Sarasota Released Inmate Search

Sarasota County tracks released inmates through the Sheriff's Office inmate search system. The jail is at 2020 Main Street in Sarasota, Florida 34237. You can call (941) 861-4165 for questions about current inmates or people who have been released. The online inmate search lets you look up people who are in jail now or who were recently let go. This tool helps families, attorneys, and others find information about arrests and releases in Sarasota County. The search database updates regularly to show new bookings and releases.

Sheriff's Inmate Database

The Sheriff's Office runs the county jail and maintains all inmate records. The main office is located at 2020 Main Street, Sarasota, Florida 34237. For general questions about inmates or jail operations, call (941) 861-4165. Staff can answer questions about whether someone is in custody or has been released.

The inmate search is available online through the Sheriff's Office website. It shows current inmates and some release information. You can search by name to find out if someone is in jail or has been let go. The database includes booking details, charges, and bond amounts. Release dates may appear for people who have already left the facility. If you need more detailed information not shown in the online search, contact the Sheriff's Office directly.

Sarasota County Jail processes releases throughout the day as inmates post bond or complete their sentences. Some people get released quickly after first appearance if they make bond. Others serve longer stays before walking out. The jail staff updates the inmate roster when releases occur, though there may be brief delays in the online system. For real-time information, calling the jail is the fastest way to confirm if someone has been released.

Using the Online Inmate Search

The online search tool is simple to use. Go to the Sarasota County Sheriff's Office website and find the inmate search link. Enter the person's first name and last name. The system returns results matching your search. You can see booking photos, charges, and bond information. The search shows current inmates and may include recent releases.

If the person you're looking for does not appear in the results, they may have been released or transferred. County jail records only cover people held in Sarasota County. For state prison inmates, use the Florida Department of Corrections database at pubapps.fdc.myflorida.com. For federal inmates, check the Federal Bureau of Prisons locator.

Sometimes the online search has limited details. You may see a name and booking date but not a release date. This can happen when the release is very recent and the system has not updated yet. Call (941) 861-4165 to speak with staff who can look up the inmate in the live jail roster. They can tell you if the person is still in custody or has been released.

How Inmates Get Released in Sarasota County

Most inmates get released after posting bond. A judge sets the bond amount at first appearance court. The inmate or their family can pay the bond to secure release. Some people use a bail bondsman who posts the bond for a fee. Once the bond is paid and processed, the inmate is released from jail.

Some inmates serve their full sentence and are released when their time is done. For short sentences, this might be a few days or weeks. The jail calculates release dates based on the sentence and any time credits. When the release date arrives, the inmate is let go. Some people get released when charges are dropped or cases are dismissed. If the state attorney decides not to prosecute or a judge throws out the case, the inmate walks out right away.

In rare cases, inmates are transferred to other facilities instead of being released. They might go to state prison after sentencing or to another county if they have charges pending there. Transfers are not the same as releases. If you're looking for someone and they don't appear in the Sarasota search, check with the Sheriff's Office to see if they were transferred.

Florida Public Records Law

Chapter 119, Florida Statutes, is the Public Records Act. It requires government agencies to provide access to most records. Jail records in Sarasota County fall under this law. You can request records about an inmate's arrest, booking, and release. To request records, contact the Sheriff's Office in writing or by phone. Provide as much detail as you can about the inmate and what records you need.

Some information is confidential and cannot be released. Section 945.10 lists exemptions for medical records, mental health files, and substance abuse treatment records. Victim statements and witness protection information also stay confidential. If a record contains confidential details, the Sheriff's Office will redact those parts before releasing the document. You may need to pay fees for copies or extensive searches. Section 119.07 allows agencies to charge for labor and copying costs.

Florida Department of Corrections for State Inmates

Sarasota County Jail holds people waiting for trial and those serving short county sentences. For people convicted of felonies and sent to state prison, use the Florida Department of Corrections database. The FDC Offender Search is at pubapps.fdc.myflorida.com. This portal searches all state facilities including prisons, work camps, and release centers.

The FDC system includes several databases. The Inmate Population Information Search shows current state inmates. The Inmate Release Information Search updates nightly and shows people who have been released or are scheduled for release. The Supervised Population Information Search lists offenders on probation or parole. The Absconder/Fugitive Information Search tracks people who stopped reporting to supervision. Each database has different search options and update schedules.

If someone was sentenced to state prison from Sarasota County, they will not appear in the county jail search once transferred to FDC custody. You must use the state database to track their status and release date. For questions about state inmates, contact the Bureau of Admission and Release at (850) 488-9167 or email dc.release@fdc.myflorida.com.

Cities in Sarasota County

Several cities are located in Sarasota County. Residents arrested in these areas are brought to the county jail in Sarasota.

Nearby Counties

Other counties near Sarasota also maintain their own jail systems and inmate records.