Watonwan County Jai – St. James, MN

Watonwan County Jai is in Watonwan County and is the jail for that area. Looking for somebody at Watonwan County Jai? This guide gives you info about anything you might want to know about Watonwan County Jai,like: Learn how to locate an inmate. Find inmate mugshots. The jail’s address and phone number. Bailing out of jail. Intake procedures and booking. Watonwan County court information. And everything else.

The chance of going to jail is a scary and stressful thought, 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 all the information and advice that you’ll need to make going to jail a lot easier. If you have a specific question, feel free to ask them, and please leave any comments or feedback that would be a benefit to others will be appreciated.

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

Has a family member or friend that’s been arrested and you don’t know how to locate them?

To look up who is in jail at Watonwan County Jai you have to go to their website and do an inmate search.

The Watonwan County Jai Inmate Lookup is an online list of persons currently in custody, which includes custody status, how much their bail is, and times the inmate can have visitors. Also, you can get info on anybody arrested and booked or released in the past 24 hours. Jail inmates are listed in alphabetical order by last name. You can locate their inmate information faster if you’ve got their first and last name, birth date, or inmate ID.

If the person you’re searching for might be locked up at a different jail you should check our Minnesota county jail guide: List of all county jails in Minnesota

A mugshot, also called a jail booking picture, is a photo that the jail takes when you are booked into jail. They will take one full face and one profile photo. Your full name and booking number will be on the pictures, and they will be on file.

Mugshots of inmates can be found on the website, or you can see them at the Watonwan County Jai. When you search for mugshots on the website you have to put in the inmate’s legal name, and the booking date, if you have it.

Want to get your mugshot taken off of the Watonwan County Jai site? This is difficult, because the mugshot is a matter of public record. To get your mugshot removed you need to file a Petition to Expunge in court. Basically, this means that the record of your arrest would be sealed, and unavailable to the public. It is difficult to do this, and you will most likely need the services of a lawyer.

Read our in-depth tutorial about removing your mugshot, the different mugshot sites, and the mugshot removal services: How To Get Your Mugshot Taken Down

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If you are in jail, your only thought is about when you get out. After you’ve gone through booking, bail is determined by a special judge called a magistrate. If there is no bail set this can mean that you will either be released on your ‘own recognizance’ until your court date, or you must remain in jail until your trial.

If you are released from jail you will have to agree to be there for your court date, and until then you are not permitted to travel out of the county.

Typically, inmates at Watonwan County Jai can earn time off for good behavior when they respect the rules and don’t cause any problems while locked up.

If you do exhibit good behavior and the jail believes you can be trusted, you might be allowed to participate in work release. You will have to return to the jail at the end of the day after work, or you might get to move to a halfway house when you are not working.

Your bail is money that you have to pay to the courts to be released from jail until your court date. The amount of bail that is set all depends on what crime you are charged with and how serious it is. You will have to post 10 percent of the total amount set in order to get out of jail. If you don’t show up for court, the person that 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 jail or the county courthouse. If know the person’s info, such as name, address and date of birth, they will be able to let you know the bail amount. Also, you can find out how much their bail is on the jail website.

Having to get someone out of jail is an unpleasant situation, but fortunately, its really easy if you have the money. To start with, you need to find out if their bail is a “Cash Bond Only” situation. If this is the case, you won’t be able to use a bondsman. They only accept cash at the jail, so you have to take cash – the jail can’t accept a check. Once you have paid the bond, the inmate will get released. If this person doesn’t violate any of the terms of their release, the bail money you posted will be returned to you.

If bail is set too high, or you just can’t afford it, you should try a bail bondsman. Bondsmen generally charge a fee of 10-15% of total bail, and usually charge a minimum charge of $100. The amount you pay to the bondsman is non-refundable and the bondsman only accepts cash. If the bail is exceptionally high, the bail bondsman will in most cases request to use your assets as collateral.

You can find a local bail bondsman go to: Find a Bail Bondsman in Watonwan County

Have you ever used a bail bondsman for yourself, a family member or friend? If you have, leave a comment below and tell your story, and let us know how things turned out.

Click here to tell about all about it

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

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The jail intake process takes you through these steps:

• You will get put in a holding cell. When the jail is busy, it will take a while to get processed.
• The first thing you will have to is you will answer some basic questions, like your full legal name, address, birthdate and an emergency contact person.
• You will also be asked about your psychological and medical history.
• You will be issued an inmate number.
• You will get fingerprinted.
• You will get your mugshot taken.
• Any property you have will be taken from you and stored until you are released.
• You will be allowed to make a telephone call in order to call a family member, friend, or bail bondsman.
• If you are expected to be released shortly, they will let you 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 processing at jail? If you have, you should tell your story. How long did it take? How were you treated? Can you share any things that might help others make it through jail processing?

