Big Stone County Jail – Ortonville, MN

Big Stone County Jail is in Big Stone County, MN and is the primary correctional facility for this county. Know someone in Big Stone County Jail? This page gives you info about anything one might want to know about Big Stone County Jail,like: How to do a jail inmate search. How to view Big Stone County Jail mugshots. The jail’s address and phone number. How to post bail. Intake procedures and booking. Court information and records. And lots more.

The prospect of getting arrested and going to jail is a daunting and scary idea, not only for the person who is incarcerated, but also that person’s family, friends, and loved ones. The purpose of this guide is to offer advice and information you need to make getting locked up less stressful. If you have a specific question, feel free to ask them, and any feedback or comments that could help others will be welcome.

Do you know someone that is locked up and want to find out where they are?

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

In order to look up who’s in jail at Big Stone County Jail you will need to visit their web site and do an inmate search.

The Big Stone County Jail Inmate Search is an online list of persons who were arrested and are now in jail, which includes status, bail amount (if applicable), and visiting schedule. You can also get info about anyone arrested and booked or discharged within the past 24-hour period. Prisoners are listed in alphabetical order by their last name. You’ll be able to find their arrest information faster if you’ve got their full name, birth date, or inmate ID Number.

If the inmate you are looking for might be incarcerated at a different jail you can check our Minnesota county jail guide: Minnesota County Jails Listing

A mugshot, or jail intake photo, is a picture taken by the police when you are booked into jail. They will take one face photo and a side-view photo. Your full name and jail booking number will appear on the pictures, and they will be stored.

Mugshots of people who have been arrested can be found on the website, or you can see them in person at the Big Stone County Jail. When viewing mugshots online you will need to input the prisoner’s name, and the booking date, if you know it.

Need to know how to get your mugshot erased from the Big Stone County Jail website? This may not be possible, because the mugshot is a matter of public record. You must file a ‘Petition to Expunge’. Basically, this means that the record of your arrest will be sealed, so no one will be able to see them. Unfortunately, this happens very rarely.

For a more in-depth article about getting your mugshot taken down, the different mugshot websites, and the mugshot removal websites: Mugshot Removal

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Naturally, if you are arrested and put in jail, your only thought is about when and how you will get out. After you’ve gone through the booking process, bail is set by the magistrate. If there is no bail set this might mean that you will either get released, pending trial, or you are kept in jail until your court date.

If you are released from jail you must agree to be in court on your court date, and you are not allowed to leave the area.

Typically, inmates in the Big Stone County Jail can earn an early release in exchange for good behavior if they respect the rules and area a good inmate while locked up.

If you follow the rules, you may be granted work release. You will be required to return to jail each day when you’re finished at your job, or you could be allowed to move to a halfway house when you are not working.

Your bail is the amount of money that you will be required to pay in order to be released from jail until your court date. The amount you have to pay is dictated by the crime you’ve been charged with. Someone will have to pay ten percent of the total that was set before you can bail out of jail. If you fail to show up for your scheduled court date, the person that paid your bail won’t get their money back.

To find out someone’s bail amount you need to call the Big Stone County Jail. If you have all the person’s information, including name, address and date of birth, they’ll let you know how much their bail is. You can also find out how much their bail is on the jail website.

Having to bail a friend or family member out of jail is no fun, but most of the time, it’s easy. To start with, find out if they have a “Cash Bond Only” situation. If so, you will not be able to get a bail bondsman. Take cash only to the jail – the jail won’t take checks. Once the cash bond has been paid, the prisoner will be discharged. If the conditions of bail are not violated, you’ll get your money back.

If the amount of bail set is large, or you just can’t afford to pay it, you should look into the services of a bail bondsman. Bail bondsmen will usually charge a fee of 10-15% of total bail, and in most cases with a minimum of $100. The money you pay to the bail bondsman is non-refundable and has to be paid in cash. If bail is very large, the bail bondsman might use assets as collateral for the bond in addition to their charges.

You can find a bail bondsman click here: Find a bail bondsman at Big Stone County Jail

Have you ever used a Bail Bondsman to bail someone out of jail? If so, post a comment below and tell about it, and let us know how things turned out.

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

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The intake process includes each of the following steps:

• You will be placed in a waiting area or cell. If the jail is busy, you will have to wait a while to get processed.
• The first thing you will have to is you will have to answer some simple questions, like what is your legal name, home address, birthdate and a contact person.
• You will also be asked about your psychological and medical history.
• You will be issued an inmate ID.
• You will get fingerprinted.
• They will take your mugshot.
• All of your personal property will be taken from you and stored until you are discharged.
• They will allow you to use the telephone in order to talk to a member of your family, friend, or bail bondsman.
• If you think you will get released quickly, you might be able to skip the jumpsuit and keep wearing your own clothes, otherwise you will have to change into a jail issued jumpsuit.

