Stephenson County Jail – Freeport, IL

Stephenson County Jail is in Stephenson County, IL and is the jail for this area. Looking for somebody in jail at Stephenson County Jail? This page tells you information about anything related to Stephenson County Jail,such as: Find an inmate at Stephenson County Jail. Find inmate mugshots. The jail’s phone number and address. Bail and how to get out of jail. Intake procedures. Court records. And more…

The chance of going to jail is a scary thought, not only for the person who goes to jail, but also their friends and family. The goal of this guide is to give you all the information you need to make the process less stressful. If you have questions, feel free to ask them, and please leave any comments or feedback that might be beneficial to other people in the same situation will be welcome.

Do you know someone in jail and don’t know how to find them?

Do you know someone that’s been arrested and you don’t know how to find them?

To find out who’s in jail at Stephenson County Jail you should go to their link and do an inmate search.

The Stephenson County Jail Inmate List is a list of persons who were arrested and are now in jail, which includes current status, bail amount (if applicable), and visiting hours. Also, you are able to find info for anyone booked or discharged within the past 24-hour period. Jail inmates are listed in alphabetical order by last name. You’ll be able to find their arrest information quicker if you’ve got your friend or family member’s name, birth date, or inmate ID Number.

If your friend or loved one might be in a different jail you can look here: Illinois Jails

A mugshot, also known as a jail intake photograph, is a picture that the police take when you are booked into jail. They take one face photo and a profile photo. Your full name and jail ID number will be in the pictures, and they will be on file at the jail.

Mugshots of people who have been arrested can be searched on the website, or you can see them at the Stephenson County Jail. When you search for mugshots on the website you will have to put in the inmate’s legal name, and the arrest date, if you know it.

Want to have your mugshot taken down from the Stephenson County Jail website? This may not be possible, since your mugshot is a matter of public record. To get your mugshot taken down you must file a Petition to Expunge in court. Basically, this means that the record of your arrest will be sealed, and will not be accessible. It is difficult to do this, and you will most likely need the services of a lawyer.

For a more in-depth article about getting your mugshot taken down, the many different mugshot websites, and the mugshot removal websites: Mugshot Removal

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Of course, if you are arrested and put in jail, your main thought is about how to get out. After you’ve been booked, your bail amount is set either by bail schedule or magistrate. If you don’t get a bail set this might mean that you will either be released on your ‘own recognizance’ until your court date, or you don’t get released while you wait for your court date.

If you do bail out of jail you will have to agree to be in court on your court date, and until that date you are required not to travel out of the county.

Typically, an inmate are given an early release in exchange for good behavior when they don’t break the rules and don’t cause any problems while incarcerated.

If you follow the rules, you may be granted work release. You will be required to return to jail at the end of the day after work, or you might get to move to a halfway house when you are not working.

Bail is the amount of money that you have to pay in order to be released from jail pending trial. Your bail amount is dictated by how serious your crime is. Someone you know will need to post 10 percent of the total amount set in order for you to be released from jail. If you don’t go to your court appearance, whoever paid your bail will lose all of the bail money.

To find out how much bail money you will need to bail someone out of jail have to call the Stephenson County Jail or the County Courthouse. If know the person’s information, including name, address and date of birth, they’ll be able to let you know how much their bail is. You can also check their bail amount and status on the jail website.

Posting bail to get out of jail is an unpleasant situation, but most of the time, its easy. First of all, find out if their bail is a Cash Only Bond. If this is the case, you can’t use the services of a Bail Bondsman. They only accept cash at the jail, so you have to take cash – they will not take a personal check. As soon as you’ve paid the bail bond, the prisoner will get released. If the conditions of bail are not violated, you’ll get the bail money back.

If the bail amount is too high, or you can’t afford it, you might need to use a bail bondsman. Bail bondsmen will generally have a fee of 10-15% of the bail amount, and usually have a minimum of $100. This money is non-refundable and has to be paid in cash. If the bail is extremely high, the bondsman will request to use assets as collateral in addition to the fee they charge.

You can find a local bail bondsman click here: How to find a bail bondsman

Have you ever used the services of bondsman to bail someone out of jail? If so, please share your experience in a comment below, and let us know how things turned out.

