Search Washington County Inmates

Washington County inmates are held at the detention facility run by the Washington County Sheriff's Office in Chipley. This jail serves all of Washington County in Florida. The sheriff maintains custody records for everyone booked into the facility. You can obtain inmate information by contacting the office. Florida public records law makes basic inmate data available to anyone who asks for it.

Contact Washington County Sheriff

The Washington County Sheriff's Office is at 1100 Brickyard Road, Chipley, Florida 32428. The phone number is 850-638-6111. Call for inmate information or questions about jail operations in Washington County.

When calling about an inmate, have their full name ready. Staff can tell you if that person is in custody. They can provide basic information like booking date and charges. For more detailed records, you may need to visit in person or submit a formal public records request.

The sheriff's website may offer additional resources. Visit wcso.us for more contact information and procedures. The site might have forms or guidance for accessing inmate records in Washington County, Florida.

Washington County jail processes all arrestees from throughout the county. People arrested anywhere in Washington County are brought to this facility. The jail determines who stays in custody and who can be released on bond while awaiting court proceedings.

Information in Washington County Inmate Records

Washington County inmate records contain basic custody information. Each record includes the person's name and booking number. The booking date shows when they were arrested or brought to the jail. Physical description typically lists age, sex, race, height, and weight.

Charges appear in each record. These are allegations made by law enforcement, not convictions. Many people in jail have not been to trial yet. Florida law presumes them innocent until proven guilty in court. The charges simply reflect what they are accused of doing.

Bond information may be available if a judge has set bail. Some inmates have no bond, meaning they must stay in jail until their hearing. Others can post bond and be released. When someone is released or transferred, the sheriff updates the records. Call the jail for current custody status.

Court dates and legal case details are maintained by the clerk of court, not the jail. For information about trials or case outcomes, contact the Washington County Clerk of Court. The jail keeps only custody records, not full legal files.

Florida Public Records Law

Chapter 119, Florida Statutes, is the public records law that applies to Washington County jail records. This law gives citizens the right to inspect and copy most government records. Basic inmate information is public and must be provided upon request.

Some inmate details remain confidential. Medical records are not public. Mental health information is protected. Certain security details may be restricted. The sheriff provides public information while protecting confidential data under Florida law.

For formal public records requests, contact the Washington County Sheriff's Office in writing. Be specific about what records you need. The office may charge copying fees for large requests. Simple inquiries about whether someone is in custody are typically free.

Florida law requires agencies to respond to requests promptly. Simple requests often get quick answers. More complex requests may take longer to process. Contact the sheriff's office for their specific procedures on handling public records requests.

Washington County Communities

Washington County is mostly rural. Chipley is the county seat and largest city. Other communities include Caryville, Ebro, and Vernon. These towns do not operate their own jails. All arrestees from anywhere in Washington County go to the county detention center in Chipley.

The Washington County Sheriff's Office provides law enforcement throughout the county. After arrest, people are taken to the county jail for booking. The facility processes everyone regardless of where in Washington County they were arrested. All inmate records are maintained by the sheriff.

If you are looking for someone arrested in Washington County, contact the sheriff's office. They keep custody information for the entire county. Local communities do not run separate jails or maintain separate inmate databases in Washington County, Florida.

County Jail vs State Prison

Washington County jail is separate from Florida state prisons. County jails hold people for short periods, usually less than one year. State prisons house convicted felons serving longer sentences. These are two different systems in Florida.

If someone is not in Washington County jail, they may be in state custody. Check the Florida Department of Corrections inmate search for state inmates. That database covers all prisons operated by the state. People convicted of serious crimes may transfer to state custody after sentencing.

Recent arrestees are always in county jail first. State prisons only accept people after conviction and sentencing. Use the county search for anyone recently arrested. Check the state system for people serving longer sentences in Washington County, Florida.

Nearby Counties

Washington County is in the Florida Panhandle. Bay County is to the south. Calhoun County is to the northeast. Jackson County is to the west. Holmes County is to the northwest. Walton County is to the southeast.

Each county operates its own jail with separate inmate records. If you cannot find someone in Washington County, check neighboring counties where they might have been arrested. County boundaries are not always obvious, and arrests can occur in unexpected places.