Plantation City Florida released inmates are tracked through the Broward County jail system. The city does not run its own detention center, so every arrest made inside Plantation moves to a Broward Sheriff’s Office (BSO) facility.
Anyone released from those jails appears in the county release log the next morning. Felony cases that move to state prison later show up in the Florida Department of Corrections (FDC) database. This page covers every official way to look up a Plantation released inmate using current 2026 records.
How Plantation Arrests Move Through Broward County
Plantation sits in the western part of Broward County with a population near 100,694. The Broward Sheriff’s Office handles law enforcement duties inside the city limits, including patrols, arrests, and jail transport. Because Plantation contracts with BSO, no separate city jail exists.
Why Plantation Has No Local Jail
Plantation does not operate its own detention center. Florida law lets cities contract with the county sheriff for jail services. Plantation signed that contract decades ago. Every person arrested by Plantation police, BSO deputies, or state agents inside the city goes straight to a BSO facility. This setup saves the city millions in building costs and keeps jail standards the same across the county.
The Four BSO Jail Facilities
Broward County runs four main jails. Each one holds people arrested anywhere in the county, including Plantation. The Main Jail in downtown Fort Lauderdale takes most new bookings. Three other facilities in Pompano Beach handle overflow and specialized housing.
| Facility Name | Address | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Main Jail (Broward County) | 555 SE 1st Avenue, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301 | (954) 831-5900 |
| Joseph V. Conte Facility | 1351 NW 27th Avenue, Pompano Beach, FL 33069 | (954) 831-5900 |
| North Broward Bureau | 1550 NW 30th Avenue, Pompano Beach, FL 33069 | (954) 831-5900 |
| Paul Rein Detention Facility | 2421 NW 16th Street, Pompano Beach, FL 33069 | (954) 831-5900 |
When you search for a Plantation released inmate, the person may have spent time in any of these four places. The online search covers all of them at once, so the exact facility does not matter for your lookup.
Who BSO Arrests in Plantation
BSO deputies handle most arrests inside Plantation. The Plantation Police Department also operates under a contract and makes many arrests as well. State agents from the Florida Highway Patrol, Fish and Wildlife, and other agencies can also arrest inside the city. All of these arrests land in the BSO jail system. The end result is the same for the public: every arrest becomes a BSO booking that shows up in the arrest search or release log.
Official Search Tools for Plantation Released Inmates
Three free search tools let the public check who got out of Broward jails. Each tool shows a different slice of the data. Used together, they cover every Plantation released inmate from local custody.
BSO Arrest Search Portal
The Broward Sheriff’s Office runs the main arrest search at sheriff.org. Type a last name into the search box. Add a first name to narrow the results. The portal pulls live data from all four county jails. You see the booking number, full name, arrest date, current housing location, and bond amount. The site updates once per day, so very recent bookings from the last few hours may not show up right away.
The search covers people still in custody and people booked in the recent past. If the person got released, their record may stay in the system for a short time with a release date. Older releases leave the arrest search and move to the daily release log. The portal works on phones and computers without special software.
Daily Release Log at releaselog.sheriff.org
The BSO release log lists everyone released from Broward jails each day. Entries show the booking number, full name, and release date. You can browse by date or use your browser’s find feature to search for a specific name. The log only shows releases, never current inmates. It updates each morning with the previous day’s releases.
People released from Plantation arrests appear in this log just like anyone else booked in Broward County. The list covers all four jail facilities. No login or fee is required. The log is the fastest way to confirm a release that happened in the past several weeks.
Phone and In-Person Records Requests
Call the Main Jail at (954) 831-5900 any time of day. Staff can look up a name and tell you whether the person is in custody or when they got out. They can also confirm which facility holds the inmate if they are still inside. For older records or paper copies, visit the BSO Records and Warrants Division at 2601 W Broward Boulevard, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33312. Call (954) 831-8700 ahead of time to check copy fees and wait times.
Florida Department of Corrections Records
Some Plantation cases move from BSO custody into the state prison system. This happens after a felony conviction when the sentence exceeds one year. The Florida Department of Corrections takes over from that point. FDC runs every state prison in Florida and tracks all inmate records for state-level sentences.
County to State Transfer Process
A person arrested in Plantation may spend weeks or months in Broward jail before trial. If convicted of a felony with a sentence over one year, the court orders a transfer to FDC custody. The BSO release log shows the county release on the day of transfer. The FDC release search then tracks the rest of the sentence and the final release from state prison.
