Columbia County Jail – Dayton, WA

Columbia County Jail is in Columbia County and is the main correctional facility for that region. Are you looking for somebody in jail at Columbia County Jail? This guide gives you info about everything related to Columbia County Jail,like the following: How to do a jail inmate search. Find mugshots. The jail’s address and phone number. Bail and how to get out of jail. Intake procedures and booking. Court information and records. And lots more.

The thought of getting arrested and going to jail is a scary thought, not only for whoever gets locked up, but also their family, friends, and loved ones. The purpose of this guide is to offer information and tips that you need to make helping someone get out of jail less stressful. If you have a specific question, please feel free to ask it in the comment section below, and any comments or tips that could be a benefit to others will be much appreciated.

Do you have a family member, loved one, or friend that has gone to jail and need to locate them?

Do you know someone that has been arrested and you need to find out where they are?

To search who is in jail at Columbia County Jail you need to click on their website and use the inmate lookup.

The Columbia County Jail Inmate Roster is a list of people currently in custody, including status, bail amount, and schedule for visitation. Also, you are able to find information for anyone arrested and processed or released within the last 24 hours. Jail inmates are listed alphabetically by their last name. You will be able to get the information faster if you have their name, date of birth, or inmate ID.

If your friend or loved one could possibly be locked up at a different jail you can look here, too: Washington County Jails Listing

A mugshot, or booking photograph, is a photo that the jail takes when you are booked into jail. They take one and a side picture. Your name and intake number will appear on the photos, and they will be kept on file at the jail.

Mugshots can be searched online, or you can see them in person at the Columbia County Jail. When you search for mugshots on the website you have to put in the prisoner’s name, and a booking date, if you have it.

Want to get your mugshot taken off of the Columbia County Jail site? This will be difficult, since the mugshot is a public record. To get your mugshot removed you will need to file a Petition to Expunge in court. What this means is that your arrest record will be sealed, and will not be available to the public. It is difficult to do this, and you will most likely need the services of a lawyer.

To learn more about removing your mugshot, the different mugshot websites, and the mugshot removal websites: How To Get Your Mugshot Removed

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Obviously, once you’re incarcerated, your only thought is when and how to get out. After you’ve been booked, your bail is decided by the magistrate. If no bail is set this may mean that you will either be released, or you must remain in jail until your trial.

If you do bail out you will have to promise to be in court on your court date, and you will not be permitted to leave the area.

Usually, prisoners at Columbia County Jail can earn an early release in exchange for good behavior when they follow the rules and conduct themselves properly while incarcerated.

If you do exhibit good behavior and the jail believes you can be trusted, you may be allowed to do work release. Either you will have to return to the jail at the end of the day when you’re finished at your job, or you could be permitted to move into a halfway house instead of the jail.

Your bail is the amount of money that you have to pay in order to be released from jail pending trial. The amount you will be required to pay all depends on the seriousness of your charges. Someone you know will need to put up ten percent of the total set in order for you to get discharged from jail. If you don’t show up for your court date, the person that paid your bail will lose all of the bail money.

You need to call the Columbia County Jail. If know the person’s info, 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 see the bail amount online.

Posting bail to get out of jail is no fun, but most of the time, it’s easy if you have the money. First, you need to find out if they have a “Cash Bond Only” situation. If this is the case, you can’t get a Bail Bondsman. Bail can only be paid by cash – they won’t accept checks. As soon as you’ve paid the bail bond, the prisoner will be released. If the conditions of bail are not violated, you will get this money back.

If the amount of bail set is large, of if you can’t pay it, you should try a bail bondsman. Bondsmen will generally charge a fee of 10-15% of the total amount of bail set, and sometimes with a minimum charge of $100. This will not be returned to you and must be paid in cash. If the bail is exceptionally high, the bondsman will in most cases ask to use your assets as collateral.

To contact a local bail bondsman visit our page about: Find a Bail Bondsman in Columbia County

Have you ever had to find a bail bondsman for someone you know or yourself? If you have, please leave a comment below and tell about your experience and let us know how it worked out.

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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 includes these steps:

• You will be placed in a waiting area or 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 will answer a bunch of questions, such as your legal name, address, date of birth and contact person.
• You will also be asked about your mental and medical history.
• You will be given an inmate ID.
• You will get fingerprinted.
• They will take your mugshot.
• All personal property will be taken from you and stored until you get released from jail.
• You will be allowed to use the phone to get in touch with a member of your family, friend, or bondsman to arrange bail.
• If you are expected to be released quickly, they will let you keep wearing your own clothes, if not you will be given a jail uniform.

