INMATE VISITATION
To schedule visitation appointments online CLICK HERE.                Video Visitation Scheduling and Registration
                                                                                                                    Visitas por video Registro y programación

SCHEDULE AND VISIT FROM YOUR ANDROID PHONE OR TABLET



In addition to on-site visits, friends and family members can choose to schedule a video visit from the comfort of home.

Each internet video visitation session will be $12.00 per 25 minute visit. On-site video visits will continue to be free. Visits can be scheduled and cancelled using either the website or the App. Refunds for internet visits will not be issued. Friend and Family members can schedule an on-site or internet video visit by visiting https://sarasotafl.gtlvisitme.com/app or by downloading the Android app "GTL Vismobile."

Inmates are allowed three (3) fifty-minute visitations per week. The maximum number of visitors allowed at each visit is three (3).

Visitors must be an adult (18 years or older) with an UNDAMAGED valid photo identification (driver's license, Florida I.D. card, Military I.D. card or passport). Expired, taped or broken identification WILL NOT be accepted. Children may visit only when accompanied by a parent or guardian.

1. Unaccompanied children will not be permitted in the visitation center or jail front lobby. If children are not controlled in visitation or the jail front lobby, the visitor may be asked to leave.
2. Each inmate is permitted up to three (3) visitors at a time, including children and infants.
3. Visitors with infants and small children may bring one baby bottle/one diaper/baby wipes/and a blanket. A diaper bag, which will be searched, shall be permitted. No strollers or baby carriers will be allowed.

Special visits (family emergencies, death, grave illness) must be approved through Administration.

DRESS CODE

• No miniskirts
• No short shorts
• No halter tops or tops with spaghetti straps
• No tank tops or muscle shirts
• No see through tops
• No tops that reveal cleavage or midriff
• No improper messages or images
• No bare feet

Photographs, writing materials and cell phones are NOT allowed in the visitation area. Visitation can be denied if rules are violated.

ALL VISITS ARE SUBJECT TO MONITORING AND RECORDING

VISITATION HOURS
Internet Visits: 0830am – 1100am and 1200pm – 1800pm Everyday
On Site Visits: 0900am – 1100am and 1200pm – 1800pm Everyday

VISITATION DAYS
Visitation is available seven days a week.

Inmates that have not yet been classified (typically less than 3 days in jail) or are under special medical observation may not receive personal visits unless approved by administration. Legal visits will be allowed but may be subject to certain restrictions based on client’s condition.

Regulations concerning dress and conduct for all visitors are posted at the entrance to the facility. Failure to follow visitor rules and regulations may result in loss of visitation privileges for the visitor. Visits shall be terminated without notice for any violation of visitation rules.

INMATE MAIL
Effective September 1, 2020, non-legal mail will no longer be accepted at the correctional facility, all non-legal mail that is received will be returned to sender.

The Sarasota County Corrections Facility has contracted with Smart Communications to install Kiosks/Tablets in all housing units and will be available to inmates for outside and internal communications.

To maintain security and safety of the inmates and staff,  all inmate mail MUST be sent to the following address:
Smart Communications - SCCF
INMATE NAME-ID NUMBER
PO Box 700
Pinellas Park, Fl 33781

The Inmate Name and ID Number must be clearly PRINTED on the outside of the envelope or postcard, to ensure the mail is posted to the correct amount. Mail not containing the inmate ID Number and the Name will be "Returned to Sender"

All regular inmate postal mail (Postcards, Letters, Greeting Cards, etc.) will be scanned into the system and available to the inmates to view their postal mail via the inmate kiosk/tablets.

Please be advised that when you mail an item, the original document will be destroyed. Concerning important documents like marriage certificates, birth certificates, social security cards and pictures, please do not mail original documents. You should only mail copies of these documents or pictures that you do not need returned. These will be scanned into the electronic system and destroyed after 30 days.

Upon release inmates can login to the public website at: https://www.smartjailmail.com/ and enter their inmate number and password and download their photos, messages, and postal mail for FREE up to 30 days.

Family and friends are encouraged to communicate with their loved ones incarcerated at the jail. The mail is a good resource for maintaining that line of communication.

LEGAL MAIL

Effective October 1, 2020, all legal mail MUST be mailed to:
Inmate Name
Sarasota County Correctional Facility
2020 Main Street
Sarasota, Fl. 34237

Legal correspondence must be clearly marked as such from an attorney, court, Department of Corrections or the Parole Board.

