Jail

This article explains how Orange County FL Jail services work through the Orange County Corrections Department, including how to search for a current inmate, review booking and bond information, understand first appearance, post bond, schedule video visits, send mail, deposit money, handle inmate property, obtain medical information, and avoid common scams or processing mistakes. It also identifies which official Orange County systems and Corrections offices handle the most common jail-related needs.

Orange County Corrections Services

Orange County Corrections operates the county jail system and provides public-facing services for people trying to locate an inmate, confirm custody status, review charges and bond information, communicate with an incarcerated person, arrange visitation, or complete a release-related transaction. The main online starting point is the Orange County BestJail jail and inmate services site.

The jail system includes several facilities with different functions. The Booking and Release Center handles booking, first court appearance, and release functions in one location and has facilities for posting bail. Orange County also operates direct-supervision facilities and a traditional Main Facility Jail. The county's Corrections facilities page identifies the Booking and Release Center, Female Detention Center, Horizon Facility, Genesis Facility, Phoenix Facility, Whitcomb Facility, and Main Facility Jail.

Knowing which service you need is more useful than trying to identify an inmate's housing facility before beginning. Inmate status and bond questions generally begin with the current inmate database. Bond transactions and releases involve the Booking and Release Center. Visits are managed through visitation services, while inmate mail, money, property, medical inquiries, and historical records have separate procedures.

Current Inmate Search

The Orange County current inmate database is the official online search for people who are presently in the county jail. The database includes current inmates along with information such as charges, bond amounts, and booking photographs. A person's appearance in the database does not establish guilt.

The search requires the inmate's last name. A first name is optional. Using both names when they are known can make it easier to distinguish between people with similar surnames.

The county states that the inmate information is updated every 30 minutes. After information is entered into the Orange County Corrections Inmate Management System, it is added to the public listing within approximately 30 minutes. When a person is released, that person no longer appears in the current listings.

This distinction matters when searching shortly after an arrest or after an expected release. A newly booked person may not immediately appear because the public database follows the Corrections management system update cycle. Conversely, the current database is not an archive of people who were previously incarcerated.

Information Available in Search

Search results can help users confirm that they have identified the correct inmate and obtain information needed for other jail procedures. Depending on the record, the current database provides information including the inmate's charges, bond amount, booking photograph, booking number, and housing information used by certain mail and property procedures.

The booking number is particularly useful. Orange County requires it for several transactions and correspondence procedures, including inmate mail and certain deposits. Before sending money, mail, books, or other authorized materials, users should copy the booking number exactly as shown in the official database rather than relying on information from another person.

Daily Booking Information

Orange County also publishes a Daily Booking List. That report covers inmates booked during a 24-hour period beginning at midnight of the preceding day. The county specifically directs users to the current inmate search for more up-to-date information, so the daily report should not be treated as the best source for someone's present custody status.

A separate First Appearance List is updated daily. It concerns appearances before a judge in which an inmate is informed of a new charge and the bond status associated with that charge.

Former Inmate Records

Once an inmate has been released, the person's information is removed from the current inmate database. Requests concerning people who are no longer in custody are handled through the Orange County Corrections Custodian of Records rather than the current jail search.

This is a common source of confusion. A search that returns no current record does not function as a historical inmate-record search. Users looking for former inmate information should use the records process instead of repeatedly checking the current population database.

First Appearance After Booking

Most inmates booked on a new offense are entitled to an initial appearance before a judge unless they are released on bond before that proceeding. Orange County publishes first appearance information and session details for people following this stage of the jail process.

On weekdays, sessions may take place at 9 a.m. or 1 p.m. Orange County posts session information at 4:30 a.m.; morning information is updated at 7:30 a.m., while afternoon information is updated at noon. On weekends and court holidays, one session is held at 11 a.m., although the county states that the starting time can vary based on judicial operations. When booking volume is low, sessions may be combined into one morning session.

Public galleries at the Booking and Release Center allow people to watch first appearance proceedings, excluding weekends and holidays. The galleries are accessed through the public lobby.

The jail's first appearance information and the current inmate database serve different purposes. The inmate database establishes current custody information, while the appearance information concerns the judicial proceeding following a new charge. Users should not assume that a first appearance list provides the most current answer to a custody-status question.

Bonding Out of Jail

Orange County describes three methods for posting bond on its official bonding out of jail page. Before arranging payment, users should search the current inmate database and verify the bond amount.

