Allen Parish Jail
Allen Parish Inmate Search and Mugshots, Oberlin
Use the sheriff's free inmate roster to see who is locked up in Allen Parish right now, with a booking photo on each entry. The roster covers the jail inside the Public Safety Complex at 7340 LA-26 West, Oberlin, LA 70655, which takes arrests from Oakdale, Kinder, Elizabeth, Reeves and the rural roads between.
Below you will find how to read the roster, what a missing name means, bond and court contacts, federal and immigration holds, and a phone for every town.
The detention desk answers at 337-639-4353.
Read inmate search answers
Read inmate search answers1. Where is the Oberlin jail?
- Address: Allen Parish Public Safety Complex, 7340 LA-26 West, Oberlin, LA 70655. It stands on the north side of the highway just west of town.
- Detention center: 337-639-4353.
- Sheriff's office: 337-639-4353 is also the line the sheriff gives for jail questions.
The same complex houses 911 dispatch, patrol and the warrants office, so most errors can be sorted out in one stop.
The state corrections directory lists Kinder City Jail separately from the parish jail in Oberlin. After a Kinder arrest, call 337-738-2600 to ask whether the person is still held locally or has been transferred. Check the parish roster once you know which agency has custody.
↑ Back to the question list2. What does each roster entry show?
Open the roster and search by name or sort by date. Newest bookings sit at the top. Each line carries: - a booking number - the arresting agency - the booking date - the charges - a photo
Bond amounts can trail the real numbers, so confirm by phone.
↑ Back to the question list3. Are mugshots available in Oberlin?
Yes. In late October 2026 every name on the Oberlin roster had a booking photo. For a copy, members of the press or public can ask the sheriff at 337-639-4353. Act 281 of 2024 let Louisiana agencies release booking photos before trial starting August 1, 2024. Under that same law, a website charging money for removal must drop the image free within 7 days for anyone cleared, never charged, pardoned or expunged. ICE detainee photos are sought through ICE's FOIA page; federal arrest photos stay with the U.S. Marshals.
↑ Back to the question list4. I can't find the name. What now?
Possible reasons: bond was posted, intake is still going, the person went to a hospital, or another parish made the arrest. Oakdale and Kinder sit near three parish lines, so also try: - Jefferson Davis Parish Jail - Evangeline Parish Jail - Beauregard Parish Jail - Rapides Parish Detention Center
A two-minute call to 337-639-4353 beats guessing.
↑ Back to the question list5. Was it a ticket instead of a jail stay?
For minor offenses, an officer may write a summons listing a court day. No booking follows, so the roster stays blank. Mayor's courts in the small towns and the district court in Oberlin hear these. Go on the date written on the paper, or a warrant can follow.
↑ Back to the question list6. How fast is the first court hearing?
Louisiana's Article 230.1 requires a judge to see anyone still jailed within 72 hours of arrest, though Saturdays, Sundays and holidays don't count. The judge looks at bail and can name a public defender. If the deadline passes without a hearing, release on personal recognizance follows.
↑ Back to the question list7. How is the bond amount chosen?
Judges of the 33rd Judicial District set it, weighing the charge, past arrests and the odds of showing up for each date. Choices include cash, a property bond, a signature bond, or a bondsman, who may charge at most 12 percent. The roster amount may lag, so ask the jail. Our Allen bail guide goes deeper.
↑ Back to the question list8. Where is bond money taken?
Start at the detention desk, 337-639-4353, for the total and accepted payment types. Bond papers and refunds after the case are kept by the Clerk of Court at the courthouse, 400 W. Sixth Avenue, Oberlin, LA 70655, 337-639-4351. Mail: P.O. Box 248, Oberlin, LA 70655.
↑ Back to the question list9. Where is the case heard?
Felony and state misdemeanor cases go to the 33rd Judicial District Court in the Oberlin courthouse. The district attorney's office is at 105 S. 5th Street, Oberlin, LA 70655 (P.O. Box 839), 337-639-2641, open 8 to noon and 1 to 4 on weekdays. See our court guide for each stage.
↑ Back to the question list10. Who provides a free lawyer here?
