Lake County Detention Facility
Lake County Detention Facility
Looking for someone in custody? The inmate search tool shows everyone currently held at the 42-bed Lake County Detention Facility, and staff can answer questions around the clock at 406-883-7272.
Anyone arrested in the county on misdemeanor or felony charges comes through this facility for booking and processing. Depending on the charges, they may be held until they are bonded out, released on their own recognizance, or kept in custody until their trial is over.
People sentenced to under a year serve that time at this jail. Longer sentences are served in the Montana State Prison System or the Federal Bureau of Prisons.
This page covers the visitation schedule, adding funds to an inmate’s account, mail rules, phone calls from inmates, voicemail, email and texting, tablet rentals, how to post bail, and commissary orders.
Keep the inmate’s jail ID or booking number handy, because most mail and messaging services require it. If you can’t find it online, call Lake County Detention Facility at 406-883-7272.
Inmate Services
Other Jails and Prisons
To search for an inmate in the Lake County Detention Facility, 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 406-883-7272 for the information you are looking for.
Lake County Detention Facility Inmate Search
We’ve compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for everything you need to know about finding an inmate in the Lake County Detention Facility, how the jail rosters work and what happens after an offender is arrested and booked. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 406-883-7272 for further assistance.
The Lake County Detention Facility maintains an average of 42 offenders in custody on any given day. The Lake County Detention Facility 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 Lake County law enforcement agencies arrest and detain approximately 840 offenders.
⇓ Learn more ⇓ Show lessThe 42-bed Lake County Detention Facility is responsible for the housing and care of those who are accused or convicted of committing a misdemeanor or felony in Lake County as they wait for their trial or as they serve their sentence, usually less than one year.
It serves many law enforcement organizations including the Sheriff’s Department, local police, Immigration, and other surrounding counties as needed.
If you have questions regarding an inmate or the programs and services provided, the staff can be reached at 406-883-7272, and an online listing of all the detainees is published for your own investigation.
Upon intake, the booking process is completed, which includes a medical screening, fingerprinting and mugshots, DNA sample, along with an assessment to determine security needs, medical needs, mental health requirements, and housing assignment.
Staff is available to transport all inmates to court dates and any medical appointments or emergency needs, as well as inspecting all mail for contraband, receiving commissary funds and other money for inmates, maintaining the safety of the community and the security of the facility, and other tasks.
The Lake County Detention Facility also provides several other services to inmates including basic needs in meals, laundry, and hygiene items, and programs including AA, counseling, religious programs, education, recreation, and opportunities to grow social and life skills.
Along with the efforts made by the staff, reduced recidivism is seen when inmates are able to stay in contact and supported by their family or friends who are not incarcerated so mail, phones, and visits are provided.
Visits are in person, and are via video and an account is created online to book and complete visits, allowing both visitors and inmates to schedule a visit.
Phone accounts are also registered online, and allow for inmates to make outgoing calls during the daytime and evening hours when they are not participating in a task or program.
Information for money for an inmate’s commissary can be found on our Inmate Money page.
All personal mail is sent to:
Inmate's Full Name & Inmate ID #
Lake County Jail
106 4th Avenue
Poison, MT 59860
Staff will open each piece and look for contraband, which is removed before it is given to the inmate.
Legal mail, money orders, books and newspaper and magazine subscriptions are mailed to:
Inmate's Full Name & Inmate ID #
Lake County Jail
106 4th Avenue
Poison, MT 59860
- Jail (Main): 406-883-7272
How booking works at Lake County Detention Facility
When someone is arrested, they are taken to Lake County Detention Facility for booking. This process includes identifying them, deciding on charges, and determining if they will be eligible for bail or held until court.
It's important to stay silent during this process, as any statements made may be used in court. Legal advice should be sought before speaking about the case.
The following steps make up the booking process at Lake County Detention Facility:
- Verification of personal details.
- Taking mugshots for identification purposes.
- Health assessments and questions about criminal history.
- Possible DNA collection if required.
- Search of the individual.
- Confiscation of personal property.
- Providing a phone call.
For more information on paying an arrestee’s bond, contact Lake County Detention Facility at 406-883-7272.
Paying bail for someone in Lake County
After being arrested and booked into Lake County Detention Facility in Polson, the arrestee's situation will proceed in one of three ways:
1. They may be released without bail and required to attend a court hearing.
2. They may be held in custody until their court date.
3. Bail can be posted for their release; call 406-883-7272 for the exact bail amount.
There are multiple ways to pay bail.
- Cash bonds are paid in full at the jail's bonding window or with the clerk of court, accepted as cash, cashier's check or money order, and many jails let you pay by card at a lobby kiosk or with an online bond vendor for a fee; have the inmate's full name and booking number when you go, and the jail is at 406-883-7272.
- Licensed bail bond agents in Lake County can facilitate the process.
- Many courts accept a home or land as collateral for bond, as long as the owner proves clear title and equity at least equal to the bond amount (often twice it) with a deed and a current tax or appraisal value, and the court that set bail approves the pledge.
To get more information on the bail process in Lake County, Montana, visit the Lake County Detention Facility Bail FAQ.
⇓ Learn more ⇓ Show lessHow Do You Visit an Inmate in the Lake County Detention Facility? What is the Schedule?
Visitation is every Saturday and Sunday, but you must call 406-883-7272 to set up a visit appointment.
Lake County Detention Facility uses CIDNET for Remote Video Visitation between inmates and their friends and family.
Register here.
