El Paso County Downtown Detention Facility is a 1000-bed jail based in El Paso, El Paso County, Texas. You can reach them anytime for inmate information at 915-546-2212.
Arrested individuals, whether for misdemeanors or felonies, are brought here for booking and processing. Depending on the charges, they may remain incarcerated until they are either bonded out, released on their own recognizance, or held until their trial concludes.
The inmate search tool allows you to access the facility's inmate roster and see who is currently in custody.
Inmates sentenced to less than one year will serve their time at this jail. Sentences longer than one year result in transfers to either the Texas State Prison System or the Federal Bureau of Prisons.
This page provides all the information you need regarding inmate services, including the visitation schedule, how to fund an inmate's account, sending mail, receiving phone calls, voicemail, emailing and texting, tablet rentals, bail bond details, and commissary purchases.
It's important to save the inmate's jail ID or booking number for correspondence. If you cannot locate it online, contact El Paso County Downtown Detention Facility at 915-546-2212 for help.
Phone: 915-546-2212
Physical Address:
601 East Overland Ave.
El Paso, TX 79901
Mailing Address (personal mail):
Inmate's Full Name & Inmate #
El Paso County Jail, TX
P.O. Box 247
Phoenix, MD 21131
Mailing Address (legal mail or subscriptions):
Inmate's Full Name & Inmate #
El Paso County Downtown Detention Facility
601 East Overland Ave.
El Paso, TX 79901
Other Jails and Prisons
To search for an inmate in the El Paso County Downtown 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 915-546-2212 for the information you are looking for. You can also look up Criminal Court Cases in El Paso County and anywhere in Texas.
El Paso County Downtown Detention Facility Inmate Search
The El Paso County Downtown Detention Facility maintains an average of 1000 offenders in custody on any given day. The El Paso County Downtown 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 El Paso County law enforcement agencies arrest and detain approximately 50,240 offenders.
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Open since 1983, the El Paso County Downtown Detention Facility covers over 310,440 square feet and has a top capacity of 1000 inmates at any one time. To meet this need it consists of 9 floors of housing, 6 of them are used for housing male inmates and the other 3 of which are used for female inmates. It is a maximum security facility, which allows it to house even the most dangerous or those with long or violent criminal histories.
For convenience and to provide a full range of services the building also houses other sections and systems including the Warrants office, Jail Ministry, Bond and Trust, Border Patrol and Probation. Upon arrival detainees are taken to the intake and booking, where they will be assessed for their medical care requirements, mental health care needs, what housing assignment they will have, what security level is required, and what programs they are qualified for. Inmates may be waiting for their court date, they may be in trial, or they may be sentenced and serving that sentence at the El Paso County Downtown Detention Facility for the remainder of their required detention.
Medical care is provided at any time of the day or night, and mental health care is available as needed and on a regular basis with groups, counseling, and needed treatments, including having medical staff that provide prescriptions as directed and care for any injury or illness that occurs.
In addition to the basic needs of medical and mental health care, education is provided including GED programs, ESL, some religious programming and work programs that both provide an opportunity to give back to the community and to gain life skills and employable skills that will be useful after release. Anger management and social skills, recreational opportunities and activities, exercise and health education, and other programs such as the AA, a law library for research and resources, a library for recreational reading, and many other spaces and resources are present to encourage personal growth and development.
Prepaid phone services are available for those who register and this allows for inmates to make outgoing calls to their friends and family throughout the week, Learn more about the inmate phone service.
There are set visiting hours for odd floors Saturday 6pm-9pm and Sunday 8am-11am, and for even floors on Saturdays 8am-11am and Sunday 6pm-9pm and visits are 20 minutes in length for those who follow the dress code and other rules explained on the site.
Mail is permitted and can help to maintain the mental health of inmates, with their mail going to
Inmate's Full Name & Inmate #
El Paso County Jail, TX
P.O. Box 247
Phoenix, MD 21131.
