Pasco County Jail

Pasco County Jail basic information to help guide you through what you can do for your inmate while they are incarcerated. The facility's direct contact number: 813-996-6982

The Pasco County Jail is a medium-security detention center located at 20101 Central Blvd Land of Lakes, FL which is operated locally by the Pasco 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. Pasco County accepts inmates from surrounding towns, municipalities, the US Marshal's Service and the Land of Lakes Police Department who do not have their own long-term lock-up.

The Security Services Division is the largest division within the Court Services Bureau. It includes Jail Operations and the Inmate Processing Sections. The Security Services Division is centralized in the Pasco County Detention Facility located in Land O’ Lakes. The facility’s main structure was built in 1991 as a direct supervision facility and provided additional housing for detainees. In 1991, the average daily inmate population, between Pasco County’s two Detention Facilities, was 465 inmates. Today, the Land O’ Lakes Facility houses all detainees. The average daily inmate population for April 2017 is 1,644 inmates.

• Jail Operation Section.
  The Jail Operations Section encompasses the supervision of all adults, or adjudicated juveniles facing charges as adults, incarcerated in Pasco County. The jail population for the last quarter of 2016 reflects that 85.2% of inmates were awaiting trial or incarcerated for a felony offense. The Jail Operations Section is comprised of four platoons which operate on 12 hour shifts. Deputies assigned to housing units (pods) are responsible for the supervision of inmates in a direct supervision environment and may supervise up to 112 inmates, in general population housing units. Housing units containing juveniles, disciplinary inmates, inmates in segregation or medical inmates will receive supervision with a lesser ratio of inmates per each deputy. In addition to the four platoons the Jail Operations Section includes an Inner Perimeter Security Team which is responsible for handling emergency calls for service within the jail including responding to inmate fights, disciplinary problems, or medical emergencies. The Pasco Detention Facility has a rated bed capacity of 1,432, and as the population increases it becomes increasingly difficult to manage the inmate population, provide appropriate housing classifications of inmates, or segregate those who pose a threat to the security or orderly running of the facility.
• Inmate Processing Section.
  The Inmate Processing Section is comprised of seven units including Intake/Release, Classification, Juvenile Assessment Center, Property/Cashier, Inmate Records, Sentencing and Sex Offender/Felon Registration.
• Intake / Release.
  As the central booking location for all law enforcement agencies operating in Pasco County, the Intake/Release Unit is responsible for intake and release procedures of all individuals taken into custody. Intake procedures for each inmate include searches, medical screening, photographing, fingerprinting, DNA submission, computer entry of charges and demographics, paperwork distribution, and initial classification. Release procedures include final warrants checks, victim notification, computer entry, and if applicable, sex offender registration. In 2016, 30,942 intake and release procedures were conducted along with 212 critical incidents, including use of force, emergency restraint chair use, suicide attempts/gestures, medical, injuries, assaults, and introduction of contraband.
• Classification.
  The Classification Unit is responsible for classifying inmates to ensure the safety and security of inmates, staff, and citizens. Inmate classification statuses may change due to criminal charges, behavior, or other issues. Classification is responsible for reviewing, validating and updating all reports generated on the inmate population, in order to ensure proper classification, housing, and handling. Classification is tasked with preparing, reviewing, and updating inmate classification statuses to present to the Re-Classification Committee and discuss at Intelligence-led Policing (ILP) Aim meetings. Classification identifies, reports, and distributes information on veteran inmates to the United States Veterans’ Services. They refer inmates with medical or mental health issues to medical/mental health staff. Classification reports identified gang members to the ILP Section and the gang liaison. They determine which inmates are eligible for worker status. Inmates with holds from other agencies/states, or the Department of Corrections, are identified and tracked. Juvenile inmates, and inmates that fall under the Jessica Lundsford Act or Anti Murder Act, are identified and reported to the Clerk of the Court and Judiciary. Inmates born outside the United States are identified, tracked, and reported to the Criminal Alien Assistance Program and the Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agency, to be submitted for grant funds. Classification assists in procedures for special handling of inmates such as risks, juveniles, administrative segregation, red dot, and protective custody inmates.
• Inmate Records.
  Records is responsible for the contents, privacy, security, and preservation of inmate records for each inmate admitted to the detention facility. They are tasked with maintaining adequate supplies for the Classification Unit and submitting work orders for any machines or equipment that are not operating properly. The Records Clerks answer incoming calls for inmate records, fill record request, collect and report data to include Social Security disability information, inmate counts, monthly inmate statistics, and prepare victim letters.
  Juvenile Assessment Center. The Juvenile Assessment Center (JAC) is a collaborative effort between the Pasco Sheriff’s Office and the Department of Juvenile Justice. It is a centralized processing facility for youth who are taken into custody by law enforcement. Youth are searched, booked, fingerprinted, photographed, DNA is submitted, and they are assessed for educational deficiencies, chemical dependencies, and family needs. These functions are partially funded through a contract with the Department of Juvenile Justice.

