John E. Polk Correctional Facility Inmate Bail & Bonds

John E. Polk Correctional Facility

Address:
211 Eslinger Way
Sanford, FL 32773

Phone:

407-665-1200

Can I pay an Inmate's bail bond online?

John E. Polk Correctional Facility uses a service called allpaid (also known as GovPayNow) for paying an inmate's Bail Bond online for an inmate.

Register with them online or call them at 877-392-2455 for assistance.


To make a payment, you will need the following:

  • Court of Jurisdiction
  • Payment Amount
  • The Pay Location Code (PLC #) if you can get it. Call 407-665-1200 to ask for this.
  • Name of Arrestee/Defendant for whom payment is being made
  • Arrestee/Defendant's Date of Birth
  • Arrestee/Defendant's Booking Number

Make sure to have the inmate’s information ready before proceeding to allpaid website to pay the bond.


The following information is available in the "Search for Current Inmates" option on the Sheriff’s Office website.
- The defendant’s name
- The defendant’s date of birth
- The defendant’s booking number

- Bond payment location code: A001X0


 

Who do I call to find out the Bond for an Inmate?

Please call the jail at 407-665-1200 for the type of bond and any information that is required for a particular individual at John E. Polk Correctional Facility.
A bond is set according to a court-approved schedule.
The purpose of the bond is to assure the offender's appearance in court.

Instructions on how to post Bail or Bond in Seminole County

Because Seminole County and Florida can change their bail bond procedures, it is always best to call either the John E. Polk Correctional Facility at 407-665-1200, or the court in the jurisdiction (i.e. Municipal Court, District Court, etc.) where the offender was charged, right after an arrestee has been booked. 

Ask the staff at the John E. Polk Correctional Facility or the Seminole County Court Clerk these specific questions:

  1. Is the defendant eligible for bail or a bond?
  2. How much will the bail or bond be, and what are the additional fees?
  3. Where do I go to pay it?
  4. Are there any days or times of the day or night when I cannot post bail?
  5. What types of payment are allowed? Cash? Money order? Credit card? What types of credit cards? Property or other collateral? Surety bonds?
  6. Do I have to use a bail or bond agent?

If you feel the bail is too high and you wish to get it reduced, contact a lawyer or the defendant's public defender and get them to look into what they can do to get a bail reduction. The sooner you get working on this the quicker you will get your loved one released. 

This entire process will go smoother and faster with a criminal attorney or bail agent handling it for you.

Option 1 - How to Post Bail using Cash for a Defendant at John E. Polk Correctional Facility

The first option, a cash bond, is to pay the full bail amount in cash, cashier's check, or money order. Personal Checks are not accepted.

Depending on the crime, this amount could be anywhere from $100 to $75,000 or more.

To pay a cash bond, go to John E. Polk Correctional Facility or to the court where the bail hearing occurred. Going directly to the jail will quicken the release of the defendant as any bail paperwork processed at the court will have to be transferred to the jail.

Cashier's Checks and Money Orders may be made out to John E. Polk Correctional Facility where the defendant is being held, but usually to the Seminole County Sheriff's Office or to the Seminole County Court.

To purchase money orders visit any Western Union, Moneygram or Post Office.

Option 2 - How to Post a Private or Surety Bond for a Defendant at John E. Polk Correctional Facility

In the event that someone does not have the full bond amount available to him or her, there is what is called a private bond or surety bond.

This is an agreement made with a bail agent or bondsman who will post the full bail amount. In return, the defendant and/or cosigner will pay a premium to the bail agent. This premium will be 10-15% of the full bail amount.



For example, if bail is posted at $5,000, then the premium will cost approximately $500-$750.

A bail agent will often require some form of collateral, for example, a lien on a house, a car or jewelry. This is to ensure that if the defendant skips bail, or does not appear in court, the bail agent has some sort of compensation for the full bail amount being paid.

Remember, by making an agreement with a bail agent the signatory takes responsibility for paying the full bail amount if the defendant does not appear in court.

Option 3 - How to Post a Property Bond for a Defendant at John E. Polk Correctional Facility

If you are a landowner in Seminole County you may be able to post a property bond. Property within Seminole County may be used as collateral to bail someone out. All owners of the property must be present to sign the bond in order for this to happen.

To find if property located outside of Seminole County can be used as collateral, call a local bail or bond agent or contact a defense lawyer.

