FAQ

 

POLK COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE

Sheriff Mark Garton

850 Main St.

Dallas, OR 97338

503-623-9251

 

 

 

Polk County Jail

Lt. Richard Bittick

Jail Commander

 

Frequently Requested Numbers

Jail Records                     503-623-9254

Patrol / Records               503-623-9251

Community Corrections   503-623-5226

Dallas PD                         503-831-3516

Independence PD            503-838-1214

Monmouth PD                  503-838-1109

Salem PD                         503-588-6123

Marion County Jail           503-581-1183

Polk Court Records          503-623-3154

Dallas Municipal Court     503-831-3576

Monmouth Muni Court      503-751-0136

Viapath                               866-516-0115

Victim Information System in Oregon - Visor 888-749-8080

Call from a touch tone phone and follow the directions

 

If you have questions about court dates, bail amounts, or attorney contact information you will need to contact Polk County Circuit Records at 503-623-3154.  

 

Complaints

To file a compliant email: jail.admin@co.polk.or.us 

Professionals

To make an appointment for a professional visit use the email: jail.admin@co.polk.or.us

Volunteers and Inmate programs

For those with questions about inmate programs or becoming a volunteer contact: germond.jody@co.polk.or.us

Medical

Prescriptions for inmates may be delivered to door # 4 at the jail.  Over the counter medicine will no longer be accepted for inmates from the public.  The prescriptions must be in the original container and not expired.  They cannot be mixed with other pills.  Prescriptions must be verified by staff and authorized by the facility medical director before they are dispensed to the person.

Bail

In most cases, if 10% of the bail amount is posted, the inmate will be released. 

Bail may be posted at the Criminal Court Records window Mon-Fri between 830 a.m. - 430 p.m., using either cash or credit/debit card located at 884 SE Jefferson St., Dallas, OR 97338 (2nd floor).  You can reach Polk County Court Records at 503-623-3154

Bail may also be posted via telephone with Viapath at 866-516-0115, gettingout.com, or via a Kiosk in the visitation lobby of the Jail (Door #2).  Viapath charges a fee to post bail.  When posting funds make sure to use the trust/commissary option.  Viapath limits deposits to $3000.00 per 24 hour period.  

Please be aware that you are giving the money to the inmate, who will then decide if they want to post bail.  The amount of time required for a person to be released is dependent on several factors such as court, jail staffing and activity in the jail.  A general rule would be within an hour. 

Viapath

Inmates may have funds deposited to a phone or trust account using Viapath via one of the following methods:

www.gettingout.com or 1-866-516-0115 or using the kiosk in the visitation lobby of the Jail at Door #2.  

Viapath has a deposit limit of $3000.00 dollars per 24 hour period for inmate accounts.  

Property Releases

Inmates may release property or money after completing the required form.  All pocket property to include keys, wallet, lighter, cellphones, jewelry and purses etc. are sealed in one bag and referred to as small property.  We will not open the sealed bag of small property to remove one item.  Inmates will need to release the entire sealed bag for property releases. 

To pick up inmate property go to door #4 (Bail/Release) of the jail activating the speaker and advising you would like to pick up small property.  The person receiving released property will need to show ID.  Property will not be accepted for inmates housed in the Polk County Jail.

Commissary

Family and friends wishing to place funds on a person’s account may send a cashier’s check or money order through the U.S. Mail (See mail tab).  It should be made out to the person and mailed to the Jail.  Cash should never be sent via the US mail. 

Funds may also be deposited via telephone with Viapath at 866-516-0115, gettingout.com, or via a Kiosk in the visitation lobby of Jail (door #2).  When depositing funds bring your ID and make sure to use the trust/commissary option.  You may also be required to create an account with Viapath. 

Visitation Rules

An inmate must be in the facility for 10 days before they are eligible for an onsite visit.  Those in the jail will be required to submit a visitation list of up to 3 people.

All visitors must be at least 18 years of age and must also present a valid photo ID.

Friends and family on the visitation list are able to visit inmates for 30 minutes twice a week. Visits may be shared by 2 people as long as they come together and are on the approved list.

The inmate’s housing unit determines the day and times.  Visits are on a first come, first serve basis.

Lockers are provided in the lobby to store coats, handbags, cellular phones, etc., as these items are not allowed into the visitation booths.

Visitors creating a disturbance, who are intoxicated, or otherwise displaying unacceptable behavior will have their visit terminated and may be denied future visits.

Inmates in the Polk County Jail are provided two 5 min video visits per week and up to 10 minutes of phone calls per week for free.  Please see the Inmates in Custody tab for inmate housing location and Visitation tab for dates and times.  

 Document Signing

Official documents such as tax forms or checks, may be brought to Door #4 on Sunday from 1 PM to 3 PM and Tuesday 7 PM to 9 PM.

Inmate Mail

Beginning 2/14/2024 mail should be addressed as follows:

Polk County Jail, OR

Inmate Name, 5 Digit Inmate ID number

P.O. Box 247

Phoenix, MD 21131

We do not accept inmate mail at the Jail address.  All inmate mail is processed by a 3rd party vendor (TextBehind) to prevent the introduction of contraband into the facility and protect our staff from possible exposure to any dangerous substances.  Any mail processed by TextBehind will be digitally scanned and delivered to inmates via a tablet in the housing area.  If you want the original mail returned to you, you must contact TextBehind within 60 days of sending it or TextBehind will destroy the original mail.  Do not send copies of original pictures or documents you deem sentimental or valuable.  Check out our Frequently Asked Questions for more information on mail.   You can locate inmate ID numbers under Inmates In Custody.  The ID number is a 5 digit number.  There is ZERO cost to send inmates mail via the address below.

 

TextBehind processes standard physical mailings on behalf of the correctional facilities by following standard operating procedures approved by the institution(s). The following types of contents will likely cause your mailing to be rejected and returned to the sender's address on the envelope or package.  TextBehind Help Topics for those interested in more information.

Any type of box or package unless they're pre-approved by TextBehind.

Books, magazines, and newspapers.

Bank statements, IRS statements, and child support statements (these documents may contain identifiable personal information creating legal liability for TextBehind). Please notify TextBehind customer support staff to seek advice beforehand. 

3rd party advertisement and solicitation materials.

Calendars, cross-word puzzles, word/number puzzles, tattoo templates, and uncolored coloring pages.

Money orders, cash currency, payment checks, and IRS checks.

Passports, social security cards, credit/debit cards, prepaid cards, and original birth certificates. Only copies of these items will be acceptable.

Postage stamps, stationery paper, blank envelopes, and pre-stamped envelopes.

Booklets, pamphlets, newsletters, brochures, and stickers.

Internet articles of any kind, case studies, book chapters, or magazine articles.

Pieces of fabric of any kind, banners, and large posters.

The hardware items of any type, metallic items, electronic devices, or components.

Mail containing prescription or non-prescription drugs. Any illegal or suspicious drugs received in the mail will be separated. TextBehind will notify local police to take possession of the substance and notify the correctional facility with photographs of the letter and suspicious substance(s).

Oversized envelopes that are not scannable and envelopes that are not properly addressed are to be returned to the sender. 

Bound photo books, musical cards, popup greeting cards, and greeting cards with glitter or liquid/viscous substance.