Genesee County Jail

We are glad you came to this page. Our goal is to give you the best help for your Genesee County Jail needs. We have put key facts here for you. Look below to find what you seek. We aim to make this clear and easy to use for all who visit.

If you need to check if some one is in jail right now, you can use this site: https://geneseecountyjails.org/. Go there to start your Genesee County Jail inmate check fast. It helps you find people held in the lock up. This page gives more details on the jail rules, how to send mail, how to visit, and more. Keep read ing for full info on the jail.

Genesee County Jail Location and Contact (Michigan)

Physical Address

The Genesee County Jail is run by the Sheriff. It is found in the city of Flint. Use this place for visits or mail, if mail rules allow. Check mail rules first.

• Address: 1002 South Saginaw Street, Flint, MI 48502

Phone Numbers

You can call the jail for facts. Use the right line for your need. Do not call 911 for jail info.

• Non-Emergency Sheriff Line: 810-257-3422

• Inmate Information Line: 810-257-3426

Use the inmate line to ask about who is in the jail. You can also ask about bail sums. Staff can give you facts on book ing state. Call times may be set. Ask when you call.

Genesee County Sheriff's Office Website

More facts can be found on the web. The Sheriff runs the jail. Their site has news and forms. Look here for rule updates too.

• Website: https://www.gcsomichigan.com/

This site is the main source for jail news. Check it first for the most up to date facts. It has forms you may need. It lists Sheriff news too. The site helps you know the rules well. It can save you time. Find links to the right parts of the jail there.

Finding an Inmate in Genesee County Jail

Using the Inmate Information Line

The best way to find some one in the jail is to call. Use the Inmate Information line: 810-257-3426. Staff can check names for you. They can tell you if a per son is held there. They might give bail facts too. Be ready to give the full name. A date of birth may help too. This line is busy at times. Try to call back if you can not get through. Know that staff can not give all facts by phone. Some facts are kept private by law. They will share what they can share by law.

Information Availability

When you call, you can often learn some things. Staff may tell you the book ing state. They might share the charges filed. They can often give the bail sum set by the judge. But, they can not share health facts. They can not share court dates far out. Court dates change fast. Check with the court clerk for court dates. The jail site may list some facts too. But call ing is the most direct way. Ask staff what facts they can give you.

Distinction from MDOC OTIS

It is key to know the state uses a tool called OTIS. This stands for Offender Track ing Information System. It lists state pris on ers. It lists folks on pa role or pro ba tion with the state. OTIS does not list most folks in county jails. Genesee County Jail is a county jail. So, most folks held there are not on OTIS. Some times, if a per son broke pa role and waits for state move, they might show. But for most held short term or pre trial, OTIS will not list them. Use the jail phone line (810-257-3426) for county jail checks. OTIS is at https://www.michigan.gov/corrections/otis. Use it for state pris on needs only.

Visiting an Inmate at Genesee County Jail

Scheduling Visits

To visit some one in the jail, you must plan it. Check the Genesee County Sheriff's Office site. Look at the Corrections Division page: https://www.gcsomichigan.com/corrections-division. This page should list how to set up a visit. You may need to call the jail. Or they may use a web tool to book visits. Rules change, so check the site close to your plan ned visit time. Plan far in head if you can. Slots fill up fast. Ask how far out you can book. Know the inmate's full name and ID if you can. This helps make the plan smooth. Do not just show up with out a plan. You may not get in.

Current Visitation Policy

Visit rules are strict. They can change. Check the Sheriff's site or call the jail for the full rules now. Ask about visit days and times. These are often set by where the inmate is housed in the jail. Ask if visits are in per son or by video screen. Many jails now use video calls. Know how long visits last. Know how many folks can visit at once. Ask if kids can visit. There are often rules for kids. Make sure you know the rules for clothes and what you can bring. Follow all rules or your visit may end early. You might lose the right to visit if you break rules. Check the most current policy updates directly with the facility before any planned visit to avoid issues. This ensures a smooth process for you and the inmate.

