Otsego County Corrections – Gaylord, MI

Otsego County Corrections is located in Otsego County and is the primary correctional facility for that area. Know somebody in Otsego County Corrections? This site gives you info about everything a person needs to know about Otsego County Corrections,like: Learn 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. Booking and intake procedures. Otsego County court information. And lots more.

The chance of going to jail is a scary prospect, not only for whoever goes to jail, but also that person’s family, friends, and loved ones. The goal of this guide is to give you info that you need to make going to jail a lot easier. If you have questions, feel free to ask it, and any comments or tips that would help others is much appreciated.

Do you have a family member, loved one, or friend in jail and want to contact them?

Do you know a family member or friend who has been arrested and you need to find out where they are?

To find out who is in jail at Otsego County Corrections you will have to navigate to their web site and use the inmate search.

The Otsego County Corrections Inmate Roster is a list of people who were arrested and are now in jail, which includes custody status, how much their bail is, and times you can visit. You can also find information on anyone processed or discharged in the past 24 hours. Jail inmates are listed in alphabetical order by last name. You will be able to locate their arrest information quicker if you enter the arrestee’s name, birth date, or inmate ID.

If your friend or loved one might be at a different jail you will want to look here: Michigan County Jails Listing

A mugshot, or booking photo, is the photograph taken by the police when you get processed at jail intake. A mugshot is make of one and a side picture. Your full name and jail ID number will be in the photos, and they’re kept on file.

Mugshots of Otsego County Corrections inmates are online, or you can view them at the Otsego County Corrections. When viewing online you will have to input the person’s name, and the arrest date, if you have it.

Want to have your mugshot taken down from the Otsego County Corrections website? This can be tricky, because the mugshot is a matter of public record. To get your mugshot removed you must file a Petition to Expunge with the court. What this means is that all of your arrest records 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 many 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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Obviously, if you’re incarcerated, your primary thought is about when you get out. After you’ve gone through booking, bail is set by a special judge called a magistrate. If there is no bail set this may mean that you will either get released, pending trial, or you are kept in jail until your court date.

If you do bail out you must agree to be there for your court date, and until that date you are not allowed to travel out of the county.

In most cases, inmates at Otsego County Corrections will earn early release in exchange for good behavior when they don’t break the rules and don’t cause any problems while they are in jail.

If you prove to be trustworthy, you might be given work release detail. You will have to go back to jail every day after work, or you might have the chance to sleep in a halfway house instead of the jail.

Your bail is the amount of money that you have to pay to the court system to be released from jail until your trial. The amount you have to pay is determined by the crime you are charged with. You will have to pay ten percent of the total set in order for you to get out of jail. If you miss your court date, the person that bailed you out of jail will not get their money back.

You must call the jail. If you have all the pertinent information, including name, address and date of birth, they will let you know the bail amount. You can also check their bail amount and status on the jail website.

Having to get someone out of jail is an unpleasant situation, but usually, it is really easy. First, you need to find out if they have a “Cash Bond Only” situation. If so, you will not be able to get a bondsman. Cash only – they won’t accept a check. As soon as you’ve posted (paid) bond, the inmate will be released. If the conditions of bail are not violated, the bail money you posted will be returned to you.

If bail is set too high, or you can’t afford it, you will need to use a bail bondsman. Bondsmen usually charge a fee of 10 to 15 percent of the total amount of bail set, and sometimes charge a minimum fee of $100. The amount you pay to the bondsman will not be returned to you and bondsmen usually only accept cash. If bail is very large, the bail bondsman may require that they use your assets as collateral in addition to the fee they charge.

To find a local bail bondsman visit our page about: How to find a bail bondsman

Have you ever used a bondsman to bail someone out of jail? If you have, please leave a comment below and tell about your experience and let us know how it worked out for you.

Click here to share your story

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

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The jail intake process is made up of each of the following steps:

• You will be placed in a waiting area or cell. When the jail is busy, you may not be processed immediately.
• You have to answer some simple questions, such as what is your full name, your address, birth date and an emergency contact person.
• They’ll also ask you about your medical and psychological history.
• You will be given an inmate ID.
• Your fingerprints will be taken.
• You will get your mugshot taken.
• Any personal property you have will be taken from you and stored until you get discharged from jail.
• You will be allowed to use the telephone in order to talk to a member of your family, friend, or bondsman to arrange bail.
• If you are expected to be released quickly, you might get to wear your street clothes, but if you are not expected to make bail quickly you will have to change into a jumpsuit.

Have you ever been arrested and gone through the jail intake procedure? If you have, please share your experience. How long did it take? How were you treated? Can you tell us tips that will help others make it through the procedure?

