Broward County Inmate Search: Complete Access Guide

Understanding Broward County's Jail System

Broward County operates one of the largest jail systems in Florida, housing thousands of inmates across multiple facilities including the Main Jail, North Broward Bureau, Joseph V. Conte Facility, and Paul Rein Detention Facility. Whether you're a bail bondsman, attorney, family member, or employer conducting due diligence, knowing how to efficiently search for inmate information is essential.

The Broward Sheriff's Office (BSO) manages all four jail facilities through its Department of Detention and maintains an online database that provides public access to current inmate information, including booking details, charges, bond amounts, and projected release dates. Understanding how to navigate this system-and knowing its limitations-will save you significant time and frustration.

The Four Main Jail Facilities

Each Broward County jail facility serves a specific purpose within the correctional system:

• Main Jail Bureau: Located at 555 SE 1st Avenue in Fort Lauderdale, this maximum security facility houses approximately 1,500 inmates. The Main Jail primarily holds male inmates who are considered escape risks, violent offenders, or those requiring maximum security housing due to the nature of their charges.
• North Broward Bureau: Situated at 1550 NW 30th Avenue in Pompano Beach, this facility has a capacity of approximately 1,200 inmates. It houses male offenders, protective custody female offenders, and female juveniles.
• Joseph V. Conte Facility: Found at 1351 NW 27th Avenue in Pompano Beach, this medium-custody facility primarily houses male inmates awaiting trial.
• Paul Rein Detention Facility: A medium to maximum security jail that houses both male and female inmates in separate areas, providing specialized housing for different custody classifications.

All facilities use the same phone number for general inquiries: (954) 831-5900. Understanding which facility houses an inmate is crucial for visitation planning and correspondence.

How to Use the Official Broward County Inmate Search

The Broward Sheriff's Office provides a free online inmate search tool accessible through their official website. Here's exactly how to use it effectively:

Step-by-Step Search Process

Navigate to the Broward Sheriff's Office website and locate the "Inmate Search" or "Arrest Search" section, typically found under Public Records or Corrections. The system allows you to search by multiple criteria:

• Name Search: Enter the inmate's last name and first name. The system is somewhat forgiving with spelling variations, but accurate spelling yields better results. You can search with just a last name, though this may return multiple results requiring further review.
• Booking Number: If you have the specific booking or arrest number, this provides the most precise results and immediately pulls up the exact inmate record.
• State ID Number: For individuals with prior Florida criminal history, their state ID number provides comprehensive results across multiple bookings.
• Date Range Search: You can search by booking date if you know approximately when someone was arrested, which helps narrow results when searching common names.

Once you submit your search, the system displays a list of matching inmates. Each result includes the inmate's full name, booking date, housing location, and a link to view detailed information. Click on the arrest number or inmate name to access the complete record.

Understanding Inmate Record Details

When you click on an individual inmate record, you'll typically find:

• Personal Information: Full name, date of birth, race, gender, height, and weight
• Booking Details: Arrest date, booking date, booking number, and arresting agency
• Current Status: Housing location within the jail system and custody status
• Charges: List of all charges filed, including statute numbers and detailed charge descriptions
• Bond Information: Bond amount for each charge and total bond amount required for release
• Court Dates: Scheduled court appearances and case numbers for tracking proceedings
• Projected Release Date: When applicable, based on sentence and time served
• Booking Photograph: Current mugshot taken during the booking process

This information is updated regularly throughout the day, though there may be a delay of several hours between booking and when records appear online. The system updates approximately every 15 to 30 minutes to reflect the most current information.

The Booking Process: What Happens After Arrest

Understanding the booking timeline helps explain why inmate information might not appear immediately in search results. In Broward County, strict procedures govern the arrest and booking process to protect defendants' rights and ensure efficient processing.

After arrest by any law enforcement agency within Broward County, suspects must be transported to the Broward County jail system within two hours. For DUI cases requiring additional chemical testing and processing, this window extends to three hours. Arrestees are taken to the Central Intake Bureau for booking, where the arresting officer completes all necessary paperwork.

During booking, the individual is photographed, fingerprinted, and their personal information is entered into the jail management system. Background checks are conducted, and any outstanding warrants are identified. The booking process can take several hours depending on facility volume, which explains delays in online record availability.

