St Johns County Florida released inmates are tracked through the St Johns County Sheriff’s Office and the Florida Department of Corrections. If you want to know if someone left the county jail or state prison, public search tools make this data open to everyone.
This page shows you exactly how the system works, where to search by name, what the law allows you to see, and how to contact the right office for help.
How St Johns County Tracks Released Inmates
The St Johns County Sheriff’s Office runs the county jail and keeps records of every person held there. When someone leaves the jail, the office records the date, time, and reason for the release. These records stay in the system and can be searched by name through the online roster. The same office works with the Florida Department of Corrections for people sent to state prison, and with the U.S. Marshals Service for federal transfers.
The Role of the St Johns County Sheriff’s Office
The Sheriff’s Office sits at 3955 Lewis Speedway in Saint Augustine, Florida 32084-8628. The phone number for general questions is (904) 824-8304. Staff at this office handle jail bookings, bond processing, inmate releases, and public records requests. They keep the daily jail roster updated and answer calls 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The office answers questions about bond amounts, charges, court dates, and release status for anyone held in the county.
The Sheriff’s Office also handles transfers to other facilities. When a county inmate is sentenced to state prison, the office coordinates the move with the Florida Department of Corrections. The release record shows this as a transfer. The same process applies for federal holds and medical transfers.
Types of Records Kept by the Jail
The jail holds three types of records for each person who passes through. Booking records show the arrest date, charges, and personal details at the time of arrest. Custody records show housing assignment, medical needs, and behavior during the stay. Release records show how the person left jail, when, and where they went next. All three types stay in the system and may be searched by name through the public roster.
Release records are updated within a few hours of the actual release. The online roster shows current inmates and people released within the past several days. Older release records may need a public records request through the Sheriff’s Office.
Where to Search for Released Inmates
Three main databases hold released inmate data for St Johns County. The county jail roster covers local inmates. The Florida Department of Corrections covers state prison inmates. The Federal Bureau of Prisons covers federal inmates. Each system holds its own data, so you may need to check all three depending on the case.
Using the St Johns County Online Inmate Search
The online search tool is free and open to anyone. Go to the St Johns County Sheriff’s Office website and click on the inmate search link. Type the person’s first name and last name in the search box. The system returns a list of matching names, with booking photos, charges, bond amounts, and release status. The system updates daily but may have a short delay for very recent releases.
The search shows people who are still in jail and people who have left. If a person appears in the results, click on their name to see full booking details. These details include the arrest date, the arresting officer, the court case number, and the scheduled release date. If the release date is in the past, the person has left the jail. Bond amounts and charge descriptions also appear in the search results.
Searching the Florida Department of Corrections Database
People sentenced to more than one year in Florida state prison are tracked by the Florida Department of Corrections. Their database is at pubapps.fdc.myflorida.com/OffenderSearch/InmateInfoMenu.aspx. This site covers every state prison, work camp, and release center in Florida. Search by name or DC number to see current status, location, and release date.
The FDC system refreshes every night with new release dates and location changes. The Inmate Release Information Search on the same site lists people who have left state prison in the past. You can see the projected release date for people still in custody. For questions about a state inmate, call the Bureau of Admission and Release at (850) 488-9167 or email dc.release@fdc.myflorida.com. The Bureau of Classification and Central Records handles population data at (850) 488-9859.
Federal Bureau of Prisons Inmate Locator
People held for federal crimes appear only in the federal database. The Federal Bureau of Prisons runs the inmate locator at bop.gov. Search by name or register number to see the current facility, projected release date, and past moves. Federal inmates do not show up in county or state searches, so this site is the only place to check their status.
Reasons People Get Released from Jail
Most people leave St Johns County Jail for one of four reasons. Each reason has a separate paper trail in the records system. Knowing the reason helps you read the data you see in search results.
Bond and Bail Releases
Bond is the most common reason for release from the county jail. A judge sets a bond amount at the first court appearance, usually within 24 hours of arrest. The inmate, a family member, or a licensed bail bondsman can post the bond at the jail lobby. Once paid, jail staff process the release paperwork. Most bond releases happen within 4 to 8 hours after the bond posts. The person must return for court dates or face a new failure-to-appear charge.
