Porter County Jail – Valparaiso, IN

Porter County Jail is located in Porter County and is the correctional facility for the area. Know someone in jail at Porter County Jail? This page gives you information about anything one might want to know about Porter County Jailsuch as the following: Find an inmate at Porter County Jail. Find mugshots. The jail’s phone number and address. Bail and bail bondsmen. Porter County Jail intake procedures. Court information and records. And lots more.

The prospect of going to jail is a scary situation, not only for the person who is incarcerated, but also their family, friends, and loved ones. The purpose of this guide is to give information and tips that you’ll need to make getting locked up easier. If you have questions, feel free to ask it, and any tips or comments that might be a benefit to others will be welcome.

Do you have a family member, loved one, or friend that is locked up and want to find them?

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

In order to look up who is in jail at Porter County Jail you will have to click on their web site and do an inmate lookup.

The Porter County Jail Inmate Locator is an online list of persons currently in custody, which includes current status, bail amount (if applicable), and times the inmate can have visitors. Also, you are able to find info on anybody processed or released within the past 24 hours. Prisoners are listed in alphabetical order by last name. You will be able to find their inmate information more quickly if you have the arrestee’s name, birth date, or inmate ID Number.

If your friend or family member might be at another county jail you will want to look here: List of all county jails in Indiana

A mugshot, or jail processing photograph, is the photograph that the police take when you get processed at jail intake. They take one frontal photo and one profile photo. Your full name and intake number will be on the photos, and they’re stored.

Mugshots of people who have been arrested can be searched online, or you can see them at the Porter County Jail. When viewing online you will need to enter their name, and a booking date, if you have it.

Are you trying to figure out what to do in order to have your mugshot taken down from the Porter County Jail website? This may not be possible, because your mugshot is public record. You need to file a Petition to Expunge with the court. Basically, this means that the record of your arrest will be sealed, so no one will be able to see 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 removed, the different websites with mugshots, and the websites that offer to remove your mugshot for you: Mugshot Removal

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Obviously, once you’re arrested and put in jail, your main thought is about getting out. After you’ve been booked, your bail will be set by a special judge called a magistrate. In cases where no bail is set this may mean that you will either be released, or you must remain in jail until your trial.

If you are released from jail you must promise to be in court on your court date, and until that day you will not be permitted to travel out of the county.

Typically, an inmate will earn time off in exchange for good behavior if they don’t break the rules and act right while they’re in jail.

If you follow the rules, you may be allowed to participate in a work release program. You will either have to return to the jail at the end of the day after work, or you may get to sleep in a halfway house instead of living at the jail.

Bail is the amount of money that you are required to pay to be released from jail until you go to court. The amount of bail that is set all depends on how serious your crime is. Someone will have to pay to the courts ten percent of the total that was determined so you can get discharged from jail. If you miss your court date, whoever posted your bail will lose that money.

In order to find out how much someone’s bail is, you will have to call the Porter County Jail. If know the person’s info, like name, address and date of birth, they’ll let you know how much their bail is. Also, you can find out how much their bail is on the jail website.

Posting bail to get out of jail is never fun, but usually, it’s easy. First of all, find out if their bail is a Cash Only Bond situation. If this is the case, you will not be able to use the services of a bondsman. Cash only – they can’t take a personal check. As soon as you’ve paid the bail bond, the prisoner will be released into your care. If the conditions of bail are not violated, you’ll get your 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. Bondsmen generally charge a fee of 10 to 15 percent of the bail amount, and usually have a minimum charge of $100. The amount you pay to the bondsman will not be returned to you and is typically cash only. If their bail has been set particularly high, the bondsman will in most cases request to use assets as collateral.

To talk to a bail bondsman click here: Find a bail bondsman at Porter County Jail

Have you ever had to use a bondsman because you or someone you know got arrested? If you have, post a comment below and tell about it, and let us know how it worked out.

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• Time Off For Good Behavior
• Work Release
• Time Served
• Pre-Trial Release Programs
• Released On House Arrest
• Own Recognizance

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The intake procedure takes you through these steps:

• You will be placed in a holding cell. When the jail is busy, it will take a while to get processed.
• First, will answer some simple questions, such as what is your full legal name, address, birth date and an emergency contact person.
• They’ll also ask about your psychological and medical history.
• You will be issued an inmate ID number.
• You will get fingerprinted.
• You will have your mugshot taken.
• Any personal property you have will be taken from you and stored until you get released from jail.
• They will let you use the telephone to talk to a family member, friend, or bail bondsman.
• If they expect that you will make bail and be released quickly, you might be able to keep wearing your own clothes, if not you will have to change into a jumpsuit.

