Columbia County OR Jail

Columbia County OR 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: 503-366-4611

This facility is for adult inmates.

The Columbia County OR Jail is a medium-security detention center located at 901 Port Ave St. Helens, OR which is operated locally by the Columbia 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. Columbia County accepts inmates from surrounding towns, municipalities, the US Marshal's Service and the St. Helens Police Department who do not have their own long-term lock-up.

INMATE PHONES

Securus provides the phone service for inmates that are housed in the Columbia County Jail. For any questions, or to set up an account contact SecurusTech.net. Get instant 33% discount off the Securus calls here

INMATE MAIL GUIDE

This Guide is intended to be a summary of some of the provisions in the Inmate Mail Policy that may be of most interest to members of the public.

Policy

Jail mail-handling procedures support both the inmates’ and the public’s need to communicate in writing, to carry out legal and official business, and maintain family and community ties. Procedures also meet the Jail’s need for efficient operations that preserve the good order, safety, and security of the facility, inmates, and staff. To that end, the following guide has been prepared to assist the public in complying with the Inmate Mail Policy.

The Jail’s general Policy is that it will not limit, censor, or restrict the volume, language, content, format or source of inmate mail. However, some limitations are necessary for the security of inmates, jail staff, and the public, as well as for the efficient operation of the Jail.

Inmate Mail. Inmates may generally send and receive mail in any form delivered by the U.S. Postal Service. Personal property such as food, beverages, clothing and similar items are not allowed to be mailed to and from inmates and will be confiscated. Photographs are allowed provided they don’t otherwise violate the Policy.

Publications. Inmates may receive publications, including but not limited to, books, magazines, newsletters and newspapers. However, the publication must be mailed directly from the publisher, book club or a bookstore.
Addressing Inmate Mail. Inmate mail must have the inmate’s booking name as part of the addressee information (booking number is encouraged but not required). Incoming mail must have a return address including the name and address of the sender.

Prohibited Mail. Jail staff will not allow an inmate to receive or send mail that—
1. Contains—
A. Threats of physical harm, blackmail, extortion, or other criminal activity;
B. Plans for escape, criminal activity, or activity that violates jail rules;
C. Gang-related material;
D. Information that, if conveyed, could result in physical harm to someone;
E. Sexually explicit materials;
F. Inflammatory material;
G. Contraband materials including but not limited to such commonly mailed items as:
(1) Books larger than 9 by 12 inches or with plastic or metal bindings;
(2) Controlled substances as defined by ORS 475.005(6);
(3) Foreign substances, such as: a) bodily fluids; b) lipstick or perfume; c) glue or paint; d) anything with an unusual stain or odor that indicates a foreign substance may be present;

2. Is written in code or suspected code;
3. Was a form of written communication not sent through the USPS or other approved system;
4. Is to or from a victim of a crime that the inmate is in custody for in either pretrial or sentenced status;
5. Would violate a court order;
6. May produce a hostile work environment, such as sexual harassment;
7. Is a credit or deferred billing transaction, such as “bill me later” subscriptions or merchandise bought on credit or collect-on-delivery terms;
8. Is fraudulently marked as legal or official mail.

For more specific information about prohibited mail please review the full Inmate Mail Policy J603.

Appeals. Both the inmate and an outside person have the right to appeal a decision to confiscate inmate mail. With very limited exceptions, the Jail will provide a Notice of Prohibited Mail to both the sender and addressee when inmate mail is returned or confiscated. The Notice of Prohibited Mail will explain the reason why the inmate mail was returned or confiscated and will explain the appeals process. The appeal process for an inmate follows the Jail’s normal grievance process. The appeal process for everyone else requires a letter explaining the reason for the appeal, and providing contact information. The letter must be received within 15 days from the date of the Prohibited Mail Notice. The Jail will respond within 15 days of receipt of the letter.

visitation Info

Columbia County OR Jail – Visitation

All public visits will be scheduled by the Inmate requesting the visit. The inmate must contact prospective visitors by phone or mail, and determine an acceptable visiting date. Time slots may be used on a first come, first serve basis. Visitors are encouraged to arrive 10 to 15 minutes early to sign in. If all of the slots are taken for that time frame they can either wait till the next times start for that pod, if it is available, or return on another day. Visits will start on the hour and half hour. Authorized visitors shall be members from the inmate’s family, and friends age 18 and older. Visitors under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.

