The Community Program Unit is a 336-bed jail located in Ft. Meyers, Lee County, Florida. For inmate information, you can call them 24/7 at 239-477-1500.
This facility processes offenders arrested for misdemeanors and felonies within the county. They are brought here for booking and processing. Depending on their charges, they may remain incarcerated until they are either bonded out, released on their own recognizance, or ordered to stay in custody until their trial is resolved.
You can use the inmate search tool to view the jail's roster and see who is currently in custody.
Inmates sentenced to less than one year will serve their time in this facility. Those with sentences longer than one year will be transferred to either the Florida State Prison System or the Federal Bureau of Prisons.
On this page, you'll find information on inmate services, including the visitation schedule, funding an inmate's account, sending mail, receiving phone calls, voicemail, emailing and texting, tablet rentals, bail bond instructions, and commissary purchases.
It's useful to note and save the inmate's jail ID or booking number, which is often needed for sending mail or other communications. If you can't find it online, you can call Community Program Unit at 239-477-1500 for assistance.
Phone: 239-477-1500
Physical Address:
2501 Ortiz Avenue
Ft. Meyers, FL 33905
Mailing Address (personal mail):
Inmate's Full Name & booking number
Smart Communications - Lee County Sheriff’s Office
P.O. Box 9152
Seminole, Florida 33775
Mailing Address (legal mail or subscriptions):
Inmate's Full Name & booking number
Lee County Jail - Core Facility
2501 Ortiz Avenue
Ft. Meyers, FL 33905
Other Jails and Prisons
To search for an inmate in the Community Program Unit, review their criminal charges, the amount of their bond, when they can get visits, or even view their mugshot, go to the Official Jail Inmate Roster, or call the jail at 239-477-1500 for the information you are looking for. You can also look up Arrests Warrants for Lee County and the entire state of Florida, as well as Lee County Criminal Court Cases and Courts for each county in the state of Florida.
Community Program Unit Inmate Search
The Community Program Unit maintains an average of 336 offenders in custody on any given day. The Community Program Unit has a monthly turnover of 40% of their inmate population, another 30% turnover every 90 days, another 20% every six months, and approximately 10% stay incarcerated between six and twelve months. Every year Lee County law enforcement agencies arrest and detain approximately 47,900 offenders.
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Lee County has three facilities that make up the detention capacity for the county and they work well in tandem with each other while not being operated exactly the same and having differing purposes.
The Community Program Unit is the minimum security location and it provides space for up to 336 inmates, male and female, in housing units that allow for those facing similar charges and with similar criminal history to be housed together. This system of housing assignments maintains the safety of the staff and the inmates and will provide the most comfortable housing arrangements.
Several programs are offered to all inmates with a focus on re-entry, education, and treatment. Licensed teachers are in place each day from 8am to 11am and again 1pm to 3pm Monday to Friday to provide GED classes and even elementary school education for any of the inmates who have not finished school for any reason. Each student will be met where they are in their education and the teachers, education assistants, and GED instructors will help each student to understand the topics and gain credits for their home school. In addition, they offer self help groups including AA, NA, CA, health classes, and treatment with counseling for abuse, anger management, alternatives to domestic violence, parenting skills, and others. In Community Program Unit there is also a cell dog program that provides those inmates who are approved to be trained by dog handlers and will be provided with a dog to stay in their cells with them.
They are taught obedience training, leash training, grooming, and care and nutrition. Each dog will remain with the inmate for 12 weeks, and those dogs who are able to pass assessment at that time will be adopted by someone in the community. Questions about these programs and other aspects can be directed to the facility calling 239-477-1500, and inmates will have access to phones to make outgoing calls regularly which are funded via online, and they will have visits that can be attended at the visitation center that serves all three locations... 2501 Ortiz Ave, Fort Myers, FL 33905.
