Nemaha County KS Jail

Nemaha County KS Jail basic information to help guide you through what you can do for your inmate while they are incarcerated. The facility's direct contact number: 785-336-2311

This facility is for adult inmates.

The Nemaha County KS Jail is a medium-security detention center located at 212 North Sixth St Seneca, KS which is operated locally by the Nemaha County Sheriff's Office and holds inmates awaiting trial or sentencing or both. Most of the sentenced inmates are here for less than two years. Nemaha County accepts inmates from surrounding towns, municipalities, the US Marshal's Service and the Seneca Police Department who do not have their own long-term lock-up.

The current, linear-style jail was built in 1978. With five cells coming off of an L-shaped hallway, it was built to hold 12 inmates.

But the average number of inmates has been steadily increasing, going from an average of eight per day six years ago to 12 now.

Additional bunks were added in recent years, allowing the jail to accommodate 15 inmates if necessary.

The current jail requires direct supervision by jailers, which means the jailers have to check on all cells in person multiple times a day, something Vernon characterizes as a security risk for those employees.

Plans for the new jail would not only provide increased size, but also increased security for prisoners and jail employees.

The new, 15,000 square foot addition would be built directly west of, and still attached to, the current jail, Nemaha County Sheriff’s Department offices and the County Courthouse.

The proposed addition is designed with 15 cells accommodating up to 34 beds.

The cellblocks are separated into five pods. This pod style allows for increased security by separating inmates according to severity level, something that is not possible with the current jail.

Also adding to the safety and security of the facility is technology that allows all areas to be viewed on video and electronically controlled.

Additionally, the jail addition includes a control room; booking area; large work release cell; small cells for special purposes, such as a padded cell and a holding cell; a medical exam area; multiple visitation rooms; a separate kitchen, laundry and staff break room; and an office for the county attorney, among other spaces.

Inmate Mail

Persons in the Nemaha County Jail can received mail during the time they are incarcerated. All mail is delivered in person, as it is received, to those for whom it is addressed and is distributed Monday through Saturday. No delivery is made on Sundays or holidays. All mail (with the exception of "legal mail") is opened and inspected for contraband and security breaches according to federal guidelines. Mail pertaining to legal matters is opened in the presence of the inmate to whom it is addressed. Any threats or illegal contraband received via the mail will be forwarded to the appropriate authorities for investigation and legal action. All mail must have a complete return address and be addressed with the inmates full name and the address of the Nemaha County Jail.

Inmates Name:

C/O Nemaha County Jail
212 N 6th Street
Seneca, Kansas 66538

Mail received at the Jail which does not display the correct information may be placed in the inmates property or be returned to the sender. Mail received for inmates who are no longer at the Nemaha County Jail is returned to the sender.

As a general rule, inmates are allowed to receive letters, cards, post cards and 3×5 or 4×6 photographs. The Nemaha County Jail reserves the right to return to the sender any letter, picture, article, or package (with the exception of 'legal' mail) which the Jail guidelines deem inappropriate for introduction into the facility. Items mailed to the inmates which are declared unacceptable, will be placed in the inmates property or returned to the sender as they are received.

Commissary Information

Persons in the Nemaha County Jail can purchase food, personal hygiene and other items, weekly (including holidays) from the jail's commissary. Money is deposited to an inmate’s account and, in turn, inmates may purchase commissary items drawing on the funds in their account. Inmates on restriction status may purchase only personal hygiene items. The purchase of commissary items by incarcerated persons is a privilege and not a right. Access to the commissary may be withheld for just cause.

Persons may make deposits to an inmate's commissary account in two different ways:

1. In person with cash only: Cash Deposits are at the Sheriff's Office inside the east entrance of the Nemaha County Sheriff’s Office at 212 N 6^th Street, Seneca, Kansas. Deposits can be made from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM Monday through Friday- excluding county holidays. The minimum deposit accepted is $5.00 and the maximum is $100.00.

2. Via the U.S. Mail with money orders: Deposits are be made to commissary accounts via the U.S. Mail but only Postal Prepaid Money Orders, other accredited prepaid money orders and U.S. government checks are accepted. Cash, personal or payroll checks and credit cards numbers are not accepted. All money orders received for deposit on inmate accounts must be made payable to Nemaha County Inmate Account. The inmate's name, must be on the money order and be the one that the inmate used when they were processed into the jail. Money orders without the necessary information will be returned to the sender.

visitation Info

Nemaha County Jail – Visitation

Visitation Schedule:

You Must Call to Schedule Visitations, 
Time are available on Saturdays from 09:00 to 3:00 pm. 

Inmates will be brought in from the jail one at a time on visitation day. Time allotted for each visit depends on the number of persons signing in to see inmates. If time permits for a second visitation, then it will be permitted.  Only two visitors will be allowed at one time. Any additional persons must wait in the waiting area if room permits. All others must remain outside the office.  All persons under the age of eighteen must be accompanied by their legal guardian. All visitors must be properly dressed. No revealing clothing.  Any Sheriff’s Office personnel can, at their discretion, refuse visitation if someone is not dressed appropriately.  Visitors may only visit once a week.

Visitation Information

Inmates of the Nemaha County Jail are allowed to have visits while being incarcerated at the jail, except when an inmate is restricted from doing so. Failure to follow the visitation rules will result in the cancellation of a visit and possible suspension of the visitor or inmate from future visiting privileges. It is the inmate's responsibility to comply with all rules and to inform their visitors of these rules, so that a scheduled visit is successfully completed.

IMPORTANT: The Sheriff or his designated representative, may cancel any visitation or remove any visitor who violates a jail rule, or any person who, in their opinion, poses a threat to the Jail security or to another inmate, visitor or staff member.