Houston County Jail – Caledonia, MN

Houston County Jail is located in Houston County and is the jail for that county. Are you looking for someone at Houston County Jail? This page gives you info about everything related to Houston County Jail,like: Learn how to locate an inmate. Find mugshots. The jail’s address and phone number. Bail and how to get out of jail. Booking and intake procedures. Court records. And more…

The thought of getting arrested and going to jail is a scary and stressful idea, not only for whoever is incarcerated, but also that person’s family, friends, and loved ones. This guide is meant to give advice and information you need to make helping a friend or family member get out of jail easier. If you have specific questions, feel free to ask it in the comment section below, and please leave any tips or comments that would help other people in the same situation would be much appreciated.

Do you have a family member or friend in jail and want to locate them?

Has somebody that has been arrested and you want to find them?

To see who’s in jail at Houston County Jail you will have to click on their website and perform an inmate lookup.

The Houston County Jail Inmate List is an online list of people currently in custody, which includes status, bail amount (if applicable), and schedule for visitation. Also, you are able to get info on anybody arrested and booked or discharged in the past 24 hours. Prisoners are shown in alphabetical order by last name. You will be able to get their arrest information faster if you have your friend or family member’s name, date of birth, or arrest number.

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

A mugshot, or jail booking photo, is the picture that the jail takes when you get processed at jail intake. They will take one frontal photo and a side picture. Your full name and intake number will appear on the mugshot, and they’re stored at the jail.

Mugshots of inmates are online, or you can see them in person at the Houston County Jail. When viewing mugshots online you need to enter the inmate’s name, and the booking date, if you have one.

Want to get your mugshot taken down from the Houston County Jail site? This can be tricky, since the mugshot is a public record. To get your mugshot taken down you have to file a Petition to Expunge in court. What this means is that all of your arrest records would be sealed, so no one will be able to see them. It is difficult to do this, and you will most likely need the services of a lawyer.

For a more in-depth article about getting your mugshot removed, the many different mugshot sites, and the websites that offer to remove your mugshot for you: How To Get Your Mugshot Taken Down

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Of course, if you’re incarcerated, your main thought is about when and how you will get out. After you’ve been booked, your bail will be set using the bail schedule or the magistrate will decide it. If you don’t get a bail set this can mean that you will either get released, pending trial, or you have to stay in jail until your trial.

If you are released from jail you will have to promise to show up for court, and you must not go out of town.

In most cases, inmates at Houston County Jail are given early release in exchange for good behavior when they respect the rules and don’t cause any problems while locked up.

If you follow the rules, you may be granted work release. You will be required to return to the jail at the end of the day after work, or you could be allowed to move to a halfway house when you are not working.

Bail is how much money that you will be required to pay to be released from jail until your court date. The amount you have to pay is determined by the seriousness of your charges. You will have to pay 10 percent of the total amount set before you can bail out of jail. If you miss your scheduled court date, whoever paid your bail will lose that bail money.

To find out how much bail money you will need to bail someone out of jail will need to call the Houston County Jail or the County Courthouse. If you have all the person’s information, like name, address and date of birth, they’ll tell you what their bail is set at. You can also see the bail amount on the Houston County Jail site.

Posting bail to get out of jail is no fun, but usually, its simple to do if you have the money. First, you need to find out if they have a “Cash Bond Only” situation. If so, you won’t be able to use a Bail Bondsman. Cash only – the jail won’t accept a check. Once you have paid the bond, the inmate will get released. If they don’t violate the terms of their bail, you’ll get your money back.

If their bail has been set too high, of if you can’t pay it, you should try to hire a bail bondsman. Bail bondsmen generally have a fee of 10 to 15 percent of the total bail amount, and sometimes have a minimum charge of $100. The amount you pay to the bondsman is non-refundable and is typically cash only. If the bail is extremely high, the bondsman might request to use your assets, such as home, property or cars, as collateral for the bond.

