Massac County Detention Center
Massac County Detention Center
Physical Address
515 Market StreetMetropolis, IL 62960
Jail Phone Number
618-524-2912Find an Inmate in Massac County
Most local arrests end up at the Massac County Detention Center, 515 Market Street, Metropolis, IL 62960 (618-524-2912).
Your first stop is VINELink. VINELink tracks custody and sends alerts when the Sheriff's Office books someone. Booking at the county jail can lag; a Johnson County jail may have the person.
Call 618-524-2912. Below: the county jail, jails next door, release, prison and more.
Read inmate search answers
Read inmate search answers1. How do I search for an inmate?
- Go to VINELink and enter the last name.
- Search VINELink online, or with the VINELink app for iPhone and the VINELink app for Android.
- Still nothing? Call the Massac County Sheriff's Office at 618-524-2912.
2. Where do county prisoners go after sentencing?
Prison-bound inmates here go to Illinois Department of Corrections intake. Families can follow moves on the Illinois Department of Corrections inmate search, then see our Illinois state prisons guide.
↑ Back to the question list3. Which nearby jails take people from Massac County?
Search empty? Call each county jail next door:
- Pulaski County Detention Center, Mound City: 618-845-3512
State prisoners show on the Illinois Department of Corrections inmate search; federal ones on the Federal Bureau of Prisons inmate locator.
↑ Back to the question list4. How do I find someone from Massac County taken by ICE?
- ICE may send the Massac County Detention Center a Form I-247A detainer.
- The Illinois TRUST Act (5 ILCS 805/15) stops the county from honoring the 48-hour hold.
- Agents may wait outside the County Jail.
- After an ICE arrest, use the ICE Online Detainee Locator System with the A-number of the detainee.
5. What about youth arrested in this county?
Youth stay off the roster (705 ILCS 405/1-7). A judge locally picks the juvenile detention center for detained youth. Call 618-524-2912 to learn about a detained child's hearing.
↑ Back to the question list6. Where is a federal defendant from Massac County held?
The U.S. Marshals Service may hold federal defendants in county jails nearby. The Southern District of Illinois hears it at Melvin Price U.S. Courthouse, 750 Missouri Avenue, East St. Louis, IL 62201 (618-482-9371). Check VINELink while the case is open, and the Federal Bureau of Prisons inmate locator after sentencing.
↑ Back to the question list7. Are local mugshots public?
Illinois treats adult booking photos as public (5 ILCS 140/2.15). File an Illinois Freedom of Information Act request with the Massac County Sheriff's Office at 618-524-2912. Youth photos and most U.S. Marshals Service photos are withheld (5 U.S.C. 552). ICE records for someone held by the Sheriff's Office go through the ICE FOIA request page and mention this county.
↑ Back to the question list8. Local inmate calls, mail, visits and money
- Phone calls: Local inmate phone guide.
- Deposits: our money guide.
- Commissary: Local commissary guide.
- Visits: Local visitation rules.
- Mail: Local inmate mail rules.
- Messages: Local inmate email.
9. How does release work after an arrest?
There's no cash bail here: the Pretrial Fairness Act ended it in 2023. Within 48 hours, a judge rules on release (725 ILCS 5/109-1). Full details: our bail guide.
↑ Back to the question list10. How many people live in this county?
The county has about 13,502 residents (U.S. Census Bureau Vintage 2025 estimate, released 2026). Metropolis, IL is the county seat.
↑ Back to the question list11. Is there a Massac County warrant?
Massac deputies serve warrants in Brookport, Joppa and Metropolis. Try the sheriff at 618-524-2912; deputies give warrant status by phone. Local court files are kept on re:SearchIL, Illinois' statewide court-records site, where a lawyer on your case can check the latest entries for a warrant. Reporting to the Massac County Detention Center with an attorney is the smoother way to clear it. Following a missed hearing anywhere in the county, the circuit clerk on Superman Square can explain how to set a new date at 1 Superman Square, Metropolis, IL 62960, or by calling 618-524-9359.
↑ Back to the question list12. Which police lines cover Metropolis and other towns in the county?
No town police numbers for Massac County are on file yet; the Sheriff's Office can help.
