Inmate Search Florida Volusia County: Complete Guide

Understanding Volusia County's Jail System

Volusia County operates two primary detention facilities: the Volusia County Branch Jail in Daytona Beach and the Volusia County Correctional Facility in Daytona Beach. These facilities house pre-trial detainees awaiting court proceedings as well as sentenced inmates serving terms of one year or less. Understanding which facility houses your subject and how the county's system operates is essential for conducting an effective inmate search.

The Branch Jail, located at 1300 Red John Drive, has a capacity of 899 inmates and primarily houses pretrial inmates, state-sentenced individuals, and medium to high custody non-sentenced males. The Volusia County Correctional Facility, situated at 1354 Indian Lake Road, adds additional capacity to the county's detention system. Together, these facilities maintain a combined authorized capacity of 1,494 inmates.

The Volusia County Division of Corrections manages inmate records and provides multiple methods for the public to search for current inmates. Whether you're a family member trying to locate a loved one, an attorney gathering case information, or a professional conducting background research, knowing how to navigate these systems efficiently can save considerable time and frustration. It's important to note that the Division of Corrections is a separate entity from the Volusia County Sheriff's Office, which handles arrest records, fingerprinting services, and sex offender registration.

Official Volusia County Inmate Search Methods

The most direct method for searching Volusia County inmates is through the Volusia County Sheriff's Office Inmate Information System accessible at volusiamug.vcgov.org. This online database is updated regularly and provides real-time information about individuals currently housed in county facilities. The system allows searches by the inmate's last name, first name, booking number, or state identification number.

When using the official county system, you'll typically find information including the inmate's full name, booking date, charges, bond amount, court dates, and housing location within the facility. The database also shows the inmate's booking photo, which helps confirm you've located the correct individual when searching common names. This information is publicly accessible and serves as the most reliable source for current custody status.

For phone inquiries, you can contact the Volusia County Branch Jail at 386-254-1555 or the Correctional Facility at 386-254-1565 during business hours. The Branch Jail Booking Office operates around the clock and can provide basic information about whether someone is currently in custody, though detailed information may require an in-person visit or written request. Be prepared to provide the full name and date of birth of the person you're searching for to expedite the process.

The Booking Process in Volusia County

Understanding the booking process helps explain when someone will appear in the inmate search system. When individuals are arrested in Volusia County, they undergo a comprehensive booking procedure that includes capturing fingerprints, taking mugshots, documenting personal information, and processing paperwork. This process can take several hours from the time of arrest until the inmate appears in the searchable database.

During booking, inmates are photographed and fingerprinted using modern electronic systems. The fingerprints are stored in both hard copy and electronic format to ensure accuracy and integrity. Each booking generates a unique booking number specific to that incarceration event. This booking number becomes the primary identifier for that particular detention, separate from any state identification numbers.

The Volusia County Division of Corrections charges a booking fee and daily subsistence fee for inmates. These fees are assessed during intake, with subsistence fees deducted daily from inmate bank accounts. Inmates who participate in work details are not required to pay the subsistence fee. Understanding these administrative aspects can be helpful when managing the financial obligations associated with incarceration.

Using the Florida Department of Corrections Database

If your search through Volusia County's local system yields no results, the individual may have been transferred to state prison to serve a longer sentence. The Florida Department of Corrections (FDOC) maintains a comprehensive statewide inmate database that includes anyone currently incarcerated in Florida state prisons or under state supervision.

The FDOC database is particularly useful because it provides historical information as well. You can search for current inmates, but the system also maintains records of inmates who have been released, including their release dates and supervision status if they're on parole or probation. This makes it valuable for background checks and comprehensive criminal history research.

Searches can be conducted by name, DC number (the state's identification number for inmates), or various combinations of demographic information. The more specific information you have, the more accurate your search results will be. The system displays the inmate's current location, sentence length, tentative release date, and a summary of their conviction charges. Once assigned, a DC number follows an individual throughout their lifetime in Florida's criminal justice system, making it an invaluable tool for tracking someone's incarceration history.

Accessing Florida Arrest Records and Court Documents

Sometimes you may need information about someone who was arrested but is no longer in custody, having posted bond or been released on their own recognizance. In these cases, arrest records and court documents become your primary resources. The Volusia County Clerk of Court maintains searchable databases of all court cases filed in the county, including criminal cases.