Have you ever been booked into jail? If you have, please tell our readers about your experience. How long did it take to get processed? How were you treated? Can you share any secrets that will help other people that get arrested get through jail processing?

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When you post bail, you will be allowed to leave jail. Getting discharged takes anywhere between 10 minutes to all day. So, the faster you post bail, the quicker you will get out of jail. Also, it might depend on whether or not you’ve been given a bond amount or if a judge still needs to figure out the amount of bail to be set. For a minor charge, you will get booked and released on your own recognizance. When you have completed your jail sentence and are given a discharge date, you should expect to get discharged that morning.

issued for your arrest, or if you must report to start a sentence, you really should follow the rules and turn yourself into the authorities. In the case of an outstanding warrant, report to the jail reception area, and let them know that you think there may be a warrant for your arrest. The officer will verify that you have an outstanding arrest warrant, and if they verify that you have one, they will take you into custody. If you are reporting to serve out your sentence, go down to the jail at the exact time and date that the sentence order requires you to. Ensure that you are not late to report. Be sure to only bring necessary items with you, for example a driver’s license or even your ID, prescription medication, and the copy of the sentencing order.

Inmates have to list each visitor’s name to the jail. Your visitors will be entered in a log of visitors as an approved visitor. Each and every visitor is required to provide acceptable photo identification. Anyone that arrives for visitation late or that is not on the visitation list will not be allowed to attend visitation.
Jail visitation policies are always changing, so you should visit the jail site before you go to the jail to visit.

The only phone calls that inmates are allowed to make are with a pre-paid phone card or account, or are collect calls . Phone calls made in jail are much pricier than phone calls made at home. There is no limit to when and how often you can use the phone, but bear 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 privileges could be reduced or forbidden completely.

Phone Number: 219-477-3050

Any mail that you send to an inmate has to be sent via the US Postal Service. You must not use any other form of mail or package delivery. You have to print the inmate’s name, prisoner number, and the address of the jail on the outside of the letter that you send. Don’t mail anything in a package, envelope with padding or insulation, bag, or an envelope with metal inside. All mail that you send to inmates gets opened and inspected and read by the staff, 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 Porter County Jail:

Porter County Jail
2755 St. Rd 49
Valparaiso, IN 46383

Here is how you should address the letter:

[INMATE’S FULL NAME]
[INMATE ID]
Porter County Jail
2755 St. Rd 49
Valparaiso, IN 46383

The Porter County Jail mail policy changes frequently, so be sure to double check the official Porter County Jail site when you send a letter.

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If you get arrested, you still have certain rights, the first of which is the right to request an attorney. You are only allowed to make so many phone calls in jail, so make sure to have a friend or family member find a lawyer when you call them. I know you’re probably asking yourself right now ‘why do I need an attorney?’ You’re not required to have an attorney in all cases, a criminal defense attorney will advise you about your rights, protect your interests and help you navigate through the court system. The faster you hire a lawyer to represent you and work on your criminal case, the better.

For more info on this subject, read: Find a Lawyer

If you are in trouble, but can’t afford a lawyer, you will be assigned a public defender. Also, the Public Defender Office has access to investigators, forensics experts as well as social workers. You will be reassured to know that Public Defenders are actual attorneys that are admitted to the Indiana State Bar Association and are completely licensed to practice law as an agent of the court.

Have you ever had to use the services of a Public Defender? Do you think they properly handled your case?

All court records are a matter of public record. Court records include a case file with a sheet called a docket sheet and all of the documents and motions filed in the case. You are able to access the records and documents in your court case via the website, or by going to the Porter County Clerk of Court where the case was filed.

The Porter County Clerk of Court is an official part of the court who manages access to court records. The Clerk of Court also administer the oath in a court case, and read the verdict when decided by the jury. All records and documents related to your court case are available at the Porter County Clerk of Court.

Court fees are the costs from your case, such as 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 the fees.

A Magistrate acts as the judge that presides on your case. Magistrates are judges that do different functions, which include determining how much your bail will be, issuing warrants, and presiding over preliminary and procedural court proceedings and detention proceedings.

A pre-sentencing report is put together to include your background information and details of the defendant’s life, which the magistrate judge will take into consideration when deciding on the sentence. Information will be collected from the person on trial, the defendant’s family, and, if applicable, the victim of the crime. Bear in mind you are allowed to ask to have a copy of your pre-sentencing report before your sentencing, so you can correct any inaccurate information.

When you are convicted of a crime, you will be sentenced. There are several different options for sentencing, ranging from community service to probation, to incarceration in either jail (short term) or prison (long term). Depending on the particulars of your trial, the severity of your crime, and any sentencing guidelines that they judge will use, you will either be taken into custody, right there in court, or you could receive a date that you are required to report to jail to serve your term.