Have you ever been arrested and gone through processing at jail? If you have, please tell us how it happened. How long did it take to get processed? How did the guards treat you? Do you have any things that will help others make it through the procedure?

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Once bail has been posted, you will get released from jail. Getting discharged from jail takes anywhere between 10 minutes to many hours. In other words the faster you can pay your bail, the sooner you will be released. Also, it depends on whether you’ve been given a cash bond amount or if a judge has to decide on the amount of bail to be set. For minor charges, you will be booked and released on your own recognizance. If you have served a sentence in jail and know the release date, you should plan to be released in the morning.

for your arrest, or if you must start a jail sentence, it is highly advisable that you do the right thing and turn yourself into the authorities. For a warrant, go down to the jail intake center, 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 they verify that there is a warrant for your arrest, they will take you into custody and begin the intake process. If you have a jail sentence to serve, report to the jail at the time and date that the sentence order requires you to. Make sure that you get don’t get there late, or they may decide to arrest you. Be sure to only bring required items with you, such as your driver’s license or even photo ID, prescription medication, and the official sentencing order.

In order to have visitors, inmates have to provide the name and date of birth of each visitor to the jail in advance of any visit. Your visitor’s names will be entered in a log of approved visitors as an authorized visitor. Each visitor will be required to provide identification. Anyone that gets to visitation or any visitors that are not approved to visit will not be allowed to visit the inmate.
The Columbia County Jail visitation procedures can change, so it would be wise to review the official jail 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. Jail phone calls are typically more expensive than phone calls made at home. There is no limit to when and how often you can use the phone, but bear in mind that a long line can form at the phones, because everyone wants to use the phone, too. If you break the rules, an inmate’s ability to use the phone may be limited or eliminated completely, as part of the punishment.

The Columbia County Jail phone number is: 509-382-1100

All inmate mail must be sent via the US Postal Service. You can’t use any other type of delivery. Clearly write or type the name, inmate number, and the address of the jail on the outside of the letter that you send. Do not send a package or box, envelope with padding, plastic bag, or an envelope with any metal in it. All mail received by the jail is opened and inspected and read by the staff, and the mail will be sent back if the jail decides it is inappropriate.

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

Columbia County Jail
341 East Main Street
Dayton, WA 99328

Here is how you should address the letter:

[INMATE’S FULL NAME]
[INMATE ID]
Columbia County Jail
341 East Main Street
Dayton, WA 99328

The Columbia County Jail mail policy changes frequently, so it would be best to check the official website when you send a letter.

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When you’ve been arrested, you should know you still have rights, one of these being that you have the right to request an attorney. You are only allowed to make so many phone calls in jail, so you would be wise to have a friend or relative find an attorney when you call. You may be thinking ‘do I really need an attorney?’ While you are not required to have one, a lawyer will make sure you know your rights, help protect your best interests and help you navigate the complicated legal system that you are now faced with. The faster you get an attorney working on your situation, the better off you’ll be.

For more detailed information on the benefits of and how to hire an attorney, click: How to Find a Lawyer in Columbia County

If you’ve been arrested and don’t have the money to hire an attorney, the courts will assign you a public defender, which is a free lawyer. Also, the Public Defender is staffed by independent investigators, experts in forensics as well as social workers. You will be reassured to know that Public Defenders are bona-fide attorneys, members of the State Bar and are legally licensed to practice law.

Have you or someone you know used a Public Defender or court appointed attorney? Do you think they properly handled your case?

All court records are public and available to anyone who requests them. They have a court case file with a docket sheet and every motions, documents, and evidence in your case. You have the ability to access your court records via the internet service, or at the Clerk of Court’s office where the case was filed.

The Clerk of Court is an official part of the court who manages the records. They also administer the oath when court is in session, and read the verdict when decided by the jury. All court records associated with your case are held at Clerk of Court.

Court fees and costs are the charges and fees from your court case, such as for example filing fees, motion and claim fees, and court charges. If you are low income and have a Public Defender, you may get out of having to pay them.

A Magistrate is the person that will preside over your case in court. Magistrates are judges that do a number of different things, which include deciding a bail amount, writing arrest warrants, and presiding over initial court appearances and detention hearings.

A pre-sentencing report is completed to include information about the defendant’s background and details of the arrestee’s life history, which the judge will take into consideration when decide your sentence. Information will be solicited from the defendant, their family, and in some circumstances the victim of the crime. Remember you can request to have your own copy of your pre-sentencing report before your sentencing, and make sure that you review it for accuracy and completeness, and correct any mistakes.