Family members who have questions or are looking for their loved one can contact the facility by calling 915-546-2212 to determine if they are located at El Paso County Downtown Detention Facility.
After arrest, individuals are processed at El Paso County Downtown Detention Facility, where they undergo a series of steps that determine their charges and whether they’ll be released on their own recognizance, allowed to post bail, or held until their court date.
The first rule for anyone arrested is to remain silent. Anything they say can be used in court, so it’s best to speak only to an attorney about the incident.
Here are the typical stages of the booking process at El Paso County Downtown Detention Facility:
Booking time varies, with some cases completed in an hour, but more complex cases, or those involving uncooperative behavior, can take up to 48 hours. If you need details about an offender’s bail or bond, contact the facility at 915-546-2212.
If someone is taken to El Paso County Downtown Detention Facility in El Paso for booking, the next steps depend on their case:
1. The individual may be released without bail, under a promise to appear at a court hearing.
2. They could be held in custody until their trial.
3. They may post a bail or bond for release. To find out the exact bail amount, call 915-546-2212.
Bail payments can be handled in various ways.
For a comprehensive guide to the bail process in El Paso County, Texas, visit the El Paso County Downtown Detention Facility Bail FAQ page.
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How Do You Visit an Inmate in the El Paso County Downtown Detention Facility? What is the Schedule?
| DAY | INMATES | TIME |
| SAT | odd floors (3rd, 5th, 7th, 9th, 11th) |
8:00am to 11:00am |
| SUN | odd floors (3rd, 5th, 7th, 9th, 11th) |
6:00pm to 9:00pm |
| SAT | even floors (4th, 6th, 8th, 10th) |
8:00am to 11:00am |
| SUN | even floors (4th, 6th, 8th, 10th) |
6:00pm to 9:00pm |
El Paso County Downtown Detention Facility REMOTE (at home) VIDEO VISITATION SCHEDULE
| DAY | TIME |
| SUNDAY | 9:00 AM - 8:30PM |
| MONDAY | 9:00 AM - 8:30PM |
| TUESDAY | 9:00 AM - 8:30PM |
| WEDNESDAY | 9:00 AM - 8:30PM |
| THURSDAY | 9:00 AM - 8:30PM |
| FRIDAY | 9:00 AM - 8:30PM |
| SATURDAY | 9:00 AM - 8:30PM |
How it Works with GettingOut
1. Register an account.
2. Select El Paso County Downtown Detention Facility
3. Choose either an INMATE ACCOUNT or FRIENDS & FAMILY ACCOUNT.
4. You will then receive prompts to validate both your identity and phone number .
5. Again, choose your inmate's facility, then type their name and select your inmate.
GettingOut will then guide you through the steps needed to arrange your remote visit.
Customer Service for GettingOut
If you have any questions, you can call them at 866-516-0115.
GettingOut online contact form
Frequently Asked Questions
The GettingOut App is available on Google Play and Apple Store.
To visit an inmate in El Paso County, whether by video or in person 'at the jail', follow these steps:
Other than 'at the jail' visits between you and your inmate, which is explained and outlined in detail on our Visit Inmate Page, El Paso County remote video inmate visitation can be done using the services of GettingOut.
There are three ways to remotely visit your inmate in El Paso County Downtown Detention Facility:
1. Using the GettingOut Kiosk at the jail.
2. Using your computer from home.
3. Using your phone on the GettingOut apps.
To remotely visit an inmate in El Paso County follow these steps:
1. Start by confirming that El Paso County Downtown Detention Facility's Video Visitation is working correctly by looking up El Paso County here.
2. The next step is to create an account here for GettingOut.
3. Then add funds to your account.
4. Last, select El Paso County Downtown Detention Facility, and then the inmate you wish to communicate with.
Other El Paso County Services provided by GettingOut:
- Phone Calls & Voicemail
- Email, Photo & Video Sharing
- Inmate Tablet Rental
- Deposits
Customer Service
If you have any questions about the El Paso County Downtown Detention Facility Visitation Services you can call them at 866-516-0115.
