Steele County Detention Center

Last updated by Elizabeth Boyle

Search for an Inmate or Active Arrest Warrant in Steele County

Steele County Detention Center

Questions about an inmate can be answered 24 hours a day by the 154-bed Steele County Detention Center at 507-446-7000.

This jail books and processes everyone arrested in the county for misdemeanors and felonies. Following booking and processing, inmates may be bonded out, released on their own recognizance, or held until their trial is decided, depending on the charges.

Look up current inmates using the inmate search tool.

Inmates sentenced to fewer than 12 months serve their sentence at this jail. Inmates sentenced to more than 12 months are sent to the Minnesota State Prison System or the Federal Bureau of Prisons.

On this page, learn about:

Keep a record of the inmate’s jail ID or booking number for mail and communication. If it’s not available online, call Steele County Detention Center at 507-446-7000.

Phone: 507-446-7000

Physical Address:
2500 Alexander Street
Owatonna, MN 55060

Mailing Address (personal mail):
Inmate's Full Name & Inmate ID#
Steele County Detention Center
2500 Alexander St SW
Owatonna, MN 55060

Mailing Address (legal mail or subscriptions):
Inmate's Full Name & Inmate ID#
Steele County Detention Center
2500 Alexander St SW
Owatonna, MN 55060

Other Jails and Prisons

How Do You Find Someone in the Steele County Detention Center?

To search for an inmate in the Steele County Detention Center, 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 507-446-7000 for the information you are looking for. You can also look up any offender's court case online with the Minnesota Court Records Online application.

Steele County Detention Center Inmate Search

The Steele County Detention Center maintains an average of 154 offenders in custody on any given day. The Steele County Detention Center 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 Steele County law enforcement agencies arrest and detain approximately 3,080 offenders.

The following charts of Steele 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 Steele County Corrections Department, the state of Minnesota Department of Corrections, as well as the United States Department of Justice and Census Bureau records. It represents every person in custody in Steele 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 Steele 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.

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About the Steele County Detention Center

Found in the business section of Owatonna, Minnesota, the Steele County Detention Center is a sprawling facility that includes at least 3 distinct separate living areas and a large, fenced yard for recreation. It has been built in a modular design that permits easily upgrading and expanding as needed from the current 154 beds that house both misdemeanor and felony charges from Steele County from the time of their arrest through the pretrial period as well as until the end of their sentence.

Not only are there inmates from the county, but also from surrounding counties as needed, state inmates, and federal inmates as well.

The online jail roster provides information on each of the detainees including their bail, arrest date, charges, and updates, and can be accessed any day or time while staff are able to provide updates that are not yet posted and provide guidance on bail and visiting procedures as well as note any concerns about an inmate by calling 507-446-7000.

There are several programs provided to all detainees that will assist in providing tools they need for after their incarceration including basic education, anger management, AA/NA, chemical dependency, job skills, parenting, domestic abuse, access to a library and other recreational activities, an inmate worker program offering jobs on the campus to approved inmates and a work release program that allows approved and sentenced inmates to leave the campus during their work shifts and to return after work to continue their sentence.

Other supports that are available for inmates can be provided by their family and friends to help support mental health through regular contact and by providing money to their accounts in order for them to access commissary purchases, pay for phone calls, and other items.

Money can be added to the accounts through the kiosk in the lobby of the Steele County Detention Center or through the online access.

Mail is delivered to the jail Monday through Friday by the postal service and it will be inspected for contraband and will be handed out Tuesday through Saturday with any money that has been sent being added to the inmate account.

Inmate's Full Name & Inmate ID#
Steele County Detention Center
2500 Alexander St SW
Owatonna, MN 55060

To reach an inmate in a faster method, SMS and email are both available for a fee, and can be accessed through an online account and will provide almost immediate delivery to the inmate, though it will still be monitored by staff.

Receiving calls from an inmate requires an account that can be created online and there must be money on the accounts for inmates to make calls.

Twenty minute visits are available for up to two visits a day at separate times from the lobby for visitors who have created an account and been approved to visit. Visiting hours in the lobby are Monday through Sunday 12pm-4pm and 7:30pm-10pm while online or remote visits may occur Monday through Sunday 8am-10pm. 

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Recent Bookings & Arrests

The booking process explained for Steele County Detention Center

Following an arrest, individuals are processed at Steele County Detention Center. The booking process confirms identity, charges, and whether the individual will be released, granted bail, or held until court.

It is advisable to remain silent during booking, as anything said can be used against the individual later. Legal counsel should be consulted before any statements are made.

The booking steps at Steele County Detention Center include:

  • Identification verification.
  • Taking mugshots.
  • Answering questions about health, criminal history, and gang affiliations.
  • Possible DNA sample collection.
  • A full-body search.
  • Confiscating personal items for safekeeping.
  • Providing a phone call.

