Corrections Bureau

ESE/Juvenile School Program

The ESE/Juvenile School Program is operated by the Lee County School District and provides educational services to eligible individuals who are incarcerated. The program serves:
 Youth under the age of 18
 Individuals under the age of 22 who were previously enrolled in an Exceptional Student Education (ESE) program in Lee County.

In addition to academic instruction, the program also helps students prepare for the GED test, supporting them in continuing their education and working toward future success.

GED Program

The GED Program provides educational opportunities for incarcerated individuals who have not yet earned a high school diploma. Participants receive instruction and support to prepare for the GED exam. Once they are ready, they are given the opportunity to take the official GED fourpart test at our on-site Pearson View testing facility, overseen by The Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation Testing.

Life Skills Program

The Life Skills Program is a three-month curriculum designed to help inmates develop the tools they need to successfully manage daily challenges. The program focuses on building positive habits, improving decision-making, and preparing for life after incarceration.

Topics covered include:
1. Basic health and wellness
2. Parenting (Active Parenting Now)
3. Positive communication skills
4. Replacing criminal thinking with positive, constructive thinking
5. Stress and anger management
6. Solution-focused problem solving
7. Domestic violence and victim awareness
8. Resume writing and job readiness
9. Money management and budgeting
10. Theft prevention
11. Substance abuse awareness

Chaplain’s Office

The Chaplain’s Office provides spiritual and emotional support to both inmates and staff at the Lee County Jail. With the help of more than 100 community volunteers, the office oversees approximately 50 religious services each week, which inmates may attend voluntarily.

For those unable to attend services, faith-based study materials are available, and the office can also coordinate clergy visits with an inmate’s spiritual leader. In addition, the Chaplain’s Office helps meet religious needs by arranging for specialized diets, head coverings, prayer towels, and by providing reading glasses for indigent inmates.

Whether through in-person services, classes, or written materials, the Chaplain’s Office is dedicated to encouraging, teaching, and guiding individuals toward personal growth—helping them build a stronger foundation for their future, their families, and their communities.

Residential Substance Abuse Treatment Program

The Residential Substance Abuse Treatment Program is a six-month program designed for inmates struggling with substance use or addiction. The program works closely with the courts, and most participants are court-ordered to attend. It combines intensive behavioral modification classes with key topics from the Life Skills Program to support recovery and long-term success.

Participants in the program focus on:
 Understanding the effects and triggers of drug use
 Learning behavioral modification techniques to avoid triggers
 Building cooperation and communication through group participation
 Identifying and avoiding people, places, and situations that may lead to relapse
 Developing support networks and connecting with aftercare programs

Re-Entry Case Management

The Re-Entry Case Management Program supports individuals as they approach their release date by helping them prepare for a successful transition back into the community.

The program focuses on addressing immediate needs and providing resources that promote long-term stability and productivity, ultimately reducing recidivism.

Services include:
 Resume building and job interview preparation
 Housing assistance
 Referrals and applications for treatment programs
 Assistance with obtaining identification, birth certificates, and Social Security cards
 Support with reinstating Social Security benefits
 Providing bicycles, emergency kits, clothing, and other basic necessities

Recovery Support Meetings

For inmates seeking additional support in their recovery journey, the facility partners with outside agencies to provide regular peer-support meetings. These programs offer guidance, accountability, and encouragement from individuals with shared experiences.

Meetings available include:
 Al-Anon
 Alcoholics Anonymous (AA)
 Cocaine Anonymous (CA)
 Narcotics Anonymous (NA)

Veterans Program

In partnership with Human and Veteran Services, the Veterans Program provides specialized support for incarcerated veterans.

Veterans participate in Moral Reconation Therapy (MRT)—an evidence-based, cognitivebehavioral treatment program that follows a step-by-step approach to enhance moral reasoning, strengthen personal responsibility, and improve decision-making.

Carmine’s Corrections Cleanup Crew

Sheriff Marceno launched this initiative to help keep Lee County a clean and welcoming community for residents and visitors alike. The program utilizes inmate workers with minor charges to assist in cleaning roadways across the county, teaching responsibility and encouraging a sense of community ownership.

Under the supervision of two Corrections deputies, inmate workers are on the road, collecting trash and debris caused by illegal dumping or normal buildup. This effort not only benefits the community but also provides inmates with the opportunity to contribute positively while in custody.