The Fort Myers City Jail Roster is a live public list of every person booked into local police custody. Fort Myers does not run its own jail.
All city arrests go straight to the Lee County Jail, which the Lee County Sheriff’s Office runs. When you look up the Fort Myers City Jail Roster, you use the Lee County inmate search system. This page explains how that system works, what each record shows, and how to use every tool the county offers in 2026.
Why Fort Myers Has No Standalone City Jail
Most people search for a Fort Myers City Jail Roster without knowing one key fact. The City of Fort Myers has never run a long-term detention center. Local police arrest people, but the Lee County Sheriff’s Office takes over from there. Every person booked by the Fort Myers Police Department ends up at the county jail on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard. This setup keeps costs down and follows a state law that allows counties to handle all municipal arrests in one place.
How Arrests Move From City Police to County Jail
When a Fort Myers officer makes an arrest, the suspect is brought to a holding area at the police station for paperwork. The booking process usually takes one to four hours. After paperwork is done, a transport team from the Sheriff’s Office picks the person up. The arrest then shows up on the Lee County roster. This process happens around the clock, every day of the year.
- Fort Myers police arrest the suspect
- Booking is done at the police station
- Sheriff’s transport team moves the inmate to county jail
- Records appear on the Lee County inmate database
Agencies That Use the Same Jail System
Many police agencies in Lee County send their arrestees to the same jail. This includes Fort Myers Police Department, Cape Coral Police, Bonita Springs Police, Fort Myers Beach Police, Sanibel Police, and the Lee County Sheriff’s Office itself. Florida Highway Patrol arrests made in Lee County also land in this system. If you cannot locate someone on the Lee County roster, the arrest may have happened in a nearby county, not Lee County.
Lee County Jail Location and Contact Details
The Lee County Jail sits at 2115 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, Fort Myers, FL 33901. This is the main facility for all Fort Myers arrests. The jail has multiple buildings and a total rated capacity of over 2,000 beds. The main phone number for inmate questions is 239-477-1700. This line is open 24 hours a day for booking, release, and general details.
Official Contact Details
Three main contact methods work for the Lee County Jail. The phone line handles the most questions each day. The online inmate search works best for people who want quick results without calling. In-person visits to the lobby are also accepted for records requests and bond payments.
| Contact Type | Details |
|---|---|
| Main Phone | 239-477-1700 |
| Booking Search | sheriffleefl.org/booking-search |
| Address | 2115 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd, Fort Myers, FL 33901 |
| Records Office | 14750 Six Mile Cypress Pkwy, Fort Myers, FL 33912 |
| Hours | Open 24 hours, 7 days a week |
Map Location for the Lee County Jail
The jail sits just south of downtown Fort Myers, off MLK Jr. Boulevard. The building is large and easy to spot. Visitors can use the GPS coordinates 26.6407° N, 81.8723° W to locate the exact spot. The facility has its own parking lot for visitors and bond agents. View the Lee County Jail on Google Maps for turn-by-turn directions.
How to Search the Fort Myers City Jail Roster Online
The free online search tool is the fastest way to locate someone in custody. The system updates every few minutes with new bookings and releases. The search tool lives on the official Lee County Sheriff’s Office website. You do not need an account, and there is no fee to look up an inmate.
Detailed Search Steps
The search form asks for a few details. The full name is the most important piece. Adding a date of birth or booking date makes the search more accurate. If you have a booking number, the search is almost instant. Anyone can use this tool from a phone or computer.
- Go to sheriffleefl.org and click Booking Search
- Type the full legal name in the name field
- Add date of birth if you know it
- Click the search button
- Look at the list of matching inmates
- Click the name to see full booking details
What the Roster Shows for Each Inmate
Each inmate record includes a wide range of public data. The booking photo, full name, and date of birth appear first. The system lists the arrest date, the booking number, and the agency that made the arrest. Charges are listed in plain language with the Florida statute number. Bond amount, court date, and housing location also show up when available.
| Record Field | What It Means |
|---|---|
| Booking Number | Unique ID for this arrest |
| Full Name | Legal name on file |
| Date of Birth | Helps confirm identity |
| Arrest Date | When the person was taken into custody |
| Charges | Florida statute and short description |
| Bond Amount | Money needed for release |
| Court Date | Next required court appearance |
| Housing Location | Which jail pod the inmate is in |
Tips for Better Search Results
Some searches return too many results. Some searches return none. A few simple tricks help you get the right answer. Use a partial name if you are not sure of spelling. Add a middle name if you know it. Try the booking number from a recent police report if you have it. Check different spelling versions of the last name, because small errors can hide the right person.
Phone and Inmate Status Searches
Not everyone has access to a computer. The Lee County Jail runs a phone line that gives the same basic roster data. You can call 239-477-1700 any time of day or night. The phone system uses an automated voice menu first, then connects you to a real person during normal business hours.
What Phone Searches Can Tell You
The phone line can confirm if someone is in custody. It can give you the booking date and bond amount. It can also tell you the housing location and the next court date. Phone staff cannot give medical details or release times for security reasons. They can transfer you to the records office for certified copies of documents.
When Phone Search Is the Better Choice
Older family members often prefer phone calls. People without internet access can also use this method. Bond agents use the phone to check on clients before posting bond. Lawyers call to confirm their clients are still in custody before court hearings. The phone line also helps people who need help in Spanish or Creole.
Visiting Hours and Rules for Lee County Jail
Visits at the Lee County Jail happen on-site. Video visits are also available for those who live far away. The jail uses a scheduling system to control the number of visitors each day. All visitors must sign up in advance and pass a basic background check.
On-Site Visiting Hours
On-site visits run seven days a week. The morning session is from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. The afternoon session runs from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. The evening session goes from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Each inmate gets two 30-minute visits per week, with a maximum of four visitors at one time.
| Visit Type | Hours |
|---|---|
| Morning Session | 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. |
| Afternoon Session | 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. |
| Evening Session | 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. |
Visitor Dress Code and ID Rules
The dress code is strict. No revealing clothing. No tank tops. No shorts above the knee. No open-toed shoes. No hats inside the building. Visitors must bring a valid government photo ID like a driver’s license or passport. Minors must be with a legal guardian and have their own ID or birth certificate. All visitors go through a metal detector before entry.
Video Visit Setup
Video visits use a third-party service called GTL, also known as ViaPath. Family members can set up an account online and pay a small fee for each visit. The inmate uses a kiosk inside the jail. Video visits last up to 30 minutes. The system is open from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. every day. Each inmate gets two free remote visits per week.
Bail and Bond Process for Fort Myers Arrests
Bond is the money paid to the court to release an inmate before trial. The amount depends on the charges. A judge sets the bond at a first court hearing called an arraignment. Some inmates get released on their own recognizance, which means no money is needed. Others have bonds so high that only a bail bondsman can help.
Types of Bonds Accepted
Cash bonds take the full amount in cash. Surety bonds use a licensed bondsman who charges 10 percent of the bond amount. Property bonds use real estate as collateral. Federal bonds work only for federal charges and follow a different set of rules. The jail accepts cash, credit cards, and money orders for bond payments at the lobby window.
How to Post Bond at the Jail
Go to the bond office on the first floor of the main jail building. Bring a valid photo ID. Bring the bond amount in cash or a money order. The clerk will process the payment and start the release paperwork. Release times vary but usually take 2 to 8 hours from payment.
- Bring valid photo ID and bond payment
- Visit the bond office at 2115 MLK Jr. Blvd
- Fill out the release paperwork
- Wait for processing and ID check
- Meet the inmate outside the main entrance
Sending Money to Inmates
Inmates can buy food, hygiene items, phone time, and other goods from the jail commissary. Family and friends can add money to an inmate’s account in three ways. The online system is the fastest. The phone deposit works for those without internet. The lobby kiosk accepts cash and card payments.
Approved Money Transfer Methods
Approved methods include Access Corrections online portal, phone deposits at 1-866-345-1884, and the lobby kiosk inside the jail. Mail is not accepted for cash deposits. Money orders are accepted by mail but take longer to process. All deposits need the inmate’s full name and booking number.
| Method | How It Works | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Online (Access Corrections) | Use a debit or credit card | $2.95 to $6.95 |
| Phone | Call 1-866-345-1884 | $3.95 to $5.95 |
| Lobby Kiosk | Cash or card at the jail | $2.00 |
Records Requests and Background Checks
The Lee County Sheriff’s Office keeps arrest records for many years. Public records laws in Florida allow most people to request copies. Some records stay sealed, especially those involving juveniles or dismissed cases. Records can be picked up in person or mailed to the requester for a small fee.
