St. James Parish Jail – Convent, LA

St. James Parish Jail is located in St James Parish, Louisiana and is the correctional facility for that area. Are you looking for somebody locked up in St. James Parish Jail? This guide tells you about everything you might want to know about St. James Parish Jailsuch as the following: Learn how to locate an inmate. Find mugshots. The jail’s phone number and address. Bail and how to get out of jail. Booking and intake procedures. Court information and records. And much more…

The prospect of getting arrested and going to jail is a scary situation, not only for whoever gets arrested, but also that person’s friends and family. This guide is designed to give information you need to make helping a friend or family member get out of jail easier. If you have a specific question, just ask it, and please leave any feedback or comments that would help others would be appreciated.

Do you have a family member or friend that is incarcerated and want to find out where they are?

Has somebody who’s been arrested and you don’t know how to locate them?

In order to see who’s in jail at St. James Parish Jail you will need to navigate to their website and do an inmate search.

The St. James Parish Jail Inmate List is a list of persons who were arrested and are now in jail, which includes status, how much their bail is, and visiting hours. You can also get information on anybody processed or released within the past 24 hours. Inmates are listed in alphabetical order by their last name. You’ll be able to find their inmate information quicker if you’ve got your friend or family member’s first and last name, date of birth, or inmate ID Number.

If your friend or loved one could possibly be in another jail you can check our Louisiana county jail guide: Other County Jails in Louisiana

A mugshot, or jail intake photo, is the photograph that the jail takes during jail intake processing. A mugshot is make of one frontal photo and a side photo. Your full name and booking number will be in the photos, and they’re stored at the jail.

Mugshots of St. James Parish Jail inmates can be found on the St. James Parish Jail website, or you can go in person to the St. James Parish Jail. When you search for mugshots online you have to enter their first and last name, and an arrest date.

Do you want to have your mugshot taken down from the St. James Parish Jail site? This will be difficult, since the mugshot is a matter of public record. You must file a ‘Petition to Expunge’. What this means is that all of your arrest records would be sealed, and will not be accessible. Unfortunately, this happens very rarely.

Read our in-depth tutorial about getting your mugshot removed, the different websites with mugshots, and the mugshot removal services: Mugshot Removal

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Obviously, if you’re in jail, your only thought is about when you get out. After you’ve gone through the booking process, bail is determined either through a preset bail schedule or a magistrate. In cases where no bail is set this may 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 you must promise to go to your court date, and until then you won’t be permitted to leave town.

Typically, prisoners in the St. James Parish Jail will earn time off in exchange for good behavior when they don’t break the rules and act right while incarcerated.

If you do exhibit good behavior and the jail believes you can be trusted, you may be allowed to participate in a work release program. Either you will have to go back to the jail each day when you’re finished working, or you might be allowed to live in a halfway house instead of jail.

Bail is the amount of money that you have to pay to the court system to get out of jail until you go to court. The amount you will be required to pay all depends on how serious your crime is. You will need to pay to the courts ten percent of the total that was set before you can get discharged from jail. If you miss your court appearance, the person that paid your bail will lose that money.

You will need to call the St. James Parish Jail. If you have all the person’s info, including name, address and date of birth, they’ll tell you the bail amount. Also, you can check their bail amount and status on the jail website.

Having to bail a friend or family member out of jail is never a fun thing, but usually, its very simple to do. First of all, you need to know if their bail is a “Cash Bond Only” situation. If so, you can’t use a Bail Bondsman. They only accept cash at the jail, so you have to take cash – the jail won’t accept checks. Once you have paid the bond, the person will get released. If the conditions of bail are not violated, you’ll get the bail money back.

If their bail has been set too high, or you just don’t have the money, you will need to use a bail bondsman. Bail bondsmen usually charge a fee of 10 to 15 percent of the total bail amount, and in most cases charge a minimum of $100. The amount you pay to the bondsman will not be returned to you and bondsmen usually only accept cash. If their bail has been set particularly high, the bail bondsman will in these cases require that they use your assets, such as home, property or cars, as collateral for the bond in addition to their charges.

If you need a bail bondsman click here: How to find a bail bondsman

Have you ever had to find a bail bondsman either for yourself, a family member or friend? If you have, please leave a comment below and tell about your experience, and let us know how things turned out.

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

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The intake process is made up of these steps:

• You will be placed in a holding cell. If there are a lot of arrests, you may not be processed immediately.
• First, will have to answer some questions, such as what is your full legal name, home address, birthdate and an emergency contact person.
• They’ll also ask you about your mental and medical history.
• You will be given an inmate ID number.
• You will be fingerprinted.
• You will have your mugshot taken.
• All personal property will be taken away from you and stored until you get released.
• You will then be allowed to use the phone to call a member of your family, friend, or bondsman to arrange bail.
• If you think you will get released quickly, you might be allowed to keep wearing street clothes, if not you will have to wear a jumpsuit.

