The Sumter County Detention Center is the central booking and intake location for all law enforcement agencies operating in Sumter County. The care, custody and control of individuals arrested in Sumter County by the Sheriff's Office and various state and local police agencies is the responsibility of the Detention Center. Confined in the Sheriff's Office Detention Facilities are those individuals who have been arrested and held without bond, been unable to post bail set by the courts, are being transferred from other states or counties while awaiting trial in Sumter County, or those found guilty and sentenced to serve less than one year in county jail.

The Sheriff operates the detention complex in Bushnell which has an authorized capacity of 527 inmates. This complex houses males, females and juveniles charged or sentenced on misdemeanor and felony crimes.

The State of Florida and the Federal Government impose standards to which detention facilities must comply. These include minimum square foot living space, medical and dental treatment, a complete up-to-date law library and other tax-supported services.
It is important to note that although the Sumter County Sheriff's Office operates the detention center under the sheriff's budget, the county government is responsible for furnishing and maintaining the buildings.
In 2009 the first phase of the new jail expansion was completed which increased the housing capacity of the existing facility. The second and third phases followed and further increased the overall capacity.
On June 27, 2000, the Sumter County Detention Center was initially accredited by the Florida Corrections Accreditation Commission and has maintained Accreditation status since. This commission sets high standards for correction facilities. The Sumter County Detention Center was evaluated on facility standards such as fire evacuation plans, safety procedures, medical and health requirements, security and control procedures, and firearm practices. Also evaluated were administrative and fiscal procedures, housing conditions, inmate programs, staff training and hiring practices, food service and facility building specifications.