Facility Overview
Bradford County Jail sits in Starke, Florida, right in the heart of Bradford County. It’s a county-run facility under the Bradford County Sheriff’s Office. They handle pretrial detainees, short-term sentences, and folks awaiting transfer to state prison. Medium security mostly, with separate pods for men and women. Capacity hovers around 200-250 beds, but it gets packed like most jails. We’ve seen it hold everyone from minor offenders to those with serious charges. No death row or long-termers here—it’s all local.
The jail’s no-frills. Concrete walls, metal bunks, standard county setup. They run it tight because Bradford’s a small county, so staff know most regulars by name. If your person’s in there, expect a focus on quick processing and court runs.
Location and Contact Information
Address: 945-B North Temple Avenue, Starke, FL 32091. Phone the main line at 904-966-6161 for general info. For inmate-specific questions, hit the jail directly at the same number or try 904-966-2277 for records. Email isn’t listed officially, but you can reach the sheriff’s office through their site. Always call first—lines get busy around shift changes.
| Contact | Details |
|---|---|
| Main Jail Line | 904-966-6161 |
| Records/Inmate Info | 904-966-2277 |
| Sheriff’s Office | 904-966-6161 |
| Website | Bradford Sheriff Jail Search |
Pro tip: Have the inmate’s full name and date of birth ready. They won’t give out much over the phone without it.
How to Access the Bradford County Jail Roster
Finding someone on the Bradford County Jail roster is straightforward if you know where to look. Head to the official Jail View site. It’s their public inmate search tool. Punch in the last name, first name, or booking number. You can filter by booking date or release date too. Results show photo, charges, bond amount, and location inside the jail.
But here’s the real talk: The site’s glitchy sometimes, especially on mobile. If it freezes, clear your cache or try desktop. We’ve had families wait hours only to call and get the info in two minutes. No full roster dump—they protect privacy. Updates happen every few hours, so recent bookings might lag. Last check, it’s live as of today.
Can’t find them? They might be in transit, released, or at Florida State Prison nearby. Call to confirm. One thing we always tell people: Screenshot everything for your records.
Visiting Information
Visiting at Bradford County Jail is non-contact, through glass with phones. Hours are limited—typically weekends only. Check the roster page or call for the current schedule, as it shifts with holidays. Expect 15-30 minute slots. No kids under 12 without special approval.
Dress code’s strict: No sleeveless shirts, shorts, or anything sheer. They’ve turned folks away for flip-flops. Schedule online via the Jail View system or by phone. Arrive 30 minutes early—searches are thorough. The visiting room smells like stale coffee and disinfectant. Officers watch every move. Bring ID, nothing else.
- Saturdays: 9am-11am, 1pm-3pm (by last name A-M)
- Sundays: 9am-11am, 1pm-3pm (N-Z)
- No visits on weekdays unless approved
Families tell us it’s emotional but worth it. Just one hug through the glass? Better than nothing.
Inmate Communication
Phone calls are the lifeline. Inmates use Securus Technologies—rates around $0.21/minute collect. Set up an account on Securus site. Video visits available too, same platform. Mail goes to the jail address, but no care packages. Letters scanned and given on tablets now—old-school mail’s fading.
Emails? Through JPay or Securus apps. Send photos, but they review everything. No nudity or codes. Calls get recorded, so keep it clean. Inmates get 15-20 minutes a day if they’re not in the hole. We’ve heard complaints about bad connections, but it’s better than silence.
Phone Setup Steps
- Create Securus account online.
- Fund it with card.
- Inmate calls you—no calling out first.
Pro advice: Block unknown numbers if you’re not ready. Saves the surprise.
Sending Money to Inmates
Commissary keeps them going. Use Access Corrections or Securus kiosks. Online at their sites, or drop cash at the jail lobby (no bills over $20). Fees eat 10-15%, but it’s quick. Minimum $10. Funds hit in 24-48 hours for hygiene, snacks, stamps.
Don’t send cash by mail—they trash it. Bonds for release go through the clerk’s office. We’ve seen families wire money wrong and lose it. Double-check the inmate ID number.
Daily Life at This Facility
Days start at 5am with count. Breakfast’s basic—oatmeal, bread. Lockdown most of the day, rec for an hour if lucky. Pods have TVs, cards, but fights happen over commissary. Programs? GED classes, NA meetings if staff’s available. Medical’s on-site, but serious stuff goes to Shands hospital.
It’s loud, tense. Bugs in summer, cold in winter. Officers rotate shifts, some fair, some not. Inmates bond over stories. We hear from guys who’ve done time there—survive by staying low-key, paying debts quick. No gangs like big cities, but cliques form.
COVID changed things: More isolation, tablets for everything. Food’s improved a bit, per recent chatter.
History and Background
Built in the 1980s, expanded in 2000s as arrests rose. Bradford County’s rural, tied to Florida State Prison next door—jobs for locals. Notable? Escapes rare, but a 2019 riot over conditions made news. Sheriff Gordon Smith runs it now, focuses on transparency with that online roster.
It’s evolved from paper logs to digital. Still feels like old Florida county jail—personal but underfunded.
How to Get There
From Jacksonville: I-10 West to SR-16 exit, 20 miles south. From Gainesville: US-301 North, 30 minutes. Parking’s free but limited. No public transit—Uber’s spotty. Hotels: Starke’s got motels like Econo Lodge on US-301. For long hauls, Holiday Inn in Lake City, 25 miles north.
Gas up before—rural roads. Visit mid-morning to beat crowds.
We get calls from families driving hours. Plan for traffic on 301; it’s two-lane in spots.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I find someone on the Bradford County Jail roster?
Go to the official Jail View at smartweb.bradfordsheriff.org/smartwebclient/Jail.aspx. Enter name or booking number. Call 904-966-6161 if nothing shows—they update every few hours. Always verify by phone too.
What are visiting hours at Bradford County Jail?
Weekends only, 9am-11am and 1pm-3pm, split by last name. No weekdays without approval. Dress modest, bring ID. Schedule via phone or online—slots fill fast.
Can I send money to an inmate in Bradford County Jail?
Yes, via Securus or Access Corrections online, kiosk, or lobby drop. Use exact inmate ID. Expect fees and 24-hour processing. No mail cash.
How much are phone calls from Bradford County Jail?
About $0.21 per minute on Securus, collect calls. Set up account first. Video visits cost similar. Calls record, so watch what you say.
What should I know before visiting Bradford County Jail?
Non-contact through glass. No touching, strict dress code—no shorts or tanks. Arrive early for search. Kids need approval. It’s emotional but structured.