Buchanan County Jail – St. Joseph, MO

Buchanan County Jail is located in Buchanan County and is the main correctional facility for that region. Do you know somebody in jail at Buchanan County Jail? This guide gives you information about anything you might need to know about Buchanan County Jailsuch as the following: Find out who’s in jail at Buchanan County Jail? Find inmate mugshots. The jail’s address and phone number. Bailing out of jail. Buchanan County Jail intake procedures. Court information. And everything else.

The chance of going to jail is a scary and daunting idea, not only for whoever is incarcerated, but also that person’s family and friends. This guide is designed to give you all the info that you’ll need to make the process a little less stressful. If you have a specific question, feel free to ask it, and please leave any comments or feedback that might be a benefit to other people in the same situation will be welcome.

Do you have a friend or family member that has gone to jail and don’t know how to find out where they are?

Has somebody that has been arrested and you need to locate them?

In order to see who is in jail at Buchanan County Jail you will have to go to their website and do an inmate lookup.

The Buchanan County Jail Inmate List is an online list of people who were arrested and are now in jail, which includes current status, bail amount, and visiting schedule. Also, you can get information about anybody who has been arrested or released in the past 24 hours. Jail inmates are listed in alphabetical order by last name. You will be able to find their inmate information faster if you have the arrestee’s first and last name, birth date, or inmate ID Number.

If the person you’re searching for is in a different jail you will want to check the other Missouri county jails in our Missouri County Jail Guide: Missouri County Jails

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

Mugshots of Buchanan County Jail inmates can be searched on the website, or you can see them in person at the Buchanan County Jail. When you search for mugshots on the website you need to enter the name, and an arrest date, if you have one.

Trying to figure out how to have your mugshot removed from the Buchanan County Jail website? This is difficult, as the mugshot is a public record. You have to file a Petition to Expunge with the court. What this means is that the record of your arrest would be sealed, and will not be accessible. Unfortunately, this happens very rarely.

To learn more about removing your mugshot, the different mugshot sites, and the mugshot removal services: How To Get Your Mugshot Taken Down

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Once you are arrested and put in jail, your primary thought is about getting out. After booking, a bail amount is set using the bail schedule or the magistrate will decide it. If you don’t get a bail set this might mean that you will either get released, pending trial, or you don’t get released while you wait for your court date.

If you do bail out you must promise to be there for your court date, and until that day you are not allowed to go out of town.

Typically, prisoners can earn time off in exchange for good behavior if they don’t break the rules and conduct themselves properly while locked up.

If you prove to be trustworthy, you may be allowed to participate in a work release program. Either you will have to go back to the jail at the end of the day when you’re finished at your job, or you could be allowed to sleep in a halfway house instead of jail, so it is kind of like an early release.

Your bail is how much money that you have to pay to the court system to be released from jail until your trial. The amount of bail that is set is determined by the crime you’ve been charged with. You will need to pay to the courts ten percent of the total that was set in order for you to bail out of jail. If you don’t go to your court date, the person that bailed you out of jail will lose that bail money.

To find out how much bail money you will need to bail someone out of jail must call the Buchanan County Jail or the County Courthouse. If you’ve got the pertinent information, including name, address and date of birth, they’ll be able to let you know how much their bail is. Also, you can see the bail amount on the Buchanan County Jail site.

Needing to bail someone out of jail is no fun, but fortunately, it is really easy if you have the money. To start with, you need to know if their bail is a “Cash Bond Only” situation. If this is the case, you won’t be able to get a bail bondsman. Cash only – they can’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 don’t have the money, you should look into the services of a bail bondsman. Bail bondsmen usually have a fee of 10 to 15 percent of the bail amount, and sometimes with a minimum fee of $100. The amount you pay to the bondsman is non-refundable and has to be paid in cash. If the bail is extremely high, the bail bondsman may request to use assets as collateral in addition to the fee they charge.

You can find a bail bondsman click here: Find a bail bondsman

Have you ever used the services of bondsman to bail someone out of jail? If so, please leave a comment below and tell about your experience and let us know how it worked out for you.

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

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The intake procedure is made up of each of these steps:

• You will be placed in a waiting area or cell. If the jail is really busy, you may not be processed immediately.
• You will answer a number of questions, like what is your legal name, street address, birth date and contact person.
• You will also be asked about your medical and psychological history.
• You will be given an inmate ID.
• You will get fingerprinted.
• You will have your mugshot taken.
• All of your personal property will be taken from you and stored until you are released.
• They will allow you to use the phone in order to call a member of your family, friend, or bail bondsman.
• If they expect that you will make bail and be released quickly, you might get to keep wearing your own clothes, if not you will be issued a jail issued jumpsuit.

Have you ever been arrested and gone through processing at jail? If so, please share your experience. How long did it take? How were you treated? Do you know any things that will help other people that get arrested get through the procedure?

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Once bail has been posted, you will be allowed to leave jail. The discharge process takes anywhere between 30 minutes to quite a few hours. So, the faster you post bail, the quicker you will be released. Also, how fast you get released can depend on if you’ve been given a bond amount or if a judge needs to determine how much your bail will be. For lesser 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 know the release date, you should plan to be discharged that morning.

issued for your arrest, or if you have to start a jail sentence, it is highly advisable that you follow the law and turn yourself in willingly. For a warrant, go down to the jail intake center, and tell an officer that you think they might have a warrant for your arrest. They will do a record check, and if they verify that there is a warrant for your arrest, you will be taken into the sheriff’s custody. If you have a jail sentence to serve, go down to the jail at the exact time and date that the sentence order states. Ensure that you get don’t get there late, or they may decide to arrest you. Just bring necessary items when you go to jail, for example a driver’s license or photo ID, prescription medication, as well as the copy of the sentencing order.

To have visitors, you have to give information about each visitor to the jail in advance. Your visitor’s information will go into a log of visitors as an approved visitor. Each visitor is required to provide identification. Visitors that gets to visitation or without a visiting order will be turned away.
Visitation procedures at Buchanan County Jail frequently change, so make sure that you check the official jail site before you go.

All phone calls from jail are collect calls or through a pre-paid phone account. Calls made in jail are a lot more expensive than phone calls made outside of jail. 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 should keep in mind that you are just one of many people who want to talk to their loved ones. If you break the rules, your ability to use the phone might get cut back or eliminated altogether.

The Buchanan County Jail phone number is: 816-271-5555

All inmate mail is required to be sent via the actual US Postal Service, and not courier or delivery, or hand delivered. You must not use any other type of mail delivery. Clearly write or type the inmate’s name, inmate number, and the jail address on the letter. Don’t mail a box, padded envelope, plastic bag, or an envelope with metal in it. All mail sent to inmates is opened and reviewed by staff, and the mail will get returned if it can’t be delivered.

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

Buchanan County Jail
501 Faraon Street
St. Joseph, MO 64501

Here is how you should address the letter:

[INMATE’S FULL NAME]
[INMATE ID]
Buchanan County Jail
501 Faraon Street
St. Joseph, MO 64501

The inmate mail policy at Buchanan County Jail changes often, so you should visit the the Buchanan County Jail website when you send a letter.

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If you get arrested, you have rights, one of these being that you have the right to request a lawyer. You are only allowed to make so many phone calls in jail, so make sure you have a friend or family member find a lawyer for you. You might be thinking ‘why do I need a lawyer?’ You’re not required to have an attorney in all cases, a criminal defense lawyer can advise you of your rights, help protect your best interests and help you navigate the legal system in Buchanan County. The faster you get an attorney working on your situation, the better.

For more information about how to find a lawyer, read our guide: How to Find an Attorney

If you can’t afford a lawyer, you will get a public defender. In addition, the Public Defender has access to investigators, experts in forensics as well as case workers. Public Defenders are actual lawyers, admitted to the Missouri State Bar Association and are completely licensed to practice law in Missouri.

Have you or someone you know used a court appointed attorney or Public Defender? How did they do?

Court records are a matter of public record. Court records have a case file with a sheet called a docket sheet and all of the documents that have been filed in your case. You have the ability to access the records and documents in your court case with the Buchanan County website, or by going to the Buchanan County Clerk of Court where the case was filed.

The Buchanan County Clerk of Court is a member of the court who maintains the records. They also administer the oath for all court participants, and also read the court verdict when the jury has finished deliberations. All court records relating to your case are available at Buchanan County Clerk of Court office.

Court fees and costs are the charges and fees associated with your court case, for example filing fees, motion and claim fees, and court charges. If you are low income and have court appointed legal counsel or a Public Defender, you may not have to pay the fees.

A Magistrate acts as the judge who presides on your court case. They do several different things, which include setting your bail amount, issuing arrest warrants, and presiding over initial court appearances and detention hearings.

Your pre-sentencing report is put together to include your background information and information about the arrestee’s life and public history, which the magistrate will review when determining a sentence. Information will be solicited from the person on trial, the defendant’s family, and, if applicable, the victim of the crime. Remember that you can ask to get your own copy of your pre-sentencing report before you are sentenced, so you get the chance to correct any inaccurate information.

