Palm Beach County Inmate Search

This article explains how to do a Palm Beach County Florida inmate search, what the search results mean, where individuals are housed, how to plan a visit, how phone and mail rules work, and how to check court records and official public records. It’s written for families, attorneys, journalists, and community members who need accurate, government-sourced information presented in a straightforward way.

Navigate the System With Confidence: How the Palm Beach County Jail Process Works

When someone is arrested in Palm Beach County, they are processed through the Sheriff’s Office Department of Corrections. Booking information and current custody status are recorded, classification determines housing, and the case proceeds through the Fifteenth Judicial Circuit. Understanding these touchpoints helps you use the inmate search effectively and anticipate next steps, from bail decisions to court appearances and eventual release or transfer.

Arrest and Booking: Intake collects personal identifiers, fingerprints, photographs, and initial charge data. A booking (and, later, a “jacket”) number ties all records together.

Custody and Classification: Security levels (maximum, medium, minimum) and special-population considerations guide placement at either the Main Detention Center in West Palm Beach or the West Detention Center in Belle Glade.

Court Interface: Transport and court appearances are coordinated under Court Services; court case details live with the Clerk & Comptroller.

The Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office (PBSO) provides centralized, official tools to check an individual’s custodial status and related information. The sections below show exactly where to find and how to interpret those resources.

Start Here: Use the Official Palm Beach County Inmate Search

The county maintains an official Booking Blotter that allows you to look up people currently in custody or booked within a date range. Use Find an Inmate to perform the search and filter by name, agency, arrest date, and more: see Inmate Search (Booking Blotter).

Practical steps to run an accurate search

Pick a date range: By default, the search window includes recent bookings. Adjust the start and end dates to capture the period you need (for example, to cover a weekend or a specific incident date).

Start broad, then refine: If you’re unsure of spelling, enter partial first or last name. Add the city or statute only if you need to narrow similar results.

Note the booking and jacket numbers: These identifiers are essential when calling Inmate Records, sending mail, or depositing funds.

Interpret cautions correctly: The Sheriff’s Office cautions that individuals can use aliases and that data may change as cases update. Treat results as informational rather than legal proof.

What you’ll usually see in results

Name and identifiers (booking number, sometimes jacket number)
Booking date and arresting agency
Listed statutes/charges as entered at booking
Custody status (e.g., in custody, released, transferred)
Facility assignment (Main Detention Center or West Detention Center)

If the search returns “no records,” expand your date range, try only the last name, or check for alternative spellings. If the person has been transferred to another jurisdiction or is no longer in PBSO custody, the blotter will not show active custody in Palm Beach County.

Read the Booking Information Like a Pro: Charges, Agencies, and Status

Understanding the fields in the booking record helps you avoid common misinterpretations:

Statutes and charges reflect booking allegations and may not match the final charges filed by the State Attorney. They can also be amended during the case.

Arresting agency might be PBSO or one of the municipal or state agencies operating in the county (e.g., West Palm Beach Police). The blotter lets you filter by agency if needed.

Status changes quickly: Bond postings, court orders, or transfers can change a person’s location and availability. Always check the most recent entry or call Inmate Records with the booking number.

For confirmations you can call PBSO Inmate Records. Keep the booking number ready to speed up assistance.

Know the Facilities: Where People Are Housed and Why It Matters

Palm Beach County operates two primary detention centers. Facility assignment affects visitation logistics, mail routing, and release pickup locations. Learn more about each facility’s location and role at the official pages:

Main Detention Center — A large facility on Gun Club Road in West Palm Beach; houses adult males across custody levels, and certain juvenile and special populations.

West Detention Center — Located in Belle Glade; houses all custody levels and serves communities in western Palm Beach County.

Facility assignment can change due to classification, medical needs, or operational reasons. Always verify current location via the inmate search before planning a visit or mailing items.

Plan and Schedule a Visit: Rules and Steps You Must Follow

To visit someone in custody, you have to follow PBSO Corrections policies for registration, scheduling, identification, and attire. The Sheriff’s Office maintains up-to-date rules and scheduling guidance at Visitation.

Key points visitors should prepare for

Registration and scheduling: Schedule visits according to the facility’s procedures. Have the inmate’s full booked name and jacket or booking number.

Identification: Bring a valid, government-issued photo ID that matches your registration information.

Arrival time and check-in: Plan to arrive early to clear security screening and complete check-in steps at the designated lobby.

Dress and conduct standards: Follow posted guidelines to avoid being turned away; non-compliance can result in denied visitation.

