Ada County Jail

Ada County Jail basic information to help guide you through what you can do for your inmate while they are incarcerated. The facility's direct contact number: 208-577-3113

The Ada County Jail is a medium-security detention center located at 7210 Barrister Dr Boise, ID which is operated locally by the Ada County Sheriff's Office and holds inmates awaiting trial or sentencing or both. Most of the sentenced inmates are here for less than two years. Ada County accepts inmates from surrounding towns, municipalities, the US Marshal's Service and the Boise Police Department who do not have their own long-term lock-up.

The Ada County Jail was built in 1977 when the Ada County-Boise City Public Safety Building first opened. The jail was originally built to hold a maximum of 160 inmates, plus 32 work release prisoners. The jail has been expanded several times since then. Today, the total inmate capacity is 1224.

Inmate Classification

All inmates at the Ada County Jail are classified using a specific system which is basically a risk assessment. By classifying all inmates, security of other inmates and jail staff is greatly increased. To classify an inmate, a team of officers researches the inmate's past and criminal history. They also consider the inmate's past and present behavior when in custody. Mental or physical disabilities are also taken into consideration when determining appropriate housing.

Inmates are assigned a security risk level, or classification, ranging from minimum to maximum. Minimum security inmates enjoy the highest level of benefits and privileges. Medium security inmates may also have certain privileges, like dormitory housing and access to programs. Inmates who are classified as maximum risk do not have access to most programs or privileges.

Inmate Housing

There are different types of inmate supervision used inside the Ada County Jail. One is called Close Custody Unit (CCU). CCU can house a total of 130 inmates. This is the traditional cell structure where more violent offenders or those inmates who cannot be mixed with the general population are housed. Other inmates live under what is referred to as Direct Supervision. Their housing is set up in "pods". Within each pod are dorms. Each male dorm holds 92 inmates. Each female dorm houses 56. In dorms, there are no single cells. Inmates have their own beds and they all share a common area. Generally, one deputy is able to supervise an entire dorm.

Mail & Payments

Incoming mail must list the full name and address of the sender and the intended receiver. Improperly addressed mail will be returned. Mail to an inmate should include: ​Inmate mail is subject to scanning. Incoming mail will be checked for contraband, money, escape plans and any writing that may jeopardize the security of the facility.

Inmates may receive written letters and standard photographs. Polaroid photographs, stamps, envelopes, and other forwarded items are not allowed. Mail or publications containing images or depictions of sexual situations, nudity or sexual acts are prohibited. In addition, mail cannot contain:

• Intimidating or harassing statements
• Gang-related writings or drawings
• Messages (codes) that are not easily understood
• Plans that violate state, local, federal laws, or jail rules
• Plans to send contraband (such as drugs) in or out of the jail

At the discretion of jail staff, mail or publications containing unauthorized references or material may be refused, confiscated, destroyed, placed in the inmate's property or returned to the sender.

Inmates may receive newspapers, magazines, and books, but they must be received directly from a publisher or bookstore. Any subscription material received after an inmate leaves the jail will not be forwarded. Inmates are prohibited from subscribing to services or ordering merchandise.

Phone calls

Inmates cannot receive phone calls while in jail. However, most inmates are allowed to purchase phone time that can be used to make outgoing phone calls.

Money

Inmates are able to buy a variety of things from the jail commissary: candy, snacks, beverages, writing materials, shoes and clothing, provided they have sufficient funds to pay for what they order. When money is placed into an inmate’s trust account, the first $15 is automatically placed in the inmate’s personal account, which is used for medical co-pays while in custody. The remaining money is automatically placed in the inmate’s commissary account which can then be used to buy commissary items.
Inmates must maintain a balance of $15 in his/her personal account at all times. Any balance above that can be used to purchase commissary items. The inmate may not use the personal account to pay for commissary items.
In an inmate has no money in his/her commissary account for seven (7) days prior to the request for commissary, the jail will supply him/her with necessary personal hygiene items as determined by jail staff. Inmates will also receive three stamped envelopes and writing paper each week.
Revenue generated by the commissary program is spent on items used by and for inmates. Examples of these are chairs, books, law library materials, TVs, board games, indigent supplies and so on.

Idaho Code §20.607 requires the Sheriff to seek reimbursement for incarceration costs from persons sentenced to jail. The cost is $25 per day, up to $500 (20 days) per incarceration. Click here for more info.

How do I add money to an inmate's account?

There are three ways to deposit money to an inmate’s account:

• In person - A kiosk at the Ada County Sheriff's Office accepts deposits using cash and Visa/debit cards.
• Online - Visit Telemate to make a secure payment at gettingout.com/ada-county-jail/

For more information or technical support when adding money to an inmate's account, call 1.866.516.0115.

Follow this link for a list of Telemate charges and fees.

Need additional information? Call the Ada County Jail at (208) 577-3000