Cook County Jail - Division 16

Last updated by Mark Miclette

Search for an Inmate or Active Arrest Warrant in Cook County

Cook County Jail - Division 16

Division 16 looks little like the cellblocks that surround it. It occupies a campus-style complex that was built in the 1990s as the Cook County Sheriff's boot camp, and it now houses men taking part in Sheriff's Office programs, most notably the Mental Health Transition Center. It is the smallest housing division on the jail grounds.

If you need to confirm whether or not someone has been booked into the Cook County Department of Corrections, whether it is the Cook County Jail - Division 16 or another of the nine divisions that make up the Cook County Jail, start with the online Inmate Search. If you are looking for someone under the age of 18 who has just been arrested, their name will not be publicly listed, so your best bet is to call the jail at 773-674-1945 and explain you are the parent or legal guardian.

At a glance

  • Location: Cook County Department of Corrections campus, Chicago, IL 60608
  • Opened: 1997 (as the boot camp); reopened as Division 16 housing in March 2020
  • Capacity: 200 men
  • Classification: male minimum, medium and programming
  • Main program: Mental Health Transition Center
  • Housing type: dormitories

The facility

According to the Sheriff's Office, the complex sits on 10.2 acres and contains ten buildings: two educational buildings, four dormitories, a mess hall, an intake dormitory with medical and counseling offices, a gatehouse, a gymnasium and an administration building. That layout, with separate classroom and dining buildings, reflects its original purpose as a boot camp program rather than a conventional jail.

Who is held here

Division 16 holds up to 200 men who are classified as minimum or medium security or who are assigned to programming. The Sheriff's Office says the division currently houses people taking part in its programs, such as the Mental Health Transition Center.

Mental Health Transition Center

Sheriff Tom Dart launched the Mental Health Transition Center in 2014, converting part of the former boot camp grounds for the purpose. At the time, WTTW reported that about 31 percent of people in the jail self-identified as having a mental illness, and the program was described as the only one of its kind in the country. It is aimed largely at people with mental health or substance use disorders who are facing lower-level charges.

The program combines treatment with preparation for release:

  • individual and group therapy using cognitive behavioral methods, aimed at changing thinking patterns tied to criminal behavior
  • mental health and substance use treatment
  • education and vocational skills training
  • job-readiness instruction, including resume writing, networking and interview practice
  • planning for life after release and long-term recovery

In its early form, WTTW described six weeks of therapy five days a week, followed by six weeks that added job training. By 2024, CBS Chicago reported that about 80 people attended the center five days a week in rooms arranged around group circles rather than cells, that more than 2,700 people had completed the program, and that roughly 480 former participants were active in its alumni program. Alumni can use a Sheriff's Office community van for rides to job interviews, medical appointments and court dates.

Security and daily life

Unlike the cell buildings elsewhere on the grounds, Division 16 houses men in dormitories, and the weekday routine for program participants revolves around therapy groups, classes and job-readiness sessions held in the complex's own educational buildings. The division takes only men classified minimum, medium or programming.

History and changes

  • 1997: The complex opens as the Sheriff's boot camp, built for court-ordered, nonviolent offenders.
  • July 2012: The boot camp is renamed the Vocational Rehabilitation Impact Center, or VRIC.
  • 2014: The Mental Health Transition Center begins operating on the former boot camp grounds.
  • October 2017: The VRIC program moves to another part of the facility, and the space it vacated is used for daytime programming for Mental Health Transition Center participants.
  • March 2020: As COVID-19 spread through the jail, the Sheriff's Office reopened the complex as Division 16, a separate isolation facility for detainees who had tested positive.
  • Present: Division 16 houses men in Sheriff's Office programs, including the Mental Health Transition Center.

In the news

Division 16's most heavily covered period came during the pandemic. The Chicago Reporter reported in April 2020 that the former boot camp barracks had become the jail's isolation and quarantine unit for men who tested positive, relieving pressure on the limited beds at Cermak Health Services. The sheriff's office said 171 men were housed there at that point. Detainees told the outlet that beds were about three feet apart and that bathrooms were shared; a Sheriff's Office spokesperson responded that beds were not spaced six feet apart because everyone in the unit had already tested positive or was recovering. At the same time, a federal judge in a lawsuit over jail conditions ordered the Sheriff's Office to end most group housing and double-celling elsewhere in the jail, while finding that the sheriff had acted in good faith.

