Effingham County Jail

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

How do I find out if someone has been arrested and booked into the Effingham County Jail? To find out if someone you know has been recently arrested and booked into the Effingham County Jail, call the jail’s booking line at 217-342-3866. 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. Effingham County Jail Booking Roster

Q: What happens during booking in Effingham County?

What happens during booking in Effingham 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 Effingham 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.

Q: What is the booking process like at the Effingham County Jail?

What is the booking process like at the Effingham 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 Effingham 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.

Q: What kind of questions are asked during booking?

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 with 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. If the offender remains in jail for any length of time, the Effingham 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 217-342-3866 during business hours.

Q: How long does the Effingham County Jail booking process take?

How long does the Effingham 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. What happens after an offender is booked into the Effingham County Jail? 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 Effingham 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.

Question 1

How Do You Find Someone in the Effingham County Jail?

Answer

To search for an inmate in the Effingham 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 217-342-3866 for the information you are looking for. You can also look up the Effingham County Criminal Court or any court in Illinois, as well as criminal court case information regarding an offender.

Effingham County Jail Inmate Search

The Effingham County Jail maintains an average of 60 offenders in custody on any given day. The Effingham 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 Effingham County law enforcement agencies arrest and detain approximately 1,200 offenders.

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Question 2

About the Effingham County Jail

Answer

Found in the Effingham County Building, along with the Sheriff’s Office, the 60-bed Effingham County Jail is responsible for the detention of all offenders arrested within the county by any law enforcement, and it is here they will remain as they wait for their trial or serve a sentence under a year, whether they are charged with misdemeanors or felonies.

The large brick complex is a series of buildings connected with the Sheriff, Courthouse, County Building, and Effingham County Jail that covers an entire city block and is easily located by both size and the well labeled entrances on two sides of the buildings. During incarceration it is the responsibility of the jail to ensure that all inmates have all their needs met, are treated humanely, and have a safe and secure location for incarceration. This will include healthy meal, medical care, mental health care, counseling and other supports, exercise and recreation, and access to social interactions and contact with family and friends.

To determine if someone is being held at the location and their bail the facility can be contacted directly by calling 217-342-3866 and there is a way to look online and access the information.

Bail can be paid online or onsite. Each inmate will also be provided with an account that provides access to commissary and other purchases, and it falls on friends and family to add money to this account which can be done online.

It is also possible to add money to their phone account which will allow them to make outgoing calls every day, while an account is also needed for visitation. All visits are scheduled at least two full days in advance, are 15 minutes in advance, with free onsite visits at the kiosks being 9am-11am and 1pm-4pm on both Tuesday and Saturday.

All personal mail is sent to:

Inmate's Full Name & Inmate ID #
Effingham County Jail
101 North Fourth Street
Suite 101
Effingham, IL 62401

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 #
Effingham County Jail
101 North Fourth Street
Suite 101
Effingham, IL 62401

Jail (Main): 217-342-3866
Sheriff: 217-342-2102

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Question 3

Recent Bookings & Arrests

Answer

Booking process details at Effingham County Jail

When someone is arrested, they are taken to Effingham County Jail for booking. This process involves verifying identity, assessing charges, and determining whether the person will be released on bail or detained.

It's crucial to remain silent during this process, as any statements could be used in court. Legal counsel should be consulted before making any comments about the arrest.

The booking process at Effingham County Jail typically involves the following steps:

Identifying the individual.
Taking a mugshot.
Health assessments and questions about criminal background.
DNA collection if applicable.
Conducting a full-body search.
Confiscating personal property.
Allowing a phone call.

Booking times can range from one hour to 48 hours. For details on posting bond for an arrestee, call the facility at 217-342-3866.

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Question 4

Directions / Map to the Effingham County Jail

Answer

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Question 5

Inmate Bail and Bonding

Answer

How to post bail for a loved one in Effingham County

Once booked at Effingham County Jail in Effingham, the individual has several possible outcomes:

1. Release without posting bail, with a commitment to appear in court.
2. Remaining in custody until their court date.
3. Posting bail or bond for release. For the exact amount, call 217-342-3866.

Several payment methods are available for bail.

Bail can be paid in cash, by credit card, or with a money order.
Licensed bail bondsmen in Effingham County can assist with the process.
Property within the county can also be used to pay bail.

