Lafayette County Florida released inmates can be looked up through the Lafayette County Sheriff’s Office in Mayo, Florida. The Sheriff’s Office keeps records of every person booked into the county jail and every person who leaves.
You can call the office or visit in person to ask about a recent release. The jail does not run an online search tool, so a phone call is the fastest way to check a name. The records cover bond releases, sentence completions, and transfers to state prison.
This page explains exactly how to find release data in Lafayette County, what the Florida Department of Corrections keeps, and what state laws apply. You will also learn about reentry programs, nearby county jails, and common questions people ask about Florida release records.
Lafayette County Sheriff’s Office Contact Details
The Lafayette County Sheriff’s Office runs the county jail and holds all local release records. The office sits next to the courthouse in downtown Mayo. Staff can answer questions about current inmates, recent releases, and bond payments. They can also tell you when a person was booked and when they left the facility.
Location and Address
The Sheriff’s Office is located at 178 NW Crawford Street, Mayo, Florida 32066. The building shares space with the county jail and the 911 dispatch center. Free public parking sits in front of the main entrance on Crawford Street. Visitors coming from Live Oak take Highway 27 south for about 20 miles, then turn east on U.S. 27 toward Mayo. Drivers from Perry head west on U.S. 27 for roughly 30 miles.
Phone Number and Hours
The main phone line for the Lafayette County Sheriff’s Office is 386-294-4381. The records desk answers calls Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Eastern time. A deputy is always on duty after hours for emergencies, but release records are only released during normal business hours. Before you call, write down the full name and date of birth of the person you are looking for. This helps the clerk pull the right file faster.
Visiting the Office in Person
You can walk into the Sheriff’s Office during business hours and ask for records help at the front desk. Bring a valid photo ID with you. The clerk will ask you to fill out a short request form that includes your name, the inmate’s name, and the records you need. Some records can be reviewed on a public computer in the lobby. Other records require staff to pull paper files from the back office, which can take up to 30 minutes.
How to Search for Released Inmates
Searching for a released inmate in Lafayette County takes only a few steps. The county does not offer an online portal, so the search must go through the Sheriff’s Office by phone or in person. Records cover releases from at least the past several years, and older files stay in the county archives.
What You Need Before Calling
Gather these details before you contact the office. The more you have, the faster the search goes.
- Full legal name of the inmate
- Date of birth, if known
- Approximate date of arrest or release
- Case number or charge, if you have it
- Your own contact info for follow-up calls
Phone Search Process Step by Step
Follow these steps when you call the records desk at 386-294-4381.
- Dial the main number and ask for the records or jail clerk.
- State the inmate’s full name and date of birth to the clerk.
- Tell the clerk that you want to know if the person was released.
- Wait while the clerk pulls the booking log for the name.
- Ask for the release date, release type, and current status.
- Write down every detail the clerk shares with you.
- Ask about fees if you need printed copies of the record.
In-Person Records Request
Walk-in requests work well for people who want a paper copy. The clerk will print a release summary on official letterhead for a small fee. Florida law allows you to see most booking and release records, but some personal data stays sealed. Be ready to show your photo ID and sign a request log.
Florida Department of Corrections Search
Some people arrested in Lafayette County are moved to Florida state prison after conviction. State prison records live in a different database run by the Florida Department of Corrections. The FDC tools cover every inmate under state custody, including people who have already been released from a state facility.
FDC Offender Search Tool
The FDC Offender Search is a free online tool at pubapps.fdc.myflorida.com. You can search by name or by DC number. The result page shows the current facility, the inmate’s status, the offense list, and the projected release date. The database updates every night at midnight Eastern time. If a person is still in state custody, you will see their unit assignment and any pending transfers.
FDC Release Information Search
The FDC also runs a separate release search at the same website. This list includes people who left state prison in the past and people set for release in the near future. Search results show the full name, DC number, the facility they left, and the release date. You can filter by county of commitment or by release year. This tool is the best place to check if a person finished a long sentence and went home.
FDC Contact for Release Questions
Call the FDC Bureau of Classification and Central Records at 850-488-9859 for help with state release data. You can also send email questions to central.classification@fdc.myflorida.com. Staff respond to email within two business days. The main FDC mailing address is 501 South Calhoun Street, Tallahassee, Florida 32399.
Who Gets Released from Lafayette County Jail
The Lafayette County Jail holds people who are waiting for trial or who serve short county sentences. Most inmates stay for less than a year. Releases fall into three main types, and each one works in a different way.
Bond and Pretrial Release
Many people leave the county jail after posting bond. A judge sets a bond amount at the first court hearing. The defendant, a family member, or a bondsman pays the full amount or a percentage to the court. Once the bond clears, the jail releases the person within a few hours. The release record shows the bond amount, the posting date, and the release time.
Sentence Completion Release
Some people serve their full sentence inside the county jail. These sentences usually run less than one year under Florida law. When the sentence ends, the jail releases the person the same day or the next morning. The release record marks the exit as a sentence completion and notes the release date.
