LWV of the St. Petersburg Area and the Pinellas County Jail Tour

Posted 10/17/26

What began as a successful July visit to the Pinellas County Jail has become a series of rescheduling challenges. Despite the LWV of St. Petersburg Area’s (LWVSPA) efforts to accommodate Sheriff Gualtieri’s availability, submit questions in advance, and propose alternatives to avoid further delays, the tour remains pending. Below is a timeline of events and our continued efforts to make this visit possible.

July 2026 | First Tour
LWVSPA toured the Pinellas County Jail with knowledgeable Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office (PSCO) representatives. The visit went smoothly, from scheduling through the extensive tour, though some questions remained unanswered.

August 20, 2026 | Second Tour Scheduled
Significant interest from members who could not attend the July tour prompted LWVSPA to request a second tour. The PSCO agreed to a second tour date of September 23, 2026.

August 27, 2026 | ProPublica Publishes Investigative Report
ProPublica published an investigative report documenting questionable rebooking tactics by Pinellas County Sheriff Bob Gualtieri, drawing broader media attention. Amid this coverage and LWVSPA-led mobilizations at public meetings, the PSCO informed LWVSPA that Sheriff Gualtieri preferred to personally lead the jail tour but was unavailable on September 23. The tour was subsequently rescheduled for October 15.

Two Weeks Before October 15 | Questions Submitted
At the Sheriff’s request, LWVSPA submitted written questions two weeks prior to the tour. LWVSPA asked for written responses two days in advance of the tour. This mutually beneficial approach would allow both parties to make the most of the tour by focusing on clarifications and discussion.

One Week Before October 15 | Another Scheduling Change
After receiving LWVSPA’s questions, the PSCO informed us that the Sheriff’s schedule had changed again and he would be unavailable on October 15.

LWVSPA Proposes an Alternative | Request Declined
To avoid further disruption for attendees who had already rearranged their schedules, LWVSPA proposed keeping the October 15 tour date with another knowledgeable PSCO representative leading the visit, followed by a separate small-group meeting with Sheriff Gualtieri at a later date. The PSCO declined this proposal.

Written Responses | Still Outstanding
The PSCO indicated that the Sheriff prefers to answer questions in person during the tour. No written responses have been provided.

Looking Ahead | Late November/Early December at the Earliest
LWVSPA continues to work with the PSCO to identify a mutually agreeable date for the tour. According to the PSCO, the earliest potential timing is late November or early December. We will share updates as plans develop.

LWVSPA remains committed to fostering informed civic engagement and seeking answers to important questions about our local institutions. We will continue working toward a confirmed tour date and keep our members informed as plans develop.

Read the questions that the LWV of the St. Petersburg Area submitted to the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office HERE.