Ellis County Jail – Hays, KS

Ellis County Jail is located in Ellis County, Kansas and is the main correctional facility for that region. Know someone in jail at Ellis County Jail? This page tells you info about anything one might want to know about Ellis County Jail,such as: How to locate an inmate. Find mugshots and inmate photos. The jail’s phone number and address. Bail and how to get out of jail. Intake procedures. Court information. And much more…

The thought of going to jail is a daunting and scary prospect, not only for whoever gets arrested, but also that person’s family, friends, and loved ones. The purpose of this guide is to give you advice and information that you need to make going to jail less stressful. If you have questions, feel free to ask it, and also any feedback or comments that might be a benefit to others will be appreciated.

Do you have a family member or friend that has gone to jail and need to find them?

Has a friend or family member that has been arrested and you don’t know how to locate them?

In order to search who’s in jail at Ellis County Jail you will need to navigate to their link and use the inmate lookup.

The Ellis County Jail Inmate Locator is a list of people who have been arrested and are in custody, which includes status, bail amount, and visiting schedule. You can also find the same information on anybody who has been arrested or discharged in the last 24 hours. Jail inmates are shown in alphabetical order by their last name. You’ll be able to locate their inmate information more quickly if you enter your friend or family member’s name, date of birth, or inmate ID Number.

If your friend or loved one may be locked up at a different jail you can check our guide to other Kansas jails: List of all county jails in Kansas

A mugshot, also known as a booking photograph, is the picture that the jail takes when you are booked into jail. A mugshot is make of one frontal photo and a side-view photo. Your full name and jail booking number will be on the pictures, and they’re stored.

Mugshots of inmates can be viewed on the website, or you can see them at the Ellis County Jail. When viewing mugshots online you have to put in the inmate’s first and last name, and a booking date.

Need to know how to have your mugshot erased from the Ellis County Jail website? This may not be possible, because the mugshot is public record. You must 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. Unfortunately, this happens very rarely.

For more information about removing your mugshot, the different websites with mugshots, and the websites that offer to remove your mugshot for you: How To Get Your Mugshot Taken Down

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Naturally, if you are locked up, your main thought is about how to get out. After you’ve gone through the intake process, bail will be set by the magistrate. If there is no bail set this can mean that you will either get released, pending trial, or you don’t get released while you wait for your court date.

If you are released you are required to agree to go to your court date, and until that date you must not go out of town.

In most cases, an inmate are given an early release in exchange for good behavior if they respect the rules and don’t cause any problems while locked up.

If you follow the rules, you may be allowed to do work release. Either you will have to return to the jail each day when you’re finished at your job, or you might have the chance to move to a halfway house instead of jail, so it is kind of like an early release.

Bail is how much money that you have to pay to the courts to get out of jail pending trial. The amount you will have to pay is dictated by how serious your crime is. Someone you know will need to pay to the courts 10 percent of the total that was determined before you can get out of jail. If you don’t go to court, whoever put up your bail money will lose that money.

In order to find out how much someone’s bail is, you must call the jail or the county courthouse. If you’ve got the pertinent information, like name, address and date of birth, they will let you know the bail amount. You can also find out how much their bail is on the jail website.

Having to bail someone out of jail is an unpleasant situation, but in some cases, it’s very simple to do. First, figure out if they have a Cash Only Bond. If it is, you will not be able to use the services of a bondsman. Bail can only be paid by cash – they won’t take a personal check. Once you have paid the bond, the inmate will be released into your care. If they don’t violate the terms of their bail, you’ll get the bail money back.

If the bail amount is too high, or you just can’t afford it, you will need to use a bail bondsman. Bail bondsmen will usually charge a fee of 10-15% of the total bail amount, and usually have a minimum of $100. The amount you pay to the bondsman is non-refundable and the bondsman only accepts cash. If their bail has been set particularly high, the bondsman will in most cases use your assets, such as home, property or cars, as collateral for the bond in addition to their charges.

If you need a local bail bondsman go to: Bail bondsman

Have you ever hired a bondsman to bail someone out of jail? 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 Programs
• Time Served
• Get Out on a Pre-Trial Release Program
• House Arrest
• Own Recognizance

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The intake process takes you through the following steps:

• You will be placed in a holding cell. When the jail is busy, you will have to wait, sometimes for many hours, before you get processed.
• First, will answer some simple questions, such as your legal name, address, birth date and contact person.
• Also, you will also be asked about your psychological and medical history.
• You’ll be given an inmate number.
• Your fingerprints will be taken.
• You will get 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 phone call to contact a family member, friend, or bail bondsman.
• If you are expected to be released quickly, they will let you keep wearing street clothes, if not you will have to wear a jail jumpsuit.