The New York Times identified the jail in April 2020 as one of the largest known COVID-19 hot spots in the country, and the Chicago Reporter noted that the population had dropped by more than 1,000 people since early March. Numbers kept shrinking after the pandemic, particularly once the Pretrial Fairness Act abolished cash bail statewide in fall 2023; a Sheriff's Office tally from October 24, 2025, showed 5,901 detainees.

Getting there by bus or train

Division 16 is part of the jail campus near 26th Street and California Avenue.

  • Bus #60 Blue Island/26th: ride to 26th and California. The #N60 runs overnight.
  • Bus #94 California: get off at 26th Street on California Avenue.
  • Bus #52 Kedzie/California: also stops near the jail.
  • Train: take the Pink Line to California (2011 S. California Ave.), then transfer to the #94 bus heading south.

Tip: For bus times and directions from your address, use the CTA Trip Planner at transitchicago.com or call CTA at 1-888-968-7282. Give yourself extra time; security lines at the jail can be long.

Other buildings at the Cook County Jail

  • Division 2 / Division 6 Annex, 2700 S. California Ave., Chicago, IL 60608 (visitors use the post at 2800 S. Sacramento Ave.)
  • Division 3 Annex (women), main jail campus, 2700 S. California Ave., Chicago, IL 60608
  • Division 6, 2801 S. Sacramento Ave., Chicago, IL 60608 (visitor post at 2800 S. Sacramento Ave.)
  • Division 8 Residential Treatment Unit (RTU), 2700 S. California Ave., Chicago, IL 60608
  • Cermak Health Services, 2800 S. California Ave., Chicago, IL 60608 (visitors use the post at 2700 S. California Ave.)
  • Division 9, 2834 W. 31st St., Chicago, IL 60608 (visitor post at 2854 W. 31st St.)
  • Division 10, 2950 S. California Ave., Chicago, IL 60608
  • Division 11, 3015 S. California Ave., Chicago, IL 60608

Jail-wide numbers: main line (773) 674-1945; find where someone is held (773) 674-5245; Visitor Information Center (773) 674-8225.

Inmate Services

Who’s in Jail? About the Facility Recent Bookings & Arrests Directions / Map Bail & Bond On Site Inmate Visitation Remote Visitation Inmate Money Inmate Phones Inmate Mail Commissary Nearby Jails

Phone

773-674-1945

Physical address

2801 South Rockwell Avenue
Chicago, IL 60608
Get directions

Mailing address (personal mail)

Inmate's Full Name & Booking#
Cook County Corrections Department
2700 S. California Ave.
Chicago, IL 60608

Mailing address (legal mail or subscriptions)

Inmate's Full Name & Booking#
Cook County Corrections Department
2700 S. California Ave.
Chicago, IL 60608

Other Jails and Prisons

All Jails in Illinois All Jails in the USA All Illinois State Prisons All State Prisons in the USA All Federal Prisons All ICE Detention Centers

To search for an inmate in the Cook County Jail - Division 16, 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 773-674-1945 for the information you are looking for. You can also look up the  Cook County Criminal Court or any court in Illinois, as well as criminal court case information regarding an offender.

The Cook County Court Clerk has a lot more specific information you can use to find more about an offender's criminal court case as well.

Cook County Jail - Division 16 Inmate Search

The Cook County Jail - Division 16 maintains an average of 200 offenders in custody on any given day. The Cook County Jail - Division 16 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 Cook County law enforcement agencies arrest and detain approximately 177,880 offenders.

The following charts of Cook County inmate population demographics are updated daily. The information shown is for today. For research purposes we have broken down the inmates by sex, age, ethnicity, and criminal charges.

The information is compiled from the Cook County Corrections Department, the state of Illinois Department of Corrections, as well as the United States Department of Justice and Census Bureau records. It represents every person in custody in Cook County.

For complete information on how to get directions, bond, visit, mail, send and receive email and texts, receive phone calls, and send money or commissary to an inmate, find arrest information for Cook County and other counties surrounding this one, scroll down this page. We have a section for each.

