The Yellowstone County Detention Facility is a 430 bed jail in the city of Billings, Yellowstone County, Montana.
This page provides information on how to search for an inmate in the official jail roster, or by calling the facility at 406-256-6881, directions to the facility, and inmate services such as the visitation schedule and policies, funding an inmate's account, mailing them a letter, receiving phone calls from an inmate, voicemail, emailing and texting, tablet rentals, bail bond instructions, and commissary purchases.
Phone: 406-256-6881
Physical Address:
3165 King Ave. East
Billings, MT 59101
Mailing Address (personal mail):
Inmate's Full Name & Inmate Jacket Number
Yellowstone County Detention Facility
PO Box 591
Longview, TX 75606
Mailing Address (legal mail or subscriptions):
Inmate's Full Name & Inmate Jacket Number
Yellowstone County Detention Facility
3165 King Ave. East
Billings, MT 59101
Other Jails and Prisons
To search for an inmate in the Yellowstone County Detention Facility, review their criminal charges, the amount of their bond, when they can get visits, or even view their mugshot, go to the Official Jail Inmate Roster, or call the jail at 406-256-6881 for the information you are looking for.
Yellowstone County Detention Facility Inmate Search
Billings City Court is held at the Detention Facility Video Courtroom on Monday through Friday, starting at 8:30 am.
The public is allowed to go up to City Court, located on the 2nd floor of City Hall.
Justice Court is held Monday, Wednesday, Friday at the Detention Facility in the Video Courtroom.
The public that wishes to attend must go to the Yellowstone County Courthouse located at 3rd Avenue and N. 27th.
Arraignments begin at 3:00pm.
District Court is held Monday through Friday at the Detention Facility Video Courtroom.
The public that wishes to attend must go to the Yellowstone County Courthouse located at 3rd Avenue and N. 27th.
The Yellowstone County Detention Facility maintains an average of 430 offenders in custody on any given day. The Yellowstone County Detention Facility has a monthly turnover of 40% of their inmate population, another 30% turnover every 90 days, another 20% every six months, and approximately 10% stay incarcerated between six and twelve months. Every year Yellowstone County law enforcement agencies arrest and detain approximately 8,600 offenders.
The following charts of Yellowstone County inmate population demographics are updated daily. The information shown is for today. For research purposes we have broken down the inmates by sex, age, ethnicity, and criminal charges.
The information is compiled from the Yellowstone County Corrections Department, the state of Montana Department of Corrections, as well as the United States Department of Justice and Census Bureau records. It represents every person in custody in Yellowstone County.
For complete information on how to get directions, bond, visit, mail, send and receive email and texts, receive phone calls, and send money or commissary to an inmate, find arrest information for Yellowstone County and other counties surrounding this one, scroll down this page. We have a section for each.
We also provide photos of the jail that we have collected over the years, and a database of most wanted criminals for Yellowstone County, neighboring counties and the state of Montana.
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The Yellowstone County Detention Facility in Montana has a rated capacity of 430 inmates, but on a day to day basis, it is seriously overcrowded. In fact, it always has over 500 inmates housed there, and has been known to get as full as having 620 men and women there at one time. Yellowstone County has come a long way since their early days when their first jail was constructed in 1884 at 401 N. 27th in Billings, which is currently the Yellowstone Art Museum.
The current address of the Yellowstone County Detention Facility is 3165 King Ave. in East Billings. You can reach them by phone 24 hours a day by calling 406-256-6881, and also by email. If you want to find out about an inmate, go the official Inmate Jail Roster to search for them, although the jail, while they do provide information about the inmate's criminal charges, does not provide the public with mugshots.
The original design of the facility allowed for the safekeeping of 174 inmates on a ten-acre site, with the possibility of future expansion. The 430 bed detention facility is considered a regional medium-security jail, which houses pre-trial offenders and those sentenced to less than one year. There are some inmates that have been sentenced to longer terms, but are awaiting transport to state or federal prison, or to an ICE Detention Center.
