Howell County Jail – West Plains, MO

Howell County Jail is located in Howell County, MO and is the main jail for that region. Are you looking for somebody in jail at Howell County Jail? This guide gives you about anything you might need to know about Howell County Jail,like: Learn how to locate an inmate. Find mugshots. The jail’s phone number and address. Posting bail. Booking and intake procedures. Court records. And more…

The prospect of getting arrested and going to jail is a daunting and scary prospect, not only for whoever goes to jail, but also that person’s friends and family. This guide is meant to give you all the information and advice you need to make helping a friend or family member get out of jail less stressful. If you have a question, feel free to ask them, and also any tips or comments that might be a benefit to other people in the same situation is welcome.

Do you have a friend or family member in jail and need to find them?

Do you know someone that’s been arrested and you don’t know how to find out what jail they’re in?

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

The Howell County Jail Inmate Roster has information on persons who are in jail, which includes status, how much their bail is, and schedule for visitation. Also, you are able to get the same information on anyone processed or released in the last 24 hours. Prisoners are shown in alphabetical order by their last name. You will be able to get the information more quickly if you’ve got your friend or family member’s name, birth date, or arrest number.

If your friend or family member could possibly be in another jail you can look here: List of all county jails in Missouri

A mugshot, also called a booking photo, is the picture that the jail takes when you are booked into jail. A mugshot is make of one face photo and a side-view photo. Your full name and jail booking number will appear on the photos, and they are on file at the jail.

Mugshots of people who have been arrested can be searched online, or you can view them at the Howell County Jail. When you search for mugshots on the website you have to put in the person’s full name, and the booking date, if you know it.

Need to know how to get your mugshot taken down from the Howell County Jail site? This will be difficult, because your mugshot is public record. To get your mugshot taken down you must file a Petition to Expunge in court. This means that your arrest record would 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.

For a more in-depth article 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’re arrested and put in jail, your main thought is when and how to get out. After you’ve gone through the booking process, your bail will be set either by bail schedule or magistrate. In cases where 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 of jail you will have to agree to go to your court date, and until then you must not travel out of the county.

Typically, an inmate will be given time off in exchange for good behavior if they don’t break the rules and area a good inmate while locked up.

If you do exhibit good behavior and the jail believes you can be trusted, you might be allowed to do work release. You will be required to go back to the jail each day when you’re finished with work, or you might be permitted to move to a halfway house when you are not working.

Your bail is the amount of money that you are required to pay to get out of jail until your court date. The amount you have to pay depends on how serious your charges are. You or someone you know will have to pay 10 percent of the total amount that was set so you are able to be released. If you fail to show up for your court appearance, that person will lose that bail money.

To find out how much bail money you will need to bail someone out of jail need to call the Howell County Jail or the County Courthouse. If know the pertinent information, including name, address and date of birth, they’ll let you know the bail amount. You can also see the bail amount on the Howell County Jail website.

Having to bail someone out of jail is never fun, but in some cases, its very simple to do. First, you need to know if they have a “Cash Bond Only” situation. If it is, you won’t be able to get a Bail Bondsman. They only accept cash at the jail, so you have to take cash – the jail will not accept a personal check. As soon as you’ve posted (paid) bond, the inmate will be discharged. If they don’t violate the terms of their bail, you’ll get the bail money back.

If the bail amount is too high, of if you can’t pay it, you should look into the services of a bail bondsman. They generally charge you a fee of 10-15% of total bail, and usually with a minimum charge of $100. The amount you pay to the bondsman will not be returned to you and has to be paid in cash. If the bail has been set really high, the bail bondsman will in these cases use assets as collateral for the bond in addition to whatever their charges are.

You can find a bail bondsman visit our page about: Find a bail bondsman

Have you ever used the services of bail bondsman for someone you know or yourself? If so, post a comment below and tell about it, and let us know how it worked out.

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

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The jail intake procedure is made up of these steps:

• They’ll put you in a holding cell. If there are a lot of arrests, you will have to wait, sometimes for many hours, before you get processed.
• Firstly, you have to answer some simple questions, like what is your full legal name, street address, date of birth and an emergency contact person.
• They’ll also ask you about your medical and psychological history.
• You’ll be given an inmate ID.
• You will be fingerprinted.
• You will have your mugshot taken.
• Any property you have will be taken away from you and stored until you get released from jail.
• They will allow you to make a phone call to contact a member of your family, friend, or bondsman to arrange bail.
• If they expect that you will make bail and be released quickly, you might be allowed to keep wearing your own clothes, but if you are not expected to make bail quickly you will be issued a jail issued jumpsuit.