Bond amounts in St Johns County vary based on the charge. Misdemeanor bonds often range from $500 to $5,000. Felony bonds range from $5,000 to $50,000 or higher. Some serious charges like homicide or major drug trafficking carry no bond. The court can deny bond for people seen as a flight risk or danger to the community.
Sentence Completion
Some people serve their full county sentence at the jail. Sentences under one year are served in county jail. Sentences over one year are served in state prison. When the sentence ends, the inmate walks out the same day with a release certificate. Short sentences for minor charges may last just a few days. The jail calculates release dates based on the sentence and any good time credits earned.
Dismissed Charges and Acquittals
Cases can end with charges dropped before trial or dismissed by a judge. The state attorney may drop charges if evidence is weak or witnesses are unavailable. A judge may dismiss charges if the arrest violated constitutional rights or the law was broken by officers. In these cases, the inmate is released right away and the arrest record updates to show the dismissal.
Transfer to Other Custody
Some inmates leave county jail because they are moved to another facility. People sentenced to state prison are transferred to FDC custody within 30 days of sentencing. People facing federal charges are handed over to U.S. Marshals. People with serious medical needs may be moved to a hospital or treatment center. These moves show up in the records as releases from county custody.
Florida Public Records Laws
Florida law makes inmate and release data open to the public. Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes is the state’s public records act. This law gives you the right to see most records held by government agencies. The St Johns County Sheriff’s Office follows this law for jail records.
What Records You Can Get
You can ask for booking photos, arrest reports, bond amounts, court dates, and release dates. You can ask for the reason for release and the time of release. Most records are free to view online. Paper copies may cost a small fee for copying and staff time. Section 119.07 of the law sets the rules for these fees. The standard copy fee is 15 cents per single-sided page and 20 cents for double-sided pages.
What Records Stay Confidential
Some data cannot be released to the public. Medical records, mental health files, and substance abuse treatment records stay sealed under Section 945.10. Victim statements and witness protection details stay private. Juvenile records are sealed under Section 985.04. Active investigation details also stay confidential until the case closes. The Sheriff’s Office will black out these parts before giving you a record.
How to Request Records
You can request records by phone, email, mail, or in person. Send your request to the St Johns County Sheriff’s Office Records Section. Include the inmate’s full name, date of birth if known, and the records you need. The office has 30 days to respond under Florida law. If records are large or require database searches, the office may ask for up to 30 extra days to gather the data.
St Johns County Jail Operations
St Johns County Jail is a medium-size county facility. It holds people arrested in the county and people waiting for trial. The jail also holds people sentenced to short county terms. The daily population changes based on arrests, releases, and transfers. The jail is part of the Sheriff’s Office main campus in Saint Augustine.
Daily Population and Release Numbers
The jail processes between 20 and 40 releases each day. Most releases happen between 6 AM and 10 PM. Bond releases make up about 60% of daily releases. Sentence completions make up about 25%. Transfers and dismissals make up the rest. The total number of people released each month ranges from 600 to 1,200 based on the time of year and arrest patterns.
The average daily jail population in St Johns County in 2025 was around 550 inmates. The peak population during summer months reaches 620. The jail was built to hold about 500 inmates but regularly operates above capacity due to high arrest rates in the county.
2025-2026 Release Data
Recent state data shows Florida released over 96,000 inmates from state prison in 2025. St Johns County sent about 300 people to state prison in 2025. Of those, roughly 90% return to St Johns County after release. The FDC tracks every released inmate for at least one year after release for supervision. The total number of supervised offenders in St Johns County in early 2026 was about 1,400.
The Florida Department of Corrections reports a slight rise in overall releases from 2024 to 2025. State prisons released about 96,213 inmates in 2024 and around 98,000 in 2025. About 65% of released inmates finish their full sentence. The other 35% are released early for good behavior, program completion, or sentence review. The average time served for released inmates in 2025 was 3.2 years.
Nearby County Inmate Search Resources
If the person you want is not in St Johns County records, they may be in a nearby county. Each county in Florida runs its own jail and search system. The list below shows the closest counties and their inmate search tools.
Duval County Released Inmates
Duval County includes Jacksonville and borders St Johns County. The Duval County Jail holds people arrested in Jacksonville. Their inmate search is at dcjacksonville.org. Search by name and see booking details, charges, and release status. The jail processes over 100 releases per day, making it one of the largest in Northeast Florida. Duval County houses about 3,500 inmates daily.
