Inmate Monies

No inmate is permitted to keep in his/her possession any money, checks, money orders, or any other legal tender. All money will be receipted and deposited in an account upon entry into the facility (there is a $20.00 processing fee). This money can be used for purchase of commissary items.

Family and friends may deposit money into an inmate's account using a debit or credit card. This can be done in several ways, including by phone, via the internet or in person using a special kiosk at the Stock Island Detention Center. (Click here for intructions.) In addition, money orders can be dropped off at the middle and upper Keys detention facilities. All acceptable money orders must be printed with the inmate's name as indicated on the inmate's I.D., and the complete name and mailing address of the person sending the money. Money orders will no longer be accepted at the Key West facility. NO personal checks will be accepted.

A check will be written to the inmate for any money remaining in the inmate's account upon release.

Inmate Property

All inmate property is kept in a secure location while the inmate is being held in the facility. Once an inmate is released, his/her property is returned. If an inmate is transferred to another facility, the property is transferred as well.

Upon booking at a Monroe County Detention Facility, an inmate is allowed to keep with him/her:

  • Eye Glasses
  • One "simple" wedding band (no diamonds or other protruding stones)
  • If they are wearing one pair of plain white socks, they can keep them
  • If they are wearing one plain white short sleeved t-shirt, they can keep it

Jail personnel often get asked about medication. Inmates CAN NOT bring in their own medication; Prison Health Services (PHS), the agency contracted to provide health care at the detenton facilities, will assess their situation at the time of intake. If an inmate requires medication immediately, the doctor will be notified. If it is after hours, PHS calls the doctor and the doctor will order the medications right away.

Inmate Telephones

The use of the telephone is a privilege. Inmates are allowed to use the telephone to notify family members, their attorney and/or to arrange for bond. Inmates who make obscene, threatening, or harassing telephone calls, or damage telephone equipment, will lose their telephone privileges and will be criminally prosecuted.

Inmate telephones are contracted to a third party, ICSolutions. (Click here for intructions to set up an account.) For customer services, including blocking/unblocking phones calls from inmates, call (888) 506-8407.

Inmate Mail

Inmates may write and receive unlimited correspondence. Incoming mail must have the inmate's name and identification number above or below the mailing address and must have a complete return address including the full name of the sender. Postage paid envelopes and writing paper are available in the commissary for purchase by inmates.

To send mail to an inmate, you must have the inmate ID (MNI) number. Click here for a complete and alphabetical list of current inmates with ID numbers.

All personal mail will be delivered digitally. All personal mail from family and friends such as letters, pictures, and drawings will be digitally delivered to the inmate via the inmate's tablet "Facility Messages" app under each inmate's free profile.
Personal letters should be mailed to:

  • Monroe County Detention Center - FL
    Inmate __________________________, ID# ________________________
    P.O. Box 247
    Phoenix, MD 21131

Packages and legal mail should still be sent directly to the facility as follows:

  • Inmate __________________________, ID# ________________________
    Monroe County Detention Center
    5501 College Road
    Key West, FL 33040
  • Inmate __________________________, ID# ________________________
    Marathon Detention Facility
    3981 Ocean Terrace
    Marathon, FL 33050
  • Inmate __________________________, ID# ________________________
    Plantation Key Detention Facility
    88770 Overseas Highway Suite #4
    Tavernier, FL 33070

Packages must be pre-approved or they will be returned to sender.

Inmates are authorized to receive four paperback books and four magazines each month that meets our criteria ONLY if they are sent directly from the publisher or legitimate retailer. Hard cover books are not allowed. Amounts in excess of this, or publications received from any source other than directly from the publisher or a legitimate retailer will be returned to sender. Magazines and books that do NOT meet our criteria are:

  1. Any sexually explicit material which is defined as any material that clearly shows or depicts sexual acts and/or the sexual organs, or any material that may cause sexual arousal or encourage sexual behavior.
  2. Any material that contains instructions for the manufacturing of explosives, drugs, or other unlawful substances.
  3. Any material that advocates violence within the facility.
  4. Any material that is of a type which has proved to cause violence or other serious disruption of facility security.
  5. Any material that advocates racial, religious, or national hatred in such a way so as to create a serious danger of violence in the facility.

Books or any other type of periodicals that are received from any source other than directly from the publisher or a legitimate retailer will be returned to sender.

Outgoing and incoming mail will be inspected for contraband or security breeches in accordance with the Florida Model Jail Standards with the exception of legal mail. If necessary, legal mail will be opened in the presence of the inmate.

Inmate Recreation

Inmates at each facility have the opportunity to go to outdoor recreation, weather permitting. The recreation yard will be opened as scheduled according to housing assignment. Horseplay, fights, and other disturbances will result in the termination of recreation and may result in disciplinary action.

Inmate Tablets

Beginning Tuesday, 8/17/22, Tablet services will be available at the Key West and Plantation facilities.

