John E. Polk Correctional Facility

You can search the John E. Polk Correctional Facility’s inmates on the Official Jail Inmate Roster and review each person’s charges, bond amount, when they can get visits, and mugshot. For more help, call the jail at 407-665-1200. You can also use the state’s wanted persons search to check for warrants in Seminole County and across Florida, and the online court records portal to find criminal cases in participating counties.

John E. Polk Correctional Facility Inmate Search

Every Florida county, including Seminole County, follows the same basic bail rules. Most defendants have a constitutional right to pretrial release on reasonable conditions, except those charged with capital or life felonies when the proof is evident, or those no conditions could safely release. Many minor misdemeanors and traffic offenses end with a notice to appear. Bond amounts for other charges come from a uniform statewide bond schedule set by the Florida Supreme Court.

The jail can tell you an inmate’s bail if you call the John E. Polk Correctional Facility at 407-665-1200. You can also look at the Florida uniform statewide bond schedule for 2026, which sets minimum bond amounts statewide. Local circuits can raise them, and certain serious charges require a judge’s review first. The county accepts cash, a surety bond, or a property bond, or can release an offender on personal recognizance.

By the numbers, the John E. Polk Correctional Facility:

• Is licensed for 1396 inmates at any given time
• Often has to make room for many more, especially on weekends

At most city and county jails in Florida, at least 35-40% of inmates turn over monthly, another 25-30% every 90 days, and another 15-20% every six months, while about 8-9% stay six to twelve months. Inmates held longer than twelve months are usually facing serious charges like rape or murder. Because those cases take longer to prepare for trial, offenders arrested in this county remain in custody at one of the Seminole County facilities much longer.

Each year, Seminole County law enforcement agencies arrest and detain approximately 31,580 offenders.

Take a look at our photo gallery of the jail, collected over the years.

Paying bail for someone in custody in Seminole County

Once someone is booked at John E. Polk Correctional Facility in Sanford after an arrest, there are several outcomes:

1. They may be released without paying bail, agreeing to show up on a scheduled date.
2. They may remain in custody until their court appearance.
3. They can pay a bail or bond for release. Call 407-665-1200 for bail details.

Bail payments can take several forms.

• The full cash bond is paid at the jail's bonding window or at the clerk of court using cash, a cashier's check or a money order, while many jails add a card option at a lobby kiosk or through an online bond service for a fee; bring the inmate's full name and booking number, and call the jail at 407-665-1200 with questions.
• A licensed bail bond agent in Seminole County can help cover bail.
• Many courts take real estate as security for a bond; the property owner must show clear title plus equity at least equal to the bond, often twice it, backed by a deed and a recent tax or appraisal value, and the court that set the bail gives final approval.

For detailed information about the bail process in Seminole County, Florida, see the John E. Polk Correctional Facility Bail FAQ.

How Do You Visit an Inmate in the John E. Polk Correctional Facility? What is the Schedule?

John E. Polk Correctional Facility Inmate Visitation Schedule

211 Eslinger Way
Sanford, FL 32773
407-665-1200

• First, you must register with Smart Commuications.
  
• Video visits at the jail are at:
  211 Eslinger Way
  Sanford, FL 32773
• Every inmate gets one free video visit per month.
• Subsequent visits cost $0.25 per minute, whether at the jail or remotely from home.
• Visits are in 15 and 30 minute blocks.
• Each inmate gets to have up to five people on their visitation list, but only two people can visit at any one time.
• Babies... You may bring the following baby items:
  A maximum of two (2) diapers
  Two (2) clear baby bottles or two (2) clear sipper cups for toddlers
  Baby wipes in a clear plastic bag
  An infant baby carrier, subject to search
  One (1) set of infant clothing
  and One (1) non-quilted baby blanket to keep the infant warm
• You can't bring in anything else but a key to your car and your valid, government issued ID.

VISITATION SCHEDULE

Professional Visitors must fill out the following application before scheduling a visit.

