The Jacksonville Bridge Work Release

Director: Roy D. Morgan

Roy D. Morgan was appointed Facility Director of the Jacksonville Bridge Work Release Center on January 10, 2008. Prior to this appointment, Mr. Morgan has in excess of 31 years with the Florida Department of Corrections. He has had many key roles, including the first Regional Colonel, Region I, overseeing the security of 16 major Correctional Institutions, and as one of only five Special Agents assigned to the Central Office. Mr. Morgan has both his Correctional and Law Enforcement certifications. He was appointed to the Board of Directors of the Madison County Hospital by Governor Lawton Chiles for a period of 4 years. He has work with youthful offenders as well as male and female inmates from the reception centers, major institutions, work camps, and work release facilities.

Mr. Morgan expresses a genuine enthusiasm and once said that the one thing that stood out in his mind about Bridges of America was the direction and guidance of a team... a family... a way to commit to the service of both the staff and the inmates and their approach to living and being personally, professionally and spiritually driven by a core set of values uniquely committed to the service of others, to the change in others and to the provision of a holistic approach to the inmates assigned to them.

Site Description

The Jacksonville Bridge opened its doors in August 2005. Originally the site housed 100 adult, male offenders with counseling for substance abuse/dependency issues. The Jacksonville Bridge is located in Duval County and receives inmates from all over the state of Florida. The site is located on approximately 3.5 acres in Duval County. In June 2008 The Jacksonville Bridge added an additional 40 adult beds to our population, bringing the total to 140. The Jacksonville Bridge has optimistic plans to increase in size in the near future.

The Jacksonville Bridge currently has 22.5 approved positions which include The Facility Director, an Assistant Operations Facility Director, an Assistant Clinical Facility Director, an Office Administrator, two Employment Specialists, two Counselors, an Operations Supervisor, a Transportation Technician and 12.5 Operations Technicians.

Value Added Services

• GED Training
• AA/NA Meetings
• Worship Services
• Family Home Furloughs
• Ready 4 Work Program
• Job Placement Training
• Substance Abuse Counseling
• ACT (Advanced Career Training)
• Employment Assistance/Counseling
• On-Site Annual Employer Job Fairs
• Re-Establish Family and Community Ties
• Work Source Program through The Jacksonville Urban League

Community Services

• Adopt-A-Highway
• Court Cost Collections
• Restitution Collections
• Child Support Collections
• Family Support Collections
• Community service provided to local parks

Achievements

• The Jacksonville Bridge recently received a 100% on its bi-annual audit from the Department of Corrections and 99% on its annual audit from The Department of Children and Families.
• The Jacksonville Bridge coordinates with The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office to communicate a focused deterrence message to a targeted group of high-risk offenders; this initiative is held several times throughout the year with the intent of making offenders think twice about committing a gun crime.
• The Jacksonville Bridge has a relationship with The Men’s Warehouse, who provides gently used suits, dress shirts, dress pants and ties to our clients in need during their annual suit drive.
• The Jacksonville Bridge holds Family Day Events throughout the year; these events are always successful and promote family bonding.
• Recipient of a Wal-Mart Community Grant
• Member of The Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce