Office of the Bay County Sheriff

Troy Cunningham, Sheriff

Bay County Law Enforcement Center
503 Third Street
Bay City, Michigan 48708
Voice: (989) 895-4050
Fax: (989) 895-4058

 Bay County Jail Information

How do I find out if someone is in the Bay County Jail?

Information pertaining to someone who is in custody can be obtained by going to the web site: vinelink.com or by contacting the Bay County Sheriff's Office at (989) 895-4050. Information pertaining to an inmate's previous incarceration will not be divulged without proper authority.

When are arraignments scheduled?

Arraignments are held at the Bay County Jail on Monday through Friday (except holidays) around 1:30 p.m., depending on the presiding judge's workload. Arraignments may be viewed at the Bay County Court Facility in the presiding judge's courtroom. All visitors to the court facility will be required to pass through a metal detector. Packages and briefcases will be x-rayed for weapons and explosives. Cell phones and lighters are not permitted in the Court Facility.  Inmate court information can be obtained by going to the web site: baycountycourts.com.

How are bonds set?

The courts set prisoner bonds. Prisoners who are assigned a bond can be released provided the bond is paid and there are no other police agency holds on the prisoner. Information on a prisoners bond may be obtained by calling (989) 895-4050. Bond money may be provided at any time of the day in the form of a money order, certified check, or cash. If a money order or certified check is used, it must be made out to the prisoner. Personal checks are not allowed for the purpose of bonding a person. To utilize a bondsmen, check the yellow pages of the phone book.

When is an inmate going to be released?

All inmates are transported to and from the various courts simultaneously. When all arraignments are completed, the inmates are returned to the Law Enforcement Center. This process may take a couple of hours. If you arrive at the jail to pick up someone, anticipate a delay in processing. Prisoners being released are allowed to make a free local phone call in order to obtain transportation.

Can I contact an inmate?

You may contact an inmate only in letter form or through a scheduled visit. Inmates are not allowed to receive incoming phone calls. You may send a letter in a plain white envelope to a prisoner by addressing it

in his/her name at:

[Inmate's Name]
503 Third St.
Bay City, MI 48708 

 

**Colored or altered envelopes will be returned to Sender** 

All incoming letters are opened to check for contraband.

How do I post money to a prisoner's account?

You can deposit money in the Kiosk located in the front foyer of the Law Enforcement Center 24 hours per day.  Monday through Friday.  You will need the inmate's name.

Family and Friends can purchase up to $50.00 of hygiene items or undergarments for their inmate at cost per week by calling 1-888-634-0034.

You can deposit up to $150.00 by credit card per week into an inmate's Commissary account by calling 1-866-422-6833. 

All credit card commissary deposits are subject to a $4.00 + 4% processing fee.  

 

For your convenience you can also make Bond payments on-line by going to: www.expressaccount.com

Your Credit or Debit Card
The inmate's name

All credit card bonds are subject to a $10.00 + 8% processing fee.  The maximum credit card bond that can be posted via kiosk is $1,500.00.  The maximum bond that can

be posted via web is $1,000.00.

Undergarments:

All undergarments will be purchased through commissary at our cost. The maximum is five white tee shirts, five white briefs, and five pairs of white socks, three white bras for females.

Clothing:

The jail will provide outer garments and bedding for prisoners while they are in jail. One set of street clothes will be accepted only for prisoners who are going to trial.

Phone Calls:

Prisoners are allowed to make one free phone call when arrested. Prisoners in general population have access to phones to make collect only calls from 6:30 a.m. until lock down each day. Prisoners are not allowed to receive incoming calls. Inmate phone services are provided by our phone vendor,  Securus Technologies.

 

Visitation for prisoners:

Starting February 14, 2018, all Visits will be done by Video.  The  Bay County Jail now provides Video Visitation Anywhere, allowing you to visit with your incarcerated loved one from home, library, office or anywhere with an internet access from your Android TM or Apple smartphone, tablet or computer with webcam. Visit times will be from 8:00am - 11:00pm, 7 days per week except for the following block out times: 11:00am - 12:00pm, 4:00pm - 5:00pm, 6:30pm - 7:30pm.

To create a Securus Online account go to www.videovisitanywhere.com Click on the "Sign Up" button to create your account.  If you are enrolling with your computer, make sure you have a webcam to take a picture of a government issued photo ID (Driver's license, passport, military ID, etc.)  You will receive an email once your account is approved.

 For Remote Visits (the visitor visiting from anywhere other than at the jail lobby units).  Visits can be either 20 ($6.99) or 40 ($13.99) minutes in length. 

  On the day of your scheduled visit, make sure you log in to your account 15 minutes prior to the start time of the visit. 

 For on site Visits (using the video visit machines in the lobby of the Law Enforcement Center) 

On the day of your scheduled visit, make sure you log into the proper machine (either left or right, designated when you set the visit), if you cannot remember

which machine you were assigned simply select the "Scheduler" to see if your visit is on that machine.You must wait until 1 minute before the visit to sign in.  

Inmates are allowed one (1) free 20 minute on site only visit per week. Inmates housed in Maximum Security blocks will be allowed (1) One free 20 minute on site

video visit per week.  

 

Property Release:

Prisoners may release their personal property to a family member or friend at any time. The request must be in writing and the person authorized to pick it up must sign for the property. Prisoners being sent to prison are required to have a family member or friend pick up all their property prior to their departure. Prisoner property not picked up prior to their departure to prison will be destroyed.