Have you ever been arrested and gone through processing at jail? If you have, you should tell us how it happened. How long did you have to wait in the holding cell? Were you treated fairly? Can you tell us tips that will help other people that get arrested to get through jail intake?

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Once bail has been posted, you will be allowed to go home after you get discharged. This process can take from 15 minutes to quite a few hours. In other words the faster you post bail, the quicker you will get let go. It also can depend on whether or not you’ve been given a bond amount or if the judge still needs to determine the amount of bail to be set. For minor charges, you will simply be booked and get released without having to post bail. When you have served out your jail sentence and are given a release date, expect to be discharged at any time that day – but usually in the morning.

for your arrest, or if you must begin your jail sentence, it is highly recommended that you follow the rules and go down to the jail and turn yourself in. If it is for a warrant, go down to the jail intake center, and tell an officer that think that there is an outstanding arrest warrant out for you. They will do a record check, and if they verify that there is a warrant for your arrest, you will be taken into jail custody. If you have a jail sentence to serve, go to the jail on the date and time that the sentence order states. Be very careful that you are not late. Only bring things that are allowed when you turn yourself in, for example your driver’s license or even your ID, any prescription medication you might take, as well as a sentencing order from court.

Inmates have to give each visitor’s name and date of birth to the jail. Your visitors will go in the visitation log as an approved visitor. Each and every visitor will be required to provide a photo ID when visiting. Visitors that gets to visitation or that does not have a visitation order will not be allowed to attend visitation.
Jail visitation policies can change, so it would be wise to review the official Ellis County Jail jail site before you go to visitation.

Phone calls that inmates are allowed to make from jail are with a pre-paid phone card or account, or are collect calls . These phone calls are a lot pricier than phone calls made outside of jail. There is no limit to how often you can use the phone, but you should keep in mind lots of people want to use the phone – so you have to share. If you are under any sort of disciplinary procedure, phone calls could be reduced or forbidden.

Phone Number: (785) 625-1040

Any mail that you send to an inmate is required to be sent using the US Postal Service. You must not use any other form of mail delivery. You have to print the name, prisoner number, and the address of the jail on the envelope. Don’t mail a box, envelope with padding, plastic or paper bag, or an envelope containing metal parts. Any mail sent to inmates is opened and read by the jail administration, and will be sent back if they decide it is inappropriate.

The mailing address for Ellis County Jail is:

Ellis County Jail
105 W. 12Th St.
Hays, KS 67601

Here is how you should address the letter:

[INMATE’S FULL NAME]
[INMATE ID]
Ellis County Jail
105 W. 12Th St.
Hays, KS 67601

The Ellis County Jail mail policy can change, so check the the Ellis County Jail website when you send a letter.

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If you have been arrested, you should know you still have rights, one of these is your right to request an attorney. You only get so many phone calls when you get arrested, so you would be wise to get a friend or relative to find a lawyer when you talk to them. You might be thinking ‘do I really need a lawyer?’ While you are not required to have one, a lawyer can advise you of your rights, look after your best interests and guide you through the legal system that you are now faced with. The quicker you get an attorney working on your case, the better off you’ll be.

To read more about how to find an attorney, read: How to Find an Attorney in Ellis County

If you can’t afford an attorney, you will be assigned a public defender. The Public Defender’s Office has a number of staff such as independent investigators, experts in forensics and social workers. Public Defenders are bona-fide attorneys that are admitted to the Kansas State Bar Association and are completely licensed to practice law.

Have you or someone you know used the services of a Public Defender? What was your experience?

All court records are public records. Court records contain a case file containing a docket and all of the documents filed during your court case. You, and anyone else, can access court records using the website, or by going to the Clerk’s office of the Court where the case was filed.

A Clerk of Court is a member of the court who manages access to court records. They also administer the oath for all court participants, and also read the verdict when the jury makes their final decision. All records, documents, and evidence related to your case are kept at Clerk of Court.

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

The Ellis County court magistrate is the judge who presides over your court case. Magistrate judges do different functions, like setting bail amounts, issuing arrest warrants, and acting as the presiding judge over preliminary court proceedings and detention proceedings.

A defendant’s pre-sentencing report is completed with information about the defendant’s background and information about the defendant’s life and public history, which the magistrate judge will consider when determining your sentence. Information, details, and character witnesses will be collected from the person on trial, their family, and, if applicable, the victim. Remember that you can ask to have a copy of your pre-sentencing report before you are sentenced, and correct any mistakes that it contains.

