Knox County Jail Inmate Bail & Bonds
Knox County, Maine Bail at the Rockland Jail
This page is a guide to bail, bonds, and release once someone is booked in Rockland, Camden, Thomaston, or the islands of Vinalhaven and North Haven. It explains how the amount is set, how to post it, and why people held more than a few days are moved to Wiscasset. The county's population was 41,117 on July 1, 2025, per the U.S. Census Bureau's Vintage 2025 estimate.
Where is the jail?
The Knox County Jail is at 327 Park St., Rockland, ME 04841, and was built in 1980. Phone: 207-594-0430.
It is a 72-hour holding facility. People who stay longer are moved to the Two Bridges Regional Jail, 522 Bath Rd., Wiscasset, ME 04578.
- Alternative number: Two Bridges booking, release, and bail line, 207-882-4268, ext. 1310
How is the bail amount set?
Knox County uses a court-approved bail schedule. After booking, the officer contacts a bail commissioner if the person is eligible. Call 207-594-0430 to ask what type of bail was set and what papers are needed.
↑ Back to the question listCan someone at the Rockland jail call me?
Yes. Calls from 327 Park St. in Rockland start at booking. Pretrial detainees get two unmonitored calls during booking. Once bail is posted, the person may be allowed to use the booking desk phone to arrange a ride home. Other calls go through housing unit phones; see our phone page.
↑ Back to the question listIs there a fee?
Bring the commissioner's fee to Park Street in its own bills. A bail commissioner may charge up to $60 (15 M.R.S. §1023). If the person qualifies for release, inability to pay that fee should not keep them in jail. Commissary deposits are separate; see our money page and commissary page.
↑ Back to the question listWhat if they were moved to Wiscasset?
The Rockland jail on Park Street keeps people only a short time. If 72 hours pass, the person is likely at the Two Bridges Regional Jail. Bail there can be posted in the reception area 24 hours a day, mostly in cash, plus the $60 commissioner fee. Call 207-882-4268, ext. 1310.
↑ Back to the question listWhat is the Knox release program?
Knox runs its own program out of Rockland. The county runs a corrections release program for some people. Call the jail at 207-594-0430 and choose option 2 to learn more.
↑ Back to the question listIs cash required?
Many people leave the Rockland jail without paying. Not always. 15 M.R.S. §1026 makes personal recognizance or an unsecured bond the default in Maine. Money is required only when needed for court appearance or safety. Class E charges generally cannot carry cash bail, with exceptions for domestic violence, sex crimes, and a few others.
↑ Back to the question listConditions of release
Every Knox release order bans fresh offenses and waives any fight over extradition. Other limits may be added. Violating them is a crime under 15 M.R.S. §1092.
↑ Back to the question listWhere is court?
- Knox County Superior Court, 62 Union St., Rockland, ME 04841; 207-594-2576
- Rockland District Court, 62 Union St., Rockland, ME 04841; 207-596-2240
More on our court page.
↑ Back to the question listCan a lawyer help?
Yes. Bail reviews for Knox cases happen at the Rockland courthouse. A defense lawyer can request a bail review from a judge. Someone who cannot pay for counsel may ask the judge to appoint one through the Maine Commission on Public Defense Services.
↑ Back to the question listGetting bail money back
Cash bail stays with the Union Street court until the case closes. If every appearance was made, the clerk handles repayment; a no-show can result in forfeiture.
↑ Back to the question listICE detainers
The Rockland jail can receive ICE requests. An ICE detainer, Form I-247A, asks for a hold up to 48 hours after they would otherwise be released (8 CFR 287.7(d)). Under 5 M.R.S. §4763 and §4764, neither the Rockland jail nor Two Bridges may detain someone because of that request alone, and the person must be given a copy. Use the ICE detainee locator for current ICE custody.
↑ Back to the question listFederal court
Knox arrests on federal charges leave the Rockland courts. Federal cases go to the U.S. District Court for the District of Maine: 156 Federal St., Portland, ME 04101, 207-780-3356; or 202 Harlow St., Bangor, ME 04401, 207-945-0575.
↑ Back to the question listNearby jails
Start with Rockland at 207-594-0430. Jails serving the neighboring counties:
- Hancock County: Hancock County Jail, 50 State St., Ellsworth, ME 04605; 207-667-7588
- Lincoln County: Two Bridges Regional Jail, 522 Bath Rd., Wiscasset, ME 04578; 207-882-4268
- Waldo County: Waldo County Jail, 10 Public Safety Way, Belfast, ME 04915; 207-338-1080
Knox County Jail
Address:
327 Park Street
Rockland, ME 04841
Phone:
207-594-0430
Frequently Asked Questions about Bail and Bonds in Knox County
What kind of bonds are accepted in Knox County?
Who can set bail in Knox County?
When is bail set in Knox County Maine?
Does Knox County have bail?
Yes, because Maine is a bail state, bail is accepted in Knox County.
What kind of bonds are accepted in Knox County?
Knox County recognizes most types of bonds. The court will consider what type of bonds will be accepted depending on the circumstances of the arrest. Bail is available in several forms including personal recognizance, unsecured bail, cash bail, surety bail or a supervision contract.
Who can set bail in Knox County?
In most cases bail is set by a bail commissioner. For more serious or violent crimes bail must be set by a judge.
When is bail set in Knox County Maine?
If the defendant qualifies for the services of a Knox County bail commissioner bail will be set shortly after arrest. In cases where a judge is required to set bail this will take place at the initial appearance. This hearing is usually scheduled within 48 hours, not including weekends or holidays.
What is Bail?
Bail is what the arrested in Knox County must pay or do to stay out of jail until the first court appearance.
