Bristol County Jail – Cranston, RI

Bristol County Jail is in Bristol County and is the main jail for that area. Do you know somebody locked up at Bristol County Jail? This site tells you about everything one might want to know about Bristol County Jail,such as: How to locate an inmate at Bristol County Jail. How to view Bristol County Jail mugshots. The jail’s address and phone number. How to post bail. Bristol County Jail intake procedures. Court records. And much more…

The prospect of going to jail is a scary and daunting situation, not only for the person who goes to jail, but also their friends and family. The goal of this guide is to give you information and advice that you need to make going to jail a little less stressful. If you have a question, feel free to ask it, and any tips or comments that might help others is appreciated.

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

Has someone who has been arrested and you don’t know how to find out where they are?

To see who is in jail at Bristol County Jail you will need to visit their web site and perform an inmate lookup.

The Bristol County Jail Inmate Roster is a list of people who have been arrested and are in jail, including custody status, bail amount, and visiting schedule. Also, you can get the same information for anyone arrested and booked or discharged in the past 24-hour period. Prisoners are shown in alphabetical order by last name. You’ll be able to find their inmate information more quickly if you have the arrestee’s name, birth date, or inmate ID Number.

If your friend or loved one may be in another jail you will want to check our guide to other Rhode Island jails: Rhode Island County Jails Listing

A mugshot, also known as a jail intake photograph, is a photo that the police take when you are processed at the jail intake. A mugshot is make of one and a side picture. Your full name and jail ID number will be on the mugshot, and they are kept on file at the jail.

Mugshots of Bristol County Jail inmates can be searched on the website, or you can see them in person at the Bristol County Jail. When you search for mugshots online you have to enter the inmate’s full name, and the arrest date, if you have it.

Need to know how to get your mugshot taken off of the Bristol County Jail website? This will be difficult, since your mugshot is public record. To get your mugshot removed you must file a ‘Petition to Expunge’. What this means is that your arrest record would be sealed, and will not be available to the public. Depending on your situation, this may be a longshot.

To learn more about getting your mugshot taken down, the various websites with mugshots, and the mugshot removal websites: How To Get Your Mugshot Taken Down

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Naturally, if you are locked up, your only thought is about when you get out. After you’ve gone through the intake process, your bail will be decided either through a preset bail schedule or a magistrate. If there is no bail set this can mean that you will either get released, pending trial, or you don’t get released while you wait for your court date.

If you are released from jail you will have to agree to go to your court date, and until that day you won’t be allowed to leave the area.

In most cases, a prisoner in the Bristol County Jail are given an early release in exchange for good behavior when they follow the rules and act right while locked up.

If you prove to be trustworthy, you may be allowed to participate in a work release program. You will either have to return to the jail each day when you’re finished with work, or you might be allowed to move into a halfway house instead of jail, so it is kind of like an early release.

Bail is money that you will be required to pay to be released from jail until your court date. Your bail amount is determined by how serious your crime is. Someone you know will need to post 10% of the amount that was set before you can get discharged from jail. If you don’t go to court, the person that bailed you out of jail will not get their money back.

In order to find out how much someone’s bail is, you have to call the jail. If you’ve got the person’s information, including name, address and date of birth, they will be able to let you know what their bail is set at. Also, you can see the bail amount on the Bristol County Jail site.

Bailing out of jail is never fun, but thankfully, it’s really easy. To start with, you have to find out if it is a Cash Only Bond. If so, you will not be able to use the services of a bondsman. Bail can only be paid by cash – they won’t take a personal check. As soon as you’ve paid the bail bond, the person will be released to your care. If the conditions of bail are not violated, you’ll get the bail money back.

If bail is set too high, of if you can’t pay it, you should try a bail bondsman. Bail bondsmen will generally charge you a fee of 10 to 15 percent of the total amount of bail set, and usually have a minimum of $100. This money will not be returned to you and bondsmen usually only accept cash. If bail is very large, the bail bondsman will in most cases use assets as collateral for the bond in addition to whatever their charges are.

To talk to a local bail bondsman go to: How to find a bail bondsman

Have you ever used a 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.

