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Phelps County MO Jail (ICE)

County Jail

Last Updated: May 10, 2026
Address
500 W 2nd St, Rolla, MO 65401
Beds
170
County
Phelps
Phone
573-426-3860
Fax
573-426-3857
Email
info.email@phelpscountysheriff.org
View Official Website

Phelps Co Jail is for County Jail offenders sentenced up to twenty four months.

All prisons and jails have Security or Custody levels depending on the inmate’s classification, sentence, and criminal history. Please review the rules and regulations for County - medium facility.

The phone carrier is HomeWav™, to see their rates and best-calling plans for your inmate to call you.

If you are seeking to send your inmate money for commissary, one recommended for this facility is JailATM™ There is a fee for sending money, see their rates and limitations.

If you are unsure of your inmate's location, you can search and locate your inmate by typing in their last name, first name or first initial, and/or the offender ID number to get their accurate information immediately Registered Offenders

Looking for an inmate at this facility? Visitation Information, Times and Rules
Satellite View of Phelps County MO Jail (ICE)
Search Arrest Records

Official Resources

Nearby Facilities

If your loved one is at Phelps Co Jail, InmateAid can help you stay connected. Call the facility directly at 573-426-3860 with any immediate questions.

When someone you care about gets locked up, it's tough to figure out all the ins and outs of jail life. From sending mail to visiting, there are a lot of things to sort out. And getting info about the arrest? Not always easy. That's where this webpage comes in handy. It's here to help you get a handle on how things work here so that you can stay connected and support your loved one behind bars.

The Phelps Co Jail is a detention center located at 500 W 2nd St Rolla, MO which is operated locally by the Phelps 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. Phelps County accepts inmates from surrounding towns, Rolla Police Department, and the US Marshal's Service.

New detainees arrive at the jail regularly, with some being released on bail, placed under pretrial services caseloads, supervised by probation agencies, or released on recognizance with a court appearance agreement. Those who are not released await their court appearances at the jail, receiving accommodations including bedding and meals.

You can see all the arrest records for Missouri here.

The Phelps County Jail in Rolla, Missouri, operates as one of the more rapidly expanding county detention systems in the state and functions under the authority of the Phelps County Sheriff’s Department, currently led by Sheriff Mike Kirn. Located along the heavily traveled Interstate 44 corridor between St. Louis and Springfield, the jail serves both local correctional needs and an increasingly important federal detention role. In recent years, the facility began housing ICE detainees under contract with the Department of Homeland Security, placing the jail within the broader federal immigration detention network operating throughout Missouri and the Midwest. Federal immigration detainees are typically held at the facility while awaiting immigration hearings, deportation proceedings, asylum determinations, or transfer to larger ICE detention centers.

The Phelps County Sheriff’s Department currently operates two correctional facilities housing up to 243 prisoners, although a major expansion project underway is expected to increase total capacity to between 350 and 375 beds. County officials approved the expansion after years of growing inmate populations, increased federal detention agreements, and rising demand for mental health and medical housing inside the jail system. During portions of 2025, reports indicated the jail was housing between 30 and 70 ICE detainees at various times, reflecting the facility’s growing integration into federal immigration enforcement operations. Sheriff Kirn publicly acknowledged that federal detention contracts have become an increasingly important operational and financial component of the jail system.

One of the most distinctive features of the Phelps County Jail is its transformation from a traditional rural county jail into a regional detention hub supporting federal immigration operations. Rolla’s location along Interstate 44 gives federal authorities convenient transportation access between eastern Missouri, Fort Leonard Wood, Springfield, and neighboring states. The jail also utilizes modern inmate communication systems including HomeWAV tablets and electronic visitation platforms, allowing detainees expanded communication access while in custody. At the same time, the facility has drawn increased public scrutiny and protest activity as local advocacy organizations raised concerns regarding immigration detention practices and detainee treatment inside Missouri county jails participating in ICE agreements.

