Hardee County FL Jail

You can support your loved ones at Hardee Co Jail on InmateAid, if you have any immediate questions contact the facility directly at 863-767-9042.

When someone you care about gets locked up, it's tough to figure out all the ins and outs of jail life. From sending mail to visiting, there are a lot of things to sort out. And getting info about the arrest? Not always easy. That's where this webpage comes in handy. It's here to help you get a handle on how things work here so that you can stay connected and support your loved one behind bars.

The Hardee Co Jail is a detention center located at 900 E Summit St Wachula, FL which is operated locally by the Hardee 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. Hardee County accepts inmates from surrounding towns, Wachula Police Department, and the US Marshal's Service.

New detainees arrive at the jail regularly, with some being released on bail, placed under pretrial services caseloads, supervised by probation agencies, or released on recognizance with a court appearance agreement. Those who are not released await their court appearances at the jail, receiving accommodations including bedding and meals. You can see all the arrest records for Florida here.

Individuals who do not post bail within the first twenty-four hours are required to appear before a judge. During this first appearance, conducted either in person or via telephone, the judge informs the arrested person of the charges against them and sets the bond amount.

Following the intake process, which includes property inventory, medical screening, and booking, inmates are assigned to the general population. Housing assignments are based on the classification of their charges, whether felony or misdemeanor, to ensure proper management and safety within the facility.

After processing, inmates are assigned to a housing area based on classification. Appeals to classification must be submitted in writing within ten days, explaining any perceived inaccuracies. A written response will follow. Classifications are reviewed periodically, considering changes in charges or behavior. Compliance with jail rules typically results in a lower classification and more privileges, while rule violations or additional charges lead to a higher classification and fewer privileges. Notices are issued for reclassification, and appeals follow the same procedure as initial classifications. Inmates serving as trustees within the jail undertake various tasks, including cooking, laundry, and commissary management, often receiving minimal compensation or sentence reduction for their services.

The jail is designed with "pods," featuring a large common area with affixed tables and attached seats, and individual cells typically on two levels. Inmates spend certain times in their cells and other times congregating in the pod for activities like playing cards, games, reading, or watching television. Movement outside the pod, such as trips to the commissary, library, or recreation area, occurs under the constant supervision of unarmed correctional officers. The environment in the county jail is considered less stressful than that of a prison.

Books and magazines ordered for inmates must come directly from the publisher. This policy ensures that the items are new, untampered, and comply with the facility's regulations. Prisons and jails enforce this rule to prevent the introduction of contraband or prohibited materials. By restricting orders to publishers, the facility can better maintain security and control over the content entering the institution. Any books or magazines not received directly from the publisher will be rejected and not delivered to the inmate.

Inmate workers are chosen based on conduct and cooperation with staff. Participation in the community service program can reduce sentences by one day for every 24 hours of work. Inmate workers receive double feeding trays and two mattresses. Commissary is available weekly, with orders submitted via kiosk two days in advance. On holidays, orders may be doubled. Indigent inmates must miss two commissary days to receive a weekly indigent pack containing basic hygiene items, and indigent mail is stamped only for the Attorney of Record or the Court. Upon receiving commissary items, inmates must present their ID, check their order, and sign for it in the presence of the commissary employee.

The jail offers a phone program for outbound calls only, with inmates unable to receive incoming calls. Accepting collect calls can be expensive, sometimes exceeding $10 per call. Alternatively, setting up an account through a third-party phone company may entail high fees per minute of usage. Click here for discounts on inmate calls, especially if the communication with your inmate is frequent. It's important to remember that all phone calls are recorded, and discussing sensitive legal matters over these lines is discouraged.

Inmate Programs: The Hardee County Sheriff’s Office Detention Facility offers programs designed to meet inmates' personal needs for self-improvement. Corporal Douglas supervises, coordinates, and oversees these Inmate Programs, which include:

The Inmate Library Program: This program allows inmates to check out various types and categories of "softback" library books. The books are purchased through the Inmate Trust Fund or donated to the Sheriff’s Office Detention Facility by private individuals, religious organizations, or other entities.

The Adult Education Program: Operated and staffed by an educator from South Florida Community College, this program provides eligible and approved inmates with the opportunity to attend adult education classes for self-improvement.

The Inmate Trusty Program: Limited to sentenced inmates, this program allows eligible and approved participants to learn and perform job-related tasks for county entities or non-profit organizations. Inmates can earn "gain time," reducing their sentence duration under Florida State Statute, by learning and performing these tasks.