Power County Detention Center – American Falls, ID

Power County Detention Center is in Power County and is the primary correctional facility for that region. Know someone at Power County Detention Center? This page gives you information about anything you might want to know about Power County Detention Centersuch as the following: How to locate an inmate at Power County Detention Center. Find mugshots. The jail’s address and phone number. Bail and bail bondsmen. Power County Detention Center intake procedures. Court records. And everything else.

The chance of going to jail is a scary situation, not only for the person who goes to jail, but also that person’s family and friends. This guide is meant to offer info that you need to make helping a friend or family member get out of jail easier. If you have a specific question, please feel free to ask it in the comment section below, and please leave any tips or comments that would help other people in the same situation would be much appreciated.

Do you know someone in jail and need to contact them?

Has a friend or family member who has been arrested and you need to locate them?

To search who’s in jail at Power County Detention Center you have to go to their link and perform an inmate lookup.

The Power County Detention Center Inmate Lookup is a list of persons who have been arrested, which includes custody status, bail amount, and schedule for visitation. Also, you can get info on anyone arrested and booked or released within the past 24 hours. Prisoners are shown in alphabetical order by last name. You can get the information more quickly if you enter your friend or family member’s full name, date of birth, or inmate ID.

If your friend or loved one is incarcerated at a different jail you should look here, too: List of all county jails in Idaho

A mugshot, also known as a booking photograph, is the photo that the jail takes when you get booked into jail. They take one and a profile picture. Your name and booking number will be on the pictures, and they are stored.

Mugshots of inmates can be searched online, or you can view them at the Power County Detention Center. When viewing mugshots online you will need to put in the person’s first and last name, and an arrest date, if you know it.

Need to know how to get your mugshot taken down from the Power County Detention Center site? This can be tricky, since the mugshot is a matter of public record. To get your mugshot taken down you have to file a Petition to Expunge with the court. This means that all of your arrest records would be sealed, so no one will be able to access them. It is difficult to do this, and you will most likely need the services of a lawyer.

Read our in-depth tutorial about getting your mugshot taken down, the various mugshot sites, and the websites that offer to remove your mugshot for you: Mugshot Removal

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Naturally, if you’re incarcerated, your primary thought is about when you get out. After you’ve gone through the intake process, a bail amount will be set using the bail schedule or the magistrate will decide it. In cases where no bail is set this can mean that you will either be free to go until your trial, or you have to stay in jail until your trial.

If you are released from jail you are required to promise to go to your court date, and until that date you can’t go out of town.

In most cases, a prisoner in the Power County Detention Center can earn time off for good behavior if they respect the rules and don’t cause any problems while they are in jail.

If you follow the rules, you might be given work release detail. Either you will have to return to the jail every day when you’re finished working, or you might get to live in a halfway house when you are not working.

Bail is how much money that you have to pay to the courts to be released from jail until your court date. The amount of bail that is set all depends on how serious your charges are. You will have to pay to the courts ten percent of the total that was set so you are able to get discharged from jail. If you miss court, the person that bailed you out of jail will lose all of the bail money.

You must call the Power County Detention Center or the County Courthouse. If know the pertinent information, such as name, address and date of birth, they will tell you how much their bail is. You can also find out how much their bail is on the jail website.

Needing to bail someone out of jail is an unpleasant situation, but most of the time, its really easy if you have the money. First, you need to know if it is a Cash Only Bond situation. If this is the case, you won’t be able to use a bail bondsman. They only accept cash at the jail, so you have to take cash – the jail will not take checks. When you’ve paid bail, the prisoner will be released to your care. If this person doesn’t violate any of the terms of their release, the bail money you posted will be returned to you.

If the bail amount is too high, or you just can’t afford to pay it, you might need to use a bail bondsman. Bondsmen will usually charge you a fee of 10 to 15 percent of the total bail amount, and sometimes charge a minimum charge of $100. This money will not be returned to you and bondsmen usually only accept cash. If their bail has been set particularly high, the bondsman may request to use your assets, such as home, property or cars, as collateral for the bond.

You can find a bail bondsman visit our page about: Find a bail bondsman

Have you ever had to find a bail bondsman to bail someone out of jail? If you have, post a comment below and tell about it, and let us know how things turned out.

Click here to post a comment

• Get Time Off For Good Behavior
• Get Out on Work Release
• Time Served
• Be Released on a Pre-Trial Release Program
• Get Out on House Arrest
• Be Released on Your Own Recognizance

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The intake procedure is made up of these steps:

• They’ll put you in a holding cell. If there are a lot of arrests, you will have to wait a while to get processed.
• Firstly, you will answer some simple questions, such as what your legal name is, street address, birth date and a contact person.
• You will also be asked about your medical and mental history.
• You will be issued an inmate ID number.
• You will be fingerprinted.
• You will have a front and profile photo taken for your mugshot.
• All of your personal property will be taken away from you and stored until you get released.
• They will allow you to use the phone in order to talk to family, friends, or bail bondsman.
• If you are expected to be released quickly, you might be allowed to skip the jumpsuit and keep wearing your own clothes, if not you will have to wear a jumpsuit.

