Monroe County Jail
Monroe County Jail
Looking for someone in custody? The inmate search tool shows everyone currently held at the 48-bed Monroe County Jail, and staff can answer questions around the clock at 618-939-8651.
Anyone arrested in the county on misdemeanor or felony charges comes through this facility for booking and processing. Depending on the charges, they may be held until they are bonded out, released on their own recognizance, or kept in custody until their trial is over.
People sentenced to under a year serve that time at this jail. Longer sentences are served in the Illinois State Prison System or the Federal Bureau of Prisons.
This page covers the visitation schedule, adding funds to an inmate’s account, mail rules, phone calls from inmates, voicemail, email and texting, tablet rentals, how to post bail, and commissary orders.
Keep the inmate’s jail ID or booking number handy, because most mail and messaging services require it. If you can’t find it online, call Monroe County Jail at 618-939-8651.
Inmate Services
Other Jails and Prisons
To search for an inmate in the Monroe County Jail, 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 618-939-8651 for the information you are looking for. You can also look up the Monroe County Criminal Court or any court in Illinois, as well as criminal court case information regarding an offender.
Monroe County Jail Inmate Search
The Monroe County Jail maintains an average of 48 offenders in custody on any given day. The Monroe County Jail 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 Monroe County law enforcement agencies arrest and detain approximately 960 offenders.
⇓ Learn more ⇓ Show lessLocated within the Monroe County Sheriff’s Department the 48-bed Monroe County Jail provides detention services for the community and accepts both felony and misdemeanor offenders and houses them until they have their court date and receive their sentence.
The one story brick jail in located on East 3rd Street between Rogers and Waters Streets in Waterloo, Illinois.
As a smaller facility, Monroe County Jail does not have extensive programming that larger jails and detention centers will have, but they do provide all basic care including healthy meals, safe and secure housing, laundry and medical care as well as mental health care.
It is also encouraged that inmates remain in contact with their friends and family during incarceration and this is completed through mail, phone calls, and visits. This contact has been shown to improve the mental health of the inmates, which lowers incidents and creates a safer environment for both the inmates and staff.
Mail can be sent to an inmate through the US Postal Service, which has an office just up the street, and it must have a full return address as well as the jail address of:
Inmate's Full Name & Inmate ID#
Monroe County Jail
225 East Third Street
Waterloo, IL 62298
... and no other markings on the envelope, and it will be checked for contraband before it is given to the inmate.
Phones are also provided and can be accessed during dayroom hours and will be shut off overnight only, with incoming calls not available. Visits are arranged directly with the staff by calling 618-939-8651.
Information for money for an inmate’s commissary can be found on our Inmate Money page.
Legal mail, money orders, books and newspaper and magazine subscriptions are mailed to:
Inmate's Full Name & Inmate ID#
Monroe County Jail
225 East Third Street
Waterloo, IL 62298
- Jail (Main): 618-939-8651
- Sheriff: 618-939-8651
What happens during booking at Monroe County Jail?
After arrest, individuals are processed at Monroe County Jail, where they undergo a series of steps that determine their charges and whether they’ll be released on their own recognizance, allowed to post bail, or held until their court date.
The first rule for anyone arrested is to remain silent. Anything they say can be used in court, so it’s best to speak only to an attorney about the incident.
Here are the typical stages of the booking process at Monroe County Jail:
- Verifying the person’s identity.
- Taking mugshots.
- Questions regarding medical and mental health history, along with drug and gang affiliations.
- Collecting DNA if necessary.
- Conducting a physical search.
- Confiscating personal belongings.
- Providing a phone call.
If you need details about an offender’s bail or bond, contact the facility at 618-939-8651.
How do you post bail in Monroe County?
If someone is taken to Monroe County Jail in Waterloo for booking, the next steps depend on their case:
1. The individual may be released without bail, under a promise to appear at a court hearing.
2. They could be held in custody until their trial.
3. They may post a bail or bond for release. To find out the exact bail amount, call 618-939-8651.
Bail payments can be handled in various ways.