People short on money for counsel get one named at that first hearing. The defender office is in the courthouse building, 400 West Sixth Avenue, Oberlin, LA 70655, 337-639-2475, weekdays 8 to 3. Families may call to learn how screening works.
↑ Back to the question list11. How can I learn the full charge and court date?
The roster lists charge names only. For the docket number and next date, phone the clerk at 337-639-4351 with the name and birthday. The DA's office answers questions about whether charges were filed.
↑ Back to the question list12. Can the jail give prescription medicine?
Ring the detention center at 337-639-4353 and ask for medical. Share the drug names, doses and the pharmacy. Jail medical staff decide what is given. Raise any suicide worry right away.
↑ Back to the question list13. How do I visit, call or send money?
The sheriff posts visiting rules in its jail section; call 337-639-4353 for more information. Our guides cover each topic: - Visiting - Phone calls and tablet messages - Deposits - Mail
Our jail store guide explains how Oberlin inmates buy snacks.
↑ Back to the question list14. How long after bond until they walk out?
Usually a few hours while records are cleared and property is returned. Ask the desk before you drive to LA-26 so you are not waiting in the lot.
↑ Back to the question list15. Where do people with DOC sentences go?
After sentencing they often wait in Oberlin until state corrections moves them to a reception center and then a prison. Phone the state locator at 225-383-4580 with a DOC number, or with name and birth date. Our Louisiana state prisons list covers every site.
↑ Back to the question list16. Could there be a warrant?
The sheriff's warrants office sits inside the Public Safety Complex in Oberlin and can be reached at 337-639-4353. A warrant from a town court goes through that town hall instead. Allen Parish doesn't publish a list of names, and the state of Louisiana has no public warrant search, so asking by phone is normal. If it turns out there is one, a lawyer can arrange for your family member to surrender at Allen Parish Jail, and having bond lined up keeps the stay short. Skipped an Oberlin hearing? The Clerk of Court at 400 W. Sixth Avenue (337-639-4351) can say how to request a new one.
↑ Back to the question list17. What about a child under 17?
Allen keeps under-17 suspects apart from adults, and whether they stay locked up is a juvenile judge's call. The clerk at 337-639-4351 can point you to the juvenile section. A 17-year-old charged on or after April 19, 2024, is handled as an adult.
↑ Back to the question list18. What if the arrest was federal?
Federal prosecutions here run through the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Louisiana, Lake Charles Division. Clerk: 611 Broad Street, Suite 188, Lake Charles, LA 70601, 337-437-3870. Oberlin defendants on federal charges first face a magistrate judge. That judge applies the Bail Reform Act (18 U.S.C. 3142) and chooses release terms or detention after a pretrial services report, with no money schedule. Pretrial federal prisoners can be boarded in parish jails by the U.S. Marshals, Lake Charles office, 611 Broad Street, Suite 137, Lake Charles, LA 70601, 337-437-7213. Once sentenced, use the BOP inmate locator.
↑ Back to the question list19. What if immigration places a hold?
In plain steps: 1. Booking fingerprints reach federal systems, and ICE may lodge a detainer. 2. Paying the parish bond leaves that detainer in place. 3. Oberlin staff can keep the person for up to 48 hours beyond their release time so ICE can take custody. 4. With no pickup in that window, the detainer lapses. 5. Act 314 of 2024 tells Louisiana agencies to honor detainers.
Look the person up in the ICE detainee locator using the A-number with country of birth, or else name plus birthday. ICE's New Orleans Field Office is at 181 James Drive W, St. Rose, LA 70087; detention questions go to 888-351-4024.
↑ Back to the question list20. Can I be told when they move?
Register with LA VINE to follow someone held in Oberlin. The free service tracks custody statewide, and Oberlin transfers or releases set off an alert by text, call or email.
↑ Back to the question list21. Is that phone call about bail real?
Be wary of anyone who calls you first asking for payment cards or app transfers. Bond money goes only to the Oberlin jail, the clerk's office, or an agent you hired yourself. Check with the jail at 337-639-4353 first.
↑ Back to the question list22. Who are the police agencies in Allen Parish?
