your name. Hope you’re doing good!
Omggggg I worked outside grounds with them toooooo 💜🫶
I read your article and was intrigued by your comment regarding cleaning it up and living there. Really??? Been there, done that, and you do not want to live in that place even with the freedom to come and go at will. I would only go back for two reasons. To be able to go into the Chapel again, and to see if a tree we were permitted to plant in a friend’s memory is still there. I left there 28 yrs ago and have never looked back. BCI is where I began my relationship with Jesus, became a part of a strong Christian community of which I am a part of to this day, and where I started my ongoing journey of remaining free of my drug addiction. This place needs to demolished and replaced with something beautiful and positive.
Wow i got sentence there at 15 for a fighting gone wrong back in 1999 n was release 2002 that place was so scary AS a teen they had me alone so the women won’t mess with me in p dorm across the Basketball field that place is horrible today 2/8/17 my brother Text me a photo of the Form i WAZ in and im like what the hell ur doing there he like tearing the building down for the New contractor i didn’t even know that place close its the worst place ever very glad they close and nice photo shoot
I just went today and man it was all messed up the only thing you can think up is what happened in there and who was in that prison
Hey, I was there in 87 also
Would love to hear your story.
Wow,those pictures, brought back memories, I can honestly say because of being at BACK, my life changed for the better. And, yes there were bad times, but there were many good times and good women there. I remember Ms. Clark at the rec, all the dances, I was there with the death row inmates and they were always so nice. I wonder where Ms. Villacorda is now, and that lady seargent. A long time ago, yet I still remember my inmate number.
Was there from 83-86 and remember Ms. Clark and rec very well and the dances. I actually spoke to Villacorta and found her number somehow to thank her for her service and that some of us made it out okay. She remembered me when I asked, she said I absolutely remember you. We were kids back then right…over three decades and I still have a pang in my stomach about what happened when I was a kid. How the walkman was my savior, how people would heat up their fish steaks in the coffee pots in the dorm, and all the cremora we’d put in our instant coffee. I peformed in the Purple Rain thing they put on around Oct/Nov of 1983 in the rec hall. One of the inmates crochet a dress for me. Singing whats love got to with it…and all the weekend brunches. A time I will never forget and looking at the rooms and where I still have a scar on my leg from it getting cut coming down off the top bunk. If you pull up that movie Love Child, it will walk you through the whole compound.
Was there from 83-86 and remember Ms. Clark and rec very well and the dances. I actually spoke to Villacorta and found her number somehow to thank her for her service and that some of us made it out okay. She remembered me when I asked, she said I absolutely remember you. We were kids back then right…over three decades and I still have a pang in my stomach about what happened when I was a kid. How the walkman was my savior, how people would heat up their fish steaks in the coffee pots in the dorm, and all the cremora we’d put in our instant coffee. I peformed in the Purple Rain thing they put on around Oct/Nov of 1983 in the rec hall. One of the inmates crochet a dress for me. Singing whats love got to with it…and all the weekend brunches. A time I will never forget and looking at the rooms and where I still have a scar on my leg from it getting cut coming down off the top bunk. If you pull up that movie Love Child, it will walk you through the whole compound.
Anna, were you there in the late 70’s? Ken Sorenson was Superintendent? Marta Villacorta was there as education. Sgt may have been Barb Primeau.
Gerri, please send me an email. abbyrizzo@me.com
Attempted to visit BCI today and was unfortunately met with a large leveled area. All that was left was some piles of rubble and some of the buildings foundations.
Thats crazy that its gone, I wanted to go back and do an update on it… Im glad I went and experienced it while it was there and while it was really intact.
I worked there for some 6 years in CSU and TCU….working as a HSC3 ..programs counselor … pictures are astounding all these years ago… too bad it is has been reduced to rubble recently,,..thank you for the photos ,,lots and lots of memories,,
My pleasure, thank you for toping by.
Neil when did u work there?
so many memories, was there from july82 to oct 85.n
Never in trouble til than what an experience. Met many amazing women and seeing your pictures just brings me some kind of closure. A lifetime ago but it never leaves you
Thank you for stopping by. I am glad I can help with the healing proses.
I was there when you were. I was there from 83-85.