- Cash bonds are paid in full, normally at the jail's bonding window or with the clerk of court, by cash, cashier's check or money order, and card payments are often possible through a kiosk in the lobby or an online vendor for a convenience fee; have the inmate's full name and booking number ready, and reach the jail at 618-939-8651.
- Licensed bail bond agents in Monroe County can facilitate payment.
- Property bonds are available in many courts: an owner may pledge land or a home after proving clear title and equity of at least the bond amount (often double) with the deed and a recent tax or appraisal figure, and the court that set bail decides whether to accept it.
For a comprehensive guide to the bail process in Monroe County, Illinois, visit the Monroe County Jail Bail FAQ page.
⇓ Learn more ⇓ Show lessHow Do You Visit an Inmate in the Monroe County Jail? What is the Schedule?
Monroe County Jail on-site Inmate Visitation Schedule
225 East Third Street
Waterloo, IL 62298
618-939-8651
- First, you must register with Inmate Sales, and then schedule a visit.
- Each inmate is allowed an unlimited amount of visits per day. Remote visitation is $0.20 per minute.
- Proper attire is required. No low-cut blouses, tank tops, short skirts or dresses, tight shorts, hats or any other form of provocative dress will be allowed. Shirt and shoes must be worn.
- All visitors must provide proper state or government issued photo identification (i.e. driver’s license, foreign id or passports) for inmate visitation.
- On Site video visitation is available at no cost.
- A video visit lasts 20 minutes.
- Visitors may only use this system on the inmates assigned visitation day, whenever the inmates have free time.
- All rules set forth for non-contact visitation shall be adhered to when using the video visitation system.
- Any lewd, profane or inappropriate behavior shall result in loss of video visitation privileges for the visitor and/or inmate.
- Each inmate is permitted a maximum of three on site visitors per session.
- Visitation sign-up is limited and on a first-come first serve basis.
- Visitors are encouraged to go online and reserve a visitation time. Purchased visitation minutes are not transferable.
- An adult must accompany all visitors who are under 17 years of age. Children must be monitored at all times.
- Visitors are not allowed to bring any personal belongings with them into the visitation area other than their picture ID and/or a set of keys unless otherwise allowed by the jail.
ON SITE VIDEO VISITATION - * NOTE: Each inmate is assigned one day a week for on-site visits. Check with them for their specific day, then book a time online with Inmate Sales.
| DAY | TIMES |
| SUNDAY | 9:00AM - 6:00PM |
| MONDAY | 9:00AM - 6:00PM |
| TUESDAY | 9:00AM - 6:00PM |
| WEDNESDAY | 9:00AM - 6:00PM |
| THURSDAY | 9:00AM - 6:00PM |
| FRIDAY | 9:00AM - 6:00PM |
| SATURDAY | 9:00AM - 6:00PM |
Monroe County Jail Remote Inmate Video Visitation
- First, you must register with Inmate Sales, and then schedule a visit.
- Each inmate is allowed an unlimited amount of visits per day. Remote visitation is $0.20 per minute.
- Remote Visits are $0.20 per minute.
REMOTE VIDEO VISITATION
| DAY | TIMES |
| SUNDAY | 6:00AM - 11:00PM |
| MONDAY | 6:00AM - 11:00PM |
| TUESDAY | 6:00AM - 11:00PM |
| WEDNESDAY | 6:00AM - 11:00PM |
| THURSDAY | 6:00AM - 11:00PM |
| FRIDAY | 6:00AM - 11:00PM |
| SATURDAY | 6:00AM - 11:00PM |
Monroe County Jail uses the services of Inmate Sales, also known as Combined Public Communication (CPC) for visitation communication between inmates and their friends and family members.
In order to have a successful video visit, these are the steps to follow:
- Make sure you have a device a speaker, a camera and a connection to the internet.
- Register with Inmate Sales.
- Find Monroe County Jail
- Select 'New Purchase'
- Choose this facility and a product ('Remote' or 'Onsite' Visit)
- Enter your personal information and purchase minutes.
- Schedule a visit.
Call 877-998-5678 if you have any questions.
iphone app
Google Play app
We’ve compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for everything you need to know about Monroe County Jail’s Inmate Visitation Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 618-939-8651 for further assistance.