Check the arresting agency on the roster, then call: - Allen Parish Sheriff's Office: all rural areas and backup for towns, 337-639-4353. - Oakdale: city hall 318-335-3629. - Oberlin: town hall 337-639-4333. - Kinder: town hall 337-738-2620. - Elizabeth: village hall 318-634-5100. - Reeves: village hall 337-749-2000.
Ask any of those halls for the local chief. State troopers patrol the highways. All of them book state prisoners into the Oberlin jail. Emergencies in Oberlin go to 911.
↑ Back to the question listAllen Parish Bail and Bond, Oberlin, Louisiana
How bail and release work in Oberlin. The sheriff runs the parish jail inside the Allen Parish Public Safety Complex, 7340 LA-26 West, Oberlin, LA 70655.
Bond questions go to the detention center at 337-639-4353.
Allen Parish is a rural parish in southwest Louisiana, with Oberlin as its seat and Oakdale, Kinder, Elizabeth and Reeves as its other towns.
1. Who knows the bond figure?
The sheriff's own roster notes that charges and bail amounts can change after court, so bond companies and families should call detention staff at 337-639-4353 for the correct amount, charges and case numbers. The sheriff's bonding office sits in the front wing of the same building.
↑ Back to the question list2. Where is the jail building?
The complex is on the north side of LA-26 as you leave the Oberlin town limits heading west. It opened in 2015 and also holds parish dispatch and 911, patrol and the warrants office. See the inmate search page for the list of who is held there.
↑ Back to the question list3. How many days until an Oberlin judge hears it?
Under Article 230.1, a judge must see anyone held in jail within 72 hours, leaving out weekends and holidays. This is where a lawyer gets appointed for people who cannot pay. Missing that deadline means release on the person's own word to come back.
↑ Back to the question list4. What forms can bail take?
Louisiana's Article 321 allows a licensed bail company, a pledge of property by a friend or relative, a signed promise by a surety without property, the defendant's own signature, or a full cash deposit. The two forms without security are not allowed for crimes of violence or felony gun charges.
↑ Back to the question list5. Which payments count as cash?
Article 326 accepts currency, certified or cashier's checks, money orders, and federal or state bonds. Call 337-639-4353 before you go to learn what the bonding office takes at the hour you plan to arrive.
↑ Back to the question list7. Where is the Allen Parish clerk?
The Clerk of Court keeps its office in the courthouse at 400 W. Sixth Avenue, Oberlin, LA 70655, and you can phone it at 337-639-4351. Mail goes to P.O. Box 248, Oberlin, LA 70655. The clerk keeps the bond paperwork and handles refunds when a case ends.
↑ Back to the question list8. Can a cash bond be returned?
It is returned after the final ruling if every hearing was attended. The court can first keep fines and costs from it, so check with the clerk on the likely refund. For adding money to an inmate account, read our money guide.
↑ Back to the question list9. What does a missed date in Oberlin cost?
A judge may sign a warrant and begin bond forfeiture, and a bail company may come after its signer to cover losses. Article 312 also lets a court refuse bail later for some people who failed to appear.
↑ Back to the question list10. Will a detainer stop the release?
Bail set by the parish court does not lift a hold from ICE, another parish or a federal agency. Act 314 of 2024 asks Louisiana agencies to support federal immigration enforcement and work with detainers. Search the ICE locator to see if a transfer happened. Federal charges here go before a U.S. magistrate in Lake Charles.
↑ Back to the question list11. Do teenagers get bail too?
A person who was 17 or older when the offense happened, on or after April 19, 2024, is handled as an adult and can be bailed like one. Younger children go to juvenile court, where a judge decides about detention.
↑ Back to the question listAllen Parish Jail Inmate Visitation
Friends and Family – Official Allen Parish Sheriff pages include a Visitation Rules path for Allen Parish Jail, but a public day-and-clock visiting timetable is not posted there. Call the jail at 337-639-4353 for the current visiting rules and to confirm that the person you hope to see is still in custody there.
JailATM Video Visitation allows families to conduct scheduled face-to-face video visits with incarcerated loved ones from home. Using an internet-connected personal computer equipped with a webcam or a compatible mobile device, visitors can join live video calls without traveling to the detention center.