- Metropolis: no listed number here yet; the sheriff's office, 618-524-2912, can direct you
Release After an Arrest in Massac County
Arrests in Massac County lead to the Massac County Detention Center, 515 Market Street, Metropolis, IL 62960.
Jail staff answer at 618-524-2912. Family can check VINELink.
Illinois ended cash bail on September 18, 2023, under the Pretrial Fairness Act (725 ILCS 5/110). A judge at the county courthouse now makes that call.
1. Is there still cash bail in Massac County?
There is no price on release in Massac County anymore. Until 2023, the circuit clerk took 10 percent deposits. That step is gone under the Pretrial Fairness Act.
- Illinois outlawed for-profit bail bonds in 1963.
- Hang up and call 618-524-2912 if someone asks for release money.
- Testing or GPS fees in Massac County are separate from bail.
2. How fast is the first hearing here?
The first court date comes within about 48 hours. In Massac County, that hearing is held at the courthouse, 1 Superman Square, Metropolis, IL 62960, or over a video link from the County Jail. The judge reads the charge (725 ILCS 5/109-1) and rules on release; the Public Defender can be appointed.
- Saturdays and Sundays count in the 48 hours.
- For a petty offense, the Sheriff's Office may issue only a ticket.
3. What matters at a release hearing?
The law at 725 ILCS 5/110-5 lists the factors:
- the charge and the police report,
- any record of missing court,
- ties to family, work and school,
- and whether conditions could protect others.
Since 2023, wealth decides nothing. Pay stubs help the Public Defender.
↑ Back to the question list4. What conditions might a judge set?
Everyone released in Massac County must attend court in Metropolis. 725 ILCS 5/110-10 allows more, such as:
- regular calls with probation staff,
- a stay-away order,
- an ankle monitor,
- testing and surrender of firearms.
Violations lead to a new hearing under 725 ILCS 5/110-6.
↑ Back to the question list5. What if someone from Massac County is charged with a federal crime?
A federal case does not stay locally. Massac County is covered by the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Illinois, Melvin Price U.S. Courthouse, 750 Missouri Avenue, East St. Louis, IL 62201 (618-482-9371). A magistrate judge sets release under 18 U.S.C. 3142. Cash bonds remain possible under 18 U.S.C. 3142(c), unlike state cases. Before trial, the U.S. Marshals Service has custody. Once sentenced, search the Federal Bureau of Prisons inmate locator.
↑ Back to the question list6. Will this county keep someone for ICE?
No. The Illinois TRUST Act (5 ILCS 805/15) forbids a 48-hour hold on a Form I-247A. The exception is a judge's warrant.
- Agents may wait outside after a release.
- Since 2022, no Illinois jail rents beds to ICE.
- Check the ICE Online Detainee Locator System with a name and birth country.
7. Does the county have a public defender?
Yes, the public defender. Ask the county clerk, 618-524-9359. Appeal help: Office of the State Appellate Defender.
↑ Back to the question list8. Where are local cases heard?
This county is part of the First Judicial Circuit; its court sits at the courthouse, 1 Superman Square, Metropolis, IL 62960. Clerk: 618-524-9359. Find the court dates on re:SearchIL and Judici.
Massac County has no city court: Illinois ended justice-of-the-peace courts in 1964.
↑ Back to the question list9. What is a detention hearing here?
It can happen, within limits set in 2023. A petition to deny release comes first (725 ILCS 5/110-6.1). The detention hearing then takes place within 24 to 48 hours.
Keeping someone in the county jail takes clear and convincing proof that:
- the offense is one that allows detention;
- release would endanger someone;
- and conditions would not solve the problem.
The defense answers at the hearing. Rule 604(h) gives the defense a fast appeal.
↑ Back to the question list10. How are minors handled after an arrest?
No one under 18 goes to the County Jail. Youth go to a juvenile Detention Center the court chooses. The Juvenile Court Act (705 ILCS 405/5-415) sets a 40-hour hearing deadline. The First Judicial Circuit keeps juvenile files closed to the public.
↑ Back to the question list11. Is my family member in custody here?
Search by name in VINELink.The Sheriff's Office may post new bookings late. Phone: 618-524-2912. Step-by-step help is in our inmate search guide.