Each inmate will be provided a list they can add 5 visitors they want to see, and those visitors only will be permitted access to visits, and all visits will be 1 hour long with two visits occurring each week. Hours for the visitation area are Monday to Sunday 5am to 11pm.
Once someone is arrested, they are taken to Community Program Unit for booking. This process involves identifying the individual, determining charges, and deciding if they will be released on their own recognizance, released on bail, or held in custody until their court date.
It’s important for the arrestee to stay silent, as anything they say can be used against them. The best advice is to avoid answering any questions about the arrest until legal counsel is present.
The booking process at Community Program Unit typically includes the following steps:
Depending on circumstances, booking can take anywhere from one hour to up to 48 hours, especially during busy periods or if the individual is uncooperative. For questions about paying an arrestee’s bond or bail amount, contact the facility at 239-477-1500.
After an individual is apprehended and taken to Community Program Unit in Ft. Meyers for booking, their release options vary based on the situation:
1. They might be released without bail, on the condition they appear in court on a scheduled date.
2. They may be detained until their court appearance.
3. They may be eligible for release after posting a bail or bond. Call 239-477-1500 for the exact bail amount.
There are different ways to settle an individual's bail or bond.
For more information on the bail process in Lee County, Florida, visit the Community Program Unit Bail Information Page.
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How Do You Visit an Inmate in the Community Program Unit? What is the Schedule?
ATTENTION: Visits for all Lee County jail facilities (Main Jail, Core and CPU’s) take place at the Lee County Inmate Visitation Center, located at the Ortiz facility:
2501 Ortiz Ave
Fort Myers, FL 33905
239-258-3773
| DAY | TIMES |
| MONDAY | 5:00AM - 11:00PM |
| TUESDAY | 5:00AM - 11:00PM |
| WEDNESDAY | 5:00AM - 11:00PM |
| THURSDAY | 5:00AM - 11:00PM |
| FRIDAY | 5:00AM - 11:00PM |
| SATURDAY | 5:00AM - 11:00PM |
| SUNDAY | 5:00AM - 11:00PM |
We’ve compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for everything you need to know about Community Program Unit’s Inmate Visitation Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 239-477-1500 for further assistance.
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Can I Use My Computer or Phone to Have a Remote Video Visit with an Inmate in the Community Program Unit?
ATTENTION: Visits for all Lee County jail facilities (Main Jail, Core and CPU’s) take place at the Lee County Inmate Visitation Center, located at the Ortiz facility:
2501 Ortiz Ave
Fort Myers, FL 33905
239-258-3773
| DAY | TIMES |
| MONDAY | 5:00AM - 11:00PM |
| TUESDAY | 5:00AM - 11:00PM |
| WEDNESDAY | 5:00AM - 11:00PM |
| THURSDAY | 5:00AM - 11:00PM |
| FRIDAY | 5:00AM - 11:00PM |
| SATURDAY | 5:00AM - 11:00PM |
| SUNDAY | 5:00AM - 11:00PM |
We’ve compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for everything you need to know about Community Program Unit’s Video Remote Visitation Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 239-477-1500 for further assistance.
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How Do You Deposit Money for an Inmate in the Community Program Unit?
1. Commissary money in the form of a money order may be mailed to:
AdvancePay Service Department
P.O. Box 911722
Denver, CO 80291-1722
2. You may use cash or credit/debit cards at any time by using the kiosk located in the front lobby. The fee for the use of the ATM is generally $1.50 per transaction for cash and 10% fee for credit/debit cards.
3. Commissary money can also be added to an inmates account at any time using any of these methods online.
4. Cash deposits to ConnectNetwork are now available at 26,000 retail locations nationwide including Walmart, ACE, Kmart, Kroger, and more. You’ll start the payment process online in your ConnectNetwork account, then complete your transaction with cash at a participating local retail store. Plus, many of these stores are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. Find a retail store near you.
5. You can call customer service 24/7 at 877-650-4249 and get instructions for depositing money over the phone using a debit or credit card.
