We are glad you came to this page. We aim to give you the best help for your Ocean County Jail questions. This guide holds key facts you may need now.
If you need to find someone right now, use the Ocean County Jail inmate lookup tool. You can go straight to https://oceancountyjails.org/ to start your search fast. This site lets you check who is held at the jail. Use it if you need quick data on a person held there. It can help you find bail or charge facts too.
The Ocean County Department of Corrections runs the main jail. This facility holds adult men and women. They handle folks arrested in Ocean County. The main job is the safety and care of all inmates. They also keep the jail secure for the public. It is found in Toms River, New Jersey.
For mail, use this address format. It is key for fast delivery.
Inmate Name and ID number
Ocean County Jail
PO Box 2191
Toms River, NJ 08754
Key phone numbers can help you. Use the main jail line for general inmate info. This includes bail or charge details. That number is (732) 929-2043. If you need to report sexual abuse or harassment, call the Internal Affairs Bureau. Their number is also (732) 929-2043. Ask for Internal Affairs. The Ocean County Sheriff's Office works close with the jail. You can find their details on the main county site too.
The Ocean County government website has much data. Look for the Department of Corrections section. It has details on rules and services. This is the best source for current facts. Check it often for any new rule changes. The site aims to be clear and helpful. Find forms and links there too. This is the main link for the corrections department: https://www.co.ocean.nj.us/oc/corrections/.
You can find info on people held at the jail. The county gives ways to search. An online tool is the main way. Use the phone for other needs. You might need bail amounts or charge lists. The jail staff can help with these facts. They aim to help you get the info you need. Call the main jail line for this help. That number is (732) 929-2043. The staff are there to assist you.
Ocean County provides an online search tool. It lists people now held in the jail. Find it on the county corrections website. Look for "Inmate Information" or a similar link. This lets you search by name. It is often the fastest way to check if someone is there. The tool should show current status. It may list booking details too. This system helps keep the public informed. It makes the search process easy for most users.
Inmates need money for small things. They buy items from the commissary. You can add funds to their account. The jail has set ways to do this. Do not mail cash or drop it off. It will not be accepted. Use only the approved methods. This keeps funds secure and trackable. The jail uses Keefe Commissary Network for store items. All money handling goes through the Inmate Accounts Unit. Note that some fees get taken out. Facility fees and medical costs are automatic.
There are a few ways to put money in. Kiosks are in the main jail lobby. Another is in the Public Information Office. This office is behind the jail on Court House Lane. These kiosks take cash. They also take debit or credit cards. This makes it easy to add funds in person. Be sure to have the inmate's name and ID number.
You can also add money online. Use the website www.accesscorrections.com. This site lets you use a debit or credit card. It is a handy way if you are not close by. You can also call them. The number is 1-866-345-1884. Phone deposits offer one more way. Choose the method that works best for you. Remember the inmate ID is key for all methods. It ensures the funds go to the right person. Proper ID helps avoid delays or mix ups. Check the site or kiosk for any fees linked to deposits.
Staying in touch is vital for inmates. The jail allows mail and phone calls. But there are strict rules. These rules keep the jail safe. They apply to all mail and calls. Know the rules before you send things. This helps your mail get through. It also helps calls connect right.
All mail sent to inmates must follow rules. Use only plain white paper. Write only with pen ink. Do not use crayons or markers. No stickers or glitter are allowed. Photos sent via tablets must not be offensive. Mail must have the full inmate name. Include their ID number too. Use the PO Box address for all mail.
Inmate Name and ID number
Ocean County Jail
PO Box 2191
Toms River, NJ 08754
Do not send cash in the mail. Books and magazines are okay sometimes. They must come right from the publisher. They need a packing slip inside. Only soft cover books are let in. Books from sites like barnesandnoble.com are fine if they meet rules. All mail is searched by staff. Envelopes are not given to inmates. They get a copy showing the return address.
Inmates can make phone calls out. These calls use a special system. When you get a call, you hear a voice first. It is a computer voice. Listen to the full message. Follow the steps it gives you. You can choose to accept the call. Or you can reject it. If you reject or do nothing, it hangs up. You are not charged if you reject. If you accept, you can talk. Start talking after you choose accept. Calls have time limits. This ensures all inmates get fair phone access. It also protects you. Be ready for the call to end on time.