For those trying to locate someone recently arrested, patience is often necessary. If you're searching within hours of a known arrest and find no results, wait a few hours and search again. The information will appear once processing is complete and the record enters the system.

Common Issues and Troubleshooting Tips

Even with the official system, users frequently encounter challenges that can prevent successful searches:

The Inmate Isn't Listed

If your search returns no results, consider these possibilities:

• Recent Arrest: It may take 2-6 hours for booking information to appear in the online system after an arrest. The booking process itself requires time, and then records must be entered and synced with the online database.
• Name Variations: Try different spellings, nicknames, or middle names. Some individuals use aliases when arrested. Try searching with just the last name to cast a wider net.
• Wrong Jurisdiction: The person may have been arrested by another agency (Hollywood PD, Fort Lauderdale PD, Coral Springs PD, etc.) and could potentially be held in a different jurisdiction temporarily before transfer to BSO facilities.
• Already Released: If the person posted bond or was released on their own recognizance, they may no longer appear in the current inmate database. Released individuals typically disappear from active search results immediately.
• Federal Custody: For federal offenses, the individual would be in federal custody rather than county jail and would not appear in Broward's system.

Searching Historical Records

The online inmate search typically only shows current inmates. For historical arrest records or past bookings, you'll need to:

• Contact the Broward Sheriff's Office Records Section directly at (954) 831-8700
• Submit a public records request, which may involve fees and processing time
• Search Florida court records through the Broward County Clerk of Courts website for case information
• Use comprehensive background check tools that aggregate historical arrest data from multiple sources

Florida's Public Records Law grants broad access to arrest and booking records, but obtaining historical records requires formal requests. The BSO Records/Warrants Division handles these requests and can provide certified copies of records for official purposes.

How to Contact and Visit Inmates in Broward County

After successfully locating an inmate through the search system, you may need to contact or visit them. Broward County offers several communication options, each with specific rules and procedures.

Video Visitation System

Broward County has transitioned primarily to video visitation rather than traditional face-to-face visits. This system offers several advantages including eliminating travel time, reducing wait times, and providing a better environment for children to interact with incarcerated family members.

Video visitation can be accessed two ways:

• Video Visitation Center: Located at 2926 State Road 7 in Lauderdale Lakes, Florida 33311. Visits at this center are free and last up to one hour. You must schedule appointments in advance.
• Remote Video Visitation: Access visits from home using a smartphone, tablet, or computer with a webcam. Remote visits cost $5 for 30 minutes and require advance scheduling through the approved video visitation provider.

Registration is required before your first visit. Visitor accounts may take up to 48 hours for approval after registration. Appointments must be scheduled no less than one day and no more than seven days in advance. Each inmate receives approximately two hours of visitation per week, with specific days varying by housing unit.

Visitation Rules and Requirements

All visitors must comply with strict requirements:

• Valid Photo ID: Government-issued identification such as a driver's license, military ID, passport, or state ID card is required for all adult visitors
• Approved Visitor List: Visitors must be on the inmate's approved visitor list and pass background checks
• Dress Code: Modest dress is required. No revealing clothing, transparent fabrics, short-shorts, mini-skirts, or suggestive attire. Shoes, shirts, and appropriate underclothing must be worn
• Visitor Limits: No more than two approved visitors are allowed per visit. Minors under 18 count as visitors and must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian with proper documentation
• Conduct Rules: Visitors must remain sober, follow all staff instructions, and maintain appropriate behavior. Violations can result in temporary or permanent suspension of visitation privileges

Professional visits for attorneys and legal representatives follow different procedures and can often be arranged outside regular visitation hours.

Phone Communication

Inmates can make outgoing calls using the facility's contracted phone service, though they cannot receive incoming calls. Calls are either collect or require prepaid accounts established by friends and family. Phone services are provided through contracted vendors, and rates vary.

All inmate phone calls are recorded and monitored for security purposes, except for privileged attorney-client communications. Family members should be aware that conversations may be reviewed by facility staff or used as evidence in criminal proceedings.