Special circumstances: Visitation logistics may differ for juveniles, special populations, or housing units with restricted movement. Check the latest instructions before traveling.

Visitation schedules can change due to operational needs. If you’re traveling a long distance, confirm your visit the day of your appointment using the inmate’s identifiers.

Call Policies and Call Costs: What Families Should Expect

Inmates have access to phones in their assigned housing units but cannot receive incoming calls. Calls are typically collect or debit-based. Rates vary depending on local, in-state long-distance, and interstate calling. Keep in mind:

Local calls and long-distance calls are billed at posted rates; fees are subject to change per provider agreements.

No inbound calls: You cannot call into a housing unit or leave messages. Plan around the inmate’s dayroom access or canteen schedule.

Account setup: Phone accounts are created through the approved service used by PBSO; exact sign-up instructions are provided by the jail and on posted materials.

If an urgent matter arises (for example, a verified medical emergency), contact the facility to ask about welfare checks. Routine messages won’t be relayed.

Mail, Publications, and What Gets Refused: Follow the Rules to Avoid Returns

Palm Beach County Corrections has postcard-only rules for routine mail, with specific size and content requirements. Detailed guidance is published under FAQ: Property, Mail, Finance and Commissary.

Postcard policy essentials

Format: All non-privileged incoming mail must be postcards only (letters in envelopes are refused and returned).

Size: Minimum ~3.5" × 5"; maximum ~4.25" × 6".

Content and appearance: Postcards must be handwritten or typed in black or blue ink and follow content restrictions. Items with unauthorized content are refused.

Addressing: Include the inmate’s booked name, jacket number, and cell assignment if provided.

Books, newspapers, and magazines

Publications must come directly from the publisher or a licensed warehousing source.

Books: Only new softcover paperbacks accepted, with total limits on quantity.

Periodicals: Limits apply to the number of newspapers and magazines an inmate may receive concurrently.

Following these standards prevents delays, returns, and possible disciplinary restrictions for the inmate.

Commissary and Money: Deposits, Ordering Limits, and Fees You Should Know

PBSO supports commissary purchases to allow inmates to buy hygiene items, snacks, stationery, and approved clothing. Key points from the Sheriff’s Office policy:

Deposit options: Funds can be deposited in person via designated lobbies or remotely through channels approved by PBSO Corrections. Some lobbies feature kiosks that accept cash and cards; convenience fees may apply to kiosk transactions.

Ordering schedules and limits: Each housing unit has a set ordering day. As of the most recent guidance, inmates may spend up to $90 on clothing items and $90 on additional items during an ordering cycle (total $180), subject to change per posted rules.

Daily and processing fees: Inmates are charged a daily maintenance fee and an initial processing fee per incarceration. Self-initiated medical or dental clinic visits carry posted charges (for example, clinic visits and prescriptions are billed at preset amounts).

Account balances: There is no maximum on account balances, but high balances can trigger reporting requirements under federal law.

Always keep receipts. Deposits can be subject to automatic deductions for outstanding obligations to the facility.

Bonding and Release: How to Post Bond and Where to Pick Someone Up

If you’re posting bond:

Verify bond amount: Call Inmate Records with the inmate’s booked name and numbers to confirm the precise amount and any holds.

Payment methods: Options include cash, certified funds, and surety bonds through licensed bondsmen. Electronic payment channels may be available as posted by PBSO; be ready with the inmate’s full booked name, jacket number, and booking number.

Self-bonding: If funds are held in the inmate’s property, the inmate can request to use them for bond during the intake process (subject to verification and signatures).

Release locations: Once processed, released individuals exit through the Main Detention Center Visitor’s Lobby or at the West Detention Center (depending on where they are housed when the release is executed). Friends and family can wait in the Visitor’s Lobby or expect a phone call after the person clears release procedures.

Property Retrieval: How to Pick Up Stored Items

If an inmate authorizes you to retrieve personal property:

Written authorization is required from the inmate.

Property pick-ups are processed on business days during posted hours.

Bring valid photo ID and follow signs for “Inmate Release” to the release lobby.

Timing matters: Property must be retrieved while the inmate remains in PBSO custody. After transfer or release, property handling follows the receiving agency’s process or the release procedures already completed.

Victim and Community Notifications: Use Official Channels

Palm Beach County participates in Victim Information and Notification Everyday (VINE) to notify victims about custody changes, including releases and transfers. For people housed in PBSO detention facilities, you may register for notifications by phone at 1-877-846-3435. Always confirm the inmate’s identifiers for accurate enrollment.

If you observe suspicious behavior related to public safety, report it through the Sheriff’s Office channels provided on their official site. For emergencies, dial 911.

