How to get someone out of jail in Austin
How do I know what kind of bond is required?
A bond is the amount of money set by a judge for releasing a defendant from jail before their trial. You can find a list of approved bonding companies HERE. Find the defendants charges by using the Sheriff Inmate Population Search (SIPS) . Bond information appears under each charge.
What are the different kinds of bonds?
There are three types of bonds: cash, surety and personal. A surety bond is a bond posted by a bonds person. To post a surety bond, contact a bonds person. The bonds person will charge a fee for this service. A cash bond is the exact amount of money the defendant must pay before being released from jail. The FULL amount must be paid. A Personal Bond is a sworn agreement by the defendant that he/she will return to court as ordered and will comply with the conditions placed on his/her release. No money is required at the time of release, but the defendant is required to pay an administrative fee of $40 or 3% of the bond amount to Pretrial Services within 7 days of release.
How Can I Find a Person in Jail?
If you are looking for someone that was booked in Travis County, the APD Booking Photo Database allows you to search for booking photos. It also includes photos from other police agencies that use Travis County central booking. Note that photographs of arrestees will be posted 13 days after date of arrest and juvenile arrestees are confidential by law and will not be posted. The Travis County sheriff inmate information web page can provide information regarding the location of an inmate as well. You can search by last name and first initial.
How do I visit an inmate in person?
All face to face visits must be prescheduled at least 24 hours in advance. There are no visits permitted between the hours of 1-3pm. Face to face visits must check in 30 minutes before the scheduled visit. All persons 17 years old and up need a government issued photo ID. All minors under 17 years old need to be accompanied by a parent or guardian at all times.
Inmates must also qualify for visitation.
-Be in a classified minimum, medium or maximum housing.
-Any inmate in disciplinary status will not be eligible for face to face visits.
-Visitors registering for a face to face visit must do so online and 24 hours in advance.
-Visitors need to check in 30 minutes prior to their visit to allow time for the inmate to be brought down to visitation.
-Any visitors that show up late may have their visit cancelled and will need to re-register for the next available time slot.
Is there a dress code for visitors?
Visitors must abide by the dress code or visitation may be denied. A conservative dress code will be strictly enforced for all visitors. Officers may deny visitation privileges to anyone at any time for failure to follow the guidelines.
How do I visit an inmate through video visitation?
On-site video visits
All video visits may be prescheduled online or in complex using the kiosks provided. Same day video visits are provided on a first come first served basis. The first same day video visit is at 8:30am and the last one is at 8:05pm. Video visitors must check in 10 minutes before the scheduled time. Video visitors are limited to three people max including children.
At-home video visits
At-home video visits are permitted on computers, tablets and even cell phones. They are limited to 20 minutes, require a Securus account, and are scheduled and paid for by the visitor.
How do I contact an inmate?
Just like video visitation, in order for an inmate to send or receive an email, family members and friends must use Secure Instant Mail hosted by Securus.
You can set up an account at: https://securustech.net/get-started-now2
Returning users can login at: https://sim.securustech.net/Account/Login.aspx?ReturnUrl=%2f
*Please note that family can send an email but they cannot reply.
All letters must be sent directly to the inmate at the facility where they are housed. The address must include the inmate’s name and booking number as well as a return address from the sender.
Books, magazines and newspapers may only be received if it is mailed directly from the publisher or distributing warehouse to the facility where they are housed. Please note that inmates are only allowed two books and two magazines at a time. Any excess items will be returned to sender.
Phone
Phone Cards
Rather than making “collect calls,” inmates may purchase phone cards for $10 or $20 through commissary. Phone cards may be used to reach cell phones and can be carried at all times. They may also be used outside the facility when the inmate is released.
Collect Calls
Phones are available in each of the dayrooms and inmates have access to the them during morning, afternoon and evening hours. A 20-minute time limit is enforced to allow all inmates access. These are “collect call” and they require the receiver of the call to pay for all calls that are accepted. Inmates may make 15 minute calls to a cell phones. The person receiving the call on their cell phone will incur a charge of $9.99 for accepting the call from an inmate.
Attorney Calls
Travis County provides a free, local call option to attorneys for the benefit of their incarcerated clients. Only one business telephone number is authorized for the call list. Calls are limited to 20 minutes each, are free of charge and are not recorded.
How do I pickup an inmate’s property?
Arrangements may be made if a property release is necessary to secure an inmate’s release at any time. Inmates can release their valuables to facilitate their release Sunday-Friday, 24-hours a day. Individuals receiving property are required to show a valid ID. Inmates being transferred to prison must designate a specific person they authorize to receive their property. Items not picked up within 30 days will be discarded.
Inmates may release personal property during the posted release hours:
Travis County Jail
8am-5pm, Monday-Friday
Travis County Correctional Complex
Monday 8am-5pm, Tuesday -Saturday
7:30am-8:30pm, Monday-Saturday
How do I get medication to an inmate?
Do not bring any medications, prescription or over-the-counter, to either facility. During the initial intake process all inmates undergo a medical screening. Any medications that an inmate may require will be identified at this time and provided by the medical department. The licensed medical staff, per jail physician orders, distributes medication. Some over the counter medications can be purchased from the commissary.
How do I send an inmate money/commissary?
No credit/debit cards or checks are accepted. Money orders and/or cashiers checks must be made, pay to the order of “Inmate Trust Fund” (no fees apply). You will need the inmates first and last name and ID number to place the order. This can be done Monday through Friday 9:00am – 3:00pm. No holidays or weekends. It can be mailed to the Inmate Trust Fund at P.O Box 1368, Del Valle, Texas 78617 or through Western Union. Commissary orders can be placed online at www.traviscountypackages.com.