Written Correspondence

You can send letters to inmates using their full name, booking number, and the facility address. All incoming mail is inspected for contraband and must comply with facility regulations:

• Letters must be handwritten or typed in black or blue ink on plain white paper
• No stickers, labels, drawings, or gang-related material allowed
• No sexually explicit content or materials that could be used as weapons
• Prohibited items will be confiscated and may result in sender being banned from sending future correspondence

Include the inmate's full legal name and booking number on all correspondence to ensure proper delivery.

Sending Money to Inmates

Inmates need funds for commissary purchases, phone calls, and other approved services. Money can be deposited into inmate accounts through approved services online, by phone, or at kiosks at the jail. You'll need the inmate's full name and booking number for all deposits.

There are fees associated with deposits that vary by service provider. The Broward Sheriff's Office prohibits cash and personal checks through mail, and maintains a daily deposit limit of $300 per inmate account. Money orders should be made payable to the inmate's full legal name with their booking number included.

Alternative Methods for Finding Inmate Information

While the official Broward County system is free and authoritative, several situations call for alternative approaches:

Florida Department of Corrections

If the individual you're searching for is serving a state prison sentence rather than awaiting trial in county jail, they won't appear in the Broward Sheriff's database. Instead, search the Florida Department of Corrections inmate database, which covers all state prisons. This system includes inmates currently incarcerated, released with supervision, and those released within recent years. The FDC database provides different search options including comprehensive searches across all corrections databases and specific searches for current inmates, released inmates, or those who have escaped.

Federal Bureau of Prisons

For federal offenses, inmates are housed in federal facilities rather than county jails. The Federal Bureau of Prisons maintains a separate inmate locator that searches all federal institutions nationwide. This is essential if you're investigating someone charged with federal crimes like drug trafficking, fraud, firearms violations, or white-collar crimes. Federal inmates follow completely different procedures and are not managed by county or state systems.

Searching Multiple Florida Counties

If you're unsure where someone was arrested or if they have arrests in multiple Florida counties, you may need to search several county jail systems. Major South Florida counties including Palm Beach County and Miami-Dade County maintain their own inmate search systems similar to Broward's. Each sheriff's office provides online search tools accessible through their official websites.

Comprehensive Background Checks

For employers, landlords, or individuals conducting thorough due diligence, a single inmate search provides limited information. You're only seeing current custody status, not the person's complete criminal history. This is where comprehensive criminal records search tools become valuable.

Galadon's Criminal Records Search aggregates data from multiple sources including sex offender registries, corrections records, arrest records, and court records nationwide. Instead of checking each county individually, you can search across jurisdictions to uncover a more complete picture of someone's criminal background. This is particularly useful when:

• Screening potential employees who may have lived in multiple states
• Investigating someone before entering a business partnership
• Conducting tenant screening for rental properties
• Researching individuals for legal proceedings or investigations
• Verifying information provided on applications or resumes

Unlike county inmate searches that only show current custody status, comprehensive background checks reveal historical arrests, convictions, and patterns across multiple jurisdictions and time periods.

What Inmate Search Results Don't Tell You

It's crucial to understand the limitations of inmate search data. A Broward County inmate search only shows you:

• Current custody status in Broward County facilities specifically
• Pending charges, not convictions or final case outcomes
• Recent bookings, typically not comprehensive arrest history
• Present bond amounts, which may change as cases proceed

What you won't find in a basic inmate search:

• Arrests in other counties or states
• Charges that were dismissed, reduced, or resulted in acquittal
• Sealed or expunged records (though these may still appear temporarily during active cases)
• Traffic violations or civil infractions unless they resulted in arrest
• Complete court case outcomes and final sentencing details
• Probation or parole status for previously released individuals
• Historical arrest patterns or criminal history beyond current charges

For complete criminal history, you need to search court records separately through the Broward County Clerk of Courts or use comprehensive background check services that compile data from multiple authoritative sources. Court records provide case dispositions, plea agreements, sentencing information, and appeals that don't appear in basic inmate searches.

Accessing Broward County Court Records

While the inmate search shows arrest and custody information, court records provide the complete story of criminal cases including outcomes and dispositions. The Broward County Clerk of Courts maintains a separate case search portal accessible online.