Have you ever been arrested and gone through the jail intake procedure? If you have, please tell our readers about your experience. How long did you have to wait in the holding cell? How were you treated? Do you have any secrets that could help others to get through the procedure?

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When you post bail, you will be allowed to go home after you get discharged. Getting discharged can take anywhere between 15 minutes to quite a few hours. In simple terms, the faster you can post bail, the quicker you will get out of jail. Also, it can depend on whether you have a cash bond or if the judge still needs to determine the amount of bail to be set. For minor offenses, you will simply be booked and released on your own recognizance. When you get to the end of your sentence and are given a date of your release, you should plan to get discharged that morning.

out against you, or if you need to begin your sentence in jail, it is recommended that you follow the rules and go down to the jail and turn yourself in. In the case of an outstanding warrant, go to the jail intake center, and tell someone that you think there is a warrant out for your arrest. They will do a record check, and if they verify that you have one, they will take you into custody and begin the intake process. If you have a jail sentence to serve, report to the jail at the exact time and date that the sentence order states. Be very careful that you aren’t late. Only bring allowed items with you, like a driver’s license or ID, prescription medication, and a sentencing order from court.

In order to have visitors, inmates have to list each visitor’s full name to the jail before anyone can visit them. Your visitor’s names will be put in a log of approved visitors for the inmate that requested the visitor. All visitors will be required to provide acceptable photo identification. Anyone that arrives for visitation late or without a visiting order will not be allowed to visit the inmate.
The Power County Detention Center visitation procedures can change, so we suggest that you double-check the official jail site before you go.

Phone calls that inmates are allowed to make from jail are collect calls or through a pre-paid phone account. Phone calls made in jail are generally more expensive than phone calls made at home. There are certain restrictions about when and how often you can use the phone, but you should keep in mind that a long line can form at the phones, because everyone wants to use the phone, too. If you are disciplined for an infraction, phone calls might get cut back or cut altogether.

The Power County Detention Center phone number is: 208-226-2311

All inmate mail must be sent via the actual US Postal Service. You must not use any other method of mail or package delivery. You should write the prisoner’s name, inmate ID, and the address of the jail on the envelope. Don’t send a package, envelope with padding, plastic bag, or an envelope with metal inside. All mail will be opened and read by staff, and the mail will be sent back to the person who mailed it if it can’t be delivered.

The address that you should use if you are sending a letter to an inmate at Power County Detention Center is:

Power County Detention Center
550 Gifford Street
American Falls, ID 83211

Here is how you should address the letter:

[INMATE’S FULL NAME]
[INMATE ID]
Power County Detention Center
550 Gifford Street
American Falls, ID 83211

The mail policy at Power County Detention Center changes often, so you should check the the Power County Detention Center website before you send a letter.

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Even if you’ve been arrested, you have particular rights, one of these is your right to request a lawyer. You won’t get many phone calls in jail, so make sure you ask a friend or family member to locate an attorney for you. You might be asking yourself ‘I don’t need a lawyer – I can just represent myself’ While you are not required to have one, a criminal attorney will advise you about your rights, help protect your best interests and show you the way through the complicated court system in your county. The sooner you get an attorney working on your criminal case, the better off you’ll be.

For more information on the benefits of and how to hire an attorney, read our guide: How to Find a Lawyer in Power County

If you can’t afford a lawyer, a Public Defender will be assigned to you. The Public Defender has access to investigators, experts in forensics as well as social case workers. You will be reassured to know that Public Defenders are full-fledged attorneys, admitted to the Idaho State Bar Association and are legally licensed to handle your case.

Have you ever had to use a court appointed attorney? Do you think they properly handled your case?

Power County court records are public records. They contain a court case file with a docket sheet and all of the documents that have been filed in the case. You, and anyone else, can access your court case records via the Power County website, or at the Clerk of Court where the case was filed.

A Clerk of Court is a member of the court who maintains court records and controls access to them. They also administer the oath during court cases, and read the jury’s verdict. All records, documents, and evidence from your case are kept at the office of the Clerk of Court.

Court fees and costs are the charges and fees from your court case, for example filing fees, motion fees and various court charges. If you are low income and have court appointed legal counsel or a Public Defender, you may not have to pay them.

The Power County court magistrate is the judge that will preside on your case. They do a number of different things, which include setting your bail amount, issuing warrants for arrest, and acting as the presiding judge over first court appearances and detention proceedings.

A pre-sentencing report is completed to include information about the arrestee’s background and as much detail about the defendant’s life history, which the magistrate judge will review and take into account when determining a sentence. Information and personal details will be collected from the defendant, their family, and in some circumstances the victim of the crime. Remember you can ask to get your own copy of the pre-sentencing report before your sentencing, so you get the chance to review it for accuracy and completeness, and correct any mistakes.