To inquire about posting bond for an arrestee, contact the facility at 507-446-7000.

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Directions / Map to the Steele County Detention Center
Inmate Bail and Bonding

What are the bail options in Steele County after an arrest?

Once arrested, an individual may be brought to Steele County Detention Center in Owatonna for processing. The next steps vary:

1. The individual may be released without paying bail and ordered to appear on a set date.
2. The individual could be held in jail until their hearing.
3. Posting bail or bond allows them to be released. Call 507-446-7000 to confirm the bail amount.

There are several ways to pay an individual’s bail.

  • A cash bond is posted by paying the whole amount at the jail bonding window or the clerk's office with cash, a cashier's check or a money order, and many facilities also accept cards at a kiosk or through an online bond vendor for a fee; bring the inmate's full name and booking number, and the jail's line is 507-446-7000.
  • Licensed bail bond agencies in Steele County can provide assistance.
  • Courts in many places accept real property, such as land or a house, as bond collateral when the owner documents clear title and equity of at least the bond amount, often double, with a deed and a recent tax or appraisal value, and the court that set bail approves.

For more information about bail in Steele County, Minnesota, see the Steele County Detention Center Bail Guide.

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Inmate Visitation

How Do You Visit an Inmate in the Steele County Detention Center? What is the Schedule?

Steele County Detention Center ON-SITE (at the jail) VIDEO VISITATION SCHEDULE

2500 Alexander Street
Owatonna, MN 55060
507-446-7000

Schedule Video Visits online with Inmate Canteen

  • On-site Visits are free.
  • Visits are 30 minutes.
  • Visitation schedule subject to change.
  • Inmates are allowed one visit per day however the weekly limit is determined by the inmates classification.
  • A maximum of 2 guests are allowed per an on-site video session.
  • All visits must be made at least 24 hours in advance.

ON SITE VISITATION SCHEDULE

DAY TIME
SUNDAY 12:00 pm- 4:00 pm
7:30 pm - 10:00 pm
MONDAY 12:00 pm- 4:00 pm
7:30 pm - 10:00 pm
TUESDAY 12:00 pm- 4:00 pm
7:30 pm - 10:00 pm
WEDNESDAY 12:00 pm- 4:00 pm
​​​​​​​7:30 pm - 10:00 pm
THURSDAY 12:00 pm- 4:00 pm
​​​​​​​7:30 pm - 10:00 pm
FRIDAY 12:00 pm- 4:00 pm
​​​​​​​7:30 pm - 10:00 pm
SATURDAY 12:00 pm- 4:00 pm
​​​​​​​7:30 pm - 10:00 pm


Steele County Detention Center REMOTE (at home) VIDEO VISITATION SCHEDULE

Schedule Video Visits online with Inmate Canteen

  • All visits must be scheduled at least 24 hours in advance.
  • Remote visits are charged a fee of $0.39 per minute.
  • Visitation Schedule subject to change.

REMOTE VISITATION SCHEDULE

DAY TIME
SUNDAY 8:00 am-10:00 pm
MONDAY 8:00 am-10:00 pm
TUESDAY 8:00 am-10:00 pm
WEDNESDAY 8:00 am-10:00 pm
THURSDAY 8:00 am-10:00 pm
FRIDAY 8:00 am-10:00 pm
SATURDAY 8:00 am-10:00 pm

Attorneys have access to their clients during the following times:

9:00 AM - 10:00 PM

  • Inmates cannot be seen during mealtimes, lockdowns and emergency situations.
  • Attorneys may call 507-446-7000 for questions or appointments.

Steele County Detention Center uses the services of Inmate Canteen for 'At the Jail' Visitation with Inmates.



For best results use Google Chrome as your browser for accessing Inmate Canteen.
Instructions on Inmate Video Visitation:

  • Register or Log in to your account
  • Select the facility where the inmate is located and the inmate you wish to visit.
  • Select the "Video Visit an Inmate" option
  • Follow the prompts on screen to schedule the visit.

    Video Visitation must be done from a computer using Google Chrome and an updated Adobe Flash player. Before starting this process you must make sure that your Adobe Flash player is fully updated and that you are using Google Chrome. First... Set up Flash, then restart your computer and then go to Google Chrome on your desktop or laptop computer and log on to Inmate Canteen.
    Steps Inmate canteen Visitation:
    1. Go to www.inmatecanteen.com on a computer (not supported on mobile devices i.e. tablets, cell phones, etc)
    2. Log in, select your inmate, and select the Video Visit an Inmate option.
    3. You will be required to fill out a form, submit a driver's license picture and a picture of your face. Once submitted, Steele County Detention Center will either approve or deny it.
    4. Once approved you will be all set to video visit!
    NOTES: Make sure you are allowing flash player to run in google chrome by selecting the lock icon to left of the browser. Flash Player needs to be set to “allow”. Then you can refresh the page and it should be good to go. If flash player is being blocked you will not be able to take a picture or see any video during the visitation. When you click on the video visitation link on the website, please visit the Audition Room to test your equipment. To find the Audition Room, please click on 'Video Visit an Inmate' and it will be located on the top of your screen. Here you can test and verify that your webcam and microphone are working. We highly recommend a hard line for video visiting, unstable internet can result in poor visit qualities.