We also provide photos of the jail that we have collected over the years.

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The Cook County Jail - Boot Camp in Illinois has a capacity of roughly 200 inmates, with a maximum capacity of 240 in cases of emergency. The facility has been operational since 1998 and hosts about 4762 bookings yearly. The one-year program consists of 18 weeks of training and inmates can be searched for using the Cook County Sheriff's website. The address for Cook County Boot Camp in Chicago, Illinois is 2801 South Rockwell Avenue, Chicago, IL 60608. The contact number for the boot camp is 773-674-5245. Cook County Jail - Boot Camp in Illinois allows visitation hours from Monday to Friday between 7:30 AM and 9:00 PM, and on weekends from 7:30 AM to 2:30 PM. Visitors are expected to follow the rules and regulations of the jail, which include no drinking, smoking, inappropriate behavior or nudity. There is limited information available on the specific issues and conditions at Cook County Boot Camp in Illinois. However, there have been reports of underutilization of correctional boot camps in the state of Illinois. Additionally, Cook County Jail has faced issues with overcrowding and inmates who are supposed to be in state custody. There are also concerns about the treatment of prisoners with mental illness within the Illinois Department of Corrections. The Cook County Boot Camp in Illinois is unique because it provides a strict detention program based on military discipline, fundamental vocational skills, education, and alcohol/substance abuse treatment for non-violent offenders. The one-year program consists of 18 weeks of intensive physical training and education followed by six months of community service. It is located on a 10.2-acre complex in Chicago. The boot camp is part of the State Boot Camp program, which allows successful participants to be released after approximately six months instead of serving their full sentence.
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Steps involved in booking at Cook County Jail - Division 16

After an arrest, the individual is brought to Cook County Jail - Division 16 for the booking process. This procedure involves identifying the person, determining charges, and deciding whether they’ll be released on their own recognizance, posted for bail, or held until court.

Remaining silent is highly recommended, as anything said can later be used in court. Wait for legal advice before responding to questions.

The booking process typically involves the following steps at Cook County Jail - Division 16:

  • Identification confirmation.
  • Photographs (mugshots).
  • Answering questions regarding health and criminal background.
  • Potential DNA collection.
  • Conducting a physical search.
  • Seizing personal property.
  • Providing a free phone call.

For details on an offender’s bail or bond, call Cook County Jail - Division 16 at 773-674-1945.

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How to pay bail in Cook County for an arrestee

Once an individual is booked at Cook County Jail - Division 16 in Chicago, options for their release include:

1. Release without paying bail, with a commitment to appear in court.
2. Continued detention until their court date.
3. Release upon paying a bail or bond. Call 773-674-1945 for the bail amount.

Bail can be paid through various methods.

  • Bring the full cash bond to the jail's bonding window or the clerk of court and pay by cash, cashier's check or money order; many jails also take debit or credit cards for a fee through a lobby kiosk or an online bond vendor, and staff will need the inmate's full name and booking number (jail: 773-674-1945).
  • A licensed bail bondsman in Cook County can assist with the process.
  • An owner can often pledge land or a home as bond collateral by proving clear title and equity worth at least the bond, frequently double the bond, with a deed and a recent tax or appraisal value; the court that set bail must approve the property before release.

For more details on the bail process in Cook County, Illinois, visit the Cook County Jail - Division 16 Bail Page.

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How Do You Visit an Inmate in the Cook County Jail - Division 16? What is the Schedule?

You can see someone held at Cook County Jail in two ways: in person at the jail in Chicago, or by video from your own phone or computer. Both are free. This guide walks you through each step in order. Go one step at a time.

Who can visit and who cannot

You can visit if:

  • You are 18 or older and the jail has approved you to visit that person.
  • You bring a photo ID that is not expired and shows your address.

Children (17 and younger):

  • Children do not fill out an application.
  • A child must come with an approved parent or guardian who is visiting the same person.
  • One approved adult can bring up to three children.
  • Teens of high school age need a state ID or a school photo ID.
  • An adult must watch the children the whole time.

