Manatee County Jail Inmate Search & Arrest Records (FL)

If you are looking for someone arrested in Bradenton, Palmetto, Lakewood Ranch, Ellenton, or Anna Maria Island, you are dealing with the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office (MSO).

The Jail Name: Manatee County Central Jail (or “Port Manatee Jail”).
The “Trap”: If you search for “Manatee Jail” on GPS, ensure it takes you to Harlee Road. If it takes you to “Manatee Ave,” you are going to the courthouse, not the jail.

Sheriff Charles Wells runs a modern facility. They use ConnectNetwork (GTL) for almost everything—phones, visits, and money.

This guide will walk you through the process so you don’t drive 30 minutes to the wrong building.

Official Manatee County Sheriff Inmate Search

Do not use third-party “mugshot” sites. The Sheriff’s Office provides a free, real-time database known as the “Arrest Inquiry.”

Step-by-Step Instructions:

Access the Official Tool: Go directly to the Manatee County Sheriff’s Arrest Inquiry.
Search by Name: Enter the inmate’s Last Name and First Name.
- Expert Tip: The system allows partial searches. If you aren’t sure if it’s “Stephen” or “Steven,” just type “Ste” to see a list of matches.
Check the “Status”:
- “In Custody”: They are currently sitting in the jail on Harlee Road.
- “Released”: They have bonded out.

“I Can’t Find Their Name!”

If the arrest happened in Lakewood Ranch or Longboat Key within the last 2 hours, they are likely still in Transport.

The Drive: It is a long haul (30–45 minutes) from the south end of the county to Port Manatee.
The Booking Lag: Once they arrive, intake (fingerprints/medical) takes another 2–4 hours.
Who to Call: You can verify a recent arrest by calling the Central Jail Booking Desk at (941) 747-3011 (Ask for “Booking”).

How to View Manatee County Mugshots, Charges & Bond Amounts

Once you find their profile on the roster, click on the Booking Number to open the full report.

1. Viewing the Mugshot:

Manatee County is very transparent. The booking photo is displayed at the top. Note: If the inmate is a juvenile or covered by a privacy exemption, the photo will be replaced with a generic image.

2. Reading the Charges:

This section lists the specific statutes (e.g., DUI, Battery, Grand Theft).

3. Checking the Bond Status:

$ Amount: This is the “Cash Bond.” You can pay this immediately to release them.
“No Bond”: Do not panic. This is standard for:
- Domestic Violence: FL law requires a “cooling off” period until they see a judge.
- Felonies: Pending First Appearance.
First Appearance Court: Held daily (usually 1:00 PM) at the Judicial Center, but inmates attend via video from the jail.

Posting Bail in Manatee County: Cash, Cards & Bondsmen

To get them released, you must go to the Jail Lobby at Port Manatee.

Option A: Cash Bond (The “Direct” Method)

Cost: You pay the full face value of the bond.
Where: Go to the Central Jail Lobby (14470 Harlee Road).
Payment:
- Cash: Accepted.
- Cashier’s Check / Money Order: Payable to “Manatee County Clerk of Courts.”
- Credit Card: There is a kiosk in the lobby (Service fees apply).

Option B: Hiring a Bail Bondsman (The “Finance” Method)

Cost: You pay a non-refundable fee (usually 10% of the bond amount).
Process: There are many bail bondsmen located in Bradenton and Palmetto. Since the jail is isolated, most bondsmen will drive out there to post the bond for you once you complete the paperwork at their office.

Manatee County Jail Video Visitation Rules (ConnectNetwork/GTL)

⚠️ CRITICAL WARNING: You cannot generally have face-to-face visits. Manatee County uses Video Visitation.

The Provider:

You must create an account at ConnectNetwork.com (or use the GTL VisMobile app).

Two Ways to Visit:

Remote Visit (Paid): Video chat from your smartphone or laptop at home.
- Cost: Fees apply per minute.
On-Site Visit (Free): You can use the video terminals at the Visitation Center (located at the jail complex).
- Limit: Typically two (2) free visits per week.

Strict Dress Code (Even for Video):

Deputies monitor these calls live. You will be banned if you:

Wear low-cut tops, tank tops, or spaghetti straps.
Wear short shorts.
Use profanity or show gang signs.
Rule of Thumb: If you wouldn’t wear it to church, don’t wear it on the video call.

Manatee County Jail Sending Money & Mail: The “Postcard Only” Trap

Manatee County has strict rules to stop contraband.

1. Sending Money (Commissary):

To put money on their books for food or phone calls, use TouchPay or ConnectNetwork.

Online: ConnectNetwork.com (Select “Manatee County FL”).
Phone: 1-866-232-1899.
Lobby Kiosk: Accepts Cash ($5, $10, $20, $100 bills) and Cards.

2. Sending Mail:

Do NOT send envelopes. Manatee County typically enforces a Postcard Only policy for personal mail.

Rule: Plain white postcards. Blue or Black ink only. No stickers.
Legal Mail: Can be sent in envelopes.
Address Format:

[Inmate Name] – [Inmate ID #]

Manatee County Central Jail

14470 Harlee Road

Palmetto, FL 34221

Manatee County Jail Contact Directory: Address, Phone Numbers & GPS

Save these numbers. The jail is located in the industrial Port Manatee area.

Department	Phone Number	Purpose
Jail Booking Desk	(941) 747-3011	Check Status / Post Bail
Sheriff’s Admin	(941) 747-3011	Records / Reports
ConnectNetwork (GTL)	(877) 650-4249	Help with Video/Money
Inmate Medical	(941) 747-3011	Family Medical Concerns
Clerk of Courts	(941) 749-1800	Court Dates / Case Lookup

Physical Address for GPS (Bail/Release):

Manatee County Central Jail

14470 Harlee Road

Palmetto, FL 34221

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Can I pick them up when they are released?

A: Yes. Releases happen at the Jail Lobby on Harlee Road.

Warning: The release process is slow. It can take 4–6 hours after the bond is posted for the inmate to actually walk out the door.

Q: Is there a warrant search for Manatee County?

A: Yes. You can check for active warrants on the Manatee Sheriff’s Website under the “Warrants” search tool.

Q: Can I drop off clothes for court?

A: Generally, No. The jail provides uniforms. Clothes are usually only accepted for a Jury Trial, and this must be arranged by the defense attorney. Call the Booking Desk to confirm the current policy.