Sarasota County Jail

The average daily population of the jail is 950 inmates. The Sarasota County Jail has a rated capacity of 1,026 and a classification capacity of 827 (appropriate space in order to ideally separate inmates and provide adequate programs). On average, 50-60 people are booked into the jail each day.

Inmate Search

To find out if your loved one is being held in Sarasota County, click here, call 941.861.4165, 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 Sarasota County Jail.

Bonding someone out of the Sarasota County Jail

If an inmate has bondable charges, he or she can bond out at any time. A bond can be paid with or without a bail bond agent. The method (cash/surety) and amount of money needed for bonding someone out of the Sarasota County Jail depends on their charges. Most crimes, but not all crimes, are bondable offenses.

When you pay a cash bond at the jail, 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. 

Jail History

The original Sarasota County Jail was built in July 1956. Today, after major renovations, this structure (the “Old Courthouse”) houses the Clerk of the Court and various other offices, as well as several courtrooms. 

In August of 1975, a second jail was constructed to hold an additional 214 inmates. This jail is still in use today, and is called the, “West Wing.”  Presently, this wing houses females and new arrivals. Programs and Services are also located in the West Wing area, along with inmate property, classification, and office space dedicated to supervisory needs.

In June of 1987, the “East Wing” jail opened with additional bed space for 540 inmates. This is a linear style housing design, and consists of the main housing area for males, juveniles, administrative and punitively segregated inmates, and special management inmates. The recreation area is also located on the roof of the East Wing.

In November of 2002, a direct supervision wing was opened. This “North Wing” provides bed space for 288 inmates.  The new addition also includes a medical housing floor, a new kitchen facility, inmate video visitation, and administrative offices.

Prison Insights

Visiting Hours and Rules

To schedule visitation appointments online for the Sarasota County Jail, CLICK HERE.  

The Sarasota County Jail offers both on-site and remote visits. The on-site visits are free, but each remote internet video visitation session is $12.00 per 25 minute visit. 

Visits can be scheduled and canceled using either the GTL website or the App. Friends and Family members can schedule an on-site or internet video visit by visiting https://sarasotafl.gtlvisitme.com/app or by downloading the Android app "GTL Vismobile."

A kiosk is also available in the Sarasota County Jail lobby for those without internet access. 

Visits may be scheduled two weeks in advance and up to 24 hours prior to your desired visit. Visits may be canceled up to 48 hours prior to visit. 

Visiting Rules

Inmates are allowed three 50-minute visits per week. The maximum number of visitors allowed at each visit is three.

Visitors must be an adult (18 years or older) with an UNDAMAGED valid photo identification (driver's license, Florida I.D. card, Military I.D. card or passport). Expired, taped, or broken identification WILL NOT be accepted. Children may visit only when accompanied by a parent or guardian.

• Visitors with infants and small children may bring one baby bottle/one diaper/baby wipes/and a blanket. A diaper bag, which will be searched, is permitted. No strollers or baby carriers are allowed.

Photographs, writing materials, and cell phones are NOT allowed in the visitation area. Visitation can be denied if rules are violated.

Check your email often (& voicemail if applicable) prior to your scheduled visit to make sure your visit hasn't been canceled. A visit cannot be granted if you show up for a canceled visitation. Cancellations may occur due to disciplinary reasons, court dates, or medical appointments. 

Dress Code

• No miniskirts
• No short shorts
• No halter tops or tops with spaghetti straps
• No tank tops or muscle shirts
• No see through tops
• No tops that reveal cleavage or midriff
• No improper messages or images
• No bare feet

Visitation Hours

Internet Visits: 0830am – 1100am and 1200pm – 1800pm
On Site Visits: 0900am – 1100am and 1200pm – 1800pm 

*Visitation is available seven days a week.

Inmates who have not yet been classified (typically less than three days in jail) or are under special medical observation may not receive personal visits unless approved by administration. 