ICE Detainee Information

This facility holds immigration detainees under an active contract with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement in addition to its regular population. ICE detainees are civil immigration detainees, not criminal defendants, and are held while their immigration cases are processed. The rules, rights, and services that apply to ICE detainees differ from those that apply to the general jail population.

To locate an ICE detainee at this facility, use the ICE Online Detainee Locator at locator.ice.gov. You will need the detainee's A-Number, a nine-digit Alien Registration Number that appears on any immigration document they have received. If the A-Number has fewer than nine digits, add zeros at the beginning. If you do not have the A-Number, you can search using the detainee's full legal name, country of birth, and date of birth. Names must be an exact match; try variations if the first search returns no results.

Immigration bond works differently from criminal bail. Not all detainees are eligible for bond; those with certain criminal convictions or prior deportation orders may be subject to mandatory detention. For those who are eligible, bond is set by an immigration judge and typically ranges from $1,500 to over $10,000. Bond must be paid in full before release. An immigration attorney can request a bond hearing and argue for a lower amount based on the detainee's circumstances.

Unlike criminal defendants, ICE detainees do not have the right to a government-appointed attorney. They must hire a private immigration attorney or find free legal help through a nonprofit organization. RAICES provides legal services and bond assistance at raicestexas.org. The National Immigrant Justice Center offers free legal representation at immigrantjustice.org. Many immigration courts also maintain a list of free and low-cost legal service providers available to detainees upon request.

ICE transfers detainees between facilities frequently and with little advance notice, sometimes to locations far from family and legal counsel. If you cannot locate your family member through this page, search the ICE Online Detainee Locator again at locator.ice.gov with their A-Number. If they have an attorney, notify the attorney immediately as transfers affect court appearances and case timelines.

Operationally, the jail functions as a modern correctional complex with extensive inmate management responsibilities involving intake processing, transportation logistics, medical screening, housing classification, commissary services, behavioral health supervision, and federal detainee coordination. Sheriff Kirn publicly noted during the jail expansion discussions that a significant percentage of inmates housed in the facility required psychiatric medication or mental health treatment, increasing pressure on jail staff and medical services. The expansion project was specifically designed to improve inmate management, medical supervision, and mental health housing capabilities while accommodating both county inmates and federal detainees more safely and efficiently.

Today, the Phelps County Jail remains one of Missouri’s more operationally significant county detention systems because of its expanding inmate population, major jail expansion, and growing role in federal immigration detention operations. While much smaller than massive ICE processing centers near the southern border, the jail has become an increasingly important holding and transportation point within the Midwest immigration detention network. Under Sheriff Mike Kirn’s leadership, the facility continues to balance traditional county incarceration responsibilities with expanding federal detention partnerships tied to DHS, ICE, and other federal law enforcement agencies.

Table of Contents for Phelps Co Jail

Inmate Locator

Finding an Inmate at Phelps County MO Jail (ICE)

If you're trying to locate someone in custody at Phelps County MO Jail (ICE) in Rolla, Missouri, the fastest path depends on how recently the arrest happened, what type of facility holds the inmate, and how quickly that facility updates its public records. There is no single nationwide inmate database that covers every detention facility in real time, so locating a specific person often means checking multiple sources or calling Phelps County MO Jail (ICE) directly at 573-426-3860.

Using the InmateAid Inmate Search

The InmateAid inmate search is the fastest starting point for locating someone at Phelps County MO Jail (ICE). The search pulls from facility rosters, booking systems, and arrest record databases to return current custody status, charges, and housing facility. If the person was arrested or transferred recently and doesn't appear yet, the facility likely hasn't updated its public roster, which can lag by hours or a full business day. Try again later or call 573-426-3860 to confirm.

When the Inmate Doesn't Appear in the Search

Several explanations are possible if a person isn't showing up. The booking may not be complete. The person may have been released, transferred to another facility, or moved to federal or immigration custody. Some facilities deliberately delay public records by 24 to 72 hours for security reasons. Minors are never published in any public locator regardless of facility. To rule out a transfer or release, call 573-426-3860 and ask the booking desk to confirm current status.

