Gulf County Jail Information

Gulf County maintains inmate records through the sheriff's office in Port St. Joe. These records are public under Florida law. You can call or visit the office to get information about inmates. Staff can tell you if someone is in custody and provide details about their booking. Charges, bond amounts, and custody status are all available upon request. This access is free. No special permission is required to ask about an inmate in Gulf County. The sheriff's office handles these inquiries as part of their regular duties.

How to Find Inmates

Gulf County Sheriff's Office is located at 1000 Cecil G. Costin Sr. Boulevard, Port St. Joe, Florida 32456. The main phone number is 850-227-1124. Call this number to inquire about inmates in custody.

When you contact the sheriff's office, have the inmate's full name ready. Date of birth helps staff locate the correct person. They can tell you if the person is currently in the Gulf County jail. You can ask about charges, booking date, and bond information.

Florida's public records law makes inmate information available to everyone. You do not need to be related to the inmate. You do not need to explain why you are asking. The sheriff's office provides this information as a public service.

Staff handle inmate inquiries during regular business hours. If you call after hours, leave a message or try again during the next business day. The office works to respond to all requests for public information about inmates.

Gulf County Detention Facility

The county jail in Port St. Joe serves all of Gulf County. Anyone arrested in the county is brought to this facility for booking and detention. The jail holds both pretrial detainees and sentenced inmates.

Gulf County is a small coastal county in the Florida Panhandle. The jail population reflects the county's size. The facility houses a relatively small number of inmates on most days. Despite its size, it operates under the same legal standards as larger jails across Florida.

The sheriff's office manages all aspects of the jail. This includes intake processing, housing, meals, and medical care. Visitation schedules are set by the facility. The sheriff's office can provide current visitation rules and hours.

Understanding Inmate Records

Inmate records in Gulf County include basic identifying information. Each record shows the person's legal name, age, race, and gender. Physical characteristics like height and weight are noted. A booking number tracks the case through the system.

Charges are listed with descriptions of alleged crimes. These are accusations, not convictions. People in jail have not necessarily been found guilty. Florida law presumes innocence until proven in court. The charges shown are what law enforcement has filed at booking.

Bond information tells whether the person can be released before trial. Some bonds are cash only. Others allow use of a bail bondsman. No bond means the person must remain in custody. Judges set bond amounts based on charges and the person's background in Gulf County.

Important dates include when the arrest occurred and when the person was booked into jail. If they have been sentenced to serve time, a projected release date may be available. Court dates are scheduled separately by the clerk of court.

Florida Public Records Law

Florida has comprehensive public records laws. Chapter 119, Florida Statutes, grants citizens the right to inspect government records. This includes jail records maintained by Gulf County Sheriff's Office. Most inmate information is public unless specifically exempted.

Anyone can ask about inmates in Gulf County. You do not need the inmate's permission. You do not need a special relationship with them. Employers, family members, and concerned citizens all have equal access to public jail records.

Some information stays confidential. Medical records are protected. Mental health details are not public. Social security numbers and detailed financial information are restricted. The sheriff's office only releases information that Florida law allows.

Port St. Joe and Gulf County

Gulf County includes Port St. Joe, which is the county seat. Other communities include Wewahitchka, Port St. Joe Beach, and Mexico Beach. All law enforcement agencies in the county bring arrestees to the central jail in Port St. Joe.

Whether someone is arrested by the sheriff's office or a local police department, they go to the same county jail. There are no separate city jails in Gulf County. One facility serves the entire area.

To find someone arrested anywhere in Gulf County, contact the sheriff's office. They maintain the only jail and custody records for the county. All inmates are processed through this single location.

County Jail vs State Prison

Gulf County jail is for short-term custody. It holds people awaiting trial and those serving sentences under one year. People convicted of felonies with longer sentences transfer to Florida state prisons. The county and state operate separate systems.

If someone is not in the Gulf County jail, they may be in state custody. The Florida Department of Corrections runs state prisons. Their inmate population search covers all state facilities across Florida.

Recent arrestees are almost always in county jail first. Transfers to state prison occur after conviction and sentencing. This process can take weeks or months. Check both county and state databases if you are unsure where someone is being held.

State Corrections Databases

Florida Department of Corrections maintains multiple online databases. You can search for state prison inmates, people on probation, and those who have escaped. The All Corrections Offender Databases tool searches several systems simultaneously.

These state resources are separate from county jails. Use them for people serving long sentences or those under state supervision. Someone released from Gulf County jail but still on probation may appear in state records.

The Florida Department of Corrections website at fdc.myflorida.com has additional information about state facilities and services. This includes visitation rules, sending money, and other resources for families of inmates in Florida.

Bordering Counties

Gulf County is on Florida's Gulf Coast in the Panhandle. Calhoun County borders it to the north. Bay County is to the east. The Gulf of Mexico lies to the south and west.

Each county operates its own jail and maintains separate inmate records. If someone was arrested in a neighboring county, contact that county's sheriff's office. County boundaries are not always obvious, and arrests can occur in different counties than where people live.