Miami Dade County Florida released inmates can be looked up through the Miami-Dade Corrections and Rehabilitation Department online portal, which stores custody records for all three county detention facilities. Anyone who needs to check whether a person is still in jail or has been released can search the public database from a phone or computer at any time of day.
The records cover inmates who served sentences, posted bond, or completed court-ordered programs in Miami-Dade County.
Miami-Dade Corrections and Rehabilitation Department
The Miami-Dade Corrections and Rehabilitation Department, also called MDCR, runs all county jail facilities and keeps custody records for every person booked into a Miami-Dade jail. MDCR operates under the Office of the Mayor and answers to the Miami-Dade Board of County Commissioners for budget and policy matters. The department handles intake, daily operations, inmate care, and release processing for thousands of people each year across its three main facilities.
MDCR Headquarters Location and Contact
MDCR headquarters sits at 3505 Northwest 107 Avenue in Doral, Florida 33178. The main phone line for general questions is (786) 263-7000. Anyone can email the department at mdcrinfo@miamidade.gov for questions about inmate status, jail operations, or release procedures. The headquarters handles administrative work and does not process inmate releases directly. Inmate releases happen at the individual detention facilities after staff complete the required paperwork.
Central Records Office Functions
Central Records is the office that maintains all inmate records and answers public records requests for the department. The office sits at 2525 Northwest 62nd Street, Suite 4200, Miami, FL 33147. Phone lines for inmate record questions include (786) 263-4222, (786) 263-5892, and (786) 263-6071. The fax number is (786) 263-5002. Central Records staff can confirm release dates, provide booking photos, and explain why certain records stay sealed under Florida law.
Three Detention Facilities in Miami-Dade County
Miami-Dade County operates three main jail facilities with a combined capacity of over 4,600 beds. Each facility serves a different role in the county corrections system. Inmates move between these facilities based on security level, case status, and space availability. Releases can occur at any of the three locations depending on where the person is housed at the end of their stay.
Metro-West Detention Center
Metro-West Detention Center sits at 13850 Northwest 41st Street in Miami, Florida 33178. The phone number for facility questions is (786) 263-5110. The facility holds 2,200 beds for male and female inmates at minimum, medium, and maximum security levels. Most people housed at Metro-West are sentenced inmates serving time after a conviction in court. Metro-West also runs work release and educational programs for eligible inmates preparing to re-enter the community.
Pretrial Detention Center
Pretrial Detention Center sits at 1321 Northwest 13th Street in Miami, Florida 33125. The phone number is (786) 263-4110. This jail has 1,400 beds and houses people waiting for trial or people with open court matters. The location near Central Court makes it easier to transport inmates to hearings without long bus rides. Many pretrial inmates leave custody after posting bond, getting a not-guilty verdict, or having their charges dropped by the State Attorney.
Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center
Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center, also called TGK, sits at 7000 Northwest 41st Street in Miami, Florida 33166. The phone number is (786) 263-5341. TGK holds 1,000 beds and serves as the main booking and release center for Miami-Dade County. Every person arrested in the county goes through TGK first for fingerprinting, photographing, and medical screening. TGK also runs the Juvenile Unit for young offenders charged in adult court under Florida law.
| Facility | Address | Beds | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|
| Metro-West Detention Center | 13850 NW 41st St, Miami, FL 33178 | 2,200 | (786) 263-5110 |
| Pretrial Detention Center | 1321 NW 13th St, Miami, FL 33125 | 1,400 | (786) 263-4110 |
| Turner Guilford Knight Center | 7000 NW 41st St, Miami, FL 33166 | 1,000 | (786) 263-5341 |
How to Search Released Inmate Records Online
The Miami-Dade County inmate search tool lets anyone check current custody status from a phone, tablet, or computer. The portal updates throughout the day as bookings and releases happen across the three county facilities. Records cover people who are still in custody and show limited release data for people who already left jail.
MDCR Online Inmate Search Portal
The MDCR inmate search portal is at miamidade.gov/Apps/mdcr/inmateSearch. Searchers must type at least three letters of the person’s first name and last name to start a query. The system searches active inmate records across all three Miami-Dade detention facilities. Results appear in seconds and show the inmate’s current housing location, bond amount, and next court date.
The portal also lets users search by booking number when the number is known. Booking numbers speed up the search and remove confusion when two inmates share a similar name. The search portal works on mobile browsers without a special app download. The system does not charge a fee for searches and does not require a user account.
