How to Send Money to an Inmate in a Prison or Jail
Table of Contents
What is Florida Inmate Search?
A Florida inmate search provides access to information on the location, status, and record of individuals incarcerated in Florida's prison system. The Florida Department of Corrections (FDC) is responsible for overseeing the custody and care of individuals incarcerated in state correctional facilities. It ensures easy access to jail records to facilitate communication and support between inmates and their families or legal representatives.
To obtain Florida jail records, interested persons can contact the state agency online, by phone, or by mail. An alternative way to access inmate information in the state is through the FDC Offender Search tool. Organizations involved in rehabilitation and reentry programs typically use the state's inmate search system to find and assist individuals effectively.
Are Inmate Search Records Open to the Public in Florida?
Yes, Florida's Public Records Law allows open access to inmate records. Members of the public may request copies or view inmate information maintained by the Department of Corrections and other relevant inmate records custodians. However, the FDC may restrict access to some Florida jail records to protect individual privacy and maintain security within correctional facilities. According to the state law, confidential inmate records may include the following:
- Inmates' medical records
- Mental health records
- Records containing information about facility security systems, surveillance methods, or emergency response procedures
- Information identifying inmates or individuals who have provided confidential information
How To Perform Florida Inmate Lookup
You can perform a Florida inmate lookup by providing the inmate's first/last name or DC number on the state's Offender Search portal. Inmates who match the search terms will appear in the results, showing basic information like their race, sex, date of birth, and the correctional facility where they are currently being held. Select the preferred name to view additional information, including offense history, sentence length, projected release date, custody status, aliases, booking date, charges, and parole eligibility.
How To Search for an Inmate in Florida
To find an inmate in Florida, interested persons may select a search option from the Offender Search database, enter the inmate's name or DC number in the relevant spaces, and submit the request. The Florida Offender Search tool provides different search options for users. You may select "Search All Corrections Offender Databases" to perform a comprehensive search across all databases or click on "Inmate Population Information Search" to find inmates currently in state-run facilities. Other available search options include Inmate Release, Inmate Escape, and Supervised Population search.
Requesters may also visit the Public Request Center to submit inmate records requests online. Next, click "Submit a Request" and choose "Ïnmate Records". New users may need to create accounts or submit requests anonymously. Providing all relevant details on the inmate is essential to help complete the request promptly.
The FDC database only contains records for offenders who are or were in the custody of the state prison system. Requesters may contact the specific county sheriff's office in Florida to find inmates in county jails. Most counties provide jail inmate search online, allowing members of the public to search for inmates by name, booking number, or other identifying details.
How To Conduct a Free Inmate Search in Florida
Anyone can use reliable third-party services to conduct a Florida inmate search free of charge online. Private databases are often free to access limited inmate information, such as names, gender, race, and other personal details. However, requesters may pay a small fee to access comprehensive inmate records. Third-party inmate search platforms like RecordsFinder generally allow the public to search all Florida correctional facilities, including federal/state prisons and county jails.
How To Find a Federal Inmate in Florida
The Federal Bureau of Prison (BOP) typically maintains information about inmates in federal prisons, including those who were incarcerated within the state of Florida. Florida has eight federal correctional facilities, including the following:
- Residential Reentry Management (RRM), Miami
- Federal Detention Center (FDC), Miami
- Federal Correctional Institution (FCI), Miami
- Federal Correctional Complex (FCC), Coleman
- FCI Marianna
- FCI Tallahassee
To conduct a federal inmate search in Florida, requesters can use BOP's Inmate Locator and provide inmates' names or valid registration numbers. Acceptable registration numbers include unique BOP numbers, FBI numbers, Immigration and Naturalization Services (INS) numbers, or Department of Corrections (DCDC) numbers.
What Can You Find with State of Florida Inmate Search
A Florida jail records search conducted on FDC's Offender Search portal typically provides the following information:
- Inmate's personal details, such as full name, date of birth, gender, and race/ethnicity
- DC number (Department of Corrections number)
- Current incarceration status
- Facility name and location
- Offense details and conviction history
- Sentence length and start date
- Projected release date
- Inmate photo
- Parole or probation information (if applicable)
- Contact information for the facility where the inmate is held
Jail and Inmate Search in Florida
As of December 2024, the Florida Department of Corrections reported there were up to 87,908 inmates in state prisons and 52,573 inmates held in county jails. The report also shows that more than 140,000 persons are on probation, while over 3,000 inmates are on parole. About 2,000 youths were in detention centers around the state in the same year.