Have you ever been arrested and gone through the jail intake procedure? If so, please tell your story. How long did it take? How did the guards treat you? Can you share any things that could help other people get through jail processing?

Click here to leave a comment

Once bail has been posted, you will be allowed to leave jail. Getting discharged from jail takes from 10 minutes to hours or even all day long. Or, simply, the faster you can pay your bail, the quicker you will get out of jail. It also can depend on whether or not you’ve got a bond amount or if the magistrate still needs to figure out the amount of bail to be set. For minor charges, you will get booked and then released on your recognizance without having to pay bail. If you have served a sentence in jail and have a discharge date, you should expect to be released at any time that day – but usually in the morning.

out against you, or if you need to start a jail sentence, you really should follow the law and go down to the jail and turn yourself in. In the case of an outstanding warrant, report to the jail, and tell the intake officer that you think there is a warrant for your arrest. They will check their system to see if there are any outstanding local, state or federal arrest warrants out for you, and if you do, they will take you into custody and begin the intake process. If you are reporting to serve out your sentence, report at the exact time and date that the sentence order or court paperwork states. Make sure that you aren’t late. Be sure to only bring approved items with you, such as a driver’s license or even ID, any prescription medication you might take, and the official sentencing order.

Inmates have to give each visitor’s name to the jail in advance of any visit. This information will go in the log as an approved visitor. Each and every visitor must provide proof of identification. Visitors that arrives for visitation late or that does not have a visitation order will not be allowed to visit the inmate.
The Big Stone County Jail visitation procedures change often, so make sure that you visit the official Big Stone County Jail jail site before go to the jail to 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 . Jail phone calls are much more expensive than regular phone calls. There are certain restrictions about when you can make phone calls, how long you can talk, and how often you can make calls, but inmates must keep in mind that there are a limited number of phones, so all the inmates must share phone time. If you are disciplined for an infraction, an inmate’s ability to use the phone may be limited or forbidden completely.

The Big Stone County Jail phone number is: 320-839-3558

All mail must be sent using the actual US Postal Service, and not courier or delivery, or hand delivered. You must not use any other type of mail or package delivery. You have to write the inmate’s name, prisoner number, and the address of the jail on the envelope. Do not send anything in a package or box, envelope with padding or insulation, plastic bag, or an envelope with metal inside. Any mail sent to inmates is opened and read by the jail administration, and the mail will be sent back if the jail decides it is inappropriate.

Use this address when sending a letter to someone incarcerated at Big Stone County Jail:

Big Stone County Jail
20 2Nd St Se
Ortonville, MN 56278

Here is how you should address the letter:

[INMATE’S FULL NAME]
[INMATE ID]
Big Stone County Jail
20 2Nd St Se
Ortonville, MN 56278

The inmate mail policy at Big Stone County Jail changes frequently, so we suggest that you visit the official Big Stone County Jail site before you send a letter to an inmate.

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Even if you’ve been arrested, you still have certain rights, one of these being that you have the right to request an attorney. You won’t get many phone calls in jail, so it is a good idea to get a friend or family member to find a lawyer when you talk to them. You may be asking yourself ‘but do I really need a lawyer’ You are not required to have an attorney for some criminal charges, a criminal defense attorney will advise you about your rights, look after your best interests and guide you through the complicated court system that you are now faced with. The quicker you hire a lawyer to represent you and work on your criminal case, the better your chances.

For more info on how to find a lawyer, click here: Find a Lawyer

If you are in trouble, but can’t afford a lawyer, you will be assigned a public defender. Also, the Public Defender Office has access to independent investigators, forensics experts as well as case workers. Public Defenders are full-fledged lawyers, admitted to the State Bar and are completely licensed to practice law and represent you in court.

Have you or someone you know used a Public Defender? Are you satisfied with how they handled your case and represented you in court?

Court records are public and available to anyone who requests them. They contain a file with a docket sheet and all motions, documents, and evidence filed in the course of your case. You can access your court case records using the internet service, or at the Clerk of Court’s office.

A Clerk of Court is an officer and clerk of the court that manages court records. They also administer the oath for anyone testifying in court, and read the verdict when delivered by the jury. All records, documents, and evidence relating to your case are held at Big Stone County Clerk of Court office.

