Whitley County Jail Inmate Bail & Bonds

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Whitley County Jail

Address:
101 West Market St
Columbia City, IN 46725
Phone:
260-244-7119

Using GTL/gettingout to make bail payments

How to make a bail payment using gettingout.com

  • gettingout.com assists you in using their banking system to make bail payment for your inmate.  
  • At this time, you cannot make bail payments online, but you can either do it at the Whitley County Jail, or over the phone by calling 866-516-0115.

Who do I call to find out the Bond for an Inmate?

Please call the jail at 260-244-7119 for the type of bond and any information that is required for a particular individual at Whitley County Jail.
A bond is set according to a court-approved schedule.
The purpose of the bond is to assure the offender's appearance in court.

Instructions on how to post Bail or Bond in Whitley County

Because Whitley County and Indiana can change their bail bond procedures, it is always best to call either the Whitley County Jail at 260-244-7119, or the court in the jurisdiction (i.e. Municipal Court, District Court, etc.) where the offender was charged, right after an arrestee has been booked. 

Ask the staff at the Whitley County Jail or the Whitley County Court Clerk these specific questions:

  1. Is the defendant eligible for bail or a bond?
  2. How much will the bail or bond be, and what are the additional fees?
  3. Where do I go to pay it?
  4. Are there any days or times of the day or night when I cannot post bail?
  5. What types of payment are allowed? Cash? Money order? Credit card? What types of credit cards? Property or other collateral? Surety bonds?
  6. Do I have to use a bail or bond agent?

If you feel the bail is too high and you wish to get it reduced, contact a lawyer or the defendant's public defender and get them to look into what they can do to get a bail reduction. The sooner you get working on this the quicker you will get your loved one released. 

This entire process will go smoother and faster with a criminal attorney or bail agent handling it for you.

Option 1 - How to Post Bail using Cash for a Defendant at Whitley County Jail

The first option, a cash bond, is to pay the full bail amount in cash, cashier's check, or money order. Personal Checks are not accepted.

Depending on the crime, this amount could be anywhere from $100 to $75,000 or more.

To pay a cash bond, go to Whitley County Jail or to the court where the bail hearing occurred. Going directly to the jail will quicken the release of the defendant as any bail paperwork processed at the court will have to be transferred to the jail.

Cashier's Checks and Money Orders may be made out to Whitley County Jail where the defendant is being held, but usually to the Whitley County Sheriff's Office or to the Whitley County Court.

To purchase money orders visit any Western Union, Moneygram or Post Office.

Option 2 - How to Post a Private or Surety Bond for a Defendant at Whitley County Jail

In the event that someone does not have the full bond amount available to him or her, there is what is called a private bond or surety bond.

This is an agreement made with a bail agent or bondsman who will post the full bail amount. In return, the defendant and/or cosigner will pay a premium to the bail agent. This premium will be 10-15% of the full bail amount.



For example, if bail is posted at $5,000, then the premium will cost approximately $500-$750.

A bail agent will often require some form of collateral, for example, a lien on a house, a car or jewelry. This is to ensure that if the defendant skips bail, or does not appear in court, the bail agent has some sort of compensation for the full bail amount being paid.

Remember, by making an agreement with a bail agent the signatory takes responsibility for paying the full bail amount if the defendant does not appear in court.

Option 3 - How to Post a Property Bond for a Defendant at Whitley County Jail

If you are a landowner in Whitley County you may be able to post a property bond. Property within Whitley County may be used as collateral to bail someone out. All owners of the property must be present to sign the bond in order for this to happen.

To find if property located outside of Whitley County can be used as collateral, call a local bail or bond agent or contact a defense lawyer.

Click here for additional information on how to post bail at Whitley County Jail.

Who can post Bail or Bond for a Defendant at Whitley County Jail?

Anyone over the age of 18 who can produce a valid government-issued photo ID can post bail. Accepted forms of ID include a Photo Driver's License, Passport, or Motor Vehicle issued ID.

In many circumstances, if the defendant has the resources, they can post their own cash bail from jail.

Surety Bonds are arranged by a third party, typically a Indiana state licensed Bail Bond firm.

Juveniles may only be bailed or bonded out of custody by a parent or legal guardian.

Whitley County Justice System Flowchart

When will the Cash Bail or Collateral be returned to me?

Money or collateral will not be returned until the defendant's court case is finished, so realistically it could take several months to years, depending on the severity of the charges. If a defendant posts his or her own bail, Whitley County Court may retain whatever amount of fines or fees have accumulated throughout the trial.

What happens to my Bail or Collateral if the Defendant misses Court?