Search Results Display
When a match shows up, the search portal shows the inmate’s mugshot, booking name, and date of birth. The display also lists the jail number, race, sex, weight, eye color, and hair color. Case details include charges filed, case number, and arresting agency. Bond status shows whether the person can post bond and the dollar amount needed for release.
Physical descriptors help confirm the correct person when two inmates share the same name. Charge descriptions use the official Florida statute number for each offense. Bond types include surety bond, cash bond, and no bond based on the judge’s order at first appearance. Visitors can take a screenshot of the results for personal records but cannot use the image for commercial purposes.
Why Some Records Are Missing
The online portal shows records only for people who are still in a Miami-Dade jail. People who already left custody do not show up in the standard search results. The database removes released inmates from the active roster after the release paperwork is processed. Searchers who need historical release data must contact Central Records with a written public records request.
Some arrest information stays sealed under Florida law and never appears in the online search. Sealed cases include juvenile arrests, expunged records, and cases where the judge issued a court order to block public access. Medical records, mental health files, and substance abuse treatment records stay confidential under Section 945.10 of Florida Statutes.
Florida State Prison vs County Jail Records
Miami-Dade County jail records cover only people charged with county or municipal offenses. People convicted of felonies and sentenced to state prison time go to a Florida Department of Corrections facility. State inmates do not appear in the Miami-Dade county jail search. Federal inmates appear in a separate federal database. Knowing which system holds the records saves hours of wasted search time.
Florida Department of Corrections Database
The Florida Department of Corrections runs the state prison system and maintains the FDC offender search at pubapps.fdc.myflorida.com/OffenderSearch/InmateInfoMenu.aspx. The FDC search shows current inmates, release dates, and supervision status for people serving state sentences. The database also lists facility location, sentence length, and parole eligibility date for each state prisoner.
The FDC search works by last name, first name, or Department of Corrections number. The portal updates nightly and includes people released within the past several years. Release reasons include sentence completion, parole, conditional release, and death. FDC records cover people convicted in any Florida county, including Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach.
Federal Bureau of Prisons Records
The Federal Bureau of Prisons runs the federal inmate locator at bop.gov/inmateloc. Federal inmates serve time for federal crimes like drug trafficking, immigration violations, and firearms offenses. The federal locator shows current inmates and people released from federal custody after completing their sentence. Federal facilities in the Miami-Dade area include FCI Miami and FDC Miami.
Federal sentences often run longer than state sentences because federal guidelines set minimum terms for many offenses. Federal release procedures involve a halfway house placement or home confinement in the final months. People released from federal custody often face a period of supervised release with strict conditions set by a federal judge.
Release Procedures and Processing Times
Miami-Dade County releases happen 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Release times depend on the type of release, the facility, and the time of day the paperwork clears. Most pretrial releases happen within 4 to 8 hours after the court signs the order. Sentenced releases often take longer because staff need to verify time credits and collect inmate property.
Bond Release Process
Bond releases start when someone pays the full bond amount to the clerk of court or a licensed bonding company. After payment, the clerk sends a release order to the detention facility by electronic transmission. The facility then processes the release, which includes returning personal property, deducting any unpaid fees, and issuing a discharge notice.
Cash bond payments clear faster than surety bonds because the money is already in the court system. Surety bonds require the bonding company to confirm the bond posted and notify the court. Most bond releases happen within 6 hours after payment clears the clerk’s office. Inmates released on bond must follow court-ordered conditions until the case ends.
Sentence Completion Release
Sentence completion releases happen when an inmate serves the full court-ordered term minus any earned gain time. Gain time reduces the actual time served for good behavior, program completion, and work assignments. Florida law sets the maximum gain time at 15 days per month served for most offenses. Violent offenders and people convicted of certain felonies earn less gain time.
Staff at the detention facility calculate the release date using the court sentence, jail credit, and gain time. The release date can shift based on disciplinary infractions that take away gain time. Inmates who misbehave in jail can stay longer than the original sentence because of lost gain time. The release date is set when the inmate first arrives and gets updated as gain time changes.
Court-Ordered Release Types
Court-ordered releases happen for several reasons, including case dismissal, not-guilty verdict, and sentence reduction. Judges can also release inmates through pretrial diversion programs, drug court, or mental health court. Each release type has different paperwork and processing times at the facility.
