Pennington County Jail is a 74-bed facility based in Thief River Falls, Pennington County, Minnesota. For inmate information, you can call the facility 24/7 at 218-416-7097.
Offenders arrested for misdemeanors or felonies are processed at this facility. After booking and processing, they may remain incarcerated until they are bonded out, released on recognizance, or held until their trial concludes.
The inmate search tool provides access to the current roster of inmates.
Inmates sentenced to less than one year will serve their time here, while those with longer sentences are transferred to either the Minnesota State Prison System or the Federal Bureau of Prisons.
This page provides detailed information on services such as the visitation schedule, funding an inmate’s account, sending mail, phone calls, voicemail, email and texting, tablet rentals, bail bond details, and commissary purchases.
Be sure to save the inmate’s jail ID or booking number for communication purposes. If you can’t find it online, you can call Pennington County Jail at 218-416-7097 for assistance.
Phone: 218-416-7097
Physical Address:
102 First Street West
Thief River Falls, MN 56701
Mailing Address (personal mail):
Inmate's Full Name & Inmate ID #
Pennington County Jail
102 1st Street West
Thief River Falls, MN 56701
Mailing Address (legal mail or subscriptions):
Inmate's Full Name & Inmate ID #
Pennington County Jail
102 1st Street West
Thief River Falls, MN 56701
Other Jails and Prisons
To search for an inmate in the Pennington County Jail, 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 218-416-7097 for the information you are looking for. You can also look up any offender's court case online with the Minnesota Court Records Online application.
Pennington County Jail Inmate Search
The Pennington County Jail maintains an average of 74 offenders in custody on any given day. The Pennington County Jail 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 Pennington County law enforcement agencies arrest and detain approximately 1,480 offenders.
The following charts of Pennington 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 Pennington County Corrections Department, the state of Minnesota Department of Corrections, as well as the United States Department of Justice and Census Bureau records. It represents every person in custody in Pennington 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 Pennington 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.
⇓ Learn more ⇓ Show less
The 74-bed Pennington County Jail is responsible for the housing and care of those who are accused or convicted of committing a misdemeanor or felony in Pennington County as they wait for their trial or as they serve their sentence, usually less than one year.
It serves many law enforcement organizations including the Sheriff’s Department, local police, Immigration, and other surrounding counties as needed.
If you have questions regarding an inmate or the programs and services provided, the staff can be reached at 218-416-7097, and an online listing of all the detainees is published for your own investigation.
Upon intake, the booking process is completed, which includes a medical screening, fingerprinting and mugshots, DNA sample, along with an assessment to determine security needs, medical needs, mental health requirements, and housing assignment.
Staff is available to transport all inmates to court dates and any medical appointments or emergency needs, as well as inspecting all mail for contraband, receiving commissary funds and other money for inmates, maintaining the safety of the community and the security of the facility, and other tasks.
The Pennington County Jail also provides several other services to inmates including basic needs in meals, laundry, and hygiene items, and programs including AA, counseling, religious programs, education, recreation, and opportunities to grow social and life skills.
Along with the efforts made by the staff, reduced recidivism is seen when inmates are able to stay in contact and supported by their family or friends who are not incarcerated so mail, phones, and visits are provided.
Visits are in person, and are via video and an account is created online to book and complete visits, allowing both visitors and inmates to schedule a visit.
Phone accounts are also registered online, and allow for inmates to make outgoing calls during the daytime and evening hours when they are not participating in a task or program.
Information for money for an inmate’s commissary can be found on our Inmate Money page.
All personal mail is sent to:
Inmate's Full Name & Inmate ID #
Pennington County Jail
102 1st Street West
Thief River Falls, MN 56701
Staff will open each piece and look for contraband, which is removed before it is given to the inmate.
Legal mail, money orders, books and newspaper and magazine subscriptions are mailed to:
Inmate's Full Name & Inmate ID #
Pennington County Jail
102 1st Street West
Thief River Falls, MN 56701
How do I find out if someone has been arrested and booked into the Pennington County Jail?
What happens during booking in Pennington County?
What is the booking process like at the Pennington County Jail?
What kind of questions are asked during booking?
How long does the Pennington County Jail booking process take?
What happens with an offender’s personal property during booking?
To find out if someone you know has been recently arrested and booked into the Pennington County Jail, call the jail’s booking line at 218-416-7097.
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.
Pennington County Jail 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 Pennington 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 Pennington County and other Minnesota 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.
If the offender remains in jail for any length of time, the Pennington County Jail will allow a friend or family member to pick up the inmate's property if the offender gives written authorization for a named person to do so.
To find out the days and times for picking up an inmate's property, and what you will need to bring to verify your identity, call the jail at 218-416-7097 during business hours.
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.
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 Pennington 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.
Does Pennington County have bail?
What kind of bonds are accepted in Pennington County?
Who can set bail in Pennington County?
When is bail set in Pennington County Minnesota?
Yes, Pennington County recognizes most types of bonds.
Pennington County recognizes most types of bonds. The court will consider what type of bonds will be accepted depending on the circumstances of the arrest. Minnesota offers several types of pre-trial release including unconditional, conditional, or cash/surety bail.
Depending on the charge(s) bail may be set according to a bail schedule or at the discretion of the judge.
Bail is set at the defendant’s first court hearing, or arraignment. State law requires this hearing be scheduled within 48 hours of arrest, except for weekends or holidays.
