Bay County Jail

To search for an inmate in the Bay County Jail, review their criminal charges, the amount of their bond, when they can get visits, or even view their mugshot, go to the Official Jail Inmate Roster, or call the jail at 989-895-4066 for the information you are looking for. You can also look up an offender's Criminal Court Case online for Bay County or any county in Michigan.

Bay County Jail Inmate Search

The Bay County Jail maintains an average of 249 offenders in custody on any given day. The Bay County Jail has a monthly turnover of 40% of their inmate population, another 30% turnover every 90 days, another 20% every six months, and approximately 10% stay incarcerated between six and twelve months. Every year Bay County law enforcement agencies arrest and detain approximately 5,560 offenders.

The following charts of Bay County inmate population demographics are updated daily. The information shown is for today. For research purposes we have broken down the inmates by sex, age, ethnicity, and criminal charges.

The information is compiled from the Bay County Corrections Department, the state of Michigan Department of Corrections, as well as the United States Department of Justice and Census Bureau records. It represents every person in custody in Bay County.

For complete information on how to get directions, bond, visit, mail, send and receive email and texts, receive phone calls, and send money or commissary to an inmate, find arrest information for Bay County and other counties surrounding this one, scroll down this page. We have a section for each.

We also provide photos of the jail that we have collected over the years.

How Do You Visit an Inmate in the Bay County Jail? What is the Schedule?

Bay County Jail ON-SITE (at the jail) VIDEO VISITATION SCHEDULE

503 Third Street
Bay City, MI 48708
989-895-4066

Schedule Video Visits online with Smart Visit

• On-site Visits are free.
• Visitation schedule subject to change.
• Inmates are allowed four 30-minute visits per week.
• You must arrive 15 minutes prior to the visit.
• A maximum of one adult and one child are allowed per an on-site video session.
• Only one infant (under 1 year of age) will be allowed per visit and will not be counted as a visitor
• All visits must be made at least 24 hours in advance.
• Any person visiting must not have been incarcerated within the past 180 days.

ON SITE VISITATION SCHEDULE

Bay County Jail REMOTE (at home) VIDEO VISITATION SCHEDULE

Schedule Video Visits online with Smart Inmate

• All visits must be scheduled at least 24 hours in advance.
• Remote visits are charged a fee.
• Visitation Schedule subject to change.

REMOTE VISITATION SCHEDULE

Attorneys have access to their clients during the following times:

7:00 AM - 11:00 PM

• Inmates cannot be seen during mealtimes, lockdowns and emergency situations.
• Attorneys may call 989-895-4066 for questions or appointments.

Bay County Jail uses Smart Communications for Remote Video Visitation between inmates and their loved ones.

How Video Visitation Works
SmartJailMail.com provides a two-way, real-time video visitation system which can be used to speak to your loved ones directly in their housing location within the jail.
At some locations you may also use a lobby kiosk at the facility to visit for free when scheduling a local / on-site visit.
Remote visits from home cost 50 cents per minute and are scheduled in 15 or 30 minute increments.
To schedule a video visit you must first open a Smart Communications account.

Remote Video Visits From Home
Once you are connected with an inmate you can use the visitation section of the website to schedule a visit.
Remote visits from home are billed on a credits-per-minute model and are scheduled in 15 or 30 minute blocks.

Local / On-Site Video Visits
Once you are connected with an inmate at a location where you have a visitation kiosk in the lobby, you may use the visitation section of the website to schedule a visit.
Local / on-site visits are provided free of charge.

This link explains everything you need to know about Smart Communications Video Visitation.

We’ve compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for everything you need to know about Bay County Jail’s Inmate Visitation Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 989-895-4066 for further assistance.

Can I Use My Computer or Phone to Have a Remote Video Visit with an Inmate in the Bay County Jail?

Bay County Jail uses Smart Communications for Remote Video Visitation between inmates and their loved ones.

How Video Visitation Works
SmartJailMail.com provides a two-way, real-time video visitation system which can be used to speak to your loved ones directly in their housing location within the jail.
At some locations you may also use a lobby kiosk at the facility to visit for free when scheduling a local / on-site visit.
Remote visits from home cost 50 cents per minute and are scheduled in 15 or 30 minute increments.
To schedule a video visit you must first open a Smart Communications account.

Remote Video Visits From Home
Once you are connected with an inmate you can use the visitation section of the website to schedule a visit.
Remote visits from home are billed on a credits-per-minute model and are scheduled in 15 or 30 minute blocks.

Local / On-Site Video Visits
Once you are connected with an inmate at a location where you have a visitation kiosk in the lobby, you may use the visitation section of the website to schedule a visit.
Local / on-site visits are provided free of charge.