Have you ever been arrested and gone through the jail intake procedure? If you have, please tell your story. How long did it take? How did the guards treat you? Can you tell us secrets that will help others get through jail processing?

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When you post bail, you will get released from jail. Getting discharged can take anywhere from 10 minutes to many hours. In simple terms, the quicker you post bail, the sooner you will get let go. It also depends on whether you’ve been given a cash bond amount or if the magistrate must determine how much to set your bail at. For minor charges, you will be booked and get released without having to post bail. When you have completed your jail sentence and have a release date, expect to get released that morning.

issued for your arrest, or if you need to begin your sentence in jail, it is recommended that you follow the law and go down to the jail and turn yourself in. For a warrant, report to the jail intake area, and tell them that you think there is an outstanding warrant for your arrest. They will check their system to see if there are any outstanding local, state or federal arrest warrants out for you, and if they verify that there is a warrant for your arrest, they will ask that you surrender yourself and you will be taken into custody. If it is for a jail sentence, report on the date and time that the sentence order or court paperwork states. Make sure that you get don’t get there late, or they may decide to arrest you. Only bring approved items when you turn yourself in, such as your driver’s license or ID, prescription medication, and a official sentencing order.

In order to have visitors, inmates have to list each visitor’s name and date of birth to the jail in advance of the visit. This information will be entered in a Visiting log as an approved visitor. Every visitor is required to provide identification. Any visitors that gets to visitation or that is not an approved visitor will not be able to attend visitation.
Jail visitation policies change often, so double-check the official Howell County Jail jail site before go to the jail to visit an inmate.

The only phone calls that inmates are allowed to make are with a pre-paid phone card or account, or are collect calls . Jail phone calls are generally more expensive than regular phone calls. Inmates are able to make phone calls, with restrictions on how often you can use the phone, but inmates should keep in mind that you are just one of many people who want to talk to their loved ones. If you are under any sort of disciplinary procedure, an inmate’s phone privileges may be limited or eliminated altogether.

Phone Number: 417-256-4323

All mail is required to be sent using the actual US Postal Service. You can’t use any other form of mail or package delivery. Clearly write or type the inmate’s name, inmate number, and the address of the jail on the letter that you send. Don’t send a box, envelope with padding or insulation, bag, or an envelope containing metal parts. All mail sent to inmates will be opened and inspected by the jail administration, and will get returned to the sender if the jail decides it is inappropriate.

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

Howell County Jail
1106 Missouri Ave.
West Plains, MO 65775

Here is how you should address the letter:

[INMATE’S FULL NAME]
[INMATE ID]
Howell County Jail
1106 Missouri Ave.
West Plains, MO 65775

The mail policy changes frequently, so we suggest that you double check the the Howell County Jail website before you send a letter to an inmate there.

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If you have been arrested, you need to be aware that you still have rights, one of these is your right to request a lawyer. You don’t get to make many phone calls when you get arrested, so it is a good idea to ask a friend or family member to locate an attorney when you talk to them. You may be thinking ‘do I really need a lawyer?’ You are not required to have an attorney for some criminal charges, an attorney will advise you about your rights, protect your interests and help you navigate through the criminal justice system in your county. The faster you get a lawyer involved with your criminal case, the better your chances.

For more info on this, read: How to Find an Attorney

If you can’t afford an attorney, a Public Defender will be assigned to you. In addition, the Public Defender’s Office has a number of staff such as investigators, experts in forensics as well as social workers. You will be reassured to know that Public Defenders are full-fledged lawyers that are members of the State Bar and are completely licensed to handle your case.

Have you or someone you know used a court appointed attorney or Public Defender? Are you satisfied with how they handled your case and represented you in court?

Court records are a matter of public record. Court records are comprised of a file with a docket sheet and every motions, documents, and evidence in the case. You have the ability to access your court records via the internet service, or at the Howell County Clerk of Court where the case was filed.

The Howell County Clerk of Court is a member of the court that manages court records. They also administer the oath during court cases, and also read the verdict when the jury makes their final decision. All records from your case are held at the office of the Clerk of Court.

Court fees and costs are the charges from your court case, such as filing fees, motion fees and various court charges. If you cannot afford these fees and have court appointed legal counsel or a Public Defender, you will not be responsible for these fees.

The Howell County court magistrate acts as the judge that presides on your case. Magistrates do a number of things, like setting bail amounts, issuing warrants for arrest, and acting as the presiding judge over preliminary court proceedings and detention proceedings.

Your pre-sentencing report is completed with information about the arrestee’s background and information about the defendant’s life and public history, which the magistrate will review and take into account when determining the sentence. Information will be gathered from the person on trial, his or her family members, and if necessary the victim. Remember that you can ask to have your own copy of the pre-sentencing report before your sentencing, and go over it and correct any mistakes in it.