Important: Advance Registration and Visitor Clearance Required
Detention centers do not permit unscheduled or unverified video sessions. Correctional facilities require prospective visitors to submit government-issued photo identification and receive administrative clearance before booking an appointment, an approval process that can take up to 48 hours depending on facility staffing. You should verify your visitor approval status with the facility prior to scheduling. If you do not register well in advance, you will miss your loved one's scheduled visiting window for the week.
Step-by-Step Instructions to Register and Schedule a Video Visit
- Visit deposits.jailatm.com/webdeposits/ and sign into your account.
- Register your visitor profile and upload a clear photograph of your government-issued ID (driver's license or passport) for facility background review.
- Wait for email notification confirming facility visitor approval.
- Select Video Visitation, choose the detention facility, and select the inmate.
- Browse the available schedule calendar, select an open time slot, and pay the visitation fee using a credit or debit card.
- Log into the website 10 minutes prior to the start time on a device with a functioning camera, microphone, and reliable high-speed internet connection.
What the Inmate Needs to Do
The inmate receives a visitation notification on their housing unit JailATM kiosk. At the appointed time, they log in with their PIN and sit before the terminal. Inmates and visitors must strictly observe jail dress and conduct rules; sessions are monitored by staff and will terminate immediately upon any violation.
Official Provider: JailATM Official Website
Customer Service Telephone: 1-877-810-0614
Support Hours: Monday – Friday, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM CST
Supported Languages: English and Spanish
Other Services Provided by JailATM
In addition to Remote Video Visitation, JailATM provides several other communication, financial, and commissary services at participating facilities:
- Inmate Trust & Commissary Money Deposits: Send money directly into an inmate's jail trust account for independent commissary spending.
• Learn more on our website: Inmate Trust Deposits Guide | • Visit official vendor page: JailATM Trust Deposits - Commissary Gift Packs & Store Ordering: Order pre-approved snack boxes, food packages, and clothing directly to the jail.
• Learn more on our website: Commissary Orders Guide | • Visit official vendor page: JailATM Store Orders - Digital Messaging & Picture Sharing: Send electronic messages and photos directly to an inmate's housing unit kiosk.
• Learn more on our website: Digital Messaging Guide | • Visit official vendor page: JailATM Messaging
Allen Parish Criminal Court, Oberlin, Louisiana
The 33rd Judicial District Court serves only Allen Parish and sits in the courthouse at 400 W. Sixth Avenue in Oberlin.
It has two divisions, A and B. The Clerk of Court files criminal cases and can be called at 337-639-4351.
Use the case number to confirm the next hearing and the courtroom with the clerk named on the court notice.
1. Who handles which part of a case?
- Clerk of Court: case files and bond papers. 400 W. Sixth Avenue, Oberlin, LA 70655, 337-639-4351.
- District attorney: decides what to charge. 105 S. 5th Street, Oberlin, LA 70655 (P.O. Box 839), 337-639-2641. Open 8 to noon and 1 to 4 on weekdays.
- Public defender: courthouse building, 400 West Sixth Avenue, Oberlin, LA 70655, 337-639-2475. Open weekdays 8 to 3.
2. How long does the DA have to file charges?
For someone in custody, Article 701 sets 30 days for a misdemeanor and 60 for a felony, and 120 days when death or life is possible. If no charge is filed in time, the defense can ask the court for release. Arraignment comes within 30 days after filing.
↑ Back to the question list3. How does someone get a public defender?
At the first appearance, a judge names one for anyone unable to pay for a lawyer. Families can call 337-639-2475 during office hours to ask how screening works. The office serves only this parish.
↑ Back to the question list4. How do I reach a court division?
Division A answers at 337-639-2266 and Division B at 337-639-2256. Staff there can tell you the date and courtroom, but not give legal advice. Have the full name and case number ready.
↑ Back to the question list5. Can I look up a criminal file?
Visit the clerk's office in Oberlin or call 337-639-4351. The clerk also offers paid online access through a statewide paid records portal. Copies of court papers carry a fee.
↑ Back to the question list6. What about cases against minors?
Children under 17 at the time of the act are handled in juvenile court. The DA's office has a juvenile clerk, reached through the main line at 337-639-2641. Since April 19, 2024, 17-year-olds face adult court.
