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Corrections Procedures for Inmates & Visitors

There are a variety of procedures that inmates in the Benton County Corrections Facility, and their visitors, should be familiar with. These procedures have been broken down topically and are presented here.

Procedures for the Benton County Corrections Facility

Posting Bail and Inmate Funds | Telephone Calls | Bringing in Items | Visiting | Correspondence

Posting Bail and Inmate Funds

Bail generally means that the full amount of money must be posted in order for the defendant to be released from custody. If the defendant shows up for all subsequent court appearances, the money is returned to the person who posted it, less any administrative charge the court may impose.

Security Release is part of ORS 135.265 and generally means that ten percent of the full bail amount must be posted for in order for the defendant to be released from custody. If the defendant fails to appear in subsequent court appearances, they can be 1.) charged with the crime of Failure to Appear in the First or Second Degree and 2.) the person posting the security may lose the ten percent they posted AND be liable for remaining 90 percent. Even if the defendant shows up for all court appearances, the court will keep 15 percent of the posted security release amount as an "administrative charge."

Bail for local Benton County charges and for other jurisdictions will be accepted only in the following forms:

• Cash
• Credit Card - Mastercard/Visa only
• Electronic Check
• Debit Card

Due to the inability to ensure quality control, the following will NOT be accepted:

• Personal Checks
• Cashiers Checks
• Money Orders
  

Bail / Security for out-of-county charges will be accepted in accordance with that jurisdiction's policy. Please check with Corrections Facility staff.

Ways to Fund Inmate Accounts or Post Bail

As of August 15th, 2008 the only ways to post bail or fund an inmate’s account will be:

Deposits to inmate accounts or bail payments can be made by:
Toll-free telephone: 1.866.232.1899 (Electronic Check)
Online: http://payments.touchpaydirect.net
Facility Kiosk: Available in the Corrections Facility Lobby 24/7. The kiosk will accept
cash, Visa/MasterCard and debit card. No American Express or Discover cards accepted.

You will need the facility locator number which is 297302, the Inmate’s 10 digit Booking Number along with their first and last name. You can locate the Booking Number by checking the Inmate Roster and then clicking on the inmate's name.

There will be a user fee for all transactions with the exception of “cash bail” posted via the kiosk.
For Customer Support through TouchPay you can call: 1.866.204.1603.

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Telephone Calls

• Social calls to inmates will not be accepted.
• Corrections staff will not take and relay messages to inmates.
• Inmates are provided with collect-call-only telephones in the housing areas and may call out only during proscribed hours.
• Local calls (including Philomath, Albany and Corvallis) cost approximately $1.55 per call.
• Long distance calls are charged on a flat-rate plus the regular per/minute rate.
• The level of inmate telephone access is dependent upon classification and housing assignment.
• All calls are subject to recording and will be monitored by corrections professionals.  Calls may be terminated by staff at any time.

Please be advised that if you choose to accept a call from an inmate housed in the Benton County Corrections Facility, the telephone company will charge you for the cost of the call. If you are receiving unwanted calls or attempted calls from inmates, you may contact jail staff at 541.766.6866 and request that a block be placed on your phone number.

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Bringing in Items for Inmates

Inmates housed in the Benton County Corrections Facility will not be permitted to release property or funds without approval from the facility manager. The Facility manager may, upon verification of an emergency situation authorize the release of some or all of the funds or property an inmate has in their possession at the time of booking

The Corrections Facility is a tobacco-free building. All tobacco products are considered contraband and should not be brought to inmates. Along with tobacco, clothing, health/hygiene articles, books, and other items are not accepted for inmates. Inmates are provided with clothing, bedding, towels, and a health/hygiene kit when they are booked into the facility.

Inmates have access to a small library maintained in the facility and can check out books from the Corvallis Public Library. Inmates may purchase a variety of items including tooth paste, shampoo snacks and other items from the Inmate Commissary if they have funds available. Inmates who do not have any money are provided with hygiene items, regardless of their ability to pay.

***WARNING***
Intentionally bringing contraband into a corrections facility is a felony under Oregon law. Persons smuggling weapons, drugs, tobacco or any other prohibited item into the Corrections Facility are subject to arrest and prosecution.

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Visiting (Disponible en español)

NOTE: Visits must be scheduled in advance over the telephone at 541.766.6866 between the hours of 8-9 am and 6-7 pm daily.

Visitation Rules:

• To be eligible for visits inmates must have completed the inmate orientation process.
• Inmates must submit a Visitor List which includes the full name, date of birth, address and phone number of the person(s) he or she wishes to visit. Additions to an inmate's visitor list must originate with the inmate and Corrections Staff will not make such additions.
• Visitor lists are screened and eligibility for visits is either approved or denied based on the perspective visitors criminal history or conduct during prior incarcerations or visits to the Facility.
• Visitors under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult unless legal verification of marriage to the inmate being visited is provided. Minor children of an inmate may visit when accompanied by an adult.
• All visitors must provide current valid photo identification evidencing date of birth and proof of identity.
• No personal belongings are allowed in the visiting areas.
• Visitors may be subjected to searches at anytime in accordance with policy.
• Visitors must wear conventional clothing which in the judgment of Facility personnel is not unduly suggestive and does not resemble inmate attire.
• Any visitor who displays signs of intoxication of alcohol or drugs will not be permitted access to the facility.
• Adults or children creating a disturbance in the visiting area may have their visit terminated and be required to leave the Corrections Facility.
• All visits with family and friends are scheduled in advanced on a "first-come, first-served" basis with a minimum of 2 hours prior notification.
• Visits are limited to 30 minutes per visit. Each inmate is allowed only one visit per day and the number of visits per week depends on the inmate's classification level.

        

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Correspondence

Effective Mar. 31, 2010 all written personal correspondence with inmates at the Benton Co. Corrections Facility will be via post card.

All incoming post cards will be inspected. In addition, incoming or outgoing written correspondence may be subject to reading and possibly censorship (withholding) if jail administration believes that the contents could pose a threat to the safety, security or order of the jail: Inmates may purchase post cards and stamps from the commissary. Indigent inmates are furnished with a limited amount of post cards and stamps each week.

Inmates are not restricted in the amount of written correspondence they may send or receive, however, due to safety reasons, they are restricted in the amount that they may possess in their living area at any given time.

Letters to inmates should be addressed as follows:

Inmate's Name
Benton County Corrections Facility
PO Box 788
Corvallis, OR 97339

Incoming post cards must contain the inmate's name and address and a return name and address. Any post cards that contain additional writing, drawings or anything suspected of being code will be returned to the sender.
Victims or witnesses in a criminal case who receive harassing or threatening correspondence from an inmate should contact us by phone at 541.766.6866.

***WARNING***
Intentionally introducing contraband into a corrections facility is a felony under Oregon law. Persons smuggling weapons, drugs, tobacco or any other prohibited item into the Corrections Facility are subject to arrest and prosecution

 

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Visitation Procedures for Other Counties

• Lincoln County Jail Visitation Rules (PDF)
• Yamhill County Jail Visitation Procedure

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