The overcrowding issue is not just that there's not enough beds, but that they can't get enough staff. Every day, the decision must be made to let inmates out that should be staying in jail due to their danger to the community. But until the voters approve funding for an expanded facility, which could cost $75 million or more, the issue will remain in Billings.
The Yellowstone County Detention Facility
Family or friends may drop off prescribed medications in their original and labelled packaging, any legal documents that pertain to their case, identification and insurance information, and cash can be added to the commissary account for necessary purchases.
Mail can be received every day and is processed and passed to the inmates quickly, however the jail uses a digital service to avoid contraband entering the facility. Friends and family of inmates in the Yellowstone County Detention Facility can arrange to visit inmates by video, both at the jail and remotely from home. Friends and family can also communicate using an online text/email system, send them money and buy them commissary online, and set up a phone account that allows the inmates to call them during the day and evening seven days a week.
All the information on these inmate services can be found in the sections below. If you still have questions, you can phone the jail 24 hours a day by calling 406-256-6881.
To find out if someone you know has been recently arrested and booked into the Yellowstone County Detention Facility, call the jail’s booking line at 406-256-6881.
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.
Yellowstone County Detention Facility Booking Roster
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 Yellowstone 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.
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 Yellowstone County and other Montana 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.
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.
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.
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 Yellowstone County Detention Facility 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.
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.
Call 406-256-6881 to find out the exact bond (plus other fees) amount, or look it up online by looking up the information on the Yellowstone County inmate locator.
Because Yellowstone County and Montana can change their bail bond procedures, it is always best to call either the Yellowstone County Detention Facility at 406-256-6881, or the court in the jurisdiction (i.e. Municipal Court, District Court, etc.) where the offender was charged, and do this right after an arrestee has been booked.
Ask the staff at the Yellowstone County Detention Facility or the Yellowstone County Court Clerk these specific questions:
If you feel the bail is too high and you wish to get it reduced, contact a lawyer or the defendant's public defender and get them to look into what they can do to get a bail reduction. The sooner you get working on this the quicker you will get your loved one released.
This entire process will go smoother and faster with a criminal attorney or bail agent handling it for you.
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How Do You Visit an Inmate in the Yellowstone County Detention Facility? What is the Schedule?
3165 King Ave. East
Billings, MT 59101
406-256-6881
Schedule Video Visits online with NCIC
| DAY | TIME |
| SUNDAY | 7:15AM - 10:30PM |
| MONDAY | 7:15AM - 10:30PM |
| TUESDAY | 7:15AM - 10:30PM |
| WEDNESDAY | 7:15AM - 10:30PM |
| THURSDAY | 7:15AM - 10:30PM |
| FRIDAY | 7:15AM - 10:30PM |
| SATURDAY | 7:15AM - 10:30PM |
| DAY | TIME |
| SUNDAY | 7:15AM - 10:30PM |
| MONDAY | 7:15AM - 10:30PM |
| TUESDAY | 7:15AM - 10:30PM |
| WEDNESDAY | 7:15AM - 10:30PM |
| THURSDAY | 7:15AM - 10:30PM |
| FRIDAY | 7:15AM - 10:30PM |
| SATURDAY | 7:15AM - 10:30PM |
In other words, you can visit your inmate in jail by using your home computer, as long as it is equipped with a microphone and camera that supports video.
When available, the jail also provides use of ‘video visit kiosks’ in the jail lobby if you do not have a computer at home. These ’on-site’ video visits are FREE.
Costs
NCIC Video Visitation fees are subject to change, but the cost to you is roughly $7.50 ($0.25 per minute) for a 30-minute visit + an additional fee of $2.00 for the connection.
On-site (at the jail) video visits are FREE.
How to set up your Video Visit
Your inmate will be notified by the jail staff of the date and time for the visit. Be sure to be in front of your computer and connected to NCIC at least 15 minutes before the start of the visit.
NCIC Customer Service
Phone - 800-943-2189 or 903-247-0069
Email – [email protected]
We’ve compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for everything you need to know about Yellowstone County Detention Facility’s Inmate Visitation Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 406-256-6881 for further assistance.
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Can I Use My Computer or Phone to Have a Remote Video Visit with an Inmate in the Yellowstone County Detention Facility?
3165 King Ave. East
Billings, MT 59101
406-256-6881
Schedule Video Visits online with NCIC
| DAY | TIME |
| SUNDAY | 7:15AM - 10:30PM |
| MONDAY | 7:15AM - 10:30PM |
| TUESDAY | 7:15AM - 10:30PM |
| WEDNESDAY | 7:15AM - 10:30PM |
| THURSDAY | 7:15AM - 10:30PM |
| FRIDAY | 7:15AM - 10:30PM |
| SATURDAY | 7:15AM - 10:30PM |
| DAY | TIME |
| SUNDAY | 7:15AM - 10:30PM |
| MONDAY | 7:15AM - 10:30PM |
| TUESDAY | 7:15AM - 10:30PM |
| WEDNESDAY | 7:15AM - 10:30PM |
| THURSDAY | 7:15AM - 10:30PM |
| FRIDAY | 7:15AM - 10:30PM |
| SATURDAY | 7:15AM - 10:30PM |
We’ve compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for everything you need to know about Yellowstone County Detention Facility’s Video Remote Visitation Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 406-256-6881 for further assistance.
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How Do You Deposit Money for an Inmate in the Yellowstone County Detention Facility?
There are FOUR options for putting money on an inmate's books:
Option 1 - Dropping Money at the Yellowstone County Detention Facility
Bring money to the jail in person.
Either the jail personnel will process the Inmate Account payment or you will use the NCIC self-serve kiosk in the lobbies that accepts cash, debit or credit cards.
Option 2 - Deposit Inmate Money Online
Yellowstone County Detention Facility uses NCIC to process all online deposits to an inmate's account. NCIC charges you a small fee for doing so, but the fee probably isn't as much as gas and parking would cost to take it to the jail in person.
Option 3 - Mail the Inmate Deposit to the Jail
Mailing a deposit takes more time to process than the other methods but can be done if you live too far away to bring it in person and you don't have a debit/credit card for online deposits. Never send cash. Always send a Money Order from the US Post Office, a reputable bank or Western Union.
Make the Money Order out to the inmate's name and put their Inmate ID# in memo section of the Money Order. Mail it to the Yellowstone County Detention Facility address on this page, or to the address below if it is different than the facility address.
Inmate's Full Name & Inmate Jacket Number
Yellowstone County Detention Facility
3165 King Ave. East
Billings, MT 59101
Option 4 - Make an Inmate Deposit over the Phone by calling 800-943-2189
For more information about sending an inmate money for phone cards or other commissary sundries, check out our Inmate Money Page.
For complete information on depositing money in an inmate's account, check out our Inmate Money page.
We’ve compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for everything you need to know about Yellowstone County Detention Facility’s Inmate Money and Trust Fund Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 406-256-6881 for further assistance.
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How Do I Receive Phone Calls from an Inmate in the Yellowstone County Detention Facility?
To receive phone calls from an inmate in Yellowstone County follow these instructions:
Yellowstone County Detention Facility uses the services of NCIC for inmate phone calling. It is called a ‘friends & family account”.
In order to receive phone calls from your inmate, you need to do the following:
NOTE:
1. You cannot receive any calls to your phone number from your inmate until both you and your phone number are registered.
2. When you do receive a call, the number you will view on your phone from the incoming call is: 800-943-2189.
3. When allowed by Yellowstone County Detention Facility, families can also leave secure voicemails for inmates to listen to.