To contact a bail bondsman go to: How to find a bail bondsman

Have you ever had to find a bail bondsman for someone you know or yourself? 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
• Be Released on a Pre-Trial Release Program
• Get Released on House Arrest
• Be Released on Your Own Recognizance

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The intake procedure takes you through each of these steps:

• You will be placed in a holding cell. When the jail is busy, it will take a while to get processed.
• The first step is that you must answer some questions, such as your legal name, home address, birthdate and contact person.
• Also, you will also be asked about your mental and medical history.
• You’ll be given an inmate number.
• You will get fingerprinted.
• You will have your mugshot taken.
• All personal property will get taken away from you and stored until you are released.
• You will then be allowed to make a telephone call in order to call a member of your family, friend, or bondsman to arrange bail.
• If you are expected to be released quickly, they will let you keep wearing your own clothes, otherwise you will be given a jail issued jumpsuit.

Have you ever been booked into jail? If you have, please share your experience. How long did you have to wait in the holding cell? What was your treatment like? Can you tell us secrets that might help other people that get arrested get through the procedure?

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When you pay your bail, you will be discharged from jail. Getting discharged from jail will take from 10 minutes to many hours. Or, simply, the faster bail is posted, the faster you will get let go. How quickly you get discharged depends on if you have a bond amount or if a magistrate needs to figure out how much your bail will be. For a minor offense, you will simply be booked and get released without having to post bail. When you get to the end of your sentence and know the discharge date, plan to get discharged between 9am and noon.

for your arrest, or if you must report to start a sentence, it is highly advisable that you follow the rules and turn yourself in willingly. If it is for a warrant, go down to the jail processing area, and let them know that you think there is an outstanding warrant for your arrest. They will check to see if you have a warrant, and if they find one, you will be taken into the sheriff’s custody. If it is for a jail sentence, report to the jail at the exact time and date that the sentence order states. Be sure that you get don’t get there late, or they may decide to arrest you. Only bring necessary items when you go to jail, such as a driver’s license or ID, prescription medication, and the official sentencing order.

To have visitors, you must provide each visitor’s name and date of birth to the jail before anyone can visit them. Your visitor’s information will be entered in a log of approved visitors for the inmate. Each and every visitor has to provide acceptable photo identification when visiting an inmate. Anyone that arrives for visitation late or that is not on the visitation list will not be able to attend visitation.
Visitation procedures at Houston County Jail can change, so you should double-check the official Houston County Jail jail site before you try to visit an inmate.

Phone calls that inmates are allowed to make from jail are made through a jail approved pre-paid phone account or phone card . Phone calls made in jail are typically more expensive than phone calls made outside of jail. There are certain restrictions about how often you can use the phone, but you should keep in mind that there are a limited number of phones, so all the inmates must share phone time. If you are under any sort of disciplinary procedure, an inmate’s phone privileges might get cut back or cut altogether.

Phone Number: 507-725-3379

Any mail that you send to an inmate must be sent via the actual US Postal Service, and not courier or delivery, or hand delivered. You can’t use any other type of delivery. You have to write or type the person’s name, prisoner number, and the jail address on the letter. Don’t mail anything in a box or package, padded envelope, plastic bag, or an envelope with metal in it. All mail sent to inmates gets opened and reviewed by the jail officers, and will be sent back to the person who mailed it if it can’t be delivered.

Use this address when sending a letter to an inmate at Houston County Jail:

Houston County Jail
304 South Marshall Street
Caledonia, MN 55921

Here is how you should address the letter:

[INMATE’S FULL NAME]
[INMATE ID]
Houston County Jail
304 South Marshall Street
Caledonia, MN 55921

The mail policy at Houston County Jail can change, so you should review the official Houston County Jail site when you send a letter.