If you get convicted of a crime during your trial, you will then get sentenced. The presiding judge in your case will weigh several options when determining your sentence, ranging from community service, house arrest, and probation, to prison or jail time. Depending on how serious your crime was, you may be taken into custody, right there in court, or you could get a date that you are supposed to report to jail to serve out your sentence.

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Want to find out if someone is in jail, or has ever been locked up?

This is pretty easy to do, simply you should access the jail’s website, and search by:

• Name.
• Date of birth.
• Approximate booking date.
• or inmate ID.

If you’re not sure if your friend or family member is in jail, you can also call the jail confirm whether they’ve been arrested or not.

If you think you have an outstanding warrant, you are able to check the arrest warrants inquiry online or you are able to call the court. You have to have their first and last name. You can also go to the local jail and ask one of the officers. Keep in mind that if there is an arrest warrant out for you, you should be prepared to get taken into custody immediately.

If you know a person’s name, and the date of their arrest, contact the Howell County jail, either by phone, in person, or look online. Arrest records are public record and this information is accessible to anyone.

Civil processes are when you get served with legal papers, which can be , subpoenas, and arrest warrants. You can access civil process orders by going to the Howell County Sheriff’s office, either by phone or through their website.

All convicted sex offenders have to be registered on both a national and state sex offender database. The people on these databases have been convicted of a sex or kidnapping crime. You are able to view these offenders on the internet, but remember that you will not find the street address, rather the block of the address that they registered.

Court Records are public records and available to anyone. They include a court case file that includes a court docket and all filings and documents filed in your court case. You can access the court records via the internet service ‘Public Access to Court Electronic Records’, or at the Howell County Clerk of Court in the jurisdiction where the case was filed.

Each state maintains records of someone’s criminal history. These online databases are all linked so you can track criminal histories from other states. Go to county courthouse and make an inquiry, or check the website. It helps to know which county the crime occurred in, and if it was in a different state, you might have to pay for a more complete search.

When you look up someone’s criminal record you are able to find out if someone has been arrested, charged, or convicted for the following crimes:

• DUI.
• Drug crimes.
• Kidnapping.
• Sex offenses which could include rape, and sexual assault.
• Violent crimes.
• Breaking and entering, theft, larceny.

When you do a criminal history search, you won’t see if that person has had any infractions like moving violations:

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

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

Have you ever had to look for criminal records online? How hard was it? Did you search online or did you make a phone call to the Howell County courthouse? Was the information you received correct? There are plenty of reasons that folks look up criminal records and backgrounds, and your feedback could help other people.

Click here to post a comment

Most Wanted

On a Federal level, the FBI keeps a list of the Ten Most Wanted Fugitives. In Howell County, the Howell County Sheriff 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 getting locked up in Howell County Jail is very scary, soon you will get used to the daily routine. All inmates get a wake-up alarm at 6:00AM, and next you’ll have roll call. After roll call you will have breakfast. After breakfast, participate in the work program or other activity that you are assigned. This could be working in the kitchen, laundry, or some sort of manufacturing job. While this may seem tedious, it may help you when you leave jail, as you are gaining experience in a certain field of work. Other inmates go to school, while some take part in mandated treatment programs. After lunch, there will be another roll call, then back to work. Your evening will be spent either in your cell or a common room. During this time dinner is served and you will be expected to take a shower. After another roll call, it’s lights out. Even though you will be confined to your cell, there may be enough light to read or write letters. Then again, most inmates welcome lights out, and try to get as much sleep as they can.

Most people are frightened at the idea of jail because they don’t know what to expect. If you have spent any time in Howell 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 Howell 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 at Howell County Jail is likely to change, so it would be best to check the official Howell County Jail site 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 Howell County Jail

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

• 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 your story

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 at Howell County Jail? Do you know someone there? Have you ever visited a prisoner there?

If yes, then you should write your review about it. Write about your jail experience so that others will know what to expect.

Things you can include in what you write:

• Conditions at the jail.
• Jail, yard and pod layout and facility
• Guards and staff
• Jail food and commissary
• Visitation Days
• The other inmates.
• Prisoner safety
• Jail gangs
• Inmate programs and activities


Click here to write your review of Howell County Jail

Tell Your Story

Anyone who’s been in jail has at least one story to tell about it. How’d you get locked up? Did you experience fair treatment? How was life in jail? What about the other inmates? How has this experience impacted your life?

Click here to tell your story about Howell County Jail

Send a Message to Your Cell Mate

Make some good friends in jail? Need to talk to a friend from jail? Leave a message for them here.

Send a message to someone at Howell County Jail


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