If you get convicted of a crime, you will be sentenced. The presiding judge in your case will weigh several options when determining your sentence, ranging from community service to probation, to prison or jail time. Depending on how serious your crime was, you could be immediately taken into custody, or given a date to turn yourself into jail to serve your sentence.

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Want to find out if somebody you know is currently in jail, or has ever been locked up?

To do this, just visit the jail’s website, and search using:

• The inmate’s name.
• Birth date.
• Their booking date if you know it.
• and their inmate ID.

If you think that they are currently in jail, you can call the jail get confirmation.

If you believe you have an outstanding warrant, you can access court records on the Power County jail website or call the court directly. You have to have their first and last name. You can also go to the local jail and ask the officer in charge. You should be clear that there is an outstanding warrant for your arrest, you will be taken into custody immediately.

If you know the person’s name, as well as their arrest date, contact the jail, by phone, go there in person, or find out online. An arrest is public record and this information is freely available.

A Civil Process is when you are served with legal papers, which can be warrants. You can find these civil process orders by getting in touch with the Power County Sheriff’s office, by phone or online.

All people registered as sex offenders are registered and listed on the sex offender databases required by the area they live in. The people listed on these databases have been convicted in a court of law of a sex or kidnapping crime. You are able to see this information online, but bear in mind that you won’t find the actual address, rather the neighborhood block of the address that they registered.

Court Records are public records. Court Records include a court case file that includes a court docket and all filings and documents filed in the court case. You can access court records via the internet service ‘Public Access to Court Electronic Records’, or at the clerk’s office of the court where the case was filed.

Each state maintains records of their state citizen’s criminal background. These state databases are all linked and you can track criminal convictions from other states. You can go to the Power County Courthouse and inquire in person, or you can check the website. It helps to know the county, and if it was in a totally different state, you may have to pay for a more intensive search.

When you look up a person’s criminal records you will be able to find out if a person has ever been arrested, charged or convicted for these crimes:

• DUI or DWI.
• Drug crimes.
• Kidnapping.
• Sexual offenses including rape, assault.
• Violent crimes.
• Property crimes like theft or larceny.

During a criminal records search, you won’t see if they have had any infractions like moving violations:

• Tickets for speeding.
• Drivers license revoked or suspended.
• Any accidents.
• Other moving violations.
• Parking Tickets.

To get this information, you have to do a driving records search.

Have you ever had to search for criminal records of someone you know? Was it an easy process? Did you search online or did you call the jail? Was the information you received correct? There are plenty of reasons that people look up criminal records, and your story could help other people.

Click here to tell your story

Most Wanted

Everyone knows that the FBI has their list of the Ten Most Wanted Criminals. In Power County, the Power County Sheriff’s Department has a list of most wanted criminals, too.

FBI Top Ten Most Wanted List: Link

Power County Sheriff’s Department Ten Most Wanted List


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Life In Jail / What Its Like

Daily Life

Just the thought of spending time in Power County Detention Center is quite unpleasant, eventually you will get accustomed to the daily routine. Prisoners get an alarm for wake-up every morning at six in the morning, and then roll call. Then you will get breakfast. After breakfast, you will be required to 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 Power County Detention Center, 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 Power County Detention Center 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 procedure to send funds to inmates could change, so it would be best to review the official website when 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 Power County Detention Center

The Deputy Sheriff is the second in command at the Power County Detention Center, 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 Power County Detention Center

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 tell about all about it


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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:

• You have the right to protection from the accused.
• You have the right to notification.
• You have the right to attend proceedings.
• You have the right to speak at criminal justice proceedings.
• You have the right to consult with the prosecuting attorney.
• You have the right to restitution.
• You have the right to a speedy trial.
• You have 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 incarcerated at Power County Detention Center? Do you have a friend or family member that is a prisoner there? Have you ever been to visit someone in this jail?

If so, then you should tell us about it. Write about what you experienced so others can learn what to expect.

Things you could write in your review:

• Conditions at the jail.
• Jail, yard and pod layout and facility
• Guards and jail staff
• Commissary and food
• Visitation
• Inmates.
• Inmate safety
• Gang activity
• Inmate activities and programs


Write a Review

Tell Your Story

Everyone’s who has been put in jail has at least one story to tell about it. Why’d you get arrested? Did you experience fair treatment? What happened to you while you were locked up? How did you get along with the other inmates? How has this experience impacted your life?

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Send a Message to Your Cell Mate

Did you meet some cool folks in jail? Need to get in touch with someone from jail? Leave a message for them here.

Send a message to people incarcerated at Power County Detention Center

Links and Resources

Main Power County Detention Center Link
Power County Detention Center Inmate Search
Power County Detention Center Mugshots
Power County Detention Center Bail Link

Power County Detention Center Visitation Procedures
Power County Detention Center Jail Mail Policy Link
Power County Detention Center Inmate Search
Power County Detention Center Warrant Inquiry
Power County Detention Center Arrests
Send Money to an Inmate at Power County Detention Center
Power County Detention Center Employment


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