For more details on the bail process in Effingham County, Illinois, visit the Effingham County Jail Bail Information Page.

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Question 6

Inmate Visitation

Answer

How Do You Visit an Inmate in the Effingham County Jail? What is the Schedule?

Effingham County Jail ON-SITE VIDEO VISITATION SCHEDULE

101 North 4th Street
Effingham, IL 62401
217-342-3866

Visits are 15 minutes.
You must be on the inmate's visitor list.
The actual visitation times may depend on the inmate and their housing location. Call 217-342-3866 and get your inmate's times and make an appointment to visit.
Inmates are allowed two visits per week.
A maximum of 2 guests are allowed per inmate.
Visitors must have a government issued photo ID.
Dress professionally with non-revealing clothing.

ON SITE VIDEO VISITATION SCHEDULE - ALWAYS CALL 217-342-3866 TO CONFIRM VISITATION SCHEDULE 48 HOURS IN ADVANCE!

DAY	TIMES
TUESDAY	9:00AM - 11:00AM 1:00PM - 4:00PM
SATURDAY	9:00AM - 11:00AM 1:00PM - 4:00PM

Effingham County Jail uses CIDNET for Remote Video Visitation between inmates and their friends and family.
Register here.

Frequently Asked Questions
Instructions on How to Use CIDNET
CIDNET Instrucciones
Contact Customer Support

We’ve compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for everything you need to know about Effingham County Jail’s Inmate Visitation Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 217-342-3866 for further assistance.

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Question 7

Remote Video Visitation

Answer

Can I Use My Computer or Phone to Have a Remote Video Visit with an Inmate in the Effingham County Jail?

Effingham County Jail uses CIDNET for Remote Video Visitation between inmates and their friends and family.
Register here.

Friends & Family Portal Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Instructions on How to Use CIDNET
CIDNET Instrucciones
Contact Customer Support

We’ve compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for everything you need to know about Effingham County Jail’s Video Remote Visitation Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 217-342-3866 for further assistance.

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Question 8

Inmate Money Accounts

Answer

How Do You Deposit Money for an Inmate in the Effingham County Jail?

There are FOUR options for putting money on an inmate's books:

Option 1 - Dropping Money at the Jail
Bring money to the jail in person.
Either the jail personnel will process the Inmate Account payment or you will use a Jail ATM self-serve kiosk in the lobbies that accepts cash, debit or credit cards.

Option 2 - Deposit Inmate Money Online
Effingham County Jail uses Jail ATM to process all online deposits to an inmate's account. The company 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. Call the Effingham County Jail first as they may want you to do this online or at the jail kiosk instead.
Make the Money Order out to the inmate's name and put their Inmate ID# in memo section of the Money Order.
Inmate's Full Name & Inmate ID #
Effingham County Jail
101 North Fourth Street
Suite 101
Effingham, IL 62401

Option 4 - Make an Inmate Deposit with Jail ATM over the Phone by calling 877-810-0914
To do this you will need the inmate's offender # (inmate ID #) and full legal name.

How to Deposit Money Online for an Inmate in Effingham County

To deposit money online for an inmate in Effingham County Jail follow these steps:

Register to open an account, or Sign In to JailATM, a service that acts as a bank for inmates in Effingham County.
After registering and signing in, select 'Send Money Now'.
Choose Illinois, then choose Effingham County Jail
Type in your inmate's last name or their Inmate ID.
Select your inmate.
Input an amount to deposit to your inmate in Effingham County Jail, and then input your payment method.
NOTE: There may be a limit on how much money you can send your inmate in Effingham County at any one time.
If you need to phone customer support, call 877-810-0914.

For all information, tips and procedures for sending money to an inmate in Effingham County Jail, or depositing money at the jail, over the phone or by mail, check out our Send Money Page for Effingham County.

We’ve compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for everything you need to know about Effingham County Jail’s Inmate Money and Trust Fund Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 217-342-3866 for further assistance.

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Question 9

Inmate Phone Contact

Answer

How Do I Receive Phone Calls from an Inmate in the Effingham County Jail?

