Okaloosa County Jail – Shalimar, FL

Okaloosa County Jail is located in Okaloosa County and is the primary correctional facility for that county. Looking for someone in Okaloosa County Jail? This page gives you info about anything you might want to know about Okaloosa County Jail,like the following: Find an inmate at Okaloosa County Jail. Find inmate mugshots. The jail’s address and phone number. How to post bail. Booking and intake procedures. Court records. And everything else.

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The thought of getting arrested and going to jail is a scary and daunting thought, not only for the person who is incarcerated, but also their family and friends. The purpose of this guide is to give advice and information that you need to make going to jail a lot easier. If you have a specific question, feel free to ask it, and any comments or feedback that could be a benefit to others will be much appreciated.

General Information

Address

Okaloosa County Jail
1250 Eglin Parkway
Shalimar, FL 32579

Phone Number and Fax Number

Phone: 850 689-5690
Fax Number:

Map and Directions

Inmate Search – Find Out Who’s In Jail

Do you have a friend or family member that has gone to jail and want to contact them?

Do you know a friend or family member that’s been arrested and you need to locate them?

In order to find out who is in jail at Okaloosa County Jail you should visit their link and do an inmate search.

Inmate Lookup

The Okaloosa County Jail Inmate Lookup is a list of persons who were arrested and are now in jail, including status, bail amount, and visiting hours. Also, you can find the same information about anybody processed or released in the last 24 hours. Jail inmates are listed alphabetically by their last name. You will be able to find their arrest information fast if you enter the arrestee’s full name, date of birth, or inmate ID.

If the person you’re searching for might be in a different jail you should check our guide to other Florida jails: List of all jails in Florida

Mugshots

A mugshot, also known as a jail booking photograph, is the picture taken by the police when you get booked into jail. They take one face photo and a profile photo. Your full name and jail ID number will appear on the pictures, and they will be kept on file at the jail.

View Mugshots

Mugshots of people who have been arrested can be searched on the website, or you can see them at the Okaloosa County Jail. When viewing online you will have to input the inmate’s legal name, and the arrest date.

How To Get Your Mugshot Removed

Need to know how to have your mugshot removed from the Okaloosa County Jail site? This will be difficult, because the mugshot is a matter of public record. To get your mugshot taken down you will need to file a ‘Petition to Expunge’. What this means is that the record of your arrest will be sealed, and will not be available to the public. It is difficult to do this, and you will most likely need the services of a lawyer.

Read our in-depth tutorial about removing your mugshot, the different mugshot websites, and the websites that offer to remove your mugshot for you: How To Get Your Mugshot Removed

Bail & Bail Bondsmen – How To Get Out of Jail

If you’re in jail, your primary thought is when and how to get out. After you’ve gone through the booking process, your bail amount will be set by a special judge called a magistrate. If there is no bail set this might mean that you will either be released, or you don’t get released while you wait for your court date.

If you do bail out you must agree to go to your court date, and until then you are not allowed to leave town.

Typically, prisoners will be given time off in exchange for good behavior when they follow the rules and act right while incarcerated.

If you prove to be trustworthy, you might be allowed to do work release. You will be required to go back to the jail at the end of the day when you’re finished working, or you might have the chance to live in a halfway house when you are not working.

Bail

Your bail is money that you have to pay to the court system to get out of jail until your court date. The amount you will have to pay depends on how serious your charges are. You will need to pay 10% of the amount set in order to get discharged from jail. If you don’t go to your court appearance, the person that paid your bail won’t get the bail money back.

Find Out How Much Someone’s Bail Is

To find out how much bail money you will need to bail someone out of jail have to call the jail or the county courthouse. If know the person’s information, such as name, address and date of birth, they will tell you what their bail is set at. You can also find out how much their bail is online.

How To Bail Someone Out of Jail

Bailing out of jail is never a fun thing, but usually, it’s really easy. First of all, you need to know if their bail is a “Cash Bond Only”. If this is the case, you will not be able to use a bail bondsman. They only accept cash at the jail, so you have to take cash – they will not accept a personal check. As soon as you’ve posted (paid) bond, the prisoner will be discharged. If this person doesn’t violate any of the terms of their release, the bail money you posted will be returned to you.

