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County Corrections

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1. Who should I contact if an emergency has occurred and I need to forward the information to an inmate?

Inform a corrections staff member of the situation, and he or she will assist you. You may also leave a voicemail for the inmate.

2. How can someone who has just been arrested be released without appearing in court?

• If the individual is eligible for pre-arraignment release or needs to pay fines, they can contact you by telephone or you can contact a corrections staff member at 402-441-1900 to determine the amount necessary for the individual to be released.
• Funds can be added one of following ways:
  • By using the kiosk machine in the Lobby (between the hours of 7 a.m. and 11 p.m.)
  • By using the kiosk machine in the Release Lobby (between the hours of 11 p.m. and 7 a.m.)
  • By visiting the Access Corrections website
  • By using the following phone number: 866-345-1884
• Once the money is received, the release process will begin.

3. Who determines if an individual can be released on bond prior to appearing in court?

The County Court Judges have instructed the Lancaster County Department of Corrections as to what charges an individual can be released on without first appearing in court, and the bond amount owed to be released.

4. Will the Lancaster County Department of Corrections take a personal check?

No. Funds can be added one of following ways:

• By using the kiosk machine in the Lobby (between the hours of 7 a.m. and 11 p.m.)
• By using the kiosk machine in the Release Lobby (between the hours of 11 p.m. and 7 a.m.)
• By visiting the Access Corrections Website
• By calling 866-345-1884

5. What is the deadline to post a bond for someone who has not appeared in court?

The deadline is 6 a.m. on the day of arraignment.

6. What type of situation would require someone to be held for court?

• If the judge has ordered the hold
• If the charge was related to a domestic violence case
• If the charge is a serious felony
• If the charge is a sexual assault
• If the charge is a 3rd offense DUI or Refuse a Chemical Test 3rd Offense
• If the warrant is from District Court
• If the warrant is from another state
• If the individual could not post the money required for bond and/or fines

7. How can I find out when someone is scheduled for court?

You can contact any of the following numbers:

• Lancaster Clerk of the District Court at 402-441-7328
• Lancaster County Court at 402-441-7291
• Lancaster County Department of Corrections at 402-441-1900

8. If I post someone's bond, will I receive the refund?

Typically the bond is written in the inmate's name and the refund will be given to the inmate by the Court. The inmate may submit a written request to the court to direct the bond refund to a specific individual.

9. When can the bond be refunded?

The bond can be refunded after the defendant has served the sentence, paid the fine, or the case has been dismissed.

10. How much of the bond is refunded?

Full cash bonds are fully refundable. In most cases the courts allow for 10% of the bond to be posted. For example; if the bond amount is $1000, only $100 is needed to post bond. In these cases, 90% of the bond is returned, or $90 in this example.

11. May I post surety for a bond so that I do receive the refund?

Yes, you will be required to post the entire amount of the bond.

12. If the inmate would like their bond to be used to pay fines, what should they do?

The inmate should forward a handwritten request to the court asking that his or her bond be applied toward his or her fines.

13. If the inmate is in custody for a District Court case, how can they be released?

Contact an attorney to schedule the necessary hearing before a District Court Judge. The county cannot recommend an attorney.

14. If someone goes to court, when will the Lancaster County Department of Corrections receive the paperwork?

Transmittal of paperwork from the courts is dependant on their caseload and may take 4 hours or more. You may call the Lancaster County Department of Corrections at 402-441-1900 for information regarding the status of charges.

15. If someone is sentenced to jail to serve a sentence and/or fines, who calculates the release date?

Release dates are calculated by the Lancaster County Department of Corrections Records Division. The release date is determined from the sentencing information provided by the court and any special orders set by the Judge.

16. How do I receive credit for time served on a case?

The request must be made to the Judge, who then authorizes the Lancaster County Department of Corrections Records Department to determine what credit can be applied toward that case.

17. May I serve several fines at one time?

No. All fines are to be served consecutively, unless a special order is made by the sentencing judge.

18. What is the deadline to receive credit for a day?

You must either be arrested before 4 p.m. or the Judge must order that your sentence begin prior to 4 p.m. to receive credit for that day.

19. How can I receive Time Payment for a fine and where do I get the forms?

A form can be obtained from County Court or a corrections staff member. You must complete the Time Payment form and submit it to County Court for approval. County Court will return a copy of the form indicating approval or denial. If approved, the date the fine is due will be noted on the form.

20. How much credit will I receive toward my fines for each day I serve in Jail?

You will receive $90 a day.

21. Can the Lancaster Corrections Department of Corrections tell me when someone will be released?

The Lancaster County Department of Corrections can disclose the date of release for inmates. For more specific information, you will need to contact the inmate.

22. If I have served my sentence and/or fines, what time will I be released?

Releases are processed beginning in the early afternoon. Your actual release time is dependent on workload.

23. When and where can I place money on an inmate's account?

Money can only be added one of 4 ways:

• By using the kiosk machine in the Lobby (between the hours of 7 a.m. and 11 p.m.)
• By using the kiosk machine in the Release Lobby (between the hours of 11 p.m. and 7 a.m.)
• By visiting the Access Corrections website
• By using the following phone number: 1 866-345-1884

24. When can inmates order items from the commissary?

Depending on where they are housed, Sunday or Monday night.

