McKenzie County Jail

Search for an Inmate in McKenzie County

McKenzie County Jail Information

The McKenzie County Jail is a 136 bed jail in the city of Watford City, McKenzie County, North Dakota. You can call them 24 hours a day for inmate information at 701-842-6010.

Offenders arrested for misdemeanors and felonies in this county are brought here for booking and processing, and if their crime requires it, are incarcerated until they are either bonded out, are released from custody on their own recognizance, or are ordered to remain in custody until the disposition of their trial.

You can also use the inmate search tool to see this facility's roster of those who have been arrested and are still in custody.

Those who are found guilty and sentenced to a term of less than one year, will do their time in this county. Those sentenced to longer terms will be sent to either the North Dakota State Prison System or the Federal Bureau of Prisons.

This page provides information on how to search for an inmate in the official jail roster, or by calling the facility at 701-842-6010, 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.

It's always a good idea to find out and save the inmate's jail ID number or booking number as you may need this for sending mail or other communication needs. If you can't locate it online, you can call the McKenzie County Jail at 701-842-6010 to get it.

Phone: 701-842-6010

Physical Address:
1201 12th Street SE
Watford City, ND 58854

Mailing Address (personal mail):
Inmate's Full Name & Inmate ID #
McKenzie County Jail
201 12th Street SE
Suite B
Watford City, ND 58854

Mailing Address (legal mail or subscriptions):
Inmate's Full Name & Inmate ID #
McKenzie County Jail
201 12th Street SE
Suite B
Watford City, ND 58854

Other Jails and Prisons

How Do You Find Someone in the McKenzie County Jail?

To search for an inmate in the McKenzie 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 701-842-6010 for the information you are looking for. You can use an online app to look up an offender's criminal court case, their charges, court schedule and final disposition of their case.

McKenzie County Jail Inmate Search

We’ve compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for everything you need to know about finding an inmate in the McKenzie County Jail, how the jail rosters work and what happens after an offender is arrested and booked. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 701-842-6010 for further assistance.

The McKenzie County Jail maintains an average of 136 offenders in custody on any given day. The McKenzie 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 McKenzie County law enforcement agencies arrest and detain approximately 2,720 offenders.

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About the McKenzie County Jail
The McKenzie County Jail is a newly renovated facillity.

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 701-842-6010, 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 McKenzie 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 #
McKenzie County Jail
201 12th Street SE
Suite B
Watford City, ND 58854

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 #
McKenzie County Jail
201 12th Street SE
Suite B
Watford City, ND 58854

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Recent Bookings & Arrests

What is the booking process for the McKenzie County Jail?

After being arrested, the offender is brought to the McKenzie County Jail for booking, which is the detailed process of identifying, classifying, deciding on charges, and whether the person will either be released on their own recognizance, allowed to be released on bail, or moved into the jail until their court date.

The first thing every newly arrested person must do is close their mouth. Everything an offender says may be used against them, so the best thing to do is remain silent when questioned about the arrest and what led to it.

These are the steps of booking someone into the McKenzie County Jail:

  • Personal identification.
  • Mugshot(s).
  • Questions about medical history, mental health, drug and alcohol use, and gang affiliations.
  • Possible DNA.
  • Full body search.
  • Property forfeiture.
  • Free phone call.

Booking can take as little as an hour, or up to 48 hours on a busy weekend or holiday evening, or if the offender is violent, wasted or generally uncooperative. If you have any questions about when you can pay an offender's bond and what the cost will be, call the facility at 701-842-6010.

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Directions / Map to the McKenzie County Jail
Inmate Bail and Bonding

How do you pay bail for someone who has been arrested in [county_extended}?

When an offender is arrested and brought to the McKenzie County Jail in Watford City for booking, there are several outcomes after being processed.

1. The offender will be released with no bail, promising to return on a specific date to appear before a judge in either Municipal or McKenzie County Court.
2. The offender is ordered to remain in jail until their court date.
3. The offender is allowed to be released after paying a specified bond or bail.  Call 701-842-6010 to get the exact amount.

The payment of an offender's bail or bond can take many shapes.

  • If can be paid by cash, money order or credit card.
  • It can be paid using a bail company, licensed to do business in McKenzie County.
  • It can be paid by using a residential property in the county as collateral. 

