An Orlando man who was an inmate at the John E. Polk Correctional Facility in Seminole County died after being found unresponsive in his cell, according to the sheriff's office.

The Seminole County Sheriff's Office held its first hiring event since reducing the age requirement for those looking to become detention deputies at the John E. Polk Correctional Facility.

The Seminole County Sheriff’s Office announced that a detention deputy assigned to the John E. Polk Correctional Facility was arrested for smuggling a controlled substance into the jail.

SEMINOLE COUNTY, Fla. – The Seminole County Sheriff’s Office is warning about a new scheme contacting people through social media and stealing their money. Authorities said victims are receiving direct messages from people alleging to be with the SCSO. These people offer to set up pay-per-call services to and from the John E. Polk Correctional Facility. Investigators stress these messages are not legitimate, saying the agency will never solicit people for any kind of payment services or monetary transactions. Those who receive these messages should report it to the sheriff’s office by calling 407-665-6650.

SEMINOLE COUNTY, Fla. – An inmate at the Seminole County jail died Monday at a local hospital after testing positive for COVID-19 more than a week ago, according to the Seminole County Sheriff’s Office. The John E. Polk Correctional Facility, or JEPCF, inmate was seen by correctional facility medical staff on Aug. 19 for congestion and cold symptoms. Seminole County jail officials said they experienced an increase in coronavirus cases in mid-August and implemented additional cleaning and procedures to prevent the spread of the virus. Since the beginning of the pandemic, 95 out of a total of 2,057 inmates tested positive for COVID-19. The majority of the inmates who tested positive were asymptomatic and confined within two housing pods, officials said.

SEMINOLE COUNTY, Fla. – Forty-two inmates have tested positive for the coronavirus at the John E. Polk Correctional Facility in Sanford, according to the Seminole County Sheriff’s Office. Deputies said a staff member reported not feeling well and tested positive for the virus. Investigators said they decided to test the inmates in the pod where the staff member worked. The inmates are medically monitoredCourt appearances will continue to be held virtuallyCrews are isolating inmates and staff as needed, according to the Sheriff’s Office. Deputies said any staff member who has been in contact with the employee who tested positive are self-isolating at home until they show a negative test result.

SEMINOLE COUNTY, Fla. – The Seminole County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a death at the John E. Polk Correctional Facility. According to authorities, Stephen Steen, 28, an inmate at the facility was found dead in his cell. Officials said shortly before 10 a.m. Friday, jail staff were performing routine checks of inmates and found Steen unresponsive. “JEPCF staff immediately began CPR and utilized an AED in an attempt to revive Steen,” authorities said. Health officials arrived and began performing CPR, but all attempts to revive the unconscious inmate were unsuccessful.

SEMINOLE COUNTY, Fla. The Seminole County Sheriffs Office is investigating a death at the John E. Polk Correctional Facility. According to authorities, Stephen Steen, 28, an inmate at the facility was found dead in his cell. Officials said shortly before 10 a.m. Friday, jail staff were performing routine checks of inmates and found Steen unresponsive. JEPCF staff immediately began CPR and utilized an AED in an attempt to revive Steen, authorities said. Health officials arrived and began performing CPR, but all attempts to revive the unconscious inmate were unsuccessful.