What You'll Need to Search Effectively

Have ready: full legal name and any aliases, date of birth, and approximate date of arrest. If you know which agency made the arrest, that narrows results significantly. A booking number locates the record immediately. Without at least a full name and approximate date, searches return too many results to be useful.

Once You've Located the Inmate

When you confirm the person is at Phelps County MO Jail (ICE), set up a prepaid phone account so you don't miss the first call, and arrange any money transfer or commissary funding needed. For phone discount plans, money transfer, and mail services available at Phelps County MO Jail (ICE), see InmateAid's inmate services and call 573-426-3860.

To confirm current custody status, recent transfers, or release information at Phelps County MO Jail (ICE), call 573-426-3860.

Visitation Information

Visitation Information - Phelps County Jail Missouri

Facility Contacts

ICE Officer (Kansas City, MO detained unit): EROKansasDetained@ice.dhs.gov Special visit scheduling: 573-426-3860 ext. 3810 Court room officer for legal scheduling: 573-426-3860 Legal fax: 573-426-3859 Virtual attorney visit emails: sreed@phelpscountysheriff.org, jstroot@phelpscountysheriff.org, jdecher@phelpscountysheriff.org, dritter@phelpscountysheriff.org HomeWav video visitation: HomeWav website or HomeWav mobile app

Visiting Hours

ICE detainees get one hour of visitation per week, which can be split into two 30-minute visits.

The Phelps County Jail offers HomeWav video visitation on-site, free to the public, on Monday and Saturday from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Special In-Person Visits

Call 573-426-3860 ext. 3810 to schedule a special in-person visit. Visits must be scheduled at least three business days in advance.

Virtual Friend and Family Visits

Schedule virtual visits anytime through HomeWav on the website or mobile app.

Visiting Rules

All friend and family visits are non-contact.

No firearms or weapons of any kind. No electronic devices (cell phones, pagers, radios) in secure areas. Visitors cannot pass anything to detainees or carry items into the visitation area.

Every visitor is subject to a pat-down, bag inspection, and metal scan. Refusing a search means you will not be admitted. If you appear intoxicated, you will be turned away.

Attorney Visits

In-person attorney visits run Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. CT. Appointments outside these hours may be approved on a case-by-case basis for extenuating circumstances.

A list of pro bono legal organizations is posted in every housing unit and updated quarterly. Detainees are responsible for contacting these organizations to schedule appointments.

Virtual Attorney Visits and Legal Calls

Attorneys can request video teleconference (VTC) meetings or confidential legal phone calls by emailing one of the following: sreed@phelpscountysheriff.org, jstroot@phelpscountysheriff.org, jdecher@phelpscountysheriff.org, or dritter@phelpscountysheriff.org. Attorneys can also schedule by calling 573-426-3860 to reach the court room officer who handles scheduling. The court officers will reply with a confirmed date and time.

Appointments must be requested at least 24 hours in advance. Sessions run 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. in 30 to 60-minute blocks. There is no cap on how many VTC appointments an attorney can request, but no attorney can have more than one 60-minute meeting with the same detainee in a single day.

The email request must include: the attorney's full name and contact info, the detainee's name and A-number, several proposed dates and times, a scan of the attorney's government ID, proof of legal status (bar card, attorney license, paralegal license, or similar), and a scan of the eFiled G-28 unless this is a pre-representational visit. If a legal assistant is joining alone, attach a letter of authorization on firm letterhead and a scan of the assistant's ID.

Only legal representatives, legal assistants, and interpreters are allowed on these calls. No family, no friends. The attorney can use outside interpretation services during the session. Calls are confidential; an officer stays within sight but out of earshot and will knock 5 minutes before the cutoff.

Recording any virtual or in-person visit, by audio or video, is prohibited. Violations can result in suspension or permanent loss of virtual attorney visit privileges.