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Are you trying to find out if some you know is currently in jail, or has ever been in jail?

To find this out you will have to access the jail’s website, and search by:

• Name.
• Birthdate.
• Approximate booking date.
• or inmate ID.

If you think that they are currently in jail, you should call the jail find out if they’ve been arrested.

If you have a warrant out for your arrest, you can access court records on the website or you can call the court directly. You have to have their first and last name. Or, you can just go down to the jail and ask one of the officers. Keep in mind that if you do have an outstanding warrant, you will be taken into custody immediately.

If you know the person’s name, and the date of their arrest, contact the Porter County jail, on the phone, go there in person, or you can check online. An arrest is a matter of public record and this is freely available.

Civil processes are when you get served with legal papers, which can be , subpoenas, and arrest warrants. You can find these civil process orders by contacting the Porter County Sheriff’s office, on their website or by phone.

All people registered as sex offenders have to be listed and registered on either a national or state sex offender database. The people listed on these databases have been convicted in a court of law of a sex crime. You are able to view these listings on the internet, but bear in mind that you will not be able to see the actual address, just the block of the address that they registered.

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

Each and every state maintains a record of their state citizen’s criminal background. These databases are all linked and you can track criminal backgrounds from another state. You are able to go to county courthouse and make an inquiry, or check online. You must know which county the crime occurred in, and in the event that the crime was in a totally different state, you may have to pay a fee for a more intensive search.

When you look up a person’s criminal records you will get a listing of all the arrests, charges, or convictions for these crimes:

• DWI or DUI.
• Drug crimes.
• Kidnapping.
• Rape or other sexual assault.
• Violent crimes including assault, battery and murder.
• Breaking and entering, theft, larceny.

When you do a criminal history search, you generally won’t find if that person had:

• Tickets for speeding.
• Lost their driver’s license or license revoked or suspended.
• Traffic accidents.
• Minor infractions or moving violations.
• Parking Tickets.

To find this information, you have to do a search for their driving history.

Have you ever tried to search for someone’s criminal records? Was it easy? Was your search online or did you have to call the jail? Did you get information that was correct? There are many reasons that people search for criminal records, and your comments might help other people.

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Most Wanted

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

FBI Ten Most Wanted List: External Link

Porter County Sheriff’s Department Ten Most Wanted List


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Life In Jail / What Its Like

Daily Life

Just the thought of being incarcerated in Porter County Jail is quite unpleasant, you will soon get accustomed to the daily routine there. Expect an alarm for wake-up at about 6:00 AM, and next you’ll have roll call. Then you will eat breakfast. When you finish eating breakfast you will work in the work program or other activity that you are assigned. 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 Porter 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 Porter 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 someone in jail at Porter County Jail changes, so it would be best to review the official Porter County Jail site when send money to someone in jail 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 Porter County Jail

The Deputy Sheriff is the second in command at the Porter 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 Porter County Jail

Requirements:

• You have to be over the age of 21.
• You have to possess a High School Diploma or GED
• You have to be a US Citizen.
• You have to pass a Criminal, Credit and Driving History background check.
• You have to pass a drug test.
• You have to have a good level of fitness.
• You have to be in good health.
• You have to 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.

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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 spent any time in this jail? Do you know anybody that is a prisoner there? Have you ever visited an inmate at Porter County Jail?

If so, then you should write a review about it. Write down your jail experience so that others will know what to expect.

Things you might want to include in your comment:

• Jail conditions.
• Jail, yard and pod layout and facility
• Staff and guards
• Jail food and commissary
• Having Visitors
• The other inmates – what are they like?
• Prisoner safety
• Jail gangs
• Prisoner programs and activities


Speak Your Mind

Tell Your Story

Anyone who’s ever been arrested and sent to jail has some stories about their time ‘inside’. How’d you get locked up? Were you fairly treated? What was your daily routine in jail? Tell us about the other inmates. How did getting locked up affect your life?

Speak Your Mind

Send a Message to Your Cell Mate

Make some good friends in jail? Trying to find somebody you met when you were locked up? Leave a message for them here.

Post a message to someone at Porter County Jail

Links and Resources

Main Porter County Jail Website
Porter County Jail Inmate Search Link
Porter County Jail Mugshots
Porter County Jail Bail Link

Porter County Jail Visitation
Porter County Jail Jail Mail Link
Locate an inmate at Porter County Jail
Porter County Jail Warrant Inquiry
Porter County Jail Arrest Inquiry
Porter County Jail Send Money Procedure
Porter County Jail Jobs


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