↑ Back to the question list7. Which federal court covers Allen Parish?
The Western District of Louisiana, Lake Charles Division. The clerk is at 611 Broad Street, Suite 188, Lake Charles, LA 70601, 337-437-3870. Find federal prisoners with the BOP inmate locator.
↑ Back to the question list8. Where can I learn about bail?
Our bail guide explains Oberlin bond options. For an Oberlin amount, the detention center answers at 337-639-4353.
↑ Back to the question list9. Who in Allen Parish handles a warrant from the district court?
Warrants from the 33rd Judicial District Court are served by the Allen Parish Sheriff's Office, whose warrants staff work out of the Public Safety Complex in Oberlin and answer at 337-639-4353. You won't find a warrant list posted online for the parish. Nor does Louisiana give families a statewide search; the Clerk of Court keeps the case file at 400 W. Sixth Avenue in Oberlin, phone 337-639-4351, and the Oberlin staff there can walk you through having a skipped hearing reset. Most people settle a warrant by turning themselves in at Allen Parish Jail alongside their lawyer, ideally with the bond already arranged.
↑ Back to the question list
CommissaryOrder.com allows friends and family members to purchase pre-approved food boxes, snack assortments, hygiene essentials, and personal apparel kits sent directly to an incarcerated loved one. Each package is packed to meet strict correctional security guidelines, ensuring the items clear institutional intake without being rejected at the loading dock.
Important: Package Delivery Windows Vary Across Facilities
Jails do not follow uniform rules for incoming packages. Some facilities permit weekly orders, while others limit care packages to monthly or quarterly cycles, and you should call the facility to confirm their active cutoff schedules and purchase limits. If you delay placing your order past the weekly processing deadline, your loved one may have to wait an entire extra cycle before receiving basic personal care supplies, warm undergarments, or supplemental snacks.
Step-by-Step Instructions to Order an Approved Care Package
- Obtain the inmate's full legal name, date of birth, and assigned inmate identification number.
- Visit www.commissaryorder.com and click on Place Order.
- Select the state and the facility where your loved one is currently housed.
- Search for the inmate using their ID number or legal last name to unlock the facility's pre-approved catalog.
- Browse the store categories—including meats, cheeses, ramen soups, baked snacks, toiletries, and clothing—and add items up to the facility's allowed spending limit.
- Review your cart to verify item eligibility, enter your credit or debit card details, and submit your order.
- Print and save your digital order receipt containing the tracking confirmation code.
What the Inmate Needs to Do
The inmate does not need an outside account to receive the package. The items are shipped directly to the jail commissary department in tamper-evident packaging. Correctional staff inspect the box and deliver it to the inmate during the facility's designated commissary delivery schedule, where the inmate signs for the shipment.
Official Provider: CommissaryOrder.com Official Portal
Customer Support Email: Support@CommissaryOrder.com (Always include the facility name, inmate name, and booking ID)
Support Response Hours: Monday – Friday, 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM EST (Responses within two business days)
Supported Languages: English
Other Services Associated with CommissaryOrder.com
Depending on facility contracts, trust funding options are also available to support independent canteen purchases:
- Inmate Trust & Canteen Money Deposits: Send cash directly to an inmate's personal account so they can choose and buy their own items inside.
• Learn more on our website: Inmate Trust Money Deposits Guide | • Visit official vendor page: CommissaryDeposit.com Money Transfers
Buy Commissary for an Inmate in the Allen Parish Jail
Allen Parish Jail Inmate Commissary - Sending Money or Purchasing Commissary for an Inmate
Allen Parish Jail allows inmates to purchase commissary. This can be snacks, hygiene products, stamps, stationary, clothing and even electronics.
You can buy commissary for an inmate using an online service called Commissary Order.
There is a monthly limit of $200-300 on how much inmates can spend on commissary items.
This amount is subject to change so call the facility at 337-639-4353 in order to confirm the amount that cannot be exceeded.
Inmates have access to both an in-house commissary store, and commissary packages that can be purchased and shipped to the inmate by friends and family.
Scroll down for information on the Allen Parish Jail's service they use for you being able to purchase commissary items online and have them shipped directly to the inmate.
You can also go to our Inmate Money page for information on how to send money to an inmate.