Bail Bondsman

If bail is set too high, or you just can’t afford it, you should try a bail bondsman. They generally have a fee of 10 to 15 percent of the total bail amount, and in most cases charge a minimum charge of $100. The money you pay to the bail bondsman will not be returned to you and the bondsman only accepts cash. If bail is very large, the bondsman may request to use your assets, such as home, property or cars, as collateral for the bond in addition to whatever their charges are.

If you need a local bail bondsman go to: How to find a bail bondsman

Have you ever had to use a bail bondsman because you or someone you know got arrested? If you have, please share your experience in a comment below, and let us know how it worked out for you.

Other Ways to Get Out of Jail

Jail Policies and Procedures

Intake Procedures / Booking

The jail intake process takes you through each of the following steps:

Have you ever been arrested and gone through processing at jail? If you have, please tell us how it happened. How long did you have to wait? How did the guards treat you? Do you know any secrets that could help other people make it through the process?

Discharge Procedures

When you finally post bail, you will be discharged from jail. Getting discharged can take anywhere between 10 minutes to many hours. In other words the faster you can post bail, the faster you will be freed. Also, how fast you get released depends on whether you have a cash bond amount or if the judge has to determine the amount of bail to be set. For a minor offense, you will get booked and released on your own recognizance. When you have served out your jail sentence and know the release date, you should plan to be discharged at any time that day – but usually in the morning.

How To Turn Yourself In

If there is a, or if you must start your sentence, it is highly advisable that you follow the law and go down to the jail and turn yourself in. If you have a warrant, report to the jail processing area, and tell the intake officer that you think there is an outstanding arrest warrant out for you. They will check their system to see if there are any outstanding local, state or federal arrest warrants out for you, and if they verify that there is a warrant for your arrest, they will take you into custody. If you are reporting to serve out your sentence, report at the time and date that the sentence order or court paperwork states. Make sure that you get don’t get there late, or they may decide to arrest you. Be sure to only bring required items when you go to jail, for example your driver’s license or state issued ID, prescription medication, as well as a copy of the sentencing order.

Visitation Procedures

In order to have visitors, inmates need to give each visitor’s full name to the jail in advance of any visit. Your visitors will go into the visitors log for the inmate that requested the visitor. Each visitor will have to provide a photo ID when visiting. Visitors that arrives for visitation late or any visitors that are not approved to visit will not be allowed to attend visitation.
Visitation procedures can change, so visit the official site before you visit an inmate.

Visiting Hours

Phone Calls & Phone Usage Policy

The only phone calls that inmates are allowed to make are collect calls or through a pre-paid phone account. These phone calls are much more expensive than phone calls made at home. Inmates are able to make phone calls, with restrictions on how often you can use the phone, but bear in mind that there are a limited number of phones, so all the inmates must share phone time. If you are under any sort of disciplinary procedure, your ability to use the phone may be limited or forbidden completely.

The Okaloosa County Jail phone number is: 850 689-5690

Sending Mail to Inmates

All mall sent to inmates is required to be sent via the actual US Postal Service, and not courier or delivery, or hand delivered. You cannot use any other form of mail delivery. You must write or type the prisoner’s name, inmate number, and the address of the jail on the letter that you send. Don’t mail anything in a box or package, padded envelope, plastic or paper bag, or an envelope with any metal in it. Any mail sent to inmates is opened and inspected by the jail administration, and will be returned if deemed inappropriate.

Mailing Address

Use this address when sending a letter to someone incarcerated at Okaloosa County Jail:

Okaloosa County Jail
1250 Eglin Parkway
Shalimar, FL 32579

Here is how you should address the letter:

[INMATE’S FULL NAME]
[INMATE ID]
Okaloosa County Jail
1250 Eglin Parkway
Shalimar, FL 32579


The Okaloosa County Jail inmate mail policy changes often, so we suggest that you visit the official website when you send a letter to an inmate.