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

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The jail intake process takes you through the following steps:

• You will be placed in a waiting area or cell. If there are a lot of arrests, you will have to wait, sometimes for many hours, before you get processed.
• The first thing you will have to is you have to answer a number of questions, like what is your full name, address, date of birth and a contact person.
• They’ll also ask about your psychological and medical history.
• You will be given an inmate ID.
• You will be fingerprinted.
• They will take your mugshot.
• All of your personal property will be taken away from you and stored until you are released.
• They will allow you to make a phone call so you can contact family, friends, or bail bondsman.
• If you are expected to be released quickly, you might be able to keep wearing street clothes, but if you are not expected to make bail quickly you will be given a jail jumpsuit.

Have you ever been arrested and gone through the jail intake procedure? If so, please tell us how it happened. How long did it take to get through intake? What was your treatment like? Can you share any things that will help others get through jail intake?

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When you pay your bail, you will be allowed to go home after you get discharged. Getting discharged will take between 15 minutes to all day long. In simple terms, the faster you can post bail, the quicker you can get out of jail. Also, it might depend on whether you’ve been given a cash bond or if a magistrate needs to determine the bail amount. For minor charges, you will get booked and released on your own recognizance. When you get to the end of your sentence and know the date of your release, you should expect to be released between 9am and noon.

warrant out for your arrest, or if you need to begin your jail sentence, you really should follow the rules and turn yourself in willingly. If it is for a warrant, report to the jail intake center, and tell the intake officer that you think there may be an outstanding arrest warrant out for you. They will check to see if you have a warrant, and if they verify that you have one, they will take you into custody. If you have a jail sentence to serve, go to the jail at the time and date that the sentence order lists. Ensure that you are not late to report. Only bring required items with you, like your driver’s license or photo 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 each visitor’s name to the jail before anyone can visit them. Your visitors will go in the visitation log as an approved visitor. Each visitor will have to provide acceptable photo identification. Visitors showing up late or any visitors that are not approved to visit will not be allowed to visit the inmate.
Visitation procedures at Bristol County Jail are always changing, so you should review the official site before you try to go to visitation.

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 much more expensive than regular phone calls. There is no limit to how often you can use the phone, but inmates must keep in mind that a long line can form at the phones, because everyone wants to use the phone, too. If you are disciplined for an infraction, phone calls may be limited or eliminated completely.

The Bristol County Jail phone number is: 401-275-2900

Any mail that you send to an inmate is required to be mailed using the US Postal Service. You can’t use any other method of mail or package delivery. You must print the inmate’s name, inmate ID number, and the jail address on the outside of the letter that you send. Do not mail anything in a package or box, envelope with padding, plastic bag, or an envelope containing metal parts. All mail will be opened and inspected and read by the jail officers, and will get sent back if it can’t be delivered.

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

Bristol County Jail
670 New London Avenue
Cranston, RI 2920

Here is how you should address the letter:

[INMATE’S FULL NAME]
[INMATE ID]
Bristol County Jail
670 New London Avenue
Cranston, RI 2920

The Bristol County Jail mail policy can change, so we suggest that you double check the site when you send a letter to an inmate there.

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If you have been arrested, you have particular rights, one of these is the right to request a lawyer. You won’t get many phone calls in jail, so it is a good idea to ask a friend or family member to find an attorney when you call them. You may be asking yourself ‘why do I need an attorney?’ You are not required to have an attorney for some criminal charges, a criminal defense lawyer can advise you of your rights, protect your interests and help you through the legal system in your county. The quicker you hire a lawyer to represent you and work on your case, the better your chances.

For more detailed information on how to find a lawyer, read our guide: Find a Lawyer

If you need an attorney, but can’t afford a lawyer, the courts will assign you a public defender, which is a free lawyer. Also, the Public Defender has access to investigators, forensics experts and social case workers. Public Defenders are licensed attorneys that are admitted to the Rhode Island State Bar Association and are licensed to practice law as an agent of the court.

Have you or someone you know used the services of a Public Defender? Are you happy with how they handled your case?

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 case file containing a docket and every motions, documents, and evidence that have been filed. You can access your court records with the Bristol County website, or by going to the Clerk of Court where the case was filed.

The Bristol County Clerk of Court is an officer and clerk of the court who maintains the records. They also administer the oath in a court case, and read the verdict when delivered by the jury. All court records related to your case are kept and available to you at the Bristol County Clerk of Court.