For detailed Frequently Asked Questions and Answers about the entire bail process in McKenzie County North Dakota, check out the McKenzie County Jail Bail Page.

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Inmate Visitation

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

McKenzie County Jail ON-SITE VISITATION SCHEDULE

1201 12th Street SE
Watford City, ND 58854
701-842-6010

  • Visits are 30 minutes.
  • You must be on the inmate's visitor list.
  • The actual visitation times may depend on the inmate and their housing location. Call 701-842-6010 and get your inmate's times and make an appointment to visit.
  • Inmates are allowed one visit 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 VISITATION SCHEDULE - ALWAYS CALL 701-842-6010 TO CONFIRM VISITATION SCHEDULE!

DAY TIMES
SUNDAY 9:00AM - 11:00AM
2:00PM - 4:00PM
MONDAY 9:00AM - 11:00AM
2:00PM - 4:00PM
6:00PM - 8:00PM
TUESDAY 9:00AM - 11:00AM
2:00PM - 4:00PM
6:00PM - 8:00PM
WEDNESDAY 9:00AM - 11:00AM
2:00PM - 4:00PM
6:00PM - 8:00PM
THURSDAY 9:00AM - 11:00AM
2:00PM - 4:00PM
6:00PM - 8:00PM
FRIDAY 9:00AM - 11:00AM
2:00PM - 4:00PM
6:00PM - 8:00PM
SATURDAY 9:00AM - 11:00AM
2:00PM - 4:00PM

McKenzie County Jail uses the services of Reliance Telephone for video (visit) phone calls and for emailing/texting to inmates.

Note: This option may not be available for your inmate. When registering, check to see if devices are available.

Known as the 'Reliance Inmate Wallet', it makes funding jail communication easy. Payments made into an 'Inmate Wallet' account are linked to a dedicated telephone number for inmates who rent one of their Reliance Tablet Phones. Inmate Wallet funds can be used for personal inmate text messaging, voice calls and video calls.  The cost of this is $4.00 per month for rental of the Reliance Tablet Phone + $0.25 per minute for video and voice calls.

We’ve compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for everything you need to know about McKenzie County Jail’s Inmate Visitation Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 701-842-6010 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 McKenzie County Jail?

McKenzie County Jail uses the services of Reliance Telephone for video (visit) phone calls and for emailing/texting to inmates.

Note: This option may not be available for your inmate. When registering, check to see if devices are available.

  • Known as the 'Reliance Inmate Wallet', it makes funding jail communication easy. 
  • Payments made into an 'Inmate Wallet' account are linked to a dedicated telephone number for inmates who rent one of their Reliance Tablet Phones.
  • Inmate Wallet funds can be used for personal inmate text messaging, voice calls and video calls. 
  • The cost of this is $4.00 per month for rental of the Reliance Tablet Phone + $0.25 per minute for video and voice calls.

We’ve compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for everything you need to know about McKenzie County Jail’s Video Remote Visitation Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 701-842-6010 for further assistance.

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Inmate Money Accounts

How Do You Deposit Money for an Inmate in the McKenzie 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
McKenzie 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 McKenzie 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 #
McKenzie County Jail
201 12th Street SE
Suite B
Watford City, ND 58854


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 McKenzie County

To deposit money online for an inmate in McKenzie 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 McKenzie County.
  • After registering and signing in, select 'Send Money Now'.
  • Choose North Dakota, then choose McKenzie 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 McKenzie County Jail, and then input your payment method. 
  • NOTE: There may be a limit on how much money you can send your inmate in McKenzie 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 McKenzie County Jail, or depositing money at the jail, over the phone or by mail, check out our Send Money Page for McKenzie County.

We’ve compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for everything you need to know about McKenzie County Jail’s Inmate Money and Trust Fund Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 701-842-6010 for further assistance.

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Inmate Phone Contact

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

How Do Inmates in McKenzie County Jail Make Phone Calls?

To set up your McKenzie County inmate to make to make phone calls to you and others, follow these instructions:

For all the information you need in order to receive phone calls from your McKenzie County inmate, or to assist them in making calls to others, including instructions, fees, cost of calls, payment methods and times that your inmate can use the phone, check out our Inmate Phone Page.
NOTE: All of your communication with your inmate will be monitored and recorded. Use discretion when discussing sensitive information about their pending case.