Click here for additional information on how to post bail at John E. Polk Correctional Facility.

Who can post Bail or Bond for a Defendant at John E. Polk Correctional Facility?

Anyone over the age of 18 who can produce a valid government-issued photo ID can post bail. Accepted forms of ID include a Photo Driver's License, Passport, or Motor Vehicle issued ID.

In many circumstances, if the defendant has the resources, they can post their own cash bail from jail.

Surety Bonds are arranged by a third party, typically a Florida state licensed Bail Bond firm.

Juveniles may only be bailed or bonded out of custody by a parent or legal guardian.

Seminole County Justice System Flowchart

When will the Cash Bail or Collateral be returned to me?

Money or collateral will not be returned until the defendant's court case is finished, so realistically it could take several months to years, depending on the severity of the charges. If a defendant posts his or her own bail, Seminole County Court may retain whatever amount of fines or fees have accumulated throughout the trial.

What happens to my Bail or Collateral if the Defendant misses Court?

The Seminole County Judge may order a failure to appear warrant for the person's arrest or the Judge may order a Bail Commissioner's Letter be issued that will be sent to the person with a new court date.

If cash bail was paid, the entire amount may be forfeited.

Paying an Inmate's Bond Online in Seminole County

John E. Polk Correctional Facility uses a service called allpaid (also known as GovPay Now) for paying an inmate's Bail Bond online for an inmate.

Register with them online or call them at 877-392-2455 for assistance.

For full information on paying an inmate's bond and getting them released after they have been arrested in Seminole County, check out our 
Inmate Bail Page.


Depositing Commissary Money Online for an Inmate in John E. Polk Correctional Facility

If you want to deposit money online for an inmate in Seminole County you may also be able to use allpaid.

Register with them online or call them at 888-604-7888 for depositing inmate commissary money assistance 24 hours a day.
For full information about depositing money for an inmate, deposit limits and helpful instructions, visit our Send Money to an Inmate page for Seminole County.


 

John E. Polk Correctional Facility Gives Inmates Access to Tablets At No Cost for Communication, Research and Entertainment

They may not be directly connected to the internet, but inmates at John E. Polk Correctional Facility are provided free tablets to use within the jail that allow them to have access to the following services and information:

  • Phone Calls - Inmates may make calls directly from their tablet allowing for more privacy. The rates are the same as the phones in the unit, and the calls are still recorded and monitored.
  • eMessaging - Communicate via a text based message or picture. Fee based system.
  • Job Search - Using JobView, a secure job search application, inmates have the ability to see what jobs are available when they are released.
  • Education - Free educational platform and course catalog that provides thousands of educational resources.
  • Self Help -Inmates have daily access to mental health and addiction recovery programming.
  • Music - Top-40, Hip-Hop, Country, Rock, Gospel, and more.
  • Law Library -  Legal research with up-to-date case information.
  • eBooks - Thousands of available titles.
  • Religion - Religious resources for spiritual guidance.
  • Games - Inmates can play their favorite games. Available through monthly subscriptions
  • Facility Services - Digital access to submitted forms, requests, facility documents, and notifications from staff.
  • Video Visitation - Visitation may not be allowed on the Tablets.  Call John E. Polk Correctional Facility at 407-665-1200 to confirm.

The availability of tablets may seem like something that inmates who are serving time do not deserve, but here are some of the benefits for inmates in Seminole County:

  • Keeps inmates busy.
  • The threat of losing access to tablets keeps them better behaved.
  • Safer for the staff to keep inmates happy.
  • Allows communication with family members.
  • Educational programming.
  • Legal research.
  • Social programming such as anger management, substance abuse, etc.

For more information about Tablets and how your inmate can get one to use while he is in jail, chek out our Inmate Tablet page.


 

John E. Polk Correctional Facility Inmate Mail Types

Postcards
The John E. Polk Correctional Facility allows inmates to receive pre-metered postcards like the type purchased from the post office. They may also allow certain photo postcards as long as they have not been tampered with or contain images that may be considered to be obscene or violent in nature.

Envelopes
The John E. Polk Correctional Facility also allows regular postcards and envelopes to be mailed to inmates as well.

Personal postcards and envelopes MUST be mailed to the following address:
Inmate's Full Name & Booking Number (ID Number)
SCSO-SCH
PO Box 1907
Pinellas Park, Florida 33780


Legal Mail
Legal Mail is mail from Attorneys, law enforcement, the courts, bail companies, etc.