CommissaryDeposit.com provides a secure web platform for friends and family to deposit funds directly into an incarcerated individual's institutional trust and canteen account. Money sent through this service allows inmates to purchase daily essentials, food items, over-the-counter medication, hygiene products, and correspondence stationery from the facility commissary.
Important: Inmate Account Intake Policies Differ by Facility
Once a person is booked and moved to a housing unit, facilities do not always allow cash drop-offs or phone payments directly to the jail window. Some might and you should confirm this by calling the facility and asking. But if you do not register online and fund your loved one's trust account immediately, they may be forced to wait days or weeks for standard paper processing, leaving them without essential soap, clean undergarments, basic medical sundries or snacks. Note also that any funds deposited may be subject to facility collections for outstanding booking fees or medical co-pays according to local rules.
Step-by-Step Instructions to Register and Deposit Funds
- Confirm the inmate's current housing facility, their legal first and last name, and their official inmate booking ID number.
- Navigate to www.commissarydeposit.com and click on Deposit Money.
- Select the state and facility from the drop-down directories.
- Search for the inmate using their ID number or last name and verify the record match to ensure you do not send funds to the wrong individual.
- Enter your phone number to receive a one-time verification code via SMS text or automated voice call.
- Specify the deposit dollar amount, review the calculated convenience fees (fixed fee plus percentage fee), and enter your debit or credit card billing details.
- Submit the payment and save the digital confirmation receipt for your financial records.
What the Inmate Needs to Do
The inmate does not need an internet account to receive funds. Once the electronic payment clears, the funds post directly to their ledger balance in the jail's internal commissary management system. The inmate can verify their balance on their weekly account slip or at a dayroom kiosk terminal to place orders during the next scheduled commissary cycle.
Official Provider: CommissaryDeposit.com Official Portal
Customer Support Email: Support@CommissaryDeposit.com (Requests must include facility name, inmate name, and inmate ID)
Support Response Hours: Monday – Friday, 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM EST (Response within two business days)
Supported Languages: English
Other Services Associated with CommissaryDeposit.com
Depending on the detention facility contract, additional commissary package ordering options may be supported:
- Direct Commissary Package Ordering: Order pre-packaged snack boxes and hygiene bundles sent directly to the inmate.
• Learn more on our website: Commissary Package Ordering Guide | • Visit official vendor page: CommissaryDeposit.com Store Orders
Deposit Money for an Inmate in the Allen Parish Jail
The Easiest and Securest Way of Depositing Money for an Inmate
There are several methods for depositing money on an inmate's account:
1. To send money online to an inmate in the Allen Parish Jail use Commissary Deposit.
NOTE: Commissary Deposit provides support by email only. Your request must include the facility name, inmate name, and inmate ID. Requests without these details will not be serviced.
2. Deposit cash or use a debit or credit card using a dedicated kiosk for this purpose. The machine is located in the lobby or visitation area of the Allen Parish Jail.
3. The Allen Parish Jail may also allow you to *mail an inmate a money order or cashier’s check from a trusted source such as the Post Office, a local bank, or Western Union. The money order should be be made out to either the inmate or the Allen Parish Sheriff's Office, with the inmate’s name and ID# on the memo line of the check. To confirm this option call the facility at 337-639-4353.
*When mailing a money order or cashier’s check, send it an envelope by itself. Never send it with a letter or photos for your inmate, unless the facility allows it. Never send personal checks or cash.
4. The Allen Parish Jail has a reception desk that may accept cash, money orders or cashier checks. Call 337-639-4353 to find out the specific hours for drop off times.
Send an Inmate Mail in the Allen Parish Jail
The Allen Parish Jail is part of the Allen Parish Public Safety Complex on Highway 26 just outside Oberlin. It holds people arrested in the parish and also houses federal immigration detainees in separate dorms. All mail, whether for a local inmate or a detainee, goes to the sheriff's corrections post office box in Oberlin.
Mail of every kind (letters, legal mail, publications, money orders):
Inmate's Full Name & Inmate ID #
Allen Parish Corrections
PO Box 278
Oberlin, LA 70655
- Immigration detainees: Add the last four digits of the detainee's A-number to the envelope. Their mail is opened and checked for contraband but not read. After a transfer or release only legal mail is forwarded, and other letters go back to the sender.
