At Carlson Meissner Hayslett, P.A., our dedicated team of criminal defense attorneys works tirelessly to keep our clients out of jail. For most of our clients, the following information will never be necessary. However, if you find yourself in the unfortunate position of facing a jail sentence and you have to turn yourself in, this guide is here to help you prepare.
Whether you’re turning yourself in or visiting someone in jail, it’s crucial to understand the specific rules and restrictions on what you can bring into a county jail. Each county in Florida, including Pinellas, Hillsborough, and Pasco, has its own guidelines designed to ensure safety and compliance with jail policies. Below is a detailed breakdown of what is permitted and prohibited in these three counties.
Pinellas County Jail
Address: 14400 49th Street North, Clearwater, FL 33762
Contact Number: (727) 464-6415
For Inmates:
When you turn yourself in, the clothing you arrive in will be replaced and held in property until your release. However, you may keep one pair of white socks, plain white underwear, and a plain white undershirt (long sleeves are permitted). These items must be free of writing, logos, or pockets. While some people attempt to wear multiple layers of undergarments, anything beyond the permitted one pair will be held with the rest of your clothing. After booking, you will be issued jail attire, which you are required to wear during your incarceration.
If you take prescription medication, bring it in the original pharmacy-labeled container. The label must clearly display your name, the medication name, and dosage. The jail’s medical staff will review your prescriptions and provide the necessary medications during your stay.
You can also bring money to deposit into your commissary account. This allows you to purchase toiletries, snacks, and other items available through the commissary.
Lastly, ensure you bring a valid government-issued ID for processing.
For Visitors:
All visitations at the Pinellas County Jail are conducted through the video visitation system. Weapons, drugs, alcohol, food, drinks, tobacco, vape products, and all electronic devices, including cell phones and tablets, are strictly prohibited. Electronic devices must remain turned off; failure to comply will result in the termination of the visit.
Visitors must dress appropriately. Clothing that is obscene, offensive, distracting, or disruptive is not allowed. Prohibited attire includes halter tops, strapless tops, tube tops, spaghetti strap tops, and bathing suits. Shorts, skirts, or dresses must extend to at least mid-thigh. Any clothing with profane or offensive language, images, or gang-related symbols is also prohibited. Additionally, footwear is required.
During the visit, visitors must remain seated; standing or posing is not permitted. Disruptive or disrespectful behavior by any visitor, including children, will result in the immediate cancellation of the visit.
In addition to the video visitation center located at 14500 49th St N, Clearwater, FL 33762, the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office offers video visitation services at the James B. Sanderlin Neighborhood Family Center every Monday and Wednesday. The mobile visitation bus facilitates visits between the community and inmates at the Pinellas County Jail. All visits are limited to 40 minutes.
The Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office Visitation Center also offers remote video visitation. Visitors will have the option to visit remotely from a computer or smart device in lieu of reporting to a visitation center. Remote visiting hours coincide with the on-site visiting hours. Any visitor who fails to show up for their assigned visit or cancels their visit on the same day, more than one time, will be subject to have their remote visit privileges suspended for 30 days for each future “no show” or “same-day cancelation."
To schedule an appointment by phone or for help using the online appointment function, call 727-464-6842 from 10am – 4:30pm. You must be 18 years of age or older and have a valid photo I.D. to make an appointment.
Hillsborough County Jail (Tampa, FL)
Address: Orient Road Jail - 1201 Orient Rd, Tampa, FL 33619; Falkenburg Road Jail - 520 N Falkenburg Rd, Tampa, FL 33619
Contact Number: (813) 247-8300
For Inmates:
You should wear simple, comfortable clothing for the booking process. Jail staff will provide uniforms upon intake, though you may be permitted to keep a pair of plain white socks, underwear, and a T-Shirt or thermal undershirt. As in Pinellas, any prescription medication must be in original labeled containers and will be verified by medical personnel. Cash, money orders, or deposits through the jail’s online system can be used for commissary accounts.
For Visitors:
The video visitation center, located at 520 N. Falkenburg Road, Tampa FL, 33619, offers visitation seven (7) days a week, including holidays, from 10:00 A.M. to 8:30 P.M. The first visit will begin at 10:00 A.M. and the last visit will end at 8:30 P.M. All public visits are required to be scheduled through the Getting Out Visits App. Each visit is thirty (30) minutes in length and each inmate receives 2 hours of visitation per week (Wednesday- Tuesday), free of charge. After those 2 hours are completed, visits will be charged $.25/min to be paid by either the inmate or visitor, whether the visits are remote or in the visitation center.