After you are convicted of a crime, you will be given a sentence for your crime. There are a number of different options, ranging from community service, house arrest, and probation, to incarceration in jail or prison. Depending on the severity of the crime, you could be taken into custody immediately, or you might be given a date that you are supposed to turn yourself into jail to serve your jail time according to your sentence.

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Want to find out if someone is incarcerated, or has gone to jail in the past?

This is pretty simple to do, just just access the Buchanan County jail website and do an inmate search lookup, and do a search using:

• Name.
• Birthdate.
• Their booking date.
• and their inmate ID.

If you’re not sure if your friend or family member is in jail, you can call the jail to find out.

If you believe you have a warrant out for your arrest, you are able to check the arrest warrants inquiry on the website or you can call the jail directly. You have to have the person’s first and last name. Or, you can just go down to the jail and ask one of the officers. Keep in mind that there is an outstanding warrant for your arrest, you will be taken into custody immediately.

If you have a first and last name, and possibly an arrest date, contact the Buchanan County jail, on the phone, go there in person, or check online. Arrest records are public record and the information is accessible to anyone.

A Civil Process is when someone has been served with papers, which can be a court order. You can access civil process orders by going to the Sheriff’s office, by phone or online.

All registered sex offenders have to be listed and registered on either a national or state sex offender database. The people listed on these databases have been convicted in a court of law of a sex offense. You can access sex offenders on the website, but bear in mind that you will not see the actual address, but only the address block of the address that they registered.

Court Records are public, and are accessible by anyone. Court Records include a case file containing a docket sheet and any of the filings and documents filed in your case. You can access court records via the internet, or at the clerk’s office of the court in the county where the case was filed.

Each state maintains a record of a person’s criminal background. These online databases are all connected so you are able to track criminal backgrounds from other states. You can go to courthouse and inquire, or you can check online. It helps to know which county the crime occurred in, and if the crime was in a different state, you might have to pay a fee for a more complete search.

A search of someone’s criminal history you can find out if someone has been arrested, charged, or convicted for these crimes:

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

When you do a criminal history search, in most cases will not find if someone had:

• Speeding.
• Drivers license revoked or suspended.
• Any accidents.
• Other moving violations.
• Parking Tickets.

To search for this information, you must do a search for their driving record.

Have you ever needed to find criminal records? How hard was it? Did you search online or did you have to make a phone call to the courthouse? Was the information you received correct? There are lots of reasons that folks search for criminal records and backgrounds, and your comments might make it easier for others.

Click here to tell about all about it

Most Wanted

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

FBI Top Ten Most Wanted List

Buchanan County Sheriff’s Department’s Ten Most Wanted List


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Life In Jail / What Its Like

Daily Life

Everyone knows that spending time in the Buchanan County jail is very scary, soon you will get used to the routine that is set for you. Inmates get an alarm to wake up at 6am, and then you’ll have roll call. Next, you will get breakfast. When you finish 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 Buchanan 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 Buchanan 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 money to someone in jail changes, so you should check the the Buchanan County Jail website when 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 Buchanan County Jail

The Deputy Sheriff is the second in command at the Buchanan 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 Buchanan 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 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:

• 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.

Speak Your Mind

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 a prisoner in Buchanan County Jail? Do you have a friend or family member that is an inmate there? Have you ever been to visit an inmate at Buchanan County Jail?

If you have, then you should write a review about it. Write about your experience so other people will know what to expect.

Things you might want to put in what you write:

• Conditions in Buchanan County Jail.
• Jail layout and facility
• Guards and jail staff
• Food and commissary
• Visitation
• Inmates.
• Prisoner safety
• Gang activity
• Inmate activities and programs


Write a Review of Buchanan County Jail

Tell Your Story

Everbody that’s been incarcerated has at least one story to tell about it. Why’d you end up in jail? Did you experience fair treatment? What was your daily routine in jail? Were the other inmates cool? Did going to jail affect your life? How?

Click here to leave a comment

Send a Message to Your Cell Mate

Did you meet some cool folks in jail? Are you trying to send a message to a friend from jail? Leave a message for them here.

Say Hello to someone at Buchanan County Jail

Links and Resources

Main Buchanan County Jail Link
Buchanan County Jail Inmate Search Link
Buchanan County Jail Mugshots
Buchanan County Jail Bail Link

Buchanan County Jail Visitation Procedures
Buchanan County Jail Jail Mail Policy Link
Locate an inmate at Buchanan County Jail
Buchanan County Jail Warrant Inquiry
Buchanan County Jail Arrests
Buchanan County Jail Send Money Procedure
Buchanan County Jail Employment


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