- Your return address: Your name and full address go in the top left corner, or the letter is likely destroyed.
- Ink: Stick with a pen in blue or black ink. Felt markers, crayons and colored ink aren't allowed, and neither are lipstick or perfume.
- Envelope contents: Only the letter itself goes in, with no drawings, glitter or confetti added.
- Greeting cards: Plain cards are allowed. Musical cards are not.
- Books: New paperbacks from the publisher or a store only. Hardcovers and spiral-bound books are refused, and books about violence, sex, gangs, drugs or escapes are sent back.
- Money orders: Make a money order or cashier's check out to the person's full name and write their inmate ID number on it, or their A-number for a detainee, then mail it to the post office box. If you are unsure, call 337-639-4353 to confirm. Allen Parish also takes online deposits.
- Packages: Care packages come only through the jail's commissary provider. A detainee may get items needed for travel or release only with approval from the ICE deportation officer, so call the mail clerk at 337-639-4353, extension 351, before mailing one.
Short notes can also be sent as electronic messages, which staff review first.
NCIC Inmate Communications provides telecommunications services that allow incarcerated individuals to place outbound voice calls from dayroom telephones to family and friends. Because correctional facilities do not permit incoming phone calls, establishing an NCIC prepaid calling account connects calls directly to your cell phone or landline without being blocked by wireless carriers.
Important: Mobile Phones Automatically Block Inmate Calls
Cellular phone carriers automatically reject standard collect calls originating from jail phone systems. While some residential landlines might permit direct monthly billing, mobile devices and internet-based telephone lines require an active prepaid calling balance, which you can verify by checking with your provider. If you do not register online and fund an NCIC account right away, your loved one will receive an automated disconnect announcement when attempting to call your number.
Step-by-Step Instructions to Register and Fund an Account
- Visit account.ncic.com or call NCIC customer care at 1-800-943-2189.
- Click Create Account and register using the primary 10-digit telephone number where you want to receive calls.
- Select the state and correctional facility where your loved one is currently detained.
- Search for and add the inmate using their full legal name or booking ID number.
- Select your deposit dollar amount and enter your debit or credit card billing details.
- Submit payment and ensure your mobile phone settings allow calls from automated or unfamiliar correctional numbers.
What the Inmate Needs to Do
The inmate dials your 10-digit number from any dayroom telephone and keys in their assigned PIN. The automated system verifies that your phone number has an active prepaid balance and prompts you to press a digit to accept the call. All personal telephone conversations are recorded and monitored by facility staff.
Official Provider: NCIC Official Website
Customer Service Telephone: 1-800-943-2189
Support Hours: 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year
Supported Languages: English and Spanish
Other Services Provided by NCIC Inmate Communications
In addition to Prepaid Phone Calling, NCIC provides several other digital communication and visitation services at participating facilities:
-
Remote Video Visitation: Schedule and join live face-to-face video visits from home using your computer or smartphone.
• Learn more on our website: Video Visitation Guide | • Visit official vendor page: NCIC Video Visits -
Inmate Messaging Services: Send electronic messages and photos directly to an inmate's housing unit terminal.
• Learn more on our website: Inmate Messaging Guide | • Visit official vendor page: NCIC Messaging
JailATM Digital Messaging allows friends and family to exchange electronic letters and family photos directly with an incarcerated individual through housing unit kiosks. Messages and approved digital attachments clear facility screening in hours, eliminating the lengthy transit delays associated with traditional postal mail.
Important: Electronic Mail Screening and Rules Vary
Inmates cannot receive incoming phone calls, and traditional postal mail rules differ across correctional agencies. While some facilities still allow regular handwritten letters, many jails have transitioned to digital-only mail scanning or restrict postal delivery, which you can verify by checking facility rules. If you do not register online and purchase messaging credits immediately, your loved one may face lengthy periods without direct written contact from family.
Step-by-Step Instructions to Register and Send Messages
- Go to deposits.jailatm.com/webdeposits/ and sign in or create a user profile.
- Select Messaging from the available services dashboard.
