Lee County Inmate Search
An inmate search becomes possible when a person who has been arrested in Lee County is held in jail awaiting trial or on sentence. A police officer arrests people with or without a warrant (F.S. 901.02 and 901.15) when they break the law.
Upon an arrest, a suspect is brought to the Downtown Jail for booking. The suspect’s personal information, mugshot, and fingerprints will be taken. They would be searched for contraband and asked to change into prison clothing. The suspect could notify their friends or family of the arrest. If the case is bondable, a bond would be set. After 24 hours of arrest, the suspect would be brought to court (arraignment). During the arraignment, the judge will review the bond amount and make necessary changes. The judge will also advise the suspect of the charges. The arrested person (defendant) can enter a plea of guilty, no contest, or not guilty. After arraignment, a pretrial or disposition date will be set. At the pre-trial conference, the defense attorney and the defendant will appear in court to discuss if it is possible not to go to trial. A trial date will be set if a plea agreement is not reached. The trial may be a jury or a bench trial. Regardless of which type of trial, the prosecutor annd the defense attorney will make opening statements and present evidence and witnesses. The attorneys could cross-examine witnesses, challenge evidence and give closing summary statements. If it is a jury trial, the jury will leave the courtroom to deliberate on the case. All juries must agree on the verdict before it is presented to the judge.
If the defendant is found not guilty, the case will be dismissed. However, if the defendant is found guilty, the case will proceed to a sentencing phase. If the defendant is guilty of a felony, the Florida State Sentencing Guidelines would be used to determine the penalty. Generally, the defendant could be sentenced to pay fines or sent to any of the Lee County jails. Records of this inmate can be retrieved at the Lee County Sheriff’s Office Corrections Bureau when an inmate search is conducted.
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.
Lee County Crime and Incarceration Statistics
Based on the 2021 Sheriff’s Office annual report, about 8400 individuals were arrested in Lee County. This was a 3.66% decrease from the arrest statistics of 2020. Most offenders were arrested for simple assault/stalking, narcotics violations, DUI, motor vehicle thefts, and aggravated assault.
Lee County Prison System
The Sheriff’s Office Corrections Bureau oversees the prison system in Lee County. The jail facilities include:
- Downtown Jail
- Core Facility
- Community Program Unit (CPU)
The Downtown Jail has 457 beds, the core facility has 1,216 beds, and the CPU has 336 beds. As of 2019, the average daily population (ADP) at the Lee County jails was 1,712. This is a decrease from the 2018 ADP, which was 1,773. Over 22,848 inmates were booked that same year, and nearly 23,010 were released. The Lee County Sheriff’s Office Corrections Bureau spends over $95 on an inmate per day. As of December 2022, the average population of inmates in Lee County was 1,401.
How to Find an Inmate in Lee County
A record seeker can find an inmate in Lee County online or in person at the Sheriff’s Office Corrections Bureau. Here is how to find an inmate online:
- Go to the Sheriff’s Office website.
- Click on “ABOUT US” at the top bar, then click on “Bureaus & Departments” and click on “Corrections Bureau” from the dropdown.
- Scroll down and click on “Arrest Search” and fill in the inmate’s name, date of birth, booking number, or booking date range to conduct a search.
Alternatively, individuals can visit the Lee County Sheriff’s Office to request inmate records. Requesters would have to provide the inmate’s name or booking number. The office is located at:
Lee County Sheriff’s Office
14750 Six Mile Cypress,
Fort Myers, FL 33912
How Does a Lee County Inmate Search Work?
The Florida Public Records Law allows members of the public to inspect or copy inmate information from law enforcement agencies in Lee County, except if such records are deemed confidential. Confidential records (like investigatory and juvenile records) can only be assessed by an authorized few. Some inmate information that can be obtained during a Lee County inmate search is:
- Inmate's first, middle, and last names
- ID number
- Mugshot
- Date of birth
- Booking number, date, and time
- Current status
- Released date and time
- Race, sex, height, and weight
- Address
- Charge/ arresting agency
- Bond date and amount
- Court name, case number
- Hearing date and time
Where to Find a Lee County Inmate Locator
Individuals can find a Lee County Inmate Locator on the Sheriff’s Office website. A search can be conducted by name (first, middle, and last), date of birth, booking number, booking date range, or release date range.
