St. Joseph County Jail

To search for an inmate in the St. Joseph 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 574-245-6500 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.

St. Joseph County Jail Inmate Search

The St. Joseph County Jail maintains an average of 829 offenders in custody on any given day. The St. Joseph 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 St. Joseph County law enforcement agencies arrest and detain approximately 18,380 offenders.

How Do You Visit an Inmate in the St. Joseph County Jail? What is the Schedule?

St. Joseph County Jail on-site Inmate Visitation Schedule

401 W. Sample Street
South Bend, IN 46601
574-245-6500

• 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

St. Joseph 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

St. Joseph 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:

1. Make sure you have a device a speaker, a camera and a connection to the internet.
2. Register with Inmate Sales.
3. Find St. Joseph County Jail
4. Select 'New Purchase'
5. Choose this facility and a product ('Remote' or 'Onsite' Visit)
6. Enter your personal information and purchase minutes.
7. 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 St. Joseph County Jail’s Inmate Visitation Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 574-245-6500 for further assistance.

Can I Use My Computer or Phone to Have a Remote Video Visit with an Inmate in the St. Joseph County Jail?

St. Joseph County Jail ON-SITE (at the jail) VIDEO VISITATION SCHEDULE
401 W. Sample Street
South Bend, IN 46601
574-245-6500

Schedule Video Visits online with GTL

• On-site Visits are free.
• Visits are 30 minutes.
• Visitation schedule subject to change.
• Inmates are allowed two visits per week
• A maximum of 2 guests are allowed per an On-site video session.

St. Joseph County Jail REMOTE (at home) VIDEO VISITATION SCHEDULE

• All visits must be scheduled at least 24 hours in advance.
• Visitation Schedule subject to change.

We’ve compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for everything you need to know about St. Joseph County Jail’s Video Remote Visitation Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 574-245-6500 for further assistance.

How Do You Deposit Money for an Inmate in the St. Joseph County Jail?

How to Deposit Money in an Inmate's Commissary Account at St. Joseph County Jail

Inmates are allowed to have an account at the facility in order to purchase commissary items such as snacks, hygeine products, phone cards and stationary. These are the instructions on how to deposit money with them, pick up money they had with them when they were arrested, and how much money they need.


For complete information on inmate money and commissary issues, check out our Inmate Money page.

We’ve compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for everything you need to know about St. Joseph County Jail’s Inmate Money and Trust Fund Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 574-245-6500 for further assistance.

How Do I Receive Phone Calls from an Inmate in the St. Joseph County Jail?

How Do Inmates in St. Joseph County Jail Make Phone Calls?

To receive phone calls from inmates in St. Joseph County, or to assist them in making phone calls to other people, follow these steps:

• St. Joseph 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 St. Joseph County inmates and their families and friends include: Collect Calling, PIN Debit, Purchasing Calling Cards, Deposits, Messaging & Video Visitation.

iphone app
Google Play app

For all the information regarding phone calls with St. Joseph 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 St. Joseph County Jail’s Inmate Phone Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 574-245-6500 for further assistance.

How do I Mail an Inmate in the St. Joseph County Jail, and what can I send them?

St. Joseph County Jail Inmate Mail Guidelines

Postcards
The St. Joseph County Jail allows inmates to receive pre-metered postcards like the type purchased from the post office. They may also allow certain photo postcards as long as they have not been tampered with or contain images that may be considered to be obscene or violent in nature. It is best to only use blue or black ink. Always include your name and return address.

Envelopes
The St. Joseph 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#
St. Joseph County Jail
401 W. Sample Street
South Bend, IN 46601

Legal Mail

Send all Legal Mail to this Address:
Inmate's Full Name & Inmate ID#
St. Joseph County Jail
401 W. Sample Street
South Bend, IN 46601

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
The St. Joseph County Jail allows books to be mailed directly to the jail from a reputable source 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 St. Joseph County Jail standards will be disposed of. 
Hard cover books will not be accepted by the jail due to their potential to be used as a weapon.

All newspapers, magazines and books are to be shipped to:
Inmate's Full Name & Inmate ID#
St. Joseph County Jail
401 W. Sample Street
South Bend, IN 46601

St. Joseph County Jail Inmate Mail Policies and Address - What Can You Send, and Where?

For inmates receiving mail in the St. Joseph 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 St. Joseph County Jail:
Inmate's Full Name & Inmate ID#
St. Joseph County Jail
401 W. Sample Street
South Bend, IN 46601

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 St. Joseph County Jail’s Inmate Mail Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 574-245-6500 for further assistance.

Can I purchase Commissary Online for an Inmate in the St. Joseph County Jail, and what can I purchase?

St. Joseph County Jail provides an in-house commissary service for inmates to use money in their account to purchase snacks, hygeine products, phone cards and stationary supplies.

• Commissary purchases are allowed at least once per week.
• There is a limit of $300 per month that any inmate can spend on these products.
• Instructions on how to deposit money is listed below. 

How to Deposit Money in an Inmate's Commissary Account at St. Joseph County Jail

Inmates are allowed to have an account at the facility in order to purchase commissary items such as snacks, hygeine products, phone cards and stationary. These are the instructions on how to deposit money with them, pick up money they had with them when they were arrested, and how much money they need.


For complete information on inmate money and commissary issues, check out our Inmate Money page.

We’ve compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for everything you need to know about St. Joseph County Jail’s Commissary Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 574-245-6500 for further assistance.

How Can I Communicate with an Inmate in the St. Joseph County Jail using an Online Messaging Service?

St. Joseph 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:  

• Inmates will be charged a monthly service fee of $4.00.  Inbound and Outbound Chirps are $0.10 each.
• 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.

iphone app
Google Play app

How to Send a Secure Email Message to an Inmate in St. Joseph County

To send a secure email message to an inmate in St. Joseph County Jail follow these steps:

• Register with Inmate Sales, the company that handles inmate messaging in St. Joseph County, by creating an account.
• 
• Select Indiana, then select St. Joseph 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 St. Joseph County inmates to send chirps (texts) to friends and family members.
-  Inmates will be charged a monthly service fee of $4.00.
-  Inbound and Outbound Chirps are $0.10 each.

Inmate Sales Apps
iphone app
Google Play app

For all information on how to Text/Email an Inmate in St. Joseph County Jail check out our Secure Messaging Guide for St. Joseph County.

We’ve compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for everything you need to know about St. Joseph County Jail’s Text and Email Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 574-245-6500 for further assistance.

Do Inmates in the St. Joseph County Jail have Access to Tablets or Computers?

St. Joseph 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 can be rented on a monthly basis (or are given to the inmate use for a limited time) and while not directly connected to the internet, the 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. Fee based system.
• 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.
• You get charged a full month even if it's only used for a partial month.
• No activation or early termination fees.
• Your inmate will recieve their tablet in 3-5 business days, after you pay.

Questions:

• By phone - 877-998-5678

iphone app download

Google Play download

St. Joseph 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 can be rented on a monthly basis (or are given to the inmate use for a limited time) and while not directly connected to the internet, the inmates can use them for the following activities:

Here's how it works:

• Register here.  It is recommended you use Chrome or Firefox.
• You get charged a full month even if it's only used for a partial month.
• No activation or early termination fees.
• Your inmate will recieve their tablet in 3-5 business days, after you pay.

Questions:

• By phone - 877-998-5678

iphone app download

Google Play download

We’ve compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for everything you need to know about St. Joseph County Jail’s Tablet Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 574-245-6500 for further assistance.

What are the other Jails in the Neighboring Counties surrounding St. Joseph County?