Legal Mail by Fax

Attorneys can fax legal correspondence to 573-426-3859.

The cover letter must include the detainee's full name, A-number, sender's return fax number, and total page count.

The fax is delivered to the detainee in a sealed envelope marked with the detainee's name and A-number. Documents are inspected for contraband but not read. All legal faxes are treated as confidential and logged by the court officer. Processing happens during business hours Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., excluding holidays. The transmission verification is filed by court room staff, and a copy is given to the detainee.

Detainee-Initiated Legal Mail

Detainees can send their own legal documents through the facility tablet by submitting a request to their assigned case manager. The case manager schedules a court room session where the detainee provides the legal representative's name, law firm (if applicable), address, and office phone and fax numbers. The detainee fills out a cover sheet at transmission. The court room officer faxes the documents in the detainee's presence after inspecting them for contraband (without reading), then returns the originals and the fax confirmation to the detainee.

Consular Visits

Consular officials can meet with their nationals at any time. Make arrangements with the ICE officer through the Kansas City, MO detained unit at EROKansasDetained@ice.dhs.gov when possible, and bring credentials.

Clergy Visits

Clergy can visit at any time but must arrange the visit ahead of time through the Chaplain's Office.

Frequently Asked Questions About Phelps County MO Jail (ICE)

  1. How can I find out if someone is in jail at Phelps County MO Jail (ICE)?
    To determine if someone is currently incarcerated at Phelps County MO Jail (ICE), start by checking the facility’s online inmate search database, which is typically updated with recent booking information. If your search does not yield results, try using VINELink, a nationwide inmate locator that provides custody status for individuals in participating correctional facilities. If online searches are unsuccessful, calling Phelps County MO Jail (ICE) directly and providing the individual’s full name and date of birth is another reliable way to confirm their custody status. If all else fails, you can use the Arrest Record Finder for a small fee, which can provide broader search results across multiple jurisdictions. 

  2. What are the visitation hours at Phelps County MO Jail (ICE)?
    Visitation schedules vary by facility and housing unit. Some jails offer in-person visits on specific days, while others have transitioned to video visitation. Always check with the jail in advance, as visits may require scheduling and approval.

  3. How do I send money to an inmate at Phelps County MO Jail (ICE)?
    Inmates can receive funds through various methods, including online deposits via jail-approved services, kiosks at the facility, or by mailing a money order. Some jails require funds to be added by specific family members or approved contacts.

  4. Can I call an inmate at Phelps Co Jail?
    Inmates cannot receive incoming phone calls, but they may initiate collect calls or use a prepaid account provided by the jail’s phone service provider. Calls are generally recorded and monitored, and inmates must adhere to time limits. Communication gets costly, you might qualify for discounts on inmate calls if your inmate is calling you a lot.

  5. What items can I send to an inmate at Phelps Co Jail?
    Approved items typically include letters, legal documents, and photographs. Some jails also permit care packages from authorized third-party vendors. Items such as greeting cards with glitter, stickers, or Polaroid photos may be prohibited.

  6. Are books and magazines allowed at Phelps Co Jail?
    Yes, inmates can receive books and magazines directly from approved vendors such as Amazon or InmateAid. Hardcover books and explicit content are typically prohibited to maintain facility security. Some jails also have restrictions on the number of reading materials an inmate can possess at one time.

  7. What is the mailing address for inmates here?
    Each facility has a designated mailing address for inmate correspondence. It is important to include the inmate's full name, booking number (if applicable), and facility-approved format to ensure proper delivery. Mail containing contraband, including staples or stickers, may be rejected.

  8. What is the process for bonding someone out of Phelps County MO Jail (ICE)?
    Bail or bond amounts can be paid at the facility’s designated payment location, online, or through a licensed bail bondsman. Some jails accept cash, cashier’s checks, or credit card payments, while others require payments to be made at a county clerk’s office.

