More about the Largo Residential Reentry Center

The Largo Residential Reentry Center web site describes the program as a facility which serves nonviolent male offenders transitioning from Florida correctional facilities, assisting them with their re-entry into society.

Participants live at the Goodwill corrections facility in Largo for three to nine months while working at least 35 hours per week. Participants receive assistance finding employment and attend counseling sessions and life skills classes.

Ted’s name was on a sign-up sheet for a Substance Abuse class in the lobby. The only substance abuse classes that Ted ever attended were when he was 16 at PAR and at age 17 at Avon Park Youth Academy.

The sign on the front of the Center says Goodwill Industries-Suncoast, Inc. There is another Goodwill work release center on Gandy Blvd. in St. Petersburg. The Largo Center residents were taken to the St. Petersburg Center to purchase their used clothing items with their $20 vouchers. There is no thrift shop located at the Largo Center. Goodwill does have an Online Store with collectibles, clothing, electronics, jewelry and more.

According to the FL DOC site that lists Inmate Programs, the Largo Residential Re-entry Center does not have chaplain services. Ted thought that there might be transportation offered to a local church however.

Ted was called into the office last week for not attending GED classes. Ted told them he already had his GED and they apologized and removed him from the class list.

During our visitation today, Ted said the residents get excellent free meals – items such as pot roast, macaroni and cheese, and fish. He said the food is much better than the food in the prisons. There is a soda machine that offers lemonade, grape soda and more. In addition, residents can elect to buy deluxe food items such as strip steak, fried shrimp, and Oreo cookie cake. Ted informed me that he did not intend to use his job earnings to buy the deluxe food – the everyday free food items were quite good enough. I’m sure he’ll get the Oreo cake once in a while though!

Ted will be taken to get a Florida photo ID this week and he thinks he can start applying for jobs after he gets this ID. He was told that some businesses actually prefer to hire residents from the Largo Residential Reentry Center. The businesses know that the residents will be at their jobs on time and be there every day.

Photos: The Largo Residential Reentry Center. Behind the bike rack is the parking lot with the basketball hoop and picnic table. To the right of that lot is a large field with a track around it. Click photos to enlarge.