Court fees and costs are the fees and charges associated with your court case, such as filing fees, motion and claim fees, and court charges. If you can’t afford to pay these fees and have court appointed legal counsel or a Public Defender, you will not be responsible for these fees.

The Big Stone County court magistrate is the type of judge that will preside over your case in court. Magistrates do a number of things, like deciding a bail amount, issuing warrants for arrest, and presiding over preliminary court appearances and detention proceedings.

A defendant’s pre-sentencing report is put together to include information about the arrestee’s background and details of the defendant’s life and history, which the magistrate will review when deciding on the sentence. Information and personal details will be solicited from the defendant, their family, and in some circumstances the victim. Don’t forget that you can request to have your own copy of the pre-sentencing report prior to sentencing, so you get the chance to correct any inaccurate information.

If you get convicted of a crime, you will be given a sentence for your crime. The judge will have several different options when sentencing you, including community service to probation, to even incarceration in either jail (short term) or prison (long term). Depending on the particulars of your trial, the severity of your crime, and any sentencing guidelines that they judge will use, you may be immediately taken into custody, or you might be given a date that you must report to jail to serve your term.

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Are you trying to find out if somebody you know is in jail, or has gone to jail in the past?

To find this out you need to visit the jail website and do an inmate search, and search by:

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

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

If you think you have a warrant out for your arrest, you can find out by checking the arrest warrants inquiry on the Big Stone County court website or you are able to call the jail. You have to have the person’s first and last name. Or, you can just go down to the jail and ask one of the officers. Keep in mind that if you do have an outstanding warrant, they will take you into custody immediately.

If you know a person’s name, and possibly an arrest date, contact the Big Stone County jail, by phone, in person, or check online. An arrest is in the public record and the information is accessible by the public.

Civil processes are when you get served with papers, such as court orders. You can access civil process orders by contacting the Sheriff’s office, online or by phone.

All people registered as sex offenders have to be registered and listed on the sex offender databases required by the area they live in. The people listed on these databases have been tried by jury and convicted in a court of law of a sex offense. You are able to see this information on the internet, but remember that you will not be able to get the actual address, but rather the neighborhood block of the address that they registered.

Court Records are public records and available to anyone. These records include a case file that contains a docket and all of the documents and filings filed in your case. You can access your court records on the website, or at Clerk of Court office in the county where the case was filed.

Each and every state keeps a record of their state citizen’s criminal history. These online databases are linked together so you can track criminal histories from any other state. You are able to go to the Big Stone County Courthouse and check in person or you can check the website. It is helpful to know the county the crime was committed in, and in the event that the crime was in a different state, you may have to pay for a more complete search.

When you look up a person’s criminal records you will find out if a person has ever been arrested, charged or convicted for these crimes:

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

When you do a criminal history search, in most cases won’t be able to find out if that person has had any:

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

To find this kind of information, you must do a driving records search.

Have you ever tried to search for someone’s criminal records? How easy was it? Did you do your search online or did you make a phone call to the local courthouse? Was the information you received correct? There are lots of reasons that people search for criminal backgrounds and records, and your story may help other people that are in the same situation.

Click here to tell about all about it

Most Wanted

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

FBI Top Ten Most Wanted List: Link


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Life In Jail / What Its Like

Daily Life

Everyone knows that being incarcerated in Big Stone County Jail is no fun, you will soon get accustomed to the routine that is set for you in jail. Prisoners get an alarm to wake up every morning at six in the morning, and then you’ll have roll call. Then you will eat breakfast. After breakfast, you will 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 Big Stone 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 Big Stone 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 funds to someone in jail is likely to change, so double check the official website before you send any funds.


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 Big Stone County Jail

The Deputy Sheriff is the second in command at the Big Stone 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 Big Stone County Jail

Requirements:

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


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Family Resources

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

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

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Victim Resources

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

Victim’s Rights

The Victim Rights Act grants victims the following rights:

• 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.

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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 incarcerated in this jail? Do you know anybody there? Have you ever been to visit a prisoner at this jail?

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

Things you could write in the review:

• Conditions at the jail.
• Jail, yard and pod layout and facility
• Staff and guards
• Jail food and commissary
• Visitation Days
• The other inmates.
• Inmate safety
• Gangs
• Prisoner programs and activities


Let Everyone Know

Tell Your Story

Everyone’s who has been put in jail has a story to tell. How’d you end up in jail? Were you fairly treated? How was life in jail? How did you get along with the other inmates? Did going to jail affect your life? How?

Click here to leave a comment

Send a Message to Your Cell Mate

Make some good friends in jail? Want to reconnect with an inmate you met while you were incarcerated? Leave a message for them here.

Send a message to Big Stone County Jail


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