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• Get Time Off For Good Behavior
• Work Release
• Get Out For Time Served
• Pre-Trial Release Programs
• Get Out on House Arrest
• Own Recognizance

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The jail intake procedure includes each of the following steps:

• They’ll put you in a holding cell. If the jail is busy, you will have to wait a while to get processed.
• Firstly, you must answer some basic questions, such as what your legal name is, your address, date of birth and contact person.
• They’ll also ask about your medical and psychological history.
• You will be given an inmate ID.
• You will get fingerprinted.
• You will have your mugshot taken.
• All personal property will get taken away from you and stored until you are released.
• They will let you use the phone to contact family, friends, or bail bondsman.
• If you are expected to be released shortly, you will be allowed to wear your own clothes, if not you will have to wear a jail jumpsuit.

Have you ever been arrested and gone through processing at jail? If so, please tell us what happened. How long did it take to get through intake? How did the guards treat you? Do you know any things that might help other people that get arrested get through jail processing?

Click here to tell your story

When you finally post bail, you will be allowed to leave jail. The discharge process may take anywhere between 30 minutes to all day long. Or, simply, the faster you can pay your bail, the quicker you can get out of jail. It also will depend on if you’ve been given a bond amount or if the magistrate must figure out the amount of bail to be set. For lesser charges, you will simply be booked and get released without having to post bail. If you have served a sentence in jail and are given a release date, you should plan to get released that morning.

issued for your arrest, or if you need to report to start a sentence, it is recommended that you follow the rules and turn yourself in willingly. In the case of an outstanding warrant, report to the jail processing area, and tell the intake officer that think that there is a warrant out for your arrest. They will check to see if you have a warrant, and if so, they will take you into custody. When reporting to serve a sentence, report at the exact time and date that the sentence order or court paperwork states. Be very careful that you are not late to report. Make sure that you only bring required items when you turn yourself in, like your driver’s license or even photo ID, prescription medication, and a official sentencing order.

To have visitors, you must list each visitor’s name to the jail in advance. Your visitor’s names will be put into a log of visitors as an approved visitor. Every visitor is required to provide identification. Visitors arriving late or that is not an approved visitor will not be able to attend visitation.
Visitation procedures frequently change, so make sure that you check the official site before you go to the jail to visit.

All phone calls from jail are collect calls or through a pre-paid phone account. Phone calls made in jail are a lot more expensive than phone calls made at home. There is no limit to when and how often you can use the phone, but you should keep in mind that you are just one of many people who want to talk to their loved ones. If you are under any sort of disciplinary procedure, phone calls might get reduced or forbidden completely.

The Stephenson County Jail phone number is: (815) 235-8254

All inmate mail is required to be mailed using the US Postal Service. You can’t use any other type of delivery. You must write or type the name, inmate number, and the jail address on the outside of the letter that you send. Don’t mail a box, padded envelope, bag, or an envelope containing metal parts. All mail that you send to inmates is opened and inspected and read by staff, and will get sent back to the person who mailed it if the jail decides it is inappropriate.

The address that you should use if you are sending a letter to an inmate at Stephenson County Jail is:

Stephenson County Jail
1680 Singer Drive
Freeport, IL 61032

Here is how you should address the letter:

[INMATE’S FULL NAME]
[INMATE ID]
Stephenson County Jail
1680 Singer Drive
Freeport, IL 61032

The Stephenson County Jail inmate mail policy changes, so be sure to review the official website when you send a letter to an inmate.

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Even if you’ve been arrested, you need to be aware that you still have rights, one of these is that you have the right to request a lawyer. You won’t get many phone calls in jail, so make sure to get a friend or family member to find an attorney when you call them. I know you’re probably asking yourself right now ‘do I really need a lawyer?’ You can represent yourself if you really want to, but, a criminal lawyer can advise you of your rights, protect your interests and help you find your way through the court system in your county. The sooner you hire an attorney to represent you and work on your case, the better your chances.

For more information on this subject, go to: Find a Lawyer

If you’ve been arrested and cannot afford an attorney, you will be given a public defender for a lawyer. Also, the Public Defender Office has access to investigators, experts in forensics and social workers. All Public Defenders are real lawyers who are members of the Illinois State Bar and are licensed to handle your case.