Through the Clerk's case search system, you can access criminal case files by selecting the appropriate court type (Appeal Criminal, Felony, or Traffic and Misdemeanor) and searching by name, case number, or date range. Court records reveal:

• All charges filed in the case
• Plea agreements and negotiations
• Trial outcomes and verdicts
• Sentencing details and conditions
• Probation or parole terms
• Appeals and post-conviction motions
• Case status and upcoming hearings

Combining inmate search data with court records provides a comprehensive understanding of someone's legal situation. While the inmate search shows current custody status, court records explain what happened to previous cases and their ultimate resolutions.

Legal Considerations and Proper Use of Inmate Information

While inmate records are public information, how you use this data is subject to legal restrictions, particularly in employment contexts:

Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) Compliance

If you're an employer using criminal records for hiring decisions, you must comply with FCRA regulations. This includes:

• Obtaining written consent from the candidate before conducting background checks
• Using a certified Consumer Reporting Agency for employment screening purposes
• Following adverse action procedures if you deny employment based on criminal history
• Considering the nature and gravity of the offense and time elapsed since conviction
• Providing pre-adverse action notices and opportunity to dispute inaccurate information

Simply searching the Broward County inmate database on your own doesn't make you FCRA-compliant for employment decisions. Employers must use certified background check services and follow specific procedures to avoid legal liability.

Ban the Box Laws

Florida has limited "ban the box" provisions for public employers. While private employers have more flexibility, best practices include delaying criminal history questions until after conditional job offers to avoid discrimination claims. Many employers now conduct background checks only after making preliminary hiring decisions.

Privacy and Discrimination Concerns

Using arrest records inappropriately can expose you to discrimination claims. Remember that arrests don't prove guilt-only convictions demonstrate that someone was found guilty beyond reasonable doubt. Making decisions based solely on arrests rather than convictions may constitute unfair discrimination and could violate civil rights laws.

Beyond Inmate Searches: Building Comprehensive Profiles

For sales professionals, recruiters, and investigators, finding someone's criminal history is often just one piece of a larger puzzle. Building comprehensive profiles requires multiple data points:

After conducting a criminal background check, you might also need contact information. Galadon's Email Finder helps you locate professional email addresses when you have someone's name and company, while the Mobile Number Finder can uncover phone numbers associated with email addresses or LinkedIn profiles.

For more extensive due diligence, Galadon's Property Search tool allows you to find property owner names, phone numbers, emails, and address history for any US address. This can be valuable when verifying someone's residential history or identifying assets.

The Background Checker tool provides comprehensive background reports with trust scores that aggregate multiple data sources into easy-to-understand profiles. These reports can include criminal records, contact information, relatives, associates, and other public record data.

This multi-layered approach is particularly valuable for:

• Recruiters: Verifying candidate information and ensuring compliance with industry-specific background check requirements before making offers
• Sales Professionals: Researching decision-makers and understanding company leadership backgrounds before high-stakes pitches or partnership discussions
• Small Business Owners: Vetting potential partners, vendors, or clients before entering into contracts or financial relationships
• Landlords: Conducting thorough tenant screening beyond credit checks to identify potential risks
• Legal Professionals: Gathering information for litigation, investigations, or witness location

Keeping Records Updated and Monitoring Changes

Criminal cases evolve over time. Someone who appears in the Broward County inmate database today may be released tomorrow, and charges can be modified, dropped, or result in convictions with varying sentences. If you need to monitor someone's case status:

• Check the Broward County Clerk of Courts website for case updates and court dockets regularly
• Note the case number from the inmate record and search it periodically for new filings
• Set calendar reminders for scheduled court dates when significant developments may occur
• Contact the State Attorney's Office or public defender for case status on serious matters
• Subscribe to case notifications if available through the court system

For ongoing monitoring needs, some background check services offer alert features that notify you when new records appear for individuals you're tracking. This can be valuable for employers monitoring employees with criminal histories or legal professionals tracking defendants.

Understanding Bond and Release Information

When searching inmate records, bond information is often critical for families and friends seeking to secure release. The Broward Sheriff's Office provides bond amounts for each charge as well as total bond required for release.