Transfer to State Prison
People convicted of felonies with sentences over one year move to a Florida state prison. The Department of Corrections sends a bus or van to pick them up after sentencing. The county release record shows a transfer, not a release to the public. From that point forward, the FDC database tracks the inmate.
Florida Public Records Law
Florida has one of the strongest public records laws in the country. Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes lets any person ask for government records, including jail bookings and releases. Most records are open, but a few stay sealed to protect privacy or active cases.
Chapter 119 Public Records Act
The Public Records Act requires every government agency to give access to records unless a specific law blocks them. The Lafayette County Sheriff’s Office must respond to written requests within a reasonable time, often within 10 business days. You do not need to live in Florida or have a reason to ask for records. The agency may charge a fee for copies and for staff search time.
Records That Stay Confidential
Some jail records cannot be released even when a person asks for them. Common sealed records include:
- Medical and mental health files under Section 945.10
- Substance abuse treatment notes
- Victim and witness identities in active cases
- Juvenile records under Section 985.04
- Personal data like Social Security numbers
- Information about ongoing investigations
Reentry Resources After Release
People leaving jail often need help with jobs, housing, food, and IDs. Lafayette County is small, so many reentry services come from regional and state programs. These services are free and open to anyone returning home from jail or prison.
State-Level Reentry Programs
The Florida Department of Corrections runs the Reentry and Rehabilitation program. Each region has a reentry coordinator who helps released inmates with job leads, ID documents, and housing referrals. The program also links people to drug treatment and mental health care. You can call the FDC Office of Reentry at 850-717-3100 for the nearest office in your area.
Local Support in Lafayette County
Suwannee Valley Hope and Help, based in Live Oak, serves Lafayette County residents. They offer food boxes, clothing, and bus passes for people coming out of jail. The Lafayette County Library in Mayo helps with free ID vouchers and computer access for job searches. Local churches also run small food pantries and short-term housing programs.
Nearby County Jail Records
If a person was not in Lafayette County, they may have been booked in a nearby county. Each sheriff’s office runs its own jail and keeps its own release records. The contact details below help you check those jails.
| County | Sheriff’s Office Phone | Main City |
|---|---|---|
| Suwannee County | 386-362-2222 | Live Oak |
| Gilchrist County | 352-463-3181 | Trenton |
| Dixie County | 352-498-1222 | Cross City |
| Taylor County | 850-838-3575 | Perry |
| Madison County | 850-973-4001 | Madison |
Office Location and Map
The Lafayette County Sheriff’s Office sits at 178 NW Crawford Street, Mayo, Florida 32066. The map below shows the exact location of the building, the parking lot, and the main entrance. You can use this map to plan your visit or get directions from your home address.
Lafayette County Sheriff’s Office
178 NW Crawford Street, Mayo, FL 32066
Phone: 386-294-4381
Business Hours: Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Eastern
Website: www.lafayettesheriff.com
Frequently Asked Questions
The questions below cover what people ask most often about Lafayette County Florida released inmates. Each answer points to the right office, the right tool, or the right law. If your question is not on this list, call the records desk at the Sheriff’s Office for direct help.
Can I search released inmates online in Lafayette County?
No, Lafayette County does not run an online inmate search tool. The Sheriff’s Office keeps all release records in a local system. You must call 386-294-4381 or visit the office at 178 NW Crawford Street in Mayo to ask about a release. The clerk will search the booking log by name and date of birth. For state prison releases, use the free FDC Offender Search at pubapps.fdc.myflorida.com.
How long does Lafayette County keep release records?
The Sheriff’s Office keeps active booking and release records for several years. Older records move to the Lafayette County Clerk of Court archives. Under Florida law, adult criminal records stay on file indefinitely unless a court orders them sealed or expunged. You can request older files from the Clerk of Court at the same address as the courthouse in Mayo.
Is release information free in Lafayette County Florida?
Basic release status is free by phone or in person. The clerk will tell you the release date, the release type, and the current status at no charge. Printed copies of a release report cost a small fee per page under Florida’s public records law. Staff time for very old or detailed searches may also carry a small fee.
What details show up in a release record?
A standard release record includes the inmate’s full name, date of birth, booking date, charges, bond amount, court case number, and release date. The record also lists the release type, such as bond posted, sentence served, or transfer to state prison. Some personal data like Social Security numbers and medical notes stay sealed.
Can I find out why someone was released?
Yes, the release record shows the reason for release. Common reasons include bond posted, time served, court-ordered release, transfer to state prison, or release to another agency. The clerk can read the release type over the phone or print the full record for a small fee.
Do out-of-state agencies help with Lafayette County records?
Out-of-state law enforcement can ask for Lafayette County release records through a formal channels like the Florida Crime Information Center. The general public must request records directly from the Lafayette County Sheriff’s Office. There is no national inmate search that covers this small county jail.
What if the inmate was moved to state prison?
If a person was transferred from Lafayette County Jail to a Florida state prison, use the FDC Offender Search. Enter the name or DC number at pubapps.fdc.myflorida.com. The FDC database shows the current facility, sentence length, and projected release date. You can also call the FDC Central Records at 850-488-9859 for help.