Palm Beach County inmate records show who sits in the county jail right now. The Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office runs the main jail complex.
Anyone can look up an inmate online through the PBSO website. You can search by name, by booking number, or by date of birth. The records are free to view. They are public under Florida law. This page covers how the search works, what each record shows, and how to reach the jail for help.
How to Search for Inmate Records in Palm Beach
You can search Palm Beach County inmate records three ways. You can use the online search tool. You can call the jail. Or you can visit the main lobby in person. All three methods lead to the same database. The Sheriff’s Office keeps the list current around the clock. New arrestees appear within hours of booking. People who post bond or finish their sentence get removed from the list.
Online Search Tool for Palm Beach County
The fastest way to search is online through the PBSO website at pbso.org. Click the inmate search link at the top of the page. Type the last name in the first box. Add the first name in the second box to narrow the results. The system pulls up matching records within seconds. Each result shows a photo, the charges, the bond amount, and the booking date.
You do not need to sign up or pay a fee. The search is open to everyone. You only need a name to start. If you know the booking number, you can use that for a direct match. The online tool also lets you search by housing unit. This helps if you already know where the inmate is held.
Phone and In-Person Search Methods
You can call the main jail line at 561-688-3000. Ask the front desk staff for inmate details. Have the full legal name ready. Also have the date of birth if you know it. Staff can tell you if the person is in custody. They can share the charges, the bond, and the housing location. Phone searches are free.
You can visit the main jail lobby in person. The address is 3228 Gun Club Road, West Palm Beach, Florida 33406. The lobby is open Monday through Friday from 8 AM to 5 PM. Bring a valid photo ID. Staff at the front desk can help with searches and answer basic questions about inmates in custody.
Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office Contact
The Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office is the main law enforcement agency in the county. It runs all county jails and booking centers. The headquarters sits in West Palm Beach. The office handles arrests, inmate processing, court transport, and inmate programs. You can contact the office for almost any jail question you have.
Main Jail Location and Address
The main county jail sits at 3228 Gun Club Road, West Palm Beach, FL 33406. This is the main booking and detention facility. It holds most county inmates. The jail complex has several buildings. Each building has its own security level. Some buildings hold people waiting for trial. Others hold people serving short sentences after conviction.
You can reach the jail by car or by public bus. Parking is free at the front of the lobby. Palm Tran bus routes run nearby. The main entrance is open to the public during business hours. After hours, only lawyers, officers, and approved visitors can enter the building.
Phone Numbers and Office Hours
The Sheriff’s Office main line is 561-688-3000. This line is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. You can call any time to check inmate status. The records office has a separate number at 561-688-3140. The records office handles public records requests. That line runs Monday through Friday from 8 AM to 5 PM.
The lobby at the main jail is open to walk-in visitors. Lobby hours are 8 AM to 5 PM, Monday through Friday. The lobby closes on weekends and county holidays. You must show a valid photo ID to enter. Visitors under 18 must come with a parent or legal guardian.
Visitation Hours and Rules
Visits at the main jail happen by schedule. Friends and family can visit in person. They can also visit by video. In-person visits last 30 minutes. Video visits cost money per session. You must book your visit ahead of time. You can book through the PBSO website or by calling the visitation office.
Visitation days depend on the housing unit. Some units allow visits on weekdays only. Others allow weekend visits. Visitors must be 18 or older. Visitors must show a photo ID at the door. All visitors must pass a metal detector before entering the visiting room. No bags, phones, or food are allowed in the visiting area.
Data Shown in Each Inmate Record
Each inmate record shows basic booking facts. These facts come from the booking process. Booking happens right after an arrest. A deputy enters the data into the computer system. The data then shows on the public search page. The data updates as the court case moves forward.
Personal Details and Booking Number
The record shows the inmate’s full legal name. It also shows any known aliases or nicknames. You will see the booking number. This number is unique to each booking. It stays the same until the person is released. You can use this number for a direct search if you have it.
Other personal facts include age, race, and gender. You will see height and weight. Some records show tattoos, scars, or other marks. A booking photo is part of most records. The photo is the same as the mugshot. It is taken at the time of booking.
Charges, Court Date, and Bond
The charges section lists the alleged crimes. These are accusations, not convictions. They come from the police report and the prosecutor’s filing. Each charge has a statute number. Some charges are felonies. Others are misdemeanors. Some charges are local ordinance violations.