How to Make and Receive Phone Calls and Video Phone Calls from an Inmate in Effingham County

To register and sign up for a phone account with CIDNET Inmate Phone Service, follow the instructions below:

Register and create an account with CIDNET.
Type in your Email, Time Zone and First & Last Name of your Effingham County Jail inmate.
1. Click the Create Account button.
2. Read the Terms of Use, then click Agree.
3. Login to your email and open the CIDNET email.
4. In the email, click the Complete Your Verification link.
5. Choose a Security PIN and a Password.
6. Click the Sign In button.
After logging in, from the Menu, choose the state of Illinois, then the Effingham County Jail, then your inmate's name.
Once you have completed this, the Effingham County Jail will have to give final approval for you to set up a phone account with your inmate.

For all the information you need to know, including instructions, policies, tips and solutions to possible issues regarding making phone calls with an inmate in Effingham County, visit our full page guide.

NOTE: All phone conversations are recorded. 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 phone 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 Effingham County Jail’s Inmate Phone Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 217-342-3866 for further assistance.

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Question 10

Mailing an Inmate

Answer

How do I Mail an Inmate in the Effingham County Jail, and what can I send them?

Effingham County Jail Inmate Mail Guidelines

Postcards
The Effingham 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 Effingham 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 #
Effingham County Jail
101 North Fourth Street
Suite 101
Effingham, IL 62401

Legal Mail

Send all Legal Mail to this Address:
Inmate's Full Name & Inmate ID #
Effingham County Jail
101 North Fourth Street
Suite 101
Effingham, IL 62401

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 Effingham 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 Effingham 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 #
Effingham County Jail
101 North Fourth Street
Suite 101
Effingham, IL 62401

Effingham County Jail Inmate Mail Policies and Address - What Can You Send, and Where?

For inmates receiving mail in the Effingham 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 Effingham County Jail:
Inmate's Full Name & Inmate ID #
Effingham County Jail
101 North Fourth Street
Suite 101
Effingham, IL 62401

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 Effingham County Jail’s Inmate Mail Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 217-342-3866 for further assistance.

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Question 11

Inmate Commissary

Answer

Can I purchase Commissary Online for an Inmate in the Effingham County Jail, and what can I purchase?

JailATM – Send Money or Send Commissary Gift Packs to Effingham County Jail

Search for JailATM services for Effingham County Jail.

Make an inmate deposit with JailATM for Effingham County Jail.

Note: While JailATM offers the following inmate services, Effingham County Jail 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

Effingham County Jail 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.

How to Send a Carepack Commissary Package Directly to an Inmate in Effingham County

To send a commissary carepack (food, snacks and goods) directly to an inmate in Effingham County Jail follow these steps:

Go to JailATM, choose Illinois, then choose Effingham County Jail
Type in your inmate's last name or their Inmate ID.
Select your inmate, and then you will be prompted to Register with them to open an account.
Select the products you want shipped to them at Effingham County Jail, and then input your payment method.
NOTE: There may be a limit on how much product you can send your inmate in Effingham County at any one time.
If you need to phone customer support, call 877-810-0914

For all information, tips and available items for shipping Commissary packages or sending money to an inmate in Effingham County Jail check out our Commissary Instructions Page for Effingham County.

We’ve compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for everything you need to know about Effingham County Jail’s Commissary Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 217-342-3866 for further assistance.

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Question 12

Texting and Emailing an Inmate

Answer

How Can I Communicate with an Inmate in the Effingham County Jail using an Online Messaging Service?

Effingham County Jail uses CIDNET for Digital Mail Messaging between inmates and their friends and family.
Register here.

Friends & Family Portal Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Instructions on How to Use CIDNET
CIDNET Instrucciones
Contact Customer Support

How to send a text or email to an inmate in Effingham County

To send and receive secure texts or emails from an inmate housed in Effingham County follow these instructions:

Register and create an account with CIDNET.
Choose a Security PIN and Password.
After logging in, from the Menu, choose the state of Illinois, then the Effingham County Jail, then your inmate's name.
Once you have completed this, the Effingham County Jail will have to give final approval for you to communicate by email with your chosen inmate.

For all the information you need to know, including instructions, policies, tips and solutions to possible issues with Texting and Emailing an inmate in Effingham County, visit our full page guide.

We’ve compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for everything you need to know about Effingham County Jail’s Text and Email Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 217-342-3866 for further assistance.

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Question 13

Inmate Tablets

Answer

Do Inmates in the Effingham County Jail have Access to Tablets or Computers?

