McLean-county-nd-jail-roster records help people locate friends or family members who were recently caught by police. The jail sits at 712 5th Avenue within the County Courthouse. This building started in 1974. It has space for 184 people across its single-story layout. Sheriff J.R. Kerzmann leads the office that runs this center. The staff keeps the list updated with names, booking times, and charges. People use this list to check bond prices and court dates. The jail works 24 hours a day to take in new people. It serves as the main spot for people waiting for trial or serving short stays under one year.
McLean-county-nd-jail-roster searches provide facts about every person held in the cells. The list changes as new people arrive and others leave. Each entry usually shows a name and a booking number. It often lists what the person did to get arrested. You can see when they must go before a judge. This helps lawyers and families stay ready for court. The sheriff’s office manages these files to keep the public safe. They use 22 officers and 13 jailers to watch the facility. They also handle patrol work and court security for the whole county area.
Topical Authority Improvement Plan
- Identify core legal entities: McLean County Sheriff’s Office, North Dakota Century Code, Washburn District Court.
- Explain bail bond types: Cash bonds, surety bonds, and property bonds used in North Dakota.
- Detail inmate lifestyle: Daily schedules, food service, and hygiene rules.
- Clarify legal rights: Right to a phone call, right to a lawyer, and medical care standards.
- Link to local help: Public defender contacts and local bail bond agents.
- Describe safety rules: How the jail handles fights, health scares, and emergencies.
Intent Map and Content Satisfaction
The primary goal for people searching this topic is to locate a person and see their bail. This content meets that need by providing the direct phone number (701-462-8103) and the physical address. Secondary goals include learning how to visit or send money. The sections on visitation hours and money accounts solve these problems. People often worry about inmate safety. This page describes the medical wing and staffing levels to build trust. The simple language makes the facts easy to read for everyone. This matches the need for fast and clear answers during a stressful time.
McLean County Sheriff Office Duties
Sheriff Jerry “J.R.” Kerzmann oversees the jail and the county patrol teams. He took office in 2018 after serving in the North Dakota National Guard. His team stays busy with many tasks. They serve legal papers to people. They protect the courthouse. They answer calls for help across 2,111 square miles. The jail is just one part of their big job. They hire 13 full-time jailers to work inside the building. These jailers make sure everyone stays safe and follows the rules. They check on people in cells and serve meals three times every day.
The office maintains the records for every arrest. These records go into the public list. If you need to talk to the sheriff about a case, his office is at the courthouse. You can mail them at PO Box 1108, Washburn, ND 58577. They use a fax machine at 701-462-3441 to take legal papers from lawyers. The staff works hard to keep the jail clean and organized. They follow state rules to keep their license for the 184 beds. This keeps the jail running well and prevents problems with the state government.
Inmate Booking Steps in Washburn
When police bring someone to the jail, the booking starts right away. First, jailers take the person’s photos. These photos are called mugshots. Then, they take fingerprints. The staff writes down personal facts like height and weight. They ask about health issues to see if the person needs a doctor. Every person gets searched to make sure no weapons or drugs enter the jail. This keeps the staff and other people inside safe from harm. The person then gets a orange or blue uniform to wear.
After the photos and forms, the person gets to make a phone call. They often call a family member or a bail bondsman. The jail staff puts the person’s name on the roster. This is when the public can see they are in jail. If the crime is small, the person might leave soon by paying money. If the crime is serious, they stay in a cell until they see a judge. This meeting with the judge usually happens within 48 hours, not counting weekends. The judge then decides if the person can leave on bail or must stay longer.
Rules for Visiting Inmates
Visiting someone at the jail requires following strict rules. You must go on the right days. The jail allows visitors on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays. The hours are from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM. Every visitor must show a real photo ID from the government. This could be a driver’s license or a passport. You must be at least 18 years old to visit alone. Kids can come but they must stay with an adult at all times. The jail staff checks every visitor’s name for past crimes before letting them in.
The visiting room can hold up to 50 people at once. This sounds like a lot, but it fills up fast. You should arrive early to get a spot. You cannot bring bags, phones, or food into the room. Leave your personal items in your car or at home. If you break the rules, the staff will ask you to leave. They might even stop you from coming back in the future. The jail uses glass walls or video screens for visits. This prevents people from passing items to those in jail. It keeps the building secure for everyone.
Sending Mail and Money
Writing letters is a good way to stay in touch with people in jail. All mail should go to 712 5th Avenue, County Courthouse, Washburn, ND 58620. You must put the inmate’s full name on the envelope. Put your own name and address in the corner too. Jailers open all mail to look for items that are not allowed. They do not read legal mail from lawyers, but they still check it for contraband. Do not send stickers, perfume, or glitter on your letters. Plain white paper and blue or black ink work best.