Click here to leave a comment

When you post bail, you will be allowed to go home after you get discharged. The discharge process takes anywhere from 10 minutes to hours or even all day long. So, the faster you can post bail, the quicker you will get discharged. Also, how fast you get released might depend on if you’ve been given a cash bond or if a magistrate must 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 served your sentence and are given a date of your release, expect to be discharged anywhere between the hours of 9am and 12pm.

for your arrest, or if you have to begin your jail sentence, you should do the right thing and turn yourself in willingly. If it is for a warrant, go to the jail intake area, and let them know that you think they might have a warrant for your arrest. They will check to see if you have a warrant, and if they verify that there is a warrant for your arrest, they will take you into custody and begin the intake process. If you have a jail sentence to serve, go to the jail on the date and time that the sentence order states. Make sure that you get don’t get there late, or they may decide to arrest you. Just bring allowed items when you go to jail, for example a driver’s license or even state issued ID, prescription medication, and a sentencing order.

To have visitors, you need to give information about each visitor to the jail. This information will be put into a log of visitors for the inmate that requested the visitor. Every visitor will have to provide acceptable photo identification. Any visitors that gets to visitation or that is not an approved visitor will be turned away.
Visitation procedures frequently change, so we suggest that you check the official jail site before go to the jail to visit an inmate.

Phone calls that inmates are allowed to make from jail are with a pre-paid phone card or account, or are collect calls . Calls made in jail are generally pricier than regular phone calls. Inmates are able to make phone calls, with restrictions on how often you can use the phone, but you should keep 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, an inmate’s phone privileges may be limited or eliminated completely, as part of the punishment.

The Otsego County Corrections phone number is: 989-732-3555

All mail has to be sent using the actual US Postal Service, and not courier or delivery, or hand delivered. You must not use any other type of delivery. You have to write or type the name, inmate number, and the address of the jail on the letter. Do not send a package, padded envelope, bag, or an envelope containing metal parts. Any mail will be opened and read and examined by the officers at the jail, and will be returned to the sender if deemed inappropriate.

The address that you should use if you are sending a letter to an inmate at Otsego County Corrections is:

Otsego County Corrections
124 South Court Street
Gaylord, MI 49735

Here is how you should address the letter:

[INMATE’S FULL NAME]
[INMATE ID]
Otsego County Corrections
124 South Court Street
Gaylord, MI 49735

The Otsego County Corrections inmate mail policy is always changing, so be sure to check the official Otsego County Corrections site when you send a letter.

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Even if you’ve been arrested, you should know you still have rights, and an important one is that you have the right to request an attorney. You only get so many phone calls when you get arrested, so make sure you get a friend or family member to locate a lawyer when you talk to them. You may be asking yourself ‘but do I really need a lawyer’ You’re not required to have an attorney in all cases, a criminal attorney will make sure you know your rights, look after your best interests and show you the way through the complicated court system. The quicker you hire an attorney to represent you and work on your situation, the better off you’ll be.

To read more about the benefits of hiring a lawyer, go to: How to Find a Lawyer

If you’ve been arrested and don’t have the money to hire an attorney, you will be assigned a public defender. Also, the Public Defender Office has access to private investigators, forensics experts as well as social case workers. You will be reassured to know that Public Defenders are bona-fide attorneys that are admitted to the Michigan State Bar Association and are legally licensed to practice law and represent you in court.

Have you ever had to use a Public Defender or court appointed attorney? Are you satisfied with how they handled your case and represented you in court?

All court records are public records and are available upon request. Court records are comprised of a court case file containing a docket sheet and every documents and motions that have been filed. You, and anyone else, can access court records with the Otsego County website, or by going to the Clerk’s office of the Court where the case was filed.

The Clerk of Court is an officer and clerk of the court who manages access to court records. The Clerk of Court also administer the oath during court cases, and also read the jury’s verdict. All records and documents associated with your court case are maintained at the office of the Clerk of Court.

Court fees and costs are the charges associated with your court case, which include filing fees, motion fees and various court charges. If you don’t have the money to pay these fees and have a court appointed attorney, you may not have to pay the fees.

A Magistrate acts as the judge that rules over your court case. Magistrates do several different things, like setting bail amounts, issuing warrants, and acting as the presiding judge over preliminary court proceedings and detention hearings.

A defendant’s pre-sentencing report is put together to include information about your background and information about the arrestee’s life and public history, which the judge will take into consideration when determining the sentence. Information, details, and character witnesses will be solicited from the person on trial, his or her family, and if necessary the victim. Don’t forget you are allowed to ask to get a copy of this report prior to sentencing, so you have the opportunity to correct any inaccurate information.

After being convicted of a crime, you will then get sentenced. There are several different options for sentencing, ranging from community service and probation, to even prison or jail time. Depending on the severity of the crime, you could be taken into custody, right there in court, or you might be given a date that you are supposed to surrender and report to jail to serve out your sentence.