↑ Back to the question list12. What comes after a prison term locally?
A prison term begins at an Illinois Department of Corrections reception center. Each transfer appears on the Illinois Department of Corrections inmate search. Read our Illinois state prisons guide.
↑ Back to the question list13. How can I help someone held here?
- Note the charge and local hearing date.
- Go to the hearing; it is open.
- Read our phone guide.
- Our money page covers deposits.
- Get release alerts from VINELink.
Massac County Detention Center Inmate Visitation
Friends and Family – Official Sheriff website pages do not list a visiting timetable for Massac County Detention Center. Call the detention center at 618-524-2912 for the current schedule, identification rules, and confirmation that the person you hope to see is still housed there. Massac County Detention Center can be found on the Inmate Sales facility list for remote video visits. Please call 618-524-2912 to confirm current video-visit arrangements.
Inmate Sales Video Visitation provides a secure online platform that enables families and loved ones to conduct scheduled face-to-face video visits with incarcerated individuals from home. Using an internet-connected smartphone, tablet, or personal computer equipped with a webcam, visitors connect directly through housing-unit video stations or tablets without traveling to the facility.
Important: Advance Registration and Visitor Clearance Required
Detention centers do not permit unscheduled or unverified video sessions. Correctional facilities require prospective visitors to submit government-issued photo identification and receive administrative clearance before booking an appointment, an approval process that can take up to 48 hours depending on facility staffing. You should verify your visitor approval status with the facility prior to scheduling. If you do not register well in advance, you will miss your loved one's scheduled visiting window for the week.
Step-by-Step Instructions to Register and Schedule a Video Visit
- Visit www.inmatesales.com or launch the Inmate Sales mobile app.
- Register your visitor profile and upload a clear photograph of your government-issued ID for background review.
- Wait for email notification confirming facility visitor approval.
- Select Schedule Video Visit, choose the detention facility, and select the inmate.
- Browse the available schedule calendar, select an open time slot, and pay the visitation fee using a credit or debit card.
- Log into the website or mobile app 10 minutes prior to the start time on a device with a functioning camera, microphone, and stable high-speed internet connection.
What the Inmate Needs to Do
The inmate receives a visitation notification on their housing unit video kiosk or tablet. At the appointed time, they log in with their PIN and sit before the terminal. Inmates and visitors must strictly observe jail dress and conduct rules; sessions are monitored by staff and will terminate immediately upon any violation.
Official Provider: Inmate Sales Official Website
Customer Service Telephone: 1-877-998-5678 or 1-702-829-3001
Support Hours: Monday – Friday, 8:00 AM – 11:00 PM EST; Saturday, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM EST
Supported Languages: English and Spanish
Other Services Provided by Inmate Sales (CPC)
In addition to Remote Video Visitation, Inmate Sales provides calling, messaging, and commissary options:
- Prepaid Phone Calling Accounts: Prepay for phone calling credits so your loved one can call your telephone directly.
• Learn more on our website: Prepaid Calling Accounts Guide | • Visit official vendor page: Inmate Sales Calling - Two-Way Texting & Messaging: Send digital text messages and photos directly to an inmate's device.
• Learn more on our website: Digital Messaging Guide | • Visit official vendor page: Inmate Sales Messaging - Inmate Tablets & Digital Media: Discover educational programs, phone access, and entertainment offered on facility tablets.
• Learn more on our website: Tablet Programs Guide | • Visit official vendor page: Inmate Sales Tablets - Commissary & Care Packages: Order pre-approved snack boxes, food packages, and clothing directly to the jail.
• Learn more on our website: Commissary Orders Guide | • Visit official vendor page: Inmate Sales Commissary
Massac County Criminal Courts
In Massac County, criminal court means the First Judicial Circuit, in the Massac County Courthouse, 1 Superman Square, Metropolis, IL 62960.
The circuit clerk keeps the files; call 618-524-9359.
Below: the courthouse, each case step, record searches and appeals.
1. What is the address of the courthouse?
Courts that hear local criminal cases:
- Massac County Courthouse
Address: 1 Superman Square, Metropolis, IL 62960. Phone 618-524-9359. Hears: all criminal, traffic, juvenile.