- Select your state and facility, then search for the inmate using their full legal name or booking ID.
- Purchase messaging credits using a major debit or credit card.
- Compose your message in the text editor and attach approved JPEG photos if permitted by facility guidelines.
- Submit your message to the facility's screening queue.
What the Inmate Needs to Do
All electronic correspondence is screened by facility staff before delivery. Once approved, the message arrives in the inmate's inbox on their housing unit JailATM kiosk. The inmate logs in with their PIN, opens the message, views any attached photos, and types an electronic reply using their available credits.
Official Provider: JailATM Official Website
Customer Service Telephone: 1-877-810-0614
Support Hours: Monday – Friday, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM CST
Supported Languages: English and Spanish
Other Services Provided by JailATM
In addition to Digital Messaging & Picture Sharing, JailATM provides several other communication, financial, and visitation services at participating facilities:
- Inmate Trust & Commissary Money Deposits: Send money directly into an inmate's jail trust account for independent commissary spending.
• Learn more on our website: Inmate Trust Deposits Guide | • Visit official vendor page: JailATM Trust Deposits - Commissary Gift Packs & Store Ordering: Order pre-approved snack boxes, food packages, and clothing directly to the jail.
• Learn more on our website: Commissary Orders Guide | • Visit official vendor page: JailATM Store Orders - Remote Video Visitation: Schedule and join live video visits from home using your computer or smartphone.
• Learn more on our website: Video Visitation Guide | • Visit official vendor page: JailATM Video Visits
JailATM (operated by Tech Friends, Inc.) provides secure handheld tablets to incarcerated individuals in county detention facilities. Operating on an encrypted facility network, these tablets give inmates access to digital messaging, scanned mail review, video calls, institutional requests, educational materials, and entertainment options directly from their housing pods.
Important: Tablet Hardware Deployment and Rental Rules Vary
Detention centers do not manage tablet distribution identically. While some agencies issue individual personal tablets to every detainee at booking, others utilize shared pod docking stations or restrict tablet use to specific dayroom hours, which you should confirm with the facility directly. Although core educational and legal resources are generally provided free of charge, sending messages, listening to music, or making phone calls from the tablet requires an active balance funded by outside contacts.
Step-by-Step Instructions to Support and Fund JailATM Tablets
- Confirm that JailATM / Tech Friends tablets are active at your loved one's specific detention facility.
- Navigate to deposits.jailatm.com/webdeposits/ on your computer or mobile device.
- Sign into your verified user profile and link the inmate's legal name and booking ID number.
- Select Tablet Funds or Inmate Trust Deposits from your services dashboard.
- Specify your deposit amount, review convenience fees, and enter your credit or debit card billing details.
- Submit payment, save your confirmation receipt, and notify your loved one that funds have posted to their account.
What the Inmate Needs to Do
The inmate unlocks their assigned tablet using their unique inmate PIN or biometric scan. Their available balance appears on the screen, allowing them to download music, read scanned correspondence, write messages, and participate in scheduled video visits. Devices are returned to charging carts during facility quiet hours and shift counts.
Official Provider: JailATM Official Website
Customer Service Telephone: 1-877-810-0614
Support Hours: Monday – Friday, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM CST
Supported Languages: English and Spanish
Other Services Provided by JailATM
In addition to Tablet Services, JailATM provides several other communication, financial, and store services:
- Inmate Trust & Commissary Money Deposits: Send money directly into an inmate's jail trust account for independent commissary spending.
• Learn more on our website: Inmate Trust Deposits Guide | • Visit official vendor page: JailATM Trust Deposits - Commissary Gift Packs & Store Ordering: Order pre-approved snack boxes, food packages, and clothing directly to the jail.
• Learn more on our website: Commissary Orders Guide | • Visit official vendor page: JailATM Store Orders - Digital Messaging & Picture Sharing: Send electronic messages and photos directly to an inmate's kiosk or tablet.
• Learn more on our website: Digital Messaging Guide | • Visit official vendor page: JailATM Messaging - Remote Video Visitation: Schedule and join live video visits from home using your computer or smartphone.
• Learn more on our website: Video Visitation Guide | • Visit official vendor page: JailATM Video Visits
- Jail (Main): 337-639-4353