⇓ Learn more ⇓ Show lessCan I Use My Computer or Phone to Have a Remote Video Visit with an Inmate in the Monroe County Jail?
Monroe County Jail uses the services of Inmate Sales, also known as Combined Public Communication (CPC) for visitation communication between inmates and their friends and family members.
In order to have a successful video visit, these are the steps to follow:
- Make sure you have a device a speaker, a camera and a connection to the internet.
- Register with Inmate Sales.
- Find Monroe County Jail
- Select 'New Purchase'
- Choose this facility and a product ('Remote' or 'Onsite' Visit)
- Enter your personal information and purchase minutes.
- Schedule a visit.
Call 877-998-5678 if you have any questions.
iphone app
Google Play app
We’ve compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for everything you need to know about Monroe County Jail’s Video Remote Visitation Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 618-939-8651 for further assistance.
⇓ Learn more ⇓ Show lessHow Do You Deposit Money for an Inmate in the Monroe County Jail?
There are FOUR options for putting money on an inmate's books:
Option 1 - Dropping Money at the Jail
Bring money to the jail in person.
Either the jail personnel will process the Inmate Account payment or you will use a Jail ATM self-serve kiosk in the lobbies that accepts cash, debit or credit cards.
Option 2 - Deposit Inmate Money Online
Monroe County Jail uses Jail ATM to process all online deposits to an inmate's account. The company charges you a small fee for doing so, but the fee probably isn't as much as gas and parking would cost to take it to the jail in person.
Option 3 - Mail the Inmate Deposit to the Jail
Mailing a deposit takes more time to process than the other methods but can be done if you live too far away to bring it in person and you don't have a debit/credit card for online deposits. Never send cash. Always send a Money Order from the US Post Office, a reputable bank or Western Union. Call the Monroe County Jail first as they may want you to do this online or at the jail kiosk instead.
Make the Money Order out to the payee the jail names (check with the jail first) and put their Inmate ID# in memo section of the Money Order. Never mail cash or a personal check.
Inmate's Full Name & Inmate ID#
Monroe County Jail
225 East Third Street
Waterloo, IL 62298
Option 4 - Make an Inmate Deposit with Jail ATM over the Phone by calling 877-810-0914
To do this you will need the inmate's offender # (inmate ID #) and full legal name.
How to Deposit Money Online for an Inmate in Monroe County
To deposit money online for an inmate in Monroe County Jail follow these steps:
- Register to open an account, or Sign In to JailATM, the deposit service used for inmates at Monroe County.
- After registering and signing in, select 'Send Money Now'.
- Choose Illinois, then choose Monroe County Jail
- Type in your inmate's last name or their Inmate ID.
- Select your inmate.
- Input an amount to deposit to your inmate in Monroe County Jail, and then input your payment method.
- NOTE: JailATM's support page lists a deposit limit of $300 a week per inmate and says the limit can be different at each facility.
- If you need to phone JailATM customer support, call 877-810-0914.
For all information, tips and procedures for sending money to an inmate in Monroe County Jail, or depositing money at the jail, over the phone or by mail, check out our Send Money Page for Monroe County.
We’ve compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for everything you need to know about Monroe County Jail’s Inmate Money and Trust Fund Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 618-939-8651 for further assistance.
⇓ Learn more ⇓ Show lessHow Do I Receive Phone Calls from an Inmate in the Monroe County Jail?
How Do Inmates in Monroe County Jail Make Phone Calls?
To receive phone calls from inmates in Monroe County, or to assist them in making phone calls to other people, follow these steps:
- Monroe County Jail uses the services of a company named Inmate Sales.
- Register with them online or call them at 877-998-5678.
- Agents are available M-F from 8:00 AM - 12:00 midnight EST, Saturdays from 10:00 AM - 9:00 PM, and speak both English & Spanish.
- Services for Monroe County inmates and their families and friends include: Collect Calling, PIN Debit, Purchasing Calling Cards, Deposits, Messaging & Video Visitation.
For all the information regarding phone calls with Monroe County inmates; rules, policies, phone calling times, limits and more visit our Inmate Phone Page.
