Polk County Central Jail Inmate Search

November 2024

Polk County Central Jail is a minimum security jail which falls under jurisdiction of Polk, FL. The jail is maintained and operated by sheriffs in Polk County. Offenders from the Police and City jails are transferred to the jail after the paper work is done. They usually stay in the jail, until they are sentenced, acquitted or released on bail. It houses inmates on temporary hold, typically serving less than a year jail term. Most of the inmates in Polk County Central Jail are convicted for misdemeanor offenses like driving under the influence, fighting/assault, theft etc. It provides basic amenities to the inmates like bathroom facility, 3 meals daily, education program and TV facility. It also provides work release program and other specialized services to the inmates.

Location

2390 Bob Phillips Road
Bartow, Florida 33830

County

Polk County

Phone Number

Contact Email

[email protected]

Facility Type

County Jail

Inmate Capacity

900

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q. How do I find out if someone is currently detained at Polk County Central Jail?

Q. What if you are not able to find the inmate in Polk County Central Jail?

Q. What are the visitation rules of Polk County Central Jail?

Polk County Central Jail Visitation Hours

Sunday

7:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.

12:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

5:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

Monday

7:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.

12:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Tuesday

7:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.

12:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Wednesday

7:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.

12:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Thursday

7:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.

12:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Friday

7:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.

12:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

5:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

Saturday

9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.

12:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

5:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

Map & Directions for Polk County Central Jail

More Information

The current Polk County Central Jail was built in 1985. It was built to replace a jail built in 1963. In 2007, the Sheriff's Department took over all law enforcement duties for the city of Eagle Lake.

In 1901, Fred Rochelle was seen near the body of Rena Taggart. Taggart had been raped and then killed. Rochelle went on the run. He was found by two black men who did their duty by turning him over to the Sheriff at the jail. Prior to the capture, the local newspaper already said he would be lynched. Ten minutes later, Rochelle was handed to a mob. The mob got a special train and took him to what was termed a special barbecue. On May 29, 1901, Rochelle was chained to a barrel of kerosene and a match was thrown into it. This was done at the site where Taggart was killed.

On May 20, 1920, Henry Scott was a porter on a train that ran from Lakeland to Bartow. A white woman claimed that he had insulted her. She got a telegram sent to the next stop. The Polk County Sheriff met the train and arrested Scott. When they got to the jail, the Sheriff turned Scott over to a mob who shot the black man over forty times.

On January 16, 1922, Polk County Deputy Sheriff Oliver Smith was sent to a call of a shooting at a local sawmill. The suspect shot and killed Smith and then ran into the woods. He turned himself in a few days later.

On December 21, 1926, Deputy Sheriff Edward Harrelson got off work and went home. Two men were there and attempted to rob him. They shot and killed Harrelson in the process of the robbery. The deputy's brother returned fire and hit the men with birdshot. While one was caught the next day, the other was able to hide for three weeks. The man who killed the deputy was found guilty of murder and electrocuted. The other was also found guilty of murder.

On April 9, 1936, Constable Myrle Whidden responded to a call of domestic abuse. The man, who was beating his wife, shot Whidden when he tried to put a stop to the fight. Whidden got injuries in the arm and and chest. Despite these injuries, Whidden still took the man to jail. Constable Whidden died on April 11 from the wounds.