How to Have Remote Video Visits with an Inmate in Steele County

To register and sign up for a remote visitation account with Inmate Canteen to communicate with your Steele County Detention Center inmate, follow the instructions below:

  • Register and create an account with your Steele County inmate using Inmate Canteen.
  • Inmate Canteen has excellent quality video visits between your home device and a video terminal in the inmate's housing area at Steele County Detention Center.
  • You can also send and receive secure messages and use them to make and receive phone calls with your Steele County inmate.
  • This is a fee based service.

Instructions for Inmate Video Visitation:
- Register or Log in to your account
- Select Steele County Detention Center and the inmate you wish to visit.
- Select the "Video Visit an Inmate" option
- Follow the prompts on screen to schedule the visit.

For all the information you need to know, including instructions, policies, tips and solutions to possible issues regarding visiting with an inmate (both at the jail and remotely) in Steele County, visit our full page guide. 

Inmate Canteen Customer Service can be reached at 715-690-2965, or by email at support@inmatecanteen.com.

NOTE: All video visits are recorded and stored. Whatever you talk about, can and will be used against your inmate in court. Never discuss their pending criminal case!
Also, be warned that some video visits providers are collecting voice prints for a database which law enforcement agencies are building.

We’ve compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for everything you need to know about Steele County Detention Center’s Inmate Visitation Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 507-446-7000 for further assistance.

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Remote Video Visitation

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

Steele County Detention Center uses the services of Inmate Canteen for Remote Video Visitation with Inmates.

For best results use Google Chrome as your browser for accessing Inmate Canteen.
Instructions on Inmate Video Visitation:

  • Register or Log in to your account
  • Select the facility where the inmate is located and the inmate you wish to visit.
  • Select the "Video Visit an Inmate" option
  • Follow the prompts on screen to schedule the visit.

    Video Visitation must be done from a computer using Google Chrome and an updated Adobe Flash player. Before starting this process you must make sure that your Adobe Flash player is fully updated and that you are using Google Chrome. First... Set up Flash, then restart your computer and then go to Google Chrome on your desktop or laptop computer and log on to Inmate Canteen.
    Steps Inmate canteen Visitation:
    1. Go to www.inmatecanteen.com on a computer (not supported on mobile devices i.e. tablets, cell phones, etc)
    2. Log in, select your inmate, and select the Video Visit an Inmate option.
    3. You will be required to fill out a form, submit a driver's license picture and a picture of your face. Once submitted, Steele County Detention Center will either approve or deny it.
    4. Once approved you will be all set to video visit!
    NOTES: Make sure you are allowing flash player to run in google chrome by selecting the lock icon to left of the browser. Flash Player needs to be set to “allow”. Then you can refresh the page and it should be good to go. If flash player is being blocked you will not be able to take a picture or see any video during the visitation. When you click on the video visitation link on the website, please visit the Audition Room to test your equipment. To find the Audition Room, please click on 'Video Visit an Inmate' and it will be located on the top of your screen. Here you can test and verify that your webcam and microphone are working. We highly recommend a hard line for video visiting, unstable internet can result in poor visit qualities.

We’ve compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for everything you need to know about Steele County Detention Center’s Video Remote Visitation Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 507-446-7000 for further assistance.

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Inmate Money Accounts

How Do You Deposit Money for an Inmate in the Steele County Detention Center?

Instructions on purchasing commissary items for an inmate:
NOTE: Steele County Detention Center may only allow online deposits for local commissary purchasing.

1. Register or Log in to your account at Inmate Canteen.
2. Select the facility where the inmate is located and the inmate you wish to purchase commissary items for.
3. Select the "Purchase Items" option.
4. Follow the prompts on screen to purchase items for an inmate.

Inmate Canteen Customer Service can be reached at 715-690-2965, or by email at support@inmatecanteen.com.

How to Send a Carepack Commissary Package Directly to an Inmate in Steele County

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

  • Register to create an account, or Log in to your account at Inmate Canteen if you already have one.
  • Select Minnesota, then Steele County Detention Center, and then the inmate you wish to purchase commissary items for.
  • Select the "Purchase Commissary Items" option.
  • Follow the prompts on screen to purchase items for an inmate.
  • NOTE: Steele County Detention Center may at times only allow online deposits for your inmate to purchase their own commissary locally. 