General Visitor Rules

All jails have rules for folks who visit. You must bring a good photo ID. A state driver's license works. A state ID card works. A military ID works. Pass ports work too. Your ID must be real and not old. Dress code rules are common. Do not wear clothes that show too much skin. Do not wear clothes that look like jail clothes (like all orange or all tan). Do not wear clothes with bad words or signs. Leave cell phones in your car. Leave bags and keys in your car too. Lock ers may be there for small things. Ask the jail. Kids must stay with an adult at all times. Proof of guard ian ship may be need ed if you bring a child who is not yours. Do not bring drugs, tools, or any banned items. You will be checked. Break ing rules can lead to a ban on visits. It can lead to charges too.

Sending Mail to Inmates

Correct Mailing Address

You need the right address to send mail. Check the Sheriff's site or call the jail. They will give you the right way to write the address. It must have the inmate's full name. It may need an inmate ID number too. Use the jail's main address. Make sure it is clear. Mail sent the wrong way may not get there. It may be sent back to you. Using the exact format helps the jail staff sort mail faster. This means the inmate gets your mail sooner. Always include your full return address on the envelope. Mail without a return address might be destroyed or rejected. This policy protects the safety and security of the facility.

• Likely Format (Verify with Jail): Inmate Full Name, Inmate ID Number (if known) Genesee County Jail 1002 South Saginaw Street Flint, MI 48502

New Inmate Mailing Policy

The Genesee County Sheriff's Office site notes a "New Inmate Mailing Policy". You must check what this means. Go to https://www.gcsomichigan.com/corrections-division. Look for mail rule links. New rules might change what kind of mail is okay. They might change how mail must be sent. Some jails now only let post cards come in. Some scan all mail and give scans to inmates. Some use a mail processing center. Know the rules before you send mail. Send ing the wrong thing can mean it gets thrown out. Follow the new rules with care. If you have doubts, call the jail mail room or the Inmate Information line for clarification.

Prohibited Items

Do not send things that are not allowed. This list is long but has key items. No drugs. No tools. No cash money. No staples or paper clips. No blank paper or stamps. No glue or tape on the mail. No nude photos. No photos show ing crime or gang signs. No lipstick or scent on the mail. No stickers or strange marks. This list is not full. If you are not sure, do not send it. Mail is checked for banned items. Send ing banned items can stop your mail rights. It can also lead to crime charges. Keep mail simple. Use plain paper and pen.

Acceptable Items

Most jails let you send letters. Use plain paper or lined paper. Write in blue or black ink. Some jails let you send photos. Photos must meet rules. They must not be too big. Often 4x6 inch size is okay. Check the limit on how many photos per letter. No Polaroids usually. No photos stuck to things. Some jails let you send soft cover books. But books must come from a store or book site like Amazon. Do not send books your self. Check the jail's rule on books first. Always check the jail's web site or call them. Ask what is okay to send right now. Rules change.

Inmate Accounts: Sending Money

Methods for Depositing Funds

Inmates need funds for some things. They can buy snacks or soap from the jail store. This store is called the com mis sar y. They can use funds to make phone calls. You can send funds to an inmate's account. The Genesee County Jail has set ways to do this. Check the Sheriff's site for the ways they use now. Many jails use a kiosk in the jail lob by. You might use cash or card at the kiosk. Some jails let you send funds on line through a web site. Some let you send a mon ey or der by mail. Do not send cash by mail. Find out the right way from the jail. They will list the firms they work with if they use one. There are often fees to send funds. Ask about fees.

To send funds, you need the inmate's full name. You will likely need their jail ID number too. Get this from the inmate or by call ing the info line. Make sure you use the right name and number. Funds sent to the wrong per son are hard to get back. Ask the jail what facts you need to be sure it goes right. Keep your re ceipt if you use a kiosk or web site. This is proof you sent the funds.

Commissary Purchases

The funds you send go to the inmate's account. They do not get cash. They use the account like a bank card inside the jail. They can use it at the com mis sar y. The com mis sar y sells things like food snacks, drinks, soap, sham poo, tooth paste, paper, pens, and stamps. Items for sale vary by jail. The prices may be higher than out side stores. Funds can also pay for phone calls or other jail ser vices like tab let use if of fered. Know that the jail may take some funds sent in. This might be to pay for fees the inmate owes. Or for child sup port debts. Ask the jail staff if this might hap pen.