Have you or someone you know used the services of a Public Defender? Are you happy with how they handled your case?

Court records are public records and are available upon request. Court records contain a court case file containing a sheet called a docket sheet and each of the documents and motions filed in the case. You are able to access your court case records with the online service, or by going to the Clerk’s office of the Court.

The Stephenson County Clerk of Court is an officer of the court that maintains court records. They also administer the oath for any court participant who must be under oath, and also read the verdict when decided by the jury. All records and documents associated with your court case are maintained at the Stephenson County Clerk of Court.

Court fees and costs are the costs associated with your case, for example filing fees, motion fees and various court charges. If you cannot afford these fees and have been assigned a Public Defender, you will not be responsible for these fees.

The Stephenson County court magistrate is the type of judge that rules over your case. Magistrates are judges that do different tasks, like setting bail, issuing warrants, and acting as the presiding judge over preliminary and procedural court proceedings and detention hearings.

A defendant’s pre-sentencing report is put together with your background information and details of the arrestee’s life and history, which the judge will review when determining your sentence. Information will be gathered from the defendant, the defendant’s family, and in some cases the victim in the crime. Don’t forget you are allowed to request to get a copy of the report before sentencing, so you get the chance to correct any mistakes that it contains.

After you are convicted of a crime, you will then get sentenced. The judge will have several different options when sentencing you, ranging from community service and probation, to incarceration in jail or prison. Depending on how serious your crime was, you might get taken into custody immediately, or given a date that you are required to turn yourself into jail to serve your sentence.

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Do you want to find out if a family member or friend is incarcerated in jail, or has gone to jail in the past?

This is pretty easy to do, simply you should go to the jail’s website, and search by:

• Their name.
• Birth date.
• Approximate booking date.
• and their jail inmate ID.

If you think this person is in jail, you should call the jail confirm whether they’ve been arrested or not.

If you think you have an outstanding warrant, you are able to check the arrest warrants on the Stephenson County jail website or call the court. You have to have the person’s first and last name. Or, you can just go the jail in person and ask one of the officers. You should be clear that if there is an arrest warrant out for you, you should be prepared to get taken into custody immediately.

If you know the person’s first and last name, and the date of their arrest, contact the Stephenson County jail, by phone, in person, or check online. Records of arrests are in the public record and the information is accessible by the public.

A Civil Process is when someone has been served with papers, which can be warrants. You can access civil process orders by getting in touch with the Stephenson County Sheriff’s office, on their website or by phone.

All people registered as sex offenders must be registered and listed on a sex offender database. The people listed on these databases have been tried by jury and convicted in a court of law of a sex crime. You can access these listings on the website, but you should know that you can’t get the street address, rather the block that they live on.

Court Records are public records. These records include a court case file that contains a court docket and all documents filed in the case. You are able to access court records on their website, or at Clerk of Court where the case was filed.

Each state maintains records of a person’s criminal past. These online databases are all connected so you are able to track criminal backgrounds from another state. You are able to go to the courthouse and check in person or you can check the website. It helps to know the county, and in the event that the crime was in a different state, you might have to pay a fee for a more complete search.

A criminal history search you are able to get a report detailing any arrests, charges, or convictions that may be on a person’s record for any crimes, which can include:

• Driving Under the Influence (DUI).
• Drug crimes like possession or trafficking.
• Kidnapping.
• Sex offenses which could include rape, and sexual assault.
• Violent crimes including assault, battery and murder.
• Theft.

But, when you do a criminal records check, in most cases will not see if they have had any moving violations, like:

• Speeding or reckless driving.
• Drivers license revoked or suspended.
• Traffic accidents.
• Moving violations.
• Parking Tickets.

To search for driving records, you have to do a search for their driving record.

Have you ever had to look for criminal records online? How easy was it? Did you do your search online or did you call the courthouse? Was it correct? There are lots of reasons that folks look up criminal records, and your feedback might make it easier for others.

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Most Wanted

The FBI has a list of the Ten Most Wanted Criminals. In Stephenson County, the Sheriff maintains their own list of the top most wanted criminals in the county.