Learn even more ⇓ Learn more ⇓ Show less
How Do You Visit an Inmate in the Pennington County Jail? What is the Schedule?
102 First Street West
Thief River Falls, MN 56701
218-416-7097
ON SITE VIDEO VISITATION SCHEDULE - SCHEDULE THROUGH INMATE CANTEEN.COM
| DAY | TIMES |
| SUNDAY |
9:30AM - 11:10AM 7:00PM - 8:40PM |
| MONDAY | 7:30AM - 8:40AM 9:30 AM - 11:10AM 7:00PM - 8:40PM |
| TUESDAY | 9:30AM - 11:10AM |
| WEDNESDAY | 7:30AM - 8:40AM 9:30 AM - 11:10AM 7:00PM - 8:40PM |
| THURSDAY | 7:30AM - 8:40AM 9:30 AM - 11:10AM 7:00PM - 8:40PM |
| FRIDAY | 9:30AM - 11:10AM |
| SATURDAY |
9:30AM - 11:10AM 7:00PM - 8:40PM |
Pennington County Jail uses the services of Inmate Canteen for 'At the Jail' Visitation with Inmates.
For best results use Google Chrome as your browser for accessing Inmate Canteen.
Instructions on Inmate Video Visitation:
To register and sign up for a remote visitation account with Inmate Canteen to communicate with your Pennington County Jail inmate, follow the instructions below:
Instructions for Inmate Video Visitation:
- Register or Log in to your account
- Select Pennington County Jail and the inmate you wish to visit.
- Select the "Video Visit an Inmate" option
- Follow the prompts on screen to schedule the visit.
For all the information you need to know, including instructions, policies, tips and solutions to possible issues regarding visiting with an inmate (both at the jail and remotely) in Pennington County, visit our full page guide.
NOTE: All video visits are recorded and stored. Whatever you talk about, can and will be used against your inmate in court. Never discuss their pending criminal case!
Also, be warned that some video visits providers are collecting voice prints for a database which law enforcement agencies are building.
We’ve compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for everything you need to know about Pennington County Jail’s Inmate Visitation Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 218-416-7097 for further assistance.
Learn even more ⇓ Learn more ⇓ Show less
Can I Use My Computer or Phone to Have a Remote Video Visit with an Inmate in the Pennington County Jail?
For best results use Google Chrome as your browser for accessing Inmate Canteen.
Instructions on Inmate Video Visitation:
We’ve compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for everything you need to know about Pennington County Jail’s Video Remote Visitation Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 218-416-7097 for further assistance.
Learn even more ⇓ Learn more ⇓ Show less
How Do You Deposit Money for an Inmate in the Pennington County Jail?
We’ve compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for everything you need to know about Pennington County Jail’s Inmate Money and Trust Fund Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 218-416-7097 for further assistance.
Learn even more ⇓ Learn more ⇓ Show less
How Do I Receive Phone Calls from an Inmate in the Pennington County Jail?
We’ve compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for everything you need to know about Pennington County Jail’s Inmate Phone Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 218-416-7097 for further assistance.
Learn even more ⇓ Learn more ⇓ Show less
How do I Mail an Inmate in the Pennington County Jail, and what can I send them?
Postcards
The Pennington County Jail 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 Pennington County Jail 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 ID #
Pennington County Jail
102 1st Street West
Thief River Falls, MN 56701
Legal Mail
Send all Legal Mail to this Address:
Inmate's Full Name & Inmate ID #
Pennington County Jail
102 1st Street West
Thief River Falls, MN 56701
Newspapers
Newspapers may also be mailed to an inmate as long as they are shipped directly from the 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 Pennington County Jail 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 noted.
Books must NOT contain images or content that are considered excessively violent, pornographic or obscene. Any book that does not meet the Pennington County Jail standards will be disposed of.
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 ID #
Pennington County Jail
102 1st Street West
Thief River Falls, MN 56701
For inmates receiving mail in the Pennington County Jail there are different addresses and policies depending on the inmate's status, as well as what type of mail they are receiving; personal mail, legal mail, subscriptions or books sent from a third-party such as Amazon.
All mail is to be shipped to the Pennington County Jail:
Inmate's Full Name & Inmate ID #
Pennington County Jail
102 1st Street West
Thief River Falls, MN 56701
For complete information on mail policies, what you can send an inmate and what address to send them, check out our Inmate Mail page.
We’ve compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for everything you need to know about Pennington County Jail’s Inmate Mail Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 218-416-7097 for further assistance.
Learn even more ⇓ Learn more ⇓ Show less
Can I purchase Commissary Online for an Inmate in the Pennington County Jail, and what can I purchase?
We’ve compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for everything you need to know about Pennington County Jail’s Commissary Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 218-416-7097 for further assistance.
Learn even more ⇓ Learn more ⇓ Show less
How Can I Communicate with an Inmate in the Pennington County Jail using an Online Messaging Service?
We’ve compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for everything you need to know about Pennington County Jail’s Text and Email Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 218-416-7097 for further assistance.
Learn even more ⇓ Learn more ⇓ Show less
Do Inmates in the Pennington County Jail have Access to Tablets or Computers?
We’ve compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for everything you need to know about Pennington County Jail’s Tablet Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 218-416-7097 for further assistance.
Learn even more ⇓ Learn more ⇓ Show less
What are the other Jails in the Neighboring Counties surrounding Pennington County?
This facility, known as "Pennington County Jail" is also known as Pennington County Jail , Pennington County Jail , Minnesota, Pennington.
