Details of the Cook County Jail
The Cook County Jail is officially called the Cook County Department of Corrections (CCDOC) and is one of the largest county pre-detention facilities in the U.S. The facilitiy is situated on 96 acres and admits approximately 100,000 detainees per year. The daily population of the jail is approximately 9,000 inmates.Posting Bond
Family members and friend of inmates may post bond by credit card, cash or certified check during the hours of 9 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the CCDOC’s Division Five Office, located at 2700 South California Avenue. The bond office is open every day, including holidays. Cashier’s checks should be made payable to the Clerk of the Circuit Court and must be presented during normal banking hours for verification purposes.Inmates coming into the facility after being arrested and attending bond court must be processed into the department before bond is posted. The time frame before bond is posted will vary depending on when the person is brought to the facility from court.
Inmates who are incarcerated overnight or longer may expect to be discharged about 2 hours after bond is posted, unless the inmate is in court that day and/or has a detainer from another agency. In either of those instances, more time may be needed to process the bond release.
Depositing Money into an Inmate Account
Each inmate at CCDOC has a trust account which allows an inmate to purchase commissary items such as clothing, stamped envelopes, toiletries and food items which are supplementary to the meals and supplies provided by the CCDOC. Inmates may purchase up to $100 worth of clothing and supplies and $100 of food items each week. Money may be deposited into an inmate’s trust account by wire via Money Gram or Western Union, or may be mailed via Money Order directly to the Cook County Department of Corrections. You will need the inmate’s correct identification number and the exact spelling of their name.If using Money Gram, you will need to enter Code #1750/Cook County Jail.
If using Western Union, you will need to enter Code CCHOC/State-IL.
Wire transfers will post to the inmate’s account within 1 to 2 business days.
If mailing a money order, please remember that CCDOC will only accept money orders of $100 or less. If you would like to send more than this amount, you must send separate money orders.
Money orders should be made payable to the inmate, using their exact name and jail identification number. They should be mailed to:
P.O. Box 089002
Chicago, IL 60608
Money orders take up to 5 business days to post to an inmate’s account.
Writing an Inmate
The mailing address for sending letters to inmates is:P.O. Box 089002
Chicago, IL 60608
You must include the inmate’s name and prison ID number (ID numbers may be retrieved using the CCDOC’s automated system at 773-674-5245). Only letters and regular-sized cards may be sent. Other items which may be sent via U.S. mail include:
• Photos (Polaroid photos with double backing are not accepted)
• Up to 3 paperback books and/or magazines per mailing
Postage stamps, newspapers, playing cards and plastic sentiment, musical or very large cards are prohibited.
Visiting an Inmate
All visitors must have a valid photo ID including a valid driver’s license or State ID, U.S. Military ID card, valid Passport/Visa/Consulate ID, valid Alien Registration Card, Public Aid Photo ID or Photo School ID.All visitors are subject to search upon entering the jail. Items prohibited from entering the jail include: alcohol, electronics, newspapers/magazines, books, food, pocket knives, lighters, syringes, cell phones, matches, tobacco products, drinks, music players, tools, drugs, nail clippers and weapons.
Visiting hours differ depending on an inmate’s location. To find an inmate’s housing location, call 773-674-5245.
Or click here to view visiting hours by housing division
