Bay County Jail Information
How do I find out if someone is in the Bay County Jail?
Information pertaining to someone who is in custody can be obtained by going to the web site: vinelink.com or by contacting the Bay County Sheriff's Office at (989) 895-4050. Information pertaining to an inmate's previous incarceration will not be divulged without proper authority.
When are arraignments scheduled?
Arraignments are held at the Bay County Jail on Monday through Friday (except holidays) around 1:30 p.m., depending on the presiding judge's workload. Arraignments may be viewed at the Bay County Court Facility in the presiding judge's courtroom. All visitors to the court facility will be required to pass through a metal detector. Packages and briefcases will be x-rayed for weapons and explosives. Cell phones and lighters are not permitted in the Court Facility. Inmate court information can be obtained by going to the web site: baycountycourts.com.
How are bonds set?
The courts set prisoner bonds. Prisoners who are assigned a bond can be released provided the bond is paid and there are no other police agency holds on the prisoner. Information on a prisoners bond may be obtained by calling (989) 895-4050. Bond money may be provided at any time of the day in the form of a money order, certified check, or cash. If a money order or certified check is used, it must be made out to the prisoner. Personal checks are not allowed for the purpose of bonding a person. To utilize a bondsmen, check the yellow pages of the phone book.
When is an inmate going to be released?
All inmates are transported to and from the various courts simultaneously. When all arraignments are completed, the inmates are returned to the Law Enforcement Center. This process may take a couple of hours. If you arrive at the jail to pick up someone, anticipate a delay in processing. Prisoners being released are allowed to make a free local phone call in order to obtain transportation.
Can I contact an inmate?
You may contact an inmate only in letter form or through a scheduled video visit. Inmates are not allowed to receive incoming phone calls. You may send a letter in a plain white envelope to a prisoner by addressing it in his/her name at:
Smart Communications/Bay County Jail
(Name of Inmate & Inmate #)
PO Box 9130
Seminole, FL 33775-9216
No mail can be sent directly to the Bay County Jail after 01/09/2026. After this date all mail will be returned to sender. All mail must be sent directly to the above address!
Packages and Legal Mail will still be allowed. However, LEGAL MAIL must be clearly marked and packages must come from a vendor such as Amazon or Barnes and Noble. Sergeants/Staff will decide if it is allowed. If it is deemed inappropriate or something that is not allowed, then it will be placed in the inmate's property.
In order to reclaim any property not allowed, a property release form will need to be filled out by the inmate and the person indicated on the PRF will have to come here to the jail to retrieve the item and send it back for a refund or take possession of the item not allowed.
WE WILL NOT SEND ITEM(S) BACK FOR INMATES!
How do I post money to a prisoner's account?
You can deposit money in the Kiosk located in the front foyer of the Law Enforcement Center 8:00 AM - 11:00 PM Monday through Friday. You will need the inmate's name.
Family and Friends can purchase up to $50.00 of hygiene items or undergarments for their inmate at cost per week by calling 1-888-634-0034.
You can deposit up to $150.00 by credit card per week into an inmate's Commissary account by calling 1-866-422-6833.
All credit card commissary deposits are subject to a $4.00 + 4% processing fee.
For your convenience you can also make Bond payments on-line by going to: www.expressaccount.com
Your Credit or Debit Card
The inmate's name
All credit card bonds are subject to a $10.00 + 8% processing fee. The maximum credit card bond that can be posted via kiosk is $1,500.00. The maximum bond that can
be posted via web is $1,000.00.
Undergarments:
All undergarments will be purchased through commissary at our cost. The maximum is five white tee shirts, five white briefs, and five pairs of white socks, three white bras for females.
Clothing:
The jail will provide outer garments and bedding for prisoners while they are in jail. One set of street clothes will be accepted only for prisoners who are going to trial.
Property Release:
Prisoners may release their personal property to a family member or friend at any time. The request must be in writing and the person authorized to pick it up must sign for the property. Prisoners being sent to prison are required to have a family member or friend pick up all their property prior to their departure. Prisoner property not picked up prior to their departure to prison will be destroyed.
Phone Calls:
Prisoners are allowed to make one free phone call when arrested. Prisoners in general population have access to phones to make collect only calls from 6:30 a.m. until lock down each day. Prisoners are not allowed to receive incoming calls. Inmate phone services are provided by our phone vendor, Smart Communications.
Click here to learn more on how to contact an inmate via phone
Visitation for prisoners:
Click here for more Information on how to do a video visit an inmate