Was there from 83-86 and remember Ms. Clark and rec very well and the dances. I actually spoke to Villacorta and found her number somehow to thank her for her service and that some of us made it out okay. She remembered me when I asked, she said I absolutely remember you. We were kids back then right…over three decades and I still have a pang in my stomach about what happened when I was a kid. How the walkman was my savior, how people would heat up their fish steaks in the coffee pots in the dorm, and all the cremora we’d put in our instant coffee. I peformed in the Purple Rain thing they put on around Oct/Nov of 1983 in the rec hall. One of the inmates crochet a dress for me. Singing whats love got to with it…and all the weekend brunches. A time I will never forget and looking at the rooms and where I still have a scar on my leg from it getting cut coming down off the top bunk. If you pull up that movie Love Child, it will walk you through the whole compound.
Nancy, I bought the DVD, I planned to watch it with Holly Matson, we met there. She became a millionaire with halfway houses and more. Got a face lift which wasn’t needed, then died a couple wks later, so we never got to watch the movie, and I still can’t.
That is so sad I would like to hear your story and a recipe that you made while you were there, because boy those women could make some really great food with Ramen noodles. I run a trucking company now, and I would like to help women that are getting out become truck drivers they get a home that you see the country and they get a bank account debit card. It’s a perfect way to start a new life.
I was there from 1980 to 1983. I think I remember you.
Hey all! Today after 33years I returned to BCI and it’s gone! They are building on the land. I had a 110 month stretch there from 83-84….I was the first woman in the State of Florida to violate Community Control. I met a lot of great women and a lot who belonged there. The chapter is now closed!
Thank you for sharing.
No one has to worry about seeing BCI ever again. It’s gone they are building a distribution center. I took a ride there and to check it out. I spent 82-83 there. A memory that today seems like a bad dream. That was so long ago. It was a weird feeling! We rode around that damn circle. I’ll never forget being outside and watching a small plane crash. Another chapter closed.
Thank you for sharing Cathy, I am glad it’s over.
639759D was my number I was a five time resident of B.C.I. and boy do I have stories. Could make millions on a book. From dating correctional officer in and out of custody to being framed with drugs, having first child there, I being first cousin to Shirley Quick who was on death row, and more. Last time in was 1987. I will leave my comment ending now to see if this website is still active. God Bless us all.
Thank you for sharing Sarah, sounds like you know that place well. We would love to hear your stories if you don’t mind sharing.
Edwin I accidentally sent my message to u would u please post it 4 me? I was responding to Sarah’s message
I remember Shirley. I was there from 83-86
I remember Shirley also I was there from 1980 to 1983
Wow…I was looking to get copies of my release papers from 1980! And Came across This! I’m applying for my citizenship and need records. OMG…This is crazy and very interesting..I didn’t know it was torn down…WOW! I did 18 MONTHS for something so stupid! Shoplifting and violation of probation…a slap on the hand nowadays I’m sure. I was 22 and on the wrong track of life..to this day in glad I went there..straightened me right up! YES I saw some stuff…not bad but interesting…from a female prison guard having an affair with an inmate to a prison movie being filmed about an inmate getting pregnant by a prison guard…Bo Bridges was the leading man…HAHA…Cant remember the woman movie stars name… Sonya was the Death Row woman…there were women that killed their husbands for many reasons…women that killed their babies….one monster cut her babies heels off so they wouldn’t walk… Her name was Hamburger!! Lovers got jealous…some got married in there…secretly of course…haha…the only fights I witnessed were over jealousy… The place woke me up at my young age….Thanks for the memories…but I still need to keep searching for my records!! I need to become an American where at least I know I’m free!!!!
I spent 14 months there in 2000. I have a very different kind of story. I went to prison for drugs and was put into the modality II program. I thank god every day for that. I can honestly say it scared me straight. Since i left there i never touched drugs again. That place saved my life. So when i look at those pictures i see the place that gave me a second chance. Thank you for your pictures
I was there from March 04 til Aug 06. Crazy seeing it this way. That was our lives for as long as we were there.
