mates and , when fully staffed , a little over 700 employees .
“ The opportunities that are here in this community at Suwannee CI , it ’ s not just correctional positions , we have dental hygienists , we have doctor positions , nurse positions , educational positions , I mean it ’ s a good opportunity for , you know , someone that lives locally to make good , decent money , have a good retirement , good benefits ,” said Warden Chris Lane , who ’ s worked at the institution on four separate occasions as a lieutenant , colonel , assistant warden and now warden .
Through multiple academic programs ; vocational programs like horticulture , plumbing , electric and soon-to-be-added masonry ; and mental health classes detailing personal growth , victim impact , and new-life behavior ; the Institution gives those incarcerated a chance to better themselves and helps them become more productive citizens when they re-enter society .
Of course , the nonprofit doesn ’ t just make an impact inside the
Institution , but outside as well .
“ People don ’ t think of the prison system as a nonprofit . They don ’ t think about all the K9 calls that we go out on for the county , you know , to track escapees or people that have run from the Sheriff ’ s department that we send our teams out . What they actually do for the community . Plus , our work squad was going out , cleaning the roads , doing projects with the county , you know , it definitely was a big deal for us to be recognized for sure .”
Employees with the Suwannee Correctional Institution also participate and raise money for the Law Enforcement Torch Run – an event attracting law enforcement officers from over 300 Florida agencies who participate in a state-wide torch run to benefit the athletes of Special Olympics Florida – and donate to the local Guardian ad Litem during the Christmas season . For these reasons and many more , Suwannee Correctional Institution was named the Chamber ’ s 2020 Nonprofit of the Year .
“ We were kind of surprised , you know , I think corrections historically kind of gets overlooked through society , you know , you ’ re not out in the public like law enforcement are ,” Lane said .
“ I was shocked that we won , I mean , don ’ t get me wrong , I know my staff did a lot of work in the community , but just for them to recognize us , it meant a lot to us , I mean , the trophy is sitting right here in my office I promise you , we look at it every day .”
To stay up-to-date on the 2021 Business of the Year dinner , which this year will combine with the 73rd Annual Chamber Gala , visit the Suwannee County Chamber of Commerce website at suwanneechamber . com .
100 SUWANNEE CHAMBER IMPACT | 2021-2022