Florida Corrections Adopts Custom AI (CLEO) for Modernization & Staff Support
The Florida Department of Corrections (FDC) is significantly expanding its use of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance internal operations, improve staff productivity, and modernize its systems. What began as an effort to streamline internal communications has evolved into a comprehensive AI initiative, encompassing advanced data analytics, automated report generation, and even inmate communication surveillance.
Central to this transformation is CLEO, short for Corrections Large Language Environment Online, the department’s custom-built generative AI assistant. Launched in April, CLEO operates within a secure Microsoft Azure Government cloud environment, entirely isolated from external networks to ensure data privacy and security. It functions as an intuitive chat assistant, designed to retrieve policy documents with cited sources and assist in cleaning and organizing legacy data systems.
CLEO is powered by four distinct modules, each serving a specific function:
CLEO Chat: This module responds to general inquiries, similar to public AI chatbots but operating within the FDC’s secure network. It provides staff with immediate guidance on a range of topics, from strategies to reduce victimization and recidivism to handling unruly inmates. FDC CIO Kenneth Kicia noted that staff previously lacked access to such a generative AI tool on the department’s network.
CLEO Library: This module leverages a large language model (LLM) specifically trained on the FDC’s extensive collection of policies and procedures. When staff ask questions, CLEO not only provides a summarized response but also includes an exact citation with a direct link to the referenced policy. This capability, known as retrieval-augmented generation (RAG), ensures that responses are accurate and verifiable by directly linking them to authoritative internal sources, thereby minimizing the risk of misinformation. For instance, staff can inquire about correctional officer dress codes or tattoo policies and receive precise, verifiable information.
CLEO Data Analysis: Supporting the department’s broader data modernization efforts, this module identifies and corrects issues within the FDC data warehouse, such as errors in metadata, labeling, and tagging. It has proven instrumental in rectifying long-standing data entry mistakes in older mainframe systems, like confusing “Region 2” with “Religion” or misplacing county names in fields designated for countries.
CLEO Analytics: Currently under development, this module will enable staff to generate real-time, customized reports based on the vast amount of information stored in the department’s data warehouse.
Across the department, staff are utilizing CLEO for a wide array of tasks, from summarizing lengthy emails and creating test plans to refining the language in use-of-force reports. Human resources personnel use the system to structure employee responses, while legislative teams rely on CLEO to generate content with the appropriate tone.
Beyond CLEO, the FDC is also employing AI in other critical areas. AI tools are actively used to monitor the department’s substantial volume of inmate phone calls, which amount to approximately 450 million minutes per year. Kicia explained that even with a large team of human listeners, it would be impossible to catch everything. The AI system listens to calls, alerting staff to specific keywords or names, allowing agents or intelligence operatives to quickly locate and review relevant conversations.
Looking ahead, officials are exploring the integration of AI into facial recognition, voice-to-text analysis, and surveillance video processing. The team also plans to further enhance CLEO’s knowledge base by incorporating the Florida Administrative Code, standard operating procedures, and other key documentation into its model.
CIO Kenneth Kicia views the adoption of AI as a practical necessity for the FDC to meet its operational demands amidst resource constraints. “As I said at the Florida Digital Government Summit, we’re a $5 billion agency that operates on a $3.7 billion budget. So, it’s always about doing more with less,” Kicia stated, underscoring AI’s role in driving efficiency and supporting staff in an environment where resources are tightly managed.