Montgomery County Jail – Hillsboro, IL

Montgomery County Jail is located in Montgomery County and is the primary jail for this region. Looking for somebody in Montgomery County Jail? This page gives you all about anything you might need to know about Montgomery County Jail,like the following: How to locate an inmate. Find mugshots and inmate photos. The jail’s address and phone number. Bail and bail bondsmen. Booking and intake procedures. Court information and records. And more…

The thought of going to jail is a daunting and scary idea, not only for the person who is incarcerated, but also that person’s family and friends. This guide is designed to give information and tips that you need to make going to jail a lot easier. If you have a specific question, please feel free to ask it in the comment section below, and please leave any feedback or comments that might be beneficial to others will be appreciated.

Do you have a family member or friend that is incarcerated and need to locate them?

Do you know somebody who has been arrested and you want to find out what jail they’re in?

To search who’s in jail at Montgomery County Jail you will need to visit their web site and use the inmate search.

The Montgomery County Jail Inmate Lookup is an online list of persons who have been arrested and are in jail, including custody status, how much their bail is, and visiting hours. You can also find info about anyone who has been arrested or discharged in the past 24 hours. Jail inmates are listed in alphabetical order by last name. You’ll be able to get their inmate information faster if you have their first and last name, birth date, or inmate ID Number.

If your friend or loved one may be incarcerated at a different jail you will want to look here, too: Other County Jails in Illinois

A mugshot, or intake picture, is a photograph that the police take during jail intake processing. A mugshot is make of one and one profile photo. Your name and intake number will be in the photos, and they’re kept on file at the jail.

Mugshots of inmates can be viewed online, or you can see them in person at the Montgomery County Jail. When viewing online you will need to input the prisoner’s full name, and the arrest date, if you know it.

Are you trying to have your mugshot taken off of the Montgomery County Jail site? This can be tricky, as your mugshot is a public record. You will need to file a ‘Petition to Expunge’. Basically, this means that the record of your arrest would be sealed, and unavailable to the public. Depending on your situation, this may be a longshot.

For more information about getting your mugshot removed, the many different mugshot sites, and the websites that offer to remove your mugshot for you: How To Get Your Mugshot Removed

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Of course, if you’re incarcerated, your primary thought is about when and how you will get out. After booking, bail will be decided either by bail schedule or magistrate. If there is no bail set this may mean that you will either be released, or you have to stay in jail until your trial.

If you do bail out you are required to promise to be there for your court date, and in the meantime you won’t be permitted to leave the area.

In most cases, a prisoner at Montgomery County Jail are given an early release in exchange for good behavior if they respect the rules and area a good inmate while they’re in jail.

If you follow the rules, you might be allowed to do work release. You will have to go back to the jail each day when you’re finished at your job, or you could be permitted to sleep in a halfway house instead of the jail.

Bail is how much money that you will be required to pay to be released from jail pending trial. The amount you have to pay depends on how serious your crime is. Someone you know will need to pay 10 percent of the total set before you can get discharged from jail. If you miss your scheduled court date, whoever paid your bail will lose that money.

In order to find out how much someone’s bail is, you will need to call the Montgomery County Jail or the County Courthouse. If you have all the person’s info, including name, address and date of birth, they will be able to let you know the bail amount. You can also find out how much their bail is on the jail website.

Having to get someone out of jail is never fun, but usually, its easy. First, you have to find out if they have a “Cash Bond Only” situation. If this is the case, you will not be able to use the services of a bondsman. They only accept cash at the jail, so you have to take cash – the jail can’t accept a personal check. As soon as you’ve posted (paid) bond, the inmate will be released to your care. If the conditions of bail are not violated, you’ll get the bail money back.

If their bail has been set too high, of if you can’t pay it, you should try to hire a bail bondsman. They will generally have a fee of 10-15% of the total amount of bail set, and sometimes charge a minimum of $100. The money you pay to the bail bondsman will not be returned to you and has to be paid in cash. If the bail is exceptionally high, the bail bondsman might use assets as collateral in addition to the fee they charge.

To find a local bail bondsman visit our page about: Find a bail bondsman

Have you ever used a bail bondsman either for yourself, a family member or friend? If you have, please share your experience in a comment below, and let us know how it worked out.

Click here to post a comment

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

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The intake procedure is made up of each of the following steps:

• You will get put in a holding cell. When the jail is busy, it will take a while to get processed.
• First, will have to answer a bunch of questions, such as your full legal name, home address, date of birth and contact person.
• They’ll also ask about your medical and psychological history.
• You will be issued an inmate ID.
• You will get fingerprinted.
• You will have your mugshot taken.
• Any property you have will get taken away from you and stored until you are discharged.
• They will allow you to make a telephone call in order to get in touch with family, friends, or bail bondsman.
• If they expect that you will make bail and be released quickly, you might be allowed to wear your own clothes, otherwise you will have to wear a jumpsuit.

