Broward County Inmate Search
Anyone who violates a law or regulation of the state or country in Broward County may be arrested to answer for their offense. An arrest can lead to prosecution, which may result in incarceration for a short or extended time, based on the gravity of the crime committed. Persons seeking to locate an inmate or arrestee after incarceration may do so by performing a Broward county inmate search. Inmate searches are available through databases of Broward County Florida Public Records maintained by record custodians in the county.
In Broward County, an arrest does not mean an individual has been convicted of a crime. It means that someone was caught committing a misdemeanor or felony or violating a municipal or county ordinance in the presence of an officer. An arrest can also occur when a police officer reasonably believes that the individual committed the offense (Fla. Stat. § 901.15) or when a warrant for the arrest has been issued in a person's name. Interestingly, under Florida law, a private person can lawfully arrest another person if they believe or know the latter committed a felony. However, there is no specific statute addressing citizens' arrests in Florida.
Courts in Broward County ensure that anyone arrested is brought before a magistrate for arraignment within 24 hours. (Nevertheless, an arrested individual can bond out of jail if no formal charges are filed against them). An arraignment can lead to an incarceration sentence in any of the four jail facilities in the county.
Broward County jails hold inmates awaiting trial or serving a relatively short sentence. Inmates serving a sentence of a year or more are incarcerated in prison facilities. The Broward County Sheriff's Office runs the county jail facilities.
Inmate records are considered public in the United States and therefore are made available by both traditional governmental agencies as well as third-party websites and organizations. Third-party websites may offer an easier means to search, as these services do not face geographical limitations. However, because third-party sites are not government-sponsored, the information obtained through them may vary from official channels. To find inmate records using third-party aggregate sites, requesting parties must provide:
- The location of the sought-after record, including state, county, and city where the inmate resides.
- The name of the person listed in the record, unless it is a juvenile.
Broward County Crime and Incarceration Statistics
According to the Broward County Sheriff's Department of Detention, approximately 41,982 inmates were booked into the county jails in 2021 for crimes ranging from minor civil infractions to more severe crimes. These inmates cut across different ethnic groups, age brackets, and socioeconomic groups.
The Average Inmate Population Report for August 2022, prepared by the Florida Department of Corrections, Bureau of Research and Data Analysis, reported an average daily population of 3,591 for the Broward County Detention Facilities, with an incarceration rate of 1.8. Out of this number, the Main Jail had an ADP of 1,211 inmates, North Broward Bureau had 782, Paul Rein Detention had 600, and Joseph V. Conte Facility had 998.
Many of the inmates reported were pre-trial inmates for felony and misdemeanor crimes, with the Main Jail having the most significant number of 1,096 pre-trial inmates for felony crimes and 42 pre-trial inmates for misdemeanor crimes.
Broward County Prison System
The Broward County jail system is the 13th largest local jail system in the country. The Broward County Sheriff's Department of Detention manages the jail system, which has received national accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation for Corrections.
The jail system in Broward County consists of four jail facilities housing people awaiting trial, those sentenced to confinement, and those who violated their probation.
The Broward County jail system's four facilities have a rated capacity of 5,086 inmates: the Main Jail with a total capacity of 1,538, the Joseph V. Conte facility with a capacity of 1,328, North Broward Bureau (special needs detention facility) with a capacity of 1,200, and Paul Rein Detention facility with a total of 1,020.
How to Find an Inmate in Broward County
Individuals incarcerated in Broward County jails can be located via the sheriff's arrest search online or by contacting the jail facilities directly.
To look up an inmate via the online system, individuals must enter the inmate's first or last name into the search boxes and click the search button. Search results include inmates' names, photographs, arrest information, locations, visitation arrangements, etc.
Alternatively, people trying to locate an inmate can contact the Broward County jail at (954) 831-5900 to find an inmate incarcerated in any jail facility.
How Does a Broward County Inmate Search Work?
Per the Florida Public Records Law, information about inmates in any Broward County jail is accessible to the public. The law ensures that records produced or received by public officers working in the county are available to the public, except when the law prohibits access. Therefore, anyone can access detailed information about inmates in Broward County, including:
- Personal details: This includes an inmate's full name (first, middle, and last name), sex, race, age, date of birth, mugshot, and physical description like height, weight, eye color, and hair color.
- Arrest details: This includes the inmate's arrest date and time; the booking date, time, number, and location; the arresting officer and agency; and offense details.
- Court-related details: Information in this category includes the case number, the name and address of the court handling the case, the next court date, sentencing date, court disposition, fine amount, and bail amount.
Where to Find a Broward County Inmate Locator
U.S. jurisdictions typically provide a search tool that the public can use to locate inmates housed in federal, state, or county jail facilities.
The Broward County Sheriff's Office provides an inmate locator that can be used to find inmates in any of the four county jail facilities. The locator is accessible on the website of the sheriff's office. Individuals only need to submit an inmate's first and last name to use this online tool.