Have you been arrested and gone through jail intake? If you have, please share your experience so others can benefit from your story. How long did it take to get through intake? How did the guards treat you? Can you share any tips that will help others make it through jail intake?

Click here to tell your story

Once you are able to post bail, you will be allowed to leave jail. Getting discharged from jail takes between 10 minutes to quite a few hours. Or, simply, the quicker bail is posted, the quicker you will get discharged from jail. How quickly you get discharged depends on if you’ve been given a cash bond or if the judge must figure out the bail amount. For a minor offense, you will be booked and then released on your recognizance without having to pay bail. If you have served a sentence in jail and are given a discharge date, plan to be discharged at any time that day – but usually in the morning.

issued for your arrest, or if you need to begin your sentence in jail, it is highly recommended that you follow the rules and turn yourself in. If you have a warrant, go down to the jail, and let them know that you think there is a warrant out for your arrest. They will do a check to find out if there is an arrest warrant for you, and if they verify that you have one, you will be taken into the sheriff’s custody. If you have a jail sentence to serve, report to the jail on the date and time that the sentence order requires you to. Make sure that you don’t show up late. Make sure that you only bring allowed items with you, like your driver’s license or even ID, any prescription medication you might take, along with your doctor’s prescription, as well as the sentencing order from court.

Inmates need to give each visitor’s full name to the jail in advance of any visit. Your visitor’s information will go in a log of visitors as an authorized visitor. Every visitor must provide acceptable photo identification when visiting an inmate. Any visitors arriving late or without a visiting order will not be able to attend visitation.
The St. James Parish Jail visitation procedures can change, so you should review the official St. James Parish Jail jail site before you visit an inmate.

The only phone calls that inmates are allowed to make are with a pre-paid phone card or account, or are collect calls . These phone calls are typically more expensive than phone calls made outside of jail. Inmates are able to make phone calls, with restrictions on how often you can use the phone, but inmates must keep in mind that a long line can form at the phones, because everyone wants to use the phone, too. If you break the jail rules, phone calls could be reduced or eliminated completely, as part of the punishment.

The St. James Parish Jail phone number is: 225-562-2204

All inmate mail must be sent using the US Postal Service. You can’t use any other method of mail delivery. You have to clearly write or type the person’s name, prisoner number, and the address of the jail on the letter that you send. Do not mail anything in a package, padded envelope, plastic bag, or an envelope with any metal in it. Any mail sent to inmates will be opened and inspected and read by the jail officers, and the mail will get returned if they decide it is inappropriate.

The mailing address for St. James Parish Jail is:

St. James Parish Jail
5800 Louisiana Highway 44
Convent, LA 70723

Here is how you should address the letter:

[INMATE’S FULL NAME]
[INMATE ID]
St. James Parish Jail
5800 Louisiana Highway 44
Convent, LA 70723

The inmate mail policy at St. James Parish Jail changes often, so you should review the the St. James Parish Jail website when you send a letter to an inmate there.

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When you get arrested, you still have certain rights, and an important one is your right to request a lawyer. You are only allowed to make so many phone calls in jail, so it is a good idea to get a friend or relative to find an attorney when you talk to them. You’re probably asking yourself ‘I don’t have to get a lawyer – I can just represent myself’ You can represent yourself if you really want to, but, a criminal lawyer can advise you of your rights, look after your best interests and help you through the court system. The faster you get a lawyer involved with your charges, the better off you’ll be.

To read more about how to find an attorney, go to: How to Find an Attorney in St James Parish

If you need an attorney, but can’t afford an attorney, you will be given a public defender for a lawyer. The Public Defender is staffed by investigators, crime scene and forensics experts and social case workers. You should be reassured that Public Defenders are bona-fide lawyers, admitted to the State Bar and are fully licensed to represent you in court and practice law.

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

All court records are public and available to anyone who requests them. Court records include a case file with a sheet called a docket sheet and all of the motions, documents, and evidence that have been filed. You are able to access the records and documents in your court case with the internet service, or by going to the Clerk of Court where the case was filed.

The St James Parish Clerk of Court is an officer of the court that manages court records. They also administer the oath in a court case, and also read the verdict when decided by the jury. All records and documents related to your court case are kept and available to you at the St James Parish Clerk of Court.

Court fees and costs are the charges from your case, for example filing charges, motion and claim fees, and court appearance fees. If you cannot afford these fees and have a court appointed attorney, you can get a waiver for these fees and won’t have to pay them.