Pre-trial diversion programs let some inmates leave jail after completing treatment and classes. Drug court releases happen after the participant finishes the court-supervised treatment plan. Mental health court releases connect inmates with community treatment providers before the person leaves custody. All court-ordered releases require a signed order from the judge who handled the case.
Florida Public Records Law for Inmate Data
Florida has one of the strongest public records laws in the country. Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes requires government agencies to share most records with the public. Jail records fall under this law, but certain pieces of inmate data stay sealed. Knowing which records are public and which stay private helps users request the right documents.
Chapter 119 of Florida Statutes
Chapter 119 of Florida Statutes, called the Public Records Act, requires agencies to share records unless a specific law blocks the release. The law covers paper records, electronic records, emails, and database entries. Anyone can request records without explaining the reason or showing a connection to the case. Agencies must respond to requests within a reasonable time, usually within 10 business days.
The law charges agencies for the actual cost of producing records, including copying, staff time, and postage. Agencies cannot charge for the time spent searching public databases. Large requests that take more than 30 minutes of staff time may include a special service fee. The fee must be estimated and approved before the agency starts producing the records.
Section 945.10 Exemptions
Section 945.10 of Florida Statutes lists the records that stay confidential even when a request is made. Medical records, mental health files, and substance abuse treatment records stay sealed without written consent from the inmate. Victim statements and witness protection information stay confidential to protect people involved in the case. Juvenile records stay sealed under Section 985.04 of Florida Statutes.
Inmate victims of sexual abuse have identity protection under federal Prison Rape Elimination Act rules. Inmates who report sexual abuse can request that their name and details stay out of public records. PREA records stay in a separate secure system with limited staff access. Agencies that release protected PREA records face federal penalties and loss of grant funding.
Reentry Programs and Post-Release Services
Florida runs several reentry programs to help released inmates return to the community without returning to prison. Reentry programs start during the sentence and continue after release. Services include job training, housing help, substance abuse treatment, and mental health support. Miami-Dade County partners with state agencies and nonprofit groups to provide reentry services at no cost to the released person.
State Reentry Programs
The Florida Department of Corrections runs the Prison Rehabilitative Industries and Diversified Enterprises program, also called PRIDE. PRIDE trains inmates in job skills like welding, construction, and computer repair. Released inmates can apply for PRIDE jobs in Florida after release. PRIDE also helps with job placement and résumé building for people who completed training.
The Florida Reentry Program connects released inmates with local service providers in their county of release. Case managers help with state ID, food assistance, and Medicaid enrollment. The program also provides temporary housing referrals for people who leave prison without a stable place to stay. Miami-Dade County has multiple reentry providers, including Miami Bridge and the OIC of South Florida.
County Reentry Resources
Miami-Dade County funds local reentry programs through the Miami-Dade Corrections and Rehabilitation Department. The County Reentry Program provides case management, substance abuse treatment, and mental health counseling. Participants can get help with driver license restoration, expungement, and voter registration. The program serves people released from jail within the past 12 months.
Nonprofit groups like the Miami Workers Center and the Florida Institute for Reform and Empowerment also help released inmates in Miami-Dade. These groups offer job placement, legal aid, and family support services. Faith-based groups run halfway houses and transitional housing for people who need a place to stay after release. The Coordinated Victims Assistance Center helps victims as well as former inmates seeking services.
Florida Inmate Release Statistics
Florida releases thousands of inmates each year from state prisons and county jails. The Florida Department of Corrections publishes annual release data on its website. Miami-Dade County releases more inmates than any other Florida county because of the large jail population. Release numbers help policymakers and the public understand the scale of the corrections system.
Annual Release Numbers
The Florida Department of Corrections released over 30,000 state inmates in 2024 through sentence completion, parole, and conditional release. Miami-Dade County jails released over 100,000 people in 2024 through bond payments, case dismissals, and sentence completion. Pretrial releases make up the largest share of county jail releases because most people in county jail have not been convicted.
Release numbers spiked in 2020 and 2021 because of COVID-19 concerns and court backlogs. The Florida Supreme Court ordered the early release of some low-risk inmates during the pandemic. Release numbers returned to normal levels by 2023 as courts cleared their backlogs and processed new cases. The 2025 release pace is similar to the 2019 baseline.
