Kent County Jail

In the case of inmates suspected of having a reportable communicable disease, they will be isolated, and immediate arrangements will be made for their transfer to a facility equipped to handle such diseases. If the admitting facility can safely and effectively segregate and provide the required medical treatment, the transfer may not be necessary.

To identify veterans among the prisoners, each sheriff/operator is responsible for investigating and verifying their veteran status. This can be done by utilizing data from the Veterans Reentry Search Service (VRSS) operated by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs or a similar service.

Once veterans are identified, the sheriff/operator must provide assistance to them in applying for federal benefits or compensation for which they may be eligible under programs administered by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs. This assistance may include direct support from qualified claims counselors, issuance of referral cards, or similar forms of assistance.

A log of positive VRSS returns, including the prisoner number and whether a referral card was issued, must be maintained by each sheriff. If a referral card was not issued, a reason should be provided in the log.

In cases where inmates have special medical or mental health needs, "health tags" indicating such needs will be noted in their medical records. These tags will be brought to the attention of health personnel and/or the supervisor on duty to ensure appropriate care and attention.

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

To find out if someone you know has been recently arrested and booked into the Kent County Jail, call the jail’s booking line at 806-237-3801.

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.

Kent County Jail Booking Roster

What happens during booking in Kent 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 Kent 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 Kent 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 Kent County and other Texas 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 Kent 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 Kent 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.