The St James Parish court magistrate is the type of judge who presides over your court case. They do different tasks, like setting bail, issuing warrants, and presiding over initial court appearances and detention hearings.

A pre-sentencing report is prepared to include information about the defendant’s background and details of the arrestee’s life, which the judge will review when determining the sentence. Information and personal details 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 request to have a copy of the report before your sentencing, so you can correct the mistakes.

After being convicted of a crime, you will then get sentenced. The presiding judge in your case will weigh several options when determining your sentence, including community service to probation, to even prison or jail time. Depending on how serious your crime was, you might get immediately taken into custody, or you might be given a date that you must report to jail to do your time.

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Want to find out if a family member or friend is incarcerated, or has ever been locked up?

To do so, you need to access the St James Parish jail website and do an inmate search lookup, and search by:

• Their name.
• Birthdate.
• Approximate booking date.
• or jail ID.

If you’re not sure if this person is in jail, you can also call the jail to find out.

If you think you might have an outstanding warrant, you can check arrest warrants inquiry on the St James Parish jail website or 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. Keep in mind that if you do have an outstanding warrant, you will be taken into custody immediately.

If you know a person’s name, and possibly an arrest date, contact the jail, either by phone, in person, or find out online. Arrest records are public record and this is accessible by the public.

A Civil Process is when someone has been served with papers, such as court orders. You can find these by contacting the St James Parish Sheriff’s office, either by phone or through their website.

All registered sex offenders are registered on a sex offender database. Those listed on these databases have been convicted in a court of law of a sex crime. You are able to see sex offenders online, but keep in mind that you will not be able to get the precise address, but rather the address block that they live on.

Court Records are considered public records, so they are accessible to anyone who requests them. They include a case file that includes a docket sheet and all filings and documents filed in the case. You are able to access the court records on the website, or at the St James Parish Clerk of Court in the county where the case was filed.

Every state maintains a record of a person’s criminal past. These databases are all linked so you can track criminal convictions from any other state. Go to the St James Parish Courthouse and make an inquiry, or check online. It helps to know the county, and if the crime was in a different state, you might have to pay a fee for a more comprehensive search.

A criminal history search you can find out if a person has ever been arrested, charged or convicted for the following crimes:

• DWI or DUI.
• Drug offenses such as possession or trafficking.
• Kidnapping.
• Rape or other sexual assault.
• Violent crimes.
• Theft.

When you do a criminal history search, you generally will not be able to see if they had:

• Tickets for speeding.
• Drivers license revoked or suspended.
• Been in a traffic accident.
• Moving violations.
• Parking Tickets.

To get this kind of information, you must do a driving history search.

Have you ever tried to search for someone’s criminal records? Was it easy? Was your search online or did you make a phone call to the local courthouse? Was the information you received correct? There are many reasons that folks search for criminal records, and your comments could help other people that are in the same situation.

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Most Wanted

For Federal crimes, the FBI keeps a list of the Ten Most Wanted Criminals. In St James Parish,The Sheriff’s Department has a list of most wanted criminals, too.

FBI’s Ten Most Wanted List


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Life In Jail / What Its Like

Daily Life

Everyone knows that getting locked up in the St James Parish 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. You will then have breakfast. After breakfast, participate 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 St. James Parish 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 St. James Parish Jail uniform. This is normally a jumpsuit or scrubs. Of note to anyone visiting an inmate – you must be properly dressed. Any clothing considered inappropriate will not be permitted.

How To Send Money to an Inmate

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

The process for sending funds to someone in jail at St. James Parish Jail could change, so it would be best to visit the official St. James Parish Jail site before 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 St. James Parish Jail

The Deputy Sheriff is the second in command at the St. James Parish 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 St. James Parish 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 tell your story


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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 locked up at St. James Parish Jail? Do you know someone that spent time there? Have you ever visited a prisoner at this jail?

If yes, then you should leave a comment below about it. Tell us about your jail experience so other people can find out what to expect.

Things you might want to put in your comment:

• Conditions in St. James Parish Jail.
• Jail, yard and pod facility and layout
• Staff and guards
• Commissary and food
• Visitation Days
• Inmates.
• Inmate safety
• Gang activity
• Prisoner programs and activities


Click here to write a review

Tell Your Story

Everybody who’s been arrested and thrown in jail has a story to tell. Why were you locked up? How did the guards treat you? How was day to day life at St. James Parish Jail? What were the other inmates like? Did going to jail affect your life? How?

Click here to share your story about when you did time in St. James Parish Jail

Send a Message to Your Cell Mate

Did you meet some cool folks in jail? Are you trying to send a message to a person you met in jail? Leave a message for them here.

Say Hello


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