Recidivism Rates in Florida
The Florida Department of Corrections reports a 3-year recidivism rate of around 25 percent for state inmates. Recidivism means a person returns to prison within 3 years of release for a new crime or violation. Miami-Dade County recidivism rates are slightly lower than the state average because of strong reentry programs. Counties with more reentry services see lower recidivism than counties without those programs.
People who complete substance abuse treatment in prison have lower recidivism rates than people who refuse treatment. People who get stable housing and a job within 30 days of release also return to prison less often. Florida uses this data to decide which programs to fund and which to expand. Reentry spending saves money by reducing the number of people who return to prison.
Official Contact Information
Miami-Dade Corrections and Rehabilitation Department headquarters is at 3505 Northwest 107 Avenue, Doral, Florida 33178. Main phone: (786) 263-7000. Email: mdcrinfo@miamidade.gov. Central Records office is at 2525 Northwest 62nd Street, Suite 4200, Miami, FL 33147. Central Records phone: (786) 263-4222. Fax: (786) 263-5002. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time. The MDCR online inmate search portal is available 24 hours a day at miamidade.gov/Apps/mdcr/inmateSearch. Florida Department of Corrections offender search is at pubapps.fdc.myflorida.com/OffenderSearch/InmateInfoMenu.aspx. Federal Bureau of Prisons inmate locator is at bop.gov/inmateloc.
Frequently Asked Questions
This section answers common questions about Miami Dade County Florida released inmates and the search process. The questions cover search tools, release procedures, record access, and reentry services. Each answer provides specific details that help users get the records they need without unnecessary delays. The answers reference Florida law and MDCR procedures that apply in 2026.
How do I check if someone was released from a Miami-Dade jail?
The fastest way to check is the MDCR online inmate search portal at miamidade.gov/Apps/mdcr/inmateSearch. The portal shows current inmates at all three county facilities but does not list people already released. For historical release data, contact Central Records at (786) 263-4222 with the person’s full name and date of birth. Central Records can confirm the release date, release type, and case number for a small fee. Written public records requests take 5 to 10 business days to process under Florida law.
What is the difference between county jail and state prison releases in Florida?
County jail releases happen when a person leaves a Miami-Dade, Broward, or other county detention facility. State prison releases happen when a person leaves a Florida Department of Corrections facility after serving a felony sentence. County jail sentences are usually under one year, while state prison sentences run longer. The Florida Department of Corrections runs the state system and posts release data at pubapps.fdc.myflorida.com. Federal releases involve the Bureau of Prisons and post data at bop.gov/inmateloc.
Can I find out why someone was released from a Miami-Dade jail?
The online search portal shows limited release details for current inmates, including bond status. The portal does not show the reason for release after a person leaves custody. Central Records can provide the release reason, case number, and release date through a public records request. Some release reasons stay sealed under Florida law, especially for juvenile cases and sealed criminal records. Court records from the Clerk of Courts also show the case outcome that led to the release.
How long does it take to process a release from a Miami-Dade jail?
Bond releases take 4 to 8 hours after the bond clears the clerk’s office. Sentence completion releases take 2 to 4 hours because staff must verify time credits and collect inmate property. Court-ordered releases take 1 to 3 hours after the judge signs the release order. Weekend and holiday releases can take longer because fewer staff members are on duty. Emergency medical releases happen at any time when a doctor clears the inmate for discharge.
Are Florida inmate records free to the public?
The MDCR online inmate search is free and does not require a user account. Central Records charges a small fee for copies of booking photos and arrest reports. Public records requests for large amounts of data can cost more because of staff time and copying fees. The Clerk of Courts charges fees for certified copies of court documents. Free inmate search options include the MDCR portal, FDC offender search, and federal inmate locator.
What happens to released inmates in Miami-Dade County?
Most released inmates return to their families and communities without supervision. People released on bond must follow court-ordered conditions until the case ends. People released after sentence completion face no supervision unless the court orders probation. The County Reentry Program provides free services for up to 12 months after release. Services include job placement, substance abuse treatment, and help with state ID cards.
Can I remove my inmate record from public search in Florida?
Florida law allows record sealing and expungement for some criminal cases. Sealed records do not show up in the online search and cannot be released without a court order. Expunged records are destroyed by the agency and do not appear in any search. People who qualify for sealing or expungement must file a petition with the Clerk of Courts. The process takes 4 to 6 months and may require a court hearing.