Sarasota County South Jail - West Wing

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Sarasota County South Jail – West Wing basic information to help guide you through what you can do for your inmate while they are incarcerated. The facility's direct contact number: 941-480-3351

This facility is for adult inmates.

The Sarasota County South Jail – West Wing is a medium-security detention center located at 1350 Ridgewood Ave Venice, FL which is operated locally by the Sarasota County Sheriff's Office and holds inmates awaiting trial or sentencing or both. Most of the sentenced inmates are here for less than two years. Sarasota County accepts inmates from surrounding towns, municipalities, the US Marshal's Service and the Venice Police Department who do not have their own long-term lock-up.

The Corrections staff is split into two bureaus (Operations and Services) including two Captains, eight Lieutenants, and twenty Sergeants, 171 Corrections Deputies and 69 civilian employees. The Sheriff budgeted over 25 million to operate the Sarasota County Jail in 2015. Daily operations require 140 deputies assigned to housing duties that include care, custody and control over an average population of 950 inmates that require three meals per day. Daily laundry duties involve 20 commercial size loads of clothing which are cleaned and distributed daily.

The Sarasota County Jail has a rated capacity of 1,026 and a classification capacity of 827 (appropriate space in order to ideally separate inmates and provide adequate programs). The total number of inmates processed into the facility in 2013 was 15,149. In 2009, the new “open” booking area was unveiled. The change has provided a quicker transition into custody of arrestees and a safer environment for both the arrestees and staff, which is outlined in the Exemplary Projects section of this book.

A total of seventy-six programs and services are offered through the Inmate Program Coordinator’s Office, including self-help, religious and nonreligious workshops and classes. Some of the programs offered are “Personal Insight,” “Free to Grow,” “Anger Management,” and parenting classes for both men and women. These programs are solely presented by volunteers. For those programs not funded, inmate welfare funds are utilized to pay for them placing no additional tax burden on the community. Nearly 180 inmates graduated various programs in 2011. The Inmate Program Coordinator’s Office handles an average of 700 weekly requests for various types of inmate services, from class and devotional attendance requests, to scripture and literature reading materials. In 2009, Sheriff Knight created an Addiction Recovery Pod in the jail facility. Located in one of the direct supervision pods of the North Wing, this voluntary 12-Step program is presented by volunteers from the local Salvation Army who works with the inmates to achieve sobriety. It is administered through the Inmate Program Coordinator’s Office.

INMATE MAIL
All outgoing mail is inspected by staff members, as provided for by law, with the exception of privileged mail (letter to attorney, court, clergy, media, etc.) Only privileged envelopes may be sealed.

Indigent inmates (commissary balance of $0.00) may receive an indigent kit consisting of two stamped envelopes, two pencils and writing paper.

Notice: Effective April 9, 2018, all incoming non-legal mail must be in the form of a postcard not smaller than 3.5" by 5" and no larger than 4.25" by 6".

Picture postcards of the same dimensions mentioned above will be accepted. Photographs that meet the postcard size requirements will also be accepted. The sender may address and stamp the back of the photograph for mailing.

Incoming mail is inspected for contraband with the exception of privileged mail, which while not subject to inspection, corrections deputy may request the envelope be opened in his/her presence to ensure its legitimacy. The facility shall not limit the amount of incoming mail and will not maintain a list of correspondents.

Mail with gang related or obscene drawing, language or profanity will not be forwarded to the inmate. To alleviate problems in mail delivery, all incoming mail must have full name (include middle initial), cell block (if known), and return address of sender (Full name and address, no AKA’s.)

See the sample address for inmate mail below:
Inmate's name
P.O. Box 49588
Sarasota, FL 34230

In addition to the above restrictions, the following items are prohibited:

Mail that is not in postcard form and/or smaller than 3.5" by 5" and larger than 4.25" by 6"
Polaroid pictures and pictures larger than 4×6 inches
Magazines, newspapers, and books or clippings thereof
Padded, musical, electronic and oversized cards
Tobacco, paraphernalia, foreign and unidentifiable substances, fragrances or markings
Items that are glued, taped or stapled
Packages/bubble wrap envelopes
Stickers and stamps (other than postage service attachments and address labels affixed to the outside of the envelope)

Money orders may be mailed to inmates at

Access Corrections
P.O. Box 12486
St. Louis, MO 63132

Money orders must be made out to "Access Secure Deposits". Include the state, city, inmate name and ID number on all money orders. Example: Florida, Sarasota, John Smith, 0200012345.