The Whitley County Judge may order a failure to appear warrant for the person's arrest or the Judge may order a Bail Commissioner's Letter be issued that will be sent to the person with a new court date.

If cash bail was paid, the entire amount may be forfeited.

Whitley County Jail now offers Homewav ComPAS™ (Portable Access System) tablets to their inmates.


 
Homewav is the same company that handles the inmate phone system, video visitations, email and texting and digital letters.

The tablets can be rented on a monthly basis and while not directly connected to the internet, the inmates can use them for phone, visits, messages, education, self-help and entertainment.

Questions:

To learn more about Homewav tablets, the dozens of features, cost and how to get one delivered to your inmate, check out our Inmate Tablet page.

 

How an Inmate Makes a Phone Call to You or Others from Whitley County Jail

To set up a phone account so that your inmate can call you from Whitley County do the following:

1. Enroll in an account with Securus Technologies.

2. Choose one of three account types, Securus Debit, Advance Connect or Direct Bill.
3. Choose [facility_name_1}, then connect with your inmate.
4. If you have any questions, call Securus: 972-734-1111 or 800-844-6591.

To find out fees, how to's, calling times, limits on phone calls and other systems Securus has do that you can communicate with your Whitley County inmate, check out our Inmate Phone Page.
NOTE: All of your inmate's phone calls are recorded and stored. It is advised not to discuss their pending case.

 

How to Bail out an Inmate in Whitley County

To Bail out or Post Bond for an Inmate in Whitley County Jail follow these steps:

For complete Instructions on How to Bail or Bond an Inmate in Whitley County Jail, check out our Inmate Bail page.

 

Depositing Money for Communicating with an Inmate

How to Make a Deposit for Phone, Email or Visitation using GettingOut.com

Whitley County Jail uses GettingOut for some or all of its communication services with an inmate.

If you want to deposit money using this company for your use or your inmate's account, there are four ways to do it:

  • Online - They accept all major credit cards including Visa, MasterCard, Discover and American Express.
  • At the Whitley County Jail using the kiosk in the jail lobby - (cash, debit or credit card) NOTE - Whitley County Jail may require identity verification so bring your driver’s license or some other form of ID.
  • By phone by calling 866-516-0115 - They have bi-lingual operators are standing by 24 hours 7 days a week to assist you with your deposit. Major credit cards accepted are Visa, MasterCard, Discover and American Express.
  • By using their app, either Android or iphone. - All credit cards mentioned above are accepted.

For all the information you need to know, including tips, guidelines and warnings about depositing money in a Whitley County Jail inmate's account for communication services, check out our Send Money page.

 

How to Communicate with an Whitley County Jail Inmate by Mail and by Email

To mail or email an inmate in Whitley County follow these steps:

When mailing a letter or postcard to an inmate, please follow these instructions:

  • All mail sent to an inmate at the Whitley County Jail must include the sender's name and mailing address in the top left corner of the envelope or postcard.
  • All mail must include the facility's address, as well as the inmate's name and assigned number.
  • Failure to include your return address will most likely result in your mail NOT being delivered and your letter destroyed.
  • The Whitley County Jail has a zero-tolerance policy regarding mail violations. 
  • All the information you need to understand mail and email policies can be found on our Inmate Mail Page and our Text/Email an Inmate Page.

Emailing Messages & Photos

Facility_name_1} contracts with GTL GettingOut, the same service that handles iInmate Phone Systems and Video Visitation, for sending secure messages and photos between you and your inmate.
 
If you are not already registered, do so here, or Log in.

Then use the Facility Finder to:
1.  Select Whitley County Jail,
2. Add your inmate to your list of contacts,
3. Add a credit or debit card to cover your costs.

  • Messages can be up to 500 characters long, including punctuation. At the bottom of your message there is a 'character countdown' feature.  
  • After you click the “CONTINUE” button, you can review the cost to send your message to your inmate. You can also attach credits for your inmate to reply to your message.  Be sure to accept the Terms and Conditions and click the “SEND” button for your message to be successfully delivered to your inmate.
  • You can also send your Whitley County inmate photos and videos.

Customer Service Questions
'Online' Contact Form, or
Call   866-516-0115

Go here to this FAQ to get answers to how the transition to ViaPath from GTL and gettingout will affect your account.

All the information you need to understand mail and email policies for Whitley County can be found on our Inmate Mail Page and our Text/Email an Inmate Page.

 

How Do You Visit an Inmate in Whitley County Jail?