Frequently Asked Questions
* All the information you need to have complete knowledge about inmate visitation; policies, rules, fees, schedules, tips, dress codes, and children, lawyers and clergy visitation in El Paso County, can be found on our Visit Inmate Page.
El Paso County Downtown Detention Facility Phone: 915-546-2212
We’ve compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for everything you need to know about El Paso County Downtown Detention Facility’s Inmate Visitation Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 915-546-2212 for further assistance.
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Can I Use My Computer or Phone to Have a Remote Video Visit with an Inmate in the El Paso County Downtown Detention Facility?
| DAY | TIME |
| SUNDAY | 9:00 AM - 8:30PM |
| MONDAY | 9:00 AM - 8:30PM |
| TUESDAY | 9:00 AM - 8:30PM |
| WEDNESDAY | 9:00 AM - 8:30PM |
| THURSDAY | 9:00 AM - 8:30PM |
| FRIDAY | 9:00 AM - 8:30PM |
| SATURDAY | 9:00 AM - 8:30PM |
We’ve compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for everything you need to know about El Paso County Downtown Detention Facility’s Video Remote Visitation Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 915-546-2212 for further assistance.
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How Do You Deposit Money for an Inmate in the El Paso County Downtown 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.
Use the self-serve kiosk in the lobbies that accepts cash, debit or credit cards.
Option 2 - Deposit Inmate Money Online
El Paso County Downtown Detention Facility uses Touchpay 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.
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 #
El Paso County Downtown Detention Facility
601 East Overland Ave.
El Paso, TX 79901
Option 4 - Make an Inmate Deposit over the Phone
Touchpay will accept deposits over the phone with a debit or credit card.
To do this you will need the inmate's offender # (inmate ID #) and full legal name.
To deposit money into the account of an inmate in El Paso County, follow these instructions:
For all the information you need regarding making an inmate deposit, what it costs, how much you can send, how long it takes for your inmate to receive funds and more, and to get the Facility Locator Number, check out our Send Money Page.
We’ve compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for everything you need to know about El Paso County Downtown Detention Facility’s Inmate Money and Trust Fund Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 915-546-2212 for further assistance.
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How Do I Receive Phone Calls from an Inmate in the El Paso County Downtown Detention Facility?
Follow these instructions on how to open an account with GTL Connect Network (aka Viapath Technologies)
For full instructions on the El Paso County Downtown Detention Facility Inmate Phone System, what the costs are, how it works, and tips and guidelines on rules, regulations and saving money on calls, check out our Inmate Phones Page.
We’ve compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for everything you need to know about El Paso County Downtown Detention Facility’s Inmate Phone Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 915-546-2212 for further assistance.
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How do I Mail an Inmate in the El Paso County Downtown Detention Facility, and what can I send them?
Postcards
The El Paso County Downtown Detention Facility 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 El Paso County Downtown 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 #
El Paso County Jail, TX
P.O. Box 247
Phoenix, MD 21131
Legal Mail
Send all Legal Mail to this Address:
Inmate's Full Name & Inmate #
El Paso County Downtown Detention Facility
601 East Overland Ave.
El Paso, TX 79901
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
The El Paso County Downtown Detention Facility 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 below.
Books must NOT contain images or content that are considered excessively violent, pornographic or obscene. Any book that does not meet the El Paso County Downtown Detention Facility standards will be disposed of. No more than three books may be shipped at any one time.
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 #
El Paso County Downtown Detention Facility
601 East Overland Ave.
El Paso, TX 79901
Postcards
The El Paso County Downtown Detention Facility 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.
Envelopes
The El Paso County Downtown 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 #
El Paso County Jail, TX
P.O. Box 247
Phoenix, MD 21131
Legal Mail
Send all legal Mail to this Address:
Inmate's Full Name & Inmate #
El Paso County Downtown Detention Facility
601 East Overland Ave.
El Paso, TX 79901
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
The El Paso County Downtown Detention Facility 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 below.