Inmate mail is no longer accepted at the correctional facility. All non-legal mail that is received will be returned to the sender. The Sarasota County Corrections Facility has contracted with Smart Communications to install Kiosks/Tablets in all housing units and will be available to inmates for outside and internal communications.

The Inmate Name and ID Number must be clearly PRINTED on the outside of the envelope or postcard to ensure the mail is posted to the correct amount. Mail not containing the inmate ID Number and the Name will be "Returned to Sender.”

All regular inmate postal mail (Postcards, Letters, Greeting Cards, etc.) will be scanned into the system and available to the inmates to view their postal mail via the inmate kiosk/tablets.

All inmate mail is destroyed after it is scanned into the system. DO NOT SEND important, original documents like marriage certificates, birth certificates, social security cards, and pictures. You should only mail copies of these documents or pictures that you do not need returned. 

Rejected Mail

Contraband items discovered in an inmate’s mail will be seized. Mail will not be rejected based on its contents, unless it falls under one of the following criteria:

• Contains photos depicting gang symbols/signs, nudity, lewd behavior
• Contains material which contains codes, blackmail, extortion, contraband, threats, or information about another inmate
• Contains plans of criminal activities, maps, or plots to escape, and any material which communicates information designed to encourage inmates to disrupt the jail by strikes, riots, fights, racial or religious hatred, or other prohibited acts
• Any publication which may adversely affect the security of the jail or the safety of the persons therein
• Publications which advocate the violent overthrow of the government of the United States or of a state, or which advocate violence or rebellion against government authority, under which the inmate is held
• Any publication which may adversely affect the security of the jail or the safety of the persons therein

Inmate E-Messaging

The Sarasota County Jail uses SmartJailMail.com for safe and secure electronic communication with inmates. Each message costs just 50 cents. To send or receive a message you MUST open a SmartJailMail.com account.

There is no cost to create an account and search for inmates, prisoners, or detainees to connect with. Once you have located an individual that you would like to connect with, you can send them a connection request. They will need to approve the request before you can send messages.

Service credits may be purchased through the web site using a major credit or debit card. You can purchase as many credits as you like and use them any time. You can also transfer credits to your contacts so they can easily respond to your messages.

Incoming messages will not be rejected based on its contents, unless the message falls under one of the following criteria:

• Any photos depicting gang symbols/signs, nudity, lewd behavior
• Any material which contains codes, blackmail, extortion, contraband, threats, or information about another inmate
• Any material which contains plans of criminal activities, maps, or plots to escape, and any material which communicates information designed to encourage inmates to disrupt the jail by strikes, riots, fights, racial or religious hatred, or other prohibited acts

Smart Inmate Messaging Sign Up

How to Call an Inmate

Inmates at the Sarasota County Jail cannot receive incoming phone calls, however, they have access to phones and can make outgoing calls from the inmate housing area daily. Phone calls are recorded and may be monitored at any time. 

Inmate Telephone Services are provided by Global Tel*Link. Friends and family members must establish a prepaid collect account to accept inmate calls at www.connectnetwork.com.

Tablet Services

The Sarasota County jail issues free Global Tel*Link’s tablets to inmates. Friends and family can send money for them to purchase per minute time for selective services, including the ability to stream music and play games.

How to Send Money

Friends and family can send money to their inmate at the Sarasota County Jail online via AccessCorrections.com or by using the Access Corrections App. Or call 1-866-345-1884 to speak with a live, bilingual agent. 

Money may also be deposited 24/7 at www.smartdeposit.com or by calling 1.866-394-0490 Monday –Friday between the hours of 08:00 AM and 08:00 PM.. The Pay Location is Sarasota County FL.  The ID number is the inmate PIN number.

There is a $3.95 service charge for phone transactions and $2.95 for internet transactions. The minimum deposit amount is $25 and the maximum is $100.

Lobby Kiosk

The Kiosk in the Sarasota County Jail lobby is available 24 hours a day and accepts cash or credit/debit cards (NO money orders or $1 bills). There is a service charge of $4.00 for cash deposits and $4.00 for credit/debit card deposits.