We’ve compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for everything you need to know about Monroe County Jail’s Inmate Phone Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 618-939-8651 for further assistance.
⇓ Learn more ⇓ Show lessHow do I Mail an Inmate in the Monroe County Jail, and what can I send them?
Monroe County Jail Inmate Mail Guidelines
Postcards
Ask the Monroe County Jail whether it accepts postcards, and what size and type, before mailing one. Always include your name and return address.
Envelopes
The Monroe County Jail also allows envelopes to be mailed to inmates. It is best to only use blue or black ink.
Postcards and envelopes MUST HAVE the sender's full name and return address on the envelope.
Postcards and envelopes MUST be mailed to the following address:
Inmate's Full Name & Inmate ID#
Monroe County Jail
225 East Third Street
Waterloo, IL 62298
Legal Mail
Send all Legal Mail to this Address:
Inmate's Full Name & Inmate ID#
Monroe County Jail
225 East Third Street
Waterloo, IL 62298
Newspapers
Newspapers may also be mailed to an inmate as long as they are shipped directly from the publisher.
Magazines
News, special interest or sports magazines may also be mailed to an inmate as long as they are shipped directly from the publisher. Any magazines that contain profanity, weapons, pornography or other content that is adult in nature will be confiscated by the jail staff and will NOT be delivered to the inmate.
Books
Ask the Monroe County Jail whether books can be mailed in, and whether they must come straight from a publisher or retailer such as Amazon, Barnes & Noble or Books-A-Million. You can order them directly from your computer and have them shipped to the inmate at the address noted.
Books must NOT contain images or content that are considered excessively violent, pornographic or obscene. Any book that does not meet the Monroe County Jail standards will be disposed of.
Ask the Monroe County Jail whether hardcover books are accepted.
All newspapers, magazines and books are to be shipped to:
Inmate's Full Name & Inmate ID#
Monroe County Jail
225 East Third Street
Waterloo, IL 62298
Monroe County Jail Inmate Mail Policies and Address - What Can You Send, and Where?
For inmates receiving mail in the Monroe County Jail there are different addresses and policies depending on the inmate's status, as well as what type of mail they are receiving; personal mail, legal mail, subscriptions or books sent from a third-party such as Amazon.
All mail is to be shipped to the Monroe County Jail:
Inmate's Full Name & Inmate ID#
Monroe County Jail
225 East Third Street
Waterloo, IL 62298
For complete information on mail policies, what you can send an inmate and what address to send them, check out our Inmate Mail page.
We’ve compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for everything you need to know about Monroe County Jail’s Inmate Mail Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 618-939-8651 for further assistance.
⇓ Learn more ⇓ Show lessCan I purchase Commissary Online for an Inmate in the Monroe County Jail, and what can I purchase?
JailATM – Send Money or Send Commissary Gift Packs to Monroe County Jail
Search for JailATM services for Monroe County Jail.
Make an inmate deposit with JailATM for Monroe County Jail.
Note: While JailATM offers the following inmate services, Monroe County Jail may not allow all of them. Check on the JailATM website to confirm. Services available through JailATM are subject to change with no notice.
Send Gift Packs
Monroe County Jail has an agreement with JailATM, which ships predetermined Gift Packs of candy, snacks and hygiene products to the inmate. Check the JailATM website to see if they allow Gift Packs.
These can be ordered by you online and are delivered directly to the inmate.
How to Send a Carepack Commissary Package Directly to an Inmate in Monroe County
To send a commissary carepack (food, snacks and goods) directly to an inmate in Monroe County Jail follow these steps:
- Go to JailATM, choose Illinois, then choose Monroe County Jail
- Type in your inmate's last name or their Inmate ID.
- Select your inmate, and then you will be prompted to Register with them to open an account.
- Select the products you want shipped to them at Monroe County Jail, and then input your payment method.
- NOTE: There may be a limit on how much product you can send your inmate in Monroe County at any one time.
- If you need to phone customer support, call 877-810-0914
For all information, tips and available items for shipping Commissary packages or sending money to an inmate in Monroe County Jail check out our Commissary Instructions Page for Monroe County.
We’ve compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for everything you need to know about Monroe County Jail’s Commissary Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 618-939-8651 for further assistance.