The jail can say no to you if you:

  • Got out of a jail or prison in the last 60 days.
  • Are in your first year of parole or probation.
  • Are on house arrest.
  • Have an open criminal case or are out on bond (minor traffic cases do not count).
  • Have a warrant out for your arrest, or an immigration (ICE) hold.
  • Have an order of protection involving the person you want to see.
  • Are behind on a required registration (such as the sex offender registry).
  • Gave information on your application that is wrong or cannot be checked.

A supervisor can also deny a visit for safety reasons. If you are turned down, you may be able to apply again after a waiting period.

↑ Back to the top of the visiting guide

Step 1: Get approved to visit

You must be approved before you can schedule. Do this first, and do it early. It can take about a week.

  1. Get an email address if you do not have one. You will need one that works. You cannot change it later.
  2. Make an account on the Sheriff's visitor page: iic.ccsheriff.org/Account/Register.
    • Type your name exactly as it is on your ID.
    • Have your ID with you. You will type in the ID number and the date it expires.
    • Make a password with at least 8 characters. Mix capital letters, small letters, numbers or symbols.
  3. Check your email. Open the message from the Sheriff's Office and follow it to turn on your account.
  4. Find the person you want to visit using the jail search: iic.ccsheriff.org. Search by first and last name, or by booking number (type it with no dash).
  5. Click "Register online" next to their photo and fill out the visitor application. Answer every question.
  6. Wait about 7 business days (weekdays). The jail runs a background check.
  7. Not sure if you are approved? Call the Visitor Information Unit at (773) 674-8225 or (773) 674-8194, Monday to Friday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Good to know:

  • You need a separate application for each person you want to visit.
  • If the person moves to a different building inside the jail, you do not apply again.
  • If the person is released and later comes back to jail, you do apply again.
  • No computer? You can also get an application in the lobby of the building where the person is held, or at the entrance of any Cook County courthouse.

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Step 2: Schedule an in-person visit

Once you are approved, book a time. You must book ahead. Do not just show up.

  1. Find the person's booking number and division. Look them up at iic.ccsheriff.org, or call (773) 674-5245. The housing location starts with the division (for example, "DIV10") followed by the tier or unit.
  2. Go to the scheduling page: dvv.ccsheriff.org.
  3. Fill in the form:
    • The person's booking number, first name and last name
    • Type of visit and their division
    • How many visitors are coming (1 or 2 adults)
    • Your phone number, email and name. Add the second visitor's name and email if someone is coming with you.
    • The date and time you want
  4. Choose "Yes" for reminders if you want a text message before your visit.
  5. Click Submit.

How often: You can visit once a week, on the days and times set for that person's housing unit. Each unit has its own schedule (see Where to go).

Can't book a time? It usually means you are not approved yet. Call (773) 674-8225, or email DOC.visitation@ccsheriff.org.

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Step 3: The day of your visit

When to arrive

Plan to get there at least 30 minutes before your visit time. Everyone goes through a security check, and lines can be long, especially on weekends. If you are late, you may lose your visit.

Bring only these things

  • Your photo ID. It must not be expired, must show your address, and must be the same ID you used on your application.
  • Your car keys.
  • If you need a bag: a clear plastic bag, no bigger than about 12 x 6 x 12 inches, or a small clear purse about the size of a gallon zip bag. Diaper bags for babies are allowed case by case.

Do NOT bring

  • Cell phones, cameras, music players or any electronics
  • Food or drinks
  • Cigarettes, vapes, lighters or matches
  • Alcohol or drugs
  • Knives, weapons, tools or nail clippers
  • Books, magazines, newspapers or any papers
  • Needles or syringes

Leave these in your car or at home. Bringing drugs, weapons or other banned items into a jail is a crime, and you can lose your right to visit.

What to wear

Wear: regular, modest clothes, such as a T-shirt with sleeves and jeans or long pants that fit at the waist.

Do NOT wear:

  • Short dresses, miniskirts, short shorts or skirts with high slits
  • Low-cut tops, tank tops, sleeveless shirts, halter tops, tube tops or spaghetti straps
  • See-through or mesh clothing
  • Anything that shows your stomach, back, chest, underwear or rear
  • Pants that sag below the waist
  • Hats or caps
  • Clothes with gang signs or bad words or pictures
  • Clothes that look like a police, guard or inmate uniform

If your clothes break these rules, you may be turned away.