John E. Polk Correctional Facility uses Smart Communications for Remote Video Visitation between inmates and their loved ones.

How Video Visitation Works
SmartJailMail.com provides a two-way, real-time video visitation system which can be used to speak to your loved ones directly in their housing location within the jail.
At some locations you may also use a lobby kiosk at the facility to visit for free when scheduling a local / on-site visit.
Remote visits from home cost 50 cents per minute and are scheduled in 15 or 30 minute increments.
To schedule a video visit you must first open a Smart Communications account.

Remote Video Visits From Home
Once you are connected with an inmate you can use the visitation section of the website to schedule a visit.
Remote visits from home are billed on a credits-per-minute model and are scheduled in 15 or 30 minute blocks.

Local / On-Site Video Visits
Once you are connected with an inmate at a location where you have a visitation kiosk in the lobby, you may use the visitation section of the website to schedule a visit.
Local / on-site visits are provided free of charge.

This link explains everything you need to know about Smart Communications Video Visitation.

We’ve compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for everything you need to know about John E. Polk Correctional Facility’s Inmate Visitation Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 407-665-1200 for further assistance.

Can I Use My Computer or Phone to Have a Remote Video Visit with an Inmate in the John E. Polk Correctional Facility?

John E. Polk Correctional Facility Inmate Visitation Schedule

211 Eslinger Way
Sanford, FL 32773
407-665-1200

• First, you must register with Smart Commuications.
  
• Video visits at the jail are at:
  211 Eslinger Way
  Sanford, FL 32773
• Every inmate gets one free video visit per month.
• Subsequent visits cost $0.25 per minute, whether at the jail or remotely from home.
• Visits are in 15 and 30 minute blocks.
• Each inmate gets to have up to five people on their visitation list, but only two people can visit at any one time.
• Babies... You may bring the following baby items:
  A maximum of two (2) diapers
  Two (2) clear baby bottles or two (2) clear sipper cups for toddlers
  Baby wipes in a clear plastic bag
  An infant baby carrier, subject to search
  One (1) set of infant clothing
  and One (1) non-quilted baby blanket to keep the infant warm
• You can't bring in anything else but a key to your car and your valid, government issued ID.

VISITATION SCHEDULE

We’ve compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for everything you need to know about John E. Polk Correctional Facility’s Video Remote Visitation Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 407-665-1200 for further assistance.

How Do You Deposit Money for an Inmate in the John E. Polk Correctional Facility?

There are multiple ways to add money to an inmate's account at John E. Polk Correctional Facility, using Access Corrections Secure Deposits

1. Online - Making a deposit using a verified Visa or Mastercard online, or using their Apple or Android App.
2. By phone - Dial 866.345.1884 to reach their 24/7 Access Corrections domestic call centers.
3. Lobby kiosk - Ask the jail whether it has an Access Corrections kiosk for deposits.
4. By mail - Ask Access Corrections or the jail whether money orders can be mailed, and to what address.

Ask who the money order should be made out to, and include the inmate name and ID number on all money orders.

5. Walk-in Cash Deposits - Ask the John E. Polk Correctional Facility whether it accepts cash deposits in person, and where.

Secure Deposits - Frequently Asked Questions
Secure Deposits - Video Tutorial on How it Works
Secure Deposits - Help Pages

Customer Service Contacts:
Phone: 866-345-1884
Email: customerservice@accesscorrections.com
Online Chat - Look for 'bubble' on bottom right of the page linked here.

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.

We’ve compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for everything you need to know about John E. Polk Correctional Facility’s Inmate Money and Trust Fund Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 407-665-1200 for further assistance.

How Do I Receive Phone Calls from an Inmate in the John E. Polk Correctional Facility?

How to Set up a Phone Account and Receive Calls from an Inmate in John E. Polk Correctional Facility

To communicate by telephone with a Seminole County inmate, follow these instructions:

• To receive phone calls from a Seminole County inmate 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 receive phone calls.