Click here to tell your story

When you post bail, you will be allowed to leave jail. This process takes anywhere from 10 minutes to hours or even all day long. In other words the faster you post bail, the sooner you will be freed. Also, it depends on whether or not you’ve got a cash bond or if a magistrate must determine your bail amount. For minor charges, you will be booked and released on your own recognizance. When you have completed your jail sentence and have a release date, expect to get discharged in the morning.

If you have a, or if you need to start your sentence, you really should follow the rules and turn yourself into the authorities. If it is for a warrant, report to the jail, and tell an officer that you think they might have an outstanding arrest warrant out for you. They will do a check to find out if there is an arrest warrant for you, and if they verify that you have one, you will be taken into the sheriff’s custody. When reporting to serve a sentence, go to the jail at the time and date that the sentence order lists. Make sure that you aren’t late. Be sure to only bring things that are allowed with you, like your driver’s license or even your ID, prescription medication, and the official sentencing order.

In order to have visitors, inmates have to provide each visitor’s name and date of birth to the jail in advance of the visit. Your visitors will go in a log of visitors for the inmate that requested the visitor. Every visitor has to provide acceptable photo identification when visiting an inmate. Any visitors that gets to visitation or without a visiting order will not be able to attend visitation.
The Watonwan County Jai visitation procedures can change, so double-check the official Watonwan County Jai jail site before go to the jail to visit an inmate.

Phone calls that inmates are allowed to make from jail are collect calls or through a pre-paid phone account. Calls made in jail are generally pricier than phone calls made outside of jail. Inmates are able to make phone calls, with restrictions on when and how often you can use the phone, but inmates should keep in mind that you are just one of many people who want to talk to their loved ones. If you break the jail rules, an inmate’s phone privileges might get reduced or forbidden.

The Watonwan County Jai phone number is: 507-375-3121

All inmate mail is required to be sent using the actual US Postal Service. You cannot use any other form of delivery. You must write the inmate’s name, prisoner number, and the address of the jail on the letter that you send. Don’t send a package, envelope with padding, bag, or an envelope containing metal parts. All mail received by the jail gets opened and read by the staff, and will be sent back to the person who mailed it if they decide it is inappropriate.

The mailing address for Watonwan County Jai is:

Watonwan County Jai
710 2Nd Ave. South
St. James, MN 56081

Here is how you should address the letter:

[INMATE’S FULL NAME]
[INMATE ID]
Watonwan County Jai
710 2Nd Ave. South
St. James, MN 56081

The Watonwan County Jai mail policy changes frequently, so we suggest that you visit the official website before you send a letter to an inmate.

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If you have been arrested, you should know you still have rights, one of these being your right to request an attorney. You don’t get to make many phone calls when you get arrested, so make sure to have a friend or relative find a lawyer when you call. You may be thinking ‘do I really need a lawyer?’ You’re not required to have an attorney in all cases, a criminal attorney will advise you about your rights, protect your interests and help you understand the legal system in Watonwan County. The sooner you get a lawyer involved with your charges, the better off you’ll be.

For more detailed information on how to find a lawyer, click: How to Find a Lawyer in Watonwan County

If you cannot afford an attorney, you will be given a public defender for a lawyer. Also, the Public Defender Office has a number of staff such as independent investigators, forensics experts as well as social workers. Public Defenders are full-fledged lawyers, members of the State Bar and are legally licensed to practice law.

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?

Court records are public records. They include a court case file with a docket and all documents that have been filed. You are able to access court records using the internet service, or at the Clerk of Court’s office where the case was filed.

A Clerk of Court is an officer of the court that manages access to court records. They also administer the oath when court is in session, and read the jury’s verdict. All records relating to your case are held at Clerk of Court’s office.

Court fees are the charges and fees associated with your case, such as for example filing fees, motion and claim fees, and court charges. If you are low income and have been assigned a Public Defender, you can get a waiver for these fees and won’t have to pay them.

The Watonwan County court magistrate is the person who presides over your court case. Magistrates do a number of things, like setting bail, issuing arrest warrants, and overseeing preliminary court proceedings and detention hearings.

Your pre-sentencing report is put together to include information about your background and as much detail about the arrestee’s life history, which the judge will review and take into consideration when determining your sentence. Information will be requested from the defendant, their family, and, if applicable, the victim in the crime. Remember that you can request to get your own copy of this report before you are sentenced, so you get the chance to correct any inaccurate information.