Court costs and court fees are the costs associated with your case, such as for example filing charges, motion and claim fees, and court appearance fees. If you cannot afford these fees and have a court appointed attorney, you can get a waiver for these fees.

The magistrate is the judge that presides over your case in court. Magistrates are judges that do a number of different things, such as setting bail, issuing warrants, and overseeing preliminary court proceedings and detention proceedings.

A pre-sentencing report is prepared with your background information and details of the defendant’s life and public history, which the judge will take into account when decide your sentence. Information and personal details will be solicited from the defendant, his or her family members, and if necessary the victim. Bear in mind that you should ask to see a copy of your pre-sentencing report before you are sentenced, so you have the opportunity to correct any inaccurate information.

After being convicted of a crime, you will then get sentenced. The presiding judge in your case will weigh several options when determining your sentence, which include community service and probation, to even incarceration in jail or prison. Depending on the particulars of your trial, the severity of your crime, and any sentencing guidelines that they judge will use, you may be taken into custody immediately, or you could receive a date to turn yourself into jail to serve your term.

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Do you want to find out if somebody you know is incarcerated, or has ever been locked up?

To do this, just visit the Bristol County jail website, and do a search using:

• Their name.
• Date of birth.
• Their booking date.
• and their jail ID.

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

If you think you have an outstanding warrant for your arrest, you can access court records on the Bristol County jail website or you can call the court. 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 there is an outstanding warrant for your arrest, you should be prepared to get taken into custody immediately.

If you know the person’s first and last name, and their arrest date, contact the jail, on the phone, go there in person, or you can check online. Arrest records are in the public record and this information is accessible by the public.

Civil processes are when you get served with papers, such as warrants. You can find these by contacting the Bristol County Sheriff’s office, on their website or by phone.

All people registered as sex offenders have to be listed and registered on a sex offender database. The people on these databases have been convicted of a sex crime. You are able to view this information online, but remember that you can’t see the precise address, just the neighborhood block they live on.

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

Every state keeps a record of people’s criminal history. These state databases are connected so you are able to track criminal histories from other states. You are able to go to the county courthouse and check in person or you can check the website. It helps to know the county, and if the crime was in a completely different state, you might have to pay for a more comprehensive search.

A search of someone’s criminal history you are able to find out if a person has ever been arrested, charged or convicted for crimes, which include:

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

During a criminal records search, you generally won’t find if that person has had any moving violations, like:

• Speeding or reckless driving.
• Drivers license suspended or revoked.
• Traffic accidents.
• Other moving violations.
• Parking Tickets.

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

Have you ever had to look for criminal records online? How hard was it? Was your search online or did you call the local courthouse? Was it correct? There are lots of reasons that folks search for criminal backgrounds and records, and your account might help other people.

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Most Wanted

Everyone knows that the FBI maintains a list of the Ten Most Wanted Criminals. In Bristol County,The Sheriff’s Department has a list of most wanted criminals, too.

FBI Ten Most Wanted List


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Life In Jail / What Its Like

Daily Life

Just the thought of spending time in the Bristol County jail is very scary, in time you will become accustomed to the daily routine there. Expect an alarm for wake-up every morning at 6:00AM, and next they’ll do roll call. Then you will eat breakfast. When you finish eating breakfast you will 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 Bristol 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 Bristol 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 rules for sending funds to someone in jail could change, so it would be best to review the site when you send funds to an inmate.


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 Bristol County Jail

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

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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 incarcerated at Bristol County Jail? Do you know anybody that is a prisoner there? Have you ever visited someone in this jail?

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

What to write in your comment:

• Conditions at the jail.
• Jail and pod facility and layout
• Guards and jail staff
• Commissary and food
• Visitation Days
• Inmates.
• Prisoner safety
• Gang activity
• Inmate activities and programs


Click here to review Bristol County Jail

Tell Your Story

Anybody that’s ever been locked up has a story about it. Why’d you get arrested? Were you mistreated? What was your daily routine in jail? Were the other inmates cool? How did going to jail affect your life?

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

Send a Message to Your Cell Mate

Did you meet some cool folks in jail? Trying to talk to somebody you met when you were locked up? Leave a message for them here.

Post a message to people still locked up at Bristol County Jail


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