Frequently asked questions
Q. Can an inmate be reimbursed for the daily subsistence fees if they are acquitted?
A. Yes. Pursuant to Florida Statutes 939.06
All acquitted defendants who have had their criminal charges discharged are entitled to and may request a refund through the Justice Administrative Commission for any Subsistence Fees by completing the Refund Voucher Cover to pursue a refund.
The link provided below to obtain the Refund Voucher Cover Form: https://www.justiceadmin.org/court_app_counsel/acquitted.aspx Completed JAC Invoices should be sent to:
- Justice Administrative Commission
Court-Appointed Counsel Program
227 North Bronough Street, Suite 2100
Tallahassee, FL 32301-1380
All reimbursements will be handled through the Justice Administrative Commission.
Q. Does Volusia County assess fees to inmates.
A. Yes. Volusia County assesses a one-time per booking fee of $30.00 and a per day subsistence fee of $5.00. These fees will be deducted from inmate accounts. Inmates who are eligible and choose to work while incarcerated will have the $5.00 per day subsistence fee waived.
Q. What happens to someone during the first 24 hours in jail?
A. A person arrested remains in custody until he/she posts bond or is released by a judge. Within one day of jail admission, the individual will appear before a judge for a First Appearance hearing. This hearing is a formal reading of the charges against the detainee and determines if probable cause was utilized for detainmnet. The judge may raise the bond, lower the bond, or release the person on their own recognizance. The judge also will appoint a public defender if a person cannot afford an attorney. The courtroom for First Appearance hearings is at the Volusia County Branch Jail, 1300 Red John Road, Daytona Beach. Hearings are scheduled at 1:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 8:30 a.m. weekends and holidays. Anyone may attend the hearing. After the first court appearance, an inmate is sent from the intake housing unit to Case Management orientation. A Case Counselor interviews and classifies each inmate based on charges, criminal history and other factors. Once classified, security staff assigns each inmate to a housing unit that fits a person' s classification. An inmate's classification is not permanent and may change during the jail stay, depending on behavior or charges. Each unit has a Case Counselor. If an inmate needs the counselor's assistance, he/she can speak or write to the counselor at any time.
Q. Where do I go and how do I get someone out of jail?
A. By administrative court order, there is a set bond schedule, depending on the crime. If an individual is arrested on a warrant, the judge issuing the warrant sets the bond. All these bonds remain in effect until First Appearance. At First Appearance the judge may reduce or increase a bond, or elect to keep it as set at jail admission, release an individual on his own recognizance, or place a person on Pre-Trial Supervision (PTS/PTR).
Anyone may come to the Branch Jail, 1300 Red John Drive, Daytona Beach, to post bond in cash or through a bondsmen.
Bond information is available by calling the Branch Jail Booking Office at 386-254-1555. The Booking Office is open 24/7.
There will be no inmate releases from 10pm to 6am, effective April 29th, 2024.
Q. What happens when someone is released?
A. Once an inmate has been deemed eligible for release, staff must process paperwork in preparation of the release. This is a detailed process that has multiple steps. For inmates being released after court: paperwork is not processed for inmates till after all court proceedings are completed for the day, inmates have been returned to housing, and the paperwork has been received from the courts to the corrections staff.
Once the paperwork process starts it can take 2 to 4 hours depending on different factors before the inmate is released. There will be no inmate releases from 10pm to 6am, effective April 29th, 2024.
There are screens located in the lobbies of each facility that displays each step an inmate is in. All female inmates are released from the Correctional Facility.
Q. What happens to someone’s property when they are arrested?
A. Inmates’ personal property is collected and stored in the Corrections ID/Receiving area. (Large items such as backpacks, bags, purses, etc. are held by the arresting law enforcement agency.) After booking and assignment to a housing unit, inmates are issued a toothbrush, toothpaste, soap, clothing, and bed linens until time of release. Other items must be purchased through the jail commissary vendor, Access Corrections . Inmate’s personal property, including purchased commissary items, will be returned to the inmate at the time of release.
Inmates may release property that was collected at the time of booking by requesting a Property Release Form on the tablets. The inmate is required to complete the form. The paper form must be approved, and the property marked for approval of release, before the property will be released. Inmates may request status updates of the Property Release Form on the tablets. If an inmate is released before or during the approval process of the request, the property will be released with the inmate and the request form becomes void. Please call (386) 254-1555 to inquire if the Property Release Form has been approved before coming to pick up. Property will be available and held up to 5 days after approval. If property is not picked up within 5 days, it will be returned to storage and the property will be released with the inmate. Property can be picked up 24/7. Proper ID is required for pick up. Clothing is not released, as it is reissued to the inmate at time of release. Checks follow the same release processes as property. All checks are printed in the inmate’s name only.
Q. When is court scheduled?
A. After First Appearance it typically takes one to two days for the clerk to process future court dates. Other court dates an inmate could have: Arraignments, Hearings, Pretrial, and Trial. Proceedings can take place at any one of the counties four locations. For inmate court date information and location, please visit the Clerk of the Court’s website at http://www.clerk.org.
Q. Can I call and speak to an inmate?
A. No, however inmates can communicate through calls, texting, mail, and visitations. Communication is restricted during the initial 72 hours of incarceration. The restriction is due to inmates participating in numerous classification activities, housing changes, court appearances, and medical evaluations during the first days of incarceration.
Calls - IC Solutions or (888) 506-8407
Texting – Smart Jail Mail or (727) 349-1561
More information about Inmate Mail and Visitation – Refer to the links “Inmate accounts, mail procedures and regulations” and "Visitation" sections on the previous page for more information on how to utilize these services.
Q. How do inmates get legal assistance while in jail?
A. Corrections staff may not provide legal advice or assistance. Inmates must contact their public defender or private attorney if they have questions about their case. The Public Defender's Office has an open phone line so inmates can use the phone in their housing area to call them. Inmates also may complete a request form or write a letter to their public defender. These requests are picked up daily by the Public Defender's Office. Corrections staff can provide assistance in helping inmates find out about when their court date is scheduled, what charges they face, addresses and telephone numbers of court and other outside agencies, and their assigned judge and public defender. Jail staff are not permitted to act as advocates for inmates. Most inmates are expected, and are responsible, for asking their own questions and handling correspondence with outside agencies and officials.
Q. What should I do if I know or believe an inmate was a victim of a crime while in jail?
A. Call the Investigations and Grievances staff at 386-258-4045.
Q. What should I do if I believe an inmate is depressed or is contemplating suicide?
A. If you are aware of someone incarcerated who feels anxious, depressed, angry, or suicidal, call the Branch Jail at 386-254-1555 or the Correctional Facility at 386-254-1565 and report the information immediately.
If you or someone you know who is not incarcerated but is having suicidal thoughts, contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline by calling 9-8-8. If you or someone you know is experiencing a medical or mental health emergency call 9-1-1.
Q. Who should I call if I am concerned an inmate needs medical treatment?
A. Contact Health Services: Branch Jail (386) 254-1547 or Correctional Facility (386) 254-1583. Please note that medical and mental health information of an inmate is protected by HIPPA and cannot be released unless the inmate signs a waiver. Every inmate is screened after booked into custody by medical and mental health professionals. Inmates who remain in custody are given a physical and psychological evaluation within 14 days of incarceration. Inmates are educated on how to request non-emergent physical and/or mental health needs. Non-emergent requests are triaged for care within 24 hours. Emergency treatment is available by alerting staff.