Bond Paid in Person

Bond may be posted in person at the Booking and Release Center. Accepted forms listed by Orange County are a money order, travelers check, or certified or cashier's check made payable to “CLERK OF THE COURTS.” Personal identification is required for all payments. Personal checks and cash are not accepted for this bond procedure.

The payment requirements should be followed exactly. Bringing cash because another jail-related service accepts cash, for example, does not make cash acceptable for an in-person bond payment. Different Orange County Corrections transactions have different payment rules.

Bonding Company Payments

A person may also use a bonding company of their choice. Orange County Corrections cannot recommend a bonding company. The county states that most bonding companies charge a fee and may require the person arranging the bond to sign a promissory note.

Orange County has also warned about active bonding scams. The jail will not call someone to assist with a bond payment. Families should be especially cautious about unsolicited communications claiming that money can secure an inmate's release through a special jail arrangement.

Orange County specifically warns that scammers may falsely claim they can release an inmate to home confinement or post a bond. The Corrections Department states that it does not offer a Home Confinement Program. Bond instructions should be verified through the official BestJail system.

Western Union Bond Transfer

The county also permits a cash transfer through Western Union for bond payments. The city code identified by Orange County is ORLFLJAILCLERK. The transfer must be for the exact bond amount.

Orange County states that a Western Union bond will not be processed until confirmation of payment is received. Confirmation can take 24 to 50 hours. This delay should be taken into account before assuming that sending the transfer immediately starts the jail's release process.

Release Processing Time

Posting bond does not mean that an inmate is immediately ready to leave the facility. Orange County states that the bond release process can take up to 12 hours. Processing includes verification of the information and legal requirements, including a search for outstanding warrants, followed by movement through the facility, property return, and final release clearance.

No releases take place during approximate headcount and mealtime periods from 5 a.m. to 7:30 a.m. and from 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. The overall release time can also vary with the number of people being booked or released and with internal staffing.

Purge Payment Procedures

Orange County lists two procedures for handling a purge. One is to visit the Orange County Courthouse Clerk of the Court Civil Division, make the required payment, and bring the payment receipt and court order to the Booking and Release Center for release processing.

The other is to go to the Booking and Release Center and pay the purge amount there. The county lists a money order, travelers check, or cashier's check payable to “Clerk of the Courts,” as well as a Western Union cash transfer following the county's bond-transfer instructions.

Expedited Bookings

Individuals with Orange County warrants or capiases may report to the Booking and Release Center public lobby with a bondsman or money order for an expedited booking process. The service operates Monday through Friday, excluding holidays, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The fee is $20 and must be paid by money order. This procedure is limited to Orange County warrants and excludes charges that legally require attendance at First Appearance.

Video Visitation Procedures

Orange County uses video visitation for inmate visits. The official video visitation page provides the rules and scheduling requirements.

All inmates are allowed three video visits per week. The Video Visitation Center is open every day from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m., with the final visitation session beginning at 9 p.m.

First Visit Registration

Visitors must call to schedule their first appointment at least one day in advance. Each visitor receives a unique visitor ID number, which is required when scheduling visits. Visitors should arrive at least 15 minutes early and must bring an accepted form of identification.

Orange County lists the following forms of identification:

A valid driver's license.
A passport.
A valid state identification card.
A military identification card.

After initial registration, future visits can be scheduled online through the visitation scheduling system. The first time a registered visitor accesses that system using the email address supplied during registration, the visitor may need to use the password-reset function to receive a password.

Remote Video Visits

Orange County also provides Remote Video Visitation. The county's instructions state that remote visitors must register with the designated visitation system, schedule a remote visit, and install the applications required for their platform. Visitors can check in through the application up to 15 minutes before the scheduled visit.

A stable connection matters for remote visits. Orange County advises visitors to use a strong Wi-Fi connection on a computer or mobile device and, when using a mobile device while traveling, to remain where the signal is strong enough to support the visit.

Visitation rules and clothing requirements apply to video visits. Violations can result in the visit being ended and may lead to suspension of future visitation privileges.

Sending Mail to Inmates

Regular inmate postal mail follows a separate process from legal mail and inmate money deposits. Orange County's inmate mail instructions should be reviewed before preparing an envelope.

Effective April 19, 2024, regular inmate postal mail such as postcards, letters, and greeting cards is opened and scanned into the Smart Communications postal mail system. After review, the mail is made available to the inmate through password-protected kiosks or tablets.

