The Orlando Bridge TC/Work Release

Director: Frederick C. Dixon

Frederick C. Dixon actually stared his career in Corrections in 1972 as a Military Police and Confinement Specialist in the United States Army.

Mr. Dixon’s career with the Florida Department of Corrections began in August, 1974 at Lake Correctional Institution in Clermont, FL. He was a 25-year veteran with the agency. Mr. Dixon’s extensive knowledge of correctional principals and his dedication and commitment to these offered him the opportunity to be promoted through the Correctional Officer ranks up to his retiring as the Warden of Martin Correctional Institution.

Some of his accomplishments include an appointment by Governor Chiles to the Criminal Justice Standards and Training Commission, the Distinguished Corrections Award by Florida Council on Crime and Delinquency, Warden of the year Nominee, recognition by the North American Association of Warden as Superintendents (NAAWS). Also, appointment by Representative Rick Minton (District 78) to serve as a Member of the State Minority Committee. He is also a graduate of Florida State University, Certified Public Managers Program.

Since joining Bridges of America in August 2005, Mr. Dixon has been assigned the responsibilities of Facility Director at the Orlando Bridge Work Release and the Orlando Bridge Transition Center.

Through his wide range of work experience, Mr. Dixon is able to display a high level of technical, hands-on competence. He successfully develops creative strategies to ensure we maintain a strong advocacy role for public safety and also provide out stakeholders (clients) the tools to succeed once released form incarceration.

Site History

On April 1, 2009, The Orlando Bridge Transitional and Work Release Center opened its doors to receive 100 inmates from the Department of Corrections. Since then, we have increased our capacity 136 inmates: 54 in Work Release and 82 in TC. We diligently work to prepare these inmates for a successful transition back into the community.

TOBTC is a therapeutic community and Work Release Center providing an atmosphere of positive peer pressure and positive role models. Our inmates/clients are carefully screened and the majority has admitted to prior substance abuse and/or has been convicted of a drug charge. The Program is designed to seek out and eliminate the root cause of the substance abuse problem and provide healing for the whole person: spirit, body, and mind. We have multiple alternatives to meet the needs of clients with diverse treatment issues. We offer academic, vocational, as well as psycho educational classes, processing groups, and individual counseling to each resident.

The Orlando Bridge Transitional Center is one of the many programs/facilities that are a part of Bridges or America. Bridges of America has a long and successful history of trustworthy service to the State of Florida. There has been a sound, mutually rewarding working relationship between the Bridge rehabilitation programs and the Florida Department of Corrections since 1976. During the long tenure of this partnership, The Bridges have embraced the strict guidelines and regulations of the Florida Department of Corrections. They have, in fact, passed every inspection and fulfilled every contract for client services.

Bridges of America’s goal/mission is to equip a client with the necessary life skills to increase his chances of successful integration into the community without returning to the destructive behavior that led to his arrest. We strive to increase the offender's self-esteem, self-reliance, and sobriety, as well as reducing the hostility brought on by ignorance and despair. We also assist the client with reintegration into society by providing referrals for job placement, housing, and available community.

Value Added Services

• HIV/AIDS Education
• Adult Basic Education
• General Education Degree
• Father Read
• EFNEP Food and Nutrition
• Nurturing Fathers Group
• Toastmasters International
• Training Champions
• Meditation Training
• Smoking Cessation
• Bridgebuilders
• Alcoholics Anonymous
• Narcotics Anonymous
• 12 and 12
• Purpose Driven Life Class
• Iglesia Christiana Pentecostal De Orlando mentors
• International College of Ministry
• Contemplative Preyer
• Prison Fellowship
• St. Luke's Methodist Church
• Worship Service at the Cathedral of St. Dismas
• Bible Study

Community Services

• Assisting The Society of St. Andrew church in separating and packaging fruits and vegetables that are donated from local farmers.
• Volunteering with The Second Harvest Food Bank.
• Currently in the process of adopting a nursing home in which our staff and inmates will donate their time and skills to assist the staff and residents at the nursing home.

Achievements

• A+ Computer Certification Program has been implemented.
• Florida Ready To Work Program now in progress.
• Osha Safety Certification Class established.
• 100% score on DCF Audits
• 100% score on DOC Operational Audits