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Want to find out if someone is locked up, or has ever been in jail?

To do so, you should visit the jail’s website, and search using:

• Their name.
• Birthdate.
• Their booking date if you know it.
• and their inmate ID.

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

If you have an outstanding warrant, you are able to check the court records on the website or you are able to call the court. You have to have their first and last name. Or, you can just go down to the jail and inquire at the information desk. Keep in mind that there is an outstanding warrant for your arrest, they will take you into custody immediately.

If you know a person’s name, and possibly an arrest date, contact the Otsego County jail, on the phone, in person, or you can check online. Arrest records are public record and these records are freely available.

A Civil Process is when you get served with legal papers, which can be warrants. You can find these civil process orders by contacting the Otsego 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 offense. You are able to view these offenders on the internet, but remember that you will not see the precise address, rather the address block of the address that they registered.

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

Each and every state maintains a record of a person’s criminal past. These databases are all linked and you can track criminal convictions from any other state. Go to county courthouse and inquire in person, or you can check the website. It helps to know which county the crime occurred in, and if it was in a different state entirely, you might have to pay for a more complete search.

A criminal history search you are able to get a report detailing any arrests, charges, or convictions that may be on a person’s record for any of the following crimes:

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

But, when you do a criminal records check, you generally will not find out if someone has had any infractions like moving violations:

• Speeding or reckless driving.
• Drivers license revoked or suspended.
• Any accidents.
• Moving violations.
• Parking Tickets.

To find driving histories, you must do a driving history search.

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

Click here to share your story

Most Wanted

Everyone knows that the FBI maintains a list of the Top Ten Most Wanted Criminals. In Otsego County, the Otsego County Sheriff has their own list of the most wanted criminals, that you can access online.

FBI Ten Most Wanted List: External Link


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Life In Jail / What Its Like

Daily Life

Just the thought of serving a jail sentence in the Otsego County jail is quite unpleasant, eventually you will get used to the routine that is set for you. Inmates get an alarm to wake up each morning at 6:00 AM, and next they’ll do roll call. After roll call you will get breakfast. When you finish eating breakfast participate 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 Otsego County Corrections, 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 Otsego County Corrections 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 inmates at Otsego County Corrections might change, so review 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 Otsego County Corrections

The Deputy Sheriff is the second in command at the Otsego County Corrections, 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 Otsego County Corrections

Requirements:

• You must be over the age of 21.
• You must possess a High School Diploma or GED
• You must be a US Citizen.
• You must pass a Criminal, Credit and Driving History background check.
• You must pass a drug test.
• You must have a good level of fitness.
• You must be in good health.
• You must have a valid Driver’s License
• An applicant for Deputy Sheriff must possess a Law Enforcement Certification.


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Family Resources

There are resources for families of both the perpetrator of the crime and the victim. The social and emotional impact of crime is far reaching, affecting many. Families can receive professional counseling, court related assistance, social services assistance and help in navigating the criminal justice system.

If you are a family member, which resources did you find to be particularly helpful? Please let us know, as this will be helpful to other families in the same situation.

Click here to 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:

• 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 about all about it

Sex Offender Information and Search

All people registered as sex offenders are registered on either a national or state sex offender database. The people on these databases have been convicted of a sex or kidnapping crime. You can access this information online, but bear in mind that you will not get the exact address, rather the block that they live on.

Domestic Violence

If you or someone you know is a victim of domestic violence, there are services to help you. Your county will have a Domestic Violence Services office. They provide free and confidential services, such as emergency shelter information, legal advocacy, support groups and domestic violence education. They will work to help you create a safe and violence-free life, and heal from the trauma of abuse.

Important Note: If you, or someone you know, are in immediate danger, call 911.


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Reviews

Reviews of this Jail

Have you ever been incarcerated in Otsego County Corrections? Do you have a friend or family member that is an inmate there? Have you ever visited an inmate in this jail?

If your answer is yes, then you should write your review about it. Write down what you experienced so that other people can learn what to expect.

Things you could write in what you write:

• Conditions at the jail.
• Jail facility and layout
• Staff and guards
• Food and commissary
• Visitation Days
• Other Inmates.
• Prisoner safety
• Jail gangs
• Inmate programs and activities


Write a Review of Otsego County Corrections

Tell Your Story

Everyone’s who has been put in jail has at least one story to tell about it. Why’d you end up in jail? Did you experience fair treatment? How was day to day life at Otsego County Corrections? What were the other inmates like? How has this experience impacted your life?

Speak Your Mind

Send a Message to Your Cell Mate

Did you make friends in jail? Do you want to talk to a friend from jail? Leave a message for them here.

Send a message to someone at Otsego County Corrections


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