exploring volusia county jail

Volusia County Jail: How It Has Evolved Over Time

Getting arrested and sent to Volusia County Jail can be a frightening experience for many of us. For several people, the uncertainty and fear surrounding their imprisonment can be just as daunting as the criminal charges they face. Criminal Charges encompass a wide range of offenses, including domestic violence, trespassing, assault, felony, DUI, and battery. In Volusia County, Florida, the county Jail serves as a place of detention for those convicted or accused of a crime.

Still, the Volusia County Jail is a critical part of the criminal justice system of Volusia County, Florida, providing a safe and secure environment for inmates while providing services and programs to reduce recidivism and promote rehabilitation. In this blog, we will take a closer look at the history, operations, and facilities of the Volusia County Jail and explore how this institution plays a crucial role in the criminal justice system in Volusia County.

Important Contact Details:

Corrections Acting Director: Steven Smith (386-254-1570)
Custody Information: 386-254-1540
Correctional Facility: 1354 Indian Lake Road, Daytona Beach, FL 32124
Contact no: 386-254-1569

Public Numbers –Correctional Facility:
Daytona Beach: 386-254-1565
DeLand: 386-736-5918
New Smyrna Beach: 386-423-3370

Volusia County Branch Jail:
1300 Red John Drive, Daytona Beach, FL 32124
Contact no: 386-254-1555

Public Numbers – Branch Jail:
Daytona Beach: 386-254-1555
DeLand: 386-736-5916
New Smyrna Beach: 386-423-3372

A brief history of Volusia County Jail

There are two facilities under the jurisdiction of the Division of Corrections. Both are located just off U.S. 92, west of Daytona Beach and east of DeLand.

Both are located just off U.S. 92, west of Daytona Beach and east of DeLand. It has a long history dating back to the early 1900s. The local authorities intended the small facility with only six cells to serve the local community’s requirements.

As the population of Volusia Country started growing, the requirement for a larger jail facility also grew. Then, they built a new jail on the corner of Amelia Avenue and Beach Street in 1925.

This jail had around 25 cells designed to house both male and female prisoners. After a few years, authorities underwent several renovations and expansions on the jail to meet the changing requirements of the community.

They added a new jail in the 1960s to accommodate more prisoners. In the 1980s, they built a new booking area and medical unit to provide better care for prisoners.

Volusia County Correctional Facility & Volusia County Branch Jail

In November 1977, The Volusia County Correctional Facility (VCCF) opened. VCCF has an original design capacity of 234. Presently, the authorized ability is 595. The Volusia County Branch Jail (VCBJ) is completed in late 1986 and made it operational in 1987. The initial design capacity of the VCBJ was 601; the current authorized ability is 899.

The Correctional Facility and the Branch jails are designed to hold fewer inmates than they currently confine. The combined authorized ability for both facilities is 1,494.

In 2016, the Volusia County Jail underwent another major renovation to update the facility and enhance prisoner conditions. It included the installation of new cameras and security systems, as well as improvements to the inmate housing units and recreation areas.

The Jail now serves the community’s requirements by offering safe and secure housing for prisoners. The facility is staffed by over 350 employees, involving corrections officers, support personnel, and medical staff, who are dedicated to ensuring the safety and well-being of the prisoners in their care.

Volusia County Jail is located at, 1300 Red John Dr, Daytona Beach, FL 32124, United States. Whereas, Volusia County Correctional Facility is located at, 1354 Indian Lake Rd, Daytona Beach, FL 32124, United States 

Inmate Booking and Daily Subsistence Fees:

As of October 3, 2022, Volusia County Government charges a $30.00 booking fee and a $5.00 daily subsistence fee for inmates at the Volusia County Branch Jail. The County Council approved this action on February 15, 2022, under Florida Statute 951.033. Payments will be assessed during intake.
Subsistence fees will be deducted daily from inmate bank accounts. Inmates who participate in work details are not required to pay the subsistence fee.

A Look Inside the Modern Amenities of Volusia County Jail

The Volusia County Jail is a state-of-the-art correctional facility in Daytona Beach, Florida. The facility is designed to house male and female prisoners and is operated by the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office. Listed below are some of the key features of the facility:

Housing

The Volusia jail can house over 1,000 inmates in several housing units involving single cells, dormitories, and special needs units. The County authorities design the housing units to offer a secure and safe environment for prisoners, with 24-hour monitoring and surveillance.

Medical Services

The jail has a medical unit staffed by licensed nurses and doctors who offer medical surveillance to the prisoners. Moreover, for routine care, the medical staff provides emergency care and mental health services to an inmate who requires them. Case management counselors coordinated inmate programs for inmates with disabilities, mental health, drug addiction, and social issues.

The Volusia County Council is Paying nearly $1 million to health care providers at the Volusia County Jail after having a large number of suicides there since 2013. Authorities take this step to address the rising mental health and opioid abuse crisis at a jail with a growing inmate population.

Education and Rehabilitation

The jail offers inmates a range of educational and vocational programs, including GED classes, job training, and substance abuse counseling. Authorities design these programs to help prisoners acquire the knowledge and skills they require to succeed once released. Daytona State College provides opportunities for inmates to complete the GED program, even after they are released from jail at FREE OF COST to individuals.

