Hillsborough County FL Jail Details & Overview
When you have questions about a jail’s current rules and regulations, finding the correct information is sometimes challenging. If you have a friend or family member being housed in jail, you cannot take appropriate action unless you know what to expect.
We have put together the following information to assist readers in learning answers to the most common questions they have about the Hillsborough County Jail. This information will help you get started sending mail and conducting other tasks.
About Hillsborough County Jail
The Hillsborough County Jail has been in operation since 1979. Currently, the jail’s inmate capacity is 1,711, and there are approximately 4,774 bookings per year.
The Hillsborough County Jail is an adult facility with a range of security clearances, depending on the classifications of the inmates.
Contact Information for the Hillsborough County Jail
The phone number for the Hillsborough County Jail is (813) 247-8300, and the jail is located at the following address:
1201 Orient Road
Tampa, FL 33619
How to Search for an Inmate in the Hillsborough County Jail
If you need to find information on an inmate, you can conduct a Hillsborough County jail inmate search online by visiting the website managed by the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office. You can also view jail mugshots in Hillsborough county.
Inmates appear in this database up to 90 days after their release. You can discover the following information by conducting a search.
- Information on the inmate’s charges
- Bond amount
- Booking photo
How to Send Mail to an Inmate in the Hillsborough County Jail
If you would like to send mail to an inmate in the Hillsborough County Jail, you must first learn about the rules and regulations so your mail does not get sent back to you.
All inmate mail must be sent to the following address:
Full Inmate Name and Booking Number
1201 Orient Road
Tampa, FL 33619
The jail only accepts inmate mail in the form of postcards. Postcards are scanned electronically and will be sent to inmates for viewing on their tablets or kiosks. The rules for sending postcards include those below.
- Postcards must be no larger than 6 1/8 inches by 11 ½ inches and should not be smaller than 3 ½ inches by 5 inches.
- All postcards must contain the inmate’s full name and booking number.
- All postcards must contain the sender’s full name and return address.
Do NOT send the following:
- Postcards with glitter, paint, ribbon, confetti, watermarks, or stains
- Postcards with plastic wrapping or lamination
- Postcards with any biohazards, lipstick, or perfume
Do NOT send postcards that contain the following:
- Alterations to the photo
- Exposed cleavage
- Filtered photos
- Hand gestures, like pointing a finger gun and gang signs
- Swimsuit photos
- Weapon displays
- Screenshots of images or text
- Nipples or penetration
- Nudity
- Sexual activity or content
- Threats of violence
- Hate speech or inflammatory speech
- Illegal activity, including drug usage
- Threats to the security of the facility
- Copyright infringement
- IDs, driver’s licenses, and passports
- Black and white photographs
- Inmate-to-inmate communication
- Children in diapers
- All children, regardless of age, must be fully dressed with tops and bottoms
You may not send any books, publications, newspapers, or magazines, even from a reputable book retailer. Inmates have access to a large library of publications.
Mail deliveries are accepted Monday through Friday. All mail is opened and searched for any contraband. All legal mail is opened and searched in front of the inmate.
If you have any further questions, click here to read the inmate mail restrictions.
GTL Tablets for Inmates
Inmates may rent a tablet to use for educational courses and to receive messages. If you want to send messages or photos to an inmate, visit www.gettingout.com to register for an account. Emails and photos may be sent for a fee.
How to Send Money to an Inmate
You have multiple options available for sending money to be deposited into an inmate’s account. To fund an account, you will need to know the following information.
- The facility locator’s number
- The facility location
- The inmate booking number
- The inmate’s full name
Kiosk Deposits
You can deposit money into an inmate’s account by visiting the kiosk in the lobby of the Hillsborough County Jail. These kiosks accept cash, credit cards, and debit cards. Funds become available within 24 hours.
Online Deposits
Friends and family may also deposit money into an inmate’s account online by visiting the Touch Pay Website. The website accepts Visa and MasterCard debit and credit cards.
Telephone Deposits
You may also deposit money into an inmate’s account by calling 1-866-232-1899. Please have your credit card, debit card, or personal check available to make a deposit.
Mail Deposits
Friends and family may also deposit money into an inmate’s account by mail. You will need to make the money order payable to the inmate and send it to the following address.
1201 Orient Road
Tampa, FL 33619
How to Visit an Inmate in the Hillsborough County Jail
Visitation is allowed, but with specific rules in place. It is important to note that all visitations are contactless and carried out via video stations. There is no face-to-face visitation at this facility.
On-site visitations are available seven days a week between the hours of 10:00 a.m. to 8:40 p.m. Visitations are also allowed on holidays. The last visit of the day will begin before 8:00 p.m.
You must visit https://hcsovisit.com/app to register for an account and schedule a visit with an inmate. You may schedule an inmate visit up to seven days in advance. The following rules apply to visitations.
- Inmates are allowed up to three visitors per visit, and one of the visitors must be an adult.
- Inmates may have up to three scheduled visitations per week.
- Visits canceled within 24 hours of the date or no-shows will count toward the inmate’s weekly total.
- Visitors must be fully dressed and wearing shoes at all times. Appropriate dress is required, and visitors can be turned away at the discretion of jail staff.
- If you want to visit from home, you will be charged $8 per 20-minute video visit. Home visiting hours are between 9:30 a.m. to 8:50 p.m. Inmates are allowed one visit per day, with up to three visits per week.
- For additional information on video visit rules and regulations, click here.
How to Post a Bond for an Inmate at the Hillsborough County Jail
If you plan on paying a cash bond, there are specific steps you need to follow. You may post the bond at the Circuit Court Office, but you will need to have the exact change to pay the bond.
The cash you put up for the bond will only be returned to you if the inmate shows up for all court dates and abides by the terms of their release. If the defendant does not show up for court, the clerk will forfeit the bond and apply the money to the defendant’s fines.
If you have further questions about posting a bond for an inmate, call the Clerk’s Office at 813-276-8100.
Additional Resources
Hillsborough County Sheriff Website
Hillsborough County Court Records