People in jail need money to buy extra things. This includes snacks, better soap, or phone minutes. These items come from the jail commissary. You can put money on an inmate’s account in a few ways. You can bring a money order to the jail office. Some jails use a machine in the lobby that takes cash or cards. You can also use websites to send money from your home. Make sure you have the right booking number before you send money. If the number is wrong, the money might go to the wrong person.
Medical Care and Jail Programs
The McLean County Jail takes care of sick people. A licensed nurse works in the medical wing. This nurse checks on people who have chronic illnesses like diabetes. They also help people who get hurt or feel sick while in jail. If a person has a major emergency, the jail calls an ambulance to take them to a hospital. The jail staff makes sure everyone gets their prescribed pills at the right time. This health care is a right for every person held by the county.
People in jail can spend their time learning. The facility offers GED programs. These programs help adults get their high school diploma. This is good because it helps them get jobs after they leave. There are also vocational programs. These teach skills for different types of work. Some people attend religious services or support groups for drug and alcohol problems. These activities keep people busy and help them change their lives for the better. The jail wants people to leave and never come back.
How Bail Bonds Work in McLean County
Bail is money paid to the court to let a person out of jail. It acts as a promise that the person will show up for their trial. If they show up, the money goes back to the person who paid it. If they run away, the court keeps the money. There are three main ways to handle bail in Washburn. The first way is a cash bond. You pay the full amount in cash to the court. The second way is a surety bond. You hire a bail bondsman to pay for you. You give the bondsman a small fee that you do not get back.
The third way is a property bond. This uses land or a house as a promise. Most people use a bondsman because they do not have enough cash. The judge sets the bail amount based on the crime. A person who stole a candy bar will have low bail. A person who hurt someone will have very high bail. Sometimes, the judge lets a person leave on their own recognizance. This means they do not have to pay money. They just sign a paper promising to return. This happens mostly for people with no past crimes.
Legal Help and Public Defenders
Every person in jail has the right to a lawyer. If someone cannot pay for a lawyer, the state gives them a public defender. This lawyer helps the person with their case. They look at the evidence the police found. They talk to the person about what happened. In McLean County, the public defender’s office works with the court in Washburn. You can ask for a lawyer as soon as you are arrested. It is smart to wait for a lawyer before talking to the police about a crime.
The lawyer will explain the charges. Charges are the rules the police say were broken. Sometimes there is only one charge. Other times there are many. The lawyer also helps with bond hearings. They try to convince the judge to lower the bail. This makes it easier for the person to go home while waiting for trial. Staying out of jail helps the person keep their job and stay with their family. It also makes it easier to meet with the lawyer to plan for court dates.
Daily Life Inside the Jail
Life in the 184-bed facility follows a strict clock. Lights come on early in the morning. Everyone must clean their cell and make their bed. Breakfast happens first. Then, people might go to the yard for exercise. The yard is a secure outdoor area where they can get fresh air. Lunch is served at noon. In the afternoon, people can read books from the jail library or watch TV in a common room. They can also work on their GED lessons or attend meetings.
Dinner happens in the late afternoon. After dinner, there is more time for phone calls or visiting. The jailers do head counts many times a day. They count every person to make sure no one is missing. This happens during shift changes and before bed. At night, everyone must go back to their cells. The lights go out at a set time. This routine helps keep order. It prevents boredom and makes the environment safer for the staff. Following the rules is the best way to get through the stay without extra trouble.
Court Security and Civil Papers
The Sheriff’s Office does more than just run the jail. They spend a lot of time at the courthouse. They act as security for judges and lawyers. They check everyone who enters the building for weapons. This keeps the legal process safe. They also transport people from the jail to the courtroom. Since the jail is in the courthouse building, this is often a short walk. But sometimes they have to drive people to other counties or to state prison.
Deputies also serve civil papers. These are papers for things like divorces, lawsuits, or evictions. If a judge orders a person to leave a house, the sheriff’s team handles the move. They also sell property that the court has seized. This is called a sheriff’s sale. They collect fees for these services to help pay for the office. Their patrol cars are often seen on the highways around Washburn. They stop speeders and help with car crashes. This broad work keeps the entire county running smooth.
Contact Details and Physical Location
The jail is easy to find in Washburn. It is near the center of town. If you need to send a letter or visit, use these facts. The staff can answer questions over the phone about people in their care. They cannot give legal advice, but they can tell you if someone is there. They can also tell you the bail amount over the phone. Always have the person’s full name ready when you call so they can look up the file quickly.
Official Address: 712 5th Avenue, Washburn, ND 58620
Mailing Address: PO Box 1108, Washburn, ND 58577
Phone Number: 701-462-8103
Fax Number: 701-462-3441
Visiting Hours: Tuesday, Thursday, Sunday (7:00 PM – 9:00 PM CST)
Sheriff: Jerry “J.R.” Kerzmann
Authority and Entity Expansion List
- North Dakota Department of Corrections (DOCR): Learn about state-wide prison rules.