Court Records and Calendars: Track the Case Through the Clerk & Comptroller

The Sheriff’s Office records booking events, but case files, dockets, and official court records are maintained by the Clerk & Comptroller. To search court records, order certified copies, or get case-specific updates, use Records (Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller, Palm Beach County).

What you can do with the Clerk’s tools:

Look up case information by name or case number.
View dockets, scheduled hearings, and court orders (where available).
Request certified documents and submit public records requests for court materials.

Linking the booking number to the court case number isn’t automatic; rely on the person’s full legal name and other identifiers in the Clerk’s portal.

Public Records, Arrest Reports, and Traffic Crash Reports: Where to Ask

For official Sheriff’s Office records outside the court file—such as certain incident reports or records maintained by PBSO—contact Central Records. The division provides guidance on what is releasable and how to request it. Start with Central Records for procedures and contact details.

Tips for a faster records request:

Supply full name, date of birth, and—if known—booking number or incident date.
Specify the type of record (e.g., booking sheet, incident report) and the date range.
Note that exemptions under Florida law may limit what can be released.

When the Person Is in a Different Status: Transfers, State Sentences, or ICE Holds

Not every person booked into the Palm Beach County jail will remain there:

Transfers to other county jails, state prisons, or federal custody change the custodial authority. The PBSO blotter will no longer show active custody after transfer.

Court-ordered state sentences result in movement to the Florida Department of Corrections; tracking then shifts to the state’s inmate locator.

Detainers and holds (for example, immigration or out-of-county warrants) can delay release even after local charges resolve.

If results are confusing, contact Inmate Records and ask specifically about holds, detainers, or release conditions.

Reentry, Pretrial, and Services That Support Stability

Stability after release improves outcomes. Palm Beach County’s justice services provide support at different stages:

Pretrial Services helps eligible individuals comply with court conditions and return to court as required. Learn about eligibility and supervision components at Public Safety – Justice Services Pre-Trial Services.

Reentry Services connects returning residents to identification, employment assistance, behavioral health, and other supports that reduce recidivism. See Public Safety – Justice Services Reentry Services.

These county programs do not control custody status, but they can make a real difference in compliance and stabilization once someone is released.

Troubleshooting Common Situations During Your Inmate Search

“I can’t find the person in the blotter.”

Expand your date range and try partial name searches.
Check spelling variants, nicknames, or hyphenated names.
Ask Inmate Records whether the person was released, transferred, or booked under an alias.

“The facility listed yesterday is different today.”

Housing and classification shift frequently. Re-check the Booking Blotter just before traveling for a visit, then verify the facility page directions for the correct lobby.

“I need the exact release location and time.”

Release processing times vary by caseload, time of day, and verification steps. Plan to wait at the Main Detention Center Visitor’s Lobby or the West Detention Center depending on current housing.

“How do I send books or newspapers?”

Order directly from a publisher or a licensed distribution source (no used books; softcover only).

Make sure the mailing label includes the inmate’s booked name, jacket number, and cell assignment.

“What if I think the booking information is wrong?”

Remember that booking data is informational and can change. For official case status, use the Clerk’s Records tools. For concerns about the jail record itself, ask Central Records what can be corrected or annotated.

Policy Essentials Worth Memorizing

Postcards only for routine mail; letters in envelopes are refused.

No incoming calls to inmates; use the phone system available in housing units.

Deposits are allowed (fees may apply); keep receipts and use identifiers correctly.

Daily maintenance and processing fees apply to inmate accounts; medical visits and prescriptions carry posted charges.

Visitation requires scheduling and adherence to facility rules; bring valid ID and dress appropriately.

Booking data is not the same as court records; use the Clerk’s portal for official case information.

Departments, Addresses, and Phone Numbers

Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office – Headquarters / General Information — 3228 Gun Club Road, West Palm Beach, FL 33406; Phone: (561) 688-3000

PBSO – Inmate Records — Phone: (561) 688-4340

PBSO – Main Detention Center (Administration) — 3228 Gun Club Road, West Palm Beach, FL 33406-3001; Phone: (561) 688-3000

PBSO – West Detention Center — 38811 James Wheeler Way, Belle Glade, FL 33430; Phone: (561) 688-3000

Palm Beach County Clerk & Comptroller – Court Records — Phone: (561) 355-2996

Palm Beach County – Pretrial Services (Justice Services) — Phone: (561) 688-4620

Palm Beach County – Reentry Services (Justice Services) — Phone: (561) 355-2370

PBSO – Central Records — Phone: (561) 688-3140