Ward County Jail – Minot, ND

Ward County Jail is located in Ward County and is the primary jail for that region. Looking for somebody at Ward County Jail? This page tells you all about anything a person needs to know about Ward County Jail,such as: How to locate an inmate. How to view Ward County Jail mugshots. The jail’s phone number and address. Bailing out of jail. Intake procedures. Court records. And more…

The thought of going to jail is a scary and daunting prospect, not only for the person who is incarcerated, but also their family, friends, and loved ones. This guide is meant to give you all the advice and information that you’ll need to make going to jail a little less stressful. If you have specific questions, just ask it in the comment section below, and also any comments or feedback that would be a benefit to others is much appreciated.

Do you have a family member, loved one, or friend that is incarcerated and want to contact them?

Has a family member or friend who’s been arrested and you don’t know how to find out where they are?

In order to look up who’s in jail at Ward County Jail you will have to navigate to their website and perform an inmate lookup.

The Ward County Jail Inmate Lookup is an online list of people who were arrested and are now in jail, which includes status, bail amount (if applicable), and schedule for visitation. Also, you are able to get the same information about anyone booked or released in the past 24 hours. Prisoners are listed in alphabetical order by their last name. You will be able to find their inmate information fast if you’ve got your friend or family member’s name, birth date, or inmate ID Number.

If the person you are looking for may be in another county jail you should check our guide to other North Dakota jails: List of all jails in North Dakota

A mugshot, also known as a jail booking photograph, is the picture that the jail takes when you get processed at jail intake. A mugshot is actually one face photo and a side photo. Your full name and jail ID number will be on the photos, and they’re on file.

Mugshots of Ward County Jail inmates can be seen on the Ward County Jail website, or you can go in person to the Ward County Jail. When you search for mugshots on the website you have to enter the person’s first and last name, and an arrest date, if you know it.

Do you want to get your mugshot erased from the Ward County Jail site? This will be difficult, because the mugshot is a public record. To get your mugshot removed you need to file a Petition to Expunge with the court. What this means is that the record of your arrest will be sealed, so no one will be able to access 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 websites with mugshots, and the mugshot removal websites: Mugshot Removal

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Of course, if you’re locked up, your primary thought is about when you get out. After you’ve been booked, a bail amount is set either through a preset bail schedule or a magistrate. If you don’t get a bail set this can mean that you will either be released on your ‘own recognizance’ until your court date, or you have to stay in jail until your trial.

If you do bail out of jail you must promise to go to your court date, and in the meantime you will not be permitted to travel out of the county.

In most cases, prisoners will be given time off in exchange for good behavior if they respect the rules and act right while in jail.

If you follow the rules, you may be allowed to do work release. You will either have to go back to the jail every day when you’re finished with work, or you may have the chance to sleep in a halfway house when you are not working.

Your bail is money that you are required to pay to get out of jail pending trial. Your bail amount is determined by the seriousness of your charges. Someone will have to pay to the courts 10 percent of the total set so you can get discharged from jail. If you fail to show up for your court appearance, whoever put up your bail money will not get their money back.

To find out how much bail money you will need to bail someone out of jail will have to call the jail or the county courthouse. If know the person’s information, including name, address and date of birth, they’ll let you know the bail amount. Also, you can check their bail amount and status on the Ward County Jail website.

Having to bail a friend or family member out of jail is never fun, but usually, it is easy. First of all, you need to know if they have a “Cash Bond Only” situation. If this is the case, you won’t be able to use a bondsman. Cash only – the jail can’t accept checks. As soon as you’ve posted (paid) bond, the inmate will be discharged. If this person doesn’t violate any of the terms of their release, you’ll get the bail money back.

If the amount of bail set is large, or you just can’t afford it, you will need to use a bail bondsman. Bondsmen generally charge a fee of 10 to 15 percent of the total amount of bail set by the magistrate, and sometimes have a minimum fee of $100. The amount you pay to the bondsman will not be returned to you and must be paid in cash. If the bail has been set really high, the bail bondsman will in most cases use your personal assets as collateral for the bond.

To talk to a local bail bondsman visit our page about: Find a Bail Bondsman in Ward County

Have you ever used the services of Bail Bondsman because you or someone you know got arrested? If so, post a comment below and tell about it, and let us know how it worked out for you.

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• Time Off For Good Behavior
• Get Out on Work Release
• Released For 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 includes each of the following steps:

• You will be placed in a holding cell. If the jail is really busy, you will have to wait a while to get processed.
• The first step is that you must answer some simple questions, like your full legal name, home address, birthdate and contact person.
• Also, you will also be asked about your psychological and medical history.
• You will be issued an inmate ID number.
• You will get fingerprinted.
• You will have your mugshot taken.
• Any personal property you have will be taken from you and stored until you get released from jail.
• You will then be allowed to use the phone so you can get in touch with a member of your family, friend, or bondsman to arrange bail.
• If they expect that you will make bail and be released quickly, you might be able to keep wearing street clothes, if not you will be issued a jumpsuit.

