Polk County Jail – Livingston, TX

Polk County Jail is located in Polk County, TX and is the main jail for the area. Looking for someone in Polk County Jail? This page tells you information about anything related to Polk County Jail,like: Learn how to locate an inmate. Find inmate mugshots. The jail’s phone number and address. Bailing out of jail. Booking and intake procedures. Court information and records. And lots more.

The thought of getting arrested and going to jail is a scary and stressful thought, not only for the person who gets locked up, but also that person’s friends and family. The purpose of this guide is to offer advice and information you need to make going to jail a lot easier. If you have questions, please feel free to ask them, and any feedback or comments that would be a benefit to other people in the same situation is welcome.

Do you have a friend or family member that has gone to jail and want to locate them?

Do you know someone who has been arrested and you don’t know how to locate them?

In order to search who’s in jail at Polk County Jail you have to click on their link and use the inmate lookup.

The Polk County Jail Inmate Lookup is an online list of persons who are in jail, which includes status, bail amount, and visiting schedule. You can find info about anyone arrested and processed or discharged in the past 24 hours. Jail inmates are shown in alphabetical order by last name. You can find their arrest information more quickly if you have your friend or family member’s name, date of birth, or arrest number.

If your friend or loved one could possibly be at a different jail you should check our Texas county jail guide: Texas County Jails Directory

A mugshot, also called a jail processing photograph, is a photograph that the police take when you get booked into jail. A mugshot is actually one full face and a profile photo. Your full name and jail booking number will be in the mugshot, and they are stored at the jail.

Mugshots of inmates can be searched online, or you can view them at the Polk County Jail. When you search for mugshots on the website you have to enter the inmate’s full name, and an arrest date, if you have one.

Want to have your mugshot removed from the Polk County Jail site? This is difficult, since your mugshot is a matter of public record. You need 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 access them. Unfortunately, this happens very rarely.

Read our in-depth tutorial about getting your mugshot removed, the various websites with mugshots, and the mugshot removal services: How To Get Your Mugshot Taken Down

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Obviously, once you are incarcerated, your primary thought is about when you get out. After you’ve gone through booking, a bail amount is determined by a special judge called a magistrate. If no bail is set this might mean that you will either be released, or you have to stay in jail until your trial.

If you do bail out you are required to promise to go to your court date, and until then you will not be permitted to go out of town.

Typically, prisoners will be given early release in exchange for good behavior when they don’t break the rules and don’t cause any problems while in jail.

If you do exhibit good behavior and the jail believes you can be trusted, you may be granted work release. Either you will have to return to jail each day when you’re finished with work, or you could have the chance to sleep in a halfway house when you are not working.

Your bail is the amount of money that you are required to pay to be released from jail pending trial. The amount of bail that is set is determined by how serious your crime is. You will have to pay to the courts 10 percent of the total that was set in order to bail out of jail. If you don’t go to your scheduled court date, whoever paid your bail won’t get the bail money back.

To find out someone’s bail amount you will need to call the Polk County Jail. If you’ve got the pertinent information, such as name, address and date of birth, they’ll be able to let you know what their bail is set at. You can also check their bail amount and status on the Polk County Jail site.

Having to bail someone out of jail is an unpleasant situation, but most of the time, its really easy. First of all, you need to know if their bail is a Cash Only Bond. If so, you can’t use the services of a Bail Bondsman. Bail can only be paid by cash – they won’t take a check. When you’ve paid bail, the prisoner will get released. If they don’t violate the terms of their bail, the bail money you posted will be returned to you.

If bail is set too high, or you just can’t afford to pay it, you will need to use a bail bondsman. Bail bondsmen generally charge you a fee of 10 to 15 percent of the total amount of bail set, and usually with a minimum fee of $100. This money is non-refundable and must be paid in cash. If the bail has been set really high, the bondsman will usually request to use your personal assets as collateral for the bond in addition to their charges.

To talk to a bail bondsman go to: Find a bail bondsman at Polk County Jail

Have you ever hired a bail bondsman to bail someone out of jail? If so, please leave a comment below and tell about your experience, and let us know how things turned out.

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

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The intake process includes the following steps:

• They’ll put you in a holding cell. If there are a lot of arrests, you may not be processed immediately.
• You will answer some simple questions, like your full legal name, address, date of birth and an emergency contact.
• They’ll also ask about your medical and mental history.
• You will be given an inmate ID number.
• You will be fingerprinted.
• You will get your mugshot taken.
• Any property you have will get taken away from you and stored until you are released.
• You will be allowed to use the phone so you can talk to a member of your family, friend, or bail bondsman.
• If you are expected to be released quickly, you will be allowed to wear your street clothes, otherwise you will be given a jail issued jumpsuit.