There are two primary ways to post bond in Broward County:

• Cash Bond: Pay the full bond amount in cash, which will be refunded after case resolution minus any fees or fines
• Surety Bond: Work with a licensed bail bondsman who posts bond for a non-refundable fee, typically 10% of the total bond amount

Before attempting to post bond, call (954) 831-5900 to confirm the person is in Broward County custody and verify current bond amounts. Bond can sometimes be modified by judges during first appearance hearings or subsequent court proceedings.

Understanding bond conditions is important-release may come with requirements like GPS monitoring, drug testing, travel restrictions, or no-contact orders. Violating bond conditions can result in immediate re-arrest and bond revocation.

Privacy and Ethical Considerations

Just because inmate information is publicly available doesn't mean every use is appropriate or ethical. Consider these guidelines:

• Verify Information: Arrest records show charges, not convictions. Someone is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
• Consider Context: The nature of the charge, how long ago it occurred, and the final disposition matter significantly. A 20-year-old arrest that resulted in dismissal is very different from a recent conviction.
• Respect Privacy: Avoid unnecessarily sharing someone's criminal history, especially for minor offenses or old cases. Public records don't require public shaming.
• Use Authorized Purposes: Employment screening, tenant evaluation, and similar legitimate purposes are appropriate uses. Using records for harassment, stalking, or discrimination is not.
• Understand Rehabilitation: People can change. Someone with past arrests may have reformed and deserves consideration of their current circumstances.

The availability of public records carries responsibility. Use inmate search tools as part of informed decision-making, not as weapons for harassment or discrimination. Many jurisdictions are moving toward more rehabilitative approaches that recognize past mistakes shouldn't permanently define someone's opportunities.

Special Considerations for Different Users

For Family Members

If you're searching for a recently arrested family member, understand that the arrest may be stressful and confusing for everyone involved. Use the information you find to:

• Determine bond amounts and release options
• Schedule video visitation to maintain contact
• Understand charges and potential consequences
• Connect with appropriate legal representation
• Provide emotional support through calls and correspondence

For Employers

Employers must balance safety concerns with fair chance hiring practices. When using inmate search data:

• Follow all FCRA requirements and state-specific regulations
• Consider only conviction records, not mere arrests
• Evaluate relevance of offenses to the position in question
• Allow candidates to explain circumstances and demonstrate rehabilitation
• Document decision-making processes to defend against discrimination claims

For Bail Bondsmen and Legal Professionals

The inmate search system provides critical information for your daily operations:

• Quickly locate clients and verify custody status
• Access bond amounts and charge information
• Identify court dates and case numbers
• Confirm booking numbers needed for release paperwork
• Monitor multiple clients across different facilities

For Researchers and Journalists

Inmate records can provide valuable information for investigative work, but use responsibly:

• Verify information through multiple sources before publication
• Understand that booking records may contain errors
• Consider ethical implications of reporting on arrests versus convictions
• Protect privacy where appropriate, especially for minor offenses
• Provide context about the criminal justice process in reporting

Conclusion: Choosing the Right Search Method

The Broward County inmate search system provides free, real-time access to current custody information and is ideal for quickly checking if someone is currently incarcerated in Broward County facilities. For immediate needs like finding bail information, confirming booking details, or locating an inmate for visitation purposes, the official Sheriff's Office database is your best starting point.

The search system is straightforward to use-simply navigate to the Broward Sheriff's Office Arrest Search portal, enter the inmate's name or booking number, and review the results. The information updates regularly throughout the day and provides comprehensive details about current charges, housing location, bond amounts, and court dates.

However, for comprehensive criminal background research that extends beyond current custody status, you'll need additional resources. Galadon's Criminal Records Search provides nationwide coverage across sex offender registries, corrections databases, arrest records, and court records-giving you a much broader view than any single county's inmate search can provide.

Whether you're conducting due diligence for business purposes, researching legal matters, or simply trying to locate someone in custody, understanding the capabilities and limitations of each tool ensures you get the information you actually need without wasting time on incomplete searches. Combine the official Broward County inmate search with court records, comprehensive background checks, and other research tools for the most complete picture possible.

Remember that criminal justice records are sensitive information that should be used responsibly and ethically. Verify data through multiple sources, understand the difference between arrests and convictions, and consider the human impact of how you use and share this information. Public records serve important purposes for safety and transparency, but they should never be weaponized to unfairly harm individuals who have paid their debt to society or who were never convicted of charges in the first place.