25. When can inmates release money from their accounts to the public?

Inmates must submit a money release form in order to release money from their accounts. Money releases will be processed and mailed on Thursday of each week.

26. When an individual is released, in what form will his/her inmate account be returned to him/her?

Upon release, all inmates receive a debit card for the balance of their account.

27. What type of property may be brought to an inmate?

It is best to contact The Lancaster County Department of Corrections at 402-441-1900 prior to bringing items for inmates to be sure they can be accepted. The following personal items are typically accepted:

• Clothing for an inmate's trial, when ordered by a judge
• Contact lenses
• Dentures
• Hearing aids
• Medical items approved in advance
• Prescription medication
• Prescription glasses

28. What type of property is allowed for an inmate with court approved release?

• Inmates on court-approved release are allowed to keep:
  • A belt
  • Four pairs of personal pants or shorts
  • Four pairs of socks
  • Four pairs of underwear
  • Four shirts
  • One set of pajamas
• All other items will be locked up when they are in the facility. This includes, but is not limited to:
  • Cell phones
  • Coats
  • Jewelry
  • Shoes
  • Wallets
• Inmates on court approved release may only have a maximum of $60 in their possession.

29. If I am sentenced to jail, how do I apply for work release?

You may request a work release application (PDF) from your attorney. Fill out the form completely and return it to the Lancaster County Department of Corrections Work Release Coordinator, who will forward the information to the appropriate court for consideration. Completed applications can be dropped off in the main lobby of the facility (3801 W 'O' Street, Lincoln, NE).

30. How do I know if my work release has been approved?

Contact the appropriate court or the Lancaster County Department of Corrections Work Release Coordinator at 402-441-1939.

31. If I receive a deferred sentence, when should I report to start serving my sentence?

Report to the Release Lobby at the Lancaster County Department of Corrections Adult Detention Facility (3801 W O Street) at least half an hour in advance of your sentence starting time. When you arrive, please advise Corrections staff that you have a deferred sentence.

32. What can cause my work release to be terminated?

Any violation of the departmental or work release rules can cause a termination of your work release.

33. If I have questions about my work release or any rules, who should I contact?

Contact the Lancaster County Department of Corrections Work Release Coordinator at 402-441-1939.

34. How much are work release costs?

Work release costs are $7 for each day you are in custody.

35. If I am serving fines, am I eligible for work release?

No. You are encouraged to pay your fines, as you are not allowed out on work release on days you are serving fines.

36. How old must someone be to visit an inmate?

At least eighteen years of age; persons under eighteen years of age must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian (proof required), or be able to produce proof of marriage to the inmate.

37. What are the times I can visit?

All visits will take place via video. You will need to register and schedule your visits at ICS Solutions. Sign in to schedule and manage upcoming visits with the inmate. You can select the date and time that is most convenient for you. For everything you need to know for visitation, please visit our Visitor Information page

38. What do I need to visit?

You must be able to produce a valid county, city, state and/or federal issued, photo ID.

39. How long does a visit last?

Visits are setup to run for 1 hour from their scheduled start time.

40. May I bring my minor children with me to visit?

Yes. Each minor will count as one of the 3 visitors allowed per visiting session. Children must be closely supervised at all times. If you fail to do this you may have your visit canceled.

41. What can I take into a visit with me?

You should bring as few items as possible to visits due to very limited locker space available. The following items will not be allowed into the video visitation area:

• Cell phones
• Coats
• Computers
• Diaper bags
• Packages
• Purses
• Tablets
• Other items

42. What could cause me to lose my visiting privileges?

Any violation of the visiting rules or any inappropriate conduct. Visiting rules are available in the lobby of the facility and on our Visitor Information page.

43. How may I contact an inmate by phone?

Inmates have daily access to phones that allow them to place collect local and long distance calls.

44. How can I help provide an inmate with phone minutes?

Minutes can be purchased in the following ways:

• Online Payment Processing Service is a service that allows you to conveniently purchase prepaid phone services using a credit or debit card. As soon as your payment is processed, the inmate has access to the services purchased.
• By calling the following phone number: 888-506-8407. Customer Care Representatives are available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year to answer your questions and process your purchase.
• By mailing a check or money order to the following address:
  ICSolutions
  Attention: Customer Service Department/Prepaid Account
  2200 Danbury Street
  San Antonio, TX 78217
• By placing money on the inmate's account that can be used to purchase phone minutes.

45. How can I leave a voicemail message for an inmate?

To leave a voicemail for an inmate you will need to complete the following steps:

1. You will need to set up a prepaid account with ICSolutions.
2. You will need the inmate's CFN number which you can get from the inmate, our Inmate Lookup page, or from corrections staff at 402-441-1900.
3. You will call 402-858-4436 and listen to the menu to leave a voicemail. You will be charged a fee to leave a voicemail for an inmate.

46. May I send mail to an inmate?

Inmates may generally correspond through the mail with whomever they choose, as long as the correspondence does not jeopardize the public or facility safety or security. Incoming mail will not be delivered to inmates if it contains contraband items, stickers, stamps, or stains. Books and magazines must be sent directly from a publisher. Inmates may only purchase envelopes and stamps from commissary, these items will not be given to inmates if received through the mail.