MONEY ORDERS

Money orders may be mailed to inmates at:
Access Corrections
P.O. Box 12486
St. Louis, MO 63132

Money orders must be made out to "Access Secure Deposits". Include the state, city, inmate name and ID number on all money orders. Example: Florida, Sarasota, John Smith, 0200012345.

REJECTED MAIL
Incoming and outgoing mail will not be rejected based on its contents, unless the mail falls under one of the following criteria:

• Any photos depicting gang symbols/signs, nudity, lewd behavior
• Any material which contains codes, blackmail, extortion, contraband, threats, or information about another inmate
• Any material which contains plans of criminal activities, maps, or plots to escape, and any material which communicates information designed to encourage inmates to disrupt the jail by strikes, riots, fights, racial or religious hatred, or other prohibited acts
• Any publication which may adversely affect the security of the jail or the safety of the persons therein
• Publications which advocate the violent overthrow of the government of the United States or of a state, or which advocate violence or rebellion against government authority, under which the inmate is held
• Any publication which may adversely affect the security of the jail or the safety of the persons therein
• Inmate to inmate correspondence within the facility  or through outside channels is prohibited

CONTRABAND

Contraband items discovered in an inmate’s mail will be seized. Both the inmate and the sender will be notified of any item which has been seized and the reason for the seizure.

INMATE MESSAGING

SmartJailMail.com uses safe and secure two-way electronic messaging software designed specifically for communicating with inmates, prisoners, and detainees in correctional institutions. This allows those who are incarcerated or detained to communicate safely and quickly with family and friends outside of the jail, prison or detention center. They can send and receive electronic letters using a safe and secure computer kiosk or tablet stationed in their institution. Each message costs just 50 cents which is cheaper than a postage stamp and envelope. The message can be sent with postage paid and will be free to open and read for the recipient. Or, the message can be sent collect / "COD" for free and will be paid for by the recipient. To send or receive a message you MUST open a SmartJailMail.com account, this process is quick and easy, just follow these simple steps...

1. Sign Up
Creating an account is fast, simple, and completely free. We will ask you to choose a username and password to identify your account along with some basic contact information. We will send you an email or text message to verify and activate your account. There is no cost to create an account and search for inmates, prisoners, or detainees to connect with.

2. Make Connections
Once you have established an account, you may search for inmates, prisoners, or detainees to connect with. Once you have located an individual that you would like to connect with, you can send them a connection request. They will need to approve the request before you can send messages.

3. Purchase Service Credits
Once you have established a connection with an inmate, prisoner, or detainee, you can send and receive messages electronically. Service credits may be purchased through the web site using a major credit or debit card. Service credits cost one cent each with a minimum purchase of 500 credits ($5.00). You can purchase as many credits as you like and use them any time. You can also transfer credits to your contacts so they can easily respond to your messages. Each message is billed at $0.50, which equates to 50 credits and approved photos are billed at $1.00, or 100 credits.

4. Start Sending Messages!
Once you have purchased message credits, you can send and receive electronic messages. This is just like sending an e-mail, except it is contained within the SmartJailMail.com web site. Messages can be delivered instantly or may be held for review depending on the destination facility. Electronic messages are delivered much more quickly than traditional paper mail to the correctional facility so you can stay connected. To sign up for Smart Inmate Messaging click the link below.

REJECTED MESSAGING
Incoming messages will not be rejected based on its contents, unless the message falls under one of the following criteria:

• Any photos depicting gang symbols/signs, nudity, lewd behavior
• Any material which contains codes, blackmail, extortion, contraband, threats, or information about another inmate
• Any material which contains plans of criminal activities, maps, or plots to escape, and any material which communicates information designed to encourage inmates to disrupt the jail by strikes, riots, fights, racial or religious hatred, or other prohibited acts
• Any publication which may adversely affect the security of the jail or the safety of the persons therein
• Publications which advocate the violent overthrow of the government of the United States or of a state, or which advocate violence or rebellion against government authority, under which the inmate is held
• Any publication which may adversely affect the security of the jail or the safety of the persons therein
• Inmate to inmate correspondence within the facility or through outside channels is prohibited

Any violation of the above will result in the suspension and/or termination of the registered users account.

Smart Inmate Messaging Sign Up

CUSTOMER CARE
Our Customer Care Call Center is open 7 days a week from 7:00am to 12:00 Midnight EST and can be reached toll free at 888.843.1972. Our friendly, knowledgeable, U.S. based Customer Care representatives are prepared to assist you:

• Create an account
• Deposit funds into an account
• Communication service questions and rates
• Billing and refund questions