Visitors are not allowed to bring large backpacks, diaper bags, car seats or any other containers into the visitation center. Unapproved items must be left in the car, or at home if a bus is utilized. Visitors who try to enter with these items will have their visit canceled and will be required to leave. All onsite visits must be scheduled online by the visitor and will take place in the visitation center.
All onsite video visitations are by appointment only and each inmate is permitted to have up to three (3) visitors per visit, one of which must be an adult. Visitors who are under the age of eighteen (18), but are legally married to an inmate, may be allowed to visit with a valid marriage certificate. Visitors must properly identify themselves upon arriving at the visitation center by presenting a valid government issued photo identification.
All visits, excluding professional visits, are monitored and are subject to recording. Visitors must be appropriately dressed, to include shirt and shoes. Visitation staff will determine if attire is appropriate. No weapons, tobacco products, lighters, e-cigarettes, alcoholic beverages, or non-service animals are allowed within the visitation center.
Remote (On Demand) visiting hours are 9:30 AM to 8:45 PM daily with the last visit starting at 8:30 PM. There are an unlimited number of visits allowed for inmates and the cost is $.25/min. All remote visits must be scheduled by the inmate. Visitors must download the Getting Out Visits App or visit gettingout.com to set up a visitation account. Since there is a small charge associated with remote (On Demand) visits, a valid credit card will be required.
Pasco County Jail (Land O’ Lakes, FL)
Address: 20101 Central Blvd, Land O’ Lakes, FL 34637
Contact Number: (813) 996-6982
For Inmates:
Similar to the other counties, you should wear comfortable and modest clothing for processing. Uniforms will be provided after intake. Original labeled containers are required for prescription medication and inmates will receive medications only after approval from the jail’s medical staff.
Funds can be deposited via kiosk, online, or by mail for the inmate’s commissary account.
For Visitors:
All visitors 18 years and older wishing to conduct a video visit will need to register as a visitor with ICSolutions. Visits must be scheduled a minimum of 17 hours in advance and can be scheduled up to 2 weeks in advance. Video visits can be up to 20 minutes long and the visits cost $0.25 per minute. Friends and family can schedule visits using their ICS prepaid account and inmates can schedule visits using their ICS debit phone account. All personal video visits are subject to monitoring and recording.
Visitors may conduct video visitation from home, but must download The Visitor App from ICSolutions. You can log in up a few minutes prior to the start time, and visits will connect at the scheduled time if the visitor and inmate are both logged in and ready.
Appropriate dress is required at all times. If your visit is terminated by the facility, no refund will be issued. Staff can deny, change, or cancel a visit at any time at their discretion. Any violation of the visitation rules may result in the termination of your visit and/or suspension of your visitation privileges and the privileges of your visitor.
Virtual Visits are every day 8:30 am – 11:30 am, 12:30 pm – 5:00 pm, 7:30 pm – 10:30 pm.
Administrative Segregation inmates and Red Dot inmates will only be authorized up to 2 hours (6 – 20 minute sessions) per week. Onsite visitations are allowed every day except for Fridays and Sundays, from 8:30 am to 10:00 am and 1:00 pm to 3:30 pm.
Important Reminders
Each jail updates its policies frequently. Before visiting or turning yourself in, you should call the jail or check their website for the latest guidelines and ask about any specific items you wish to bring with you. Attempting to bring contraband into a jail facility is a criminal offense that can lead to additional charges. Inmates should prepare for their personal belongings, except allowed items, to be stored and returned upon release.
Conclusion
Navigating the rules for county jails in Pinellas, Hillsborough, and Pasco counties can be daunting, but being informed makes the process easier. Whether you’re turning yourself in or visiting someone, understanding what is allowed can save you time and ensure compliance. If you have further questions or face legal issues related to incarceration or criminal charges, consulting with an experienced criminal defense attorney is always a wise choice.
If you or a loved one are facing charges in any of these counties, contact Kevin Hayslett, the Go-To Criminal Lawyer, for a free consultation. With decades of experience defending clients in Florida, he can guide you through the legal process with confidence and skill.
