Holmes County Inmate Records

The Holmes County inmate population consists of individuals in custody at the county detention center in Bonifay, operated by the Holmes County Sheriff's Office. This small rural jail serves all of Holmes County in Florida's Panhandle region. The facility holds pretrial detainees and those serving short sentences, providing secure housing while cases move through the court system. Public access to inmate information allows residents and others to check on who is currently incarcerated and what charges they face in this northwest Florida county.

Finding Holmes County Inmates

The Holmes County Sheriff's Office website is located at holmescountysheriff.org. This serves as the main online resource for the sheriff's office. For current inmate information, contacting the sheriff's office directly is often the most reliable method in smaller rural counties like Holmes.

Call the sheriff's office at 850-547-3681 to inquire about current inmates. Staff can search by name and tell you if someone is in custody. They provide basic information about charges and bond status. This direct contact ensures you get accurate, up-to-date details about anyone held in the Holmes County jail.

In-person visits to the sheriff's office are also an option. The facility is located at 3207 Lonny Lindsey Drive, Bonifay, Florida 32425. Staff at the front desk can assist with inmate inquiries during regular business hours. They can explain visitation procedures and answer questions about jail policies.

Sheriff's Office Contact Information

The Holmes County Sheriff's Office address is 3207 Lonny Lindsey Drive, Bonifay, Florida 32425. The phone number is 850-547-3681. This is a small agency serving a rural area, so staff members often handle multiple duties. Calling ahead is recommended for specific requests or to verify office hours.

Bonifay is the county seat of Holmes County. All jail operations are based here. There are no satellite facilities or city jails in the county. The sheriff's office handles all arrests and detentions for the entire county from this single location.

For urgent matters involving inmates, the jail has staff on duty at all times. Law enforcement officers and detention personnel work around the clock to maintain security and safety. Non-emergency questions are best directed to administrative staff during business hours when they can provide more detailed assistance.

What Inmate Records Include

Holmes County inmate records contain identifying information about each person in custody. Full legal name is recorded at booking. Physical description includes height, weight, race, sex, and age. A booking number is assigned to each inmate and used for all official purposes during their incarceration.

Arrest details document how the person came into custody. The date and time of arrest are noted. The arresting officer's name and agency appear in the record. Most arrests in Holmes County are made by sheriff's deputies, though state troopers or other agencies may also bring people to the county jail.

Criminal charges explain why the person is being held. Florida statute numbers identify each offense. Written descriptions clarify what the person is accused of doing. Multiple charges can appear on a single booking. Felonies are more serious than misdemeanors and carry harsher potential penalties.

Bond information determines if release is possible before trial. A judge sets the bond amount at a first appearance hearing. Some defendants get personal recognizance bonds with no money required. Others face cash or surety bonds. No bond means the person must remain in jail regardless of what they are willing to pay. This typically occurs with serious violent crimes or when someone is considered a flight risk.

Court dates are scheduled for various proceedings. Arraignment happens first, where charges are formally read. Pretrial conferences allow negotiations between prosecutors and defense attorneys. Trial dates are set if the case does not resolve through a plea agreement. Missing a court date while out on bond results in additional charges and a warrant for arrest.

Public Records Law in Florida

Florida's public records law, found in Chapter 119 of the state statutes, gives citizens access to government records. Jail records fall under this law. The Holmes County Sheriff's Office must provide inmate information to the public upon request. This transparency promotes accountability in the criminal justice system.

You do not need a specific reason to request inmate records. Family members often check on arrested relatives. Employers may verify why an employee did not show up for work. Landlords sometimes search for tenant information. Journalists research crime stories. All of these are legitimate uses of public records.

Certain information is exempt from disclosure. Medical records are confidential. Social Security numbers are redacted. Ongoing investigation details may be withheld. But basic custody facts like name, charges, and bond amount are public. These exemptions protect privacy while maintaining government transparency.

Holmes County Geography

Holmes County is one of Florida's least populated counties. Bonifay is the county seat and largest town. Other small communities include Esto, Ponce de Leon, Westville, and Noma. The county is rural with agriculture and timber as major economic activities. Population is spread across a wide area with no large urban centers.

The Holmes County Sheriff's Office provides law enforcement for the entire county. There are no municipal police departments with their own jails. All arrests made anywhere in Holmes County result in booking at the county jail in Bonifay. This centralization makes searching for inmates straightforward since there is only one facility to check.

County Jail and State Prison

Holmes County jail is for short-term incarceration. People awaiting trial are held here if they cannot make bond. Those sentenced to less than a year serve their time in county jail. Longer sentences result in transfer to Florida state prison once all appeals are exhausted.

The Florida Department of Corrections operates state prisons throughout Florida. Holmes County has no state prison facilities within its borders. Inmates sentenced to state time are transported to DOC facilities elsewhere in the state. This transfer can take several weeks after sentencing as DOC processes the paperwork and assigns the person to an appropriate facility.

If someone is not in Holmes County jail, they may be in state custody. Check the Florida Department of Corrections inmate search to find people in state prisons. This database covers all Florida DOC facilities and provides information similar to county jail records.

Neighboring Counties

Holmes County is in the Florida Panhandle. Washington County is to the west. Jackson County is to the north. Walton County borders to the south. Alabama forms the northern boundary of the county as well.

Each county runs its own jail and keeps separate inmate records. Someone might live in Holmes County but get arrested just across the line in another county. If you cannot find a person in Holmes County, check neighboring areas. Rural county boundaries are not always obvious, especially along back roads where signs may be minimal.