Newspapers
Local or national newspapers may also be mailed to the inmate as long as they are mailed directly from the newspaper publisher.

Magazines
News, special interest or sports magazines may also be mailed to an inmate as long as they are shipped directly from the publisher. Any magazines that contain profanity, weapons, pornography or other content that is adult in nature will be confiscated by the jail staff and will NOT be delivered to the inmate.

Books
The John E. Polk Correctional Facility allows books to be mailed directly to the jail from a reputable source such as AmazonBarnes & Noble or Books-A-Million. You can order them directly from your computer and have them shipped to the inmate at the address above.
Books must NOT contain images or content that are considered excessively violent, pornographic or obscene. Any book that does not meet the John E. Polk Correctional Facility standards will be disposed of. No more than three books may be shipped at any one time.
Hard cover books will not be accepted by the jail due to their potential to be used as a weapon.


All legal mail, newspapers, magazines and books are to be shipped to:
Inmate's Full Name & Booking Number (ID Number)
SCSO-SCH
211 Eslinger Way
Sanford, FL 32773


 

How to Schedule & Visit with an Inmate in John E. Polk Correctional Facility

To schedule a visit and meet with an inmate in Seminole County, either at-the-jail or remotely by video, follow these instructions:

  • To schedule and visit with an inmate you MUST first open a SmartJailMail.com account.
  • Once you open an account, you may search for Seminole County inmate to visit with.
  • When you locate the Seminole County inmate that you want to connect with, you can send them a connection request.
  • John E. Polk Correctional Facility will then need to approve the request before you can send messages.

For all the information you need to schedule and visit with a John E. Polk Correctional Facility inmate, including how it works, how much it costs, visitation using a rented tablet, how often and when you can visit and more, check out our Visit Inmate Page.
NOTE: Your visits will be monitored, recorded and stored. You may want to refrain from discussing your inmate's court case as anything discussed can be used against them in court.


 

How to Send and Receive Secure Text and Email Messages with an Inmate in John E. Polk Correctional Facility

To communicate by text or email with an Seminole 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 Seminole County inmates or detainees to connect with.
  • When you locate the Seminole County inmate that you want to connect with, you can send them a connection request.
  • John E. Polk Correctional Facility 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 John E. Polk Correctional Facility 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 Send a Carepack Commissary Package Directly to an Inmate in Seminole County

To send a commissary carepack (food, snacks and goods) directly to an inmate in John E. Polk Correctional Facility follow these steps:

  • Select Florida, then select John E. Polk Correctional Facility, and then select the 'Send a Package Order' option.
  • Register and create an account with Access Securepak, for Seminole County.
  • Choose the inmate and the products you want shipped to them, and input your payment method. 
  • NOTE: There may be a limit on how much product you can send your inmate in Seminole County at any one time.

For all information, tips and available items for shipping Commissary packages to an inmate in John E. Polk Correctional Facility check out our Commissary Instructions Page for Seminole County.


 

How to Send Money to an Inmate in Seminole County

To send commissary money to an inmate in John E. Polk Correctional Facility follow these steps:

  • Register with Access Corrections by creating an account.
  • Select Florida, then select John E. Polk Correctional Facility, and then the inmate you want to send money to.
  • Choose the amount of money you want to send, and input your payment method.

For all information on how to Send Money to an inmate's account check out our full money and commissary guide for John E. Polk Correctional Facility.


 

How an Inmate Makes a Phone Call to You or Others from John E. Polk Correctional Facility

To set up a phone account so that your inmate can call you from Seminole 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 Seminole 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.


 

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can I pay a John E. Polk Correctional Facility inmate's bond online?
Yes, you can pay a John E. Polk Correctional Facility inmate's bond online using a third-party service called 'allpaid'. The instructions are easy... From their website, look up John E. Polk Correctional Facility or Seminole County, input the inmate's name, and then use your credit or debit card to deposit the bond amount. As soon as the payment is processed and the information is sent to the John E. Polk Correctional Facility, the jail will begin the release process. You do not have to be present for all of this to take place. Learn more about how to bail or bond out an inmate in the John E. Polk Correctional Facility, call allpaid directly at 877-392-2455, or call the jail at 407-665-1200.