Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q. How do I find out if someone is currently detained at Polk County Central Jail?
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Polk County Central Jail maintains an online inmate list where one can find the list of detainees. The list is updated usually fairly frequently. To check the inmate roster please visit Polk County Central Jail Sheriff Department website. If that doesn't work, another good way to find someone is to call the Bartow police department at 863-534-6123 and find out about the inmate directly.
Q. What if you are not able to find the inmate in Polk County Central Jail?
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It means the inmate is transferred to nearby county jail or state prison facility or is released from jail. Check Florida inmate search page for more details on how to search for an inmate in Florida.
Q. What are the visitation rules of Polk County Central Jail?
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Any individual with valid government ID and who isn’t on felony probation is allowed to visit an inmate. Children below 18 years, must be accompanied by a legal guardian.
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For more information one can call 863-534-6123.
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.
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