Effingham County Jail may now offer CIDNET Tablet Rentals to their inmates.

CIDNET is the same company that handles inmate phone systems, video visitations, email and texting and digital letters.

The tablets can be rented on a monthly basis and while not directly connected to the internet, the inmates can use them for the following activities:

Phone Calls - Inmates may make calls directly from their tablet allowing for more privacy. The rates are the same as the phones in the unit, and the calls are still recorded and monitored.
eMessaging - Communicate via a text based message or picture. Fee based system.
Education - Free educational platform and course catalog that provides thousands of educational resources.
Self Help -Inmates have daily access to mental health and addiction recovery programming.
Music - Top-40, Hip-Hop, Country, Rock, Gospel, and more.
Law Library - Legal research with up-to-date case information.
eBooks - Thousands of available titles.
Religion - Religious resources for spiritual guidance.
Games - Inmates can play their favorite games. Available through monthly subscriptions
Facility Services - Digital access to submitted forms, requests, facility documents, and notifications from staff.

Here's how it works:

Register here.
Pay for the subscription.
You get charged the 1st of each month.
You get charged a full month even if it's only used for a partial month.
No activation or early termination fees.
Your inmate will recieve their tablet in 3-5 business days, after you pay.

We’ve compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for everything you need to know about Effingham County Jail’s Tablet Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 217-342-3866 for further assistance.

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Question 14

Are there photos of the Effingham County Jail? What does it look like?

Answer

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Question 15

Other Jails Nearby

Answer

What are the other Jails in the Neighboring Counties surrounding Effingham County?

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Effingham County Jail

Search for an Inmate in Effingham County

Effingham County Jail Information

Booking process details at Effingham County Jail

How to post bail for a loved one in Effingham County

Effingham County Jail ON-SITE VIDEO VISITATION SCHEDULE

Effingham County Jail uses CIDNET for Remote Video Visitation between inmates and their friends and family.
Register here.

There are FOUR options for putting money on an inmate's books:

How to Deposit Money Online for an Inmate in Effingham County

How to Make and Receive Phone Calls and Video Phone Calls from an Inmate in Effingham County

Effingham County Jail Inmate Mail Guidelines

Effingham County Jail Inmate Mail Policies and Address - What Can You Send, and Where?

JailATM – Send Money or Send Commissary Gift Packs to Effingham County Jail

How to Send a Carepack Commissary Package Directly to an Inmate in Effingham County

Effingham County Jail uses CIDNET for Digital Mail Messaging between inmates and their friends and family.
Register here.

How to send a text or email to an inmate in Effingham County

Effingham County Jail may now offer CIDNET Tablet Rentals to their inmates.

CIDNET is the same company that handles inmate phone systems, video visitations, email and texting and digital letters.

Search for an Inmate in Effingham County

Effingham County Jail

Search for an Inmate in Effingham County

Effingham County Jail Information

Booking process details at Effingham County Jail

How to post bail for a loved one in Effingham County

Effingham County Jail ON-SITE VIDEO VISITATION SCHEDULE

Effingham County Jail uses CIDNET for Remote Video Visitation between inmates and their friends and family. Register here.

There are FOUR options for putting money on an inmate's books:

How to Deposit Money Online for an Inmate in Effingham County

How to Make and Receive Phone Calls and Video Phone Calls from an Inmate in Effingham County

Effingham County Jail Inmate Mail Guidelines

Effingham County Jail Inmate Mail Policies and Address - What Can You Send, and Where?

JailATM – Send Money or Send Commissary Gift Packs to Effingham County Jail

How to Send a Carepack Commissary Package Directly to an Inmate in Effingham County

Effingham County Jail uses CIDNET for Digital Mail Messaging between inmates and their friends and family. Register here.

How to send a text or email to an inmate in Effingham County

Effingham County Jail may now offer CIDNET Tablet Rentals to their inmates.

CIDNET is the same company that handles inmate phone systems, video visitations, email and texting and digital letters.

Search for an Inmate in Effingham County

Inmate SearchEffingham County & City of Effingham

Inmate SearchState of Illinois and Federal Lockups

Effingham County JailContact Information

Effingham County Jail uses CIDNET for Remote Video Visitation between inmates and their friends and family.
Register here.

Effingham County Jail uses CIDNET for Digital Mail Messaging between inmates and their friends and family.
Register here.