Yellowstone County Detention Facility

Last updated by Mark Miclette

Search for an Inmate or Active Arrest Warrant in Yellowstone County

Yellowstone County Detention Facility

The 430-bed Yellowstone County Detention Facility answers calls about inmates 24 hours a day at 406-256-6881.

All misdemeanor and felony arrests in this county end up here for booking and processing. From there, an inmate may be released on bond, released on their own recognizance, or held until the outcome of their trial, depending on the charges.

The inmate search tool lists everyone who has been arrested and is still being held.

Sentences shorter than one year are served locally. Sentences of a year or more are served in the Montana State Prison System or the Federal Bureau of Prisons.

Here you can learn how to search the jail roster, get directions to the facility, and use inmate services such as visitation, inmate account deposits, mail, phone calls, voicemail, email and text messages, tablets, bail bonds, and commissary.

Before you send anything, get the inmate’s booking number or jail ID. If it doesn’t show up online, the staff at Yellowstone County Detention Facility can give it to you at 406-256-6881.

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

How Do You Find Someone in the Yellowstone County Detention Facility?

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.

Yellowstone County Detention Facility Inmate Bookings and Population

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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About the Yellowstone County Detention Facility

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.

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Recent Bookings & Arrests

Booking process details at Yellowstone County Detention Facility

When someone is arrested, they are taken to Yellowstone County Detention Facility 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 Yellowstone County Detention Facility 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.

For details on posting bond for an arrestee, call the facility at 406-256-6881.

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Directions / Map to the Yellowstone County Detention Facility
Inmate Bail and Bonding

How to post bail for a loved one in Yellowstone County

Once booked at Yellowstone County Detention Facility in Billings, 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 406-256-6881.

Several payment methods are available for bail.

  • Cash bonds are settled in full at the jail's bonding window or the clerk of court with cash, a cashier's check or a money order, and card payments are often available at a lobby kiosk or through an online bond vendor for a fee; bring the inmate's full name and booking number, and the jail can be reached at 406-256-6881.
  • Licensed bail bondsmen in Yellowstone County can assist with the process.
  • Many courts accept land or a house as bond collateral; the owner proves clear title and equity worth at least the bond amount, often double, with a deed and a recent tax or appraisal value, and the court that set bail approves the property.

For more details on the bail process in Yellowstone County, Montana, visit the Yellowstone County Detention Facility Bail Information Page.

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Inmate Visitation

How Do You Visit an Inmate in the Yellowstone County Detention Facility? What is the Schedule?

Yellowstone County Detention Facility ON-SITE (at the jail) VIDEO VISITATION SCHEDULE

3165 King Ave. East
Billings, MT 59101
406-256-6881

Schedule Video Visits online with NCIC

  • On-site Visits are free.
  • Visits are 20-30 minutes.
  • The actual time you can schedule a visit depends on when your inmate is allowed out of their cell.
  • Visitation schedule subject to change.
  • Inmates are allowed two visits per week
  • A maximum of 2 guests are allowed per an On-site video session. A 3rd guest is allowed if it is a child and no more than 6 years old.
  • All visits must be made at least 24 hours in advance.
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

Yellowstone County Detention Facility REMOTE (at home) VIDEO VISITATION SCHEDULE

  • All visits must be scheduled at least 24 hours in advance.
  • The actual time you can schedule a visit depends on when your inmate is allowed out of their cell.
  • Visitation Schedule subject to change.
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

Yellowstone County Detention Facility uses the services of NCIC for remote video visitation.

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.

Ask Yellowstone County Detention Facility whether a video visit made at the jail is free.



Costs
NCIC shows the price of a video visit before you confirm it. Rates are set by the provider and can change.
Ask Yellowstone County Detention Facility whether a video visit made at the jail is free.

How to set up your Video Visit

  • Register here.  
  • Select Yellowstone County Detention Facility
  • Select your inmate.
  • Choose your date and time.

Your inmate will be notified by the jail staff of the date and time for the visit. Be logged in and connected to NCIC before the scheduled start time.

NCIC Customer Service
Phone - 800-943-2189 or 903-247-0069
Email – info@ncic.com

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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Remote Video Visitation

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

Yellowstone County Detention Facility ON-SITE (at the jail) VIDEO VISITATION SCHEDULE

3165 King Ave. East
Billings, MT 59101
406-256-6881

Schedule Video Visits online with NCIC

  • On-site Visits are free.
  • Visits are 20-30 minutes.
  • The actual time you can schedule a visit depends on when your inmate is allowed out of their cell.
  • Visitation schedule subject to change.
  • Inmates are allowed two visits per week
  • A maximum of 2 guests are allowed per an On-site video session. A 3rd guest is allowed if it is a child and no more than 6 years old.
  • All visits must be made at least 24 hours in advance.
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

Yellowstone County Detention Facility REMOTE (at home) VIDEO VISITATION SCHEDULE

  • All visits must be scheduled at least 24 hours in advance.
  • The actual time you can schedule a visit depends on when your inmate is allowed out of their cell.
  • Visitation Schedule subject to change.
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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Inmate Money Accounts

