Jay County Jail
Jay County Jail
Reach the 152-bed Jay County Jail for inmate information 24 hours a day, seven days a week, at 260-726-8188.
Following an arrest for a misdemeanor or felony in this county, suspects are brought here for booking and processing. When required by the charges, they are held until they bond out, are released on their own recognizance, or are ordered to stay until the disposition of their trial.
Search the jail’s roster of current inmates with the inmate search tool.
Inmates found guilty and sentenced to less than a year serve that sentence locally. Those sentenced to longer terms serve in the Indiana State Prison System or the Federal Bureau of Prisons.
This page explains the visitation schedule, inmate account funding, mailing an inmate, receiving inmate calls, voicemail, email and text services, tablet rentals, bail bonds, and commissary purchases.
The inmate’s booking number or jail ID is often required for communication, so save it. If it’s not online, call Jay County Jail at 260-726-8188.
Inmate Services
Other Jails and Prisons
To search for an inmate in the Jay 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 260-726-8188 for the information you are looking for. You can also look up information on any Adult Criminal Court Case. If you need a Public Defender, a criminal lawyer paid for by the state, check out this page that keeps updated lists of them.
The Jay County Jail maintains an average of 152 offenders in custody on any given day. The Jay 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 Jay County law enforcement agencies arrest and detain approximately 3,040 offenders.
⇓ Learn more ⇓ Show lessThe Jay County Jail in Indiana has a capacity of approximately 152 inmates. The Jay County Jail has a "pod" layout, with self-contained housing arranged around an outdoor yard. Each pod has a central control station and a common room. It is the main jail in Jay County, Indiana, and hosts minimum, medium and maximum security inmates. The facility was originally constructed in 1984 and underwent renovations and additions to relieve overcrowding over the past several decades.
Both the Jay County Jail and the Jay County Sheriff Office are located in the Jay County Security Center. It is through this building that all new arrests for both felony and misdemeanor offenders will be booked and processed, wait for their trial, and serve sentences. Long sentences that are over a year may be transferred to a larger facility nearby. Having offenders remain in their own community and stay close to their family and their friends can improve recidivism rates and increases their ability to have contact with loved ones.
Mental health has been shown to be better when this contact can be maintained, and this helps to improve the safety of the jail for both inmates and staff. Online access allows for everyone to see the lists of inmates, their bail, their charges, and other key information with additional information available by calling 260-726-8188.
A work crew is also operated from this jail, and it allows for inmates to use their time completing work tasks for the county and the facility, earning time off of their sentence often and filling their days. Medical and mental health care is provided, along with healthy meals, recreation, and exercise opportunities.
Inmates may receive mail where it will be checked for contraband, and inmates will be able to respond to mail, which will also be checked, with all mail going through the USPS.
A phone system allows for inmates to make outgoing calls from their housing units, with phone banks that are placed outside of the cells.
Each inmate will also be provided with an account to store their money for commissary and other purchases or fees, which can be added to by their loved ones who are not incarcerated through the website.
Visits are also available and encouraged, with hours being Sunday through Saturday 12:00pm-7:00pm.
All personal mail is sent to:
Inmate's Full Name & Inmate ID #
Jay County Jail
224 W. Water Street
Portland, IN. 47371
Staff will open each piece and look for contraband, which is removed before it is given to the inmate.
Legal mail, money orders, books and newspaper and magazine subscriptions are mailed to:
Inmate's Full Name & Inmate ID #
Jay County Jail
224 W. Water Street
Portland, IN. 47371
- Jail (Main): 260-726-8188
- Sheriff: 260-726-8189
How does the booking process work at Jay County Jail?
Once someone is arrested, they are taken to Jay County Jail for booking. This process involves identifying the individual, determining charges, and deciding if they will be released on their own recognizance, released on bail, or held in custody until their court date.
It’s important for the arrestee to stay silent, as anything they say can be used against them. The best advice is to avoid answering any questions about the arrest until legal counsel is present.
The booking process at Jay County Jail typically includes the following steps:
- Verifying identity.
- Taking a mugshot.
- Answering questions regarding medical, mental health, and substance use history.
- DNA collection, if required.
- Conducting a thorough search.
- Confiscating personal belongings.
- Providing a free phone call.
For questions about paying an arrestee’s bond or bail amount, contact the facility at 260-726-8188.
What is the process to pay bail for someone detained in Jay County?
After an individual is apprehended and taken to Jay County Jail in Portland for booking, their release options vary based on the situation:
1. They might be released without bail, on the condition they appear in court on a scheduled date.
2. They may be detained until their court appearance.
3. They may be eligible for release after posting a bail or bond. Call 260-726-8188 for the exact bail amount.
There are different ways to settle an individual's bail or bond.
- To post a cash bond, pay the full amount at the jail bonding window or the clerk's office by cash, cashier's check or money order; many facilities also accept cards at a lobby kiosk or through an online bond vendor for a fee, and you will need the inmate's full name and booking number (jail phone: 260-726-8188).
- A licensed bail bondsman in Jay County can assist with payment.
- Real property such as land or a house is accepted as collateral by many courts, provided the owner proves clear title and equity worth at least the bond, frequently twice the bond, with a deed and a current tax or appraisal value; the court that set bail signs off on it.
For more information on the bail process in Jay County, Indiana, visit the Jay County Jail Bail Information Page.
