Pinellas County Jail

You can support your loved ones at Pinellas Co Jail on InmateAid, if you have any immediate questions contact the facility directly at 727-464-6415.

When someone you care about gets locked up, it's tough to figure out all the ins and outs of jail life. From sending mail to visiting, there are a lot of things to sort out. And getting info about the arrest? Not always easy. That's where this webpage comes in handy. It's here to help you get a handle on how things work here so that you can stay connected and support your loved one behind bars.

The Pinellas Co Jail is a detention center located at 14400 49th St N Clearwater, FL which is operated locally by the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office and holds inmates awaiting trial or sentencing or both. Most of the sentenced inmates are here for less than two years. Pinellas County accepts inmates from surrounding towns, Clearwater Police Department, and the US Marshal's Service.

New detainees arrive at the jail regularly, with some being released on bail, placed under pretrial services caseloads, supervised by probation agencies, or released on recognizance with a court appearance agreement. Those who are not released await their court appearances at the jail, receiving accommodations including bedding and meals.

You can see all the arrest records for Florida here.

The Department of Detention and Corrections (DDC) oversees the South, Central, and North Divisions, as well as the Support and Health Services Bureau. Led by a colonel, the DDC operates with over 1,000 staff members and an annual budget exceeding $155 million, managing an average daily inmate population of 3,000. Its core responsibilities include the care, custody, control, and welfare of all inmates housed at the Pinellas County Jail.

The South Division, with a capacity of approximately 1,600 inmates, houses high-profile offenders, juveniles tried as adults, and inmates requiring disciplinary or protective custody. It also operates an industrial-grade kitchen serving all meals to the compound.

The Central Division handles intake, booking, release, and direct supervision housing, with a capacity of 1,000 inmates. It also includes laundry services and a second industrial kitchen supporting the entire facility.

The North Division, with 785 beds, includes the Healthcare Facility, C-Barracks, and Main Control. It accommodates various classifications, including inmates with severe medical and psychiatric needs. Medical staff provide essential healthcare services, including specialized treatment for high-risk inmates.

The Support and Health Services Bureau, commanded by a major, includes the Support Services, Medical, and Custody Management Divisions.

• The Support Services Division oversees administration, inmate programs, transportation, video visitation, and inmate property management. It also manages Pinellas Safe Harbor, a 400-bed homeless shelter aimed at reducing chronic homelessness and involvement in the criminal justice system.
• The Medical Division provides comprehensive healthcare, including dental, mental health, urgent care, and chronic disease management. Mental health services include crisis intervention, medication management, and individual counseling.
• The Custody Management Division handles classification, inmate records, and detention investigations, ensuring proper housing assignments, recordkeeping, and investigation of incidents within the facility.

This streamlined structure ensures efficient jail operations, inmate welfare, and public safety.

Individuals who do not post bail within the first twenty-four hours are required to appear before a judge. During this first appearance, conducted either in person or via telephone, the judge informs the arrested person of the charges against them and sets the bond amount.

Following the intake process, which includes property inventory, medical screening, and booking, inmates are assigned to the general population. Housing assignments are based on the classification of their charges, whether felony or misdemeanor, to ensure proper management and safety within the facility.

After processing, inmates are assigned to a housing area based on classification. Compliance with jail rules typically results in a lower classification and more privileges, while rule violations or additional charges lead to a higher classification and fewer privileges. Inmates serving as trustees within the jail undertake various tasks, including cooking, laundry, and commissary management, often receiving minimal compensation or sentence reduction for their services.

The jail is designed with "pods," featuring a large common area with affixed tables and attached seats, and individual cells typically on two levels. Inmates spend certain times in their cells and other times congregating in the pod for activities like playing cards, games, reading, or watching television. Movement outside the pod, such as trips to the commissary, library, or recreation area, occurs under the constant supervision of unarmed correctional officers. The environment in the county jail is considered less stressful than that of a prison because the sentences are much shorter.

The jail offers a phone program for outbound calls only, with inmates unable to receive incoming calls. Accepting collect calls can be expensive, sometimes exceeding $10 per call. Alternatively, setting up an account through a third-party phone company may entail high fees per minute of usage. You might qualify for discounts on inmate calls, especially if the communication with your inmate is frequent. It's important to remember that all phone calls are recorded, and discussing sensitive legal matters over these lines is discouraged.

Books and magazines ordered for inmates must come directly from the publisher. This policy ensures that the items are new, untampered, and comply with the facility's regulations. The Jail enforces this rule to prevent the introduction of contraband or prohibited materials. By restricting orders to publishers, the facility can better maintain security and control over the content entering the institution. Any books or magazines not received directly from the publisher will be rejected and not delivered to the inmate. You may, however, send letters and selfies to inmates with this easy-to-use app, packages starting at only $8.00.

Commissary is available weekly, with orders submitted via kiosk two days in advance. On holidays, there may be increased spending limits. Upon receiving commissary items, inmates must present their ID, check their order, and sign for it in the presence of the commissary employee. Indigent inmates are provided with all essential basic hygiene items including USPS stamps and writing materials.

Inmate workers are selected for community service programs based on their demonstrated good conduct, cooperation with facility staff, and adherence to institutional rules. These criteria ensure that only individuals who exhibit responsibility, reliability, and a commitment to positive behavior are allowed to participate. Participation in these programs not only benefits the community through valuable labor contributions but also offers inmates the chance to develop a strong work ethic, learn transferable job skills, and build a sense of accountability.

In certain cases, involvement in community service programs can contribute to a reduction in an inmate's sentence. This incentive reinforces the importance of maintaining good behavior while incarcerated and highlights the program's dual role in supporting both the community and the inmate's journey toward reintegration.