Transfers happen on set schedules each week. Some inmates go directly from court sentencing to FDC without a BSO jail stay. The FDC intake process includes fingerprinting, medical screening, and classification. Once intake is done, the inmate shows up in the FDC online search.
FDC Inmate Search and Release Search
The FDC runs two free public searches at pubapps.fdc.myflorida.com. The Inmate Population Search shows every person currently in state prison. The Inmate Release Search shows people released, set for release soon, or out on supervision. Search by name or by DC number when you have it. The system updates every night for release dates and weekly for other details.
Each FDC record shows the DC number, full name, current status, offense county, and release date when known. Plantation residents who went to state prison appear in these searches just like inmates from any other Florida city. The FDC site also covers people on probation, parole, and community supervision.
Contacting FDC Directly
The Bureau of Admission and Release handles release questions. Call (850) 488-9167 or email dc.release@fdc.myflorida.com. The main FDC office sits at 501 South Calhoun Street, Tallahassee, FL 32301. Call (850) 488-7052 for general questions. Public records requests for files not posted online go through the FDC portal at floridadoc.govqa.us.
Florida Public Records Laws for Released Inmate Data
Florida has some of the strongest public records laws in the country. Most arrest and jail data must be released to anyone who asks. The same rules cover Plantation released inmates.
Chapter 119 Florida Statutes
Chapter 119 makes all government records open by default. Arrest reports, booking photos, release dates, bond amounts, and charge lists are all public. BSO and FDC post this data online to meet the law. Anyone can search without giving a reason or showing ID.
The law also covers email and electronic records kept by government agencies. Agencies must keep records long enough for the public to request them. If a record exists and no specific exemption applies, the agency must release it. Fees are limited to the actual cost of copying.
Section 945.10 and Sealed Files
Section 945.10 keeps some records private. Medical files, mental health notes, and certain personal details stay sealed. Juvenile records follow different rules and are usually closed to the public. Records that a judge has ordered expunged also stay hidden from all public searches.
Victim information is also protected. Home addresses, phone numbers, and personal details of crime victims stay private even when other case facts are public. Active investigation files may be temporarily sealed by a court order.
Filing a Records Request Step by Step
Use the BSO Records and Warrants Division for paper files or older reports. Visit 2601 W Broward Boulevard or call (954) 831-8700. Court case files come from the Broward County Clerk of Courts. Use the online case search at browardclerk.org or visit the main courthouse at 201 SE 6th Street, Fort Lauderdale. Copy fees and wait times vary by request type.
Write your request clearly with the inmate name, booking number if known, and the date range you need. The agency has a set number of days to respond under Florida law. If they deny the request, they must cite the specific exemption that applies.
Types of Release and What They Mean
Each entry in the BSO release log and FDC search includes a release type. Knowing what each term means helps you understand what happened to the inmate.
Bond Release and Bail
Bond release happens when someone pays the full bail amount set by the court. The money is held until the case ends. If the person shows up for all court dates, the money comes back minus court fees. A surety bond works the same way through a bail bondsman who charges a non-refundable fee.
Time Served and Sentence Complete
Time served means the inmate stayed in jail long enough to cover the full sentence. This happens with misdemeanor cases and short sentences. Sentence complete applies to state prison inmates who finished every day of their court-ordered term.
Parole and Probation Release
Parole release happens when the Florida Parole Commission lets a state prisoner out before the full sentence ends. Parolees must follow strict rules and report to a parole officer. Probation release means the court let the person serve their sentence in the community under supervision rather than in custody.
Transfer to Other Agencies
Some releases are actually transfers to other agencies. The inmate may move to state prison, federal custody, a different county, or a mental health facility. The BSO log shows this as a release even though the person stays in some form of custody.
Staying in Touch With Current and Released Inmates
Even after release, family and friends often need to stay in touch with current inmates. Broward jails and Florida prisons both run their own visit and mail systems.
Video Visitation Rules
BSO uses video visits only. Onsite visits at the jail are free. Remote visits from home cost money per minute through the jail’s approved vendor. Each inmate gets a set number of visit slots per week. Book your time online through the BSO website. Walk-ins are not accepted.
All visitors must show valid photo ID at the lobby kiosk before the visit starts. Dress codes apply: no revealing clothing, no hats, no gang colors. Children under 18 need a parent or legal guardian present during the visit.
Phone Calls and Mail
Inmates can call you if you accept the charges. All calls except those to lawyers get recorded. Phone rates run higher than normal calls. Mail is allowed at every facility. Write the inmate’s full name and booking number on the envelope. Send it to the jail address where the inmate is housed.