Hey, if you could tell me your story and maybe give me a recipe that you made there it would be greatly appreciated. I have some from when I was there. I was only there for 4 1/2 months but I met so many wonderful women and that shouldn’t have been there and I really would like to you know get some and like people stories and may be a recipe because I’m telling you women can do anything with Ramen noodles, a Dr Pepper and a hot mama‘s sausages and I would’ve never even thought to put them together and it was really good so you know there’s so many different recipes that the women came up with that were good and I would like to have some of those recipe so that I can let my grandchildren. Taste it and say hey this is what you live on and you know, and I have pictures but You know that I got later on, but I don’t know how to get in touch with the women to do that I haven’t been mixed up in anything since I’ve actually I’m a business owner now and truck driving and I think the women coming out of prison that’s what they need to do go to go drive a truck because the background check is simple and The lotta good women that are on the road now in trucks and we drive better than men and it’s not because we’re just better drivers even though we are it’s because we have patience and we don’t get like all uptight and want to be aggressive and stuff and I would really like to help women you know become truck drivers so that they have a future and you know when you come out a lot of them don’t have a home they don’t have nothing well guess what a semi truck is your home so they get a home a bank account and a vehicle and they get to travel all over the United States and see the sea the United States, and realize that they were in a very small area and this country is gorgeous and they make money they got a home it’s perfect for an inmate that gets out but I just don’t know how to go about doing it so if you could give me any advice or your story and a recipe it would be greatly appreciated or at least the recipe if you don’t wanna you know share your story, I understand
That’s were Terry Jean moore was wow
I lived here for over a decade starting in the early 90s it changed since then.. it was by far my favorite
my mother was there 1989-1994
I was there from 88-89, sent to Lowell, then work release. Guards and I had mutual friends in the free world, they watched my back. I know what I did was wrong and did my time. Honestly, the system back then was not as hard as it is now. Most of the guards treated you as if you were in the free world. Other guards were in it for the power trip. Either way, I had an easy sentence, again, times were so different back then.
Good to hear you made it out good.
The pictures took my back to the past..I was a young male officer in my early 20s i worked 89 to 93 .I met some good people that were caught up in bad situations. I believe… I was a good officer and hopefully made a difference in somebody life. I tried to always treat peps with respect and treated everyone as i would like to be treated if the roles were reversed. I recently retired after 34 years in law enforcement and if i touched one persons life. Then it was worth it…hope all that read this are doing well. Much respect n luv
I am happy to hear you treated everyone with dignity and respect. I am sure you touched many people’s lives. Happy retirement :)
Yes, I was in May there for 4 1/2 months and you know I got into a bad situation and was around the wrong people. I actually was a nurse and when I came out I was still a nurse. It was hard to keep that but I I did and I met so many women that shouldn’t have been there that were smart and they could contribute to society and it was sad that I couldn’t do anything to help them now I’m trying to you know just send out you know so that they would send me like their story and then like something that they’ve learned like a recipe or you know something because one thing I can say is those women are creative with Ramen noodles so I would like to you know, share that with my grandchildren, and let them make some of those, so they can see that how lucky they are and how good they have it now so that they don’t get involved in something stupid like I did
Ofc. Moss…OMG, you will remember me as inmate Horner. Yeah, I was one of the fortunate ones, I left and have not been back for past 25 yrs. If you know, why was it abandoned??
I was in that correctional institute for 4 1/2 months that’s all I spent I did something stupid and ended up in there. I only spent 4 1/2 months in there but it was for I have once a bill but I would like to get in touch with some of the inmates to get, maybe some of the recipes in your stories do you know how I can do that?
I also want to comment that my cell is actually on there my intake so I was in Papa dorm and the shower, shower, shower that and got it brings back terrible memory but I have never been in trouble sent so it worked course I had never been in trouble before either. I just lost my mind a little bit.
Oh my God I was convicted and sentence to 10yrs. May 2008 I will always remember this prison and since it was my first time how can I ever forget 4 yrs along the way it was where I received the news of my son where he had been shot and had been deceased I will never forget that day where I held so many tears and so much pain but it had great Correctional Officers I seen how so many cared so much during that time when I needed it I always think about those yrs. I can never say I miss because I don’t but it made me the person I am today. Thank you Broward Correctional Institution you will always be remembered. Carmen Burgos M50516 C Dorm Mr. Miles🙏🙏
I was there the same time!! 🫶💜
Hey girl I remember you, I’m Denise Parapar.We were in c dorm together. How you doing.
I did 22 months in BCI. I went in 03 and got out on work release 3/10/05. I was in C dorm. I worked in culinary cleaning floors, than went to outside grounds, and finally DOT. We got out and cleaned up trash every day. I was then put in Modality 2 program and then to work release for the last 4 months. I never went back to jail after this! The pictures bring back bad memories. I’m glad the place is gone!
Does anybody know which cell Aileen wuoronos was held in ? Does anyone have any stories of meeting any of the women on death row ?
She was holding U dorm. It ended up being turned into like the crazy dorm. And then she was moved.
I worked there as correctional officer, beginning February 1990 through June 1994. Working in a incarceration facility can be challenging. Truthfully, I learned life lessons in the areas of humanity, humility, and prepare for the unknown. My time at the facility was an incredible, sad, and eye-opening. Definitely, shaped my life in a positive way. Intentionally, I was fair, respectful, and non-judgmental. Thanks for sharing.