Clay County Released Inmates
Clay County sits west of St Johns County. The Clay County Sheriff’s Office runs the county jail in Green Cove Springs. Their inmate search is at claysheriff.com. The jail holds about 500 inmates and releases roughly 15 to 25 people each day. Most releases are bond releases for misdemeanor charges.
Flagler County Released Inmates
Flagler County sits south of St Johns County. The Flagler County Sheriff’s Office runs the jail in Bunnell. Their inmate search is at flaglersheriff.com. The county is smaller, so the jail population stays around 300. Daily releases average 10 to 15 people. The jail handles mostly misdemeanor and traffic charges.
Putnam County Released Inmates
Putnam County sits west of St Johns County. The Putnam County Sheriff’s Office runs the jail in Palatka. Their inmate search is at putnamsheriff.com. The county jail holds about 400 inmates and releases 12 to 18 people per day. Many releases are for minor charges and short sentences.
St Johns County Released Inmates in State Database
People released from Florida state prisons who lived in St Johns County appear in the FDC release records. The FDC tracks every released inmate through the Supervised Population Information Search. This database lists people on parole, probation, or other supervision after prison release. Search by name to see current supervision status and any violations.
How Long Records Stay Public
Florida keeps inmate records open for at least 99 years under state retention rules. Arrest records and court records stay open forever unless sealed or expunged by a court order. A person can ask to have their record sealed or expunged after completing their sentence. Section 943.059 of Florida law sets the rules for this process. Most misdemeanor convictions can be sealed after a waiting period of several years.
Felony records have a longer waiting period before expungement. The court considers the type of charge, the person’s criminal history, and any victim impact. The clerk of court in St Johns County handles expungement petitions. The cost ranges from $75 to several hundred dollars based on the type of record and the charges.
Recent Florida Release Statistics
Florida state prisons released 96,213 inmates in 2024. The number rose to about 98,000 in 2025 based on FDC reports. About 65% of released inmates finish their full sentence. The other 35% are released early for good behavior or program completion. The average time served for released inmates in 2025 was 3.2 years. The total supervised population in Florida in 2026 is around 165,000 people.
Probation and Parole After Release
Most released inmates from St Johns County end up on supervision after release. The Florida Department of Corrections runs the probation and parole system statewide. A parole officer checks in with each person after prison release. People on probation report to an officer instead of serving time in jail or prison. The officer has authority to verify compliance at any time.
Rules for People on Supervision
People on probation or parole must follow strict rules set by the court and the FDC. They report to their officer on time. They cannot leave the county without written permission. They cannot use drugs or alcohol if tested. They cannot have contact with victims or other felons. They must keep a job or stay in school. They must follow a curfew set by the officer.
Breaking any rule leads to a violation report. The officer files the report with the court. A judge reviews the report and decides what happens next. Technical violations lead to added supervision time or short jail stays. New crimes lead to new charges and possibly more prison time.
Violations and Returns to Custody
A violation report can lead to an arrest warrant. The person is taken back into custody and held for a hearing. A judge decides if the violation is technical or new criminal behavior. Technical violations lead to added supervision time. New crimes lead to new charges and possibly more prison time. About 30% of people on supervision in St Johns County face at least one violation during their supervision period.
The violation hearing happens within 30 days of arrest. The person has a right to a lawyer. The judge can revoke supervision entirely and send the person back to prison. The court can also add time to the supervision term or order stricter rules. The most common violations in St Johns County are missed check-ins and failed drug tests.
Contact Details for St Johns County Inmate Records
The St Johns County Sheriff’s Office is the main contact for jail records and release data. The office is open every day for inmate questions and records requests. You can call, visit in person, or send a written request for release records. Staff will help you locate current inmates and recent releases.
Sheriff’s Office Location
Main Office Address: 3955 Lewis Speedway, Saint Augustine, Florida 32084-8628. The office sits in the northwest part of Saint Augustine, near Lewis Speedway and County Road 214. Parking is free for visitors. The records office is on the first floor. The building has wheelchair access and public restrooms.
Phone and Hours
Records Phone: (904) 824-8304. The phone line runs 24 hours a day for inmate status checks. The records office for paper requests is open Monday through Friday, 8 AM to 5 PM. Closed on county holidays. After hours, calls go to the jail control desk for emergency matters only.