At the jail

  1. Go to the correct entrance (post) for the person's division.
  2. Show your ID.
  3. Empty your pockets. You may be scanned or patted down.
  4. Follow the officer to the visiting area.

During the visit

  • Stay calm and polite. Yelling, arguing or cursing can end the visit.
  • Talk only to the person you came to see.
  • Do not leave the visiting area and come back unless an officer says you can.
  • Visits may be watched and recorded.

↑ Back to the top of the visiting guide

Where to go: visitor entrances by division

Cook County Jail is a large campus on Chicago's Southwest Side, around 26th Street and California Avenue. Each building ("division") has its own visitor entrance, called a post. Go to the post for the division where the person lives.

  • Division 6 and Division 6 Annex: post at 2800 S. Sacramento Ave., Chicago, IL 60608
  • Division 8 RTU and Cermak (health unit): post at 2700 S. California Ave., Chicago, IL 60608
  • Division 9: post at 2854 W. 31st St., Chicago, IL 60608
  • Division 10: post at 2950 S. California Ave., Chicago, IL 60608
  • Division 11: post at 3015 S. California Ave., Chicago, IL 60608

For any other division, call the Visitor Information Unit at (773) 674-8225 to ask which post to use.

Visiting days and hours

Most divisions hold visits at these times:

  • Saturday and Sunday: 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
  • Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday: 3:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
  • Thursday and Friday: usually no visits.

Each tier or unit gets only certain days. To see the exact days for your loved one's unit, find their division on the visiting schedules page, or call (773) 674-8225.

Getting there

CTA buses and trains serve the area. If you drive, paid public parking is nearby.

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Video visits from home

Video visits use the free app Microsoft Teams. You can use a smartphone, tablet or computer with a camera.

  1. Set up Microsoft Teams. Download the free app and make an account with your email: Get Microsoft Teams.
  2. Talk to your loved one. Tell them you want video visits.
  3. They add your name to their visiting list inside the jail.
  4. Wait for a call or message. Jail staff will contact you to set a day and time.
  5. At visit time, be ready in Teams with your camera on.

Video visit rules

  • The same jail rules apply as in person.
  • No drinking, smoking, nudity or rude behavior on camera.
  • Breaking the rules can end your visits.

Video visit phone lines (call with questions)

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Phone numbers and help

Quick checklist

  • ☐ Approved to visit
  • ☐ Visit booked at dvv.ccsheriff.org
  • ☐ Photo ID (same one as your application)
  • ☐ Phone and other items left in the car
  • ☐ Clothes follow the rules
  • ☐ Arriving 30 minutes early at the right entrance

↑ Back to the top of the visiting guide

Jail visiting rules can change. Before you go, call the Visitor Information Unit at (773) 674-8225 to make sure your visit is still on.

We’ve compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for everything you need to know about Cook County Jail - Division 16’s Inmate Visitation Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 773-674-1945 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 Cook County Jail - Division 16?

Cook County Department of Corrections Inmate Video Visitation

Video Visitation is done using Microsoft Teams Group Chat Software. 

  • In order to use Microsoft Teams you need to be registered and prepaid. While you can sign up for free, you get more benefits and it's easier to use with a paid version.
  • Family and friends wishing to participate and receive a Video Visit may consult with their loved one.
  • Next, your detained friend or family member will need to add your name to the visitation list and you will be contacted by a Cook County Jail staff member to schedule a day and time for your visit.
  • The following are the instructions and steps to have a video visit with your inmate after you have been added by your inmate, and you have opened your account with Microsoft Teams.
    1. Type www.skype.com in the search bar.
    2. Click 'sign in' in the upper right hand corner.
    3. Click 'New to Skype' Sign up - then 'NEXT'.
    4. Under 'Create Account', add your email address. - then 'NEXT'.
    5. Create a password, then click 'NEXT'.
    6. Enter your first and last name, then click 'NEXT'.
    7. Enter your Country/region, then your birthday, then click 'NEXT'.
    8. Download the SKYPE app to your chosen device, then ...
    9. Sign into SKYPE using your email and password you just registered under.

We’ve compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for everything you need to know about Cook County Jail - Division 16’s Video Remote Visitation Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 773-674-1945 for further assistance.

