Fort Lauderdale City Florida released inmates records are managed by the Broward Sheriff’s Office and the Florida Department of Corrections. Fort Lauderdale sits inside Broward County on Florida’s southeast coast.
The city has around 190,000 people. It does not run a city jail. All arrests go to Broward County facilities. This page shows how to find released inmates from Fort Lauderdale using county, state, and public records tools available in 2026.
Broward County Jail System for Fort Lauderdale
Fort Lauderdale police arrest people every day and send them to Broward County jails. The Broward Sheriff’s Office runs every detention building in the county. This shared system keeps records in one place. Anyone looking for Fort Lauderdale released inmates starts with the county tools first.
Booking Flow After a Fort Lauderdale Arrest
Booking at the Broward County Main Jail takes several hours. Officers record the person’s name, date of birth, and charges. They take a mugshot and fingerprints. The booking number links every record tied to that arrest. Without this number, public records searches become harder.
Main Jail Location and Contact
The Broward County Main Jail sits at 555 SE 1st Avenue, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301. The phone number is (954) 831-5900. Inmates from Fort Lauderdale usually enter and leave this facility. Visitors, attorneys, and family members use this address for mail, drop-offs, and remote video visits.
| Facility | Address | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Broward County Main Jail | 555 SE 1st Avenue, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301 | (954) 831-5900 |
| Joseph V. Conte Facility | 5400 Highlands Drive, Pompano Beach, FL 33064 | (954) 831-5900 |
| North Broward Bureau | 1550 NW 27th Avenue, Pompano Beach, FL 33069 | (954) 831-5900 |
| Paul Rein Detention Facility | 1800 SW 31st Avenue, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33312 | (954) 831-5900 |
How to Search Fort Lauderdale Released Inmates
Two free online tools help the public track released inmates from Fort Lauderdale. Both tools run on the Broward Sheriff’s Office site. Neither tool requires an account or a fee.
Broward Arrest Search Portal
The Arrest Search Portal at sheriff.org shows current inmates and recent releases. Users enter a last name and first name. The system lists every match booked into Broward County. Clicking a name opens booking date, charges, bond, and release status.
Daily Release Log
The Daily Release Log at releaselog.sheriff.org updates every night at midnight. It lists every person released in the past 24 hours. The log shows booking number, last name, and first name. Users can scan it to check if someone left jail that day or the night before.
Phone Lookups for Older Records
Online tools only show records for recent bookings. Older releases may not appear in the search portal. The Records and Warrants Division at (954) 831-8700 can pull older files. Staff ask for full name and date of birth. They check microfilm, paper logs, and archived digital files.
Address for In-Person Record Requests
The Broward Sheriff’s Records and Warrants Division is at 2601 W Broward Boulevard, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33312. Walk-in requests are accepted Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Visitors must bring a photo ID and pay copy fees when documents are ready.
Florida Department of Corrections Search
Suspects sentenced to state prison move to the Florida Department of Corrections after county jail time. FDC runs the state offender search. Fort Lauderdale released inmate records appear in this database once a person finishes a state sentence.
FDC Offender Search Site
The Florida Department of Corrections offender search lives at pubapps.fdc.myflorida.com/OffenderSearch. Users search by name or DC number. Results show current facility, status, and projected release date. Past releases show the actual release date for Fort Lauderdale connections.
When the State System Applies
State records only apply once a person receives a sentence over one year. Misdemeanor sentences are not housed by FDC. County jail time and state time appear as two separate entries. Users checking Fort Lauderdale released inmates should run both searches.
Data Lag in the State System
The FDC database updates every week. A new state transfer may take days to appear. Users checking a fresh arrival should allow up to seven days. Release records post on the same weekly cycle after a person leaves an FDC facility.
Public Records for Fort Lauderdale Released Inmates
Florida’s Public Records Act (Chapter 119) opens arrest and release records to the public. This law covers Fort Lauderdale released inmate files. Some records stay sealed under court order or by statute.
Records Open Under Florida Law
Booking photos, charges, bond amounts, and release dates are all public. Arrest reports and probable cause affidavits are also public. Users can request copies through the sheriff’s office or the court clerk.
Records That Stay Sealed
Juvenile records, sealed cases, and expunged records are blocked from public view. Medical and mental health records are also protected. A sealed court order can remove a record from search portals. Expunged records are removed entirely by court order.
How to File a Public Records Request
Users can email, fax, or hand-deliver a records request to the Broward Sheriff’s Office. The office charges copying and research fees. Most requests take 5 to 10 business days. Court records come from the Broward Clerk of Courts, separate from jail records.
Broward County Court Records After Release
Jail release does not close a court case. Many cases continue after release. The Broward County Clerk of Courts holds the court files. These files show what happened after release in Fort Lauderdale cases.
