Monroe County Jail – Sparta, WI

Monroe County Jail is located in Monroe County, Wisconsin and is the main correctional facility for the county. Know somebody in Monroe County Jail? This guide tells you all about anything you might need to know about Monroe County Jail,like: How to locate an inmate at Monroe County Jail. Find mugshots. The jail’s address and phone number. Bail and how to get out of jail. Monroe County Jail intake procedures. Monroe County court information. And much, much more.

The prospect of going to jail is a scary and stressful idea, not only for whoever gets locked up, but also that person’s friends and family. The purpose of this guide is to give information you need to make helping someone get out of jail a little less stressful. If you have questions, feel free to ask it, and also any comments or feedback that could be a benefit to others will be much appreciated.

Do you have a family member, loved one, or friend that is locked up and don’t know how to locate them?

Do you know a friend or family member who has been arrested and you need to find out where they are?

In order to see who’s in jail at Monroe County Jail you have to go to their web site and do an inmate search.

The Monroe County Jail Inmate Lookup is an online list of people who have been arrested and are in custody, including current status, bail amount, and visiting schedule. You can find information on anyone arrested and booked or discharged within the last 24 hours. Jail inmates are listed alphabetically by their last name. You can find their inmate information quicker if you enter the arrestee’s first and last name, birth date, or inmate ID Number.

If the person you are looking for may be incarcerated at a different jail you can look here, too: Other County Jails in Wisconsin

A mugshot, also known as a jail intake picture, is the photograph that the police take when you are booked into jail. They will take one face photo and a side photo. Your name and jail booking number will appear on the pictures, and they’re on file at the jail.

Mugshots of Monroe County Jail prisoners can be searched on the website, or you can view them at the Monroe County Jail. When you search for mugshots online you will have to input the inmate’s legal name, and a booking date, if you have one.

Need to know how to get your mugshot removed from the Monroe County Jail site? This is difficult, as your mugshot is a public record. To get your mugshot taken down you have to file a Petition to Expunge with the court. This means that your arrest record will be sealed, and unavailable to the public. 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 taken down, the many different mugshot sites, and the mugshot removal websites: How To Get Your Mugshot Removed

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Naturally, once you’re incarcerated, your only thought is when and how to get out. After you’ve gone through the intake process, bail will be decided using the bail schedule or the magistrate will decide it. If there is no bail set this may mean that you will either be released, or you don’t get released while you wait for your court date.

If you do bail out of jail you must agree to show up for court, and you are not allowed to travel out of the county.

Typically, an inmate at Monroe County Jail will earn an early release in exchange for good behavior if they respect the rules and don’t cause any problems while in jail.

If you follow the rules, you might be allowed to participate in work release. You will either have to go back to jail each day when you’re finished working, or you might have the chance to sleep in a halfway house instead of jail.

Your bail is money that you have to pay to the courts in order to be released from jail until your court date. The amount you will be required to pay is determined by the crime you are charged with. Someone will have to pay to the courts ten percent of the total that was determined before you can be released from jail. If you don’t show up for court, that person won’t get their money back.

You have to call the jail or the county courthouse. If you have all the person’s info, including name, address and date of birth, they will tell you the bail amount. Also, you can check their bail amount and status on the Monroe County Jail website.

Posting bail to get out of jail is never a fun thing, but fortunately, it is simple to do if you have the money. First, figure out if it is a “Cash Bond Only”. If so, you can’t use a Bail Bondsman. Take cash only to the jail – the jail won’t accept a personal check. When you’ve paid bail, the person will get released. If they don’t violate the terms of their bail, you will get this money back.

If bail is set too high, or you just can’t afford it, you might need to use a bail bondsman. Bondsmen will 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 will not be returned to you and bondsmen usually only accept cash. If bail is very large, the bail bondsman will usually ask to use assets as collateral for the bond.

If you need a local bail bondsman click here: Find a Bail Bondsman in Monroe County

Have you ever used a Bail Bondsman to bail someone out of jail? If so, post a comment below and tell about it, and let us know how things turned out.

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

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The jail intake procedure takes you through each of the following steps:

• You will be placed in a holding cell. When the jail is busy, you will have to wait, sometimes for many hours, before you get processed.
• The first step is that you have to answer some questions, such as what is your full name, your address, date of birth and an emergency contact person.
• They’ll also ask you about your medical and psychological history.
• You will be given an inmate ID.
• Your fingerprints will be taken.
• You will have your mugshot taken.
• Any property you have will be taken away from you and stored until you are released.
• You will then be allowed to use the phone so you can talk to a family member, friend, or bail bondsman.
• If you are expected to be released shortly, you might be allowed to wear your street clothes, if not you will have to wear a jail uniform.