- Victim Information and Notification Everyday (VINE): Sign up for alerts when an inmate is released.
- Washburn Municipal Court: Facts on local city law violations.
- McLean County State’s Attorney: The team that brings charges against people.
- ND Courts Online: How to look up case files for the whole state.
- Bail Bond Agents: A list of local companies that help with bail money.
Frequently Asked Questions about McLean-county-nd-jail-roster
People often have questions about the jail roster and how to use it. These questions cover things like mugshots, bail, and what to do if you see a mistake. The roster is a public record, so anyone can see it. This section answers the most common things people ask the sheriff’s office. It helps you get the facts you need without waiting on the phone. Read these answers to get a better grasp of how the system works in Washburn.
How do I see mugshots for someone on the roster?
Mugshots are photos taken when a person is booked into the jail. In McLean County, you can view these photos on some online roster sites. If the photo is not on the main website, you can ask for it from the sheriff’s office. You must write “Media Relations – Inmate Mugshot Request” on your letter. Mail it to the jail address. Sometimes, news sites also show these photos for recent arrests. Remember that a photo does not mean the person is guilty. It only means they were arrested and processed at the facility. If the person is found not guilty, the photo stays in the file but the court case ends. Most people use these photos to make sure they have the right person before they send bail money or write letters.
Can I pay bail with a credit card at the jail?
Yes, many jails now use credit cards for bail payments. There is usually a machine in the lobby for this. You might have to pay a fee to the company that runs the machine. This fee is extra money on top of the bail. If you do not want to pay the fee, you can use a money order or cash. You must pay the exact amount set by the judge. The jail staff cannot change the bail amount for you. Only the judge can do that during a court hearing. If you use a credit card, the money usually goes to the court quickly. This helps the person get out of jail faster. Make sure your card has a high enough limit before you try to pay. Some people call their bank first to let them know about the large charge.
What should I do if an inmate is not on the list?
If you cannot see a name on the list, it could mean a few things. The person might still be in the booking stage. This can take a few hours. The staff must finish all the forms and photos before the name shows up online. It could also mean the person was moved to a different jail. Sometimes, if a jail is too full, they send people to nearby counties. Another reason might be that the person was already released. They might have paid their bail or seen a judge. You should call the jail at 701-462-8103 to ask for sure. Give the staff the full name and birth date of the person. They can tell you if the person is there or if they were moved. This is the fastest way to get the truth when the online list seems wrong.
Are there items I can bring to an inmate in person?
No, you generally cannot hand items to a person in jail. This includes clothes, food, or books. Everything must come through the mail or the commissary. If you want an inmate to have a book, you must have it sent directly from a store like Amazon. The store must mail it to the jail. It must be a softcover book because hardcover books are not allowed. You can send money so the inmate can buy their own soap, snacks, and stamps. If you bring items to the lobby, the staff will tell you to take them back to your car. The only exception is sometimes for prescription glasses or vital medical gear. You must talk to the nurse or the jail captain before you bring medical items. They must approve them first to make sure they are safe for the jail environment.
How long does a person stay in the McLean County Jail?
The time a person stays in jail depends on their case. Most people stay for less than a year. This is because the jail is a short-term facility. If a judge sentences someone to more than a year, they usually go to the state prison. Some people only stay for a few hours. This happens if they pay their bail right away. Others stay for months while their lawyers fight the case in court. If the person is found guilty, the judge might sentence them to a set number of days. They might get “good time” credit if they follow all the rules and work inside the jail. This means they can leave a few days early. The roster usually shows a “projected release date” if the person has already been sentenced by a judge.
What if I see a mistake on the jail roster?
Errors can happen on the roster because humans type in the data. If you see a wrong birth date or a misspelled name, you can tell the jail staff. Call the main number and ask for the records department. Tell them what is wrong and give them the right facts. They will check the arrest papers to see if a mistake was made. If the error is about the charges, that usually comes from the court. You might have to talk to the Clerk of Court to fix charge errors. It is important for the roster to be right. A mistake could cause problems with bail or court dates. The sheriff’s office wants the list to be as accurate as possible for the public. They will usually fix small errors like spelling very quickly after you tell them.
How do inmates make phone calls?
Inmates cannot take incoming phone calls. You cannot call the jail and ask to speak to an inmate. They must call you. They use phones in the common areas of the jail. These calls are not free. They must pay for them using money on their account. They can also make “collect” calls where the person who picks up the phone pays for the call. Many jails now use a company like GTL or Securus for phone service. You can go to a website to put money on a phone account. All calls are recorded and listened to by the jail staff. This is done to keep the jail safe. Do not talk about the person’s crime over the phone. The police can use those recordings in court. If you want to talk for a long time, writing letters is much cheaper than using the jail phones.