Fees
NCIC Customer Service
Phone - 800-943-2189 or 903-247-0069
Email – [email protected]
Full list of participating jails.
For all the information regarding phone calls with Yellowstone County inmates; rules, policies, phone calling times, fees, limits and more visit our Inmate Phone Page.
We’ve compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for everything you need to know about Yellowstone County Detention Facility’s Inmate Phone Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 406-256-6881 for further assistance.
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How do I Mail an Inmate in the Yellowstone County Detention Facility, and what can I send them?
Postcards
The Yellowstone County Detention Facility allows inmates to receive pre-metered postcards like the type purchased from the post office. They may also allow certain photo postcards as long as they have not been tampered with or contain images that may be considered to be obscene or violent in nature. It is best to only use blue or black ink. Always include your name and return address.
Envelopes
The Yellowstone County Detention Facility also allows envelopes to be mailed to inmates. It is best to only use blue or black ink.
Postcards and envelopes MUST HAVE the sender's full name and return address on the envelope.
Postcards and envelopes MUST be mailed to the following address:
Inmate's Full Name & Inmate Jacket Number
Yellowstone County Detention Facility
PO Box 591
Longview, TX 75606
Legal Mail
Send all Legal Mail to this Address:
Inmate's Full Name & Inmate Jacket Number
Yellowstone County Detention Facility
3165 King Ave. East
Billings, MT 59101
Newspapers
Local or national newspapers may also be mailed to the inmate as long as they are mailed directly from the newspaper publisher.
Magazines
News, special interest or sports magazines may also be mailed to an inmate as long as they are shipped directly from the publisher. Any magazines that contain profanity, weapons, pornography or other content that is adult in nature will be confiscated by the jail staff and will NOT be delivered to the inmate.
Books
The Yellowstone County Detention Facility allows books to be mailed directly to the jail from a reputable source such as Amazon, Barnes & Noble or Books-A-Million. You can order them directly from your computer and have them shipped to the inmate at the address below.
Books must NOT contain images or content that are considered excessively violent, pornographic or obscene. Any book that does not meet the Yellowstone County Detention Facility standards will be disposed of. No more than three books may be shipped at any one time.
Hard cover books will not be accepted by the jail due to their potential to be used as a weapon.
All newspapers, magazines and books are to be shipped to:
Inmate's Full Name & Inmate Jacket Number
Yellowstone County Detention Facility
3165 King Ave. East
Billings, MT 59101
Postcards
The Yellowstone County Detention Facility allows inmates to receive pre-metered postcards like the type purchased from the post office. They may also allow certain photo postcards as long as they have not been tampered with or contain images that may be considered to be obscene or violent in nature.
Envelopes
The Yellowstone County Detention Facility also allows envelopes to be mailed to inmates.
Postcards and envelopes MUST be mailed to the following address:
Inmate's Full Name & Inmate Jacket Number
Yellowstone County Detention Facility
PO Box 591
Longview, TX 75606
Legal Mail
Send all legal Mail to this Address:
Inmate's Full Name & Inmate Jacket Number
Yellowstone County Detention Facility
3165 King Ave. East
Billings, MT 59101
Newspapers
Local or national newspapers may also be mailed to the inmate as long as they are mailed directly from the newspaper publisher.
Magazines
News, special interest or sports magazines may also be mailed to an inmate as long as they are shipped directly from the publisher. Any magazines that contain profanity, weapons, pornography or other content that is adult in nature will be confiscated by the jail staff and will NOT be delivered to the inmate.
Books
The Yellowstone County Detention Facility allows books to be mailed directly to the jail from a reputable source such as Amazon, Barnes & Noble or Books-A-Million. You can order them directly from your computer and have them shipped to the inmate at the address below.
Books must NOT contain images or content that are considered excessively violent, pornographic or obscene. Any book that does not meet the Yellowstone County Detention Facility standards will be disposed of. No more than three books may be shipped at any one time.
