Detention FAQ's
About Jail Visitation:
Inmate visitation is held twice daily on Tuesday and Thursday. Morning session begins at 8:30 am. Registration for morning session ends at 9:45 am. Afternoon session begins at 2:00 pm. Registration for the afternoon session ends at 3:15 pm. Evening session begins at 5:00 pm. Registration for the evening session ends at 6:15 pm. Visiting time will be 20 minutes. An inmate is allowed 2 (two) visits per week. A new week begins on Tuesday. Visitors who have traveled 100 miles or more may be granted a 30 minute visit by Administration. You must present valid ID from your city or town of residence.
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What is the visitation Schedule?
Tuesday and Thursday
8:30 am to 10:00 am
&
2:00 pm to 3:30 pm
5:00 pm to 6:30 pm
Jail visitation is conducted on a first-come, first-serve basis. Visitors must fill out a Visitation Permit and turn it in to the receptionist at the Detention Center, and they will be called when their turn comes. If you already have a completed visitation permit, it may save some time. You can print out a visitation permit at home, in either English or Spanish, and complete it before-hand. Visitation permits will not be accepted during the last 15 minutes of each visitation period.
To print out a VISITATION PERMIT, click on the appropriate link below, then right-click on the permit (lower-right frame) and select "Print" from the resulting menu.
To print English permit, click here
En Espanol
Martes, Jueves
8:30 am - 10:00 am
2:00 pm - 3:30 pm
Y
5:00 pm to 6:30 pm
La visitacion en la carcel es concducida en basis de orden de aribamiento. Todo visitante debe obtener un Permiso de Visitacion y entregarlo a la recepcionista en el Centro de Detencion. Su nombre sera llamado cuando el tiempo sea permitido de visita. Si usted tiene anticipadamente un Permiso de Visitacion le ahorara mas tiempo sin tener que esperar a llenar su forma. Usted puede obtener copias de este permiso en casa disponible en Ingles o en Espanol y llenarlo de ante-mano.
Tome en cuenta que los permisos NO seran aceptados durante los ultimos 15 minutos de el periodo de visitas.
Para imprimir un PERMISO DE VISITACION, oprime el link appropiado, luego oprima el boton PRINT.
Para imprimir permiso en Espanol, oprima aqui
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Is identification required to visit an inmate?
All visitors 17 years and older must produce a valid government issued picture identification (State ID card; State Driver's license; military ID; current passport and resident alien cards) are the only identifications that will be accepted. All visitors under the age of 17 years must be accompanied by an adult who is 21 years of age or older or they must present a valid state driver's license to be approved to visit.
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How many visitors are allowed at one time?
Only 2 (two) adults are allowed during the same visit. If children are visiting, there can be 1 (one) adult and 2 (two) children under the age of 12 years. If there are additional people registered to visit the inmate, the 20 (twenty) minute visit must be split among the registered visitors.
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Can I visit an inmate who has not yet been booked?
The only person approved to visit an inmate who has not been completely processed are attorneys and bondsmen. All other individuals, with the exception of law enforcement personnel cannot be approved to visit until the booking process has been completed.
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How can I get clothing or shoes to an inmate?
Shoes are NOT accepted under any condition except for use in court for jury trial. After court, the shoes will be placed in the inmate's personal property, and cannot be released without a Property Release Form signed by the inmate.
Underwear, socks, bras, thermals, tee shirts, etc. must be purchased through our commissary company. If for some reason commissary does not carry the inmate’s size, the inmate can contact someone in Administration for instruction on how the items can be obtained.
Outer wear (shirt, pants, dress, etc.) may be accepted only if the inmate is preparing to go to court or if the inmate is going to SAFPF.
No jewelry (rings, watches, necklaces, etc) shall be accepted for an inmate after their incarceration in the Ector County Detention Center.
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How can I get books to an inmate?
Only paperback books of a non-elicit nature will be accepted. The only way an inmate can receive books or magazines is by placing an order through a catalog warehouse or by placing an order through the internet and having the items shipped directly from the warehouse to the inmate at:
P. O. Box 331 -or- 2500 S. Highway 385
Odessa , TX 79760
Magazines are allowed, but cannot be of an elicit nature. No pornography or magazines of poor taste will be approved. (The following publications have been banned from this facility: Blender, Stuff and Maxim).