Court Information

Get A Lawyer

Even if you’ve been arrested, you have certain rights, the first of which is the right to request an attorney. You only get so many phone calls when you get arrested, so make sure you get a friend or relative to find a lawyer when you call them. I know you’re probably asking yourself right now ‘but do I really need an attorney’ You can represent yourself if you really want to, but, a criminal defense lawyer will make sure you know your rights, look after your best interests and help you navigate the criminal justice system in your county. The quicker you hire a lawyer to represent you and work on your case, the better off you’ll be.

Public Defender

If you are in trouble, but can’t afford an attorney, the courts will assign you a public defender, which is a free lawyer. Also, the Public Defender Office is staffed by investigators, crime scene and forensics experts and social case workers. All Public Defenders are licensed attorneys, admitted to the State Bar and are licensed to practice law and represent you in court.

Have you or someone you know had to use a court appointed attorney? What was your experience?

Court Records

All court records are public records and are available upon request. They have a court case file with a sheet called a docket sheet and every documents in the case. You can access court records via the website, or by going to the Clerk of Court’s office.

Clerk of Court

The Okaloosa County Clerk of Court is a member of the court who maintains court records. The Clerk of Court also administer the oath when court is in session, and also read the verdict when the jury makes their final decision. All records related to your court case are available at the office of the Clerk of Court.

Fees

Court costs and court fees are the charges from your case, such as filing fees, motion fees and various court charges. If you can’t afford to pay these fees and have a court appointed attorney, you will not be responsible for these fees.

Magistrate

The Okaloosa County magistrate acts as the judge that rules on your case. Magistrates do different functions, like setting bail amounts, writing arrest warrants, and overseeing preliminary court hearings and detention proceedings.

Pre-Sentencing

Your pre-sentencing report is completed to include the defendant’s background information and as much detail about the defendant’s life, which the judge will consider when deciding on the sentence. Information and personal details will be gathered from the defendant, their family, and, if applicable, the victim in the crime. Don’t forget that you should ask to have your own copy of your pre-sentencing report before sentencing, and correct any mistakes that it contains.

Sentencing

If you get convicted of a crime during your trial, you will be given a sentence for your crime. There are several different options for sentencing, which include community service, house arrest, and probation, to even incarceration in either jail (short term) or prison (long term). Depending on the severity of the crime, you could be immediately taken into custody, or given a date that you are required to turn yourself into jail to serve your jail time according to your sentence.

Public Records

Inmate Inquiry

Do you want to find out if a family member or friend is in jail, or has been an inmate in the past?

To find this out just visit the jail’s website, and search by:

If you’re not sure if this person is in jail or not, you should call the jail confirm whether they’ve been arrested or not.

Warrant Inquiry

If you believe you have a warrant out for your arrest, you can check the arrest warrants inquiry on the website or you can call the jail directly. You have to have the person’s first and last name. You can also go to the local jail and ask the officer in charge. Bear in mind that if there is a warrant for your arrest, you should be prepared to get taken into custody immediately.

Arrest Inquiry

If you know a person’s name, and possibly an arrest date, contact the Okaloosa County jail, on the phone, go there in person, or you can check online. An arrest is a matter of public record and the information is accessible to anyone.

Civil Inquiry

A Civil Process is when someone has been served with papers, which can be court orders. You can access civil process orders by contacting the Sheriff’s office, either by phone or through their website.

Sex Offender Search / Lookup

All people registered as sex offenders must be listed and registered on a sex offender database. The people on these databases have been convicted of a sex offense. You can access these offenders online, but keep in mind that you won’t get the street address, rather the block that they live on.

Court Records

Court Records are public records and available to anyone. Court Records include a case file that contains a court docket and all documents filed in your case. You can access court records via the internet, or at Clerk of Court where the case was filed.

Criminal Records

Every state keeps a record of a person’s criminal past. These online databases are connected so you are able to track criminal backgrounds from any other state. You are able to go to the county courthouse and check in person or you can check online. It helps to know which county the crime occurred in, and if the crime was in a different state, you might have to pay a fee for a more complete search.

