Lee County Program Unit
This facility houses adult men and women who have been arrested by local county or municipal law enforcement and sentenced by the courts. It has a maximum capacity of 336 inmates, and offers a wide array of programs to assist inmates with re-entry skills, and alcohol and drug treatment.
In addition to the Program Unit, the Lee County Sheriff's Office also operates the main downtown jail in Fort Myers and the Core Facility next door to the program unit.
Inmate Search
To find out if your loved one is being held in Lee County, click here, call the jail at 239 477 1500, or use VINE (see below). Be prepared to provide the inmate’s full name and date of birth when using the VINE website.
Florida VINE
The Florida VINE system is a service through which victims of crime can search for information regarding the custody status of their offender, and to register to receive phone calls and e-mail notifications when the offender’s custody status changes.
This service is provided to assist Victims of Crime who have a right to know about their offender's custody status. Click this link to register.
Inmates being held for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), the Florida Department of Corrections (DOC), or charges from other counties will not be found by going to the VINE Link above. You will have to call the jail.
Bonding someone out of the Lee County Program Unit
The method (cash/surety) and amount of money needed for bonding someone out of the Lee County Program Unit depends on their charges. Most crimes, but not all crimes, are bondable offenses.
When you pay a cash bond, it is refunded to you when all court appearances have been made and the case is discharged, dismissed, or a not guilty verdict rendered. If the arrestee fails to appear or is found guilty, the money will be forfeited.
When you use a Bail Bondsman for a surety bond, you will not get a refund.
Prison Insights
Lee County Program Unit
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Visiting Hours and Rules
All visitations for the Community Program Units (CPU’s) are conducted through a video monitor at the Visitation Center. The hours of operations are Monday-Sunday 5 a.m. to 11 p.m. The Visitation Center is located at:
2501 Ortiz Ave.
Fort Myers, FL. 33905
Each inmate is allowed two visits per week for one hour each. Up to two visitors from the Inmate’s Authorized Visitation List will be allowed to visit with the inmate; children under one year of age are not included in the count.
All inmates are given a packet that contains a visitation list that allows them to place up to five names of family members/friends that they want to visit with. Visitors on the list are the only persons allowed to visit the inmate.
When You Enter the Visitation Center, you must:
- Arrive 15 minutes before the scheduled visitation time
- Visitors 16 years of age and older must present a Photo ID (Drivers License, Identification Card, Passport, Military ID, or Prison ID) with a date of birth
- Have your name checked against that authorized visitation list
- Abide by the Correction Visitor Regulations
Visitors who fail to comply with the rules and regulations of the Visitation Facility will be escorted out and denied the rest of their visit. Visitors wearing clothes that are too brief or revealing will not be permitted to visit.
Visitors are not permitted to bring cell phones, cigarettes, lighters, cameras, radios, record or tape players, gifts, purses, baby bags, water bottles, food or drinks, etc. into the visitation area.
A visitor may be searched at any time if there is reason to believe that they may be in possession of contraband. Bringing the following items to an inmate is prohibited:
Books, Enveloped letters, Battery- or electronically-operated cards, Candy, Care packages, Clothing, Envelopes, Food, Glitter, Hygiene items, Magazines, Medication, Polaroid pictures, Snacks, Stamps, Stickers, Writing paper, etc.
If you bring any of these items with you on visitation, they will be confiscated, and you could face prosecution.
Remote Video Visits
Friends and family who wish to visit with their inmate remotely from their home computer, tablet, or smartphone need to register at www.gtlvisitme.com and schedule their visit.Physical Address
Lee County Program Unit
2501 Ortiz Ave
Fort Myers, FL 33905
Driving Directions: https://goo.gl/maps/LzWV1WxvvRVejUz4A
General Phone Number
239 477 1500
Inmate Mailing Address(es)
Lee County Program Unit
Inmate Name and Number
2501 Ortiz Ave
Fort Myers, FL 33905
How to Call an Inmate
Inmates at the Lee County Program Unit cannot receive incoming phone calls, however, they have access to phones and can make outgoing calls from the inmate housing area. Phone calls are recorded and may be monitored at any time.
How to Send Money
The Lee County Program unit uses SmartInmate.com for all inmate money services. To deposit money into an inmate's account, visit SmartInmate.com or use a kiosk in the jail lobby.
Programs For Inmates
ESE/Juvenile School Program
This program is run by the Lee County School District and is for juvenile inmates under the age of 18 and for those who were enrolled in an ESE program in Lee County and are under the age of 22. This program also helps people prepare to take the GED test.
GED Program
This program is open to inmates that do not have their High School Diploma. Inmates receive help preparing for the GED, and when ready, are able to take the GED test.
Life Skills Program
Teaches basic life skills, with such topics as: Anger Management, Alternatives to Domestic Violence, Parenting Skills, Communications Skills, Men’s and Women’s Issues, Resume Writing, and Job Interviewing Skills, etc.
New Directions Program
A faith based program run by the facility Chaplain that touches on many of the topics presented in Life Skills but from a faith based perspective.
Residential Substance Abuse Treatment
The Residential Substance Abuse Treatment program works closely with the court system. It includes everything that is taught in the Life Skills program with a concentration on helping inmates with addiction problems.
Self-Help Groups
Several self-help groups at the jail are run by volunteers. Including: Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), Cocaine Anonymous (CA), Narcotics Anonymous (NA), and Al-Anon which is for people who are coping with someone who has a substance abuse problem.
Inmate Case Management
This program targets inmates who are at high risk to reoffend and sentenced to three months to one year.
Cell Dog Program
All Cell Dogs are unwanted rescues from Lee County Domestic Animal Services. The sheriff's office selects the dogs and the inmates train them for eight to 12 weeks before they are matched with their forever home.
The dog training program teaches inmates how to train dogs in basic obedience. Upon graduation, the dogs are highly adoptable and possess obedience skills such as Crate trained, House trained, Loose leash walking, Sit, lay down, Stay, come when called and heel. For more information about the program, click here.Pictures of Lee County Program Unit
Careers at Lee County Program Unit
If you are interested in a career with the Lee County Sheriff's Office and would like more information about the job openings at the Lee County Program Unit, click here.
Completely and accurately fill out the job application, then submit it in one of the following ways.
- Go to the Lee County Sheriff’s Office located at 14750 Six Mile Cypress Parkway, Fort Myers, FL 33912, and place your application in the Human Resources Dropbox in the Lobby
- Email the completed application packet to [email protected]
- Mail To: Attn: Human Resources
Lee County Sheriff’s Office
14750 Six Mile Cypress Parkway
Fort Myers, FL 33912
Employment Disqualifiers:
- Non-U.S. Citizenship, or no authorization to work in the U.S.
- Conviction of a felony
- Violation of LCSO employment drug policy
- Violation of FDLE moral character standards