FBI Ten Most Wanted List

Stephenson County Sheriff’s Department’s Ten Most Wanted List


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Life In Jail / What Its Like

Daily Life

Everyone knows that serving a jail sentence in the Stephenson County jail is no fun, eventually you will become accustomed to the daily routine there. All inmates get an alarm for wake-up every morning at six in the morning, and then roll call. Next, you will get breakfast. Following breakfast you will work in the work program that you’ve been assigned to. This could be working in the kitchen, laundry, or some sort of manufacturing job. While this may seem tedious, it may help you when you leave jail, as you are gaining experience in a certain field of work. Other inmates go to school, while some take part in mandated treatment programs. After lunch, there will be another roll call, then back to work. Your evening will be spent either in your cell or a common room. During this time dinner is served and you will be expected to take a shower. After another roll call, it’s lights out. Even though you will be confined to your cell, there may be enough light to read or write letters. Then again, most inmates welcome lights out, and try to get as much sleep as they can.

Most people are frightened at the idea of jail because they don’t know what to expect. If you have spent any time in Stephenson County Jail, your experiences would be welcomed, if it can help another person to deal with it.

Dress Code

When incarcerated, all inmates are expected to wear the Stephenson County Jail uniform. This is normally a jumpsuit or scrubs. Of note to anyone visiting an inmate – you must be properly dressed. Any clothing considered inappropriate will not be permitted.

How To Send Money to an Inmate

You will have your own ‘bank account’ while in jail. This money is used to purchase items from the Commissary. Family and friends can deposit money into this account for you, and any money you earn while in prison will also be deposited into your account. Outside money can be paid in to your account via a money order, cash or check. If someone sends a check or money order, make sure that they write your inmate ID on it. The maximum amount you are allowed in your account is $290 per month.

The process for sending funds to jail inmates can change, so check the official Stephenson County Jail site before you send funds to an inmate there.


Commissary

The commissary is the jail store. You can purchase a number of things here, such as toiletries, snacks and writing supplies. Bear in mind that you will probably want to use the commissary daily, and any infractions will get that privilege taken away from you.

Inmate Medications

If you are on any type of prescription medication, you will be allowed to continue taking it while in jail. When you are first processed, you will be asked what medication you take. You will then be referred to the jail nurse or doctor who will be in charge of monitoring your health and prescribing your medication.

Meals

You will get three meals a day: breakfast, lunch and dinner. As expected, they are very basic, but healthy. A typical breakfast might be cereal, toast, coffee and fruit. Lunch might be spaghetti, salad, bread and milk. Dinner could be chicken casserole, rice, vegetables, dessert and milk. Contrary to popular belief, prison food has greatly improved over the years, and you might find that it’s not much different from what you would eat at home.

Pods / The Yard

The jail is designed in a ‘pod’ layout, with self-contained housing arranged around an outdoor yard. Each pod has a central control station and a common room, and the inmates take turns in using the yard. The jail is designed this way to keep certain inmates together, and others away from the general population.

Gangs

As with life in general, gangs are a part of prison life. Obviously it is best to avoid becoming a part of this environment as it will only lead to trouble. When you first enter prison, you might find yourself being ‘primed’ to join a gang, or worse, you might get their attention in a negative way. The best thing to do is keep your head down and don’t get involved.


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News and Media

News

Photos / Pictures

Videos


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Jobs

Types of Jobs at Stephenson County Jail

The Deputy Sheriff is the second in command at the Stephenson County Jail, overseeing the day to day operations and administration of the jail. An inmate is unlikely to have much interaction with the Deputy Sheriff, unless they have committed an infraction. Detention Officers are responsible for the custody and care of the inmates. They maintain order in the jail, and handle security. A Detention Officer is assigned to a certain pod, and therefore is responsible for the same inmates each day. They get to know the inmates on a certain level and are well equipped to handle any problems that may occur.

Apply for a Job at Stephenson County Jail

Requirements:

• You must be over the age of 21.
• You must possess a High School Diploma or GED
• You must be a US Citizen.
• You must pass a Criminal, Credit and Driving History background check.
• You must pass a drug test.
• You must have a good level of fitness.
• You must be in good health.
• You must have a valid Driver’s License
• An applicant for Deputy Sheriff must possess a Law Enforcement Certification.


