Columbia County Jail COVID-19 Coronavirus Visitation Policy

Columbia County Jail

Address:
389 NW Quinten Street
Lake City, FL 32055

Phone:

386-755-7000

New Visitation Policies in Columbia County Jail Due to COVID-19 Coronavirus

Because of concerns for the safety and wellness of both staff and inmates at the Columbia County Jail in Lake City, Florida, contact visits of any type may be suspended. Even if they have visits, from time to time, face masks may be required.

Approved Non-contact visits with family, friends and the inmate’s lawyers may still be allowed when at-home or onsite video visitation is not available, however given that new guidelines are changing daily please check the visitation page or call 386-755-7000 for updates.

Video Visitation at Columbia County Jail

At-home and onsite video visitation guidelines for Columbia County Jail, when this service is available, can be found by going to the visitation information page.

We highly recommend that you call 386-755-7000 first for any changes due to staff shortages or other unforeseen circumstances, including whether your inmate has become ill and is unable to be in the general population where video kiosks are available.

How Long Will These Changes Last?

Experts in the study of the COVID-19 are anticipating that spread of the virus will be a ongoing concern for Columbia County, the state of Florida and the entire United States until well into 2024 and maybe even beyond. We are witnessing the virus becoming more contagious, but less deadly over time. Many people think that the 'more contagious, but less deadly' variants will infect so many people that a higher level of natural immunity for the majority of Americans will be the end result.

Will the Inmates in Columbia County Jail Be Safe from Getting Sick With COVID-19 Coronavirus?

Whether the inmates are safe from contracting the coronavirus depends entirely on two things:

  1. The Virus being introduced into the facility by a staff member or inmate who is unaware that they have it.
  2. How easily it spreads.

At this stage most people who get the coronavirus show very few symptoms beyond what you might experience with a bad cold or a mild case of the common flu. Newer variants are turning out to be less deadly than the common flu we experience every year.

Studies that have been done are showing that the hardest hit are those 60 years of age and older, those with pre-existing medical issues like diabetes, leukemia or obese individuals. Young men and women rarely become very ill, and when they do, seem to recover quickly.

Given the close proximity of inmates and staff to each other in this lockup, it is going to be very difficult to prevent the spread of COVID-19 once it is introduced into the facility as the virus can spread via the microscopic vapor that we release every time we speak, cough or sneeze.

We will continuously update this page as the virus changes and new policies are instituted.

How to Send and Receive Secure Text and Email Messages with an Inmate in Columbia County Jail

To communicate by text or email with an Columbia County inmate, follow these instructions:

  • To send or receive a message you MUST first open a SmartJailMail.com account.
  • Once you open an account, you may search for Columbia County inmates or detainees to connect with.
  • When you locate the Columbia County inmate that you want to connect with, you can send them a connection request.
  • Columbia County Jail will then need to approve the request before you can send messages.

For all the information you need to send and receive secure messages in the form of text or email with a Columbia County Jail inmate, including how it works, how much it costs, renting your inmate a tablet, how often you can communicate and more, check out our Text/Email an Inmate Page.
NOTE: Your messages will be monitored and stored. You may want to refrain from discussing your inmate's court case.


 

How to Purchase Commissary for an Inmate in Columbia County

To purchase commissary online for an Columbia County Jail inmate, follow these instructions:

  • Start here and click ‘PLACE ORDER in CommissaryDeposit.com
  • Choose Florida
  • Choose Columbia County Jail
  • View the date your order will be delivered, then click ‘NEXT’.
  • Search for, then Select your inmate from the Columbia County Jail list.
  • Choose the amount to send.
  • Register, and Pay for the deposit transaction

Note: You will be charged a fee to purchase commissary for your Columbia County inmate. In addition, there is a maximum amount you can spend, usually about $250.00. 
Items you may Purchase from CommissaryDeposit.com:

  • Clothing - thermals, underwear, bras, shoes.
  • Stationary, envelopes, stamps, playing cards, board games
  • Toiletries, hygiene, reading glasses, medicated creams, aspirin
  • Soda, energy drinks, coffee, packaged meat & fish, soups, cookies, chips, pastries.