Frequently Asked Questions
Instructions on How to Use CIDNET
CIDNET Instrucciones
CIDNET help line (choose prompt 2), also the number inmate calls come from: (888) 984-1903
We’ve compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for everything you need to know about Lake County Detention Facility’s Inmate Visitation Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 406-883-7272 for further assistance.
⇓ Learn more ⇓ Show lessCan I Use My Computer or Phone to Have a Remote Video Visit with an Inmate in the Lake County Detention Facility?
Lake County Detention Facility uses CIDNET for Remote Video Visitation between inmates and their friends and family.
Register here.
Friends & Family Portal Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Instructions on How to Use CIDNET
CIDNET Instrucciones
CIDNET help line (choose prompt 2), also the number inmate calls come from: (888) 984-1903
We’ve compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for everything you need to know about Lake County Detention Facility’s Video Remote Visitation Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 406-883-7272 for further assistance.
⇓ Learn more ⇓ Show lessHow Do You Deposit Money for an Inmate in the Lake County Detention Facility?
We’ve compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for everything you need to know about Lake County Detention Facility’s Inmate Money and Trust Fund Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 406-883-7272 for further assistance.
⇓ Learn more ⇓ Show lessHow Do I Receive Phone Calls from an Inmate in the Lake County Detention Facility?
We’ve compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for everything you need to know about Lake County Detention Facility’s Inmate Phone Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 406-883-7272 for further assistance.
⇓ Learn more ⇓ Show lessHow do I Mail an Inmate in the Lake County Detention Facility, and what can I send them?
Lake County Detention Facility Inmate Mail Guidelines
Postcards
Ask the Lake County Detention Facility whether it accepts postcards, and what size and type, before mailing one. Always include your name and return address.
Envelopes
The Lake County Detention Facility 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 #
Lake County Jail
106 4th Avenue
Poison, MT 59860
Legal Mail
Send all Legal Mail to this Address:
Inmate's Full Name & Inmate ID #
Lake County Jail
106 4th Avenue
Poison, MT 59860
Newspapers
Newspapers may also be mailed to an inmate as long as they are shipped directly from the 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
Ask the Lake County Detention Facility whether books can be mailed in, and whether they must come straight from a publisher or retailer 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 noted.
Books must NOT contain images or content that are considered excessively violent, pornographic or obscene. Any book that does not meet the Lake County Detention Facility standards will be disposed of.
Ask the Lake County Detention Facility whether hardcover books are accepted.
All newspapers, magazines and books are to be shipped to:
Inmate's Full Name & Inmate ID #
Lake County Jail
106 4th Avenue
Poison, MT 59860
Lake County Detention Facility Inmate Mail Policies and Address - What Can You Send, and Where?
For inmates receiving mail in the Lake County Detention Facility 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 Lake County Detention Facility:
Inmate's Full Name & Inmate ID #
Lake County Jail
106 4th Avenue
Poison, MT 59860
For complete information on mail policies, what you can send an inmate and what address to send them, check out our Inmate Mail page.
We’ve compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for everything you need to know about Lake County Detention Facility’s Inmate Mail Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 406-883-7272 for further assistance.
⇓ Learn more ⇓ Show lessCan I purchase Commissary Online for an Inmate in the Lake County Detention Facility, and what can I purchase?
We’ve compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for everything you need to know about Lake County Detention Facility’s Commissary Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 406-883-7272 for further assistance.
⇓ Learn more ⇓ Show lessHow Can I Communicate with an Inmate in the Lake County Detention Facility using an Online Messaging Service?
Lake County Detention Facility uses CIDNET for Digital Mail Messaging between inmates and their friends and family.
Register here.
Friends & Family Portal Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Instructions on How to Use CIDNET
CIDNET Instrucciones
CIDNET help line (choose prompt 2), also the number inmate calls come from: (888) 984-1903
How to send a text or email to an inmate in Lake County
To send and receive secure texts or emails from an inmate housed in Lake County follow these instructions:
- Register and create an account with CIDNET.
- Choose a Security PIN and Password.
- After logging in, from the Menu, choose the state of Montana, then the Lake County Detention Facility, then your inmate's name.
- Once you have completed this, the Lake County Detention Facility will have to give final approval for you to communicate by email with your chosen inmate.
For all the information you need to know, including instructions, policies, tips and solutions to possible issues with Texting and Emailing an inmate in Lake County, visit our full page guide.
We’ve compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for everything you need to know about Lake County Detention Facility’s Text and Email Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 406-883-7272 for further assistance.
⇓ Learn more ⇓ Show lessDo Inmates in the Lake County Detention Facility have Access to Tablets or Computers?
Lake County Detention Facility may now offer CIDNET Tablet Rentals to their inmates.
CIDNET is the same company that handles inmate phone systems, video visitations, email and texting and digital letters.
The tablets can be rented on a monthly basis and while not directly connected to the internet, the inmates can use them for the following activities:
- 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.
- 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.
Here's how it works:
- Register here.
- Pay for the subscription.
- You get charged the 1st of each month.
- You get charged a full month even if it's only used for a partial month.
- No activation or early termination fees.
- Your inmate will recieve their tablet in 3-5 business days, after you pay.
We’ve compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for everything you need to know about Lake County Detention Facility’s Tablet Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 406-883-7272 for further assistance.
⇓ Learn more ⇓ Show lessWhat are the other Jails in the Neighboring Counties surrounding Lake County?
Nearby counties
This facility, known as "Lake County Detention Facility" is also known as Lake County Jail & Sheriff, Lake County Jail & Sheriff, Montana, Lake.