A search of someone’s criminal history you will be able to find out if someone has been arrested, charged, or convicted for the following crimes:

When you do a criminal history search, usually will not see if they had:

To get this information, you must do a driving history search.

Have you ever had to look for criminal records online? Was it easy? Did you do your search online or did you have to make a phone call to the jail? Was the information correct? There are many reasons that people look up criminal records and backgrounds, and your story may make it easier for others.

Most Wanted

Everyone knows that the FBI maintains a list of the Ten Most Wanted Fugitives. In Okaloosa County,The Sheriff’s Department maintains their own list of the top most wanted criminals in the county.

FBI Top Ten Most Wanted List: Link

Life In Jail / What Its Like

Daily Life

Just the thought of being incarcerated in the Okaloosa County jail is something you wish you could avoid, eventually you will settle into the daily routine there. All inmates get an alarm for wake-up at about six in the morning, and next you’ll have roll call. You will then eat breakfast. When you finish breakfast participate in the work program or other activity that you are assigned. This could be working in the kitchen, laundry, or some sort of manufacturing job. While this may seem tedious, it may help you when you leave jail, as you are gaining experience in a certain field of work. Other inmates go to school, while some take part in mandated treatment programs. After lunch, there will be another roll call, then back to work. Your evening will be spent either in your cell or a common room. During this time dinner is served and you will be expected to take a shower. After another roll call, it’s lights out. Even though you will be confined to your cell, there may be enough light to read or write letters. Then again, most inmates welcome lights out, and try to get as much sleep as they can.

Most people are frightened at the idea of jail because they don’t know what to expect. If you have spent any time in Okaloosa County Jail, your experiences would be welcomed, if it can help another person to deal with it.

Dress Code

When incarcerated, all inmates are expected to wear the Okaloosa County Jail uniform. This is normally a jumpsuit or scrubs. Of note to anyone visiting an inmate – you must be properly dressed. Any clothing considered inappropriate will not be permitted.

How To Send Money to an Inmate

You will have your own ‘bank account’ while in jail. This money is used to purchase items from the Commissary. Family and friends can deposit money into this account for you, and any money you earn while in prison will also be deposited into your account. Outside money can be paid in to your account via a money order, cash or check. If someone sends a check or money order, make sure that they write your inmate ID on it. The maximum amount you are allowed in your account is $290 per month.

The rules for sending funds to someone in jail at Okaloosa County Jail could change, so it would be best to visit the official Okaloosa County Jail site when send money to someone in jail there.

Commissary

The commissary is the jail store. You can purchase a number of things here, such as toiletries, snacks and writing supplies. Bear in mind that you will probably want to use the commissary daily, and any infractions will get that privilege taken away from you.

Inmate Medications

If you are on any type of prescription medication, you will be allowed to continue taking it while in jail. When you are first processed, you will be asked what medication you take. You will then be referred to the jail nurse or doctor who will be in charge of monitoring your health and prescribing your medication.

Meals

You will get three meals a day: breakfast, lunch and dinner. As expected, they are very basic, but healthy. A typical breakfast might be cereal, toast, coffee and fruit. Lunch might be spaghetti, salad, bread and milk. Dinner could be chicken casserole, rice, vegetables, dessert and milk. Contrary to popular belief, prison food has greatly improved over the years, and you might find that it’s not much different from what you would eat at home.

Pods / The Yard

The jail is designed in a ‘pod’ layout, with self-contained housing arranged around an outdoor yard. Each pod has a central control station and a common room, and the inmates take turns in using the yard. The jail is designed this way to keep certain inmates together, and others away from the general population.

Gangs

As with life in general, gangs are a part of prison life. Obviously it is best to avoid becoming a part of this environment as it will only lead to trouble. When you first enter prison, you might find yourself being ‘primed’ to join a gang, or worse, you might get their attention in a negative way. The best thing to do is keep your head down and don’t get involved.