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When you get arrested, you need to be aware that you still have rights, and an important one is the right to request a lawyer. You won’t get many phone calls in jail, so it is a good idea to get a friend or family member to find an attorney when you talk to them. You might be thinking ‘why do I need an attorney?’ While you are not required to have one, a criminal defense lawyer can advise you of your rights, protect your interests and help you find your way through the court system in your county. The quicker you hire a lawyer to represent you and work on your situation, the better your chances.

To read more about this subject, go to: How to Find a Lawyer

If you’ve been arrested and don’t have the money to hire a lawyer, a Public Defender will be assigned to you. Also, the Public Defender’s Office has access to private investigators, crime scene and forensics experts as well as case workers. You should be reassured that Public Defenders are bona-fide attorneys, admitted to the Minnesota State Bar Association and are legally licensed to practice law.

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

Court records are public record and are available upon request to anyone who requests them – not just the person who they pertain to. They include a court case file with a docket sheet and all of the documents that have been filed in the case. You have the ability to access the records and documents in your court case using the online service, or by going to the Clerk of Court.

The Houston County Clerk of Court is an officer and clerk of the court who maintains court records and controls access to them. The Clerk of Court also administer the oath for all court participants, and read the verdict when decided by the jury. All records, documents, and evidence from your court case are held at the office of the Clerk of Court.

Court fees and costs are the charges and fees from your case, for example filing charges, motion and claim fees, and court appearance fees. If you are low income and have court appointed legal counsel or a Public Defender, you will not be responsible for these fees.

The Houston County court magistrate acts as the judge that rules over your case. Magistrate judges do a number of things, such as setting bail amounts, writing arrest warrants, and presiding over preliminary and procedural court proceedings and detention hearings.

Your pre-sentencing report is put together to include your background information and information about the defendant’s life and history, which the judge will take into account when deciding on the sentence. Information and personal details will be collected from the person on trial, his or her family members, and in some cases the victim. Don’t forget you are able to request to see a copy of your pre-sentencing report before sentencing, so you can review it and correct any mistakes.

If you get convicted of a crime during your trial, you will be given a sentence for your crime. There are a number of different options, which include 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 will either be locked up immediately, or you could be given a date that you are supposed to turn yourself into jail to serve your sentence.

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Do you need to find out if somebody you know is currently in jail, or has been an inmate in the past?

To find this out you need to go to the Houston County jail website and do an inmate search lookup, and search by:

• The inmate’s name.
• Birth date.
• Their approximate booking date.
• or jail ID.

If you think this person is in jail, you should call the jail get confirmation.

If you believe you have an outstanding warrant for your arrest, you can check the arrest warrants inquiry online or call the jail directly. You have to have their first and last name. You can also go to the local jail and inquire at the information desk. You should know that if there is an arrest warrant out for you, you will be taken into custody immediately.

If you know a person’s name, and the date of their arrest, contact the jail, by phone, go there in person, or find out online. An arrest is in the public record and this is available to anyone.

A Civil Process is when you get served with papers, such as , subpoenas, and arrest warrants. You can find these civil process orders by getting in touch with the Houston County Sheriff’s office, online or by phone.

All people registered as sex offenders must be listed and registered on both a national and state sex offender database. The people listed on these databases have been convicted in a court of law of a sex or kidnapping crime. You are able to see these offenders online, but you should know that you can’t find the actual address, but only the address block they live on.

Court Records are considered public records, so they are accessible to anyone who requests them. These records include a case file containing a docket and all of the filings and documents filed in your court case. You can access the court records on their website, or at the Houston County Clerk of Court where the case was filed.

Every state maintains records of someone’s criminal past. These databases are all connected and you can track criminal convictions from any other state. You can go to the Houston County Courthouse and make an inquiry, or check online. You must know which county the crime occurred in, and in the event that the crime was in a totally different state, you might have to pay for a more complete search.