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, house arrest, and probation, to even incarceration in either jail (short term) or prison (long term). Depending on the particulars of your trial, the severity of your crime, and any sentencing guidelines that they judge will use, you could be locked up immediately, or you might be given a date to report to jail to serve your jail time according to your sentence.

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Do you want to find out if some you know is incarcerated in jail, or has been an inmate in the past?

This is pretty easy to do, simply you will have to access the jail website and do an inmate search, and search by:

• Name.
• Birthdate.
• Their booking date if you know it.
• and their inmate ID.

If you’re not sure if this person is in jail or not, you can also call the jail get confirmation.

If you have an outstanding warrant for your arrest, you can check arrest warrants on the Columbia County jail website or call the jail. This requires a first and last name. You can also go to the local jail and ask the officer in charge. Keep in mind that if there is a warrant for your arrest, you should be prepared to get taken into custody immediately.

If you know the person’s name, as well as the date of their arrest, contact the Columbia County jail, by phone, in person, or you can check online. An arrest is public record and this is accessible by the public.

Civil processes are when someone has been served with papers, which can be court orders. You can find these by going to the Sheriff’s office, either by phone or through their website.

All people registered as sex offenders have to be listed and registered on the sex offender databases required by the area they live in. The people listed on these databases have been convicted in a court of law of a sex offense. You can access this information online, but bear in mind that you will not be able to find the exact address, just the neighborhood block that they live on.

Court Records are considered public records, so they are accessible to anyone who requests them. Court Records include a case file containing a docket and any of the filings and documents filed in your court case. You can access court records on the website, or at the Columbia County Clerk of Court office where the case was filed.

Every state keeps a record of their state citizen’s criminal past. These state databases are linked together and you can track criminal histories from any other state. You are able to go to the Columbia County Courthouse and make an inquiry, or check online. It is helpful to know the county the crime was committed in, and if it was in a different state entirely, you may have to pay a fee for a more complete search.

A criminal records search you will find out if a person has ever been arrested, charged or convicted for the following crimes:

• DUI.
• Drug Possession of Drug Trafficking.
• Kidnapping.
• Rape or other sexual assault.
• Violent crimes.
• Property crimes like theft or larceny.

During a criminal records search, you generally won’t be able to see if they have had any infractions like moving violations:

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

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

Have you ever tried to search for someone’s criminal records? How easy was it? Did you do your search online or did you call the local courthouse? Was the information you received correct? There are many reasons that people search for criminal records, and your feedback might help other people.

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Most Wanted

On a Federal level, the FBI has a listing of the Ten Most Wanted Fugitives. In Columbia County, the Columbia County Sheriff’s Department maintains their own list of the top most wanted criminals in the county.

FBI Ten Most Wanted List: External Link


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Life In Jail / What Its Like

Daily Life

While the prospect of getting locked up in Columbia County Jail is something you wish you could avoid, soon you will settle into the daily routine there. Inmates get an alarm for wake-up every morning at 6:00AM, and next they’ll do roll call. Then you will have breakfast. When you finish eating breakfast participate 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 Columbia 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 Columbia 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 at Columbia County Jail might change, so you should review the the Columbia County Jail website before you send any funds.


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 Columbia County Jail

The Deputy Sheriff is the second in command at the Columbia 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 Columbia 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 share 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:

• You have the right to protection from the accused.
• You have the right to notification.
• You have the right to attend proceedings.
• You have the right to speak at criminal justice proceedings.
• You have the right to consult with the prosecuting attorney.
• You have the right to restitution.
• You have the right to a speedy trial.
• You 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 tell about all about it

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 at this jail? Do you know anybody there? Have you ever visited an inmate there?

If yes, then please tell us about it. Write down your experience so others can learn what to expect.

Things you might want to include in your review:

• Jail conditions.
• Jail layout and facility
• Guards and staff
• Commissary and food
• Visitors
• The other inmates.
• Prisoner safety
• Gang activity
• Prisoner activities and programs


Write a review about Columbia County Jail

Tell Your Story

Anyone who’s been in jail has a story about it. Why’d you end up in jail? Did you experience fair treatment? What was your daily routine in jail? What about the other inmates? How did getting locked up affect your life?

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Send a Message to Your Cell Mate

Did you make friends in jail? Do you want to send a message to somebody you met when you were locked up? Then send them a message by posting a comment below.

Post a message to people incarcerated at Columbia County Jail


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