⇓ Learn more ⇓ Show lessHow Do You Visit an Inmate in the Jay County Jail? What is the Schedule?
Jay County Jail ON-SITE VISITATION SCHEDULE
224 W. Water Street
Portland, IN 47371
260-726-8188
- Visits are 15 minutes. Two free visits onsite per week.
- You must be on the inmate's visitor list. Two adults and one child per visit.
- Register for video visits with Inmate Sales.
- The actual visitation times may depend on the inmate and their housing location. Call 260-726-8188 and get your inmate's times and make an appointment to visit.
- Visitors must have a government issued photo ID.
- Dress professionally with non-revealing clothing.
ON SITE VISITATION SCHEDULE - ALWAYS CALL 260-726-8188 TO CONFIRM VISITATION SCHEDULE!
| DAY | TIMES |
| SUNDAY | 8:00PM - 7:30PM |
| MONDAY | 8:00PM - 7:30PM |
| TUESDAY | 8:00PM - 7:30PM |
| WEDNESDAY | 8:00PM - 7:30PM |
| THURSDAY | 8:00PM - 7:30PM |
| FRIDAY | 8:00PM - 7:30PM |
| SATURDAY | 8:00PM - 7:30PM |
Jay 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 Jay 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 Jay County Jail’s Inmate Visitation Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 260-726-8188 for further assistance.
⇓ Learn more ⇓ Show lessCan I Use My Computer or Phone to Have a Remote Video Visit with an Inmate in the Jay County Jail?
REMOTE VISITATION SCHEDULE
| DAY | TIMES |
| SUNDAY | 8:00PM - 7:30PM |
| MONDAY | 8:00PM - 7:30PM |
| TUESDAY | 8:00PM - 7:30PM |
| WEDNESDAY | 8:00PM - 7:30PM |
| THURSDAY | 8:00PM - 7:30PM |
| FRIDAY | 8:00PM - 7:30PM |
| SATURDAY | 8:00PM - 7:30PM |
We’ve compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for everything you need to know about Jay County Jail’s Video Remote Visitation Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 260-726-8188 for further assistance.
⇓ Learn more ⇓ Show lessHow Do You Deposit Money for an Inmate in the Jay 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
Jay 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 Jay 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 #
Jay County Jail
224 W. Water Street
Portland, IN. 47371
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 Jay County
To deposit money online for an inmate in Jay County Jail follow these steps:
- Register to open an account, or Sign In to JailATM, the deposit service used for inmates at Jay County.
- After registering and signing in, select 'Send Money Now'.
- Choose Indiana, then choose Jay 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 Jay 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 Jay County Jail, or depositing money at the jail, over the phone or by mail, check out our Send Money Page for Jay County.
We’ve compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for everything you need to know about Jay County Jail’s Inmate Money and Trust Fund Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 260-726-8188 for further assistance.
⇓ Learn more ⇓ Show lessHow Do I Receive Phone Calls from an Inmate in the Jay County Jail?
How Do Inmates in Jay County Jail Make Phone Calls?
To receive phone calls from inmates in Jay County, or to assist them in making phone calls to other people, follow these steps:
- Jay 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 Jay 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 Jay 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 Jay County Jail’s Inmate Phone Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 260-726-8188 for further assistance.
⇓ Learn more ⇓ Show lessHow do I Mail an Inmate in the Jay County Jail, and what can I send them?
We’ve compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for everything you need to know about Jay County Jail’s Inmate Mail Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 260-726-8188 for further assistance.
⇓ Learn more ⇓ Show lessCan I purchase Commissary Online for an Inmate in the Jay County Jail, and what can I purchase?
JailATM – Send Money or Send Commissary Gift Packs to Jay County Jail
Search for JailATM services for Jay County Jail.
Make an inmate deposit with JailATM for Jay County Jail.
Note: While JailATM offers the following inmate services, Jay 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
Jay 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 Jay County
To send a commissary carepack (food, snacks and goods) directly to an inmate in Jay County Jail follow these steps:
- Go to JailATM, choose Indiana, then choose Jay 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 Jay County Jail, and then input your payment method.
- NOTE: There may be a limit on how much product you can send your inmate in Jay 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 Jay County Jail check out our Commissary Instructions Page for Jay County.
We’ve compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for everything you need to know about Jay County Jail’s Commissary Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 260-726-8188 for further assistance.
⇓ Learn more ⇓ Show lessHow Can I Communicate with an Inmate in the Jay County Jail using an Online Messaging Service?
Jay 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 Jay County
To send a secure email message to an inmate in Jay County Jail follow these steps:
- Register with Inmate Sales, the company that handles inmate messaging in Jay County, by creating an account.
- Select Indiana, then select Jay 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 Jay 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 Jay County Jail check out our Secure Messaging Guide for Jay County.
We’ve compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for everything you need to know about Jay County Jail’s Text and Email Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 260-726-8188 for further assistance.
⇓ Learn more ⇓ Show lessDo Inmates in the Jay County Jail have Access to Tablets or Computers?
Jay 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
Jay 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 Jay County Jail’s Tablet Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 260-726-8188 for further assistance.
⇓ Learn more ⇓ Show lessWhat are the other Jails in the Neighboring Counties surrounding Jay County?
The Jay County Jail serves the following cities and towns of Jay County: Dunkirk and Portland.