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, including community service, house arrest, and probation, to even incarceration in jail or prison. Depending on how serious your crime was, you may be locked up immediately, or you could get a date that you must to surrender and report to jail to serve your jail time according to your sentence.

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

To find this out just query the Watonwan County jail website and do an inmate search lookup, and search using:

• Their name.
• Birth date.
• Their booking date.
• and their jail ID.

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

If you think you have a warrant out for your arrest, you can find out by checking the court records on the Watonwan County jail website or call the court directly. You have to have the person’s first and last name. You can also go to the local jail and ask one of the officers. You should know that if there is a warrant for your arrest, you should be prepared to get taken into custody immediately.

If you know a person’s name, and possibly an arrest date, contact the Watonwan County jail, either by phone, in person, or look online. An arrest is in the public record and this is accessible to anyone.

Civil processes are when you get served with papers, which can be court orders. You can find these by going to the Watonwan County Sheriff’s office, by phone or online.

All convicted sex offenders must be registered and listed on both a national and state sex offender database. The people on these databases have been tried by jury and convicted in a court of law of a sex crime. You can access these offenders online, but remember that you won’t see the exact address, just the neighborhood 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 that includes a docket and any documents and filings filed in your case. You can access the court records via the internet service ‘Public Access to Court Electronic Records’, or at the clerk’s office of the court where the case was filed.

Each state maintains records of their state citizen’s criminal history. These state databases are all connected and you can track criminal convictions from any other state. You are able to go to the county courthouse and check in person or you can check the website. It is helpful to know the county, and in the event that the crime was in a different state entirely, you might have to pay for a more comprehensive search.

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

• DWI or DUI.
• Drug crimes like possession or trafficking.
• Kidnapping.
• Sex offenses which could include rape, and sexual assault.
• Violent crimes.
• Breaking and entering, theft, larceny.

During a criminal records search, you will not find if they had:

• Speeding tickets.
• Lost their driver’s license or license revoked or suspended.
• Been in a traffic accident.
• Minor infractions or moving violations.
• Parking Tickets.

To search for this kind of information, you have to do a search for their driving history.

Have you ever needed to find criminal records? Was it easy? Was your search online or did you have to call the courthouse? Did you get information that was correct? There are plenty of reasons that people search for criminal records and backgrounds, and your comments may help other people.

Click here to tell your story

Most Wanted

Everyone knows that the FBI has a list of the Ten Most Wanted Fugitives. In Watonwan County, the Watonwan County Sheriff’s Department has their own list of the most wanted criminals, that you can access online.

FBI Top Ten Most Wanted List

Watonwan County Top Ten Most Wanted List: Link


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Life In Jail / What Its Like

Daily Life

While the prospect of spending time in Watonwan County Jai is something you wish you could avoid, soon you will get accustomed to the daily routine. All inmates get a wake-up alarm each morning at 6:00 AM, and then you’ll have roll call. You will then get breakfast. After breakfast, participate 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 Watonwan County Jai, 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 Watonwan County Jai 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 Watonwan County Jai inmates is always changing, so you should visit the site before 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 Watonwan County Jai

The Deputy Sheriff is the second in command at the Watonwan County Jai, 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 Watonwan County Jai

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 post 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 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 spent any time in Watonwan County Jai? Do you have a friend or family member that spent time there? Have you ever been to visit a prisoner at this jail?

If so, then we would like you to tell us about it. Write about your jail experience so that other people will know what to expect.

What to write in your comment:

• Jail conditions.
• Jail facility and layout
• Staff and guards
• Food and commissary
• Visitation Days
• The other inmates.
• Safety
• Gang activity
• Prisoner programs and activities


Write a Review of Watonwan County Jai

Tell Your Story

Anyone who’s ever been arrested and sent to jail has some stories to tell about the whole experience. Why’d you end up in jail? Were you mistreated? What was your daily routine in jail? Were the other inmates cool? How has this experience impacted your life?

Click here to share your story about when you did time in Watonwan County Jai

Send a Message to Your Cell Mate

Did you meet some cool folks in jail? Are you trying to reconnect with someone you met in jail? Write your message below.

Send a message to someone at Watonwan County Jai

Links and Resources

Main Watonwan County Jai Link
Watonwan County Jai Inmate Search Link
Watonwan County Jai Mugshots
Watonwan County Jai Bail Link

Watonwan County Jai Visitation Policy Link
Watonwan County Jai Jail Mail Policy Link
Watonwan County Jai Inmate Inquiry Link
Watonwan County Jai Warrant Inquiry Link
Watonwan County Jai Arrest Inquiry
Watonwan County Jai Send Money Procedure
Watonwan County Jai Employment


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