Have you ever been arrested and gone through the jail intake procedure? If so, please tell our readers about your experience. How long did it take to get through intake? What was your treatment like? Can you tell us tips that could help other people that get arrested get through jail intake?

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When you finally post bail, you will be allowed to go home after you get discharged. Getting discharged from jail may take anywhere from 10 minutes to all day long. In other words the faster you can pay your bail, the sooner you will get let go. Also, how fast you get released will depend on whether or not you’ve got a bond amount or if a magistrate has to determine your bail amount. For a minor offense, you will get booked and then released on your recognizance without having to pay bail. When you have served your sentence and know the release date, you should expect to be released between 9am and noon.

If the sheriff has a, or if you need to report to start a sentence, it is recommended that you follow the law and turn yourself into the authorities. For a warrant, report to the jail intake center, and tell the intake officer that you think there is an outstanding warrant for your arrest. A record check will be run, and if they verify that you have one, they will take you into custody. If it is for a jail sentence, go down to the jail on the date and time that the sentence order or court paperwork states. Be very careful that you aren’t late. Just bring approved items when you turn yourself in, for example a driver’s license or even your ID, any prescription medication you might take, along with your doctor’s prescription, as well as the official sentencing order.

To have visitors, you have to list information about each visitor to the jail before anyone can visit them. Your visitor’s information will go into the log as an authorized visitor. All visitors will have to provide proof of identification. Visitors arriving late or that does not have a visitation order will be turned away.
Visitation procedures change often, so you should visit the official site before you visit an inmate.

All phone calls from jail are made through a jail approved pre-paid phone account or phone card . Calls made in jail are a lot more expensive than phone calls made at home. Inmates are able to make phone calls, with restrictions on 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 every inmate wants to use the phone too, so they can call their family. If you break the rules, phone calls may be limited or eliminated completely.

The Ward County Jail phone number is: 701-857-6530

All inmate mail has to be mailed using the US Postal Service. You shouldn’t use any other type of delivery. Clearly write the inmate’s name, inmate number, and jail address on the letter. Don’t send anything in a box, envelope with padding, plastic bag, or an envelope with metal inside. All mail sent to inmates gets opened and read by staff, and the mail will be returned to the sender if deemed inappropriate.

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

Ward County Jail
315 3Rd St Se
Minot, ND 58702

Here is how you should address the letter:

[INMATE’S FULL NAME]
[INMATE ID]
Ward County Jail
315 3Rd St Se
Minot, ND 58702

The mail policy at Ward County Jail changes, so be sure to double check the official Ward County Jail site before send a letter to someone in jail there.

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When you’ve been arrested, you still have rights, one of these is that you have the right to request an attorney. You don’t get to make many phone calls when you get arrested, so you would be wise to get a friend or family member to locate an attorney when you call them. You might be asking yourself ‘do I really need an attorney?’ While you are not required to have one, a criminal defense attorney will advise you about your rights, help protect your interests and guide you through the criminal justice system that you are now faced with. The quicker you get an attorney working on your charges, the better off you’ll be.

For more detailed information on the benefits of and how to hire an attorney, read our guide: Find an Attorney

If you need an attorney, but can’t afford an attorney, you will get a public defender. Also, the Public Defender is staffed by investigators, experts in forensics as well as social case workers. You will be reassured to know that Public Defenders are licensed attorneys that are members of the State Bar and are fully 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?

All court records are public and available to anyone who requests them. Court records are comprised of a case file containing a sheet called a docket sheet and each of the motions, documents, and evidence that have been filed in your case. You can access your court records with the online service, or at the Clerk of Court’s office.

A Clerk of Court is an officer of the court who manages court records. They also administer the oath when court is in session, and also read the verdict when delivered by the jury. All court records from your case are available at the office of the Clerk of Court.

Court fees and costs are the charges from your court case, such as filing fees, motion and claim fees, and court charges. If you are low income and have a court appointed attorney, you can get a waiver for these fees and won’t have to pay them.

The Ward County court magistrate is the person who presides over your court case. Magistrate judges do a number of different things, which include determining how much your bail will be, issuing warrants, and overseeing initial court appearances and detention hearings.

A pre-sentencing report is completed to include information about the arrestee’s background and information about the defendant’s life and history, which the magistrate judge will review when determining your sentence. Information, details, and character witnesses will be collected from the person on trial, his or her family members, and in some cases the victim. Keep in mind that you should request to see a copy of this report prior to sentencing, so you get the chance to correct any mistakes that it contains.

If you get convicted of a crime, you will be given a sentence for your crime. There are a number of different options, including community service, house arrest, and probation, to incarceration in either jail (short term) or prison (long term). Depending on sentencing guidelines and the severity of your crime, you might get taken into custody immediately, or given a date that you are supposed to report to jail to serve your sentence.