Through the clerk's website, you can search by party name, case number, or attorney to find active and closed criminal cases. Court records provide significantly more detail than jail records, including charging documents, plea agreements, sentencing orders, and case dispositions. This information is particularly valuable for background checks or legal research because it shows not just arrests but actual case outcomes.

The Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) also maintains criminal history records, though accessing these typically requires a formal background check with fingerprints. FDLE serves as the central repository for criminal history information for the state of Florida and processes over a million criminal history background checks annually. For professional purposes, tools like Galadon's Criminal Records Search can aggregate information from multiple sources, providing a more comprehensive view of someone's criminal history across county and state systems without requiring fingerprinting.

Understanding Booking Numbers and Inmate Identification

Each time someone is booked into Volusia County jail, they receive a unique booking number. This number is different from their state DC number and is specific to that particular incarceration event. If someone has been arrested multiple times in Volusia County, they'll have multiple booking numbers, each corresponding to a different arrest.

When conducting searches, using the booking number when you have it provides the most precise results. However, most people searching for inmates don't have this information initially. In these cases, searching by name becomes necessary, but be aware that common names may return multiple results. Using additional identifiers like date of birth or middle name helps narrow results and ensures you've located the correct individual.

State DC numbers are permanent identifiers assigned to anyone who enters the Florida state prison system. Once assigned, this number follows the individual throughout their lifetime, even if they're released and later re-incarcerated. For frequent searches of the same individual, noting their DC number significantly streamlines future lookups. The DC number becomes part of their permanent criminal record in Florida's criminal justice system.

Navigating Sealed and Expunged Records

Not all arrests and incarcerations remain publicly accessible indefinitely. Florida law allows individuals to have certain criminal records sealed or expunged under specific circumstances. Sealed records are hidden from public view but remain accessible to law enforcement and certain other agencies. Expunged records are physically destroyed, though a confidential record of the expungement remains.

If your inmate search yields no results despite believing someone was arrested, the records may have been sealed or expunged. This is most common with cases that were dismissed, resulted in acquittal, or involved juvenile offenses that qualified for sealing upon reaching adulthood. First-time offenders who completed diversion programs may also have sealed records.

For professional background screening purposes, understanding these limitations is crucial. While local jail searches provide current custody information, comprehensive background checks require searching multiple databases and understanding what information might be legally hidden from public view. This is where professional-grade tools become valuable for recruiters, landlords, and employers who need thorough due diligence. The Galadon Background Checker provides comprehensive reports with trust scores to help professionals make informed decisions.

Federal Inmate Records and Multi-Jurisdictional Searches

Volusia County jail and Florida state prison searches cover state-level offenses, but federal crimes result in incarceration in federal facilities. The Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) operates several facilities in Florida, and individuals convicted of federal offenses won't appear in county or state databases.

The BOP maintains its own inmate locator system accessible through their website. Federal searches require the inmate's name or their BOP register number. Federal facilities house inmates convicted of crimes like bank robbery, drug trafficking across state lines, immigration offenses, and white-collar crimes like fraud and embezzlement.

For truly comprehensive inmate searches, checking county, state, and federal databases is necessary. This multi-jurisdictional approach is particularly important for background checks on individuals who have lived in multiple locations or whose criminal history might span different law enforcement levels. Tools like Galadon's Criminal Records Search streamline this process by searching multiple databases simultaneously, including sex offender registries, corrections records, arrest records, and court records nationwide.

Finding Arrest Records for Released Individuals

Once someone posts bond or completes their sentence, they disappear from active inmate databases. However, their arrest record and court case remain public records. The Volusia County Sheriff's Office maintains arrest logs that show recent arrests even after individuals have been released from custody.

These arrest logs typically include the person's name, age, address at time of arrest, charges filed, arresting officer, and arrest date. Mugshots are also generally available for recent arrests through the public access website. However, older arrest records may require submitting a formal public records request to the sheriff's office or accessing them through court records.