Have you ever been arrested and gone through the jail intake procedure? If you have, please tell your story so other people can learn from your experience. How long did you have to wait in the holding cell? Were you treated fairly? Can you share any tips that might help others get through the process?

Click here to share your story

When you post bail, you will be allowed to leave jail. Getting discharged may take between 30 minutes to many hours. In simple terms, the faster you post bail, the sooner you will get released. Also, how fast you get released depends on whether or not you have a cash bond amount or if the judge needs to figure out the bail amount. For a minor charge, you will simply be booked and get released without having to post bail. When you have served your sentence and have a discharge date, expect to be discharged at any time that day – but usually in the morning.

If the police have a, or if you have to start your sentence, it is recommended that you do the right thing and turn yourself into the authorities. If you have a warrant, go down to the jail reception area, and tell the intake officer that think that there is an outstanding warrant for your arrest. The officer will verify that you have an outstanding arrest warrant, and if so, they will take you into custody and begin the intake process. If you have a jail sentence to serve, report at the exact time and date that the sentence order lists. Be sure that you are not late. Make sure that you only bring approved items when you go, like your driver’s license or even state issued ID, any prescription medication you might take, and the official sentencing order.

To have visitors, you need to provide each visitor’s full name to the jail. Your visitors will be entered in a Visiting log as an authorized visitor. Every visitor has to provide acceptable photo identification. Visitors arriving late or that is not on the visitation list will not be allowed to visit the inmate.
The Montgomery County Jail visitation procedures are always changing, so we suggest that you double-check the jail site before you visit an inmate.

All phone calls from jail are made through a jail approved pre-paid phone account or phone card . Phone calls made in jail are usually more expensive than phone calls made at home. Inmates are able to make phone calls, with restrictions on when you can make phone calls, how long you can talk, and how often you can make calls, but inmates must keep in mind that every inmate wants to use the phone too, so they can call their family. If you break the jail rules, phone privileges might get reduced or forbidden.

The Montgomery County Jail phone number is: 217-532-9514

All mail has to be mailed using the US Postal Service. You cannot use any other form of mail delivery. You must write the name, inmate number, and jail address on the envelope. Don’t mail a package or box, padded envelope, plastic bag, or an envelope with metal inside. All mail received by the jail is opened and examined by the jail administration, and the mail will be sent back to the person who mailed it if deemed inappropriate.

Use this address when sending a letter to an inmate at Montgomery County Jail:

Montgomery County Jail
140 N. Main St.
Hillsboro, IL 62049

Here is how you should address the letter:

[INMATE’S FULL NAME]
[INMATE ID]
Montgomery County Jail
140 N. Main St.
Hillsboro, IL 62049

The inmate mail policy at Montgomery County Jail is always changing, so you should review the the Montgomery County Jail website before send a letter to someone in jail there.

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When you get arrested, you have rights, the first of which is the right to request a lawyer. You are only allowed to make so many phone calls in jail, so make sure you ask a friend or family member to find an attorney when you talk to them. I know you’re probably asking yourself right now ‘why do I need a lawyer?’ You are not required to have an attorney for some criminal charges, a lawyer will advise you about your rights, help protect your interests and help you understand the complicated legal system. The quicker you hire an attorney to represent you and work on your criminal case, the better.

For more info on how to find an attorney, visit: How to Find an Attorney

If you’ve been arrested and don’t have the money to hire a lawyer, you will be assigned a public defender. The Public Defender’s Office is staffed by independent investigators, crime scene and forensics experts and social workers. Public Defenders are licensed attorneys, members of the State Bar and are fully licensed to handle your case.

Have you or someone you know had to use a court appointed attorney? Do you think that they did a good job of defending you?

Montgomery County court records are public and available to anyone who requests them. Court records are comprised of a court case file containing a docket and all motions, documents, and evidence that have been filed. You have the ability to access the records and documents in your court case with the internet service, or at the Montgomery County Clerk of Court where the case was filed.

The Montgomery County Clerk of Court is an officer of the court that manages court records. The Clerk of Court also administer the oath when court is in session, and also read the court verdict when the jury has finished deliberations. All court records associated with your court case are held at Montgomery County Clerk of Court office.

Court fees and costs are the charges and fees from your case, for example filing fees, motion fees and various court charges. If you can’t afford to pay these fees and have a Public Defender, you may not have to pay them.

A Magistrate is the type of judge that presides on your case in court. Magistrate judges do many different things, such as setting bail, issuing warrants, and overseeing initial court appearances and detention proceedings.

Your pre-sentencing report is prepared with information about the defendant’s background and information about the arrestee’s life and history, which the judge will review and take into account when determining a sentence. Information, details, and character witnesses will be solicited from the person on trial, the defendant’s family, and if necessary the victim of the crime. Don’t forget you are allowed to request to receive a copy of the report before sentencing, so you can review it and correct any mistakes.