Have you ever been arrested and gone through the jail intake procedure? If you have, you should tell us what happened. How long did you have to wait in the holding cell? What was your treatment like? Can you tell us things that might help other people that get arrested make it through the process?

Click here to share your story

When you finally post bail, you will get discharged from jail. Getting discharged from jail can take from 10 minutes to quite a few hours. So, the faster you can pay your bail, the sooner you can get out of jail. How quickly you get discharged can depend on whether or not you’ve got a cash bond or if the magistrate still needs to decide on your bail amount. For minor charges, you will simply be booked and then released on your recognizance without having to pay bail. When you get to the end of your sentence and are given a date of your release, expect to get discharged in the morning.

In the event there is a, or if you have to report to start a sentence, it is recommended that you follow the law and go down to the jail and turn yourself in. If it is for a warrant, go down to the jail, in the reception area, and tell someone 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 so, you will be taken into custody. If you have a jail sentence to serve, go down to the jail at the time and date that the sentence order or court paperwork states. Be very careful that you don’t show up late. Just bring allowed items when you turn yourself in, for example your driver’s license or photo ID, any prescription medication you might take, along with your doctor’s prescription, and a sentencing order.

The inmate must provide each visitor’s name and date of birth to the jail in advance of the visit. Your visitor’s names will go into a Visiting log for the inmate that requested the visitor. Every visitor will be required to provide acceptable photo identification when visiting an inmate. Visitors arriving late or that is not an approved visitor will be turned away.
The Monroe County Jail visitation procedures change often, so we suggest that you review the official Monroe County Jail jail site before you try to go to visitation.

All phone calls from jail are made through a jail approved pre-paid phone account or phone card . Jail phone calls are generally more expensive than phone calls made at home. Phone calls are restricted on when and how often you can use the phone, but inmates should keep in mind lots of people want to use the phone – so you have to share. If you break the rules and are disciplined, phone privileges may be limited or totally denied.

Phone Number: (608) 269-2117

Any mail that you send to an inmate must be sent using the actual US Postal Service, and not courier or delivery, or hand delivered. You shouldn’t use any other type of delivery. You must print the person’s name, inmate ID number, and the address of the jail on the envelope. Do not send anything in a box, padded envelope, plastic or paper bag, or an envelope with metal in it. Any mail sent to inmates gets opened and examined by the jail administration, and the mail will get sent back to the person who mailed it if the jail decides it is inappropriate.

The mailing address for Monroe County Jail is:

Monroe County Jail
210 W. Oak St.
Sparta, WI 54656

Here is how you should address the letter:

[INMATE’S FULL NAME]
[INMATE ID]
Monroe County Jail
210 W. Oak St.
Sparta, WI 54656

The mail policy at Monroe County Jail changes frequently, so it would be best to check the official Monroe County Jail site before you send a letter to an inmate.

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When you’ve been arrested, you have particular rights, one of these is the right to request an attorney. You won’t get many phone calls in jail, so make sure to get a friend or relative to find a lawyer when you call. I know you’re probably asking yourself right now ‘but do I really need an attorney’ While you are not required to have one, a criminal defense attorney can advise you of your rights, help protect your best interests and guide you through the legal system that you are now faced with. The sooner you get a lawyer involved with your case, the better your chances.

For more info on the benefits of and how to hire an attorney, click: How to Find an Attorney

If you’ve been arrested and don’t have the money to hire a lawyer, you will get a public defender. Also, the Public Defender Office has access to independent investigators, crime scene and forensics experts and case workers. You will be reassured to know that Public Defenders are full-fledged attorneys who are members of the State Bar and are legally licensed to represent you in court and practice law.

Have you ever had to use a court appointed attorney or Public Defender? Do you think that they did a good job of defending you?

Court records are public and available to anyone who requests them. They include a file containing a sheet called a docket sheet and each of the documents and motions that have been filed in your case. You have the ability to access the records and documents in your court case via the online service, or by going to the Clerk of Court’s office.

The Clerk of Court is an official part of the court who manages access to court records. They also administer the oath for anyone testifying in court, and also read the verdict when delivered by the jury. All court records relating to your case are held at the Monroe County Clerk of Court.

Court fees are the fees and charges associated with your case, for example filing fees, motion fees and various court charges. If you are low income and have court appointed legal counsel or a Public Defender, you may get out of having to pay them.

The magistrate is the person who presides on your case in court. Magistrate judges do many different things, which include setting bail, writing arrest warrants, and overseeing initial court appearances and detention proceedings.

