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Volusia County Jail

1300 Red John Drive
Daytona Beach, FL 32124-1075
(386) 736-5944

Interview with Clara, Carlos and Oscar

JM: How long was your sentencing for?
Clara: had to pay restitution on the checks.
Carlos: 10 years probation, 2 years house arrest and $15,000 in fines.
Oscar: For Volusia, 38.1 months, the other counties was 1-12 months.

JM: Did you spend time in a holding cell after your sentencing? If so, what was that like? If you didn't where did they they take you instead?
Clara: yes it was cold and miserable.
Carlos: Yeah, holding was in the same jail. Processing takes forever. They keep you in there for two to four hours. Bologna sandwiches for dinner. They could just as easily process you and get you in for dinner but they don't care about that. The cell was just a box with a wooden bench. And you've got 15 people in there with room for only 10.
Oscar: No, as I was always in custody. I can not answer this any further as I don't know the procedures for this out come as I had always been in custody.

If you or someone you know is headed to Volusia County Jail, you may have questions about what you can expect while you serve your time. Going to jail can be scary, especially if this is a new thing for you.

With the right information, you can feel less anxious and more prepared for the upcoming experience. We have interviewed former inmates of Volusia County Jail, and have compiled the following information based on those interviews. If you want to read the full interviews, click on links to the left that lead to them.

Gain Time
Many jails attempt to deal with the growing problem of overcrowding by releasing well behaved inmates before their full sentence is served. In Volusia County, this is referred to as "Gain Time." Inmates who have been sentenced can receive five days per month off their sentenced time.

To earn gain time, it is required that you follow the rules. It is very important that you avoid being caught with any contraband items, especially cigarettes.

Telephones
Inmates have access to phones, but they are in pretty high demand. Generally there are 4 phones per area where about 32 inmates live. Phone calls can be made either collect, or calling cards can be purchased from commissary. The calling cards cost $5.

When an inmate purchases a calling card, it is matched to a number on the inmate's wristband. When you want to make a call, the inmate punches in the number from their wristband to place the call. Be careful because it is very common that people will steal your wristband number by looking over your shoulder.

Also be aware that the jail screens and monitors all calls. If you are using a calling card, the jail can track who you are calling based on your wristband, and will therefore know if you contact people you aren't supposed to.

Continue to the interview