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How Do You Deposit Money for an Inmate in the Cook County Jail - Division 16?

How to Deposit Money in a Cook County Jail - Division 16 Inmate's Account

There are five ways to deposit money in an inmate's account in the Cook County Jail Corrections System:

  • Online or Telephone deposits
  • Currency Exchange facilities
  • JailATM
  • United States Postal Service
  • Jail lobby kiosks

In order to do any of these you need to know the exact name the inmate was booked under, and the booking number.

If you can't find the inmate and booking number online, call the Records Office at 773-674-2390.

Each week, an individual in custody can purchase up to $100 worth of clothing & supplies, and also $100 worth of food items.


1. Online or Telephone Deposits - Note that it my take up to two business days for the funds to show up in the inmate's account.

JailATM - You need to first register with JailATM in order to look up your inmate's name and booking number and deposit money into their trust fund account. They charge a small fee every time you make a deposit. If you have questions or prefer to use their phone service in order to deposit money, call them at 870-627-5476.

Western Union - First, you need to know the exact spelling of the inmate's name and booking number.
You also need to know these codes: The City Code is: CCDOC or COOK COUNTY DEPT CORRECTION
State Code is: ILLINOIS

  • Select Send Money, then Send Money to an Individual in Custody and follow Western Union's instructions.
  • For questions, concerns or to add funds via Western Union over the phone, call 800-225-5227.

Money Gram - First, you need to know the exact spelling of the inmate's name, AND their booking number.
You will also have to know the Receive Code, which is 1750.

  • For questions, concerns or to add funds via Money Gram over the phone, call 800-225-5227


2. Currency Exchange Facilities -
Deposit funds in-person at Currency Exchanges that offer Western Union or Money Gram services.

Codes:
Western Union
City Code: CCDOC or COOK COUNTY DEPT CORRECTION
State: ILLINOIS

Money Gram
Receive Code: 1750

JailATM
Visit JailATM to register or call 870-627-5476


3.  Mailing a Payment -

* Money orders - $100 maximum 
* Cashiers Checks - $1,000 maximum

When sending an inmate money by mail, the Cook County Jail - Division 16 will only accept:

  • US Postal Money Orders, or
  • Certified Bank Cashier Checks

If you want to send more you can, but you need to send multiple checks that do not exceed the maximum amounts listed above.

**Important Notes**

  • The check/money order must be payable to the Inmate's Name AND Booking Number. Look up the inmate's booking number here if you don't have it.
  • You can also get the inmate's booking number by calling the Inmate Information Line at 773-674-2390.
  • The Cook County Jail reserves the right to decline or return deposits that violate Department Policies.

Mailing Address:
Inmate's Full Name & Booking#
Cook County Corrections Department
2700 S. California Ave.
Chicago, IL 60608


4.  Dropping off a payment at a Kiosk - $300 maximum
When dropping off an inmate's money in person, the Cook County Jail - Division 16 will only accept.

  • Cash
  • Visa or Mastercard

These Kiosks are ATM machines that are managed by JailATM.

JailATM Locations at the Cook County Jail to drop off inmate money:

  • External Post 5 [Front Gate Entrance] – 2700 S. California Ave. Chicago, IL 60608
  • External Post 7 – 2834 W. 31st Street Chicago, IL 60608
  • External Post 9 – 2805 S. Sacramento Chicago, IL 60608
  • Division 10 Lobby – 2950 S. California Chicago, IL 60608
  • Division 11 Lobby – 3015 S. California Blvd. Chicago, IL 60608
  • Division 5 Lobby – 2700 S California Ave. Chicago, IL 60608

Rules Regarding Picking up Money When an Inmate is Released from the Cook County Jail - Division 16

The following is the procedure to pick-up money from an incarcerated male or female inmate’s money account, regardless of which Cook County Jail they were in: 

Once an inmate is released, they can go to the following address, and as long as they can present a government issued picture ID, they can get the balance of their Trust Fund Account issued to them.

Division 5
2700 S. California Ave.
Chicago, IL 60608
Hours: 9 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.

If they don't have an ID, the balance will be mailed to the address that Cook County Corrections has on file. 
If they are being released to another facility, upon request, the balance will be sent there.