We’ve compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for everything you need to know about Community Program Unit’s Inmate Money and Trust Fund Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 239-477-1500 for further assistance.
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How Do I Receive Phone Calls from an Inmate in the Community Program Unit?
Follow these instructions on how to open an account with GTL Connect Network (aka Viapath Technologies)
For full instructions on the Community Program Unit Inmate Phone System, what the costs are, how it works, and tips and guidelines on rules, regulations and saving money on calls, check out our Inmate Phones Page.
We’ve compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for everything you need to know about Community Program Unit’s Inmate Phone Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 239-477-1500 for further assistance.
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How do I Mail an Inmate in the Community Program Unit, and what can I send them?
Postcards
The Community Program Unit allows inmates to receive pre-metered postcards like the type purchased from the post office. They may also allow certain photo postcards as long as they have not been tampered with or contain images that may be considered to be obscene or violent in nature.
Envelopes
The Community Program Unit also allows regular postcards and envelopes to be mailed to inmates as well.
Postcards and envelopes MUST be mailed to the following address:
Inmate's Full Name & booking number
Smart Communications - Lee County Sheriff’s Office
P.O. Box 9152
Seminole, Florida 33775
Newspapers
Not allowed.
Magazines
Not allowed.
Books
Not allowed.
Care Packages
Not allowed.
To communicate by text or email with an Lee County inmate, follow these instructions:
For all the information you need to send and receive secure messages in the form of text or email with a Community Program Unit inmate, including how it works, how much it costs, renting your inmate a tablet, how often you can communicate and more, check out our Text/Email an Inmate Page.
NOTE: Your messages will be monitored and stored. You may want to refrain from discussing your inmate's court case.
We’ve compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for everything you need to know about Community Program Unit’s Inmate Mail Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 239-477-1500 for further assistance.
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Can I purchase Commissary Online for an Inmate in the Community Program Unit, and what can I purchase?
Family members and friends can go to their website, order for their inmate and have it delivered directly to Community Program Unit.
Instructions
1. Register here first.
2. Confirm registration in your email.
3. Select Florida, then Community Program Unit, then input your inmate’s name.
4. Shop… then pay using a Visa, MC or Discover credit or debit card.
Useful Information
1. Each order incurs a $5.95 processing fee.
2. Orders are delivered once a week.
3. There is no limit to the number of orders you can place each week.
4. You can purchase orders for multiple inmates and/or at multiple jails.
5. Orders are processed weekly. The cutoff time is on Sunday at 11:59 PM.
6. Orders are delivered to the jail within ten days.
7. Returns incur a 20% restocking fee.
Resources
Frequently Asked Questions.
Check the Status of your order here.
Online Contact Form.
Oasis is now offering tablets for inmates to use for easy ordering of commissary of products. They can be used for free for 15 minutes at a time. If an inmate wishes to use on a reguar basis for education, entertainment or programming, they can be rented for a small monthly fee.
Customer Service Contact
Call 800-956-2747 Monday - Friday 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM EST.
Email: support@jailcanteen.com.
To send a commissary carepack (food, snacks and goods) directly to an inmate in Community Program Unit follow these steps:
For all information, tips and available items for shipping Commissary packages to an inmate in Community Program Unit check out our Commissary Instructions Page for Lee County.
Customer Service Contact
Call 800-956-2747 Monday - Friday 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM EST.
Email: support@jailcanteen.com.
We’ve compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for everything you need to know about Community Program Unit’s Commissary Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 239-477-1500 for further assistance.
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How Can I Communicate with an Inmate in the Community Program Unit using an Online Messaging Service?
SmartMail allows inmates to communicate safely and quickly with family and friends outside of the jail, prison or detention center. Inmates send and receive electronic letters using a safe and secure computer kiosk or tablet stationed in their institution. THE COST IS JUST $0.50 CENTS; cheaper than a postage stamp and envelope.
More information on how to send and receive messages and photos with an inmate.