In-Person Local Retailer

If you would prefer to use a local retailer, register at CashPayToday.com to get a barcode, then you can make a deposit into your inmate's account while you shop at Dollar General, Family Dollar, CVS, 7-Eleven, and Speedway.

Money Orders

Money orders may be mailed to inmates at:
Access Corrections
P.O. Box 12486
St. Louis, MO 63132

Money orders must be made out to "Access Secure Deposits.” Include the state, city, inmate name, and ID number on all money orders. Example: Florida, Sarasota, John Smith, 0200012345.

Care Packages

Commissary care packages can be ordered online for inmates at the Sarasota County Jail at www.mycarepack.com or by calling 866.643.9557. 

How to order a MyCarePack

Programs For Inmates

The Sarasota County Correctional Facility is one of the most progressive and innovative correctional facilities in the state of Florida. Corrections personnel are working to change the thinking of those incarcerated at the facility by concentrating on responsibility, rehabilitation and reentry. 

Staff focuses on helping offenders see the importance of taking control of their lives, changing their thinking, and working to make themselves better while incarcerated. Of the dozens of programs offered, some of the most popular include housing in the faith-based and addiction recovery pods, specialized parenting classes for both men and women, adult and juvenile education, and enrollment in the Sheriff’s Offender Work Program.

A total of 76 programs and services are offered through the Inmate Program Coordinator’s Office, including self-help, religious and nonreligious workshops, and classes.  Some of the programs offered are:

• Personal Insight
• Free to Grow
• Anger Management
• Parenting classes for both men and women

Specialty Programs

The sheriff’s office has created several specialty programs including the Recovery Pod, C.A.R.E. Pod, Re-Entry Pod and Veterans Housing Unit. 

The Recovery Pod provides a place where like-minded inmates with similar experiences can work together in a recovery-focused environment that encourages them to address their addiction issues. Residents meet for two Alcoholic Anonymous (AA) meetings daily and two Narcotics Anonymous (NA) meetings weekly. 

The Collaborative Approach to Reintegration through Education (C.A.R.E.) Pod provides individuals with chronic and persistent mental health conditions an environment conducive to reintegration into society. Licensed Mental Health Counselors meet with residents daily to conduct group counseling and provide individualized treatment sessions.

The goal of the Re-Entry Pod is to assist inmates with reintegration into the community, reduce recidivism, and improve public safety. The pod aims to reduce barriers to reentry into the community by teaching inmates how to craft a resume, how to interview, build relationships, manage finances, and more  The pod also hosts job fairs to link offenders with local employers who offer career opportunities upon release.

The Veterans Housing Unit was created to reestablish connections for eligibility of veteran services provided by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Residents are evaluated and informed of job opportunities and their possible qualification for GI bill benefits, and they receive regular support from volunteers and members of the military and veteran communities. 

Pictures of Sarasota County Jail

Careers at Sarasota County Jail

If you are interested in a career with the Sarasota County Sheriff's Office and would like more information about the job openings at the Sarasota County Jail, click here. 

FOLLOW THIS LINK TO DOWNLOAD AN APPLICATION.

Civilian applicants must:

• Possess a High School Diploma or GED.
• Successfully complete the Wonderlic Basic Skills Test and achieve a score of 248 or higher in Verbal Skills and 241 or higher in Quantitative Skills (math).
• Successfully complete an interview with appropriate staff personnel.
• Be at least 18 years of age.
• Must submit to a typing test (specified positions only). Must meet the agency approved Drug and Tobacco Policy.
• Submit to a polygraph and complete background investigation.
• Submit to a complete physical examination including drug screen and hearing test (specified positions only).

The following positions are currently available within the Sarasota County Sheriff's Office: 

Communications Operator
Corrections Deputy
Court Services Deputy
Deputy Sheriff
School Safety Deputy