Prisons and Jails in Florida.

Florida Department of Corrections

The Florida Department of Corrections (FDC) manages one of the largest state prison systems in the country, housing about 80,000 inmates across 143 facilities. Florida operates major correctional institutions, annexes, work camps, road prisons, and re-entry centers throughout the state.

All FDC facilities use a classification system that determines where an inmate is housed based on their sentence length, criminal history, and behavior. Inmates may transfer between facilities during their sentence - if your inmate has transferred, use the FDC inmate search to find their current location.

The FDC Inmate Search is available at dc.state.fl.us. You can search by first name, last name, or inmate DC number.

Visitation in Florida Facilities

Visitation rules vary significantly between Florida state prisons, county jails, and federal facilities. For state FDC facilities, all visitors must be on the inmate's approved visitor list before visiting. The approval process can take several weeks.

What to expect at FDC facilities

• Visitors must present a valid government-issued photo ID
• Dress code is strictly enforced - no blue or green clothing, no revealing clothing, no open-toed shoes
• Children must be accompanied by an approved adult visitor
• Most FDC facilities offer visitation on weekends and some holidays
• Contact visitation is available at most facilities; non-contact visitation for certain security levels

Always confirm visitation schedules directly with the facility before traveling, as hours change without notice. Find specific visitation rules on each facility's page in our Florida prison directory.

Sending Mail to Florida Inmates

Mail is one of the most meaningful ways to stay connected. Every piece of mail that arrives is read by someone who may not have many other connections to the outside world.

FDC state facilities

Letters must be addressed with the inmate's full name and DC number. Most FDC facilities accept standard first-class mail. Photos must be printed on photo paper - no Polaroids, no photocopies. No glitter, stickers, or anything attached to pages.

County jails

County jail mail rules vary by facility. Many Broward, Miami-Dade, and Orange County facilities use third-party mail services - check the specific facility page for current requirements before sending anything.

Send through InmateAid

InmateAid delivers letters and photos, postcards, and magazines directly to Florida correctional facilities. Every item is prison-approved and formatted to meet facility requirements.

Want to receive letters from your inmate without sharing your home address? Our Letters From Inmates service receives their mail at our Boca Raton address, scans it, and delivers it to your account.

Phone Calls from Florida Facilities

Florida is not currently one of the states that offers free inmate phone calls. Call rates at Florida correctional facilities vary by carrier and facility type.

Following the FCC's Martha Wright-Reed Order (effective April 6, 2026), per-minute rates for inmate calls are now federally capped at state and federal facilities. The FCC rate caps represent a significant reduction from historical rates, though exact pricing varies by carrier and call type.

To find the current phone carrier and rates for a specific Florida facility, navigate to that facility's page in our Florida prison directory.

Sending Money to Florida Inmates

Commissary funds allow inmates to purchase food, hygiene products, and other approved items from the facility store. For FDC state facilities, the primary money transfer providers are JPay and TouchPay.

• JPay - available online at jpay.com or by phone. Accepts credit/debit cards. Funds typically post within 1 - 3 business days.
• TouchPay - available online and at kiosks. Check the specific facility page for which provider is accepted.
• Money Orders - mailed directly to the facility. Allow 7 - 10 business days for processing.

For county jails, money transfer providers vary by facility. See our Send Money guide or navigate to the specific facility page for current provider information.