Illinois abolished separate city and justice-of-the-peace courts in 1964, so city courts are gone. Under 65 ILCS 5/1-2.1-1, towns may hear ordinance tickets themselves.
↑ Back to the question list2. How do immigration holds affect a case?
- ICE may send a Form I-247A detainer to the Massac County Detention Center.
- Under the Illinois TRUST Act (5 ILCS 805/15), the county won't add the 48 hours.
- The Illinois Courthouse Civil Rights Act (705 ILCS 90) bars civil arrests of people attending court.
- Detainees often leave Illinois; check the ICE Online Detainee Locator System.
- Immigration consequences matter; tell the public defender or your lawyer before any plea.
3. What happens after charges are filed here?
- Charge, lawyer and release are set within 48 hours. Details: Local bail and release.
- Preliminary hearing or grand jury, within 30 days if held (725 ILCS 5/109-3.1).
- Arraignment: the plea is entered here.
- Pretrial motions and plea talks.
- Trial: Illinois speedy-trial law sets 120 days for those held (725 ILCS 5/103-5).
- Sentencing: probation, county jail time or state prison.
4. What happens if a case is federal?
Local federal cases go to the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Illinois: Melvin Price U.S. Courthouse, 750 Missouri Avenue, East St. Louis, IL 62201, 618-482-9371. For someone held by the U.S. Marshals, a magistrate sets detention (East St. Louis, 18 U.S.C. 3142). While the case is open, the U.S. Marshals Service has custody; VINELink can help. For federal prisoners, see the Federal Bureau of Prisons inmate locator.
↑ Back to the question list5. How does juvenile court work locally?
Here, juvenile court hears youth cases under 705 ILCS 405. Detained local youth go to a juvenile detention center chosen by the court. For anyone under 18, hearings are private.
↑ Back to the question list6. Which court hears felonies and misdemeanors?
The circuit court hears both (618-524-9359). Felonies (a year or more) go to First Judicial Circuit judges (618-524-9359). Associate judges hear DUI and traffic cases (625 ILCS 5/11-501). Federal charges leave Massac County for the Southern District of Illinois.
↑ Back to the question list7. How do I search local criminal records?
- Visit re:SearchIL (free sign-up).
- Select Massac County and type the case number.
- Some counties also post on Judici.
- Or ask the clerk: 618-524-9359.
8. How do I appeal a conviction?
Appeals from Massac County go to the Fifth District Appellate Court at 14th and Main Street, Mount Vernon, IL 62864. The appellate clerk answers at 618-242-3120.
- Within 30 days, file a post-trial motion in Metropolis (new trial, plea withdrawal, or sentence review).
- Notice of appeal: within 30 days, to the county clerk (Rule 606).
- Ask for the Office of the State Appellate Defender if the person cannot pay.
- Transcripts travel to Mount Vernon (618-242-3120), then briefs are filed.
- A loss can go to the Illinois Supreme Court by petition for leave to appeal.
For a detention order, Rule 604(h) sets a fast track. 725 ILCS 5/122-1 allows a post-conviction petition locally.
↑ Back to the question list9. Where does a prison sentence start?
A prisoner sent from the county jail goes to state intake first. Use the Illinois Department of Corrections inmate search and our Illinois state prisons guide.
↑ Back to the question list10. How do I check a Metropolis warrant?
The Massac County Sheriff's Office serves warrants across the county, and city police arrest on them in the city. Call 618-524-2912; a deputy confirms warrants by phone. Massac cases go to re:SearchIL, the statewide records portal, which logs a warrant the moment the judge enters it. Represented people look through their lawyer; others look once the clerk records their email or accepts their e-filing. Surrender at the Massac County Detention Center can be scheduled by a local lawyer, and the clerk at the Superman Square courthouse can set a new date. The courthouse sits at 1 Superman Square, Metropolis, IL 62960, and the circuit clerk answers at 618-524-9359.
↑ Back to the question list11. How can families help during a case?
- Locate them with our inmate guide.
- Plan a visit with our visitation page.
- Money for local accounts: money guide.
- Calls and mail for the county jail: phone guide and mail guide.