Florida has one of the highest incarceration rates in the United States. As of 2022, the state's imprisonment rate is around 377 per 100,000 residents. The majority of the inmates in the state-run prisons are Blacks (48%), Whites (39%), and Hispanics (13%).
Criminal Justice Quick Facts
Florida Imprisonment Rate * (per 100,000 population)
377
Probation Population
140,000
Parole Population
3,800
Racial Disparity in Incarceration Rate
Black: White Ratio: 4.1:1
Hispanic: White Ratio: 0.7:1
Juvenile Custody Rate (per 100,000 juveniles)
61
Disenfranchised Population
961,757 (6.13%)
Disenfranchised African Americans
293,308 (12.74%)
Corrections Expenditures (state/local)
$3.02 B / $2.1 B
Florida Parole Population
The Florida parole population was 3,970 at the start of 2022 and 3,890 by December 31, 2022. As of June 2023, about 3,498 inmates were eligible for parole.
Paroles per 100,000 Population (2022)
Nationwide
267
Florida
21
Parole Total Population in Florida (2022)
Nationwide
698,820
Florida
3,890
Parole Entries and Exits (2022)
Entries
5,360
Exits
5,440
Change in 2022, in Percentage and Number
Percent
2.0%
Number
80
Number on Parole per 100,000 U.S. Adult Residents
Decreased by
267
Florida Prisons
Florida's prison and jail system is the third-largest in the United States. The Florida Department of Corrections has about 24,000 employees and operates a budget of over $3 billion. It also manages around 143 facilities, including private/major correctional institutions, re-entry centers, work camps, and community release centers. The state-run facilities house up to 87,900 inmates and supervise the activities of 140,000 probationers.
Florida also has 67 county jails, managed by the sheriff's offices, with a total population exceeding 52,000 inmates. According to the 2023 FDC Annual Report, housing and feeding each inmate in Florida costs $30,883 annually. Per 100,000 residents, Florida had a rate of approximately 377 for incarceration. The state also had a rate of 259 for those who committed violent crimes, and 1,566 for those who were charged with property crimes for every 100,000 citizens within the state.
| Prison Name | Prison Type |
|---|---|
| Apalachee Correctional Institution, East Unit | State Prison |
| Apalachee Correctional Institution, West Unit | State Prison |
| Avon Park Correctional Institution | State Prison |
| Baker Correctional Institution | State Prison |
| Baker Re-Entry Center | State Prison |
| Calhoun Correctional Institution | State Prison |
| Central Florida Reception Center | State Prison |
| Central Florida Reception Center, East Unit | State Prison |
| Central Florida Reception Center, South Unit | State Prison |
| Century Correctional Institution | State Prison |
| Charlotte Correctional Institution | State Prison |
| Coleman I USP | Federal Prison |
| Coleman II USP | Federal Prison |
| Coleman Low FCI | Federal Prison |
| Coleman Medium FCI | Federal Prison |
Frequently Asked Questions
The following are some frequently asked questions about Florida inmate search and their answers:
Why Is an Inmate Not Showing Up in Search?
Generally, an inmate's information may not yet be updated in the FDC database if they were recently admitted to a state facility. Also, the state's repository only provides details of inmates in state-run prisons. Requesters searching for inmates in county jails and federal prisons may need to contact the facility's county sheriff or use the BOP inmate locator.
Other reasons why an inmate's information may not show up in a Florida inmate search include the following:
- Entering incorrect names or registration numbers on the search portal
- Searching for sealed and expunged records
- Searching for juvenile offenders
- Technical issues from the FDC database or other search platforms
It is important always to double-check the search details or simply contact the Florida Department of Corrections for support.
How Can I Check If Someone Is in Jail in Florida?
Follow these steps to check if someone is in a Florida jail:
- Visit the FDC Offender Search system to conduct an inmate search.
- Submit an inmate records request online via FDC's Public Request Center.
- Search the BOP inmate locator if the individual is incarcerated in a federal prison
- Search county jail websites for local inmate lookup tools by county.
- Contact the local sheriff's office for inmate information at the specific county jail.
- Use third-party inmate search websites like Records Finder.
How Can I Conduct a Florida Prison Inmate Search?
It is possible to conduct a Florida prison inmate search online through the Offender Search database maintained by the Florida Department of Corrections. You can also submit online requests for inmate records to the FDC Public Request Center. RecordsFinder and other reliable third-party inmate record search sites also offer online search features for conducting Florida inmate searches.