A search of someone’s criminal history you will get a report detailing any arrests, charges, or convictions that may be on a person’s record for any crimes, which can include:

• DUI.
• Drug offenses such as possession or trafficking.
• Kidnapping.
• Sexual offenses including rape, assault.
• Violent crimes.
• Breaking and entering, theft, larceny.

During a criminal records search, usually will not see if someone had:

• Speeding tickets.
• Lost their driver’s license or license revoked or suspended.
• Any accidents.
• Moving violations.
• Parking Tickets.

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

Have you ever searched for criminal records? Was it easy? Was your search online or did you have to call the jail? Was the information correct? There are many reasons that people search for criminal backgrounds and records, and your feedback may help other people.

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Most Wanted

For Federal crimes, the FBI keeps a list of the Ten Most Wanted Fugitives. In Houston County, the Houston County Sheriff’s Department has their own list of the most wanted criminals, that you can access online.

FBI Ten Most Wanted List


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Life In Jail / What Its Like

Daily Life

Everyone knows that spending time in the Houston County jail is something you wish you could avoid, soon you will settle into the daily routine there. Inmates get an alarm for wake-up at 6am, and next you’ll have roll call. You will then have breakfast. After breakfast, you will be required to work in the work program or other activity that you are assigned. 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 Houston 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 Houston 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 process for sending funds to jail inmates is likely to change, so it would be best to visit the official website when you send funds to an inmate 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 Houston County Jail

The Deputy Sheriff is the second in command at the Houston 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 Houston 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:

• Victims have the right to protection from the accused.
• Victims have the right to notification.
• Victims have the right to attend proceedings.
• Victims have the right to speak at criminal justice proceedings.
• Victims have the right to consult with the prosecuting attorney.
• Victims have the right to restitution.
• Victims have the right to a speedy trial.
• Victims have the right to be treated with fairness, dignity and respect.

The definition of victim includes:

• Spouses and children of all victims.
• Parents and guardians of minor victims.
• Parents, guardians and siblings of mentally or physically incapacitated victims or victims of homicide.
• Foster parents or other caregivers, under certain circumstances.

There are a number of services and programs designed to help victims and their families. You can find out about these services by contacting the courthouse, or local law enforcement agency.

Victim Notification

The Department of Justice Victim Notification System (VNS) is a system that provides victims with information pertaining to their case and/or any defendants in the case. You will receive a Victim Identification Number (VIN) and a Personal Identification Number (PIN) that will allow you to access VNS via the internet or by phone. Here, you will find information about future court hearings, historical court events, and detailed information about the defendant. This will include criminal charges filed, the outcome of charges, sentence imposed, custody location, projected release date and any other release information. The VNS website is updated daily. You will also receive any ongoing information by mail or email.

Have you, a family member or friend ever used the Victim Notification System? If so, was it effective? Did you get the information in a timely manner? Was the system difficult to use? We would like to hear from you, so please post any comments here.

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Sex Offender Information and Search

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

Domestic Violence

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

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


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Reviews

Reviews of this Jail

Have you ever been a prisoner in Houston County Jail? Do you have a friend or family member there? Have you ever been to visit a prisoner at Houston County Jail?

If your answer is yes, then we would like you to leave a comment below about it. Write about your jail experience so other people can find out what to expect.

Things you might want to write in your comment:

• Conditions in Houston County Jail.
• Jail and pod facility and layout
• Jail staff and Guards
• Food and commissary
• Visitation
• The other inmates.
• Safety
• Jail gangs
• Activities and programs


Click here to review Houston County Jail

Tell Your Story

Everyone’s who has been put in jail has some stories about their time ‘inside’. How’d you get locked up? Did you get fair treatment? What was it like in jail? Tell us about the other inmates. How did getting locked up affect your life?

Tell Your Story About Houston County Jail

Send a Message to Your Cell Mate

Did you make friends in jail? Do you want to send a message to a person you met in jail? Then send them a message by posting a comment below.

Post a message to someone at Houston County Jail


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