A record seeker can also find Imate Locator on the Florida Department of Corrections website. This Locator can be used to find Lee County inmates housed in state prisons. Requesters must provide the inmate’s last name, first name, or DC number to use this locator. Lee County inmates are also housed in federal prisons. One can find an Inmate Locator on the Federal Bureau of Prisons that can be used to find these inmates. The inmate locator can be found by clicking “Inmates” at the top bar of the homepage. Click on the “Find an Inmate” link from the drop-down menu and conduct a search by number or name. The search result will reveal an inmate's first and last name, register number, age, race, sex, and release date.
Alternatively, a requester can use inmate locators available on third-party websites. Individuals must provide the inmate’s name, booking number, and location (including state and county). A fee may be required to complete the search.
How to Send Money to a Lee County Inmate
The Lee County Sheriff’s Office Corrections Bureau allows individuals to deposit monies in inmate accounts online, by phone, or in person. Online deposits can be made via a third-party website. Phone deposits can be made by calling the Trust fund automated payment system at (888) 988-4768 and using the number #154. Individuals can use their credit cards to make deposits online or by phone. In-person deposits can be made at the kiosk machines at the jail. Deposits can be made with cash and credit cards.
How to Visit a Lee County Inmate
When admitted into the Lee County jail, inmates are given a packet containing an Inmate Visitation List. The inmates must write the names of 5 family members or friends they want to visit. Children under the age of 1 are not counted as visitors, so they will not be placed on the list. The Inmate Visitation List can also exclude clergy and attorneys. A clergy can schedule a visit by calling Chaplain's Office at (239) 477-1772.
Inmates are allowed to update the visitation lists every 4 months. Inmates are allowed 2 weekly visitations for an hour each. Up to 2 visitors from the visitation list will be allowed to visit inmates simultaneously.
All visitors must register and schedule visits via a third-party visitation program. Visitation holds between Monday and Sunday from 5 a.m. to 11 p.m. Visitations in Lee County jails are coordinated through video and can be done online or in person. Onsite visitations are done at the Visitation facility located on the Ortiz site. Onsite visitors must arrive at the facility 15 minutes before the scheduled time. Visitors 16 years and older must present a Photo ID with their date of birth. Acceptable IDs are prison IDs, passports, driver's licenses, ID cards, or Military IDs. They must check their names against the authorized visitation list. Minors (under 18) must visit the facility in the company of an adult authorized visitor. Visitors cannot bring cigarettes, cameras, purses, water bottles, food/drink, cell phones, lighters, radios, record or tape players, gifts, or baby bags into the visitation area.
How to Send Jail Mail in Lee County
Family, friends, and loved ones can send mail to Lee County inmates electronically or through postcards. Electronic mail can be sent via a third-party service provider. This service offers free sign-ups, but mail is sent and received at a small fee. Alternatively, individuals can send mails directly to the Smart Communications Lee County Sheriff’s Office at:
Lee County Sheriff’s Office
P.O. Box 9152
Seminole, FL 33775
Every mail sent to the Office must state the inmate’s name and booking number. Contraband items are usually returned to the senders. The following items are prohibited via mail:
- Money
- Books
- Clothing
- Candy, snacks, and food
- Enveloped letters and Polaroid pictures
- Battery or electronically operated cards
- Care packages and hygiene items
- Envelopes
- Glitter and stickers
- Magazines
- Medication
- Writing paper and stamps
Lee County Jails and Prisons
Below are the names, addresses, and contact information of all the jail facilities, prisons, and detention centers in Lee County:
Fort Myers Work Camp
2575 Ortiz Avenue
Fort Myers, FL 33994-1107
Phone: (239) 332-6915
Fax: (239) 332-6992
Fort Myers Youth Academy
2515 Ortiz Avenue
Fort Myers, FL 33905
Phone: (239) 215-4700
Glades County Juvenile Detention Center
2525 Ortiz Avenue
Fort Myers, FL 33905
Phone: (239) 332-6927
Fax: (239) 332-6931
Hendry County Juvenile Detention Center
2525 Ortiz Avenue
Fort Myers, FL 33905
Phone: (239) 332-6927
Fax: (239) 332-6931
Lee County Core / CPU Facility
2501 Ortiz Ave,
Fort Myers, FL 33905
Phone: (239) 477 1500
Lee County Jail
2115 dr Martin Luther King Jr Blvd,
Fort Myers, FL 33901
Phone: (239) 477-1700
Lee County Juvenile Detention Center
2525 Ortiz Avenue
Fort Myers, FL 33905
Phone: (239) 332-6927
Fax: (239) 332-6931
Sw Florida Regional Juvenile Detention Center
2525 Ortiz Avenue
Fort Myers, FL 33905
Phone: (239) 332-6927
Fax: (239) 332-6931