The agreement to bail acts as a promise that the arrested will return to court for court dates and trial. Bail usually refers to a dollar amount, but bail can also mean something that has to be done, or a condition such as reporting to an officer of the court, a curfew, restraining orders or attending a treatment program.
Bail is usually a significant enough amount of money and/or condition that the person will be negatively impacted and has incentive to return to court and not flee. A flight risk usually means that the person would flee the area, and not necessary that they are going to take an airplane.
If a judge in Knox County feels that the arrested will return to court for further proceedings, the arrested could be released under a conditional release without needing to pay bail money. This is called Released on Own Recognizance, or ROR.
Conditions for ROR might be to obey all court orders and laws, maintain contact with the lawyer, report changes in residence or have no contact with the victim. Family support will show the court that there are people who will make sure that the defendant makes it to court.
If the judge or bail schedule determines that the defendant would be a danger to the public if they were released, bail can be denied, and the person will be detained in the Knox County Jail until the case is resolved or goes to trial. Bail can be denied if the defendant did not comply with bail conditions from a previous arrest.
What is the difference between Bail and Bond?
Bail and bond are used interchangeably to mean the same thing but technically, they are different.
The bail is the amount to be paid and a bond is a signed document promising payment of the bail amount with certain conditions.
Think of a bond as a loan to pay for the bail.
The bond payment is always written to the court in your municipality, Knox County or the district court directly and does not go through the defendant. Chances of obtaining a bond from a bond company or clerk of court are better if family is involved.
The thought of being in jail can cause the arrested to panic and try to secure a bond immediately.
DO NOT panic and take the time to understand all the options.
More courts are now trying to work with defendants to make bail work and might provide non-monetary options or even reduce the bail.
On the other hand, as anyone who has ever been involved in their criminal defense understands, fighting your case while ‘out on the streets’ gives you a much better chance of either winning, or getting a more favorable sentence.
What are the different types of bonds in Knox County?
Based on a review of information from the arrest, the judge or bail officer will determine and notify the accused of which types of bonds are available to them. Maine courts will process bonds, eliminating the need for a professional bond company.
There are three types of bonds recognized by the Maine courts:
1. A personal recognizance bond which is the promise and signed statement of the defendant to abide by conditions of release and return to court when ordered. There is no money or property (almost always real estate) to be put up. The bail commissioner may charge up to a $60 fee.
2. An unsecured Bond is when the defendant is released without paying bail upfront, but they must pay the full amount if they do not appear in court. The bond commissioner can charge up to a $60 fee to execute this type of bond. If the defendant fails to appear in court or violates a condition of bail, the judge may issue a warrant for arrest.
3. A secured Bond is when the defendant pays a portion of the bail up front in cash, or property. If they show to court, the cash or property (valued at least 1 ½ the amount of bail) would be returned and if they don’t show up to court, would have to pay the entire bail amount. The bail commissioner may charge up to a $60 fee.
A professional bondsperson makes money, at least 10% of the bond amount by providing you with a bond. They are not often used in Maine because the courts can execute bonds and do not charge as much as a bondsperson would. The defendant or surety does not get that 10% or more back even if the terms of the bail are met.
(There have been phone scams where a bond company calls and informs a person that their family member has been arrested and they ask for financial information. A bondsperson will not call asking for money without involvement of the arrested.)
Does Knox County have bail?
Yes, because Maine is a bail state, bail is accepted in Knox County.
What kind of bonds are accepted in Knox County?
Knox County recognizes most types of bonds. The court will consider what type of bonds will be accepted depending on the circumstances of the arrest. Bail is available in several forms including personal recognizance, unsecured bail, cash bail, surety bail or a supervision contract.
Who can set bail in Knox County?
In most cases bail is set by a bail commissioner. For more serious or violent crimes bail must be set by a judge.
When is bail set in Maine?
If the defendant qualifies for the services of a Knox County bail commissioner bail will be set shortly after arrest. In cases where a judge is required to set bail this will take place at the initial appearance. This hearing is usually scheduled within 48 hours, not including weekends or holidays.
Can I get the bail or bond reduced in Knox County Maine?
Yes, a judge may reduce bail set by a bail commissioner during the arraignment. If a judge set sets the initial bail your attorney may file a motion with the court for reconsideration.
In Knox County Maine, who can pay bail for me?
The person posting bail should be a relative or close friend, called a surety, because they are promising and taking responsibility that you will return to court to get their money back. A surety is not responsible for court fees or paying off personal debts for the defendant.
Can bail be paid online in Knox County Maine?
Maine counties do not currently offer online payment for bail. Please contact the jail for specific information on how to pay bail. Go to the Knox County Jail for more information about the jails in Knox County.
What options are there to pay bail in Knox County Maine?
Cash, credit card, money order, debit care or surety. All bail payments must be made in person at the Knox County Jail where the defendant is being held.
Contact the jail for specific information on what methods of payment are accepted. Go to the Knox County Jail for more information about posting bail in Knox County.
Will I get all my bond money back in Maine?
Bail money is returned to the person who paid the bail; in whole or in part once the case is finished. There may be fees, restitution (money to pay for damage caused by the crime) or fines that come out of that amount.
If you used a bondsperson, you would not get your 10% back. Property is returned by the court or bondsperson after the appropriate requests and formal paperwork are completed with the court.
Can I get bail or a bond with no money down in Knox County?
Yes, Maine offers several types of bail which will not require money down including personal recognizance, unsecured bail, and property surety.
Please remember that if a bail commissioner is assigned to the case there is a fee which must be paid in addition to the bail itself.
What are the least expensive and affordable bail bonds in Maine?
The Knox County Jail or court in this jurisdiction can provide you with a list of approved bonds through the court or bond agent.