After release, inmates who obtain a GED may find it easier to secure a job. Obtaining a high school diploma and feelings of accomplishment are the goals of the GED program. Some inmates also participate in the in-jail drug and alcohol addiction Corrections Treatment Diversion Program (CTDP).

Recreation

The jail allows prisoners to participate in recreational activities, like games, sports like volleyball, softball, basketball, and horseshoes, and exercise. Inside the institution, inmates can play cards, do puzzles, and play board games, such as chess and checkers. These activities help them to promote their mental and physical well-being among prisoners.

The Florida Model Jail Standards and legal principles mandate recreation for inmates. The Inmate Welfare Fund (IWF) funds all recreational supplies. Inmates generate this fund by purchasing commissary items.

Visitation

The video visitation systemThe Volusia county branch jail allows inmates to visit family and friends during designated visitation hours. People can conduct visits in person or via video visitation. Starting in May 2001, video visitation reduced the amount of time and manpower needed to transport and supervise inmate visits. A video visitation system saves more than $230,000 in staff salaries annually. The Video Visitation System is a great initiative to arrange visitation because it eliminates the introduction of drugs, weapons, and other dangerous contraband.

Inmate Work Programs

Inmates are working in Volusia County jailRegardless of their classification, all inmates must clean and keep their living areas in order and assist with cleaning common areas. The authorities do not pay inmates a wage for these activities, but instead assign sentenced inmates jobs, while non-sentenced inmates can choose to work under supervision as volunteers.

Inmates work in the kitchen, laundry, yard maintenance, and recreational areas and perform janitorial duties. Having inmates perform many basic housekeeping and maintenance chores saves the county from contracting for those services.

Operations of the Volusia County Jail

The Volusia County Sheriff’s Office operates the Volusia County Jail; the office is responsible for the facility’s and its prisoner’s safety and security. A Chief of Corrections heads the Corrections Division, which oversees the Jail operation and involves a team of supervisors, support staff, and corrections officers. Below are some of the key aspects of the operations of the Volusia County Jail:

Booking and Intake

When arrested and brought to jail, a person goes through a booking and intake process, Volusia county inmate search. It includes confiscating their personal belongings, searching for weapons or contraband, and being fingerprinted and photographed. The prisoner’s information is then added to the jail’s computer system and assigned to a housing unit.

Classification

Once authorities assign prisoners to a housing unit, they classify them based on their behavior, criminal history, and medical and mental health needs. Authorities place prisoners in housing units based on their classification level.

Medical and mental health care

The Volusia jail has a team of medical professionals who are licensed nurses and doctors to offer medical care to prisoners. Additionally, the jail has a mental health unit staffed by mental health professionals who offer counseling and other services to prisoners’ mental health requirements.

Commissary

Prisoners can purchase personal items, like hygiene products, snacks, and reading materials, through the jail’s commissary system.
Volusia County inmate search offers an online inmate search tool on its website, allowing members of the public to easily search for information on current inmates housed in the county jail.

Impact of Volusia County Jail on the Community

The impact of Volusia County Jail on the community is massive, as it plays a vital role in managing the criminal justice system and maintaining public safety. The jail houses one awaiting trial, the person sentenced to serve time for crimes they have committed, and those who serve short-term sentences for misdemeanors.

One of the most noticeable impacts of Volusia County Jail on the community is its ability to lessen the crime rates in Florida. By imprisoning individuals charged with their crimes, the jail helps them keep potentially dangerous people off the streets, preventing them from committing further crimes.

At the same time, they serve their sentences or await trial. Volusia County Corrections strives to promote inmate rehabilitation through several programs and initiatives.

Role of Volusia County Jail

The jail is also responsible for ensuring its prisoners are safe and healthy. It involves offering medical care and mental health services to prisoners who need them. By offering such services, the jail can help prevent the spread of infectious diseases and ensure the prisoners receive the required treatment for injuries and illness.

In its role in deterring and reducing crime, the jail is also responsible for maintaining safety within its walls. The Volusia Jail ensures inmates are housed in a safe and secure environment, free from abuse and violence. They maintain prisoners’ safety by implementing metal detectors, security cameras, and regular cell inspections to prevent contraband and weapons from entering the jail.

Overall, the role of Volusia Jail in the local community is multifaceted, with the impact ranging from crime reduction and deterrence to ensuring safety within the jail and addressing the healthcare needs of prisoners. The jail can positively impact public safety and the community’s well-being by fulfilling all these responsibilities. If you have any relative in Volusia county jail whom you want to visit, you can call Volusia County Jail, asking them about visitation hours or inmate status.

Final Thoughts

In conclusion, exploring the history, facilities, and operations of jails like Volusia County jail is essential for understanding the role of these institutions in the criminal justice system and their impact on the community.

By examining the Volusia branch jail’s history, we can understand how the criminal justice system has evolved and continues to impact individuals and communities today.

The potential for positive change in the criminal justice system is massive. By implementing programs and policies prioritizing rehabilitation over punishment, we can reduce the likelihood of recidivism and make the community safer from criminals. Moreover, by addressing underlying issues such as mental illness and addiction, we can help people break the cycle of criminal behavior and lead healthier, more productive lives.

Ultimately, it is essential to continue exploring and discussing the role of jails like Volusia County Jail in the criminal justice system. By doing so, we can identify areas for enhancement and work towards creating a more effective and equitable system for all.