Religious materials are only accepted through our ministry program.
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How can I get property from an inmate?
All items, with the exception of clothing, may be released to an individual, if the inmate approves the release. Clothing may be released only if the inmate has been sentenced to TDC.
If an individual does not want all the inmate’s property, but is requesting a specific item or items be released from the inmate’s property, the release must be approved by Administration.
Monies in an inmate’s account can be released to immediate family only with the approval of the inmate.
Click this link to retrieve a Property Release Form. You can print out complete the release and bring it to the Detention Center, or you can obtain one at the center.
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How can I deposit money into an inmate's account?
Money Orders have to be entered in an inmate's account no later than noon on Tuesday. Money orders can be sent through the mail. Make sure the inmates name and Sheriff's Office Identification number we assigned to the inmate is on the money order, along with the purchaser's name.
There is no limit on the amount of money an inmate can have in their account. (which is subject to change) However, there is a limit on how much commissary an inmate can purchase each week. The maximum amount allowed is $75.00.
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Additional information regarding inmate accounts and commissary:
Information regarding an inmate’s account balance will not be released. Inmates are provided with a price list for commissary items. We do not give this price list out to the general public.
NOTE:
Cash may be deposited on an inmate's account 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, by utilizing the kiosk located in the vestibule area of the main lobby. In order to deposit money on an inmate's account, the depositor must enter either the inmate's name as we have them booked or their correct Sheriff's Office number. The following denominations are accepted for deposit: $5, $10, $20, $50 and $100.
The kiosk also accepts MasterCard, Visa and Debit cards.
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How do I send mail to an inmate?
Non-Privileged Mail
To all inmates, starting October 16 2019 your incoming mail will be visible to you using the kiosk and or tablets.
Your incoming mail needs to be sent to the following:
P.O. Box 2027
Pinellas Park Florida 33780
This does not apply to Legal Mail
Privileged Mail
To all inmates, starting May 13, 2022, incoming privileged will undergo changes due to contraband concerns introduced through legal mail. In the presence of the inmate, an officer will open and scan legal mail into an encrypted file. Accessible to only the inmate, the digital file will remain in the Smart Communications database, and detention personnel will shred the original documents in view of the inmate. Items such as CDs, DVDs, or flash drives will be stored in the inmate personal property, although they will not be stored in the inmate housing area.
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What can I send an inmate in the mail?
Handwritten or typed letters, single print pictures, (not Polaroid), computerized personal digital photographs, money orders, cashier’s checks or government checks are acceptable. Legal mail is accepted from attorneys and governmental agencies.
Money orders, cashier’s checks and governmental checks may be sent through the mail to be placed on the inmate’s account. Cash shall not be accepted in person or through the mail.
You may send Money orders or cashier's checks to:
Inmate Name (SO # IF KNOWN)
P.O. Box 331
Odessa, TX 79760
It is not necessary to include the inmate's SO number, but it does speed up the delivery.
All other items sent through the mail may be considered as contraband and handled accordingly, using our procedure for dealing with contraband through the mail.
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Can the public supply an inmate with a telephone calling card?
No, our facility contracts with an inmate telephone company to provide telephone service for our inmates. T-Netix Inmate Telephone System is currently our inmate telephone provider. (telephone providers are subject to change) At this time, an inmate can make a thirty-minute local call for $4.90. (rates are subject to change).
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How can I get my phone number block or unblocked on your phone system?
Securus works in conjunction with Budget Connections. If you need a number blocked or unblocked from their system, you should call 888-610-7079. This is an automated system and our facility address must be given (2500 S. Hwy 385)
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When are inmates allowed to make phone calls?
The inmate phone system is on at 7:00 am and off at 11:00 pm every day. Inmates have access to this service during these hours.
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Additional information on inmate telephone service:
Inmates who need to make international calls may purchase an international phone card through commissary. At the present time inmates may purchase $10. or $20. cards.
ONLY INTERNATIONAL PHONE CARDS ARE AVAILABLE THROUGH COMMISSARY.
(an international call refers to any call outside of the United States)