Ellis County Detention Center Inmate Bail & Bonds

Ellis County Detention Center

Address:
105 West 12th Street
Hays, KS 67601

Phone:

785-625-1050

Ellis County Announces a Major Bail Bond Change - January 4, 2023

Effective in 2023 all Kansas and Ellis County judges will consider the following factors when setting an offender's bond:

  • The nature and circumstances of the offense
  • The defendant's record of previous convictions
  • The defendant's past record of appearance in court after being admitted to bail
  • The defendant's family ties
  • The defendant's employment record
  • The defendant's financial resources
  • The defendant's character and mental condition
  • The defendant's community ties

Find out an inmate's bond by looking them up on the Ellis County Detention Center Inmate Roster, or by calling 785-625-1050.

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

Please call the jail at 785-625-1050 for the type of bond and any information that is required for a particular individual at Ellis County Detention Center.
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 Ellis County

Because Ellis County and Kansas can change their bail bond procedures, it is always best to call either the Ellis County Detention Center at 785-625-1050, 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 Ellis County Detention Center or the Ellis 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 Ellis County Detention Center

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 Ellis County Detention Center 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 Ellis County Detention Center where the defendant is being held, but usually to the Ellis County Sheriff's Office or to the Ellis 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 Ellis County Detention Center

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 Ellis County Detention Center

If you are a landowner in Ellis County you may be able to post a property bond. Property within Ellis 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 Ellis 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 Ellis County Detention Center.

Who can post Bail or Bond for a Defendant at Ellis County Detention Center?

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 Kansas state licensed Bail Bond firm.

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

Ellis 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, Ellis 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 Ellis 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.

How an Inmate Makes a Phone Call to You or Others from Ellis County Detention Center

To set up a phone account so that your inmate can call you from Ellis 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 Ellis 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 Send a Carepack Commissary Package Directly to an Inmate in Ellis County

To send a commissary carepack (food, snacks and goods) directly to an inmate in Ellis County Detention Center follow these steps:

  • Go to JailATM, choose Kansas, then choose Ellis County Detention Center
  • 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 Ellis County Detention Center, and then input your payment method. 
  • NOTE: There may be a limit on how much product you can send your inmate in Ellis 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 Ellis County Detention Center check out our Commissary Instructions Page for Ellis County.


 

How Does an Inmate Make Phone Calls in Ellis County Detention Center?

To receive phone calls from an inmate in Ellis County follow these instructions:

Ellis County Detention Center uses the services of NCIC for inmate phone calling. It is called a ‘friends & family account”.

In order to receive phone calls from your inmate, you need to do the following:

  • Register here, or by phone 800-943-2189
  • Choose Kansas.
  • Choose Ellis County Detention Center
  • Select your Inmate.
  • Enter the phone number your Inmate will be calling.
  • Fund your Account. ($10-$100 at a time)

NOTE:
1.   You cannot receive any calls to your phone number from your inmate until both you and your phone number are registered.
2.  When you do receive a call, the number you will view on your phone from the incoming call is: 800-943-2189.
3.  When allowed by Ellis County Detention Center, families can also leave secure voicemails for inmates to listen to.

Fees

  • Adding funds to your account - $3.00 
  • Cost of phone call of a Prepaid Collect Account - $0.21 per minute
  • Cost of an interstate (ex. Kansas to a different state) phone call NOT Prepaid - $0.25 per minute
  • Cost of an intrastate (ex. Kansas to Kansas) phone call NOT Prepaid - $0.25 per minute
  • Cost if you set up your account (or fund it) by phone using a live agent, you will be charged a one-time fee of $5.95.

NCIC Customer Service
Phone - 800-943-2189 or 903-247-0069
Email – [email protected]
Full list of participating jails.

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


 

How to Deposit Money Online for an Inmate in Ellis County

To deposit money online for an inmate in Ellis County Detention Center follow these steps:

  • Register to open an account, or Sign In to JailATM, a service that acts as a bank for inmates in Ellis County.
  • After registering and signing in, select 'Send Money Now'.
  • Choose Kansas, then choose Ellis County Detention Center
  • Type in your inmate's last name or their Inmate ID.
  • Select your inmate.
  • Input an amount to deposit to your inmate in Ellis County Detention Center, and then input your payment method. 
  • NOTE: There may be a limit on how much money you can send your inmate in Ellis County at any one time.
  • If you need to phone customer support, call 877-810-0914.

For all information, tips and procedures for sending money to an inmate in Ellis County Detention Center, or depositing money at the jail, over the phone or by mail, check out our Send Money Page for Ellis County.


 

How to Have Remote Video Visits and 'At the Jail' Visits with an Inmate in Ellis County

To register and sign up for a remote visitation account with correctpay.com to communicate with your Ellis County Detention Center inmate, follow the instructions below:

Ellis County Detention Center uses the services of correctpay.com (aka JailFunds) for you to schedule and visit your inmate via remote video visitation.

You can ‘video visit’ your inmate one of three ways:

  • Visit from your home computer.
  • Visit from the correctpay VendEngine Kiosk in the Ellis County Detention Center lobby.
  • Visit by using the JailFunds iphone or Android app

Begin the process to schedule a visit:

  • Register by creating an account.
  • Add a payment method.
  • Select Kansas
  • Select Ellis County Detention Center
  • Select your inmate
  • Schedule a visit.

24/7 Customer Service - 855-836-3364

For all the information on remote video visits and 'at the jail' visitation for Ellis County Detention Center, including fees, schedules, how it works and more, check out our Visit Inmate Page.


 

How to Send a Secure Email or Text Message to an Inmate in Ellis County

To send a secure email message and digital photos to an inmate in Ellis County Detention Center follow these steps:

  • Register with correctpay by creating an account.
  • Select Kansas, then select Ellis County Detention Center, 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.
  • 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... So be careful what you write.
  • Uploading photos to Inmate’s email
    Make sure the file size is less than 5MB.
    Also make sure your file is a .jpg, .jpeg or .gif.

For all information on how to Text/Email an Inmate in Ellis County Detention Center and send them photos, check out our Secure Messaging Guide for Ellis County. 
24/7 Customer Service - 855-836-3364