Biased policing occurs when a law enforcement officer applies their personal, societal, or organizational biases or stereotypes when making decisions or taking enforcement action, and the reason for that decision or action is because of a person’s race, ethnicity, background, gender, sexual orientation, religion, etc. At the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office, our employees receive training on how to detect and avoid biased profiling. You may view our agency’s General Order regarding bias policing by clicking the link below. 11.6 Bias Policing

All incoming personal mail to an inmate is processed at an off site facility for safety and security. Inmates will not receive the actual envelope or contents. The processing facility will inspect and scan the letter into electronic format where the inmate can receive it in a timely manner. Inmates are permitted to write and receive unlimited correspondence. Incoming mail must have the inmate’s full name and inmate number (if you do not know the Inmate number you must contact the facility at 386-755-7000), and the mailing address as shown below on the article as well as a complete return address. The official mailing address for this facility is as follows: CCSO-SCH Inmates First and Last Name Inmate number P.O. Box 1907 Pinellas Park FL, 33780 Inmates shall be permitted to send sealed letters (i.e. privileged/legal mail) to the following persons and/or organizations: 1) Courts 2) Legal Counsel 3) Officers of the confining authority 4) State and local chief executive officers 5) Members of the Parole Commission As set forth in Florida Model Jail Standard 9.03, privileged mail sent to and received from such persons and organizations may be opened and inspected when there is compelling evidence of a prohibited act. In such cases, mail shall be opened and inspected only in the presence of the inmate and only the signature and letterhead may be read. Documentation of such action, and its results, shall be forwarded to the Jail Administrator through the chain of command. All packages mailed to the facility will be handled by the Main Control Room Officer. Inmates are not allowed to receive items such as underwear or personal hygiene items through the mail. Anything that can be purchased in the commissary cannot be mailed in. Unauthorized items will be placed in the property room. Food and perishable items will not be accepted and will be destroyed. E-Mail: Inmates may receive emails and photos through the dormitory kiosk. Each email cost one (1) credit. Photos cost two (2) credits. Credits cost .50 cents each and may be transferred to the inmate to send emails. Family members who wish to set this up may contact SmartJailMail @ 1-888-253-5178 to register and purchase credits.