This link explains everything you need to know about Smart Communications Video Visitation.

We’ve compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for everything you need to know about Bay County Jail’s Video Remote Visitation Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 989-895-4066 for further assistance.

How Do You Deposit Money for an Inmate in the Bay County Jail?

There are FOUR options for putting money on an inmate's books:

Option 1 - Dropping Money at the Jail
Bring money to the jail in person. 
Either the jail personnel will process the Inmate Account payment or you will use an Express Account self-serve kiosk in the lobbies that accepts cash, debit or credit cards.

Option 2 - Deposit Inmate Money Online
Bay County Jail uses Express Account to process all online deposits to an inmate's account.

The company charges you a small fee for doing so, but the fee probably isn't as much as gas and parking would cost to take it to the jail in person.

Option 3 - Mail the Inmate Deposit to the Jail

Mailing a deposit takes more time to process than the other methods but can be done if you live too far away to bring it in person and you don't have a debit/credit card for online deposits. Never send cash. Always send a Money Order from the US Post Office, a reputable bank or Western Union.

Call the Bay County Jail first as they may want you to do this online or at the jail kiosk instead.

Make the Money Order out to the inmate's name and put their Inmate ID# in memo section of the Money Order.
Inmate's Full Name & Inmate ID #
Bay County Jail
503 Third St.
Bay City, MI 48708

Option 4 - Make an Inmate Deposit with Express Account 24/7 over the Phone by calling 866-422-6833.
To do this you will need the inmate's offender # (inmate ID #) and full legal name.

Bay County Jail uses a third party service called Express Account, affiliated with TIGGS Canteen Service to deposit money in an inmate's account.

By creating an account with Express Account you can send money: 

• Online 24/7
• By calling 866-422-6833 24/7
• By using the Bay County Jail Kiosk which takes cash, debit and credit cards.

Express Account also serves Bay County Jail inmates by allowing friends and family to purchase commissary items for them and having them shipped directly to the facility.

We’ve compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for everything you need to know about Bay County Jail’s Inmate Money and Trust Fund Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 989-895-4066 for further assistance.

How Do I Receive Phone Calls from an Inmate in the Bay County Jail?

How to Set up a Phone Account and Receive Calls from an Inmate in Bay County Jail

To communicate by telephone with a Bay County inmate, follow these instructions:

• To receive phone calls from a Bay County inmate you MUST first open a SmartJailMail.com account.
• 
• Once you open an account, you may search for Bay County inmates or detainees to connect with.
• When you locate the Bay County inmate that you want to connect with, you can send them a connection request.
• Bay County Jail will then need to approve the request before you can receive phone calls.

For all the information you need to receive phone calls from a Bay County Jail inmate, including how it works, how much it costs, how often you can receive calls and when you can receive them and more, check out our Inmate Phone Page.
NOTE: Your phone calls will be monitored and stored. You may want to refrain from discussing your inmate's court case. Anything discussed on the calls may be used in your inmate's court case.

We’ve compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for everything you need to know about Bay County Jail’s Inmate Phone Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 989-895-4066 for further assistance.

How do I Mail an Inmate in the Bay County Jail, and what can I send them?

Bay County Jail Inmate Mail Guidelines

Postcards
The Bay County Jail allows inmates to receive pre-metered postcards like the type purchased from the post office. They may also allow certain photo postcards as long as they have not been tampered with or contain images that may be considered to be obscene or violent in nature. It is best to only use blue or black ink. Always include your name and return address.

Envelopes
The Bay County Jail also allows envelopes to be mailed to inmates. It is best to only use blue or black ink.

Postcards and envelopes MUST HAVE the sender's full name and return address on the envelope. 

Postcards and envelopes MUST be mailed to the following address:
Inmate's Full Name & Inmate ID #
Smart Communications/Bay County Jail-MI
PO Box 9130
Seminole, FL 33775-9216

Legal Mail

Send all Legal Mail to this Address:
Inmate's Full Name & Inmate ID #
Bay County Jail
503 Third St.
Bay City, MI 48708

Newspapers
Local or national newspapers may also be mailed to the inmate as long as they are mailed directly from the newspaper publisher.

Magazines
News, special interest or sports magazines may also be mailed to an inmate as long as they are shipped directly from the publisher. Any magazines that contain profanity, weapons, pornography or other content that is adult in nature will be confiscated by the jail staff and will NOT be delivered to the inmate.