Bond amount is listed if a judge set one. Bond is the money needed for release. Some inmates have no bond. This means the judge denied bail. Others have a high bond. Family can post bond through a licensed bail agent. Or they can pay the full amount to the court clerk.
Court date is shown if one has been set. The first court date is the arraignment. The inmate appears before a judge. The judge reads the charges. The inmate enters a plea. Future court dates are added as the case moves forward.
Custody Status and Housing Location
The record shows if the person is still in jail. It also shows the housing unit. Palm Beach County has several housing units. Each unit holds a different group. Some hold men. Some hold women. Some hold people with medical needs. Others hold people who need protection from the general population.
The record may also show a projected release date. This is only for people serving short sentences after conviction. People awaiting trial do not have a release date. Their release depends on the court process. Bond posting can also change the release date at any time.
Public Records Law in Florida
Florida has strong public records laws. Most jail records are public. You do not need a reason to search. You do not need to be a family member. Anyone can look up an inmate. The state law backs up this right for every resident and visitor.
Florida Statute Chapter 119
Chapter 119 of Florida Statutes covers public records. It says that government records must be open to the public. This includes jail records and court records. The law has been in place since 1909. It has been updated many times over the years. The current version is in effect as of 2026.
The law makes it easy to get records. You do not have to file a lawsuit. You do not have to pay high fees. Simple online searches are free. You can ask for copies of records through a public records request. The agency may charge a small copy fee for large requests.
Records Anyone Can See
You can see the inmate’s full name. You can see the booking date and time. You can see the charges and statute numbers. You can see the bond amount. You can see the next court date. You can see the housing location. You can see the booking photo too.
- Inmate full name and known aliases
- Booking number and booking date
- Current charges and statute numbers
- Bond amount and bond status
- Housing unit and custody status
- Next scheduled court date
- Booking photo taken at intake
Details Kept Private
Some details are not public. Medical records are private. Mental health records are private. Records of inmates who are minors are not public. Records of sexual assault victims are not public. The home address of certain inmates may also be private. This includes on-duty police officers, judges, and witnesses in active cases.
Security details are private too. The layout of the jail is not public. The number of guards is not public. Security camera footage is not public. These details are kept secret for safety reasons. The jail also keeps some investigation files sealed until a case is closed.
County Jail vs Florida State Prison
Florida has two main jail systems. The county jail holds people for short stays. The state prison holds people for longer sentences. They are two different systems. They have two different databases. You need to search both in some cases to find someone.
When to Use the County Search
Use the county search for new arrests. Use it for people awaiting trial. Use it for people serving sentences of less than one year. Most people in the county jail are pre-trial. They have not been convicted yet. They are waiting for their court date or a plea deal.
The county jail also holds people on writs. A writ is a court order. The person is being moved from one place to another. They may be going to court for a hearing. They may be going to state prison after sentencing. They pass through the county jail first.
When to Use the State Search
Use the state search for people convicted of felonies. Use it for people serving sentences of more than one year. The Florida Department of Corrections runs the state system. Their website is dc.myflorida.com. You can search by name there. You can also search by DC number if you have it.
Some people are in both systems over time. They may be in county jail now. They may be in state prison later. It depends on the sentence. It also depends on the transfer process. Always check both systems if you are not sure where the person is held.
| Category | County Jail (PBSO) | State Prison (FDC) |
|---|---|---|
| Sentence Length | Less than 1 year | 1 year or more |
| Typical Residents | Pre-trial inmates | Convicted felons |
| Search Website | pbso.org | dc.myflorida.com |
| Agency Type | County Sheriff | State Department |
| Record Updates | Every few hours | Daily |
Visitation, Mail, and Money Rules
The jail has rules for visitors. The jail has rules for mail. The jail has rules for money. These rules help keep order. They also help keep inmates safe. Family and friends should learn these rules before visiting or sending anything to the jail.
Sending Money to an Inmate
Family can send money to an inmate. The money goes into a commissary account. The inmate uses this money to buy items at the jail store. They can buy food, hygiene products, and writing supplies. Money can also pay for phone calls and tablet services.
You can send money online through JailATM at jailatm.com. You can also send money by phone at 1-866-345-1884. You can also send a money order through the US Postal Service. No cash is allowed in the mail. The money order must include the inmate’s full name and booking number.
Phone Calls and Commissary
Inmates can make phone calls through a special phone system. The system is run by a private company. Family members can receive collect calls. They can also set up a prepaid account. The prepaid account is cheaper than collect calls. Friends and family must add funds to receive calls.
