Ingham County Jail – Mason, MI

Ingham County Jail is in Ingham County and is the correctional facility for that county. Are you looking for somebody locked up at Ingham County Jail? This site will tell you info about anything one might want to know about Ingham County Jail,like: Find out who’s in jail at Ingham County Jail? Find inmate mugshots. The jail’s address and phone number. Bailing out of jail. Intake procedures and booking. Court information and records. And lots more.

The prospect of going to jail is a scary thought, not only for whoever goes to jail, but also their friends and family. This guide is designed to give you information and advice that you need to make getting locked up easier. If you have a question, please feel free to ask it, and any tips or comments that would be a benefit to other people in the same situation would be welcome.

Do you know someone that is incarcerated and don’t know how to contact them?

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

In order to search who is in jail at Ingham County Jail you need to click on their link and perform an inmate search.

The Ingham County Jail Inmate Search has information on persons who have been arrested, including custody status, bail amount (if applicable), and visiting hours. Also, you can get the same information for anybody processed or discharged within the past 24-hour period. Inmates are listed alphabetically by last name. You will be able to find their arrest information faster if you enter your friend or family member’s full name, date of birth, or arrest number.

If the inmate you are looking for is in another county jail you can check the other Michigan county jails in our Michigan County Jail Guide: Michigan Jails

A mugshot, also called a booking picture, is a picture that the police take when you get processed at jail intake. A mugshot is actually one and a side photo. Your full name and intake number will appear on the photos, and they will be kept on file.

Mugshots of Ingham County Jail inmates can be seen on the Ingham County Jail website, or you can see them in person at the Ingham County Jail. When you search for mugshots online you have to input the prisoner’s name, and the arrest date, if you have one.

Are you trying to have your mugshot removed from the Ingham County Jail site? This may not be possible, as your mugshot is a matter of public record. You will need to file a Petition to Expunge with the court. Basically, this means that the record of your arrest would be sealed, and will not be available to the public. Unfortunately, this happens very rarely.

Read our in-depth tutorial about removing your mugshot, the different mugshot websites, and the mugshot removal services: How To Remove Your Mugshot from the Internet

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Obviously, if you’re locked up, your main thought is about when you get out. After you’ve gone through the intake process, your bail is set either by bail schedule or magistrate. If no bail is set this might mean that you will either get released, pending trial, or you have to stay in jail until your trial.

If you are released you must agree to be there for your court date, and you won’t be allowed to travel out of the county.

Typically, a prisoner will be 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 might be allowed to do work release. You will either have to return to the jail every day when you’re finished working, or you may be allowed to live in a halfway house instead of jail, so it is kind of like an early release.

Bail is how much money that you are required to pay in order to be released from jail until your trial. The amount you have to pay depends on the seriousness of your crime. You will need to pay ten percent of the total that was set so you can be released. If you don’t go to court, the person that paid your bail won’t get their money back.

To find out how much bail money you will need to bail someone out of jail need to call the jail or the county courthouse. If you’ve got the pertinent information, including name, address and date of birth, they will let you know what their bail is set at. You can also see the bail amount on the Ingham County Jail website.

Having to get someone out of jail is never fun, but most of the time, it is really easy. First, you need to find out if they have a “Cash Bond Only” situation. If this is the case, you won’t be able to use a bail bondsman. Cash only – they will not accept checks. When you’ve paid bail, the person will be released. If they don’t violate the terms of their bail, you will get this money back.

If the bail amount is too high, or you can’t afford it, you should try to hire a bail bondsman. They generally charge a fee of 10-15% of the bail amount, and usually charge a minimum of $100. The amount you pay to the bondsman is non-refundable and the bondsman only accepts cash. If bail is very large, the bondsman may request to use assets as collateral for the bond in addition to their charges.

To find a bail bondsman click here: Find a Bail Bondsman in Ingham County

Have you ever used a bail bondsman either for yourself, a family member or friend? If you have, post a comment below and tell about it, and let us know how it worked out.

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

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The intake procedure is made up of the following steps:

• You will be placed in a holding cell. If the jail is really busy, you will have to wait, sometimes for many hours, before you get processed.
• First, must answer some simple questions, such as your full name, address, birthdate and contact person.
• Also, you will also be asked about your medical and psychological history.
• You will be given an inmate ID.
• Your fingerprints will be taken.
• You will have a front and profile photo taken for your mugshot.
• All personal property will get taken away from you and stored until you are released.
• You will be allowed to make a telephone call so you can call a member of your family, friend, or bail bondsman.
• If you think you will get released quickly, you will be allowed to wear your own clothes, otherwise you will be issued a jumpsuit.