Inmate visitation is a privilege and while the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office encourages visitation, that privilege must be regulated to protect the needs of the entire jail operation. The amount of time allotted for visitation is based upon the classification and status of each inmate.  

Additional rules for inmate visitation can be found 

All inmates will be allowed a maximum of two thirty (30) minute visits per seven (7) day period (Sunday through Saturday), as time and space allows. Inmates assigned to Disciplinary Segregation will not be allowed visitation privileges.

Inmates not yet assigned to a housing unit or who are housed in the pre-classification unit, will not be allowed public visitation. Inmates serving a sentence of seventy-two hours(72) or less will not be allowed public visitation.

Due to space limitations, acceptable visiting combinations are limited to:

   1. One Adult
   2. Two Adults
   3. One Adult and One Child
   4. One Adult and Two Children
   5. Two Adults and One Child

Inmates have the right to refuse any visit; however that right should be exercised prior to visiting time.

All inmates wishing to receive public visits must establish a visiting list of not more than five (5) people. Persons not on the approved list will not be allowed to visit. The minimum information required for each person to be considered for visiting will be:

   1. First, Middle, and Last Name
   2. Date of birth
   3. Relationship
   4. The name of any children who may be in the company of their parent or guardian
 
WARNING: Intentionally introducing contraband into a correctional facility is a FELONY under Oregon Law. Persons smuggling weapons, drugs, tobacco or any other prohibited item into the correctional facility are subject to prosecution. (ORS 162.185)
 
RULES FOR JAIL VISITORS 
Go to this page for all rules that apply to Jail Visitors
Daily Visitation Schedule 
(effective February 14, 2018) 
Sunday: 
A-Pod 0900-1000  
G-Pod 1000-1130
J-Pod 1330-1500
 
Monday: 
C-Pod 0900-1200 
F-Pod 1500-1530
 
Tuesday: 
D-Pod 0900-1030
A-Pod 1030-1130
E-Pod 1300-1500
 
Wednesday:
I-Pod 0830-1000
G-Pod 1000-1030
K-Pod 1800-1900 
 
Thursday: 
D-Pod 0830-1000
J-Pod 1300-1430

Friday: 
C-Pod 1300-1600
 
Saturday: 
F-Pod 0830-0900
E-Pod 0930-1100
I-Pod 1400-1530
K-Pod 1800-1900 
 
B-Pod Visitation Schedule: 
BT1 Monday   1900-1930      Thursday   1930-2000          
BL1 Monday   1930-2000        Thursday   2000-2030
BT3 Monday   2000-2030    Thursday   1900-1930         

BT2 Tuesday   1800- 1830      Saturday   1930-2000         
BL2 Tuesday   1900-1930    Saturday   1900-1930
BT4 Tuesday   1830-1900       Saturday   2000-2030          

BL3 Wednesday 1930-2000  Sunday   2000-2030
BL4 Wednesday 1900-1930  Sunday   1930-2000 
C-Pod Visiting (Mondays and Wednesdays): 
CONTACT THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE FOR INFORMATION regarding C-Pod Visiting on Mondays and Fridays.  Actual Visiting times are cell-specific–you must call the jail at (503) 366-4630 for specific visiting times in C-Pod. 
Each Inmate can have two 1/2 hour visits per week. 
The Inmate you would like to visit is going to need your full name and your date of birth to sign you up as a visitor. 
It is the Inmate’s responsibility to let you know their visiting dates and times.
This schedule is subject to change, any changes shall allow time for inmates to reschedule affected visits.
Attorney Visits
Inmates shall be given the opportunity to visit their attorneys at reasonable times, consistent with the safety and security of the facility. All visits will be scheduled by the attorney.
Clergy Visits
Clergy visits will be handled the same as a regular visit. The inmate must have your full name and DOB to sign to sign you up for visiting. You will then be allowed to visit that inmate on the inmates normal visiting hours for the pod that the inmate is assigned to.