State Prison Contact
Florida Department of Corrections Bureau of Admission and Release. Phone: (850) 488-9167. Email: dc.release@fdc.myflorida.com. Address: 501 South Calhoun Street, Tallahassee, FL 32399. Website: pubapps.fdc.myflorida.com/OffenderSearch/InmateInfoMenu.aspx. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8 AM to 5 PM Eastern Time.
Frequently Asked Questions About Released Inmates
This section answers common questions people ask about released inmates in St Johns County. Each answer gives you the steps you need to search records, check status, or get help from the right office. The answers below cover the most searched topics based on current public interest and Florida law as of 2026. Use these answers as a starting point, then contact the Sheriff’s Office for case-specific data.
How to Check If Someone Was Released
You can check release status through the St Johns County Sheriff’s Office online inmate search. Type the person’s full name in the search box. The result page shows booking details and release date. If the release date is in the past, the person has left jail. For state prison inmates, use the Florida Department of Corrections database at pubapps.fdc.myflorida.com/OffenderSearch/InmateInfoMenu.aspx. For real-time status, call (904) 824-8304 any time of day. The phone line runs 24 hours and staff can check the live roster. Have the person’s full name and date of birth ready when you call. The search results update each night with new releases.
Does Florida Keep Records of Released Prisoners
Yes. The Florida Department of Corrections keeps records of every person released from state prison. These records include release dates, supervision status, and post-release location. Records stay open for at least 99 years under Florida retention law. You can search the release database on the FDC website at pubapps.fdc.myflorida.com/OffenderSearch/InmateInfoMenu.aspx. The site refreshes every night with new releases. You can ask for a copy of the release record by mail or email from the FDC Bureau of Admission and Release at (850) 488-9167. The records are open under Florida’s public records law, Chapter 119.
Can I See Why Someone Was Released
Yes. The St Johns County jail records show the reason for release. The reason may be bond posted, sentence served, charges dismissed, or transfer to another facility. The online inmate search shows this data when you click on a name. Paper copies of release records show the same data plus the time of release and the releasing officer’s name. You can ask for a copy through the public records request process at the Sheriff’s Office. The records office responds within 30 days under Florida law. There is a small fee for paper copies based on the number of pages.
Are Released Inmate Records Free to View
Most released inmate records are free to view online in Florida. The St Johns County Sheriff’s Office online search costs nothing. The Florida Department of Corrections website is also free. You only pay if you want paper copies, certified copies, or large record sets. Copying fees are set by Section 119.07 of Florida Statutes. The fee is usually 15 cents per page for single-sided copies and 20 cents for double-sided copies. Labor fees may apply for records that take more than 30 minutes to gather. The office will tell you the total cost before starting the search.
What Happens After Release in St Johns County
After release, most inmates return home or to a halfway house. People on probation or parole must report to a supervision officer within 24 to 72 hours. The officer sets up a check-in schedule based on the case. The released person must follow rules about travel, drug use, and contact with victims. Breaking any rule can lead to arrest and return to custody. State law requires supervision for at least one year after prison release for most felonies. Some serious charges require supervision for life. The court sets the exact term at sentencing.
Can I Remove My Release Record From Public View
Yes, under Florida law. You can ask the court to expunge or seal your record after you complete your sentence. Section 943.059 lists who can ask. You must wait a set time based on your charge. Misdemeanors need a waiting period of several years. Felonies need a longer waiting period based on the charge level. You file a petition with the court in the county where you were convicted. The court decides based on your record and the law. The clerk of court in St Johns County handles these petitions. The filing fee ranges from $75 to several hundred dollars.
How to Search for Transferred Inmates
Use the Florida Department of Corrections database for state prison transfers. The system shows the current location and projected release date. Search by name or DC number at pubapps.fdc.myflorida.com/OffenderSearch/InmateInfoMenu.aspx. For federal transfers, use the Federal Bureau of Prisons inmate locator at bop.gov. For medical or treatment transfers, call the St Johns County Sheriff’s Office at (904) 824-8304. Staff can check the live roster and tell you where the person was sent. Always have the full name and date of birth ready when you call. The transfer date and destination are part of the public record.