VISITING PROCEDURES AND CONDITIONS: All inmates are given the opportunity to complete a list of a maximum of 4 (four) visitors they wish to receive onsite video visits at this facility from. If a person is not listed on the inmate’s visitation list, they will not be allowed to visit onsite at this facility. Inmates may change their visitation list on the 1st of every month. Changes must be requested in writing on an inmate request form. All visits must be scheduled at least 24 hours in advance. Visitors must navigate to the following website: www.securustech.net to register and schedule visits. Visitors may choose to schedule an onsite visit at this facility or a remote visit from a remote area, such as home, library, etc. The cost is $5.00 per remote visit during the initial promotional period set to expire on June 1, 2015, after which the cost will increase to $9.95 per remote visit. After visiting www.securustech.net to register and schedule a remote visit, visitors may then prepay via Visa or MasterCard online. Visitors who pay for remote video visits do not have to be on the inmate’s visitation list and there is no age limit for visitors. However, once scheduled, remote visits will be subject to approval by this facility. The duration of remote video visits is limited to a maximum of 30 minutes. For assistance in setting up a Securus Video Visitation account, step-by-step videos are available at https://securustech.net/support or visitors can call 800/333-8856 for assistance. Regular onsite visitors shall identify themselves at the front desk of the lobby by use of a photo identification document such as a driver’s license or an ID card. Onsite visitors may split the two hour visit time, between visitors, however an inmate may only have one visitor at a time as long as it is within the allocated 2 hours. It is the visitor’s responsibility to watch the time if they are sharing visit. The two hour visit time is continuous in that the hours cannot be broken up (i.e. one hour in the morning and another hour later in the day). All onsite visitors must be at least 18 years old to visit. Any person who knowingly makes or presents a false identification or statement with the intent to mislead a correctional staff member in the performance of his/her official duty shall be guilty of a misdemeanor of the second degree pursuant of F.S. 837.06. All onsite visitors may be required to submit to a search of their persons and possessions before being admitted into the visitation area. Searches may be completed by using metal detection devices, limited pat down searches and examination of pockets or hand carried items as deemed necessary to maintain high security measures. Bags, purses, or any item that can conceal contraband will not be allowed to be taken back to the visitation area. Visitors are encouraged to leave all items with the exception of car keys and identification locked in their vehicle. Strip searches can be requested of the visitor should an officer suspect that a prospective visitor is concealing contraband on his/her person, and the suspicion cannot be resolved by a more limited search. The suspect must sign a written consent to the strip search. Should the visitor refuse to sign a written consent, then the visit is denied. If the visitor gives written consent to a strip search a written report giving the reason for the strip search, the officer conducting the search, the official approving the search and what if anything was found will be submitted to the Facility Administrator for review. Strip searches will be conducted by an officer of the same gender and will be conducted in privacy. A designated official the rank of Sergeant or above, who shall evaluate the grounds to justify the search must approve strip searches. Body cavity searches of visitors shall not be conducted. Visitors may be searched prior to departing the facility. The same limitations and requirements are applicable for all searches. All inmates will be searched prior to and immediately after visitation. All visitors shall comply with the rules, regulations, and directives of the visiting institution. The shift supervisor may terminate any visit if the visitor violates any of the established rules and regulations. A. Persons desiring to visit must be appropriately dressed, including wearing shoes. B. Inmates shall be dressed in county issued uniforms and shoes for visitation. C. All visits shall be conducted in the approved visitation area. D. The facility staff is responsible for the maintaining order in the visitation area. This function will be performed while maintaining a courteous attitude towards the inmate or visitor. The staff shall not interfere with the actions of the inmate or his/her visitor unless they are found to be in violation of rules, regulation, are being disruptive, or are causing a disturbance to the visitation program. E. Children will not be left unsupervised in the lobby, on the facility ground or in the parking lot. F. Smoking and tobacco products are prohibited in the public area. Such items should be left in the vehicle. VISITING SCHEDULE: Visitation is non-contact video visitation and for a maximum of 2 hours. Inmates are allowed only one onsite visit per week. If the entire two hours are not used, the remaining time is forfeited. Visitation hours will be from 8:30 AM to 10:30 PM, 7 days a week, with visitation closing from 5:30PM to 6:30 PM for count procedures. Regardless of what time the visit began, visitation is over at 10:30 P.M. and all visitors must depart the visitation area. VISITORS IDENTIFICATION: Photo identification shall be used to identify each visitor that enters this facility. A visitation log shall be used for accountability of the visitors. The following information will be annotated on the log: 1. Name of the visitors. 2. The date and time of arrival and departure. 3. The purpose of the visit. 4. The name of inmate visited. RESTRICTIONS: DOC inmates returned to this facility for court will not be allowed visits, until they have been here for at least 30 days. Prior Inmates released from this facility will not be allowed to visit for 30 days from release. No visits will be allowed from 5:30 PM to 6:30 PM daily or with an inmate who is in disciplinary confinement, isolation due to behavior problems, or with inmates in mental health status when deemed violent or dangerous. Attorneys may visit their clients who are in one or more of the restricted status mentioned. Arrangements should be made in advance for attorney/client visits for any violent or dangerous inmate. No attorney/client visit shall be unreasonably delayed except under the conditions mentioned herein. REFUSAL OF VISIT: An inmate has the right to refuse a visit. Such refusal shall be made in writing and forwarded to the shift supervisor. A copy of such refusal shall be placed in the inmate’s record jacket. VISITATION DENIAL: A. Permission to visit may be denied if that person: 1. Has introduced or attempted to introduce contraband into this or any correctional facility. 2. Has assisted or attempted to assist in an escape from this or any other correctional facility. 3. Has committed serious or repeated violations of this institution’s regulations during previous visits, or if either the inmate or the visitor had given false information or has attempted to conceal his/her identity in order to obtain visiting privileges. 4. Is under the influence of intoxicants 5. Name is not approved on the original visitor’s list. 6. Visitor becomes unmanageable, disrespectful, uses abusive or obscene language, and/or creates a disturbance during their visit. 7. Visitor is not wearing clothing that is appropriate for visitation, such as: a. Miniskirts, see through blouses, bra-less attire, swimsuit, or any excessively short form of dress. b. Micro-mini shorts, cutoffs, or daisy duke style shorts c. Halter tops or tops with spaghetti straps d. Fishnet jerseys or clothing that does not cover the upper body e. Excessively tight fitting clothing or clothing that displays or reveals areas of the upper or lower body i.e.: the naval f. Any clothing with suggestive slogans relating to race, creed, sex or natural origin. g. Visitor refuses to be searched prior to entering the visitation area. h. Visitor refusing to provide identification and relationship information. i. Visitor presents a danger to security or the operations of the facility. 8. Visitors with excessive violations, criminal history, or criminal convictions for capital type offences. Visiting privileges can be suspended and visitors can be removed from the approved list for serious rule violations, for continuous infraction of visiting procedures, for security breaches, or a combination of any of the above. When an incident occurs, a report of the infraction will be prepared for the Director’s review and final judgment. Visits shall not be denied because of: a. Race, creed, gender, or natural origin of the inmate or visitor. b. Ideas or opinions held or expressed by the inmate or visitor, unless advocated violence or violation of the law or rules. c. Reasons unrelated to the security or order of the facility. PERSONAL PROPERTY: Personal property is not accepted for inmates. All hygiene items, underclothing and snack foods must be purchased from the commissary. An inmate may release their property to a family member or friend at any time. The person to whom the property is released must be specified on the property release. That person must show proper ID before the property will be released to them. Property will not be released without proper authorization. Property release forms must already be in the Main Control Room prior to the person(s) picking it up arrives. Released property must be picked up within 7 days of the date on the release form. All property not claimed within 30 days of an inmate’s departure will be given to a charitable organization. Inmates are not allowed to leave property behind upon departure from this facility. Clothing items will not be released. RESTRICTIONS: Smoking, tobacco products, weapons, such as knives, guns, clubs, chemical devices, personal cameras, tape recorders, and other like contraband is prohibited within this facility. This restriction excludes official investigators or attorneys with prior authorization. Concealing any of the mentioned restricted items in the bathroom or public area is a felony offense and is punishable by law up to 5 years imprisonment and/or a fine of $10,000.00.