Letters can be mailed to:

Cook County Department of Corrections
Trust/Finance Office – Individual in Custody Trust Fund
Division 5 Second Floor
2700 S California Avenue
Chicago, IL 60608

If you have any questions, call the Trust/Finance Office at 773-674-6864.

For more information, including fees, more detailed instructions, deposit limits, type of items available to purchase, and more, check out our Inmate Money page.

We’ve compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for everything you need to know about Cook County Jail - Division 16’s Inmate Money and Trust Fund Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 773-674-1945 for further assistance.

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How Do I Receive Phone Calls from an Inmate in the Cook County Jail - Division 16?

How Do You Communicate with an Inmate in the Cook County Jail - Division 16 by Phone

Follow these instructions on how to open an account with GTL Connect Network (aka Viapath Technologies)

  • Advance Pay - This phone account allows you to prepay so that your inmate can call you (and only you) whenever he/she wants and the cost of each call is deducted from your balance. You can even be notified by text when your balance gets low. You still have the option of accepting or rejecting each call.
  • Pin Debit  -  This option allows you to fund an inmate's commissary account and lets him pay for phone calls to you and others with the money. You will have no control over who your inmate calls.
  • Voicemail  -  You can leave a secure voicemail without having to contact the facility. When you call the local phone number for a facility offering Inmate Voicemail (call Customer Service at 877-650-4249 to get the local voicemail number for Cook County Jail - Division 16, you will be informed of the cost for leaving a message. To leave your message, simply select the inmate by ID number. Then, record your voicemail.

For full instructions on the Cook County Jail - Division 16 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 Cook County Jail - Division 16’s Inmate Phone Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 773-674-1945 for further assistance.

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How do I Mail an Inmate in the Cook County Jail - Division 16, and what can I send them?

How to Send Mail to an Inmate in the Cook County Jail - Division 16

Cook County Jail - Division 16 Inmates are allowed mail in envelopes and on postcards. They are also allowed to receive photos.

They are also allowed to receive books and magazines, but not newspapers.

Mailing Address:
Inmate's Full Name & Booking#
Cook County Corrections Department
2700 S. California Ave.
Chicago, IL 60608

To learn all the rules, policies and guidelines, and they are extensive, for sending anything in the mail to an inmate at any of the Cook County Jails, check out our Inmate Mail Page.

We’ve compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for everything you need to know about Cook County Jail - Division 16’s Inmate Mail Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 773-674-1945 for further assistance.

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Can I purchase Commissary Online for an Inmate in the Cook County Jail - Division 16, and what can I purchase?

How to Deposit Money in a Cook County Jail - Division 16 Inmate's Account

There are five ways to deposit money in an inmate's account in the Cook County Jail Corrections System:

  • Online or Telephone deposits
  • Currency Exchange facilities
  • JailATM
  • United States Postal Service
  • Jail lobby kiosks

In order to do any of these you need to know the exact name the inmate was booked under, and the booking number.

If you can't find the inmate and booking number online, call the Records Office at 773-674-2390.

Each week, an individual in custody can purchase up to $100 worth of clothing & supplies, and also $100 worth of food items.


1. Online or Telephone Deposits - Note that it my take up to two business days for the funds to show up in the inmate's account.

JailATM - You need to first register with JailATM in order to look up your inmate's name and booking number and deposit money into their trust fund account. They charge a small fee every time you make a deposit. If you have questions or prefer to use their phone service in order to deposit money, call them at 870-627-5476.

Western Union - First, you need to know the exact spelling of the inmate's name and booking number.
You also need to know these codes: The City Code is: CCDOC or COOK COUNTY DEPT CORRECTION
State Code is: ILLINOIS

  • Select Send Money, then Send Money to an Individual in Custody and follow Western Union's instructions.
  • For questions, concerns or to add funds via Western Union over the phone, call 800-225-5227.

Money Gram - First, you need to know the exact spelling of the inmate's name, AND their booking number.
You will also have to know the Receive Code, which is 1750.

  • For questions, concerns or to add funds via Money Gram over the phone, call 800-225-5227


2. Currency Exchange Facilities -
Deposit funds in-person at Currency Exchanges that offer Western Union or Money Gram services.