Your pre-sentencing report is prepared to include background information and details of the defendant’s life, which the judge will take into account when decide your sentence. Information and personal details will be solicited from the defendant, their family, and in some cases the victim. Be sure to remember that you can request to see a copy of the report before sentencing, so you get the chance to correct any mistakes that it contains.

If you get convicted of a crime during your trial, you will then get sentenced. There are a number of different options, which include community service to probation, to even incarceration in either jail (short term) or prison (long term). Depending on how serious your crime was, you could be taken into custody immediately, or given a date that you are required to surrender and report to jail to serve your jail time according to your sentence.

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

To do this, you will have to visit the jail’s website, and do a search using:

• The inmate’s name.
• Birth date.
• Their booking date if you know it.
• and their jail ID.

If you think this person is in jail, you can also call the jail to find out.

If you have an outstanding warrant, you can access arrest warrants on the Monroe County jail website or call the jail directly. This requires a first and last name. Or, you can just go the jail in person and ask one of the officers. Bear in mind that there is an outstanding warrant for your arrest, you will be taken into custody immediately.

If you know a person’s name, and their arrest date, contact the jail, either by phone, in person, or look online. An arrest is a matter of public record and this is accessible by the public.

A Civil Process is when you are served with legal papers, such as court orders. You can access civil process orders by getting in touch with the Sheriff’s office, by phone or online.

All registered sex offenders must be registered and listed on either a national or state sex offender database. The people listed on these databases have been tried by jury and convicted in a court of law of a sex or kidnapping crime. You can access these listings online, but bear in mind that you can’t see the street address, just the neighborhood block they live on.

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

Each and every state keeps a record of a person’s criminal past. These databases are connected and you can track criminal backgrounds from another state. You are able to go to the Monroe County Courthouse and inquire in person, or you can check the website. It is helpful to know the county the crime was committed in, and in the event that the crime was in a different state, you might have to pay for a more comprehensive search.

When you look up a person’s criminal records you will be able to find out if a person has ever been arrested, charged or convicted for any crimes, which can include:

• DWI or DUI.
• Drug Possession.
• Kidnapping.
• Sexual offenses including rape, assault.
• Violent crimes like assault or murder.
• Theft.

If you do a criminal records check, you will not be able to see if they have had any infractions like moving violations:

• Tickets for speeding.
• Drivers license revoked or suspended.
• Been in a traffic accident.
• Minor infractions or moving violations.
• Parking Tickets.

To get driving histories, you will have to do a search for their driving history.

Have you ever had to look for criminal records online? Was it easy? Did you do your search online or did you have to call the Monroe County courthouse? Was the information correct? There are many reasons that folks search for criminal records, and your story could make it easier for others.

Click here to post a comment

Most Wanted

The FBI maintains a list of the Ten Most Wanted Fugitives. In Monroe County, the Monroe County Sheriff’s Department keeps their own list of most wanted criminals and fugitives.

FBI Ten Most Wanted List


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Life In Jail / What Its Like

Daily Life

While the prospect of spending time in the Monroe County jail is very scary, eventually you will become accustomed to the routine that is set for you in jail. Inmates get an alarm for wake-up at about six in the morning, and next you’ll have roll call. Then you will eat breakfast. After breakfast, you will 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 Monroe 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 Monroe County Jail uniform. This is normally a jumpsuit or scrubs. Of note to anyone visiting an inmate – you must be properly dressed. Any clothing considered inappropriate will not be permitted.

How To Send Money to an Inmate

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

The process for sending funds to someone in jail changes, so we suggest that you visit the official Monroe County Jail site before 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 Monroe County Jail

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

Click here to tell your story


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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.

Click here to post a 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 spent any time in this jail? Do you know someone there? Have you ever visited an inmate at Monroe County Jail?

If so, then we would like you to write your review about it. Tell us about your jail experience so other people will know what to expect.

What to include in the review:

• Jail conditions.
• Jail, yard and pod facility and layout
• Guards and staff
• Jail food and commissary
• Visitation
• The other inmates.
• Inmate safety
• Jail gangs
• Prisoner activities and programs


Speak Your Mind

Tell Your Story

Anyone who’s been in jail has at least one story to tell about it. How’d you end up in jail? Were you fairly treated? How was day to day life at Monroe County Jail? What were the other inmates like? How did it affect you to go to jail?

Tell Your Story

Send a Message to Your Cell Mate

Did you meet some cool folks in jail? Want to talk to someone from jail? Then send them a message by posting a comment below.

Say Hello to people still locked up at Monroe County Jail


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