JailATM Commissary Ordering allows family members to purchase pre-approved snack boxes, meat and cheese selections, hygiene bundles, and seasonal gift care packages sent directly to an incarcerated loved one. Each package is tailored to comply with local facility security rules, ensuring items clear intake smoothly without being rejected at the loading dock.
Important: Package Deadlines and Delivery Windows Vary
Detention centers do not all follow identical package distribution schedules. Some facilities allow weekly orders while others restrict shipments to bi-weekly or monthly windows, and spending limits differ widely across institutions. You should confirm the facility's active cutoff schedule and order allowances by calling them directly. If an order is placed after the weekly processing deadline, it will be held until the following distribution cycle, leaving your loved one waiting an extra cycle for fresh supplies.
Step-by-Step Instructions to Place a Commissary Package Order
- Confirm the inmate's legal first and last name, date of birth, and assigned booking identification number.
- Navigate to deposits.jailatm.com/webdeposits/ and sign into your account.
- Select Commissary Packs or Gift Packs from the service menu.
- Choose your state and detention center to open the jail's authorized product catalog.
- Search for the inmate to link the order to their active housing record.
- Browse available food bundles, hygiene kits, and clothing options, adding items up to the facility's allowed spending limit.
- Enter your billing details, complete checkout with a credit or debit card, and save your confirmation receipt.
What the Inmate Needs to Do
The inmate does not need an active online account to receive care packages. JailATM fulfills the order in tamper-evident security containers and delivers it directly to the facility commissary department. Jail staff inspect the shipment and deliver the items during regular housing unit commissary distribution, where the inmate signs for receipt.
Official Provider: JailATM Official Website
Customer Service Telephone: 1-877-810-0614
Support Hours: Monday – Friday, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM CST
Supported Languages: English and Spanish
Other Services Provided by JailATM
In addition to Commissary Gift Packs, JailATM provides several other communication, financial, and visitation services at participating facilities:
- Inmate Trust & Commissary Money Deposits: Send money directly into an inmate's jail trust account for independent commissary spending.
• Learn more on our website: Inmate Trust Deposits Guide | • Visit official vendor page: JailATM Trust Deposits - Digital Messaging & Picture Sharing: Send electronic messages and photos directly to an inmate's housing unit kiosk.
• Learn more on our website: Digital Messaging Guide | • Visit official vendor page: JailATM Messaging - Remote Video Visitation: Schedule and join live video visits from home using your computer or smartphone.
• Learn more on our website: Video Visitation Guide | • Visit official vendor page: JailATM Video Visits
Buy Commissary for an Inmate in the Massac County Detention Center
Massac County Detention Center Inmate Commissary - Sending Money or Purchasing Commissary for an Inmate
Massac County Detention Center allows inmates to purchase commissary. This can be snacks, hygiene products, stamps, stationary, clothing and even electronics.
You can buy commissary for an inmate using an online service called Jail ATM.
Questions? Call Jail ATM at 877-810-0914.
There is a monthly limit of $200-300 on how much inmates can spend on commissary items.
This amount is subject to change so call the facility at 618-524-2912 in order to confirm the amount that cannot be exceeded.
Inmates have access to both an in-house commissary store, and commissary packages that can be purchased and shipped to the inmate by friends and family.
Scroll down for information on the Massac County Detention Center's service they use for you being able to purchase commissary items online and have them shipped directly to the inmate.
You can also go to our Inmate Money page for information on how to send money to an inmate.
JailATM provides a secure electronic payment portal that allows friends and family members to deposit funds directly into an incarcerated person's jail trust and commissary account. Deposited money provides the financial balance needed for your loved one to purchase personal hygiene items, snacks, over-the-counter medical sundries, and correspondence supplies from the facility commissary.
Important: Facility Deposit Rules and Window Intake Vary
Once a person is booked and moved to a housing unit, facilities do not always allow cash drop-offs or phone payments directly to the jail window. Some might and you should confirm this by calling the facility and asking. But if you do not register online and fund your loved one's trust account immediately, they may be forced to wait days or weeks for standard paper processing, leaving them without essential soap, clean undergarments, basic medical sundries or snacks.
Step-by-Step Instructions to Register and Deposit Funds
- Obtain the inmate's legal first and last name, date of birth, and assigned facility booking ID number.