Books must NOT contain images or content that are considered excessively violent, pornographic or obscene. Any book that does not meet the El Paso County Downtown Detention Facility standards will be disposed of. No more than three books may be shipped at any one time.
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 #
El Paso County Downtown Detention Facility
601 East Overland Ave.
El Paso, TX 79901
We’ve compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for everything you need to know about El Paso County Downtown Detention Facility’s Inmate Mail Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 915-546-2212 for further assistance.
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Can I purchase Commissary Online for an Inmate in the El Paso County Downtown Detention Facility, and what can I purchase?
The service they use is called icaregifts.
Instructions
1. Register here.
2. Click the "Find an Inmate" button and enter your loved one’s first name, last name, or inmate number. When the information is entered correctly, click the “Search” button to confirm they are in the system.
3. Select the icare gift you want to send them.
4. Confirm the order in your confirmation email.
5. El Paso County Downtown Detention Facility has up to 30 days to give your icaregift pack to your inmate.
6. You will receive a confirmation email when it is delivered.
There are a total of fourteen (14) pre-determined icaregift packs available to choose from.
They range in price from $10.49 for ten pre-stamped envelopes, 2 pens and a pad of writing paper…
… to $104.99 for a box of 85 snack and food items…
… with many gift packs priced in between.
Resources
Frequently Asked Questions (you must have an inmate chosen in order to review these FAQs for El Paso County Downtown Detention Facility
Contact Info:
888-439-5020 - 8AM–9PM ET, 7 days a week.
To send a commissary carepack (food, snacks and goods) directly to an inmate in El Paso County Downtown Detention Facility follow these steps:
For all information, tips and available items for shipping Commissary packages to an inmate in El Paso County Downtown Detention Facility, as well as sending money to the inmate so that they can purchase their own items, check out our Commissary Instructions Page for El Paso County.
We’ve compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for everything you need to know about El Paso County Downtown Detention Facility’s Commissary Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 915-546-2212 for further assistance.
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How Can I Communicate with an Inmate in the El Paso County Downtown Detention Facility using an Online Messaging Service?
El Paso County Downtown Detention Facility contracts with GTL GettingOut, the same service that handles Inmate Phone Systems and Video Visitation, for sending secure messages and photos between you and your inmate.
If you are not already registered, do so here, or Log in.
Then use the Facility Finder to:
1. Select El Paso County Downtown Detention Facility,
2. Add your inmate to your list of contacts,
3. Add a credit or debit card to cover your costs.
How Messaging Works
Watch this video on how to send a message.
1. Messages can be up to 500 characters long, including punctuation. At the bottom of your message there is a 'character countdown' feature.
2. After you click the “CONTINUE” button, you can review the cost to send your message to your inmate. You can also attach credits for your inmate to reply to your message. Be sure to accept the Terms and Conditions and click the “SEND” button for your message to be successfully delivered to your inmate.
How Uploading Photos Works
Watch this video on how to upload a photo.
1. Select the Photos Tab.
2. Select “Take New Photo” or “Upload New Photo”.
3. Take a new photo with your webcam, or select "Choose File" to upload a photo from your computer.
4. Give your photo a Title or add it to the "Gallery" of your choice.
5. Select the "Share" button.
6. Select your inmate(s) and then select "Share".
7. Once the photo is approved, it will be shared with your inmate(s).
Customer Service Questions
'Online' Contact Form, or
Call 866-516-0115
To mail or email an inmate in El Paso County follow these steps:
When mailing a letter or postcard to an inmate, please follow these instructions:
Emailing Messages & Photos
Facility_name_1} contracts with GTL GettingOut, the same service that handles iInmate Phone Systems and Video Visitation, for sending secure messages and photos between you and your inmate.
If you are not already registered, do so here, or Log in.
Then use the Facility Finder to:
1. Select El Paso County Downtown Detention Facility,
2. Add your inmate to your list of contacts,
3. Add a credit or debit card to cover your costs.
Customer Service Questions
'Online' Contact Form, or
Call 866-516-0115
Go here to this FAQ to get answers to how the transition to ViaPath from GTL and gettingout will affect your account.
