Columbia County Jail

To search for an inmate in the Columbia 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 608-742-6476 for the information you are looking for. You can also look up the Criminal Court case of an offender in this county, online.

Columbia County Jail Inmate Search

The Columbia County Jail maintains an average of 165 offenders in custody on any given day. The Columbia 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 Columbia County law enforcement agencies arrest and detain approximately 7,620 offenders.

The following charts of Columbia 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 Columbia County Corrections Department, the state of Wisconsin Department of Corrections, as well as the United States Department of Justice and Census Bureau records. It represents every person in custody in Columbia 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 Columbia 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.

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

Columbia County Jail Inmate Video Visitation Schedule

403 Jackson Street
Portage, WI 53901
608-742-6476

• First, you must register, puchase data, and then schedule with CIDNET.
  
• Visits are 20 minutes. One visit per day.
• The more data you purchase, the less expensive each MB of data is.

ON SITE VIDEO VISITATION

REMOTE VIDEO VISITATION SCHEDULE

Columbia 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 Columbia County Jail’s Inmate Visitation Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 608-742-6476 for further assistance.

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

Columbia County Jail Inmate Video Visitation Schedule

403 Jackson Street
Portage, WI 53901
608-742-6476

• First, you must register, puchase data, and then schedule with CIDNET.
  
• Visits are 20 minutes. One visit per day.
• The more data you purchase, the less expensive each MB of data is.

ON SITE VIDEO VISITATION

REMOTE VIDEO VISITATION SCHEDULE

We’ve compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for everything you need to know about Columbia County Jail’s Video Remote Visitation Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 608-742-6476 for further assistance.

How Do You Deposit Money for an Inmate in the Columbia 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
Columbia 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 Columbia 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#
Columbia County Jail
403 Jackson Street
Portage, WI 53901

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 Columbia County

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

We’ve compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for everything you need to know about Columbia County Jail’s Inmate Money and Trust Fund Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 608-742-6476 for further assistance.

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

How to Make and Receive Phone Calls and Video Phone Calls from an Inmate in Columbia 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 Columbia 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 Wisconsin, then the Columbia County Jail, then your inmate's name.
• Once you have completed this, the Columbia 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 Columbia 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 Columbia County Jail’s Inmate Phone Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 608-742-6476 for further assistance.

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

Columbia County Jail Inmate Mail Guidelines

Postcards
The Columbia 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 Columbia 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#
Columbia County Jail
403 Jackson Street
Portage, WI 53901

Legal Mail

Send all Legal Mail to this Address:
Inmate's Full Name & Inmate ID#
Columbia County Jail
403 Jackson Street
Portage, WI 53901

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 Columbia 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 Columbia 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#
Columbia County Jail
403 Jackson Street
Portage, WI 53901

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

For inmates receiving mail in the Columbia 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 Columbia County Jail:
Inmate's Full Name & Inmate ID#
Columbia County Jail
403 Jackson Street
Portage, WI 53901

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 Columbia County Jail’s Inmate Mail Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 608-742-6476 for further assistance.

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

We’ve compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for everything you need to know about Columbia County Jail’s Commissary Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 608-742-6476 for further assistance.

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

Columbia 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 Columbia County

To send and receive secure texts or emails from an inmate housed in Columbia 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 Wisconsin, then the Columbia County Jail, then your inmate's name.
• Once you have completed this, the Columbia 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 Columbia County, visit our full page guide. 

We’ve compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for everything you need to know about Columbia County Jail’s Text and Email Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 608-742-6476 for further assistance.

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

Columbia 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 Columbia County Jail’s Tablet Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 608-742-6476 for further assistance.

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