- Navigate to deposits.jailatm.com/webdeposits/ on your computer or mobile device.
- Click Sign In or Register to set up your verified user account using your email address and password.
- Select the state and the detention facility where the inmate is currently housed.
- Search for the inmate using their ID number or legal last name to confirm an exact roster match.
- Enter your desired deposit dollar amount and review the calculated transaction and convenience fees.
- Input your debit or credit card billing details, complete payment authorization, and save your digital receipt.
What the Inmate Needs to Do
The inmate does not need an internet account to receive funds. Once the electronic transaction clears, the balance posts directly to their jail trust ledger according to facility accounting schedules. The inmate can review their updated balance at a dayroom pod kiosk or on their weekly trust statement and place orders on their regular commissary day.
Official Provider: JailATM Official Website
Customer Service Telephone: 1-877-810-0614
Support Hours: Monday – Friday, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM CST
Supported Languages: English and Spanish
Other Services Provided by JailATM
In addition to Trust & Commissary Money Deposits, JailATM provides several other communication, store, and visitation services at participating facilities:
- Commissary Gift Packs & Store Ordering: Order pre-approved snack boxes, food packages, and hygiene bundles sent directly to the jail.
• Learn more on our website: Commissary Gift Packs Guide | • Visit official vendor page: JailATM Store Orders - Digital Messaging & Picture Sharing: Send electronic messages and photos directly to an inmate's housing unit kiosk.
• Learn more on our website: Digital Messaging Guide | • Visit official vendor page: JailATM Messaging - Remote Video Visitation: Schedule and join live video visits from home using your computer or smartphone.
• Learn more on our website: Video Visitation Guide | • Visit official vendor page: JailATM Video Visits
Deposit Money for an Inmate in the Massac County Detention Center
The Easiest and Securest Way of Depositing Money for an Inmate
There are several methods for depositing money on an inmate's account:
1. To send money online to an inmate in the Massac County Detention Center use Jail ATM.
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2. If you prefer to use your credit or debit card and deposit money over the phone, you can call them at 877-810-0914.
3. Some jails also have a JailATM kiosk for cash or card deposits. Call the Massac County Detention Center at 618-524-2912 to ask whether it has one and where it is.
4. The Massac County Detention Center may also allow you to *mail an inmate a money order or cashier’s check from a trusted source such as the Post Office, a local bank, or Western Union. Ask the jail who the money order should be made out to and what to write on it. To confirm this option call the facility at 618-524-2912.
*When mailing a money order or cashier’s check, send it an envelope by itself. Never send it with a letter or photos for your inmate, unless the facility allows it. Never send personal checks or cash.
5. To ask whether the Massac County Detention Center takes deposits in person, and when, call 618-524-2912.
Send an Inmate Mail in the Massac County Detention Center
The Massac County Detention Center is the jail run by the Massac County Sheriff's Department on Market Street in Metropolis, Illinois. The sheriff's rules are short: people may write to an inmate, and the envelope may hold only a letter and photos. All mail, including legal papers and books, goes to the detention center.
Letters, photos, legal mail and books:
Inmate's Full Name & Inmate ID #
Massac County Detention Center
515 Market St.
Metropolis, IL 62960
- What can go inside: A letter and photos. Nothing else may be put in the envelope.
- Return address: Every letter needs one. Without it, the letter may be destroyed.
- Sealed envelopes: The letter must arrive unopened.
- Writing: Use a black or blue pen for letters to Massac County. Don't use crayons, felt markers, colored ink, lipstick or perfume, and don't draw on the envelope.
- Greeting cards: Pick a plain card that has no sound chip.
- Books and magazines: Only new copies, shipped to Metropolis by the publisher itself. Hardcover books and wire-spiral books are never allowed, and nothing showing violence, sex, gangs, drugs or jail escapes gets through.
- Packages: Only from the third-party company that runs the jail's commissary.
- No stamps: Massac County inmates purchase stamps through commissary instead.
- Who can write: Friends and family. Inmates may not get mail from co-defendants, other prisoners or anyone with a no-contact order.
To help with commissary or post bond, the sheriff's department points people to send money online. The inmate listing shows who is being held.
