The average daily population in 1999 is expected to be more than 5,000 inmates. Most arrive with drug or alcohol addictions, mental health problems, or both - requiring BSO to coordinate a wide range of medical and rehabilitative programs. The department is responsible for the operation of the Main Jail in downtown Fort Lauderdale, the North Broward Bureau , the Joseph V. Conte Facility and the Stockade Facility . It is also responsible for the privately-run Work Release Center. Inmates housed in these facilities include pre-trial and sentenced inmates, felons and misdemeanants, males and females, adults and juveniles.
Inmates cross every ethnic, age and socioeconomic group.
The department's Transportation Bureau moves almost 230,000 inmates annually, between facilities, to and from court appointments, and to and from state prison. Staff members are also responsible for patients handled under Florida's Baker Act statute and inmate pretrial services.