Codes:
Western Union
City Code: CCDOC or COOK COUNTY DEPT CORRECTION
State: ILLINOIS

Money Gram
Receive Code: 1750

JailATM
Visit JailATM to register or call 870-627-5476


3.  Mailing a Payment -

* Money orders - $100 maximum 
* Cashiers Checks - $1,000 maximum

When sending an inmate money by mail, the Cook County Jail - Division 16 will only accept:

  • US Postal Money Orders, or
  • Certified Bank Cashier Checks

If you want to send more you can, but you need to send multiple checks that do not exceed the maximum amounts listed above.

**Important Notes**

  • The check/money order must be payable to the Inmate's Name AND Booking Number. Look up the inmate's booking number here if you don't have it.
  • You can also get the inmate's booking number by calling the Inmate Information Line at 773-674-2390.
  • The Cook County Jail reserves the right to decline or return deposits that violate Department Policies.

Mailing Address:
Inmate's Full Name & Booking#
Cook County Corrections Department
2700 S. California Ave.
Chicago, IL 60608


4.  Dropping off a payment at a Kiosk - $300 maximum
When dropping off an inmate's money in person, the Cook County Jail - Division 16 will only accept.

  • Cash
  • Visa or Mastercard

These Kiosks are ATM machines that are managed by JailATM.

JailATM Locations at the Cook County Jail to drop off inmate money:

  • External Post 5 [Front Gate Entrance] – 2700 S. California Ave. Chicago, IL 60608
  • External Post 7 – 2834 W. 31st Street Chicago, IL 60608
  • External Post 9 – 2805 S. Sacramento Chicago, IL 60608
  • Division 10 Lobby – 2950 S. California Chicago, IL 60608
  • Division 11 Lobby – 3015 S. California Blvd. Chicago, IL 60608
  • Division 5 Lobby – 2700 S California Ave. Chicago, IL 60608

Rules Regarding Picking up Money When an Inmate is Released from the Cook County Jail - Division 16

The following is the procedure to pick-up money from an incarcerated male or female inmate’s money account, regardless of which Cook County Jail they were in: 

Once an inmate is released, they can go to the following address, and as long as they can present a government issued picture ID, they can get the balance of their Trust Fund Account issued to them.

Division 5
2700 S. California Ave.
Chicago, IL 60608
Hours: 9 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.

If they don't have an ID, the balance will be mailed to the address that Cook County Corrections has on file. 
If they are being released to another facility, upon request, the balance will be sent there.

Letters can be mailed to:

Cook County Department of Corrections
Trust/Finance Office – Individual in Custody Trust Fund
Division 5 Second Floor
2700 S California Avenue
Chicago, IL 60608

If you have any questions, call the Trust/Finance Office at 773-674-6864.

For more information, including fees, more detailed instructions, deposit limits, type of items available to purchase, and more, check out our Inmate Money page.

We’ve compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for everything you need to know about Cook County Jail - Division 16’s Commissary Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 773-674-1945 for further assistance.

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How Can I Communicate with an Inmate in the Cook County Jail - Division 16 using an Online Messaging Service?

We’ve compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for everything you need to know about Cook County Jail - Division 16’s Text and Email Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 773-674-1945 for further assistance.

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Do Inmates in the Cook County Jail - Division 16 have Access to Tablets or Computers?

We’ve compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for everything you need to know about Cook County Jail - Division 16’s Tablet Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 773-674-1945 for further assistance.

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What are the other Jails in the Neighboring Counties surrounding Cook County?

Cook County (this county)Will CountyKane CountyDupage CountyLake CountyMchenry CountyLake County, Indiana
Cook County Jails listed No jails listed

Nearby counties

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Search for an Inmate or Active Arrest Warrant in Cook County

This facility, known as "Cook County Jail - Division 16" is also known as Cook County Boot Camp, The Vocational Rehabilitation Impact Center (VRIC).

Human-verified information Manually curated

Every detail on this page is checked by hand, not scraped. This unofficial directory helps friends and family of incarcerated individuals find critical information — inmate lists, locations, bail resources, visitation hours, rules, and text, phone, email, and mail services — for jails, detention centers, and prisons across the United States.