All the information you need to understand mail and email policies for El Paso County can be found on our Inmate Mail Page and our Text/Email an Inmate Page.
We’ve compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for everything you need to know about El Paso County Downtown Detention Facility’s Text and Email Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 915-546-2212 for further assistance.
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Do Inmates in the El Paso County Downtown Detention Facility have Access to Tablets or Computers?
The devices are similar to common handheld tablets, but are made exclusively by GettingOut, a GTL / Viapath company.
Tablets offer specialized content and services for inmates to use during their stay at El Paso County Downtown Detention Facility, such as:
- Free services are already available for use on the device at El Paso County Downtown Detention Facility.
- Subscription services are funded separately by family and friends with deposits made into an inmate’s Debit Link account.
- El Paso County Downtown Detention Facility Inmates will then be able to purchase subscription services and premium content to enjoy.
What Does a Tablet Cost?
To estimate costs for tablets and other services such as phone calls, sign in to your account and click “Rate & Fees Calculator” in the footer (bottom of the page), but the following gives you a general idea.
Game Center:
30-Day Subscription: $4.99, with an additional $1.00 service infrastructure charge ($5.99)
Fourteen-Day Subscription: $2.99, with an additional $0.75 service infrastructure charge ($3.74)
Seven-Day Subscription: $1.99, with an additional $0.50 service infrastructure charge ($2.49)
Unlimited eBooks:
Thirty-Day Subscription: $1.99, with an additional $1.00 service infrastructure charge ($2.99)
Fourteen-Day Subscription: $0.99, with an additional $0.75 service infrastructure charge ($1.74)
Seven-Day Subscription: $0.49, with an additional $0.50 service infrastructure charge ($0.99)
Streaming Music:
Thirty-Day Subscription: $8.99, with an additional $16.00 service infrastructure charge ($24.99)
Fourteen-Day Subscription: $5.99, with an additional $9.00 service infrastructure charge ($14.99)
Seven-Day Subscription: $2.99, with an additional $5.00 service infrastructure charge ($7.99)
Newsfeed
Thirty-Day Subscription: $3.99, with an additional $6.00 service infrastructure charge ($9.99)
Fourteen-Day Subscription: $1.99, with an additional $5.00 service infrastructure charge ($6.99)
Seven-Day Subscription: $0.99, with an additional $3.00 service infrastructure charge ($3.99)
Same Day Subscription Services
Game Center: $0.99, with an additional $0.50 service infrastructure charge ($1.49)
Unlimited eBooks: $0.25, (Total = 0.25)
Newsfeed: $0.24, with an additional $0.75 service infrastructure charge ($0.99)
FM Radio: $0.24, with an additional $0.25 service infrastructure charge ($0.49)
All Subscription and message credit pricing is subject to state and local taxes.
Replacement Components - should your inmate break it...
Tablet: $249.99 per each
Charger: $8.99 per each
Earbuds: $2.99 per each
To find out how to get access to a tablet for inmate read the following:
1. First, Register or Sign In to GettingOut/GTL
2. Purchase the services you want for your El Paso County Downtown Detention Facility inmate.
3. All inmates have free access to the tablets to read their letters from family & friends, but there are many other services available to keep your inmate busy while incarcerated... such as Games, Books, Music and Movies. These other services come with fees that you can pay for when you pay for phone service.
To learn more about Tablet Rentals for inmates, including the cost, all the services available and everything else you need to know, check out our Tablet Rental Page.
We’ve compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for everything you need to know about El Paso County Downtown Detention Facility’s Tablet Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 915-546-2212 for further assistance.
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What are the other City and County Jails in El Paso County?
What are the other Jails in the Neighboring Counties surrounding El Paso County?
This facility, known as "El Paso County Downtown Detention Facility" is also known as EPCDF - El Paso Downtown Jail.
