Dawson County Jail COVID-19 Coronavirus Visitation Policy

Dawson County Jail

Address:
709 North Grant
Lexington, NE 68850

Phone:

308-324-2279

New Visitation Policies in Dawson County Jail Due to COVID-19 Coronavirus

Because of concerns for the safety and wellness of both staff and inmates at the Dawson County Jail in Lexington, Nebraska, contact visits of any type may be suspended. Even if they have visits, from time to time, face masks may be required.

Approved Non-contact visits with family, friends and the inmate’s lawyers may still be allowed when at-home or onsite video visitation is not available, however given that new guidelines are changing daily please check the visitation page or call 308-324-2279 for updates.

Video Visitation at Dawson County Jail

At-home and onsite video visitation guidelines for Dawson County Jail, when this service is available, can be found by going to the visitation information page.

We highly recommend that you call 308-324-2279 first for any changes due to staff shortages or other unforeseen circumstances, including whether your inmate has become ill and is unable to be in the general population where video kiosks are available.

How Long Will These Changes Last?

Experts in the study of the COVID-19 are anticipating that spread of the virus will be a ongoing concern for Dawson County, the state of Nebraska and the entire United States until well into 2024 and maybe even beyond. We are witnessing the virus becoming more contagious, but less deadly over time. Many people think that the 'more contagious, but less deadly' variants will infect so many people that a higher level of natural immunity for the majority of Americans will be the end result.

Will the Inmates in Dawson County Jail Be Safe from Getting Sick With COVID-19 Coronavirus?

Whether the inmates are safe from contracting the coronavirus depends entirely on two things:

  1. The Virus being introduced into the facility by a staff member or inmate who is unaware that they have it.
  2. How easily it spreads.

At this stage most people who get the coronavirus show very few symptoms beyond what you might experience with a bad cold or a mild case of the common flu. Newer variants are turning out to be less deadly than the common flu we experience every year.

Studies that have been done are showing that the hardest hit are those 60 years of age and older, those with pre-existing medical issues like diabetes, leukemia or obese individuals. Young men and women rarely become very ill, and when they do, seem to recover quickly.

Given the close proximity of inmates and staff to each other in this lockup, it is going to be very difficult to prevent the spread of COVID-19 once it is introduced into the facility as the virus can spread via the microscopic vapor that we release every time we speak, cough or sneeze.

We will continuously update this page as the virus changes and new policies are instituted.

How to Schedule and Visit an Inmate in Dawson County Jail

To schedule and set up a visit, either at-the-jail or remotely from your home, follow these instructions:

  • Register and/or log in.
  • Select Dawson County Jail, then your inmate.
  • Review the days, available hours and the cost of remote and on-site visits in Dawson County.
  • Schedule your visit.

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.


 

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

To send a secure email message to an inmate in Dawson County Jail follow these steps:

  • Register with Inmate Sales, the company that handles inmate messaging in Dawson County, by creating an account.
  • Select Nebraska, then select Dawson County Jail, and then the inmate you want to send your message to.
  • Choose the amount of money you want to spend, and input your payment method. The funds can also be used by the inmate to send a message back to you.
  • If you want to pay by phone, call 877-998-5678.
  • NOTE: All messages between you and your inmate will be permanently recorded and seen by the staff and could be used against your inmate in court.

-  Chirping is the product name for inmate texting.  
-  This product allows Dawson County inmates to send chirps (texts) to friends and family members.
-  Inmates will be charged a monthly service fee of $4.00.
-  Inbound and Outbound Chirps are $0.10 each.

Inmate Sales Apps

iphone app
Google Play app

For all information on how to Text/Email an Inmate in Dawson County Jail check out our Secure Messaging Guide for Dawson County.


 

How Do Inmates in Dawson County Jail Make Phone Calls?

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

  • Dawson County Jail uses the services of a company named Inmate Sales.
  • Register with them online or call them at 877-998-5678
  • Agents are available M-F from 8:00 AM - 12:00 midnight EST, Saturdays from 10:00 AM - 9:00 PM, and speak both English & Spanish.
  • Services for Dawson County inmates and their families and friends include: Collect Calling, PIN Debit, Purchasing Calling Cards, Deposits, Messaging & Video Visitation.

iphone app
Google Play app

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


 

How to Send a Text or Email Message to an Inmate in Dawson County Jail

To send a text or email message to a Dawson County inmate, do the following:

Dawson County Jail uses VISITEL for Inmate Email.

Register here. 
Steps: 
1.  Sign up for Messaging services.
2. Find your Dawson County inmate.
3. Set up a payment method.
4. Type & Send message.

For all Dawson County information for sending secure messages to an inmate in Dawson County Jail, including instructions, video examples, fees, limits, tablet rentals and more, check out out Text/Email an Inmate Page.
NOTE: Use caution when writing your inmate. Try not to discuss strategies regarding their case. All messages can be shared with the Dawson County prosecutor.


 

How to Schedule and Visit an Inmate in Dawson County Jail

To schedule and set up a visit, either at-the-jail or remotely from your home, follow these instructions:

  • Register and/or log in.
  • Select Dawson County Jail, then your inmate.
  • Review the days, available hours and the cost of remote and on-site visits in Dawson County.
  • Schedule your visit.

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.


 

How do Inmates in Dawson County Jail Make Phone Calls?

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

  • Register with CTEL, the phone system Dawson County inmates must use.
  • Open an account, 
  • Fund your acount,
  • Find, and then sync with your inmate.

Rates

  • Rates cannot exceed $0.21 per minute for regular calls and $0.25 per minute for collect calls.
  • The minimum billable duration is one minute.
  • Billable time is measured and rounded to the next higher full minute. 
  • Phone calls are terminated if the called party does not accept the call charges.
  • Customers are not billed for a 'no response'. 

Transaction Fees:

  • If paying through the Customer Portal Website: $3.00 per transaction
  • If paying with the assistance of a live operator: $5.95 per transaction

Minimum Deposit Amount
There is a $25.00 minimum for the first deposit.

Customer Service
Monday - Friday 8-5 PM CST
800-583-9683 
Email: [email protected]

For full information about using CTEL to communicate by phone with your Dawson County inmate, visit our Inmate Phone Page. You will find information about Inmate Phone schedules, rates, rules, policies, and tips. Please note that all of your phone calls will be recorderd and any information about your inmate's case that you speak about could be used against him in court.