For all information, tips and to see the hundreds of available items for shipping Commissary packages to an inmate in Steele County Detention Center, or to see how deposit money so that your inmate can purchase their own commissary, check out our Commissary Instructions Page for Steele County.

We’ve compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for everything you need to know about Steele County Detention Center’s Inmate Money and Trust Fund Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 507-446-7000 for further assistance.

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Inmate Phone Contact

How Do I Receive Phone Calls from an Inmate in the Steele County Detention Center?

How Do Inmates in Steele County Detention Center Make Phone Calls?

To receive phone calls from inmates in Steele County, or to assist them in making phone calls to other people, follow these steps:

  • Steele County Detention Center uses the services of Inmate Canteen.
  • Register online, or log in if you already have an account with them. (Note: Chrome works best with this website)
  • Services for Steele County inmates and their families and friends include Collect Calling, PIN Debits or Purchasing Calling Cards.

Instructions on Purchasing Calling Cards or setting up to receive calls from an inmate:

  • Register or Log in to your account
  • Select Minnesota, then Steele County Detention Center, then the inmate you wish to purchase a phone card or calling time for.
  • Select the "Purchase Phone Card for an Inmate" option.
  • Follow the prompts on screen to purchase the phone card for your inmate in Steele County.

Inmate Canteen Customer Service can be reached at 715-690-2965, or by email at support@inmatecanteen.com.

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

We’ve compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for everything you need to know about Steele County Detention Center’s Inmate Phone Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 507-446-7000 for further assistance.

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Mailing an Inmate

How do I Mail an Inmate in the Steele County Detention Center, and what can I send them?

We’ve compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for everything you need to know about Steele County Detention Center’s Inmate Mail Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 507-446-7000 for further assistance.

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Inmate Commissary

Can I purchase Commissary Online for an Inmate in the Steele County Detention Center, and what can I purchase?

Steele County Detention Center uses the services of Inmate Canteen for Online Commissary Purchases for an Inmate.

Inmate Canteen Customer Service can be reached at 715-690-2965, or by email at support@inmatecanteen.com.

NOTE: Steele County Detention Center may only allow online deposits for local commissary purchasing.

For best results use google chrome as your browser for accessing Inmate Canteen.
Instructions on purchasing commissary items for an inmate:

  • Register or Log in to your account
  • Select the facility where the inmate is located and the inmate you wish to purchase commissary items for.
  • Select the "Purchase Items" option
  • Follow the prompts on screen to purchase items for an inmate.

How to Send a Carepack Commissary Package Directly to an Inmate in Steele County

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

  • Register to create an account, or Log in to your account at Inmate Canteen if you already have one.
  • Select Minnesota, then Steele County Detention Center, and then the inmate you wish to purchase commissary items for.
  • Select the "Purchase Commissary Items" option.
  • Follow the prompts on screen to purchase items for an inmate.

For all information, tips and to see the hundreds of available items for shipping Commissary packages to an inmate in Steele County Detention Center, or to see how deposit money so that your inmate can purchase their own commissary, check out our Commissary Instructions Page for Steele County.

Inmate Canteen Customer Service can be reached at 715-690-2965, or by email at support@inmatecanteen.com.

We’ve compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for everything you need to know about Steele County Detention Center’s Commissary Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 507-446-7000 for further assistance.

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Texting and Emailing an Inmate

How Can I Communicate with an Inmate in the Steele County Detention Center using an Online Messaging Service?

How to Send a Secure Email Message to an Inmate in Steele County

To send a secure email message to an inmate in Steele County Detention Center follow these steps:

  • Register with Inmate Canteen to create an account or log in if you already have one.
  • Select Minnesota, then select Steele County Detention Center, and then the inmate you want to send your message to.
  • Add money to your account.
  • Verify your email.
  • Send message.
  • NOTE: All messages between you and your Steele County inmate will be permanently recorded and seen by the staff and could be used against your inmate in court.

For all information on how to Text/Email an Inmate in Steele County Detention Center, the costs, rules, policies and more check out our Secure Messaging Guide for Steele County.


 

We’ve compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for everything you need to know about Steele County Detention Center’s Text and Email Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 507-446-7000 for further assistance.

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Inmate Tablets

Do Inmates in the Steele County Detention Center have Access to Tablets or Computers?

We’ve compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for everything you need to know about Steele County Detention Center’s Tablet Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 507-446-7000 for further assistance.

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Other Jails Nearby

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

Steele Rice Dodge Waseca Freeborn Mower
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Search for an Inmate or Active Arrest Warrant in Steele County