How to Request a Certified Copy
Send a written request to the Records Division at 14750 Six Mile Cypress Parkway, Fort Myers, FL 33912. Include the inmate’s full name, date of birth, and booking number if you have it. Pay the $5 fee for each certified copy. Allow 5 to 10 business days for processing. Online requests are also accepted through the sheriff’s public records portal.
What Records Are Sealed or Private
Records about juveniles stay sealed under Florida law. Cases that end in a full dismissal or acquittal may be sealed by court order. Mental health records and medical records never appear in public files. Active investigation files also stay private until the case closes. Expunged records are removed from public view by court order.
Statewide and Federal Inmate Search Tools
Not every inmate ends up in Lee County. Some go to state prison. Some go to federal prison. Some go to another county. The right search tool depends on where the person is held. Three main systems cover most of these cases for the Fort Myers area.
Florida Department of Corrections Search
The Florida DOC runs a public search for state prison inmates. Go to dc.state.fl.us to use the tool. The database covers all state prisons in Florida. It does not list county jail inmates. If someone you know was sentenced to state time, this is the right tool to use for post-conviction searches.
Federal Bureau of Prisons Search
Federal crimes land inmates in the federal system. The BOP search at bop.gov covers all federal inmates in the country. You can search by name or BOP register number. Federal inmates from Lee County federal cases show up here, not in the Lee County roster. This tool works for people held in any federal prison across the U.S.
VINELink Notification Service
VINELink (victiminformationandnotificationeveryday.link) sends free alerts when an inmate’s status changes. Anyone can sign up with a name and email. The system covers most county jails in Florida, including Lee County. It also covers state prison releases and court date changes. Families use VINELink to track loved ones without calling the jail each day.
Common Questions About the Fort Myers City Jail Roster
Many people have similar questions about the Fort Myers City Jail Roster. The answers below cover the most common search needs. Each question relates to a real situation families face every day in Lee County, Florida. The Lee County Sheriff’s Office updates its roster and tools on a regular basis, so details may change over time.
Does Fort Myers have its own city jail?
No. The City of Fort Myers does not run a detention center for long-term inmates. All arrests made by Fort Myers police go to the Lee County Jail. The Sheriff’s Office runs the county jail and manages the inmate roster. Anyone searching for a Fort Myers arrest should use the Lee County inmate search tool, which shows every city arrest as well as county arrests.
How soon does a new arrest show up on the roster?
New arrests usually show up within 30 to 90 minutes after the booking process is done. The system updates in real time during business hours. Overnight arrests may take a bit longer to appear. If you do not see a recent arrest, wait an hour and try the search again with a different spelling or booking number.
Can I learn why someone was arrested?
Yes. The public roster lists the charges for each inmate. You will see the Florida statute number and a short description of each charge. Bond amounts and court dates also appear. The roster does not include detailed police reports or witness statements. For those details, you must request a full police report from the Fort Myers Police Department.
How do I know when an inmate will be released?
You can call the jail at 239-477-1700 to ask about release times. The roster may show a projected release date for inmates serving misdemeanor sentences. The VINELink service can also send automatic alerts when the status changes. Release times shift based on court orders, bond payments, and overcrowding transfers to other facilities.
Are juvenile records on the Fort Myers City Jail Roster?
No. Juvenile records stay sealed under Florida law. Even if a juvenile is held at the Lee County Juvenile Assessment Center, the name does not appear on the public adult roster. Family members should call the juvenile court for any questions about a young person in custody. Juvenile cases follow a separate court process with different rules.
Can I remove my mugshot from the roster?
Mugshots stay on the public roster while the inmate is in custody. After release, the Lee County Sheriff’s Office removes booking photos from the public search tool after a set time period. Florida law also allows people to ask websites that repost mugshots to remove them under certain rules. A lawyer can help with removal requests in many cases.
What if the person is not in the Lee County system?
Try the Florida DOC search for state prison inmates. Try the BOP search for federal inmates. Try VINELink for statewide alerts. You can also call local police in the city where the arrest happened to confirm which county took custody. Neighboring counties like Collier, Charlotte, and Hendry also run their own jail rosters.