  9. How do I deposit funds into an inmate’s commissary account at Phelps Co Jail?
    Commissary funds allow inmates to purchase personal hygiene products, snacks, and other approved items. Deposits can be made online, at facility kiosks, or through phone services. Some facilities limit the amount that can be added per week.

  10. What clothing and personal items can an inmate have at Phelps Co Jail?
    Inmates are generally issued standard jail clothing. Personal items are often restricted, and necessary hygiene products must be purchased through commissary unless the inmate is deemed indigent. Some jails allow inmates to have religious items, such as prayer beads or a Bible.

  11. How long do inmates stay at Phelps County MO Jail (ICE) before being transferred?
    The length of stay varies based on the nature of their charges, sentencing, and case status. Some inmates serve their full sentences in county jail, while others may be transferred to a state or federal facility after sentencing.

  12. Can an inmate at Phelps Co Jail receive visits from children?
    Most jails allow minors to visit inmates but require them to be accompanied by a legal guardian. Some facilities impose restrictions based on the nature of the inmate's charges or have specific visitation hours for families with children.

  13. How can I schedule a visit with an inmate at Phelps Co Jail?
    Many jails require visitation to be scheduled in advance through an online portal or by phone. Some facilities operate on a first-come, first-served basis, while others enforce strict scheduling rules and background checks for visitors.

  14. What happens if an inmate gets sick or needs medical care at Phelps Co Jail?
    Jails provide basic medical care, and inmates can request medical attention as needed. Emergency cases are treated immediately, while routine care is provided through medical staff. Some jails charge small medical co-pays deducted from an inmate’s commissary funds.

  15. Can inmates work while incarcerated here?
    Some inmates qualify for work programs within the facility, such as kitchen duty, janitorial work, or laundry services. In some counties, low-risk inmates may participate in work-release programs that allow them to work in the community and return to jail afterward.

  16. How can I find court dates and case information for an inmate at Phelps Co Jail?
    Court dates and case details can usually be found through the county court website, public records, or by contacting the court clerk. Inmates are typically transported to court on scheduled hearing dates.

  17. What are the rules for inmate phone calls at Phelps Co Jail?
    Inmate phone calls are monitored and recorded for security purposes. Calls must be made through facility-approved phone services, and any attempt to arrange three-way calls or circumvent restrictions may result in loss of phone privileges.

  18. Can an inmate be released early from Phelps Co Jail?
    Early release may be granted through good behavior, completion of rehabilitative programs, or at the discretion of the court. In some cases, inmates may qualify for electronic monitoring or house arrest programs.

  19. What types of rehabilitation programs are available at here?
    Many county jails offer educational programs, GED classes, substance abuse treatment, and vocational training to help inmates reintegrate into society after release.

  20. What are the consequences of bringing contraband into the jail?
    Introducing contraband, such as drugs, weapons, or cell phones, is a criminal offense and can lead to legal charges, visitation bans, or enhanced security measures within the jail.

  21. Are there special accommodations for disabled inmates at Phelps County MO Jail (ICE)?
    Yes, jails are required to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and provide reasonable accommodations, including wheelchair accessibility, sign language interpreters, and medical care.

  22. How do I report an issue or concern about an inmate at Phelps County MO Jail (ICE)?
    Family members and advocates can report concerns to jail administration, a prisoner rights organization, or a legal representative. Some jails have grievance procedures inmates can follow if they experience mistreatment.

  23. Can an inmate at Phelps Co Jail receive religious services or counseling?
    Yes, most jails provide chaplain services, religious counseling, and access to faith-based programs. Some facilities have multi-denominational services or allow clergy members to visit inmates upon request.

  24. What are the disciplinary procedures at Phelps Co Jail?
    Inmates who violate jail rules may face disciplinary actions such as loss of privileges, placement in solitary confinement, or additional charges. Disciplinary hearings are typically conducted before penalties are imposed.

  25. How do I obtain an inmate’s release records from Phelps County MO Jail (ICE)?
    Release records may be available through the facility’s records department, the sheriff’s office, or the county clerk. Requests may require an application and a processing fee.

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