Dakota County MN Jail

Dakota County MN 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: 651-438-4700

This facility is for adult inmates.

The Dakota County MN Jail is a medium-security detention center located at 1580 Hwy 55 Hastings, MN which is operated locally by the Dakota 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. Dakota County accepts inmates from surrounding towns, municipalities, the US Marshal's Service and the Hastings Police Department who do not have their own long-term lock-up.

The Dakota County Jail is a 263-bed direct supervision facility. Housing units are staffed 24 hours a day by correctional deputies who coordinate all of the activities in a particular unit. Female inmates in custody at the Dakota County Jail are currently housed at the Ramsey County Workhouse

Upon arrival, inmates are searched, booked, fingerprinted, photographed, showered, and are issued jail uniforms, bedding and hygiene products

Dakota County offers inmate programs that helps prepare inmates for life after release.

Inmates Motivated to Change – Allows inmates the opportunity to participate in programming above and beyond the programs available to the entire jail. Inmates must apply and be accepted based on appropriate jail behavior, expectations and a commitment to making changes in their lives.

Once accepted, inmates are offered programs in:

• Life skills
• Cognitive thinking skills
• Resourced and released
• Personal and professional etiquette

Weekly unit meetings discuss successes as well as failures in an effort to foster a community environment within the jail.

Outreach Program – The program helps inmates prepare for the transition back into their communities. The program’s goal is to reduce recidivism and the criminogenic risk factors of the inmates in the Dakota County Jail. This is done by providing inmates with resources that they can use upon release.

Some of these resources include housing, employment assistance, financial aid and help with child support.

Community Speakers – Representatives from a variety of government departments, non-profits and for-profit organizations visit the jail on a monthly or bi-monthly basis to present about their services. The speakers facilitate discussion groups, promote their programs and provide information to help inmates prepare for re-entry.

Community speakers share a passion to help inmates in need and provide information about resources so inmates have a smoother transition out of the jail and back into their communities.

Resource Fair – The Resource Fair was designed to help inmates gain access to transitional opportunities before they are released. This ensures they have the tools necessary to become stable and self-sufficient upon release.

At the fair, inmates have the opportunity to engage with various providers that offer services for individuals with criminal records. Organizations invited to participate in this event range from universities, social service organizations, employment services, housing services, recreational services, and a variety of other community resources.

Motivational Conference – An annual event that inspires and empowers inmates to make different choices and stay out of jail in the future. The event consists of inspirational speakers, an ex-offender panel and breakout sessions.

Guest Speakers – Guest speakers visit the jail and talk about perseverance and overcoming the odds. These speakers share their stories with inmates in hopes to inspire motivation to change.

Re-Entry Assistance Program – The Re-Entry Assistance Program (RAP) helps inmates with histories of multiple jails stays minimize the number of times they return to jail. The program provides transitional and supportive services that assist sentenced inmates exiting the Dakota County Jail with re-entry into the community.

Community Corrections reviews the requests from jail inmates seeking help and conducts interviews to determine eligibility and identifies needs for inmates selected for the program.

After an inmate is accepted, Community Corrections identifies and coordinates service needs, options and develops a re-entry case plan.

visitation Info

Dakota County MN Jail – Visitation

Public visiting hours

• Wednesdays 1:00 pm – 4:30 pm
• Saturdays and Sundays 11:00 am – 5:00 pm
• Saturdays and Sundays 7:00 pm – 9:20 pm

Attorney visiting hours

• Daily, 8–11 a.m., 1–4 p.m., 7 p.m.–5 a.m.

Every inmate has the opportunity to sign up for a designated visiting time located within each housing unit. Only one-time slot will be allotted per inmate, each visiting day. They may have more than one person visit during this time period, but only during the time they signed up for. (Children of the inmate do not have to be listed.)

Segregation inmates are not allowed visitors – while on lockdown status.

Inmates must notify visitors of time – It is the inmate's responsibility to notify their visitors of the time they have selected. We will not accept phone calls from the public inquiring about the time an inmate has selected for visits. It will be the visitor's responsibility to be on time for the scheduled visit — late arrivals will not be accepted.

Due to circumstances beyond our control, the visiting schedule may be adjusted by the Jail Supervisor on duty.

Visitation rules

• Visiting will only be allowed during set hours.
• Visits will be no more than 20 minutes but may be terminated at any time.
• Adult visitors must be at least 18 years of age. Children under the age of 18 will be allowed to visit a parent, but must be accompanied by an adult and must not be left unattended.
• Proper attire is required. No short shorts, bikini tops, or other revealing clothing will be permitted — shoes must be worn while in the facility.
• Visitor identification is required. A valid driver's license, state identification card with picture and signature, or any other identification with a picture, physical description, and signature is accepted. Minor children under 16 years of age may be asked to bring a birth certificate as proof of relationship to the inmate.
• Smoking is not permitted in the jail facility.
• The facility is not responsible for any personal items left unattended.
• Any visitor attempting to bring in firearms, explosives, alcoholic beverages, narcotics, or any controlled substance will be arrested and prosecuted to the full extent of the law.
• Any visitor under the influence of alcohol or drugs will be denied the visit and asked to leave the facility.
• No food or beverages will be allowed in the visiting area.
• All visits are subject to monitoring and/or recording.