Have you ever been arrested and gone through processing at jail? If you have, please share your experience. How long did it take to get through intake? What was your treatment like? Can you tell us tips that might help other people that get arrested to get through the procedure?

Click here to post a comment

Once bail has been posted, you will be allowed to go home after you get discharged. The discharge process will take between 30 minutes to quite a few hours. In other words the faster you can post bail, the quicker you will get let go. Also, how fast you get released can depend on if you have a cash bond or if a judge needs to figure out how much to set your bail at. For minor charges, you will simply be booked and get released without having to post bail. When you have completed your jail sentence and have a date of your release, you should expect to be discharged between 9am and noon.

for your arrest, or if you need to begin your sentence in jail, you should do the right thing and turn yourself in willingly. If you have a warrant, go down to the jail, in the reception area, and tell an officer that you think there may be a warrant for your arrest. The officer will verify that you have an outstanding arrest warrant, and if they verify that you have one, they will ask that you surrender yourself and you will be taken into custody. If you are reporting to serve out your sentence, report at the time and date that the sentence order requires you to. Be very careful that you get don’t get there late, or they may decide to arrest you. Be sure to only bring necessary items when you go to jail, such as your driver’s license or your ID, prescription medication, and a copy of the sentencing order.

To have visitors, you must give each visitor’s full name to the jail in advance of any visit. Your visitor’s names will go in a log of visitors as an approved visitor. Each and every visitor will have to provide identification. Any visitors arriving late or that is not on the visitation list will not be able to attend visitation.
The Polk County Jail visitation procedures are always changing, so we suggest that you review the official Polk County Jail jail site before you visit an inmate.

The only phone calls that inmates are allowed to make are collect calls or through a pre-paid phone account. Jail phone calls are much 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 must keep in mind lots of people want to use the phone – so you have to share. If you are disciplined for an infraction, phone privileges might get cut back or forbidden completely.

Phone Number: 936-327-6822

All mail is required to be sent using the US Postal Service. You can’t use any other type of delivery. Clearly print the name, inmate number, and jail address on the envelope. Do not send a package or box, envelope with padding, plastic or paper bag, or an envelope containing metal parts. All mail received by the jail gets opened and examined by staff, and the mail will get sent back to the person who mailed it if the jail decides it is inappropriate.

The mailing address for Polk County Jail is:

Polk County Jail
1733 N. Washington
Livingston, TX 77351

Here is how you should address the letter:

[INMATE’S FULL NAME]
[INMATE ID]
Polk County Jail
1733 N. Washington
Livingston, TX 77351

The Polk County Jail inmate mail policy changes frequently, so be sure to double check the site when you send a letter to an inmate.

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When you’ve been arrested, you have rights, and an important one is that you have the right to request an attorney. You are only allowed to make so many phone calls in jail, so it is important to get a friend or family member to locate an attorney when you talk to them. You might be thinking ‘I don’t have to get a lawyer – I can just represent myself’ You are not required to have an attorney for some criminal charges, a criminal attorney will advise you about your rights, protect your interests and show you the way through the legal system that you are now faced with. The quicker you hire an attorney to represent you and work on your case, the better.

For more information about how to find a lawyer, go to: Find an Attorney

If you are in trouble, but can’t afford a lawyer, you will be given a public defender for a lawyer. In addition, the Public Defender Office has a number of staff such as investigators, crime scene and forensics experts as well as social case workers. You will be reassured to know that Public Defenders are bona-fide attorneys, members of the Texas State Bar 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? How did they do?

Court records are public record and are available upon request to anyone who requests them – not just the person who they pertain to. Court records have a file with a docket and all of the motions, documents, and evidence that have been filed. You are able to access the records and documents in your court case using the website, or at the Polk County Clerk of Court where the case was filed.

A Clerk of Court is a member of the court that manages access to court records. They also administer the oath during court cases, and read the jury’s verdict. All records and documents associated with your case are kept at the office of the Clerk of Court.

Court fees and costs are the fees and charges from your court case, such as filing charges, motion and claim fees, and court appearance fees. 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 magistrate is the judge that rules over your court case. Magistrates are judges that do a number of different things, like setting bail amounts, writing arrest warrants, and overseeing preliminary court proceedings and detention proceedings.

A defendant’s pre-sentencing report is prepared with the defendant’s background information and information about the defendant’s life and history, which the magistrate will consider when determining a sentence. Information, details, and character witnesses will be solicited from the person on trial, the defendant’s family, and in some circumstances the victim. Be sure to remember you can ask to have your own copy of this report before you are sentenced, so you get the chance to correct the mistakes.