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Family Resources

There are resources for families of both the perpetrator of the crime and the victim. The social and emotional impact of crime is far reaching, affecting many. Families can receive professional counseling, court related assistance, social services assistance and help in navigating the criminal justice system.

If you are a family member, which resources did you find to be particularly helpful? Please let us know, as this will be helpful to other families in the same situation.

Click here to leave a comment


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Victim Resources

Important Note: If you, or someone you know, are in immediate danger, call 911.

Victim’s Rights

The Victim Rights Act grants victims the following rights:

• The right to protection from the accused.
• The right to notification.
• The right to attend proceedings.
• The right to speak at criminal justice proceedings.
• The right to consult with the prosecuting attorney.
• The right to restitution.
• The right to a speedy trial.
• The right to be treated with fairness, dignity and respect.

The definition of victim includes:

• Spouses and children of all victims.
• Parents and guardians of minor victims.
• Parents, guardians and siblings of mentally or physically incapacitated victims or victims of homicide.
• Foster parents or other caregivers, under certain circumstances.

There are a number of services and programs designed to help victims and their families. You can find out about these services by contacting the courthouse, or local law enforcement agency.

Victim Notification

The Department of Justice Victim Notification System (VNS) is a system that provides victims with information pertaining to their case and/or any defendants in the case. You will receive a Victim Identification Number (VIN) and a Personal Identification Number (PIN) that will allow you to access VNS via the internet or by phone. Here, you will find information about future court hearings, historical court events, and detailed information about the defendant. This will include criminal charges filed, the outcome of charges, sentence imposed, custody location, projected release date and any other release information. The VNS website is updated daily. You will also receive any ongoing information by mail or email.

Have you, a family member or friend ever used the Victim Notification System? If so, was it effective? Did you get the information in a timely manner? Was the system difficult to use? We would like to hear from you, so please post any comments here.

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Sex Offender Information and Search

All people registered as sex offenders are registered on either a national or state sex offender database. The people on these databases have been convicted of a sex or kidnapping crime. You can access this information online, but bear in mind that you will not get the exact address, rather the block that they live on.

Domestic Violence

If you or someone you know is a victim of domestic violence, there are services to help you. Your county will have a Domestic Violence Services office. They provide free and confidential services, such as emergency shelter information, legal advocacy, support groups and domestic violence education. They will work to help you create a safe and violence-free life, and heal from the trauma of abuse.

Important Note: If you, or someone you know, are in immediate danger, call 911.


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Reviews

Reviews of this Jail

Have you ever been locked up in this jail? Do you know someone that is an inmate there? Have you ever visited a prisoner at Stephenson County Jail?

If yes, then please write a review about it. Write down your experience because other people can find out what to expect.

What to write in your comment:

• Conditions in Stephenson County Jail.
• Jail, yard and pod layout and facility
• Staff and guards
• Commissary and food
• Visitation Days
• Other Inmates.
• Safety
• Jail gangs
• Prisoner programs and activities


Write Your Review

Tell Your Story

Everybody who’s been arrested and thrown in jail has a story about it. Why’d you get arrested? Did you experience fair treatment? What was your daily routine in jail? How did you get along with the other inmates? Did going to jail affect your life? How?

Click here to tell your story about Stephenson County Jail

Send a Message to Your Cell Mate

Did you meet some cool folks in jail? Want to find out how to get in touch with someone from jail? Then send them a message by posting a comment below.

Send a message to people incarcerated at Stephenson County Jail

Links and Resources

Main Stephenson County Jail Link
Stephenson County Jail Inmate Search
View Stephenson County Jail Mugshots
Stephenson County Jail Bail Amount Link

Stephenson County Jail Visitation Policy Link
Stephenson County Jail Jail Mail Policy Link
Stephenson County Jail Inmate Search
Stephenson County Jail Warrant Inquiry
Stephenson County Jail Arrest Inquiry
Send Funds to an Inmate at Stephenson County Jail
Stephenson County Jail Employment


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