The Pasco Sheriff’s Office recognizes the importance of providing help to inmates who need mental health support. Assistance is available to inmates in jail and upon their release. We offer services for anxiety and depression, assistance for abuse victims and survivors, counseling for effective communication, and special classes designed to meet the needs of our military veterans.

Our detention facility mental health personnel provide a variety of classes which inmates will receive a certificate upon completion. Anxiety Management is a class designed to assist an individual in understanding anxiety, recognizing symptoms, and practicing techniques to manage one’s anxiety. Another class we offer is Finally Free Meditation, which teaches the importance of self-worth as well as breathing and tapping techniques to sooth one’s anxiety.

We also recognize the need for abuse victims and survivors to receive counseling and assistance. Sunrise of Pasco County offers help to females abused by a spouse or another significant person. Trinity Outreach of Tampa Bay offers Emotional Healing, a class that provides the skills and encouragement necessary for letting go of past traumas and learning how to begin the healing process. Healthy Boundaries, also provided by Trinity Outreach of Tampa Bay, is a class that teaches participants how to recognize their own boundaries and how they can have others respect those boundaries.

Close relationships often affect one’s mental health and that is why we offer classes focused on connecting with others. Family Integrity Training is a Christian-based curriculum course focusing on changing thought patterns and enhancing decision-making skills. The curriculum for the class covers the following topics: Parenting 101, Godly Parenting, Insight, Free to Grow, Anger Dynamics, Anger Management, Dating and Marriage, Loss and Grief, and Financial Recovery. Anger Management, provided by Baycare Behavioral Health CHAT outreach program, is a class that provides skills utilized to cope with anger and teaches ways to create a positive thinking pattern. Breakthrough Parenting, also provided by Trinity Outreach of Tampa Bay, is a court-approved class that teaches participants how to become a better parent. In the class, participants understand the relationship between how they were raised and how this affects their parenting skills.

In addition to these programs and classes we also recognize the men and women who have served our country often have specific needs regarding mental health and assistance adjusting to life after their military service. Pasco Sheriff’s Office provides Veteran’s assistance counseling and referral services from St. Vincent de Paul and Boley Center. We offer Warrior’s Bond Classes which is a twelve week program addressing the following topics: Coping Skills, Relationships, Mindfulness Techniques, Psycho education, Seeking Services, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, Trauma, Substance Abuse, Avoidance, Suicide Prevention, Empowerment and Mental Health. WestCare Veteran Education Program is specifically designed for military veterans, and promotes awareness of the culture of the military, impacts of deployment on service men and women, and the special needs of military families. The program consists of twelve stand-alone modules, covering topics including resources, mental health, employment and re-entry into civilian society. The classes offered to our inmates include discussions, motivational techniques, developing skill sets, audio therapy, and breathing exercise.

We aim to give inmates access to a variety of resources to help them succeed outside of jail with the goal to prevent re-entry into the criminal justice system. Many of these classes also are approved by the courts and provide certificates of completion. Our detention facility mental health personnel also assist with applications and referrals for post release care, if inmates choose. If you have any questions about these and the other programs and services offered to inmates please call 1-800-854-1862, extension 6302.