I got here June 3, 2009 and I was shipped out when it closed in 2012 to Lowell. I just went through all the pictures and there were so many memories even though it was a prison. I met some amazing people there, and just seeing all the rooms brought back so much it was such a terrible place and all of us were at our lowest and there were some bad stuff that happened there but there were some good stuff too!
I was transferred to around 5 Florida prisons during my stay.. and this was by far the absolute worst. It was awful.
Hi, I’m not 100% sure if this is the one but in 2009 when I was only like 23 I got sent to prison after sitting in my county jail for about 18 months and this I believe was the place that the women went to to learn about prison before they went to the actual one that they were going to do their time at some of the women’s stayed there and I’m pretty sure it’s the one cuz that’s the one Eileen Wuornos was in and I heard stories about her from women that were there years ago and yes I did some time there I actually did a little bit more time before going to another women’s facility that was a little further from there but it was right next door to a men’s prison I remember I want to say it was called Homestead or something but yes the first one I went to was super disgusting dirty creepy had the creepiest looking rats in the kitchen I’ve ever seen and if I’m not mistaken this is the prison that they shot a movie at called Love Child where it was based on a true story and one of the guards impregnated one of the inmates and in the movie that inmate was played by the lady that was the girlfriend of John Candy in the movie Uncle Buck but yes when I was there even I was like they need to close this place down it’s disgusting and here I am now 39 and I’ve never been in trouble since and I still think about these places every day and I could share some stories but I saw where you straight out said don’t be contacting you and asking you how to get in and all that and this or whatever but yeah that’s the one place I’d never want to go back to but I just thought maybe you’d be interested in hearing some of my stories. 😁
Broward was where you wanted to do your time back in 1999. I went through Lowell reception center where there was no AC dorms were rows of bunk beds on each side. E dorm had 80 beds on one side & 50 on other side. At lights out there was an endless parade of roaches that roamed the metal bed frames. The walls were half windows that didn’t open & 4 fans spaced & in a fixed position on each side of the dorm. Almost everyone there were short timers. I witnessed more viscous violence & rapes at Lowell because women with very little time had nothing better to do. I got myself transfered to Broward in 2000 after hearing about the “college campus” way of doing time. With AC, 2 in a room with a door that locks & you have a key, no bugs of any kind & “lifers”. Broward housed Death Row back then. Women who had life knew how to do time. I was sentenced in May of 1999 to 62 months & 3 days for my first ever arrest at 33, got lucky as crime was PBL. I had no idea who Aileen Wuornos was or what she did, I do vividly remember when they locked us down to walk her to transport to be executed. Watching her knowing where they were taking her filled me with overwhelming sadness. I am forever greatful for Broward. Lowell Annex was brand new when I was released in 2003. Have had 2 speeding tickets, and 1 prison sentence in my 59 years. Live & Learn
Hi, my name is Denise. I was under another name then, last name Horner. I was sent to BCI back in 1989. I was only there til 1991. I was serving 28 yrs for murder. I was 23 when I went. I met some really cool inmates, Delores Lee (congrats on going home) and Laverne Jones (Beibei). I left many many years before the hell that I read abt. Only two tried suicide, but nobody KILLED another inmate. When I was there if you killed another it was an automatic death sentence. I guess the one person who protected us was gone, Mrs. Marta Villacorta. I gained a rapport with her when we all thought my niece killed herself in GA. My mom was one who notified the prison. My stories are of a time that very few know of apparently.
Thanks for the memories. I’d really like to know what happened to the paperwork that was in control and/or Classification.
I was incarcerated there from 1980 to 1983 period saw a lot of things good and bad, but when I left in 1983 I never looked back or went back. People knew me at BCI with the name. Lil Tony, I hung out with a girl named Pam Livingston Judy Merlin and Bobby Sue. And I can’t remember Bobby.Says last night.But anyway, thank you for the pictures.And if you have any more, please send them to me email.At that time definitely turned my time around my life around.Thank you again.
I came to R&O here in January of 2000 and got shipped from BCI in Oct of 2000. I can honestly say I do not have any bad memories of this place from an inmate perspective. I since did the rest of my time at Dade Correctional (Homestead)and then finished my time at Gadsden. Crazy to see these pictures and how it looks now all abandoned.
I did 27 months there it was gross the shower bathroom one of the official ppl said they needed to but dipped in bleach I was having panic attacks and it made me rub my skin and I was bit by a spiders the officers just didn’t care I’m helped to this