All mail not meeting the above requirements will be returned to the post office once a week for a return to sender. Return delivery may take up to 10 days.

visitation Info

Sarasota County Main Jail – West Wing – Visitation

VISITATION HOURS
Internet Visits: 0830am – 1100am and 1200pm – 1800pm Everyday
On-Site Visits: 0900am – 1100am and 1200pm – 1800pm Everyday

VISITATION DAYS
Visitation is available seven days a week.

Inmates that have not yet been classified (typically less than 3 days in jail) or are under special medical observation may not receive personal visits unless approved by administration. Legal visits will be allowed but may be subject to certain restrictions based on client’s condition.

Regulations concerning dress and conduct for all visitors are posted at the entrance to the facility. Failure to follow visitor rules and regulations may result in loss of visitation privileges for the visitor. Visits shall be terminated without notice for any violation of visitation rules.

In addition to on-site visits, friends and family members can choose to schedule a video visit from the comfort of home.

Each internet video visitation session will be $12.00 per 25-minute visit. On-site video visits will continue to be free. Visits can be scheduled and cancelled using either the website or the App. Refunds for internet visits will not be issued. Friends and Family members can schedule an on-site or internet video visit by visiting https://jailvisit.scgov.net/app or by downloading the Android app "GTL Vismobile."

The purpose of visitation is to encourage family contact and provide opportunities for association beneficial to the inmate's overall adjustment.

Appointments can now be made online in the Quick Links section of this Web site's home page or on this page. A kiosk is also available in the Sarasota County Jail lobby for those without internet access. Visits may be scheduled two weeks in advance and up to 24 hours prior to your desired visit. Visits may be canceled up to 48 hours prior to visit. If a visit is canceled in less than the required time frame visitation staff may do so; however the inmate may lose that time block for the week except in special circumstances. Assistance is also available by phone if needed, 941.861.4692.

Inmates are allowed three (3) fifty-minute visitations per week. The maximum number of visitors allowed at each visit is three (3).

Visitors must be an adult (18 years or older) with UNDAMAGED valid photo identification (driver's license, Florida I.D. card, Military I.D. card or passport). Expired, taped or broken identification WILL NOT be accepted. Children may visit only when accompanied by a parent or guardian, and children must have either a photo I.D. or birth certificate, or other legal custody papers such as adoption, ward of court, etc.

Unaccompanied children will not be permitted in the visitation center or jail front lobby. If children are not controlled in visitation or the jail front lobby, the visitor may be asked to leave.
Each inmate is permitted up to three (3) visitors at a time, including children and infants.
Visitors with infants and small children may bring one baby bottle/one diaper/baby wipes/and a blanket. A diaper bag, which will be searched, shall be permitted. No strollers or baby carriers will be allowed.

If you have a visit scheduled and something (such as a court date or medical appointment) interferes with the schedule of the person you are visiting, after you've scheduled the visit, the scheduling program will cancel the visit. You must reschedule the visit once the inmate has returned to his/her housing area. Cancellations may occur due to disciplinary reasons. You will not be able to visit until the inmate has served their disciplinary time and returns to population. Check your email often (& voicemail if applicable), prior to your scheduled visit to make sure your visit hasn't been cancelled. A visit cannot be granted if you show up for a cancelled visitation.

Attorneys generally visit during normal business hours but will be accommodated at any time. However, reasonable delays may occur during certain periods (e.g. meal times, headcounts).

Special visits (family emergencies, death, grave illness) must be approved through Administration.

DRESS CODE

No miniskirts
No short shorts
No halter tops or tops with spaghetti straps
No tank tops or muscle shirts
No see-through tops
No tops that reveal cleavage or midriff
No improper messages or images
No bare feet

Photographs, writing materials and cell phones are NOT allowed in the visitation area. Visitation can be denied if rules are violated.

ALL VISITS ARE SUBJECT TO MONITORING AND RECORDING