Regular Mail Requirements

Regular mail must include the inmate's full name and booking number as shown in the current inmate database. The sender must also include a return address. Regular inmate mail is processed off site rather than delivered as the original paper correspondence directly to the inmate.

Cash, checks, and money orders must not be enclosed with regular inmate postal mail. A money order intended for an inmate account follows a different mailing procedure and destination.

This separation is one of the most important mailing rules to follow. Sending a money order to the regular inmate-mail processing address can prevent it from being processed as an inmate-account deposit.

Legal Mail Requirements

Legal mail requires the inmate's full name, booking number, and cell location as shown in the current inmate database. The return address must be from an approved privileged entity.

Orange County states that compact discs are not permitted. Flash drives require preauthorization by Risk Management. Paper clips and binder clips are also prohibited. Legal advertisements must follow the regular inmate-mail procedure rather than the legal-mail procedure.

Books and Periodicals

Books and periodicals also require the inmate's full name, booking number, and cell location. They must be mailed directly by a publisher or bookstore.

Books must be paperback; hardcover books are not accepted.
Used books are not accepted.
Publications cannot contain nudity, sexually oriented material, or security-threat material.
A shipment may contain no more than four publications in total.
Spiral-bound or metal-bound books and notebooks are not accepted.
Duplicate copies of the same title are not accepted.

A parcel that fails to meet the criteria is returned to the sender. When books or periodicals are returned because of a rule violation, an appeal may be submitted within seven days of the notification. Orange County states that a written response will be provided within ten working days.

Inmate Money Accounts

Inmate money accounts can be used for commissary purchases and for various medical services and jail fees. The county's inmate money and property account instructions explain deposit and release procedures.

Deposit items must be payable to the inmate and include the inmate's jail number. The sender's name and address are required except on government checks. Items with an altered payee name or missing or incorrect information are returned. Orange County states that eligible deposit items are normally processed into an inmate's account within 48 hours.

Deposit Methods

Funds may be deposited by U.S. Mail, through the county-designated online or phone transfer service, or in person at the Booking and Release Center public lobby.

For online or telephone deposits, the information required includes the Orange County FL facility identification, Site ID 196, the inmate's booking number, last name, and first name. The designated system accepts Visa and MasterCard transactions 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

In-person deposits at the Booking and Release Center public lobby are accepted from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., seven days a week. Orange County lists cash, debit cards, Visa, and MasterCard as accepted for these inmate-account deposits. Western Union has not been accepted for inmate-account deposits since April 29, 2021.

Do not confuse that rule with the jail's bond procedure. Orange County still identifies Western Union as a method for certain bond payments, while its inmate money account page states that Western Union is no longer accepted for deposits to an inmate's account.

Money and Property Releases

An inmate who is not housed in the Booking and Release Center must complete the appropriate money or property release form and mail it to the person authorized to receive the funds or property. The authorized person can then report to the Booking and Release Center during the designated release periods.

For facilities other than the Booking and Release Center, and excluding bondsmen and attorneys, the listed property and money release periods are:

Tuesday, 7:15 p.m. to 8:45 p.m.
Wednesday, 7:15 a.m. to 8:45 a.m.
Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m. to noon.
Saturday and Sunday, 7:15 p.m. to 8:45 p.m.

Booking and Release Center inmates, bondsmen, and attorneys have access to property and money releases 24 hours a day except during shift changes from 5 a.m. to 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.

A valid driver's license or state identification card is required to receive inmate money or property. For money releases, an inmate is authorized one release per incarceration up to the amount deposited during the arrest, and a minimum account balance of $30 must remain.

Approved Property Drop-Offs

Orange County permits certain approved property to be dropped off for an inmate. Approved items include specified court clothing, prescription eyewear, dentures, contacts, and sealed saline solutions.

Incoming property is searched for contraband. The person delivering the property must read and sign the county detention facility contraband form required by Florida law.

Medical and Mental Health Care

Corrections Health Services provides medical, mental health, and dental care to the jail population. The county's Corrections medical services information describes initial medical screenings, preventive care, ongoing medical care, chronic and emergency care, and access to medical and mental health staff.

Healthcare coverage is provided throughout the jail complex 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Inmates can request sick-call services at any time. Individuals whose medical or mental health conditions prevent them from functioning in the general jail population may be housed in designated units with additional healthcare supervision.

Providing Medical Information

Family members can provide medical or mental health information to Corrections Health Services. Orange County also instructs people with questions about specialized medical equipment to contact Case Management before bringing equipment to the Video Visitation Center.