If you get convicted of a crime during your trial, you will be sentenced. There are a number of different options, which include community service to probation, to even prison or jail time. Depending on how serious your crime was, you might get locked up immediately, or given a date to report to jail to serve your term.

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Do you need to find out if a family member or friend is incarcerated in jail, or has ever been in jail?

This is pretty simple to do, just you should query the jail website and do an inmate search, and do a search using:

• Name.
• Birth date.
• Approximate booking date.
• and their inmate ID.

If you think that they are currently in jail, you can also call the jail find out if they’ve been arrested.

If you think you might have a warrant out for your arrest, you can check the arrest warrants online or you can call the court. You have to have their first and last name. Or, you can just go down to the jail and ask one of the officers. You should know that if there is a warrant for your arrest, they will take you into custody immediately.

If you know the person’s first and last name, and their arrest date, contact the jail, either by phone, go there in person, or look online. Arrest records are in the public record and these records are freely available.

Civil processes are when you get served with legal papers, which can be court orders. You can find these by getting in touch with the Polk County Sheriff’s office, either by phone or through their website.

All registered sex offenders are registered and listed on the sex offender databases required by the area they live in. The people listed on these databases have been convicted of a sex crime. You are able to see these offenders on the website, but you should know that you won’t see the street address, just the block that they live on.

Court Records are public, and are accessible by anyone. Court Records include a case file containing a docket and all documents and filings filed in your case. You can access court records via the internet, or at the Polk County Clerk of Court in the county where the case was filed.

Every state keeps a record of a person’s criminal background. These databases are all connected so you can track criminal convictions from other states. You are able to go to county courthouse and inquire in person, or you can check the website. It helps to know the county, and if the crime was in a different state, you may have to pay for a more intensive search.

A criminal history search you can find out if a person has ever been arrested, charged or convicted for these crimes:

• DWI or DUI.
• Drug Possession.
• Kidnapping.
• Rape or other sexual assault.
• Violent crimes.
• Theft.

If you do a criminal records check, usually will not find if they have had any infractions like moving violations:

• Speeding.
• Drivers license revoked or suspended.
• Been in a traffic accident.
• Moving violations.
• Parking Tickets.

To search for this information, you will have to do a search for their driving record.

Have you ever needed to find criminal records? Was it an easy process? Did you search online or did you make a phone call to the jail? Was the information correct? There are many reasons that folks search for criminal records and backgrounds, and your story may make it easier for others.

Click here to tell about all about it

Most Wanted

Everyone knows that the FBI has a list of the Top Ten Most Wanted Criminals. In Polk County,The Sheriff’s Department keeps their own list of most wanted criminals and fugitives.

FBI Ten Most Wanted List: External Link


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Life In Jail / What Its Like

Daily Life

While the prospect of serving a jail sentence in the Polk County jail is quite unpleasant, in time you will get used to the routine that is set for you in jail. Expect an alarm for wake-up each morning at six in the morning, and then roll call. Next, you will eat breakfast. When you finish eating breakfast participate in the work program that you’ve been assigned to. 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 Polk 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 Polk County Jail uniform. This is normally a jumpsuit or scrubs. Of note to anyone visiting an inmate – you must be properly dressed. Any clothing considered inappropriate will not be permitted.

How To Send Money to an Inmate

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

The procedure to send funds to people in jail might change, so double check the the Polk County Jail website before you send money 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 Polk County Jail

The Deputy Sheriff is the second in command at the Polk 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 Polk 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 tell about all about it


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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 comment

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 this jail? Do you know someone there? Have you ever been to visit someone in this jail?

If yes, then you should write a review about it. Tell us about your jail experience so that others can find out what to expect.

Things you might want to write in the review:

• Jail conditions.
• Jail, yard and pod facility and layout
• Guards and jail staff
• Commissary and food
• Visitors
• The other inmates – what are they like?
• Prisoner safety
• Gang activity
• Activities and programs


Click here to review Polk County Jail

Tell Your Story

Everybody who’s been arrested and thrown in jail has some stories about their time ‘inside’. How’d you get locked up? Were you fairly treated? What happened to you while you were locked up? What were the other inmates like? How did it affect you to go to jail?

Click here to share your story about when you did time in Polk County Jail

Send a Message to Your Cell Mate

Make some good friends in jail? Want to reconnect with somebody you met when you were locked up? Leave a message for them here.

Send a message to people incarcerated at Polk County Jail


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