  • Please visit www.gettingout.com to set up your account.
  • Friends and Family will have the ability to deposit funds onto their loved one’s tablet account as well as sending messages, photos, and video messages.
  • Your incarcerated loved ones will have access to an assortment of content and features including:
    • Educational content
    • Law Library
    • Movies
    • E-books
    • News
    • Podcasts
    • Games
    • Phone Calls
    • And more!

Inmate Library

Inmates will be given the opportunity to choose from a variety of free reading materials that are stocked in their housing area and available free on the Inmate tablets.

Family members, friends, etc., may contribute paperback books to the facility's library by donating them to the Programs Department. These books will NOT be held out for any particular inmate. They will be placed in the library with all the other books and rotated throughout the dorms/units. Donations of Spanish or other foreign reading material is always needed.

Inmate Law Library

Private attorneys or public defenders are the best source of information about charges, progress of a case through the courts, and information about laws and other legal advice.

All inmates to access the Law Library from their housing location on the inmate tablet and Inmates can also request Legal Reference Books/Legal Materials and/or Documents by completing the correct request form.

We will provide every inmate, reasonable access to legal materials via the law library app. on the inmate tablets. We also maintains the latest addition of available law books and materials for inmates. An inmate who is without counsel (pro-se) and who is "actively in trial" in any court shall be permitted daily access to legal materials. Pro-se inmates have priority when requesting Law Library time on the table, legal books and/or materials. At no time will any employee of the MCSO, give an inmate any legal advice, assistance, prepare legal documents or suggest areas for them to research.

Inmate Classification

The primary objective of classification is the placing of inmates in the type of housing that best meet their needs and to provide reasonable protection for all inmates and others.

Each inmate will be interviewed by the Classification Department after first appearance. The classification decision will be based on all information available regarding self-reported medical history, criminal history, past institutional behavior, and current charges.

Once the classification level has been determined, the inmate will receive a copy of the classification decision. (Every thirty (30) days from their last classification date, each inmate will be reclassified based on their behavior, additional charges, officers' comments, and additional medical problems). Any inmate, who so desires, may appeal his/her classification (in writing) in any of the three basic areas (security level, housing assignment or programs) within ten (10) days of the primary classification or reclassification by addressing the appeal to: Classification Department, Appeal of Classification.

Inmate Trusty Regulations

Trusty Appearance

  1. Trusties will wear shirts (tucked in pants), and shoes (not shower slides) at all times when not in their housing area.
  2. Trusties will be clean shaven everyday, unless they have a written medical excuse from the Medical Department.
  3. Trusties will maintain a clean and neat appearance including maintaining hair length within regulations.
  4. Hats will not be worn in the building, except when necessary according to work assignments.
  5. Upon leaving their housing area, trusties will display proper I.D. in accordance with facility Rules and Regulations.

Trusty Work Regulations

  1. Trusties will not leave their assigned work areas without permission from an officer or staff member.
  2. Trusties will not take reading materials to work.
  3. UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES will trusties talk to, give to, or receive materials from any inmate.

Trusty Living Area

  1. Trusties will keep their housing areas clean.
  2. Trusties will keep their bunks made, using the blankets as spreads.
  3. Shoes will be kept under the bed when not being worn, and all items not being used will be put away.

Trusty Clothing Regulations

  1. Trusties will wear county issued clothing according to work assignment.
    1. Orange t-shirts are worn outside the detention facility only.
    2. For socks, submit an Inmate Request Form to the Laundry Department to be issued one (1) pair of socks.
    3. Boots will be issued prior to work detail.
  2. Trusties will not have more than one set of county issued clothing at any one time (shirt and pants).
  3. Trusties will not possess personal clothing with the exception of underwear, bras, shorts, socks, and/or shoes.

Inmate Education

Adult Basic Education (ABE) is a program which includes reading, writing and arithmetic at the elementary and junior high school level.

General Education Development (GED) is a program which includes English, Mathematics, Science and Social Studies to prepare individuals for the GED test to secure a high school equivalency diploma.

Literacy training is one-to-one tutoring which helps an individual learn to read or improve his existing reading skills.

If an inmate is interested in the above programs, the inmate shall submit an Inmate Request Form to the GED Instructor via the Programs Director requesting to attend.

Substance Abuse

Individual and group counseling and education on substance abuse is provided to inmates who are ordered to or volunteer to participate in the Sheriff's Department Inmate Intervention/Residential Program (SDIIRP). Classes and programs range from prevention education to life skills counseling. Inmates must submit an Inmate Request Form to the Programs Department for consideration. The substance abuse counselor assessment will determine if an inmate will be accepted or NOT. Inmates who are court ordered will automatically be assessed by a substance abuse counselor.

Narcotics Anonymous and Alcoholics Anonymous groups are available to all inmates, except Unit A or other inmates in lockdown, subject to the availability of volunteers. The Inmate Activity Schedule posted in each dorm/unit informs them of the dates and times.

Prison Rape Elimination Act

Anyone who wishes to report a sexual assault within a detention facility may do so by contacting the Florida Council Against Sexual Violence, 1-888-956-7273 or visit their website at FCASV.org.