FAQs Archive - Columbia County Sheriff's Office

Felon Registration

Felony registrations are done at the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office Operations located at 4917 US Hwy 90 East. There is a fee of $15.00 (cash only) for the fingerprint portion. [...]

Steven Khachigan2025-06-24T17:32:26+00:00June 24, 2025|

Sign Up For “Alert Columbia” Emergency Notifications

Overview Alert Columbia Program Overview We have launched a new Mass Notification service that allows us to alert you in the case of county emergencies. You opt-in to enter your [...]

Steven Khachigan2025-04-07T10:18:18+00:00April 7, 2025|

Biased Policing

Biased policing occurs when a law enforcement officer applies their personal, societal, or organizational biases or stereotypes when making decisions or taking enforcement action, and the reason for that decision [...]

Steven Khachigan2025-04-29T09:07:10+00:00April 7, 2025|

How do I File a Citizens Complaint?

Who Can Submit a Complaint? Anyone that has a concern about the practices or personnel of the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office. How Do I File a Complaint? The easiest way [...]

Steven Khachigan2025-05-05T19:49:30+00:00April 7, 2025|

Become a Member of the Citizen Service Unit

The Citizens Service Unit (CSU) was formed in 2006 and is comprised entirely of citizen volunteers who provide non-law enforcement activities which assist in, and enhance the accomplishment of the [...]

Steven Khachigan2025-04-29T09:10:22+00:00April 7, 2025|

Become a Reserve Deputy

What is the Columbia County Sheriff’s Reserve? A unit formed for the purpose of supporting the Sheriff’s Office operational and administrative efforts. A Reserve Deputy’s primary duties are to provide [...]

Steven Khachigan2025-04-29T09:11:06+00:00April 7, 2025|

Write to an Inmate

All incoming personal mail to an inmate is processed at an off site facility for safety and security. Inmates will not receive the actual envelope or contents. The processing facility [...]

Steven Khachigan2025-04-07T10:13:23+00:00April 7, 2025|

Add Funds to an Inmates Account

Money for inmates may be accepted in the following ways: By Kiosk in the lobby: Kiosk will take cash, debit, or credit. Leaving cash is most economical as there is [...]

Steven Khachigan2025-04-07T10:12:53+00:00April 7, 2025|

Visit an Inmate

VISITING PROCEDURES AND CONDITIONS: All inmates are given the opportunity to complete a list of a maximum of 4 (four) visitors they wish to receive onsite video visits at this [...]

Steven Khachigan2025-04-07T10:12:15+00:00April 7, 2025|

Request a Concealed Weapons Permit

Concealed Weapons Permits (Licenses) are administered through the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. As a public service, applicant packets can be picked up at the following Columbia County [...]

Steven Khachigan2025-04-29T09:13:50+00:00April 7, 2025|

FAQs

Felon Registration

Sign Up For “Alert Columbia” Emergency Notifications

Biased Policing

How do I File a Citizens Complaint?

Become a Member of the Citizen Service Unit

Become a Reserve Deputy

Write to an Inmate

Add Funds to an Inmates Account

Visit an Inmate

Request a Concealed Weapons Permit

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