Hard cover books will not be accepted by the jail due to their potential to be used as a weapon.
All newspapers, magazines and books are to be shipped to:
Inmate's Full Name & Inmate Jacket Number
Yellowstone County Detention Facility
3165 King Ave. East
Billings, MT 59101
We’ve compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for everything you need to know about Yellowstone County Detention Facility’s Inmate Mail Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 406-256-6881 for further assistance.
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Can I purchase Commissary Online for an Inmate in the Yellowstone County Detention Facility, and what can I purchase?
Search for JailATM services for Yellowstone County Detention Facility.
Make an inmate deposit with JailATM for Yellowstone County Detention Facility.
Note: While JailATM offers the following inmate services, Yellowstone County Detention Facility may not allow all of them. Check on the JailATM website to confirm. Services available through JailATM are subject to change with no notice.
Send Gift Packs
Yellowstone County Detention Facility has an agreement with JailATM, which ships predetermined Gift Packs of candy, snacks and hygiene products to the inmate. Check the JailATM website to see if they allow Gift Packs.
These can be ordered by you online and are delivered directly to the inmate.
To send a commissary carepack (food, snacks and goods) directly to an inmate in Yellowstone County Detention Facility follow these steps:
For all information, tips and available items for shipping Commissary packages or sending money to an inmate in Yellowstone County Detention Facility check out our Commissary Instructions Page for Yellowstone County.
We’ve compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for everything you need to know about Yellowstone County Detention Facility’s Commissary Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 406-256-6881 for further assistance.
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How Can I Communicate with an Inmate in the Yellowstone County Detention Facility using an Online Messaging Service?
You can deposit money three different ways:
• Deposit online at NCIC.com
• Deposit at the kiosk in the Yellowstone County Detention Facility lobby, if available.
• Deposit over the phone 24/7 at 800-943-2189 or 903-247-0069 (Note: if you deposit money using a live agent the fee is $5.95).
NCIC Customer Service
Phone - 800-943-2189 or 903-247-0069
Email – [email protected]
To send a secure email message to an inmate in Yellowstone County Detention Facility follow these steps:
Yellowstone County Detention Facility uses the services of NCIC for you to deposit funds into your {Yellowstone County inmate’s account so that you and they can purchase secure email messaging services from this jail’s e-messaging service.
You can deposit money three different ways:
• Deposit online at NCIC.com
• Deposit at the kiosk in the Yellowstone County Detention Facility lobby, if available.
• Deposit over the phone 24/7 at 800-943-2189 or 903-247-0069 (Note: if you deposit money using a live agent the fee is $5.95).
Email – [email protected]
For all information on how to Text/Email an Inmate in Yellowstone County Detention Facility check out our Secure Messaging Guide for Yellowstone County.
We’ve compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for everything you need to know about Yellowstone County Detention Facility’s Text and Email Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 406-256-6881 for further assistance.
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Do Inmates in the Yellowstone County Detention Facility have Access to Tablets or Computers?
Yellowstone County Detention Facility offers NCIC tablets to rent to inmates that they can use for video visitation and calls, phone calls, instant messaging, education and entertainment.
They can also be used for commissary ordering.
Yellowstone County Detention Facility offers NCIC tablets to rent to inmates that they can use for video visitation and calls, phone calls, instant messaging, education and entertainment.
They can also be used for commissary ordering.
To find out more bout how much tablets cost to rent, and what programs, entertainment, education and other things it can be used for, check out our Tablet Page.
We’ve compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for everything you need to know about Yellowstone County Detention Facility’s Tablet Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 406-256-6881 for further assistance.
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What are the other Jails in the Neighboring Counties surrounding Yellowstone County?
This facility, known as "Yellowstone County Detention Facility" is also known as Yellowstone County Jail & Detention Facility, Yellowstone County Jail & Detention Facility, Montana, Yellowstone.