To communicate by text or email with an Lee County inmate, follow these instructions:
For all the information you need to send and receive secure messages in the form of text or email with a Community Program Unit inmate, including how it works, how much it costs, renting your inmate a tablet, how often you can communicate and more, check out our Text/Email an Inmate Page.
NOTE: Your messages will be monitored and stored. You may want to refrain from discussing your inmate's court case.
We’ve compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for everything you need to know about Community Program Unit’s Text and Email Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 239-477-1500 for further assistance.
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Do Inmates in the Community Program Unit have Access to Tablets or Computers?
The devices are similar to common handheld tablets, but are made exclusively by GettingOut, a GTL / Viapath company.
Tablets offer specialized content and services for inmates to use during their stay at Community Program Unit, such as:
- Free services are already available for use on the device at Community Program Unit.
- Subscription services are funded separately by family and friends with deposits made into an inmate’s Debit Link account.
- Community Program Unit Inmates will then be able to purchase subscription services and premium content to enjoy.
What Does a Tablet Cost?
To estimate costs for tablets and other services such as phone calls, sign in to your account and click “Rate & Fees Calculator” in the footer (bottom of the page), but the following gives you a general idea.
Game Center:
30-Day Subscription: $4.99, with an additional $1.00 service infrastructure charge ($5.99)
Fourteen-Day Subscription: $2.99, with an additional $0.75 service infrastructure charge ($3.74)
Seven-Day Subscription: $1.99, with an additional $0.50 service infrastructure charge ($2.49)
Unlimited eBooks:
Thirty-Day Subscription: $1.99, with an additional $1.00 service infrastructure charge ($2.99)
Fourteen-Day Subscription: $0.99, with an additional $0.75 service infrastructure charge ($1.74)
Seven-Day Subscription: $0.49, with an additional $0.50 service infrastructure charge ($0.99)
Streaming Music:
Thirty-Day Subscription: $8.99, with an additional $16.00 service infrastructure charge ($24.99)
Fourteen-Day Subscription: $5.99, with an additional $9.00 service infrastructure charge ($14.99)
Seven-Day Subscription: $2.99, with an additional $5.00 service infrastructure charge ($7.99)
Newsfeed
Thirty-Day Subscription: $3.99, with an additional $6.00 service infrastructure charge ($9.99)
Fourteen-Day Subscription: $1.99, with an additional $5.00 service infrastructure charge ($6.99)
Seven-Day Subscription: $0.99, with an additional $3.00 service infrastructure charge ($3.99)
Same Day Subscription Services
Game Center: $0.99, with an additional $0.50 service infrastructure charge ($1.49)
Unlimited eBooks: $0.25, (Total = 0.25)
Newsfeed: $0.24, with an additional $0.75 service infrastructure charge ($0.99)
FM Radio: $0.24, with an additional $0.25 service infrastructure charge ($0.49)
All Subscription and message credit pricing is subject to state and local taxes.
Replacement Components - should your inmate break it...
Tablet: $249.99 per each
Charger: $8.99 per each
Earbuds: $2.99 per each
To find out how to get access to a tablet for inmate read the following:
1. First, Register or Sign In to GettingOut/GTL
2. Purchase the services you want for your Community Program Unit inmate.
3. All inmates have free access to the tablets to read their letters from family & friends, but there are many other services available to keep your inmate busy while incarcerated... such as Games, Books, Music and Movies. These other services come with fees that you can pay for when you pay for phone service.
To learn more about Tablet Rentals for inmates, including the cost, all the services available and everything else you need to know, check out our Tablet Rental Page.
We’ve compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for everything you need to know about Community Program Unit’s Tablet Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 239-477-1500 for further assistance.
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What are the other City and County Jails in Lee County?
What are the other Jails in the Neighboring Counties surrounding Lee County?
This facility, known as "Community Program Unit" is also known as Lee County Ortiz Facilities, Lee County Jail , Lee County Jail , Florida, Lee.
