Address:
467 Cheshire Road
Pittsfield, MA 01201
Phone:
413-443-7220
467 Cheshire Road
Pittsfield, MA 01201
413-443-7220
The Berkshire County Sheriff’s Office coodinates the bail process.
Bring the following to the jail after calling 413-443-7220 to find out the bail and confirming a time.
Please call the jail at 413-443-7220 for the type of bond and any information that is required for a particular individual at Berkshire County Jail & House of Correction.
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 Berkshire County
Because Berkshire County and Massachusetts can change their bail bond procedures, it is always best to call either the Berkshire County Jail & House of Correction at 413-443-7220, 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 Berkshire County Jail & House of Correction or the Berkshire County Court Clerk these specific questions:
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 Berkshire County Jail & House of Correction
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 Berkshire County Jail & House of Correction 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 Berkshire County Jail & House of Correction where the defendant is being held, but usually to the Berkshire County Sheriff's Office or to the Berkshire 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 Berkshire County Jail & House of Correction
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 Berkshire County Jail & House of Correction
If you are a landowner in Berkshire County you may be able to post a property bond. Property within Berkshire 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 Berkshire 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 Berkshire County Jail & House of Correction.
Who can post Bail or Bond for a Defendant at Berkshire County Jail & House of Correction?
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 Massachusetts state licensed Bail Bond firm.
Juveniles may only be bailed or bonded out of custody by a parent or legal guardian.
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, Berkshire 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 Berkshire 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.
For inmates receiving mail in the Berkshire County Jail & House of Correction 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 Berkshire County Jail & House of Correction:
Inmate’s Name
Berkshire County Jail and House of Correction
467 Cheshire Road
Pittsfield, MA 01201
For complete information on mail policies, what you can send an inmate and what address to send them, check out our Inmate Mail page.
To rent a tablet for an inmate in Berkshire County follow these instructions:
If you have any questions:
For all Berkshire County information on Tablet Rentals for your inmate, check out our Tablet Rental Page.
To set up a phone account so that your inmate can call you from Berkshire 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 Berkshire 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.
To send a text or email message to a Berkshire County inmate, do the following:
Berkshire County Jail & House of Correction uses Securus eMessaging for Inmate Email.
Register here. (You are already registered if you signed up with Securus for 'Phone' or 'Remote Visitation' in Berkshire County or any jail or prison in the country).
Steps:
1. Sign up for eMessaging
2. Find your Berkshire County inmate.
3. Purchase a book of Securus ‘stamps’.
4. Type & Send message.
For all Berkshire County information for sending secure messages to an inmate in Berkshire County Jail & House of Correction, including instructions, video examples, fees, limits, tablet rentals and more, check out out Text/Email an Inmate Page.
To schedule and set up a visit, either at-the-jail or remotely from your home, follow these instructions:
To get more complete instructions, and understand visit lengths, times, locations, fees and all the other rules including children, dress codes and more, check out or Visit Inmate Page.
NOTE: All visits are recorded and whatever you say and do will be monitored. It is best to never discuss sensitive information regarding your inmate's pending case.