To visit an inmate in Whitley County, whether by video or in person 'at the jail', follow these steps:

Other than 'at the jail' visits between you and your inmate, which is explained and outlined in detail on our Visit Inmate Page, Whitley County remote video inmate visitation can be done using the services of GettingOut. 

There are three ways to remotely visit your inmate in Whitley County Jail:
1.  Using the GettingOut Kiosk at the jail.
2. Using your computer from home.
3. Using your phone on the GettingOut apps.

To remotely visit an inmate in Whitley County follow these steps:
1.  Start by confirming that Whitley County Jail's Video Visitation is working correctly by looking up Whitley County here.
2.  The next step is to create an account here for GettingOut.
3. Then add funds to your account.
4. Last, select Whitley County Jail, and then the inmate you wish to communicate with.

Other Whitley County Services provided by GettingOut:
 - Phone Calls & Voicemail 
 - Email, Photo & Video Sharing
-  Inmate Tablet Rental
-  Deposits

Customer Service
If you have any questions about the Whitley County Jail Visitation Services you can call them at 866-516-0115.
Frequently Asked Questions

* All the information you need to have complete knowledge about inmate visitation; policies, rules, fees, schedules, tips, dress codes, and children, lawyers and clergy visitation in Whitley County, can be found on our Visit Inmate Page.

Whitley County Jail Phone: 260-244-7119

 

How Do Inmates in Whitley County Jail Make Phone Calls?

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

  • Whitley County Jail uses the services of HOMEWAV.
  • Register with them online or call them at 844-394-6639. 
  • Agents are available from 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM CST, 7 days a week, 365 days a year, and speak both English & Spanish.
  • Services for Whitley County inmates and their families and friends include Collect Calling, PIN Debits or Purchasing Calling Cards.

For all the information regarding phone calls with Whitley County inmates; rules, policies, phone calling times, video, messaging, time limits and more, visit our Inmate Phone Page.

 

How to Visit or Email an Inmate in Whitley County Indiana or visiting an inmate at the jail

To visit or email an inmate in Whitley County follow these steps:

  • In addition to visiting inmates at the jail, Whitley County Jail uses a video visitation service called HomeWav.
  • Register and Sign Up Here.
  • Complete all steps of the registration process to get full access to Whitley County Jail inmate communication services.
  • Add ‘Talk to me Funds’ to your account using your credit or debit card.
  • Then you just wait for your Whitley County inmate to communicate.
    How do you add Funds to your account?
  • Once you are logged in, click “Add Talk to Me Funds".
  • Type in the amount of dollars you want to add to your account.
  • Click “Update”.
  • Choose a way to pay (Credit, debit, or prepaid card).

Who do you contact if you are having any problems arranging the remote video visit, phoning or emailing of an inmate in Whitley County?
Call HomeWav support at 314-764-2872, or toll free 844-394-6639.
Monday – Friday 
9:00AM to 6:00PM EST
Saturday – Sunday 
8:00AM to 6:00PM EST

NOTE: All communications between you and your inmate at Whitley County Jail will be recorded and stored. Do not discuss your inmate's case or other sensitive information as it can be used against them (or you) in court.

For full instructions on all the benefits of using Homewav to visit a Whitley County inmate, visiting an inmate at the jail itself, email and texting an inmate, rates, policies, rules, dress codes, bringing children, attorney and clergy visits and more, go to our official Visit Inmate Page. 

 

How to Send Money to an Inmate in Whitley County

To send commissary money to an inmate in Whitley County Jail follow these steps:

  • Register with correctpay by creating an account.
  • Select Indiana, then select Whitley County Jail, and then the inmate you want to send money to.
  • Choose the amount of money you want to send, and input your payment method.
  • You can deposit money four ways:
  • Deposit online at correctpay.com.
  • Deposit at the VendEngine kiosk in the Whitley County Jail lobby.
  • Deposit over the phone 24/7 at 855-836-3364
  • Deposit through their iOS or Android app.

For all information on how to Send Money to an inmate's account, what the fees are, how long it takes to hit their account and more, check out our full money and commissary guide for Whitley County Jail.

 

How to Send Commissary Money to an Inmate in Whitley County

To send commissary money to an inmate's account in Whitley County Jail follow these steps:

You can deposit money four different ways:

  • Deposit online at correctpay.com.
  • Deposit at the VendEngine kiosk in the Whitley County Jail lobby.
  • Deposit over the phone 24/7 at 855-836-3364
  • Deposit through their iOS or Android app.

24/7 Customer Service - 855-836-3364
Frequently Asked Questions

For all information, tips and available items for send money and for shipping Commissary packages to an inmate in Whitley County Jail check out our Commissary Instructions Page for Whitley County.