Sitka Community Jail

Sitka Community Jail in Sitka, Sitka Borough County, Alaska is a regional medium security jail with a capacity of 189 inmates. It is located at 304 Lake Street – Room 102, with a contact number of 907-747-3349. The jail offers programs such as GED, computer education, financial and anger management. It is possible for inmates to receive mail via mail or e-mail, and funds can be sent to their commissary account through TouchPay online, at a kiosk in the jail lobby, or over the phone. Inmates are allowed to have up to 3 adults and 2 minors visit them during visitation hours from 7:30 AM to 9:00 PM. In addition, they can receive mail through the USPS, and loved ones may call Access Redresses at 907-747-3349 to make a record and store cash for their benefit. Other third-party jail inmate services are also available. Other amenities include sending mail/care packages, making phone calls, and visiting inmates through non-contact protective glass, as well as access to electronic monitoring and community work service. The Alaska Department of Corrections (DOC) uses a classification system to decide where an inmate will serve time based on their behavior. The ACLU of Alaska is coordinating efforts with other legal partners and community members to investigate the conditions of confinement that may lead to dangerous situations for incarcerated people, though Governor spokesperson Jeff Turner has not yet received a request for a review of DOC. The jail has a total of 17 beds and can accommodate up to 23 people if needed. It saw about 500 unique bookings in 2014, and inmates are permitted to call a pre-approved call list of mostly friends and family members. The funding for the community jails program comes from the DOC.

How do I find out if someone has been arrested and booked into the Sitka Community Jail?

To find out if someone you know has been recently arrested and booked into the Sitka Community Jail, call the jail’s booking line at 907-747-3349.

There may be an automated method of looking them up by their name over the phone, or you may be directed to speak to someone at the jail. Sometimes the jail staff may ask you the offender’s date of birth to ensure privacy of the offender’s status.

Keep in mind that after an arrest, the information on an offender may not be publicly available for several hours.

If you don’t want to check up on an offender by calling the jail, you can also try looking up people recently booked online.

Sitka Community Jail Booking Roster

What happens during booking in Sitka City and Borough?

After being arrested and taken into custody, and after being read their Miranda Rights, an offender will next be transported to the local police or department or the Sheriff’s Department in Sitka City and Borough for booking.

Booking is very involved and requires multiple steps in the process, however, keep in mind that most attorneys will advise that an offender remain silent and not offer any additional information about the crime they have been arrested for because anything they do say may be recorded and may very well be used against them in court.

What is the booking process like at the Sitka Community Jail?

Booking includes having their photo (mugshot) and fingerprints taken, as well as being asked a lot of questions about their personal history and state of mind. If it’s a serious felony, their DNA may also be taken. They will also be checked for warrants in Sitka City and Borough and other Alaska and USA jurisdictions.

If the offender was arrested for a DUI offense, and has refused a breathalyzer test, they may also be forced to have blood drawn by a doctor or nurse.

It is also very likely that the offender will undergo a humiliating full body search while in the nude. This includes bending over, spreading their cheeks in the direction of an officer, and coughing. They will also be walked through a metal detector or x-ray machine, like those used at an airport.

What kind of questions are asked during booking?

The arresting jurisdiction will ask about gang affiliations, tattoos, medical conditions, prescribed medication they are taking, recreational drugs they are on or addicted to, allergies, if they are suicidal, and other relevant information that will help with determining their cell assignment and special needs.

What happens to an offender’s personal property during booking?

During the arrest and booking process an offender will also have all their personal property confiscated and held for either their release from jail, or with the offender’s approval, released to a friend or family member.

Personal property includes the clothing they are wearing, money, wallets, purses, cell phones, jewelry, body rings, earrings, watches, and even glasses if they are deemed a security risk. If they are allowed to keep their shoes or sneakers, the laces are removed.

What happens after booking?

At this point the offender will be allowed to make a free phone call to a person of their choice to notify them of their arrest, and/or arrange a bond or bail for their release.

If the offender is being detained and housed while awaiting arraignment, the Sitka Community Jail will provide a jail garment and slip-on shoes, a blanket, sheets, soap, toothbrush, toothpaste, and a towel.

Often, before they are dressed in the jail outfit and brought to their housing location, they will be forced to take a shower and undergo a disinfectant treatment for body and hair lice, scabies or other pests that may be residing on their person.

How long does the Sitka Community Jail Booking process take?

Booking can take anywhere from an hour to 24 hours or more. It all depends on the number of people that are awaiting processing, the number of staff on duty at the time, and the behavior of the offender.

If the offender is heavily intoxicated and/or violent, the Booking Officer may decide to stick the offender in a holding cell for several hours until they become more manageable.