Inmate Sales (Combined Public Communications - CPC) provides telecommunications services that allow incarcerated individuals to place outbound voice calls from dayroom telephones or handheld tablets to family and friends. Because correctional facilities do not permit incoming calls, funding an Inmate Sales prepaid account links calling credits directly to your phone number so calls connect without carrier restrictions.
Important: Mobile Phones Automatically Block Inmate Collect Calls
Cellular phone carriers automatically reject standard collect calls originating from jail phone systems. While some residential landlines might permit direct monthly billing, mobile devices and internet-based telephone lines require an active prepaid calling balance, which you can verify by checking with your provider. If you do not register online and fund an Inmate Sales account right away, your loved one will receive an automated disconnect announcement when attempting to call your number.
Step-by-Step Instructions to Register and Fund a Phone Account
- Visit www.inmatesales.com or call customer care at 1-877-998-5678.
- Click New User and register using the primary 10-digit telephone number where you want to receive calls.
- Select the state and facility where the inmate is currently detained.
- Link the inmate to your profile using their full legal name and booking ID number.
- Select Prepaid Collect Phone or Direct Inmate PIN Debit.
- Select your deposit dollar amount and enter your debit or credit card billing details.
- Submit payment, record your confirmation number, and confirm that your mobile phone allows calls from automated or unknown correctional numbers.
What the Inmate Needs to Do
The inmate dials your 10-digit telephone number from any dayroom telephone or tablet and keys in their assigned PIN. The automated system verifies that your phone number has an active prepaid balance and connects the call once you accept the automated prompt. All personal telephone conversations are recorded and monitored by facility staff.
Official Provider: Inmate Sales Official Website
Customer Service Telephone: 1-877-998-5678 or 1-702-829-3001
Support Hours: Monday – Friday, 8:00 AM – 11:00 PM EST; Saturday, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM EST
Supported Languages: English and Spanish
Other Services Provided by Inmate Sales (CPC)
In addition to Phone Calling Accounts, Inmate Sales provides several other communication and visitation channels:
- Inmate Tablets & Digital Media: Discover educational programs, phone access, and entertainment offered on facility tablets.
• Learn more on our website: Tablet Programs Guide | • Visit official vendor page: Inmate Sales Tablets - Two-Way Texting & Messaging: Send digital text messages and photos directly to an inmate's device.
• Learn more on our website: Digital Messaging Guide | • Visit official vendor page: Inmate Sales Messaging - Remote Video Visitation: Schedule and join live video visits from home using your computer or smartphone.
• Learn more on our website: Video Visitation Guide | • Visit official vendor page: Inmate Sales Video Visits - Commissary & Care Packages: Order pre-approved snack boxes, food packages, and clothing directly to the jail.
• Learn more on our website: Commissary Orders Guide | • Visit official vendor page: Inmate Sales Commissary
Inmate Sales Two-Way Texting allows friends and family members to exchange electronic text messages and digital photo attachments directly with an incarcerated loved one. Messages are delivered electronically to housing unit kiosks and handheld tablets within hours, avoiding the lengthy transit times associated with physical postal mail.
Important: Electronic Messaging Screening Rules Differ
Inmates cannot receive incoming phone calls, and traditional postal mail rules differ across correctional agencies. While some facilities still allow regular handwritten letters, many jails have transitioned to digital-only mail scanning or restrict postal delivery, which you can verify by checking facility rules. If you do not register online and purchase messaging credits immediately, your loved one may face lengthy periods without direct written contact from family.
Step-by-Step Instructions to Register and Send Text Messages
- Go to www.inmatesales.com or launch the Inmate Sales mobile app.
- Register your account using your 10-digit telephone number and email address.
- Select Text Messaging / Chirp from your service options.
- Select your state and detention center, then search for the inmate using their full legal name or booking ID.
- Purchase a messaging credit bundle using a debit or credit card.
- Type your message in the composition window and attach approved JPEG photos if permitted by the facility.
- Submit your message to the facility's screening queue.
What the Inmate Needs to Do
All electronic correspondence is screened by facility staff before delivery. Once approved, messages appear in the inmate's inbox on their housing unit terminal or tablet. The inmate opens the message, reads your note, and types an electronic reply using their available credits.