Have you ever been arrested and gone through processing at jail? If you have, you should tell us what happened. How long did it take? What was your treatment like? Can you share any tips that might help others to get through jail processing?

Click here to post a comment

Once you are able to post bail, you will be discharged from jail. Getting discharged will take between 10 minutes to hours or even all day long. In other words the faster you post bail, the sooner you will get released. Also, how fast you get released might depend on if you’ve got a bond amount or if the magistrate still needs to determine the bail amount. For a minor offense, you will get booked and released on your own recognizance. When you get to the end of your sentence and have a date of your release, you should expect to be released in the morning.

If you have a, or if you have to report to start a sentence, you really should follow the law and turn yourself into the authorities. If it is for a warrant, report to the jail processing area, and tell them that you think they might have a warrant for your arrest. A record check will be run, and if there is one, they will take you into custody and begin the intake process. If it is for a jail sentence, report at the time and date that the sentence order states. Make sure that you are not late. Just bring approved items when you turn yourself in, for example a driver’s license or even ID, prescription medication, as well as the official sentencing order.

In order to have visitors, inmates must give each visitor’s name to the jail before anyone can visit them. Your visitor’s names will be put into the visitors log for the inmate that requested the visitor. Each visitor will have to provide acceptable photo identification when visiting an inmate. Anyone arriving late or any visitors that are not approved to visit will not be allowed to attend visitation.
Visitation procedures at Ingham County Jail are always changing, so check the jail site before you visit an inmate.

The only phone calls that inmates are allowed to make are made through a jail approved pre-paid phone account or phone card . Phone calls made in jail are much more expensive than regular phone calls. There are certain restrictions about when and how often you can use the phone, but inmates must keep in mind lots of people want to use the phone – so you have to share. If you are disciplined for an infraction, your ability to use the phone might get reduced or forbidden.

Phone Number: 517-676-8348

Any mail that you send to an inmate is required to be sent via the US Postal Service. You cannot use any other form of mail delivery. You should write the inmate’s name, inmate ID number, and the jail address on the outside of the letter that you send. Don’t send a box or package, padded envelope, plastic or paper bag, or an envelope containing metal parts. All mail sent to inmates will be opened and inspected by the staff, and the mail will get sent back to the person who mailed it if the jail decides it is inappropriate.

If you would like to send a letter to an inmate at Ingham County Jail, use this address:

Ingham County Jail
640 North Cedar Street
Mason, MI 48854

Here is how you should address the letter:

[INMATE’S FULL NAME]
[INMATE ID]
Ingham County Jail
640 North Cedar Street
Mason, MI 48854

The Ingham County Jail inmate mail policy changes frequently, so you should review the the Ingham County Jail website before you send a letter.

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When you’ve been arrested, you have particular rights, the most important of which is your right to request an attorney. You are only allowed to make so many phone calls in jail, so make sure to get a friend or relative to find a lawyer when you talk to them. You might be asking yourself ‘I don’t have to get a lawyer – I can just represent myself’ You are not required to have an attorney for some criminal charges, a criminal defense lawyer will advise you about your rights, protect your interests and help you find your way through the criminal justice system that you are now faced with. The quicker you get a lawyer involved with your case, the better.

For more information on how to find an attorney, go to: How to Find a Lawyer in Ingham County

If you cannot afford a lawyer, you will be assigned a public defender. Also, the Public Defender Office has a number of staff such as private investigators, experts in forensics as well as case workers. You will be reassured to know that Public Defenders are full-fledged attorneys, admitted to the Michigan State Bar Association and are fully licensed to practice law and represent you in court.

Have you ever had to use a court appointed attorney? How did they do?

All court records are public and available to anyone who requests them. They are comprised of a file containing a sheet called a docket sheet and all documents and motions filed during your court case. You are able to access your court case records via the internet service, or at the Ingham County Clerk of Court where the case was filed.

The Ingham County Clerk of Court is an officer and clerk of the court that manages the records. They also administer the oath in a court case, and also read the court verdict when the jury has finished deliberations. All records, documents, and evidence related to your case are available at Clerk of Court’s office.

Court fees are the fees and charges 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 court appointed attorney, you may not have to pay them.

The magistrate is the type of judge that rules over your court case. Magistrates do different tasks, which include setting your bail amount, issuing arrest warrants, and acting as the presiding judge over first court appearances and detention proceedings.