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Do you want to find out if someone is currently in jail, or has gone to jail in the past?

To do this, just query the Ward County jail website, and search by:

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

If you think this person is in jail, you can call the jail find out if they’ve been arrested.

If you believe you have an outstanding warrant for your arrest, you can find out by checking the arrest warrants on the Ward County jail website or you can call the jail. This requires a first and last name. You can also go to the local jail and inquire at the information desk. Bear in mind that if there is an arrest warrant out for you, they will take you into custody immediately.

If you know a person’s name, and the date of their arrest, contact the jail, on the phone, go there in person, or check online. An arrest is a matter of public record and this information is accessible to anyone.

A Civil Process is when you get served with legal papers, which can be warrants. You can find these by contacting the Ward County Sheriff’s office, on their website or by phone.

All registered sex offenders must be registered on a sex offender database. Those listed on these databases have been convicted of a sex crime. You are able to view these listings on the internet, but keep in mind that you will not be able to find the exact address, but only the block they live on.

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

Each state maintains a record of their state citizen’s criminal history. These online databases are all connected so you can track criminal backgrounds from another state. You can go to the Ward County Courthouse and check in person or you can check online. It is helpful to know the county, and in the event that the crime was in a totally different state, you might have to pay a fee for a more comprehensive search.

A search of someone’s criminal history you can get a listing of all the arrests, charges, or convictions for the following crimes:

• DUI or DWI.
• Drug crimes.
• Kidnapping.
• Sexual offenses including rape, assault.
• Violent crimes.
• Theft, breaking and entering.

If you do a criminal records check, in most cases won’t learn if someone had:

• Speeding or reckless driving.
• Lost their driver’s license or license revoked or suspended.
• Traffic accidents.
• Moving violations.
• Parking Tickets.

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

Have you ever needed to find criminal records? Was it an easy process? Did you search online or did you call the Ward County courthouse? Was the information you received correct? There are many reasons that folks look up criminal records and backgrounds, and your comments may help other people.

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Most Wanted

Everyone knows that the FBI has a list of the Ten Most Wanted Criminals. In Ward County, the Ward County Sheriff maintains their own list of the top most wanted criminals in the county.

FBI Ten Most Wanted List: Link


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Life In Jail / What Its Like

Daily Life

Everyone knows that being incarcerated in the Ward County jail is quite unpleasant, soon you will get used to the routine that is set for you in jail. Expect a wake-up alarm at 6:00AM, and next they’ll do roll call. You will then get breakfast. When you finish eating breakfast you will have to work in the program that has been assigned to you. This could be working in the kitchen, laundry, or some sort of manufacturing job. While this may seem tedious, it may help you when you leave jail, as you are gaining experience in a certain field of work. Other inmates go to school, while some take part in mandated treatment programs. After lunch, there will be another roll call, then back to work. Your evening will be spent either in your cell or a common room. During this time dinner is served and you will be expected to take a shower. After another roll call, it’s lights out. Even though you will be confined to your cell, there may be enough light to read or write letters. Then again, most inmates welcome lights out, and try to get as much sleep as they can.

Most people are frightened at the idea of jail because they don’t know what to expect. If you have spent any time in Ward 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 Ward County Jail uniform. This is normally a jumpsuit or scrubs. Of note to anyone visiting an inmate – you must be properly dressed. Any clothing considered inappropriate will not be permitted.

How To Send Money to an Inmate

You will have your own ‘bank account’ while in jail. This money is used to purchase items from the Commissary. Family and friends can deposit money into this account for you, and any money you earn while in prison will also be deposited into your account. Outside money can be paid in to your account via a money order, cash or check. If someone sends a check or money order, make sure that they write your inmate ID on it. The maximum amount you are allowed in your account is $290 per month.

The procedure to send money to Ward County Jail inmates can change, so it would be best to double check the official Ward County Jail 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 Ward County Jail

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

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 share your story

Sex Offender Information and Search

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

Domestic Violence

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

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


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Reviews

Reviews of this Jail

Have you ever been an inmate in Ward County Jail? Do you have a family member or friend there? Have you ever visited an inmate in this jail?

If you have, then you should write your review about it. Write down your jail experience so that others can learn what to expect.

Things you can put in your review:

• Conditions at the jail.
• Jail facility and layout
• Staff and guards
• Jail food and commissary
• Visitors
• The other inmates.
• Safety
• Gangs
• Inmate programs and activities


Click here to write your review

Tell Your Story

Everyone’s who has been put in jail has some stories about their time ‘inside’. Why’d you get arrested? How did the guards treat you? What was your daily routine in jail? What about the other inmates? How has this experience impacted your life?

Tell your story about when you did time at Ward County Jail

Send a Message to Your Cell Mate

Did you make friends in jail? Need to talk to a friend from jail? Write your message below.

Say Hello to someone at Ward County Jail


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