Books
The Bay County Jail allows books to be mailed directly to the jail from a reputable source such as Amazon, Barnes & Noble or Books-A-Million. You can order them directly from your computer and have them shipped to the inmate at the address below.
Books must NOT contain images or content that are considered excessively violent, pornographic or obscene. Any book that does not meet the Bay County Jail standards will be disposed of. No more than three books may be shipped at any one time.
Hard cover books will not be accepted by the jail due to their potential to be used as a weapon.

All newspapers, magazines and books are to be shipped to:
Inmate's Full Name & Inmate ID #
Bay County Jail
503 Third St.
Bay City, MI 48708

Bay County Jail Inmate Mail Guidelines

Postcards
The Bay County Jail allows inmates to receive pre-metered postcards like the type purchased from the post office. They may also allow certain photo postcards as long as they have not been tampered with or contain images that may be considered to be obscene or violent in nature.

Envelopes
The Bay County Jail also allows envelopes to be mailed to inmates.

Postcards and envelopes MUST be mailed to the following address:
Inmate's Full Name & Inmate ID #
Smart Communications/Bay County Jail-MI
PO Box 9130
Seminole, FL 33775-9216

Legal Mail

Send all legal Mail to this Address:
Inmate's Full Name & Inmate ID #
Bay County Jail
503 Third St.
Bay City, MI 48708

Newspapers
Local or national newspapers may also be mailed to the inmate as long as they are mailed directly from the newspaper publisher.

Magazines
News, special interest or sports magazines may also be mailed to an inmate as long as they are shipped directly from the publisher. Any magazines that contain profanity, weapons, pornography or other content that is adult in nature will be confiscated by the jail staff and will NOT be delivered to the inmate.

Books
The Bay County Jail allows books to be mailed directly to the jail from a reputable source such as Amazon, Barnes & Noble or Books-A-Million. You can order them directly from your computer and have them shipped to the inmate at the address below.
Books must NOT contain images or content that are considered excessively violent, pornographic or obscene. Any book that does not meet the Bay County Jail standards will be disposed of. No more than three books may be shipped at any one time.
Hard cover books will not be accepted by the jail due to their potential to be used as a weapon.

All newspapers, magazines and books are to be shipped to:
Inmate's Full Name & Inmate ID #
Bay County Jail
503 Third St.
Bay City, MI 48708

We’ve compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for everything you need to know about Bay County Jail’s Inmate Mail Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 989-895-4066 for further assistance.

Can I purchase Commissary Online for an Inmate in the Bay County Jail, and what can I purchase?

Bay County Jail uses a third party service called Express Account, affiliated with TIGGS Canteen Service to deposit money in an inmate's commissary account.

By creating an account with Express Account you can send money and purchase commissary to an inmate: 

• Online 24/7
• By calling 866-422-6833 24/7
• By using the Bay County Jail Kiosk which takes cash, debit and credit cards.

Express Account and TIGGS Canteen Service allows friends and family to purchase commissary items for them and having them shipped directly to the facility. Items such as snacks (healthy or non-healthy, clothes, hygeine products, etc.)

Bay County Jail uses a third party service called Express Account, affiliated with TIGGS Canteen Service to deposit money in an inmate's commissary account.

By creating an account with Express Account you can send money and purchase commissary to an inmate: 

• Online 24/7
• By calling 866-422-6833 24/7
• By using the Bay County Jail Kiosk which takes cash, debit and credit cards.

Express Account and TIGGS Canteen Service allows friends and family to purchase commissary items for them and having them shipped directly to the facility. Items such as snacks (healthy or non-healthy, clothes, hygeine products, etc.)

We’ve compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for everything you need to know about Bay County Jail’s Commissary Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 989-895-4066 for further assistance.

How Can I Communicate with an Inmate in the Bay County Jail using an Online Messaging Service?

Bay County Jail uses a secure messaging service call Smart Communications so that inmates can communicate electronically with friends and family members on the outside.

SmartMail allows inmates to communicate safely and quickly with family and friends outside of the jail, prison or detention center. Inmates send and receive electronic letters using a safe and secure computer kiosk or tablet stationed in their institution. THE COST IS JUST $0.50 CENTS; cheaper than a postage stamp and envelope.

• The message can be sent with postage paid and will be free to open and read for the recipient.
• Or, the message can be sent collect / "COD" for free and will be paid for by the recipient.
• To send or receive a message you MUST open a SmartJailMail.com account.
• Once you open an account, you may search for inmates, prisoners, or detainees to connect with.
• When you locate the inmate that you want to connect with, you can send them a connection request.
• They will then need to approve the request before you can send messages.
• Sending messages with SmartMail is just like sending an e-mail, except it is contained within the SmartJailMail web site. Messages can be delivered instantly or may be held for review depending on the destination facility.
• Electronic messages are delivered much more quickly than traditional paper mail to the correctional facility so you can stay connected.

