Pope County Jail

The Pope County Jail in Illinois has a capacity of 178 inmates. It is a medium security facility located in Golconda, Pope County, Illinois and has been operational since 1975. The facility is located on 12 acres of land in the city. It is part of the Pope County Jail and Prison System which has a maximum capacity of 13,000 beds per facility. The address for Pope County Jail in Illinois is 216 East Decatur Street, Golconda, IL 62938. The contact number for the jail is 618-683-4321. According to the information provided by, visitors can pick any day of the week from 8 am to 12 noon and 2 pm to 8 pm for visiting Pope County Jail in Illinois. Additionally, video visits are also available. According to, each inmate is allowed one or two visits per week, ranging from 15 minutes to one hour in length. Inmates with special privileges may be allowed additional visits. According to, inmates at Pope County Jail are allowed two 45-minute onsite video visits each week, which must be scheduled in advance. Information about Pope County Jail in Illinois, including inmate issues and conditions, can be found on various websites. These include details such as visitation rules and hours, sending money to inmates, dress codes for visitors, and the jail's capacity. It is important to note that specific information about inmate issues and conditions may not be readily available online and may require contacting the jail directly or seeking legal assistance. The Pope County Jail in Illinois has unique programs and services for inmates, including recreational, religious, medical, drug and substance abuse treatment, educational, volunteer, community work, employment, and counseling. It is a medium-security adult facility with a capacity of 149 beds. Inmates are allowed two 45-minute onsite video visits each week. However, there is no information available to suggest that the jail has any features or characteristics that make it stand out from other jails in Illinois.

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

To find out if someone you know has been recently arrested and booked into the Pope County Jail, call the jail’s booking line at (618) 683-4321.

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.

Pope County Jail Booking Roster

What happens during booking in Pope County?

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 Pope County 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 Pope County 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 Pope County and other Illinois 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 Pope County 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 Pope County 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.