For all the information you need to receive phone calls from a John E. Polk Correctional Facility inmate, including how it works, how much it costs, how often you can receive calls and when you can receive them and more, check out our Inmate Phone Page.
NOTE: Your phone calls will be monitored and stored. You may want to refrain from discussing your inmate's court case. Anything discussed on the calls may be used in your inmate's court case.

We’ve compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for everything you need to know about John E. Polk Correctional Facility’s Inmate Phone Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 407-665-1200 for further assistance.

How do I Mail an Inmate in the John E. Polk Correctional Facility, and what can I send them?

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 Amazon, Barnes & 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 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.

We’ve compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for everything you need to know about John E. Polk Correctional Facility’s Inmate Mail Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 407-665-1200 for further assistance.

Can I purchase Commissary Online for an Inmate in the John E. Polk Correctional Facility, and what can I purchase?

John E. Polk Correctional Facility contracts with Access Securepak for families to send pre-determined packages of commissary items to your inmate.

Access Securepak's catalog groups items into categories such as:
- Food and Snacks
- Personal Hygiene Products
- Electronics
- Apparel

Registration Process:
1. Register here.
2. Select Florida.
3. Select John E. Polk Correctional Facility.
4. Find your Inmate.
5. Deposit Funds.
6. Order Commissary Items.
Once you are logged in, you will receive instructions on how much (and what products) you can send your inmate.
Contact Information:
* If you have any questions, you can call Access Securepak at 800-546-6283.
* You can email My Care Pack at customerservice@securepak.net.
* You can write them at:
    Access Securepak
    10880 Linpage Place
    St. Louis, MO 63132

* You can Live Chat with a Representative online: (bottom left corner of page)
   Monday-Friday, 7:30 a.m.–11 p.m. CST, 
   and Saturdays, 10 a.m.–4 p.m. CST.

*Note* Access Securepak will issue a refund for or replace broken, damaged, or missing products reported by John E. Polk Correctional Facility staff. They will not honor reports of discrepancies from inmate's families or friends. They have a very good mix of Chips, Snacks, Candy, Meat, Seafood, Hygiene products, Letter writing materials, Electronics and Apparel items for sale on their website.

*NOTE* -- Once you are fully registered and have selected the inmate you wish to send commissary to, you will receive instructions on how much you can deposit, how much (and what) you can purchase for your inmate, and how often you can send commissary.

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.

We’ve compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for everything you need to know about John E. Polk Correctional Facility’s Commissary Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 407-665-1200 for further assistance.

How Can I Communicate with an Inmate in the John E. Polk Correctional Facility using an Online Messaging Service?

John E. Polk Correctional Facility uses a secure messaging service call Smart Communications so that inmates can communicate electronically with friends and family members on the outside.

SmartMail allows inmates to communicate safely and quickly with family and friends outside of the jail, prison or detention center. Inmates send and receive electronic letters using a safe and secure computer kiosk or tablet stationed in their institution. THE COST IS JUST $0.50 CENTS; 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.
• Once you open an account, you may search for inmates, prisoners, or detainees to connect with.
• When you locate the inmate that you want to connect with, you can send them a connection request.
• They will then need to approve the request before you can send messages.
• Sending messages with SmartMail is just like sending an e-mail, except it is contained within the SmartJailMail 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.

More information on how to send and receive messages and photos with an inmate.

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.

We’ve compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for everything you need to know about John E. Polk Correctional Facility’s Text and Email Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 407-665-1200 for further assistance.

Do Inmates in the John E. Polk Correctional Facility have Access to Tablets or Computers?

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.

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.

We’ve compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for everything you need to know about John E. Polk Correctional Facility’s Tablet Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 407-665-1200 for further assistance.

What are the other City and County Jails in Seminole County?

Seminole County County Jails

Seminole County Juvenile Facilities

What are the other Jails in the Neighboring Counties surrounding Seminole County?