⇓ Learn more ⇓ Show lessHow Can I Communicate with an Inmate in the Monroe County Jail using an Online Messaging Service?
Monroe County Jail uses the services of Inmate Sales to allow text messaging communication between inmates and their friends and family.
Chirping is the product name for inmate texting.
This product allows inmates to send chirps (texts) to friends and family members.
Here's how it works:
- First you must register, and then funds are added to the inmate's account. If you want to pay by phone, call 877-998-5678.
- When an inmate gets the device they may send 5 free automated messages each day for the first three days of possession of the chirping device.
- These automated messages will inform the person the inmate Chirped who is sending the Chirps and the facility they are Chirping from.
- It will then ask them to go to a direct link to the inmate's account on the Inmate Sales website.
- The website will then instruct them to use a credit card to put money on the inmate's account.
Cost of Chirping:
- If an inmate has available funds on their chirping device they will be able to chirp any cell phone and that chirp will appear to be a normal text.
- If you wish to stop receiving Chirps from an inmate, reply to the Chirp with STOP.
How to Send a Secure Email Message to an Inmate in Monroe County
To send a secure email message to an inmate in Monroe County Jail follow these steps:
- Register with Inmate Sales, the company that handles inmate messaging in Monroe County, by creating an account.
- Select Illinois, then select Monroe County Jail, and then the inmate you want to send your message to.
- Choose the amount of money you want to spend, and input your payment method. The funds can also be used by the inmate to send a message back to you.
- If you want to pay by phone, call 877-998-5678.
- NOTE: All messages between you and your inmate will be permanently recorded and seen by the staff and could be used against your inmate in court.
- Chirping is the product name for inmate texting.
- This product allows Monroe County inmates to send chirps (texts) to friends and family members.
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Inmate Sales Apps
iphone app
Google Play app
For all information on how to Text/Email an Inmate in Monroe County Jail check out our Secure Messaging Guide for Monroe County.
We’ve compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for everything you need to know about Monroe County Jail’s Text and Email Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 618-939-8651 for further assistance.
⇓ Learn more ⇓ Show lessDo Inmates in the Monroe County Jail have Access to Tablets or Computers?
Monroe County Jail now offers Inmate Sales Tablets to their inmates.
Inmate Sales also handles inmate phone systems, video visitations, email and texting (they call it chirping) and digital letters.
The tablets are not directly connected to the internet, and inmates can use them for the following activities:
- Phone Calls - Inmates may make calls directly from their tablet allowing for more privacy. The rates are the same as the phones in the unit, and the calls are still recorded and monitored.
- eMessaging - Communicate via a text based message or picture.
- Job Search - Inmates have the ability to see what jobs are available when they are released.
- Education - Free educational platform and course catalog that provides thousands of educational resources.
- Self Help -Inmates have daily access to mental health and addiction recovery programming.
- Music - Top-40, Hip-Hop, Country, Rock, Gospel, and more.
- Law Library - Legal research with up-to-date case information.
- eBooks - Thousands of available titles.
- Religion - Religious resources for spiritual guidance.
- Games - Inmates can play their favorite games. Available through monthly subscriptions
- Facility Services - Digital access to submitted forms, requests, facility documents, and notifications from staff.
Here's how it works:
- Register here. It is recommended you use Chrome or Firefox.
Questions:
- By phone - 877-998-5678
Monroe County Jail now offers Inmate Sales Tablets to their inmates.
Inmate Sales also handles inmate phone systems, video visitations, email and texting (they call it chirping) and digital letters.
The tablets are not directly connected to the internet, and inmates can use them for the following activities:
Here's how it works:
- Register here. It is recommended you use Chrome or Firefox.
Questions:
- By phone - 877-998-5678
We’ve compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for everything you need to know about Monroe County Jail’s Tablet Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 618-939-8651 for further assistance.
⇓ Learn more ⇓ Show lessWhat are the other Jails in the Neighboring Counties surrounding Monroe County?
Nearby counties
This facility, known as "Monroe County Jail" is also known as Monroe County Jail , Monroe County Jail , Illinois, Monroe.