Outgoing mail from inmates also gets checked for security reasons. Stamps, paper, and envelopes come from the jail commissary. Inmates cannot receive packages, food, or used stamps. Legal mail to attorneys goes through a separate process and stays unopened.
Sending Money to Inmate Accounts
Family can add money to inmate commissary accounts through kiosks in the jail lobby or through the online payment portal. You need the full name and booking number. Funds let inmates buy food, hygiene items, and phone time. There is a small fee for online deposits.
Cash deposits at lobby kiosks use debit or credit cards only. Maximum deposit amounts per transaction apply. Funds post to the inmate account within a set time after the deposit clears.
Legal Help After a Plantation Arrest
People arrested or recently released from a Plantation case often need legal help. Several free and low-cost options exist in Broward County.
Broward Public Defender
The Public Defender handles criminal cases for people who cannot pay for a lawyer. The office sits at 201 SE 6th Street, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301. Call (954) 831-8650. The court decides who qualifies based on income and the charges. The office assigns lawyers at the first court appearance after arrest.
Legal Aid Services
Legal Aid Service of Broward County helps low-income residents with civil cases like housing, family, and consumer issues. Call (954) 736-2996 or visit legalaid.org. They do not handle criminal defense but can help with related civil matters that affect someone released from jail.
Private Lawyer Referrals
The Florida Bar runs a lawyer referral service at 1-800-342-8011. Many lawyers offer a low-cost first meeting for criminal defense cases. Some defense lawyers in Broward focus only on Plantation cases and know the local judges and prosecutors. Always ask for a written fee agreement before hiring a lawyer.
Official Contact Directory
The list below puts every phone number, address, and official link in one place. Save these for fast lookups when you need them.
Broward County Sheriff’s Office
Main Jail line: (954) 831-5900. Records and Warrants Division: (954) 831-8700. Address: 2601 W Broward Boulevard, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33312. Arrest search portal: sheriff.org/DOD/PAGES/ARRESTSEARCH.ASPX. Daily release log: releaselog.sheriff.org.
Florida Department of Corrections
Main office line: (850) 488-7052. Bureau of Admission and Release: (850) 488-9167. Email: dc.release@fdc.myflorida.com. Address: 501 South Calhoun Street, Tallahassee, FL 32301. Inmate search portal: pubapps.fdc.myflorida.com/OffenderSearch. Public records request portal: floridadoc.govqa.us/WEBAPP/_rs/SupportHome.aspx.
Broward County Clerk of Courts
Main line: (954) 831-6565. Address: 201 SE 6th Street, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301. Online case search: browardclerk.org. Court records cover criminal case filings, dispositions, sentencing, and post-release court orders.
Frequently Asked Questions
Below are answers to common questions about Plantation City Florida released inmates. Each answer uses only public data from BSO, FDC, and the Broward County Clerk. The questions reflect what people search most often in 2026.
Can I search for a Plantation inmate without paying?
Yes. Both the BSO arrest search and the daily release log are free. The FDC inmate search is also free. You do not need an account, subscription, or credit card. Use a name or a DC number when you have one. The only fees come from public records requests that require paper copies.
How long do release records stay online?
BSO keeps the daily release log for several weeks. Older releases drop out of the active list. For records beyond that window, file a public records request with BSO or check FDC for state prison cases. Court case files through the Broward Clerk can also show older arrest and release data tied to the case number.
What if the person was released years ago?
Check the FDC search first for any felony sentence. For county-level cases from years back, contact BSO Records and Warrants at (954) 831-8700. Court case files through the Broward Clerk cover criminal filings going back many years. Older files may need a formal records request with copy fees.
Do sealed or expunged records show up in these searches?
No. Sealed and expunged records get removed from public search tools. You cannot see them through BSO or FDC portals. Only a court order can unseal the file. Florida law lets people with eligible records petition for sealing or expungement after a set waiting period.
Can I find out why someone was released?
Yes. The BSO release log and FDC records both show the release type. Common types include bond posted, time served, sentence complete, parole, or transfer to another agency. The court docket through the Clerk of Courts gives more detail on the legal reason for the release.
What if I cannot find the person in any search?
Try different name spellings and check both BSO and FDC. Some inmates use alias names. If the person was in a different county, the state FDC search still covers them once they reach state prison. For help, call BSO Records at (954) 831-8700 during business hours.
Are mugshots part of the public record in Florida?
Booking photos taken by law enforcement are public under Florida law. BSO and FDC post mugshots with arrest records. Third-party mugshot sites may also republish them. Florida law limits how those sites can charge for removal. Victims of identity theft or mistaken identity can file a removal request at no charge.