If you get convicted of a crime during your trial, you will then get sentenced. There are several different options for sentencing, including community service and probation, to even prison or jail time. Depending on the severity of the crime, you might get taken into custody immediately, or given a date that you are supposed to go to jail to serve your jail term according to your sentence.

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Want to find out if someone is locked up, or has gone to jail in the past?

To do this, just query the jail website and do an inmate search, and do a search using:

• Name.
• Birthdate.
• Approximate booking date.
• and their jail inmate ID.

If you’re not sure if this person is in jail, you can also call the jail confirm whether they’ve been arrested or not.

If you think you might have a warrant out for your arrest, you can find out by checking the arrest warrants inquiry online or you can call the court directly. This requires a 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, they will take you into custody immediately.

If you have a first and last name, as well as the date of their arrest, contact the Ellis County jail, either by phone, go there in person, or you can check online. An arrest is a matter of public record and this information is available to anyone.

A Civil Process is when you are served with legal papers, which can be , subpoenas, and arrest warrants. You can find these by contacting the Sheriff’s office, by phone or online.

All people registered as sex offenders have to be registered on the sex offender databases required by the area they live in. The people on these databases have been convicted of a sex crime. You are able to see sex offenders on the website, but keep in mind that you will not see the street address, just the block they live on.

Court Records are considered public records, so they are accessible to anyone who requests them. They include a case file containing a docket and all documents filed in the case. You are able to access your court records on the internet, or at Clerk of Court in the county where the case was filed.

Each and every state maintains records of their state citizen’s criminal background. These state databases are connected so you are able to track criminal histories from another state. Go to the Ellis County Courthouse and make an inquiry, or you can check online. You must know which county the crime occurred in, and in the event that it was in a totally different state, you might have to pay for a more complete search.

A search of someone’s criminal history you will find out if someone has been arrested, charged, or convicted for crimes, which include:

• DUI.
• Drug offenses.
• Kidnapping.
• Sex offenses which could include rape, and sexual assault.
• Violent crimes including assault, battery and murder.
• Theft.

When you do a criminal history search, in most cases won’t see if that person has had any:

• Speeding or reckless driving.
• Drivers license revoked or suspended.
• Been in a traffic accident.
• Minor infractions or moving violations.
• Parking Tickets.

To search for this information, you must do a driving records search.

Have you ever searched for criminal records? Was it a difficult process? Did you search online or did you have to call the jail? Did you get information that was correct? There are many reasons that folks search for criminal records, and your comments may help other people.

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Most Wanted

Everyone knows that the FBI has a list of the Ten Most Wanted Fugitives. In Ellis County, the Ellis County Sheriff’s Department maintains their own list of the top most wanted criminals in the county.

FBI Ten Most Wanted List

Ellis County Top Ten Most Wanted List


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Life In Jail / What Its Like

Daily Life

While the prospect of being incarcerated in the Ellis County jail is quite unpleasant, soon you will become accustomed to the daily routine. Inmates get an alarm to wake up at about six in the morning, and then roll call. You will then eat breakfast. When you finish eating breakfast you will have to work in the program that has been assigned to you. 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 Ellis 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 Ellis 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 procedure to send money to jail inmates is always changing, so be sure to check the official website before send funds 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 Ellis County Jail

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

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:

• Victims have the right to protection from the accused.
• Victims have the right to notification.
• Victims have the right to attend proceedings.
• Victims have the right to speak at criminal justice proceedings.
• Victims have the right to consult with the prosecuting attorney.
• Victims have the right to restitution.
• Victims have the right to a speedy trial.
• Victims 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 Ellis County Jail? Do you have a friend or family member that is a prisoner there? Have you ever visited a prisoner in this jail?

If so, then you should leave a comment below about it. Tell us about what you experienced so that others can learn what to expect.

Things you might want to write in the review:

• Jail conditions.
• Jail, yard and pod layout and facility
• Guards and staff
• Jail food and commissary
• Visitation Days
• Inmates.
• Inmate safety
• Gangs
• Prisoner activities and programs


Write a Review

Tell Your Story

Everbody that’s been incarcerated has some stories about their time ‘inside’. Why were you locked up? Did you get fair treatment? What happened to you while you were locked up? What were the other inmates like? Did going to jail affect your life? How?

Tell Your Story

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 a person you met in jail? Leave a message for them here.

Send a message to Ellis County Jail

Links and Resources

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

Ellis County Jail Visitation
Ellis County Jail Jail Mail Policy Link
Ellis County Jail Inmate Inquiry Link
Ellis County Warrants
Ellis County Jail Arrests
Ellis County Jail Send Money Procedure
Jobs at Ellis County Jail


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