Inmate Phone Communication

Available Phone System

Inmates can make phone calls out. They can not take calls com ing in. The jail uses a set phone firm for calls. You need to check the Genesee County Sheriff's site. Or ask the jail what phone firm they use. Firms like Securus, GTL, or IC Solutions are common. Knowing the firm helps you set up an account if need ed. Some firms need the per son get ting calls to set up an account. This lets the inmate call you. Find out the rules for the Genesee system.

Call Costs and Payment Options

Calls from jail cost funds. There are a few ways to pay. The inmate can use funds from their jail account to pay. This is called a debit call. Or, the per son get ting the call can pay. This is a collect call. Not all phones can take collect calls. Cell phones often block them. The best way may be to set up a pre paid account with the phone firm. You put funds in this account. The cost of calls is then taken from the account. Check the phone firm's web site for rates. Calls from jail cost more than normal calls. Calls out of state cost more too. Know the cost before you talk long.

Call Monitoring Notice

Be aware that calls are watched. All calls, ex cept some calls with lawyers, are recorded. Jail staff can lis ten to calls. A voice will often say at the start that the call is from a jail and is recorded. Do not talk about the crime case on the phone. Do not plan bad acts on the phone. What you say can be used in court. Keep calls short and to the point. Stick to family news or sup port talk. This protects you and the inmate.

Posting Bail or Bond

Where to Post

If a judge sets bail, you can pay it to get the inmate out. Bail is like a promise the per son will show up for court. You can often post bail in two spots. You can pay at the Genesee County Jail. Or you can pay at the court that handles the case. Check with the jail or court first. Ask their hours for taking bail pay ments. The jail may take bail 24 hours a day. The court only takes it dur ing work hours. Where you pay can change who gets the funds back later. Funds paid at the jail often go back to the defendant. Funds paid at the court might go back to the per son who paid them. Ask the clerk or jail staff.

Payment Methods Accepted at Jail

The jail likely takes cash for bail. Bring the exact sum if you can. They may not make change. Many jails now take credit or debit cards too. They often use a third par ty firm for card pay ments. This firm will charge a fee. The fee is often a share of the bail sum. Ask the jail what cards they take. Ask what the fee is. Find out the firm name if you want to check their fees on line. Some jails have a kiosk in the lob by for card pay ments too. Checks are not usually okay for bail at the jail.

Using a Bail Bondsman (Surety Bonds)

If the bail sum is high, you might use a bail bonds man. This is called a sure ty bond. You pay the bonds man a fee. The fee is often 10% of the full bail sum. The bonds man then pays the full bail to the court. You do not get this fee back. The bonds man takes the risk if the inmate does not show up for court. Look for licensed bail bond firms in the area. The jail can not tell you which one to use. Michigan law has rules for bonds men. See MCL 750.167b for some rules on their acts: https://www.legislature.mi.gov/Laws/MCL?objectName=MCL-750-167B. Read any contract with a bonds man with care.

Relevant Michigan Laws

Michigan law lets jails charge fees. There might be a book ing fee when some one goes into jail. This fee helps pay for jail costs. There might also be a fee per charge when you post bond. See laws like Public Act 631 of 2002 or House Bill 4517. Ask the jail staff what fees apply. These fees are paid on top of the bail sum. Know the full cost be fore you pay.

Bond Return Process

If the inmate makes all court dates, the bail funds should be returned. This happens after the case ends. It can take weeks or months for the court to send the funds back. If you paid cash at the court, the court may send a check to you. If bail was paid at the jail, the check often goes to the defendant. If the defendant owes court fines or fees, the court may keep some or all of the bail funds to pay those debts. If a bonds man was used, you do not get funds back from the court. You only get back funds if the bonds man took col lat er al from you. Talk to the court clerk about the re fund steps.

Official Resources and Links

Use these links for the best facts. These are official state and county sources.

• Genesee County Sheriff's Office: https://www.gcsomichigan.com/ (Main source for jail rules, news)

• GCSO Corrections Division: https://www.gcsomichigan.com/corrections-division (Specific jail info, forms, policies)

• MDOC Offender Search (OTIS): https://www.michigan.gov/corrections/otis (For state prisoners, parolees - not county jail inmates)

• Michigan Legislature (MCL): https://www.legislature.mi.gov (To look up state laws like those about bail)

• Michigan State Police ICHAT: https://apps.michigan.gov/ichat/home.aspx (For public criminal history checks - fee applies)

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