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 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
Yellowstone County Detention Facility 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 Yellowstone County Detention Facility first as they may want you to do this online or at the jail kiosk instead.
Make the Money Order out to the payee the jail names (check with the jail first) and put their Inmate ID# in memo section of the Money Order. Never mail cash or a personal check.
Inmate's Full Name & Inmate Jacket Number
Yellowstone County Detention Facility
3165 King Ave. East
Billings, MT 59101


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 Yellowstone County

To deposit money online for an inmate in Yellowstone County Detention Facility follow these steps:

  • Register to open an account, or Sign In to JailATM, the deposit service used for inmates at Yellowstone County.
  • After registering and signing in, select 'Send Money Now'.
  • Choose Montana, then choose Yellowstone County Detention Facility
  • Type in your inmate's last name or their Inmate ID.
  • Select your inmate.
  • Input an amount to deposit to your inmate in Yellowstone County Detention Facility, and then input your payment method. 
  • NOTE: JailATM's support page lists a deposit limit of $300 a week per inmate and says the limit can be different at each facility.
  • If you need to phone JailATM customer support, call 877-810-0914.

For all information, tips and procedures for sending money to an inmate in Yellowstone County Detention Facility, or depositing money at the jail, over the phone or by mail, check out our Send Money 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 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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Inmate Phone Contact

How Do I Receive Phone Calls from an Inmate in the Yellowstone County Detention Facility?

How Does an Inmate Make Phone Calls in 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:

  • Register here, or by phone 800-943-2189
  • Choose Montana.
  • Choose Yellowstone County Detention Facility
  • Select your Inmate.
  • Enter the phone number your Inmate will be calling.
  • Fund your account.

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

  • Adding funds to your account: NCIC's terms cap the fee for an automated payment (web, phone menu or kiosk) at $3.00.
  • NCIC shows the current per-minute rate when you set up the account.
  • NCIC's terms put the live-agent fee for a phone payment or account set-up at no more than $5.95.

NCIC Customer Service
Phone - 800-943-2189 or 903-247-0069
Email – info@ncic.com
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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Mailing an Inmate

How do I Mail an Inmate in the Yellowstone County Detention Facility, and what can I send them?

Yellowstone County Detention Facility Inmate Mail Guidelines

Postcards
Check the Yellowstone County Detention Facility's mail rules before sending postcards or books. 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
Check the Yellowstone County Detention Facility's mail rules before sending postcards or books.
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.


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

Yellowstone County Detention Facility Inmate Mail Guidelines

Postcards
Check the Yellowstone County Detention Facility's mail rules before sending postcards or books.

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
Check the Yellowstone County Detention Facility's mail rules before sending postcards or books.
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.


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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Inmate Commissary

Can I purchase Commissary Online for an Inmate in the Yellowstone County Detention Facility, and what can I purchase?

JailATM – Send Money or Send Commissary Gift Packs to Yellowstone County Detention Facility

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.

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

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

  • Go to JailATM, choose Montana, then choose Yellowstone County Detention Facility
  • 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 Yellowstone County Detention Facility, and then input your payment method. 
  • NOTE: There may be a limit on how much product you can send your inmate in Yellowstone 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 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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Texting and Emailing an Inmate

How Can I Communicate with an Inmate in the Yellowstone County Detention Facility using an Online Messaging Service?

Yellowstone County Detention Facility uses the services of NCIC for you to deposit funds into your 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
•    Ask Yellowstone County Detention Facility whether it has an NCIC deposit kiosk and where it is.
•    Deposit over the phone 24/7 at 800-943-2189 or 903-247-0069 (Note: NCIC's terms put the live-agent fee for a phone payment or account set-up at no more than $5.95.)

NCIC Customer Service
Phone - 800-943-2189 or 903-247-0069
Email – info@ncic.com

How to Send a Secure Email Message to an Inmate in Yellowstone County

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 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
•    Ask Yellowstone County Detention Facility whether it has an NCIC deposit kiosk and where it is.
•    Deposit over the phone 24/7 at 800-943-2189 or 903-247-0069 (Note: NCIC's terms put the live-agent fee for a phone payment or account set-up at no more than $5.95.)
Email – info@ncic.com

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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Inmate Tablets

Do Inmates in the Yellowstone County Detention Facility have Access to Tablets or Computers?

Ask Yellowstone County Detention Facility whether NCIC tablets are available to inmates there.



How to Rent a Tablet for an Inmate at the Yellowstone County Detention Facility

Ask Yellowstone County Detention Facility whether NCIC tablets are available to inmates there.

Ask Yellowstone County Detention Facility what the tablets can be used for and whether there is a charge.

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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Other Jails Nearby

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

Yellowstone Carbon Stillwater Golden Valley Musselshell Big Horn Treasure Rosebud
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Search for an Inmate or Active Arrest Warrant in 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.