We’ve compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for everything you need to know about McKenzie County Jail’s Inmate Phone Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 701-842-6010 for further assistance.

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Mailing an Inmate

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

McKenzie County Jail Inmate Mail Guidelines

Postcards
The McKenzie 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 McKenzie 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 #
McKenzie County Jail
201 12th Street SE
Suite B
Watford City, ND 58854



Legal Mail

Send all Legal Mail to this Address:
Inmate's Full Name & Inmate ID #
McKenzie County Jail
201 12th Street SE
Suite B
Watford City, ND 58854



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 McKenzie County Jail allows books to be mailed directly to the jail from a reputable source such as AmazonBarnes & 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 McKenzie 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 #
McKenzie County Jail
201 12th Street SE
Suite B
Watford City, ND 58854

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

For inmates receiving mail in the McKenzie 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 McKenzie County Jail:
Inmate's Full Name & Inmate ID #
McKenzie County Jail
201 12th Street SE
Suite B
Watford City, ND 58854


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 McKenzie County Jail’s Inmate Mail Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 701-842-6010 for further assistance.

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Inmate Commissary

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

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

Search for JailATM services for McKenzie County Jail.

Make an inmate deposit with JailATM for McKenzie County Jail. 

Note: While JailATM offers the following inmate services, McKenzie 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

McKenzie 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 McKenzie County

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

  • Go to JailATM, choose North Dakota, then choose McKenzie 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 McKenzie County Jail, and then input your payment method. 
  • NOTE: There may be a limit on how much product you can send your inmate in McKenzie 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 McKenzie County Jail check out our Commissary Instructions Page for McKenzie County.


 

We’ve compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for everything you need to know about McKenzie County Jail’s Commissary Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 701-842-6010 for further assistance.

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Texting and Emailing an Inmate

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

McKenzie County Jail uses the services of Reliance Telephone for emailing/texting to inmates.

Known as the 'Reliance Inmate Wallet', it makes funding jail communication easy. 

  • Payments made into an 'Inmate Wallet' account are linked to a dedicated telephone number for inmates who rent one of their Reliance Tablet Phones.
  • Inmate Wallet funds can be used for personal inmate text messaging, voice calls and video calls.  
  • Cost of texting is $4.00 per month for rental of the Reliance Tablet Phone + $0.09 per message sent or received up to 160 characters.

How Do Inmates in McKenzie County Jail Send and Receive Texts and Emails?

To set up your McKenzie County inmate to make to send and receive texts and emails to you and others, follow these instructions:

For all the information you need in order to send and receive texts and emails from your McKenzie County inmate, or to assist them in sending and receiving secure messages to and from others, including instructions, fees, cost of each message, tablet rentals, payment methods and times that your inmate can send messages, check out our Text/Email an Inmate Page.
NOTE: All of your communication with your inmate will be monitored and recorded. Use discretion when communicating sensitive information about their pending case.

We’ve compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for everything you need to know about McKenzie County Jail’s Text and Email Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 701-842-6010 for further assistance.

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Inmate Tablets

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

McKenzie County Jail uses the services of Reliance Telephone for video (visit) phone calls and for emailing/texting to inmates.

Note: This option may not be available for your inmate. When registering, check to see if tablets are available.

  • Known as the 'Reliance Inmate Wallet', it makes funding jail communication easy. 
  • Payments made into an 'Inmate Wallet' account are linked to a dedicated telephone number for inmates who rent one of their Reliance Tablet Phones.
  • Inmate Wallet funds can be used for personal inmate text messaging, voice calls and video calls. 
  • The cost of this is $4.00 per month for rental of the Reliance Tablet Phone + $0.25 per minute for video and voice calls.

We’ve compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for everything you need to know about McKenzie County Jail’s Tablet Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 701-842-6010 for further assistance.

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Are there photos of the McKenzie County Jail? What does it look like?
Other Jails Nearby

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

McKenzie Roosevelt Wibaux Richland Williams Mountrail Dunn Golden Valley Billings
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Search for an Inmate in McKenzie County

This facility, known as "McKenzie County Jail" is also known as McKenzie County Jail & Sheriff, McKenzie County Jail & Sheriff, North Dakota, McKenzie.