The practical challenge with arrest-only records is that they don't show disposition - what ultimately happened with the case. Someone may have been arrested but had charges dropped, been found not guilty, or accepted a plea deal for a lesser offense. To understand the complete story, cross-referencing arrest records with court records through the Clerk of Court is essential for accurate background assessment.

Visitation, Inmate Accounts, and Contact Information

Beyond simply locating an inmate, you may need to visit them, send money to their commissary account, or communicate via mail or phone. Volusia County jail has specific procedures for each of these activities. Visitation is held at the Video Visitation Center located at 1300A Red John Drive, next to the Branch Jail.

For safety and security reasons, the Corrections Division does not provide contact visitation - all visits are conducted through video monitors. To schedule a visit, you'll first need to know the inmate's six-digit booking number, which can be found through the Inmate Information Search Page. The visitation operator is generally available to take calls from 12:45 to 4:30 p.m. and 5 to 9 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday only, at 386-254-1555.

Visitors must check in at least ten minutes prior to their appointment and will not be permitted to enter once their visitation period has started. Valid photo identification is required, and visitors must not have felony convictions or pending charges. Electronic devices including cell phones, tablets, iPods, and cameras are strictly prohibited in the visitation building. If asked to leave for any reason more than twice, all visitation privileges will be denied permanently.

Inmate accounts for commissary purchases can be funded through various third-party services that the county contracts with. These services typically charge fees for deposits, so understanding the most cost-effective method saves money for families supporting incarcerated loved ones. Funds can generally be deposited online, over the phone, or through kiosks located in the jail's lobby. The jail's website provides details about approved vendors and procedures.

Mail Procedures and Communication with Inmates

Mail sent to inmates must follow specific formatting requirements, including proper address formatting and restrictions on content. When mailing to detainees at Volusia County facilities, ensure to include the inmate's full name and booking number. All mail, except legal mail, is inspected for contraband before delivery to inmates.

Most facilities don't allow hardback books, packages, or items other than letters and photos. No polaroid photos, correspondence with perfume or lipstick marks, or any materials that could pose security concerns are permitted. Mail with any unauthorized substances will be returned to the sender. Understanding these restrictions helps ensure your correspondence reaches the inmate without delays or returns.

Phone calls from inmates are either collect or prepaid, and rates can be substantial. Inmates cannot receive incoming calls - they can only make outbound calls to approved numbers. Friends and family can set up prepaid calling accounts to make communication more affordable. Some jails offer email-like messaging services that allow electronic communication between inmates and approved contacts for a fee.

Professional Background Checks and Criminal Records Research

For professionals conducting employee background checks, tenant screening, or client due diligence, understanding the limitations of free public databases is crucial. While Volusia County's inmate search shows current custody status, it doesn't provide the comprehensive criminal history that many professional applications require.

Comprehensive background checks should include searches of county court records where the individual has lived, statewide criminal databases, sex offender registries, and federal court records. National databases that aggregate records from multiple jurisdictions provide broader coverage but may have gaps or outdated information depending on reporting timeliness.

The Florida Department of Law Enforcement offers several levels of background checks. Level 1 checks are state-only, name-based searches that can return results in approximately 24 hours. Level 2 checks are state and national fingerprint-based checks that search both Florida's Computerized Criminal History Database and the FBI's national criminal history database. The fee for public requests through FDLE is currently $24 per search.

Modern background check tools streamline this multi-database approach. Galadon's Criminal Records Search aggregates information from county jails, state corrections departments, sex offender registries, and court records nationwide, providing a more complete picture than single-source searches. For professionals who conduct regular background research, these tools save significant time while improving accuracy. The system searches multiple databases simultaneously, eliminating the need to check each jurisdiction separately.

Understanding Charges and Legal Terminology

When reviewing inmate records, you'll encounter legal terminology and charge codes that may be unfamiliar. Florida uses specific statutory codes to classify crimes, and understanding the severity of charges requires knowing whether they're classified as misdemeanors, third-degree felonies, second-degree felonies, first-degree felonies, or life felonies.

Misdemeanor charges typically result in county jail sentences of less than one year, while felony convictions can lead to state prison terms. Bond amounts often reflect the severity of charges and the defendant's criminal history. High bonds or 'no bond' holds indicate serious charges or that the individual is considered a flight risk or danger to the community.

