Skagit County Jail

Skagit 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: 360-336-9448

The Skagit County Jail is a medium-security detention center located at 600 S 3rd St Mount Vernon, WA which is operated locally by the Skagit 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. Skagit County accepts inmates from surrounding towns, municipalities, the US Marshal's Service and the Mount Vernon Police Department who do not have their own long-term lock-up.

The Skagit County Sheriff's Office Corrections Division is an around the clock, 24/7 operation. There are 52 Corrections Deputies, 10 Corrections Sergeants, and 1 Lieutenant that are responsible for providing safe and secure housing for inmates being held in the custody of the Skagit County Jail.

The staff of the jail is also responsible for inmate movement outside of the jail facility, such as court appearances, medical appointments, etc. In addition to the Division's in-house responsibilities, Corrections staff are responsible for peripheral duties which include Medical Liaison, Jail Billing, Court Security, and the Jail Alternatives Program. The Jail Alternatives Program offers alternatives to standard methods of incarceration for those who qualify.

Such alternatives include Work Release, Community Service Work and Electronic Home Monitoring. Further, the Corrections Division employs one civilian working as the Division's Court Coordinator, responsible for facilitating the resolution of cases with multiple charges from multiple jurisdictions.

Sending mail to an inmate
The address for inmates at the Skagit County Jail is:
( Name of the Inmate )
c/o Skagit County Jail
201 Suzanne Lane
Mount Vernon, Washington
98273

Question: May I send pictures to an inmate?
Answer: Yes, you may send up to two pictures in a single mailing, under the following guidelines:

• No pictures of an obscene or sexually explicit nature.
• No pictures which portray gang signs or endorse gang affiliation.
• No pictures of a racist or inflammatory nature.
• No Polaroid pictures.
• There can not be anything stuck to the picture, i.e. tape, old glue etc.

Question: What items can be sent to an inmate?
Answer:
A letter. Letters with glitter, stickers, perfume, lipstick, tape, etc. will be returned to sender.
Two (2) photographs.
A plain greeting card. Greeting cards with glitter, electronics (sound cards), stickers, etc. will be returned to sender.
Money orders or cashiers checks: Money orders and cashiers checks must be made out to Skagit County Jail.
NO PAINT OR CRAYONS MAY BE SENT

Question: May I send material printed off of the internet, pages from a book, coloring pages, word game pages, etc?
Answer: No.

Question: Is there a size limitation on something sent to an inmate?
Answer: Yes. Nothing larger than a legal sized envelope can be sent to an inmate.

Question: Can a book be sent to an inmate?
Answer: Inmates at SCCJC can receive soft-cover paperback books mailed directly from Amazon. They must arrive at the jail from USPS, Fed-Ex or UPS. Inmates can only have one of these books at a time in their cell. Other books that come in the mail will be stored in their property and the inmate is allowed to switch out books.

Below is a list of prohibited items:

• Sexually explicit material and/or references to sexually explicit behavior.
• Instructions of “how-to” books about criminal activity.
• Material advocating violence against others or the overthrow of authority.
• Instructions for martial arts/self-defense/fighting techniques.
• Instructions/descriptions of the making or assembly of weapons/bombs/destructive devices of any kind.
• Material advocating hate, anger, ridicule or violence against a group of individuals or a protected class.
• Any other material that the SCCJC staff believes may cause a safety or security issue
  

Frequently Asked Questions
QUESTION: Can I bring or send an inmate writing material, clothing, books, etc?
ANSWER: No. Inmates can buy writing materials, underwear, playing cards, hygiene items etc, under our commissary program. Indigent inmates are still permitted to purchase a basic indigent pack, which includes paper, envelopes, etc. An inmate’s family or friends can also purchase items from our commissary vendor and have those items delivered to the inmate. https://order.outsideinside.com/#

QUESTION: Can I bring cookies (or any other food item) to an inmate?
ANSWER: No, nutritionally balanced meals are provided three times a day to all inmates. Inmates may also buy other snack type foods on commissary if they have money on their books. You may also use the https://order.outsideinside.com/# to order food packages for an inmate.

QUESTION: How can I get money to an inmate?
ANSWER: The Skagit County Jail accepts money for inmates 24 hours a day via the kiosk in the jail lobby. The kiosk accepts cash and credit/debit cards. Money orders will be accepted through the mail. All money orders must be made out to "Skagit County Jail". A money order made out to an inmate will be returned to sender. If the inmate owes money to the jail, any money placed on their account will be subject to a 60/40 split, with 40% being applied towards monies owed to the jail. The Skagit County Jail does not accept personal checks for application to inmates account, or for bail. Money can also be sent to the inmate’s account over the internet: http://www.jpay.com/PMoneyTransfer.aspx

QUESTION: Can an inmate have something notarized at the jail?
ANSWER: Notary services are not provided by the Skagit County Jail. Notaries are usually obtained by an inmate's attorney if needed

QUESTION: When does an inmate go to court?
ANSWER: The inmate's first court appearance will be the first working day following their arrest. The Jail does not keep track of other court dates. You may call the court to find out about additional court dates

QUESTION: My friend/family member is being held on an Investigative Hold. What does that mean?
ANSWER: An Investigative Hold, also known as a 72-hour hold, provides the arresting agency with time in which to investigate and file charges with the Prosecutor's Office. Bail amounts and a filing deadline will be set at the inmate's initial court appearance. The filing deadline is the day and time the inmate is to be released if formal charges are not filed with the court

QUESTION: What happens to my money if I post bail?
ANSWER: Bail is held by the court until the case is over. If the defendant fails to appear for court, the bail may be forfeited. The Jail does not control what the court does with bail

QUESTION: How much money do I have to put up for bail?
ANSWER: If bail is bondable, you may contact a bail bond agency to assist you in posting the bail. The fees they charge vary depending on the bail bond agency. If you are paying cash, the entire amount must be paid. Cash and credit cards are accepted at the kiosk in the jail lobby for bail

QUESTION: Can the Skagit County Jail recommend a bail bondsman or give me advice on what I should do?
ANSWER: No

QUESTION: How do I get an inmate released to visit a dying relative or attend a funeral?
ANSWER: This can only be done through an attorney and must be approved by a judge

QUESTION: How can I find out who an inmate's attorney is?
ANSWER: Contact the Public Defenders Office, or contact the inmate

QUESTION: How can I find out when an inmate is being transferred to another jail or prison?
ANSWER: This information is not released to the public for security reasons

QUESTION: How can I apply for Electronic Home Monitoring, Work Release, Community Service or other Jail Alternative Programs?
ANSWER: Requirements and application procedures are posted on the Jail Alternatives website

QUESTION: Can an inmate be released early?
ANSWER: No

QUESTION: Can an inmate release their keys, cell phone, wallet, etc to me?
ANSWER: No. Exceptions to this policy must be approved by the Shift Supervisor