Contact Information
Customer Support page.
Customer Support phone:   912-584-6102
Email - [email protected]
Customer Support Hours - Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM EST

For complete information on fees, products, policies, deadlines, rules, minimum and maximum purchases and all the information you need to know regarding purchasing commissary for your inmate in Columbia County, go to our Inmate Commissary Page for details.


 

How an Inmate Makes a Phone Call to You or Others from Columbia County Jail

To set up a phone account so that your inmate can call you from Columbia County do the following:

1. Enroll in an account with Securus Technologies.

2. Choose one of three account types, Securus Debit, Advance Connect or Direct Bill.
3. Choose [facility_name_1}, then connect with your inmate.
4. If you have any questions, call Securus: 972-734-1111 or 800-844-6591.

To find out fees, how to's, calling times, limits on phone calls and other systems Securus has do that you can communicate with your Columbia County inmate, check out our Inmate Phone Page.
NOTE: All of your inmate's phone calls are recorded and stored. It is advised not to discuss their pending case.


 

How to Schedule and Visit an Inmate in Columbia County Jail

To schedule and set up a visit, either at-the-jail or remotely from your home, follow these instructions:

  • Register and/or log in.
  • Select Columbia County Jail, then your inmate.
  • Review the days, available hours and the cost of remote and on-site visits in Columbia County.
  • Schedule your visit.

To get more complete instructions, and understand visit lengths, times, locations, fees and all the other rules including children, dress codes and more, check out or Visit Inmate Page.
NOTE: All visits are recorded and whatever you say and do will be monitored. It is best to never discuss sensitive information regarding your inmate's pending case.


 

How to Purchase Commissary or Deposit Money Online for an Inmate in Columbia County

To purchase commissary online or deposit money in an Columbia County Jail inmate's commissary account follow these instructions:

  • Start here and click ‘PLACE ORDER in CommissaryDeposit.com
  • Choose Florida
  • Choose Columbia County Jail
  • View the date your order will be delivered, then click ‘NEXT’.
  • Search for, then Select your inmate from the Columbia County Jail list.
  • Choose the amount to send.
  • Register, and Pay for the deposit transaction

Note: You will be charged a fee to send money or purchase commissary for your Columbia County inmate. In addition, there is a maximum amount you can send and/or spend. 
Items you may Purchase from CommissaryDeposit.com:

  • Clothing - thermals, underwear, bras, shoes.
  • Stationary, envelopes, stamps, playing cards, board games
  • Toiletries, hygiene, reading glasses, medicated creams, aspirin
  • Soda, energy drinks, coffee, packaged meat & fish, soups, cookies, chips, pastries.

Contact Information
Customer Support page.
Customer Support phone:   912-584-6102
Email - [email protected]
Customer Support Hours - Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM EST

For complete information on fees, products, policies, deadlines, rules, minimum and maximum deposits and all the information you need to know regarding depositing money for your inmate or purchasing Commissary online in Columbia County, go to our Inmate Commissary Page or our Send Money to an Inmate Page for details.


 

How to Deposit Money Online for an Inmate's Commissary Account in Columbia County

To deposit money in an Columbia County Jail inmate's commissary account follow these instructions:

  • Start here and click ‘DEPOSIT MONEY’ in CommissaryDeposit.com
  • Choose Florida
  • Choose Columbia County Jail
  • View the date your order will be delivered, then click ‘NEXT’.
  • Search for, then Select your inmate.
  • Choose the amount to send.
  • Register, and Pay for the deposit transaction

Note: You will be charged a fee to send money to your Columbia County inmate. In addition, there is a maximum amount you can send. 

Contact Information
Customer Support page.
Customer Support phone:   912-584-6102
Email - [email protected]
Customer Support Hours - Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM EST

For complete information on fees, products, policies, deadlines, rules, minimum and maximum deposits and all the information you need to know regarding depositing money for your inmate in Columbia County, go to our Send Money Page for details.