Some common charges you'll see in Volusia County records include DUI (driving under the influence), possession of controlled substances, domestic battery, violation of probation, grand theft, and various degrees of assault. Understanding these charges helps contextualize the information you find during your inmate search and assess the seriousness of someone's criminal involvement. The specific Florida Statute number associated with each charge provides additional detail about the exact nature of the offense.

FDLE Criminal History Checks and Background Screening

The Florida Department of Law Enforcement serves as the central repository for criminal history information and provides public access to this information when requested. FDLE maintains the Florida Computerized Criminal History Central Repository for Florida arrests and connects to the national criminal history database at the FBI for federal arrests and arrests from other states.

State and national criminal history information is available to governmental agencies for licensing and employment as authorized under Florida law. For fingerprint-based checks, applicants must submit fingerprints via a Livescan device at approved locations. The Volusia County Sheriff's Office offers fingerprinting services by appointment at their Operations Center, located at 1330 Indian Lake Road in Daytona Beach, Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. to 2:45 p.m.

FDLE's FALCON system is a state-of-the-art system for identifying criminals and reporting data. When organizations submit criminal history background check requests, FALCON retains fingerprints and compares them to incoming Florida arrest fingerprints, providing ongoing notification of any new arrests. State and national criminal record search results are typically made available to requesting entities within three business days.

Privacy Considerations and Ethical Use of Inmate Information

While inmate records are public information, using this data ethically and legally is important. Employment decisions based on criminal history must comply with Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) requirements and Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) guidelines that prevent discriminatory practices based solely on arrest records without convictions.

Publicly sharing inmate information, particularly on social media, can have legal implications. While the information itself is public, using it to harass, defame, or cause harm to someone could result in civil liability. The purpose of public criminal records is to promote transparency and public safety, not to enable vigilante justice or social punishment beyond legal consequences.

For landlords, employers, and others using criminal records for decision-making, documenting your screening process and applying criteria consistently helps demonstrate compliance with fair housing and employment laws. Consulting with legal counsel about your specific use case ensures you're using public records appropriately while protecting yourself from discrimination claims. Tools like Galadon's Background Checker help professionals conduct compliant screening by providing comprehensive information with proper documentation.

Bail Bonds and Release Procedures

Understanding the bail and release process is essential when searching for inmates who may be eligible for release. After the booking process is complete and bail is set during First Appearance hearings or by the judge, inmates or their families can post bond to secure release. Bond information is available by contacting the Branch Jail Booking Office at 386-254-1555, which operates around the clock.

Bail amounts are set based on the severity of charges, the defendant's criminal history, flight risk assessment, and community safety concerns. The court considers various factors including employment status, community ties, and the nature of the alleged crime when determining appropriate bail amounts. Bail bond agents charge a non-refundable fee, typically 10% of the total bail amount, to post bail on behalf of defendants who cannot afford the full amount.

It's important to be aware of bail bond scams. The Volusia County Division of Corrections has issued warnings about fraudulent phone calls and text messages from people claiming to be bail bondsmen or jail staff requesting money via Zelle, PayPal, Cash App, Bitcoin, or other electronic payment methods. No one from the Volusia County Division of Corrections will ever solicit a bond for anyone. These scams should be reported to local law enforcement immediately.

Property Records and Additional Research Tools

When conducting comprehensive background research beyond criminal records, property ownership information can provide valuable context. The Galadon Property Search tool allows you to find property owner names, phone numbers, emails, and address history for any U.S. address, which can be useful when trying to locate individuals or verify residence information during background screening processes.

For professionals conducting business-related background checks, understanding someone's complete profile often requires multiple data sources. Sales professionals, recruiters, and marketers can benefit from tools that help verify contact information and build comprehensive profiles. The Galadon Email Verifier helps confirm whether contact information is valid before reaching out, while the Mobile Number Finder can locate cell phone numbers from email addresses or LinkedIn profiles when conducting outreach.

These complementary tools work together to provide a complete picture for professional research purposes, whether you're conducting pre-employment screening, tenant verification, or due diligence on business partners or clients. Combining criminal record searches with contact verification and property records creates a more comprehensive understanding of an individual's background and current circumstances.