More information on how to send and receive messages and photos with an inmate.

How to Send and Receive Secure Text and Email Messages with an Inmate in Bay County Jail

To communicate by text or email with an Bay County inmate, follow these instructions:

• To send or receive a message you MUST first open a SmartJailMail.com account.
• 
• Once you open an account, you may search for Bay County inmates or detainees to connect with.
• When you locate the Bay County inmate that you want to connect with, you can send them a connection request.
• Bay County Jail will then need to approve the request before you can send messages.

For all the information you need to send and receive secure messages in the form of text or email with a Bay County Jail inmate, including how it works, how much it costs, renting your inmate a tablet, how often you can communicate and more, check out our Text/Email an Inmate Page.
NOTE: Your messages will be monitored and stored. You may want to refrain from discussing your inmate's court case.

We’ve compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for everything you need to know about Bay County Jail’s Text and Email Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 989-895-4066 for further assistance.

Do Inmates in the Bay County Jail have Access to Tablets or Computers?

Bay County Jail Gives Inmates Access to Tablets At No Cost for Communication, Research and Entertainment

They may not be directly connected to the internet, but inmates at Bay County Jail are provided free tablets to use within the jail that allow them to have access to the following services and information:

• Phone Calls - Inmates may make calls directly from their tablet allowing for more privacy. The rates are the same as the phones in the unit, and the calls are still recorded and monitored.
• eMessaging - Communicate via a text based message or picture. Fee based system.
• Job Search - Using JobView, a secure job search application, inmates have the ability to see what jobs are available when they are released.
• Education - Free educational platform and course catalog that provides thousands of educational resources.
• Self Help -Inmates have daily access to mental health and addiction recovery programming.
• Music - Top-40, Hip-Hop, Country, Rock, Gospel, and more.
• Law Library -  Legal research with up-to-date case information.
• eBooks - Thousands of available titles.
• Religion - Religious resources for spiritual guidance.
• Games - Inmates can play their favorite games. Available through monthly subscriptions
• Facility Services - Digital access to submitted forms, requests, facility documents, and notifications from staff.
• Video Visitation - Visitation may not be allowed on the Tablets.  Call Bay County Jail at 989-895-4066 to confirm.

The availability of tablets may seem like something that inmates who are serving time do not deserve, but here are some of the benefits for inmates in Bay County:

• Keeps inmates busy.
• The threat of losing access to tablets keeps them better behaved.
• Safer for the staff to keep inmates happy.
• Allows communication with family members.
• Educational programming.
• Legal research.
• Social programming such as anger management, substance abuse, etc.

Bay County Jail Gives Inmates Access to Tablets At No Cost for Communication, Research and Entertainment

They may not be directly connected to the internet, but inmates at Bay County Jail are provided free tablets to use within the jail that allow them to have access to the following services and information:

• Phone Calls - Inmates may make calls directly from their tablet allowing for more privacy. The rates are the same as the phones in the unit, and the calls are still recorded and monitored.
• eMessaging - Communicate via a text based message or picture. Fee based system.
• Job Search - Using JobView, a secure job search application, inmates have the ability to see what jobs are available when they are released.
• Education - Free educational platform and course catalog that provides thousands of educational resources.
• Self Help -Inmates have daily access to mental health and addiction recovery programming.
• Music - Top-40, Hip-Hop, Country, Rock, Gospel, and more.
• Law Library -  Legal research with up-to-date case information.
• eBooks - Thousands of available titles.
• Religion - Religious resources for spiritual guidance.
• Games - Inmates can play their favorite games. Available through monthly subscriptions
• Facility Services - Digital access to submitted forms, requests, facility documents, and notifications from staff.
• Video Visitation - Visitation may not be allowed on the Tablets.  Call Bay County Jail at 989-895-4066 to confirm.

The availability of tablets may seem like something that inmates who are serving time do not deserve, but here are some of the benefits for inmates in Bay County:

• Keeps inmates busy.
• The threat of losing access to tablets keeps them better behaved.
• Safer for the staff to keep inmates happy.
• Allows communication with family members.
• Educational programming.
• Legal research.
• Social programming such as anger management, substance abuse, etc.

For more information about Tablets and how your inmate can get one to use while he is in jail, chek out our Inmate Tablet page.

We’ve compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for everything you need to know about Bay County Jail’s Tablet Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 989-895-4066 for further assistance.

What are the other Jails in the Neighboring Counties surrounding Bay County?