Your pre-sentencing report is put together with information about the defendant’s background and details of the defendant’s life history, which the magistrate judge will consider when determining your sentence. Information and personal details will be requested from the defendant, the defendant’s family, and in some circumstances the victim. Remember that you can request to get your own copy of the report before you are sentenced, so you have the opportunity to review it for accuracy and completeness, and correct any mistakes.

After being convicted of a crime, you will be given a sentence for your crime. The presiding judge in your case will weigh several options when determining your sentence, ranging from community service, house arrest, and probation, to even incarceration in jail or prison. Depending on the particulars of your trial, the severity of your crime, and any sentencing guidelines that they judge will use, you could be taken into custody, right there in court, or you could get a date that you are supposed to report 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 gone to jail in the past?

This is pretty easy to do, simply you need to access the Ingham County jail website and do an inmate search lookup, and do a search using:

• Their name.
• Birthdate.
• Approximate booking date.
• and their jail inmate ID.

If you think that they are currently in jail, you can also call the jail confirm whether they’ve been arrested or not.

If you believe you have a warrant out for your arrest, you can check court records on the Ingham County jail website or you are able to call the jail directly. This requires a first and last name. Or, you can just go the jail in person and inquire at the information desk. Keep in mind 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 their arrest date, contact the Ingham County jail, by phone, go there in person, or find out online. An arrest is a matter of public record and these records are freely available.

A Civil Process is when you are served with legal papers, which can be , subpoenas, and arrest warrants. You can access civil process orders by contacting the Sheriff’s office, on their website or by phone.

All people registered as sex offenders are listed and registered on both a national and state sex offender database. Those listed on these databases have been convicted of a sex offense. You can access sex offenders online, but keep in mind that you will not find the exact address, just the address block of the address that they registered.

Court Records are public records. These records include a court case file that contains a docket sheet and any of the documents and filings filed in your case. You can access your court records via the internet service ‘Public Access to Court Electronic Records’, or at the Ingham County Clerk of Court office in the county where the case was filed.

Each and every state maintains records of someone’s criminal history. These databases are all linked so you are able to track criminal histories from any other state. You are able to go to courthouse and inquire, or you can check online. It helps to know which county the crime occurred in, and in the event that it was in a different state, you might have to pay a fee for a more complete search.

A criminal history search you will get a listing of all the arrests, charges, or convictions for these crimes:

• Driving Under the Influence (DUI).
• Drug Possession.
• Kidnapping.
• Rape or other sexual assault.
• Violent crimes including assault, battery and murder.
• Theft, breaking and entering.

If you do a criminal records check, in most cases will not learn if someone has had:

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

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

Have you ever had to search for criminal records of someone you know? Was it an easy process? Did you search online or did you have to make a phone call to the courthouse? Was the information you received correct? There are lots of reasons that people look up criminal records and backgrounds, and your comments may make it easier for others.

Click here to share your story

Most Wanted

The FBI maintains a list of the Ten Most Wanted Fugitives. In Ingham County, the Sheriff keeps their own list of most wanted criminals and fugitives.

FBI Ten Most Wanted List


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Life In Jail / What Its Like

Daily Life

While the prospect of getting locked up in the Ingham County jail is something you wish you could avoid, soon you will settle into the daily routine there. All inmates get an alarm for wake-up at 6:00 AM, and then you’ll have roll call. Next, you will eat breakfast. After breakfast, you will be required 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 Ingham 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 Ingham 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 someone in jail at Ingham County Jail is always changing, so you should double check the 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 Ingham County Jail

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

Speak Your Mind


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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:

• The right to protection from the accused.
• The right to notification.
• The right to attend proceedings.
• The right to speak at criminal justice proceedings.
• The right to consult with the prosecuting attorney.
• The right to restitution.
• The right to a speedy trial.
• 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 your story

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 an inmate in Ingham County Jail? Do you have a friend or family member that is a prisoner there? Have you ever been to visit an inmate at Ingham County Jail?

If your answer is yes, then we would like you to write a review about it. Tell us about your experience so other people can find out what to expect.

Things you can put in your comment:

• Conditions at the jail.
• Jail and pod facility and layout
• Jail staff and Guards
• Commissary and food
• Having Visitors
• Other Inmates.
• Safety
• Jail gangs
• Programs and activities


Click here to write your review

Tell Your Story

Anyone who’s ever been arrested and sent to jail has a story to tell. How’d you end up in jail? Did you get fair treatment? How was life in jail? What were the other inmates like? How did getting locked up affect your life?

Tell Your Story About Ingham County Jail

Send a Message to Your Cell Mate

Did you meet some cool folks in jail? Trying to reconnect with a friend from jail? Leave a message for them here.

Send a message to someone at Ingham County Jail


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