Case Status and Disposition
The clerk’s website at browardclerk.org shows case status for criminal and civil cases. Users can search by name or case number. Dispositions include guilty, not guilty, dropped, or diverted. Pretrial diversion programs often end after release.
Sentencing Outcomes
Sentencing shows up after a conviction. Probation, fines, or prison time all appear in court records. If someone served county time and then moved to state prison, court records show the full sequence. Users checking Fort Lauderdale released inmates often need both jail and court records.
Sealed and Expunged Records
Sealed cases hide outcomes from public view. Expunged cases are removed by court order. Users searching Fort Lauderdale released inmates cannot see sealed or expunged cases through normal channels. Only the subject of the record can ask the court to open them.
Reentry Programs for Released Inmates in Fort Lauderdale
Florida runs several reentry programs for people leaving jail or prison. These programs help with housing, jobs, and treatment. Fort Lauderdale residents have access to county and state reentry services.
Florida Reentry Programs
The Florida Department of Corrections runs reentry centers across the state. These centers help with ID, housing, and job training. Released inmates from Fort Lauderdale can apply before their release date. FDC case managers set up release plans months ahead.
Broward County Reentry Services
The Broward Sheriff’s Office partners with local groups to offer reentry help. Services include mental health care, substance abuse treatment, and job placement. Released inmates leaving Fort Lauderdale jails can ask for a referral at release.
Federal Reentry Support
Federal grants fund reentry work through the Second Chance Act. Local nonprofits use these funds in Broward County. Services cover expungement clinics, housing aid, and small business support. People released from Fort Lauderdale jails can access these programs.
State ID and Documents
A Florida state ID helps released inmates apply for jobs and housing. FDC and county reentry staff help people get an ID before release. Birth certificates and Social Security cards are also part of the release plan for Fort Lauderdale residents.
Bond, Pretrial Release, and Fort Lauderdale Cases
Many Fort Lauderdale arrests end with release before trial. Bond, pretrial release programs, and diversion all lead to release. Each type of release leaves a different mark in public records.
Bond Release
Bond release happens when someone pays a set amount to leave jail. A bondsman can post bond for a fee. Bond release shows up as a release event in the jail database. Court records show the original bond amount.
Pretrial Release Programs
Broward County runs pretrial release for low-risk defendants. Defendants check in with case managers. They follow rules on travel and reporting. Program violations can lead back to jail. Users checking Fort Lauderdale released inmates may see these cases in court files.
Diversion Programs
Some first-time offenders enter diversion instead of jail. These programs can last months. Completion leads to dropped charges. Non-completion leads to a return to court. Diversion is not the same as Fort Lauderdale released inmate records, but it appears in court records.
Sentence Completion Releases
Sentences under one year end at the county level. These releases show up in the Daily Release Log. Sentences over one year move to state prison. Both release types appear in the public record.
Contact, Visitation, and Money for Fort Lauderdale Inmates
Family members of Fort Lauderdale inmates can visit, write, or send money. The Broward Sheriff’s Office lists rules for each service. Following the rules keeps accounts active and visits on schedule.
Video Visitation Rules
Video visits are the main way to see Broward County inmates. Visits are scheduled online or at kiosks inside the jail. On-site visits may be free, while remote visits cost a small fee. The schedule fills up fast on weekends.
Mail to a Fort Lauderdale Inmate
Mail should list the inmate’s full name and booking number. The address is: Inmate Name, Booking Number, Broward County Main Jail, 555 SE 1st Avenue, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301. Envelopes must be plain white. Cash, checks, and gifts are not allowed.
Adding Money to an Inmate Account
Money goes onto inmate accounts through kiosks at the jail or online through a third-party vendor. Funds pay for phone calls, commissary items, and tablets. Each deposit carries a small fee based on the amount sent.
VineLink and Third-Party Fort Lauderdale Inmate Tools
Several private companies offer Fort Lauderdale inmate search tools. These tools pull data from county and state sources. Users can find Fort Lauderdale released inmates through these services, but free official tools work for most needs.
VineLink Coverage for Broward County
VineLink shows recent bookings and releases for Broward County. The site lists current inmates and recent releases from Fort Lauderdale. Users see charges, bond, and court dates. Data comes from the sheriff’s office, but updates may lag by hours.
Paid People-Finder Sites
Paid sites charge for full background reports. These sites pull public records but add their own fees. They can pull older Fort Lauderdale released inmate records that no longer appear in the sheriff’s database.
Which Tool Works Best
The Broward Sheriff’s Office tools work for current and recent releases. The FDC search works for state prison records. VineLink fills small gaps. Paid sites are useful only for older records that free tools no longer show.
