Sheriff's Office

Mail and Letters

Regulations

All inmates are encouraged to maintain ties with their friends and families. Please note the following rules and regulations before sending any items to an inmate:

• No items with glitter, glue, tape, stickers, labels or other adhesives.
• Do not send blank stationary or blank greeting cards.
• No Polaroid pictures.
• No cash, coins, phone cards, credit cards, or checks. You may send a money order.
• Do not send electronic items or devices.
• Do not send mail that requires a delivery signature.
• Do not send smoking materials. The Coles County Jail is a non-smoking facility.
• Do not send books, magazines or newspapers to an inmate. Newspapers must be NEW and sent directly from the publisher.
• Money orders are accepted via mail, and any money orders must be made payable to the inmate.
• Incoming mail must include the senders name and address

Video Visitation

The Basics

• Each inmate is allowed one 25-minute visit each week. The week begins on Sunday and ends on Saturday.
• Visits will still be conducted on-site (at no charge). We anticipate adding the capability to conduct remote visits later this year.
• Each visitor may visit one inmate each week.
• You must be on an inmates approved visitors list to visit an inmate.
• You must be 18 or older to be on an inmates approved visitors list.
• Children under 18 must be accompanied by a parent/guardian.
• If you are unable to control the behavior of your children during visitation the visit will be terminated, and you will be asked to leave.
• Visitors will be required to present a state photo ID and register prior to visiting.
• Visitors are not allowed to bring food or drinks in during visitation.
• No cellphones, cameras, computers, or electronic media are allowed during visitation.
• Once an inmate's visitor list has been approved, it will not be changed until the inmate has been in our custody for a minimum of 6 continuous months.
• It is the inmate's responsibility to notify you that you are on their visitors list.
• Visits must be scheduled in advance. You may schedule a visit by calling (217) 348-7332. You may schedule visits up to 6 weeks in advance.
• Inmates on suicide watch are not eligible for visits.
• Visits will be terminated any time an officer determines the behavior of an inmate or a visitor is disruptive or inappropriate.
• A visitor's inappropriate conduct during visitation may result in termination of the visit, loss of future visits for the inmate and removal from the approved visitors list.

What do I need to do?

• Schedule your visit by calling (217) 348-7332 at least 24 hours in advance.
• Present your state photo ID to the office staff and register in the visitor's log.
• You will be assigned a specific visitation monitor. The office staff will direct you to the visitation area.
• You will step into the appropriate visitation booth and close the door. When it is time for your visit your monitor will connect with the inmates monitor. You can speak with the inmate through the handset on either side of the monitor.
• At the conclusion of your visit the monitor screen will clear. Place the handset in the cradle on the side of the monitor.
• Exit the visitation booth and return to the front of the building to leave.