Frequently Asked Questions

The inmate telephone system is contracted through Securus Technologies. This system has the ability to automatically record telephone conversations. All parties involved are advised prior to the call acceptance that their conversation will be recorded. Inmates are now able to be left voice-mail messages. These messages are subject to a fee. Set up a phone account to leave voice-mails by calling: 360-355-3331. Inmates have daily access to phones that allow them to place calls and check for voice-mail. Jail staff will not pass notes or messages to inmates. Money on an inmate account can be applied to a "phone debit" that is used like a phone card, which will allow them to make non-collect phone calls. If the inmate is indigent, only collect phone calls are available. Set up a phone account by calling: 360-355-3331 For more information please contact: Friends & Family Support - Correctional Billing Services Consumer Customer Sales and Support 1-800-844-6591 E-mail: Customer_service@correctionalbillingservices.com

Yes. Most inmates look forward to correspondence, however, many items are restricted for security and various other reasons. If restricted items are used or sent, the inmate will not receive the mailed items until they are released. 

Prohibited Items: 

1. Items that can be purchased on commissary (blank paper, envelopes, pens, blank cards, phone cards) 

2. Stamps 

3. Unknown substances on paper, envelopes, or photos 

4. Lipstick, perfume, cologne, or scented items 

5. Stickers, tape, post-it notes, labels, glitter (including glitter pens), glued on items, white- out, paint 

6. String, ribbon, confetti 

7. Musical cards 

8. Plastic, laminated items, metal objects 

9. Cardboard, construction paper, cardstock

10. Polaroid pictures

11. Sexually explicit photos or materials, including nude/semi-nude photos 

12. Pages torn out of books, catalogs, or magazines 

13. Food items 

14. Tobacco products 

15. Clothing 

16. Books, magazines, or newspapers not sent directly from the publisher, book club, or recognized internet bookseller.  Be careful when ordering online we cannot except used books from third-party sellers.  Used books are not allowed.  Any books that come in from an unauthorized source will be returned to sender.

17. Hardbound books 

18. Gang related material 

19. Racist or other inflammatory materials (advocating ridicule or scorn of any ethnic, racial, religious, or other group) 

20. Inmate to inmate mail 

21. Personal/Payroll checks 

22. Any other non-listed item that is deemed a security threat. A best practice for jail correspondence is to use plain white paper with plain pen or pencil, mailed inside a plain white envelope. 

All clothing and necessary personal hygiene items are provided. The Corrections Department will accept the following items: -- Prescription glasses or contacts (not contact solution) -- Court clothing for trials: Accepted starting one week prior to the trial start date. -- Medications prescribed by a licensed medical provider in their original container

At the time of booking, inmates are allowed to keep their own underwear, plain white socks, plain white t-shirts. Jail issued clothing and bedding items are provided. Undergarments and hygiene items are available for purchase through commissary.

Keys can be released up to 72 hours after incarceration. Other property will not be released. If an inmate has been sentenced to prison, property may be picked up the day after they leave our facility. Unclaimed property is held for 60 days from the date the inmate leaves the jail. If property is not claimed during the 60 day hold, it is considered abandoned and is destroyed.

The Corrections Department will only accept: Cash Tax Refund Check SSI Check (Jail will check eligibility) Unemployment Checks (Jail will check eligibility) Checks from other Jails Misc. Government Checks We will NOT accept personal checks. Sorry for the inconvenience.

Summett manages the Cowlitz County Jail kitchen operations. The County retains three cooks who are responsible for supervising inmate workers, and preparation and service of all meals served at the jail and juvenile detention center. 

Medical Co-Pay Program A $10.00 Medical Co-Pay is an Administrative fee charged to all inmates seen by medical staff and for each prescription written or refilled. This fee was implemented to help defray the overall rising cost of the Jail medical care program. A computerized system allows the Jail to maintain a history of balances due on medical/dental visits, and prescriptions written or refilled for each offender. This history allows the County to collect for those services rendered as money is received on an offender's account or if they are released from custody and return at a future date. As per the National Standards, any inmate needing medical or dental care is not denied this attention due to lack of funds.

Inmates may easily purchase hygiene items, snacks, writing materials, soft beverages and many other items that do not jeopardize the safety and security of the Jail. Profits from this program are used toward inmate programs or items that specifically benefit the offender population. 

Offender Services must qualify each person individually for these programs. Contact Offender Services for more information.