Fort Lauderdale Released Inmate Statistics and Trends
Release numbers shift year to year based on arrests, bond policy, and court rulings. Broward County publishes some numbers each year. The data give a picture of how often people leave Fort Lauderdale jails.
Annual Release Numbers
Broward County jails process more than 50,000 bookings each year. Most bookings end in release, not long sentences. The Daily Release Log shows a few hundred names per day across the county. Fort Lauderdale arrests make up a large share of these releases.
Bail Reform and Release Rates
Florida bail reform has changed who stays in jail before trial. More people now qualify for release without bond. This raised release numbers in 2023 and 2024. 2026 release numbers reflect these changes.
Recidivism Patterns
Florida tracks how many released inmates return within three years. Broward County sits close to state averages. Most returns happen within the first year. Reentry programs aim to reduce these returns.
Common Questions About Fort Lauderdale Released Inmates
This section covers common questions about Fort Lauderdale released inmates. Each answer explains where to look, what tools to use, and how the public records system works in Broward County.
Where is the Fort Lauderdale inmate release log?
The Fort Lauderdale Daily Release Log lives at releaselog.sheriff.org. The page updates every night at midnight. It lists every person released from a Broward County jail in the past 24 hours. Each entry includes a booking number, last name, and first name. The release log is free and open to the public. The tool does not show charges or bond details. Users who need more detail use the Arrest Search Portal at sheriff.org. The portal shows full booking details for current and recent inmates.
Can I find Fort Lauderdale inmates released more than a year ago?
Yes, but not through the online arrest search. The portal only shows recent bookings. For older records, users file a public records request with the Broward Sheriff’s Office. The Records and Warrants Division at (954) 831-8700 handles old file requests. Staff need the full name and date of birth. A small copy fee applies. Court records for cases that ended months or years ago also sit at the Broward Clerk of Courts.
How long does Broward County keep inmate release records?
Broward County keeps inmate records for several years. Arrest records and booking photos stay online for at least 90 days after release. Paper files are kept for years based on Florida retention rules. Long-term sentences create files that stay in archives for decades. Sealed or expunged records are removed by court order.
Do released inmates show up on the Florida DOC site?
Only if they were sentenced to state prison. Sentences over one year move to a Florida Department of Corrections facility. The FDC site at pubapps.fdc.myflorida.com/OffenderSearch shows current and past state inmates. County release alone does not show up in the FDC database. Users checking Fort Lauderdale released inmates should search both Broward and FDC tools.
Is there a fee to look up a Fort Lauderdale released inmate?
The official Broward tools are free. The Arrest Search Portal and Daily Release Log charge nothing. Public records requests carry copy and research fees. Court records from the Broward Clerk of Courts also carry copy fees. Paid people-finder sites charge subscription or per-search fees for older records.
Can I get a mugshot of a released Fort Lauderdale inmate?
Most booking records include a mugshot. The Arrest Search Portal shows current mugshots. Older mugshots sit in the sheriff’s archived files. A public records request can pull older booking photos. Mugshots are public under Florida law unless a court orders them sealed.
How do I contact a released inmate in Fort Lauderdale?
Released inmates can be reached through normal contact channels once they leave jail. The sheriff’s office does not forward messages. Family members can use phone, email, mail, or social media. The Broward reentry programs help connect people with phones and IDs after release. Bail bondsmen sometimes help with initial contacts after release.
Other Helpful Resources for Fort Lauderdale Released Inmates
Several groups in Broward County help people after jail. These services assist with housing, jobs, and family support. Released Fort Lauderdale inmates can ask for help at release or after they get home.
Local Nonprofits in Fort Lauderdale
Groups like the Salvation Army and the Broward Partnership help with housing and food. These services are open to anyone in need. The Workforce One center in Fort Lauderdale helps with job placement and training.
Housing Help After Release
Halfway houses, transitional housing, and shelter beds exist across Broward County. Released inmates can apply through the Broward Homeless Continuum of Care. Some housing programs target people leaving prison or jail.
Legal Help After Release
Legal aid offices help with expungement, driver license suspension, and family court issues. Broward Legal Aid serves low-income residents. The Clerk of Courts Expungement Clinic helps with sealing old cases.
Official Contacts and Addresses
Broward Sheriff’s Office (Main Jail): 555 SE 1st Avenue, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301. Phone: (954) 831-5900. Public Records Request Line: (954) 831-8700. Records Office: 2601 W Broward Boulevard, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33312. Daily Release Log website: releaselog.sheriff.org. Arrest Search: sheriff.org/DOD/PAGES/ARRESTSEARCH.ASPX. Florida Department of Corrections: pubapps.fdc.myflorida.com/OffenderSearch. Broward Clerk of Courts: browardclerk.org.