Outside prescriptions generally cannot be brought into the jail because Corrections Health Services maintains an onsite pharmacy and supplies most medications. Specialized medication that is not routinely provided may be handled differently through the medical process.

Medical privacy rules limit what staff may disclose to relatives or friends. An inmate must sign a release of information that identifies the person authorized to receive medical information before Corrections Health Services can provide that protected information to the designated person.

Medical Records After Release

Former inmates requesting medical records must complete the county's medical release form. Orange County states that a properly completed form can be faxed or mailed to the medical records department. Processing takes a minimum of ten business days. When records are ready, they are picked up at the Booking and Release Center public lobby, and picture identification is required.

Common Jail Service Mistakes

Several Orange County jail procedures use similar information but are not interchangeable. Keeping the following distinctions in mind can prevent avoidable delays:

Current custody versus past custody: The online inmate database contains current inmates. Former inmate information is handled through the Custodian of Records.

Name versus booking number: A last name can begin an inmate search, but the booking number is required for several mail, money, and property procedures.

Bond money versus inmate account money: The two services have different payment rules. A payment method accepted for one should not be assumed to work for the other.

Regular mail versus money orders: Regular inmate correspondence is processed through the scanning system. Money orders for inmate accounts must be mailed separately under the inmate fiscal procedure.

Regular mail versus legal mail: Legal mail has additional addressing requirements, including the inmate's cell location and an approved privileged return address.

Current database versus daily reports: Orange County identifies its inmate search as the more current source because the Daily Booking List covers a defined prior 24-hour period.

Bond payment versus release: A confirmed bond payment is followed by an internal release process that can take up to 12 hours.

Jail medical care versus outside treatment: Corrections Health Services provides jail healthcare, and private physicians do not have privileges at Orange County Corrections.

Users should also be alert to unsolicited requests for money. Orange County states that Corrections will not call to help someone make a bond payment and does not operate the Home Confinement Program described in known scams. When a payment demand or release claim conflicts with the official BestJail instructions, the county's jail information should be used to verify the legitimate procedure before money is sent.

Jail Offices and Contacts

Booking & Release Center (BRC)
3855 South John Young PKWY
Orlando, FL 32839
Phone: (407) 836-3400
Corrections Administration
3723 Vision BLVD
Orlando, FL 32839
Phone: (407) 836-3560
Custodian of Records
3723 Vision BLVD, 4th Floor
Orlando, FL 32839
Phone: (407) 836-0321
Inmate Medical Inquiries
3855 South John Young PKWY
Orlando, FL 32839
Phone: (407) 254-7561
Inmate Money Accounts & Property
3855 South John Young PKWY
Orlando, FL 32839
Phone: (407) 448-8320
Orange County Corrections Mail Room
P.O. Box 4970
Orlando, FL 32802-4970
Phone: (407) 836-3525
Video Visitation Center
3000 39th ST
Orlando, FL 32839
Phone: (407) 836-8061

Jail FAQs

How do I receive phone calls from an Orange County inmate?

Before you can receive inmate calls, you must set up an inmate telephone account. Orange County Corrections states that account setup may take up to 24 hours, so completing the process early can help prevent delays when an inmate attempts to call. The county's inmate phone information page provides the official setup instructions. The phone system also has a separate process for people who want unwanted inmate calls stopped.

Can I get notified when an inmate's custody status changes?

Yes. Orange County provides information about VINE, a statewide custody notification service available to crime victims and the general public. Registered users can receive updates following changes in an inmate's record, including custody and release information. The county states that VINE may also provide information about pending charges, known scheduled release dates, and bond amounts. Registration is optional, but it can reduce the need to repeatedly check custody status manually. See the county's VINE information page for details.

What programs are available to people in the jail?

Orange County Corrections offers programs intended to support education, personal development, and preparation for reentry. According to the county's jail programs information, available programming may include adult basic education and GED preparation, adult literacy, life skills, vocational training, substance abuse education, veterans services, parenting and fatherhood programs, cognitive behavioral change, and individual case management. Participation and availability can depend on an inmate's circumstances and placement.

Can jail staff help deliver urgent family news to an inmate?

For certain serious family situations, chaplain ministries may help communicate with an inmate. Orange County states that its chaplain services assist with family communication in emergencies such as a grave illness or death involving an immediate family member. Chaplain programs also provide religious and faith-based services intended to accommodate inmates of different faiths and religious choices.