Visits help inmates stay linked to family. The Ocean County Jail uses video visits mostly. You must follow rules to visit. You need to sign up first. Visits must be set up ahead of time. This keeps visits safe and smooth. Read all rules before you plan a visit.
All visitors must preregister first. You can do this online. Or use the kiosk in the jail lobby. There is a link for this on the county site. Allow 48 hours after you sign up. This time is for processing. After that, you can set up your first visit. Inmates get two video visits each week. Each visit lasts fifteen minutes. This limit helps manage time and space. It keeps social distance rules too.
Visitors can enter the jail only 15 mins before their visit time. Wait in the lobby behind marked lines. Do not gather outside before or after. Keep social distance at all times. You must have a valid photo ID. This ID must be government issued. Visitors must be 18 years old or more. An exception is if you are married to the inmate. Or if a parent or guardian comes with you. Visits can be stopped at any time. This happens if rules are broken. Or if there is a safety issue.
Video visits have set hours. Weekdays are Monday to Friday. Hours are 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM. Weekends are Saturday and Sunday. Hours are 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM. Make sure you sign in early. Allow time for waits or checks. Visits end on time regardless. To visit online from home, you need things. A computer or Android device is needed. It must have internet, a camera, and speakers. Use headphones or earbuds for best sound. Your web browser needs Adobe Flash. Make sure Flash is turned on. An online tester helps check your setup. Use Internet Explorer 11 if you can. Cancel visits 24 hours ahead if needed.
Some inmates might get contact visits. These are face-to-face visits. They are not common. An inmate must be approved first. They must be held for at least 90 days. They can get one contact visit each 30 days. Requests must be made early. Send the request form 14 days before the visit date. Find this form on the county website. Cancel by 3 PM the Wednesday before the visit. Only two adult visitors are allowed per visit. Contact visit times are specific. Fridays: 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM, and 5:00 PM to 6:00 PM. Saturdays: 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM.
New Jersey changed its bail system in 2017. The goal was to make it fairer. Now, release depends less on money. It depends more on risk factors. Judges look at flight risk. They check danger to the community. They see if the person might obstruct justice. Most defendants get released on their own promise to return. This is called Release on Recognizance (ROR). Sometimes conditions are set. This might mean check-ins or monitoring.
A detention hearing happens fast after arrest. Usually within 48 hours. A prosecutor can ask to hold a person. They must show clear proof. Proof that no release terms can ensure safety or court appearance. Cash bail is rare now for initial release. If bail is set later, or for certain crimes, rules apply. The court may ask about the source of bail money. This is per state law. See New Jersey statute N.J. Rev Stat § 2A:162-13. This check ensures funds are not from crime. For court dates and case info, check the New Jersey Courts website. Look for Ocean County Superior Court details.
The jail offers programs for some inmates. These aim to help or offer options. Some programs let people serve time outside jail. Others help with specific issues. These programs have rules and goals. Not all inmates can join them.
This program is for some weekend sentences. It is called Weekend Day Reporting. It lets people work in the community. They do supervised public work. This is instead of staying in jail. It helps lower the jail count. A judge must order participation. The person must be fit for physical work. There are safety checks first.
Participants report to the jail on weekends. They arrive Saturday and Sunday at 7:00 AM. They are logged in and sent to a work site. Work might be clean up or light building tasks. They work all day. Staff bring them back around 4:30 PM. Then they go home. They do this each day until the sentence is done. There is a $25 initial fee. Plus a $10 user fee. Strict rules apply. Being late or under the influence means removal. They would serve the rest of the time in jail. Some people cannot join. Those with certain crime records are out. Those with immigration holds cannot join.
The Ocean County Prosecutor's Office runs programs. These fall under its Special Offenders Unit. They include a Mental Health Diversion Program. There is also a Veterans Diversion Program. Recovery Court is another option. These target specific needs. They aim to help people get treatment or support.
The jail also follows the Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA). This is a federal law. It aims to stop sexual abuse in jails. The jail has a policy on PREA. You can ask to see the full policy. Send requests via email listed on the county site. If you need to report sexual abuse, contact Internal Affairs. The number is (732) 929-2043. Reports are taken seriously. The jail makes annual PREA reports. These are available on request too. The jail states its commitment to inmate safety. This includes preventing sexual harm. The Ocean County Department of Corrections maintains compliance with state standards like N.J.A.C. 10A:31.
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