However, if an inmate cannot be found using the county sheriff's locator, it may mean that the local law enforcement agency does not have supervision over the inmate. In this case, an individual can widen their search to the state prison facilities using the offender search tool maintained by the Florida Department of Corrections website.
Individuals can also search using the Bureau of Prisons Inmate Locator or Online Detainee Locator System (ODLS) maintained by the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) and the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), respectively if suspecting that an inmate is federally supervised or detained.
It should be noted that some third-party websites offer inmate locator tools, in many cases, in exchange for a fee. This fee varies from site to site. However, while accessible using an inmate's name and state of incarceration, third-party inmate locators may not be as detailed or current as the government inmate locators.
How to Send Money to a Broward County Inmate
Inmates in Broward County can receive funds from family and friends in their commissary account. However, loved ones must wait until an inmate has been assigned permanent housing and transferred to a housing unit before moving funds.
Family and friends can transfer funds to a Broward County inmate's account using the lobby kiosk at the jail facilities. Daily cash deposits are possible. Automated Teller Machines (ATM) are available for cash withdrawal if one does not have cash on hand.
Generally, inmates can access cash deposited through the lobby kiosk approximately 30 minutes after the deposit.
Besides the lobby kiosk, individuals can use Western Union to send funds to an inmate online, by phone, or in person. More information about these transactions can be obtained from the sheriff's website.
How to Visit a Broward County Inmate
Visits to an inmate at the Broward County jail facilities are held at the video visitation center or remotely via a smartphone. Individuals can sign up and arrange for a video visitation online or visit the video visitation center at the address below.
3700 West Oakland Park Boulevard
Lauderdale Lakes, FL 33311
No visitation is allowed without prior scheduling. Also, visits may be arranged, canceled, or modified between one and seven days in advance.
Every inmate at the Broward County jail facilities enjoys two visits per week via the visitation center, and each visit can last as long as one hour. However, jail emergency and administrative challenges may occasionally lead to visit cancellation or postponement.
When visiting a Broward County inmate, individuals must be aware of the following rules and regulations:
- Video visitation is not allowed during any motor vehicle operation, machinery operation, or while performing unsafe activities.
- All video visits are recorded and monitored.
- The video visitation center allows no videos, audio recordings, or photographs. Anyone caught may lose visitation privileges.
- Visits at the video visitation center are free and last one hour. However, a remote visit has a 30-minute limit and costs $5
- Postponement and cancellation due to jail emergencies or administrative reasons are communicated via email or phone.
- Only two approved visitors are allowed per visit. Minors below 18 years and infants are considered visitors.
- No one is allowed to visit under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
- All visitors must submit identification upon arrival at the center. Only government-issued photo IDs are permitted. Examples include a valid Florida or other state driver's license, state ID, passport, or military ID.
- All visitors must be dressed properly. The appropriateness of dressing is at the discretion of the visitation center staff.
- Visitors who damage or deface visiting booths or phones may be charged and prosecuted accordingly.
- Walking around and other disruptive or suggestive behaviors are not allowed during visitation.
How to Send Jail Mail in Broward County
Inmates incarcerated in any of the Broward County jail facilities can receive mail. However, due to safety and security issues, the Broward County Sheriff's Office only allows a postcard for routine incoming mail. At the same time, an envelope is permitted for legal and privileged mail. Mails not in the form of an acceptable pre-stamped postcard are not accepted.
All incoming mail is delivered to inmates from Monday through Friday. All correspondence is opened and scrutinized for security threats and contrabands such as checks, money, matches, cigarettes, postcards larger than 4.5" X 6", chewing gum, inappropriate photos, lighters, jewelry, etc. However, mail from legal representatives is opened in the presence of the inmate addressee.
To send mail to any inmate, individuals must include the following details.
- The inmate's full name
- The inmate's arrest number
- The facility's mailing address
The mailing addresses for the four jail facilities in Broward County are listed below.
Joseph V. Conte Facility
P.O. Box 407016
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33340
North Broward Bureau
P.O. Box 407037
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33340
Paul Rein Detention
P.O. Box 407003
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33340
Main Jail Bureau
P.O. Box 9356
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33310
Individuals can review the sheriff's Guidelines for Inmate Mail page for additional information.
Broward County Jails and Prisons
The names and contact information of the jails in Broward County are as follows:
Joseph V. Conte Facility
1351 Northwest 27th Avenue
Pompano Beach, FL 33069
Phone: (954) 831-5900
North Broward Bureau
1550 Blount Road
Pompano Beach, FL 33069
Phone: (954) 831-5900
Paul Rein Detention
2421 Northwest 16th Street
Pompano Beach, FL 33069
Phone: (954) 831-5900
Main Jail Bureau
555 Southeast 1st Avenue
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301
Phone: (954) 831-5900