Official Provider: Inmate Sales Official Website
Customer Service Telephone: 1-877-998-5678 or 1-702-829-3001
Support Hours: Monday – Friday, 8:00 AM – 11:00 PM EST; Saturday, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM EST
Supported Languages: English and Spanish
Other Services Provided by Inmate Sales (CPC)
In addition to Two-Way Texting, Inmate Sales provides several communication, commissary, and visitation options:
- Remote Video Visitation: Schedule and join live video visits from home using your computer or smartphone.
• Learn more on our website: Video Visitation Guide | • Visit official vendor page: Inmate Sales Video Visits - Prepaid Phone Calling Accounts: Prepay for phone calling credits so your loved one can call your telephone directly.
• Learn more on our website: Prepaid Calling Accounts Guide | • Visit official vendor page: Inmate Sales Calling - Inmate Tablets & Digital Media: Discover educational programs, phone access, and entertainment offered on facility tablets.
• Learn more on our website: Tablet Programs Guide | • Visit official vendor page: Inmate Sales Tablets - Commissary & Care Packages: Order pre-approved snack boxes, food packages, and clothing directly to the jail.
• Learn more on our website: Commissary Orders Guide | • Visit official vendor page: Inmate Sales Commissary
Inmate Sales (CPC) provides corrections-grade handheld wireless tablets to incarcerated individuals in county detention centers. Operating on a secure internal network, these devices allow inmates to conduct remote video visits, make voice telephone calls, send and receive text messages, stream approved music, read digital books, and access self-help legal resources directly from their living areas.
Important: Tablet Hardware Deployment and Rental Rules Vary
Detention centers do not manage tablet distribution identically. While some agencies issue individual personal tablets to every detainee at booking, others utilize shared pod docking stations or restrict tablet use to specific dayroom hours, which you should confirm with the facility directly. Although core educational and legal resources are generally provided free of charge, sending messages, listening to music, or making phone calls from the tablet requires an active balance funded by outside contacts.
Step-by-Step Instructions to Support and Fund Tablet Use
- Verify that Inmate Sales / CPC tablets are deployed at your loved one's specific detention facility.
- Navigate to www.inmatesales.com or launch the Inmate Sales mobile app.
- Sign into your verified user profile and link the inmate's legal name and booking ID number.
- Select Tablet / Chirp Funds or Inmate PIN Debit to add funds to their available balance.
- Specify your deposit amount, review convenience fees, and enter your credit or debit card billing details.
- Submit payment, save your confirmation receipt, and notify your loved one that their device balance is available.
What the Inmate Needs to Do
The inmate unlocks their assigned tablet using their PIN or biometric scan. Their available balance appears on the screen, allowing them to download songs, read digital books, write messages, and communicate with approved family members. Devices are docked during quiet hours and shift changes for secure recharging and data synchronization.
Official Provider: Inmate Sales Official Website
Customer Service Telephone: 1-877-998-5678 or 1-702-829-3001
Support Hours: Monday – Friday, 8:00 AM – 11:00 PM EST; Saturday, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM EST
Supported Languages: English and Spanish
Other Services Provided by Inmate Sales (CPC)
In addition to Tablet Services, Inmate Sales provides several core communication channels:
- Two-Way Texting & Messaging: Send digital text messages and photos directly to an inmate's device.
• Learn more on our website: Digital Messaging Guide | • Visit official vendor page: Inmate Sales Messaging - Remote Video Visitation: Schedule and join live video visits from home using your computer or smartphone.
• Learn more on our website: Video Visitation Guide | • Visit official vendor page: Inmate Sales Video Visits - Prepaid Phone Calling Accounts: Prepay for phone calling credits so your loved one can call your telephone directly.
• Learn more on our website: Prepaid Calling Accounts Guide | • Visit official vendor page: Inmate Sales Calling - Commissary & Care Packages: Order pre-approved snack boxes, food packages, and clothing directly to the jail.
• Learn more on our website: Commissary Orders Guide | • Visit official vendor page: Inmate Sales Commissary
- Jail (Main): 618-524-2912
The Massac County Detention Center serves the following cities and towns of Massac County: Metropolis. At times this facility may also house inmates arrested in the following counties: Johnson County.