After you are convicted of a crime, you will then get sentenced. There are a number of different options, which include community service to probation, to even incarceration in either jail (short term) or prison (long term). Depending on the severity of the crime, you might get taken into custody, right there in court, or you could receive a date that you must go to jail to serve out your sentence.

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Are you trying to find out if a family member or friend is incarcerated, or has been an inmate in the past?

This is pretty simple to do, just you will have to access the jail website and do an inmate search, and search by:

• The inmate’s name.
• Birth date.
• Their approximate booking date.
• and their jail inmate ID.

If you’re not sure if this person is in jail or not, you should call the jail get confirmation.

If you think you might have an outstanding warrant for your arrest, you can access arrest warrants inquiry online or you are able to call the jail. You have to have the person’s first and last name. You can also go to the local jail and ask them. You should know that if you do have an outstanding warrant, you should be prepared to get taken into custody immediately.

If you know the person’s first and last name, and possibly an arrest date, contact the Montgomery County jail, on the phone, in person, or find out online. Records of arrests are public record and these records are available to anyone.

Civil processes are when you are served with legal papers, which can be warrants. You can access civil process orders by going to the Montgomery County Sheriff’s office, either by phone or through their website.

All people registered as sex offenders must be registered and listed on the sex offender databases required by the area they live in. The people on these databases have been convicted of a sex or kidnapping crime. You are able to view these offenders online, but keep in mind that you won’t find the exact address, but only the block they live on.

Court Records are public, and are accessible by anyone. These records include a case file that contains a docket sheet and any of the documents filed in the court case. You are able to access court records on the internet, or at the Montgomery County Clerk of Court in the jurisdiction where the case was filed.

Every state maintains records of people’s criminal background. These online databases are connected so you are able to track criminal backgrounds from any other state. You are able to go to county courthouse and inquire, or you can check online. It helps to know the county, and if it was in a totally different state, you may have to pay a fee for a more complete search.

When you look up someone’s criminal record you will be able to find out if someone has been arrested, charged, or convicted for any of the following crimes:

• Driving Under the Influence (DUI).
• Drug offenses such as possession or trafficking.
• Kidnapping.
• Sexual offenses including rape, assault.
• Violent crimes including assault, battery and murder.
• Property crimes like theft or larceny.

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

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

To search for this kind of information, you have to do a driving history search.

Have you ever searched for criminal records? How easy was it? Was your search online or did you make a phone call to the local courthouse? Was the information you received correct? There are lots of reasons that folks look up criminal records, and your feedback could help other people that are in the same situation.

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Most Wanted

The FBI has a list of the Ten Most Wanted Fugitives. In Montgomery County, the Sheriff has their own list of the most wanted criminals, that you can access online.

FBI Top Ten Most Wanted List

Montgomery County Top Ten Most Wanted List


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Life In Jail / What Its Like

Daily Life

Just the thought of spending time in Montgomery County Jail is very scary, in time you will get accustomed to the routine that is set for you. All inmates get a wake-up alarm each morning at 6:00AM, and then roll call. Next, you will have breakfast. When you finish breakfast you will have 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 Montgomery 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 Montgomery 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 rules for sending money to inmates at Montgomery County Jail can change, so we suggest that you review the the Montgomery County Jail website when you send any money.


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 Montgomery County Jail

The Deputy Sheriff is the second in command at the Montgomery 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 Montgomery 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 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.

Click here to tell about all about it

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 spent any time in this jail? Do you know anybody there? Have you ever been to visit an inmate in this jail?

If you have, then please tell us about it. Write about your experience so that other people can find out what to expect.

Things you can include in your review:

• Jail conditions.
• Jail, yard and pod layout and facility
• Guards and jail staff
• Jail food and commissary
• Visitation Days
• The other inmates – what are they like?
• Inmate safety
• Gangs
• Programs and activities


Write a Review of Montgomery County Jail

Tell Your Story

Everyone’s who has been put in jail has some stories about their time ‘inside’. How’d you get locked up? Did you get fair treatment? What was your daily routine in jail? Were the other inmates cool? How has this experience impacted your life?

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Send a Message to Your Cell Mate

Did you make friends in jail? Need to say wassup to a person you met in jail? Then send them a message by posting a comment below.

Send a message to people still locked up at Montgomery County Jail

Links and Resources

Main Montgomery County Jail Website
Montgomery County Jail Inmate Search Link
View Montgomery County Jail Mugshots
Montgomery County Jail Bail Link

Montgomery County Jail Visitation Policy Link
Montgomery County Jail Jail Mail Policy Link
Montgomery County Jail Inmate Inquiry Link
Montgomery County Jail Warrant Inquiry Link
Montgomery County Jail Arrest Inquiry
Montgomery County Jail Send Money Procedure
Jobs at Montgomery County Jail


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