Elkhart County Corrections Center Inmate Bail & Bonds

Elkhart County Corrections Center

Address:
26861 C.R. 26
Elkhart, IN 46517

Phone:

574-891-2100

How do Bail Bonds work at Elkhart County Corrections Center

Posting a Bond to get an Inmate Released from the Elkhart County Corrections Center

  • To pay an inmate's bond, go to the jail lobby of the Elkhart Correctional Complex located at 26861 C.R. 26 Elkhart, IN 46517.
  • Bonds are completed on a first come first serve basis. No appointment is needed.
  • For some reason it is busiest between 3:00PM and 6:00PM, so wait times may be longer.
  • No bonding during formal inmate counts. These occur at shift change and feeding times. Bonds will not be scheduled during formal counts.
  • Cash bonds may be paid with cash or credit card. A 10% fee will be added to bonds being paid with a credit card.

The Elkhart County Sheriff recommends that if you use a bail bond agent, make sure they are licensed to do business in Elkhart County.

  • You can pay a cash bond yourself, or use your home in Elkhart County, or in some cases the state of Indiana, but the benefit of using a bail bond agent is that they take responsibility for making sure the inmate shows up for court in Elkhart County, and if they don't, then they take the financial responsibility.
  • The typical fee for a bond will be between 10-20% of the bail amount; usually 15%.  So if an offender has a bail of $10,000.00, their bond will be $1500.00.

Call 574-891-2100 to find out the exact bond (plus other fees) amount, or look it up online by looking up the information on the Elkhart County inmate locator.

Click here >>>  for a List of Licensed Bail Bondsman in Elkhart County


 

Who do I call to find out the Bond for an Inmate?

Please call the jail at 574-891-2100 for the type of bond and any information that is required for a particular individual at Elkhart County Corrections Center.
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 Elkhart County

Because Elkhart County and Indiana can change their bail bond procedures, it is always best to call either the Elkhart County Corrections Center at 574-891-2100, 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 Elkhart County Corrections Center or the Elkhart County Court Clerk these specific questions:

  1. Is the defendant eligible for bail or a bond?
  2. How much will the bail or bond be, and what are the additional fees?
  3. Where do I go to pay it?
  4. Are there any days or times of the day or night when I cannot post bail?
  5. What types of payment are allowed? Cash? Money order? Credit card? What types of credit cards? Property or other collateral? Surety bonds?
  6. Do I have to use a bail or bond agent?

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 Elkhart County Corrections Center

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 Elkhart County Corrections Center 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 Elkhart County Corrections Center where the defendant is being held, but usually to the Elkhart County Sheriff's Office or to the Elkhart 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 Elkhart County Corrections Center

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 Elkhart County Corrections Center

If you are a landowner in Elkhart County you may be able to post a property bond. Property within Elkhart 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 Elkhart 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 Elkhart County Corrections Center.

Who can post Bail or Bond for a Defendant at Elkhart County Corrections Center?

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 Indiana state licensed Bail Bond firm.

Juveniles may only be bailed or bonded out of custody by a parent or legal guardian.

Elkhart County Justice System Flowchart

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, Elkhart 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 Elkhart 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.

How to Rent a Tablet for an Inmate in Elkhart County Corrections Center

To rent a tablet for an inmate in Elkhart County follow these instructions:

  • Register here.  It is recommended you use Chrome or Firefox.
  • Pay for the subscription using Paypal.
  • 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 Elkhart County inmate will recieve their tablet in 3-5 business days, after you pay.


If you have any questions:

For all Elkhart County information on Tablet Rentals for your inmate, check out our Tablet Rental Page.


 

How to Send a Text or Email Message to an Inmate in Elkhart County Corrections Center

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

Elkhart County Corrections Center uses Securus eMessaging for Inmate Email.

Register here. (You are already registered if you signed up with Securus for 'Phone' or 'Remote Visitation' in Elkhart County or any jail or prison in the country).
Steps: 
1.  Sign up for eMessaging
2. Find your Elkhart County inmate.
3. Purchase a book of Securus ‘stamps’.
4. Type & Send message.

For all Elkhart County information for sending secure messages to an inmate in Elkhart County Corrections Center, including instructions, video examples, fees, limits, tablet rentals and more, check out out Text/Email an Inmate Page.


 

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

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

  • Go to JailATM, choose Indiana, then choose Elkhart County Corrections Center
  • Type in your inmate's last name or their Inmate ID.
  • Select your inmate, and then you will be prompted to Register with them to open an account.
  • Select the products you want shipped to them at Elkhart County Corrections Center, and then input your payment method. 
  • NOTE: There may be a limit on how much product you can send your inmate in Elkhart County at any one time.
  • If you need to phone customer support, call 877-810-0914

For all information, tips and available items for shipping Commissary packages or sending money to an inmate in Elkhart County Corrections Center check out our Commissary Instructions Page for Elkhart County.


 

How to Schedule and Visit an Inmate in Elkhart County Corrections Center

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 Elkhart County Corrections Center, then your inmate.
  • Review the days, available hours and the cost of remote and on-site visits in Elkhart 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 Deposit Money Online for an Inmate in Elkhart County

To deposit money online for an inmate in Elkhart County Corrections Center follow these steps:

  • Register to open an account, or Sign In to JailATM, a service that acts as a bank for inmates in Elkhart County.
  • After registering and signing in, select 'Send Money Now'.
  • Choose Indiana, then choose Elkhart County Corrections Center
  • Type in your inmate's last name or their Inmate ID.
  • Select your inmate.
  • Input an amount to deposit to your inmate in Elkhart County Corrections Center, and then input your payment method. 
  • NOTE: There may be a limit on how much money you can send your inmate in Elkhart County at any one time.
  • If you need to phone customer support, call 877-810-0914.

For all information, tips and procedures for sending money to an inmate in Elkhart County Corrections Center, or depositing money at the jail, over the phone or by mail, check out our Send Money Page for Elkhart County.


 

How an Inmate Makes a Phone Call to You or Others from Elkhart County Corrections Center

To set up a phone account so that your inmate can call you from Elkhart 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 Elkhart 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.


 

Photos of this facility
1 / 2
2 / 2