The commissary has a list of approved items. The list includes snacks, drinks, and stamps. It includes over-the-counter medicine. It includes envelopes and pens. Inmates can order twice a week. Orders are placed on Tuesdays and Fridays. Orders are delivered within two business days.
Mail and Package Rules
Mail is allowed at the jail. Letters and cards are allowed. Photos are allowed too. All mail goes through inspection by jail staff. Mail with contraband is rejected. Contraband includes drugs, weapons, and cash. Mail with gang symbols or hate speech is also rejected.
Packages are allowed in some cases. They must come from an approved vendor. Family cannot send a package from home. Books must come from a publisher or approved seller. Used books are not allowed. Clothing is not allowed in the mail. All items must come through the commissary system.
Official Contact Details
The Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office is the best contact for inmate questions. The main address is 3228 Gun Club Road, West Palm Beach, FL 33406. The main phone number is 561-688-3000. The records office phone is 561-688-3140. The office is open Monday through Friday from 8 AM to 5 PM.
The official website is www.pbso.org. The website has the inmate search tool. It also has visitation rules. It has bond payment details. It has phone system details. You can find forms for public records requests on the site too. The website is updated daily with new booking data.
- Main Address: 3228 Gun Club Road, West Palm Beach, FL 33406
- Main Phone: 561-688-3000 (24 hours)
- Records Phone: 561-688-3140 (business hours)
- Website: www.pbso.org
- Lobby Hours: Monday to Friday, 8 AM to 5 PM
- Records Hours: Monday to Friday, 8 AM to 5 PM
Nearby Counties for Inmate Searches
People sometimes get arrested in another county. Palm Beach County borders several other counties. Martin County is to the north. Broward County is to the south. Hendry County and Glades County are to the west. Okeechobee County is to the northwest. Each county runs its own jail and search system.
- Martin County – north of Palm Beach County
- Broward County – south of Palm Beach County
- Hendry County – west of Palm Beach County
- Glades County – west of Palm Beach County
- Okeechobee County – northwest of Palm Beach County
If you cannot find someone in Palm Beach, try the next county over. The person may have been arrested across the county line. Always check nearby counties if your search has no results. County boundaries are not always clear to residents. Arrests sometimes happen near where someone lives or works.
Frequently Asked Questions
People often have questions about Palm Beach County inmate records. The answers below cover the most common ones. Each answer is based on the current PBSO rules and Florida law. Rules can change over time. Always check the official PBSO website for the latest details before relying on any data below.
How do I search for an inmate by name?
Go to pbso.org and click on the inmate search link. Type the last name in the search box. You can also add a first name to narrow the results. The system shows all matching records. Each result shows a photo, charges, bond, and booking date. The search is free and open 24 hours a day. You do not need an account to use the search tool. The tool works on phones, tablets, and computers.
Can I see booking photos online?
Yes, most inmate records show a booking photo. The photo is the same as the mugshot taken at intake. The photo shows on the public search page. Some photos may be hidden by court order. Photos of juvenile inmates are never public. Photos of certain protected inmates may also be hidden for safety reasons.
How do I find out if someone was released?
Check the inmate search tool on pbso.org. If the person is no longer in the system, they have been released. The tool updates within hours of release. You can also call the main jail line at 561-688-3000. Staff can confirm a release over the phone. They can also share the time of release if you ask.
Are juvenile inmate records public in Florida?
No, juvenile records are not public. Florida law keeps these records private. Even the name of a juvenile is private. You cannot search for a juvenile in the public system. Only law enforcement and court officials can see juvenile records. Parents or guardians can get basic booking data from the juvenile court.
What is the difference between bond and bail?
Bond and bail mean the same thing in Florida courts. Both are the amount of money needed for release before trial. The judge sets the amount at a first hearing. If the person pays, they are released. They promise to return for all future court dates. A licensed bail agent can also post the bond for a non-refundable fee.
Can I email an inmate at Palm Beach County jail?
No, the jail does not accept email messages. Inmates can only get paper mail through the US Postal Service. All mail goes through inspection by jail staff. You must include the inmate’s full name and booking number on the envelope. You must also include your full name and return address on every piece of mail.
How long does it take for a new arrest to show up online?
Most arrests show up within a few hours of booking. The booking process can take 2 to 6 hours. After booking, the data enters the system. Then the public search page updates. The update runs every 30 minutes during business hours. After hours and on weekends, updates happen less often. Some delays may happen during heavy booking periods.