Kotzebue Regional Jail

The Kotzebue Regional Jail in Alaska is the only jail in the state that holds inmates who have served short sentences. It has been operational since 1976 and houses inmates from all of Northwest Arctic Borough County under the governorship of the Alaska Sherriff. The jail has an official capacity of 12 prisoners and receives about 2235 bookings yearly. It was closed in June 2003 after the state refused to increase funding for the jail, but the Alaska State Troopers resumed transporting prisoners to the Kotzebue courthouse for arraignment in October 2003. The Department of Corrections is currently working to determine an equitable funding formula for Kotzebue Regional Jail as well as other community jails in the state. Inmates are allowed two 45-minute onsite video visits each week, as well as two visits of 30 minutes each at the facility, and potentially no limit on the number of visits when using the home based video visitation service. Inmates can also send and receive mail from approved third-party vendors and have access to a law library from Monday to Friday. Money can be sent into an inmate’s commissary account at the jail. Visitation hours vary depending on the gender of the inmate and bail can be posted by anyone over 18 with a valid government-issued photo ID. Prisoners are entitled to adequate food, clothing, shelter and medical care under humane conditions of confinement. The Kotzebue Regional Jail is located at 258D Fourth Avenue, Kotzebue, AK 99752, and can be reached at 907-442-3351.

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

To find out if someone you know has been recently arrested and booked into the Kotzebue Regional Jail, call the jail’s booking line at 907-442-3351.

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.

Kotzebue Regional Jail Booking Roster

What happens during booking in Northwest Arctic 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 Northwest Arctic 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 Kotzebue Regional 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 Northwest Arctic 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 Kotzebue Regional 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 Kotzebue Regional 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.