Freeborn County Detention Center (ICE)

You can support your loved ones at Freeborn Detention Center on InmateAid, if you have any immediate questions contact the facility directly at 507-377-4683.

When someone you care about gets locked up, it's tough to figure out all the ins and outs of jail life. From sending mail to visiting, there are a lot of things to sort out. And getting info about the arrest? Not always easy. That's where this webpage comes in handy. It's here to help you get a handle on how things work here so that you can stay connected and support your loved one behind bars.

The Freeborn Detention Center is a detention center located at 411 S Broadway Ave Albert Lea, MN which is operated locally by the Freeborn 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. Freeborn County accepts inmates from surrounding towns, Albert Lea Police Department, and the US Marshal's Service.

New detainees arrive at the jail regularly, with some being released on bail, placed under pretrial services caseloads, supervised by probation agencies, or released on recognizance with a court appearance agreement. Those who are not released await their court appearances at the jail, receiving accommodations including bedding and meals.

You can see all the arrest records for Minnesota here.

The Freeborn County Detention Center is a direct supervision facility equipped with 138 beds. It also serves as an ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) detention facility, underscoring its role in housing detainees with federal immigration holds. The center is overseen by Jail Administrator Mike Stasko, whose team includes 4 Jail Sergeants, 26 Line Staff, a Programmer, and an ICE Contract Administrator. Upon arrest, individuals are typically brought to the Detention Center for booking, where the arresting officer completes necessary paperwork and interviews. Subsequently, the individual progresses through the booking process, which commences with the Tennessen Warning, informing them of their rights. Following this, demographic details are collected, and the individual undergoes fingerprinting and photography. An initial phone call is permitted post-booking, with the duration of this process contingent upon the individual's cooperation and conduct.

All personal property is meticulously inventoried and stored securely, including money, which is placed in the individual's account. Following inventory procedures, the individual undergoes a search, shower, and change into a jail uniform, before being held in a classification unit pending their initial court appearance. If the individual is being booked to serve a sentence, they are relocated to the appropriate housing unit. Detainees may secure release upon posting bail, completing their sentence, or being released by the court, with the arresting officer empowered to release a detainee before their first court appearance, with a future court date. Detainees concluding their sentence are typically released during the morning of their last day, while those released after their initial court appearance generally depart between 2:00 pm and 3:00 pm.

Following the intake process, which includes property inventory, medical screening, and booking, inmates are assigned to the general population. Housing assignments are based on the classification of their charges, whether felony or misdemeanor, to ensure proper management and safety within the facility.

After processing, inmates are assigned to a housing area based on classification. Compliance with jail rules typically results in a lower classification and more privileges, while rule violations or additional charges lead to a higher classification and fewer privileges. Inmates serving as trustees within the jail undertake various tasks, including cooking, laundry, and commissary management, often receiving minimal compensation or sentence reduction for their services.

The jail is designed with "pods," featuring a large common area with affixed tables and attached seats, and individual cells typically on two levels. Inmates spend certain times in their cells and other times congregating in the pod for activities like playing cards, games, reading, or watching television. Movement outside the pod, such as trips to the commissary, library, or recreation area, occurs under the constant supervision of unarmed correctional officers. The environment in the county jail is considered less stressful than that of a prison because the sentences are much shorter.

The jail offers a phone program for outbound calls only, with inmates unable to receive incoming calls. Accepting collect calls can be expensive, sometimes exceeding $10 per call. Alternatively, setting up an account through a third-party phone company may entail high fees per minute of usage. Click here for discounts on inmate calls, especially if the communication with your inmate is frequent. It's important to remember that all phone calls are recorded, and discussing sensitive legal matters over these lines is discouraged.

Books and magazines ordered for inmates must come directly from the publisher. This policy ensures that the items are new, untampered, and comply with the facility's regulations. The Jail enforces this rule to prevent the introduction of contraband or prohibited materials. By restricting orders to publishers, the facility can better maintain security and control over the content entering the institution. Any books or magazines not received directly from the publisher will be rejected and not delivered to the inmate. You may, however, send letters and selfies to inmates with this easy-to-use app, packages starting at only $8.00.

Commissary is available weekly, with orders submitted via kiosk two days in advance. On holidays, there may be increased spending limits. Upon receiving commissary items, inmates must present their ID, check their order, and sign for it in the presence of the commissary employee. Indigent inmates are provided with all essential basic hygiene items including USPS stamps and writing materials.

Inmate workers are selected for community service programs based on their demonstrated good conduct, cooperation with facility staff, and adherence to institutional rules. These criteria ensure that only individuals who exhibit responsibility, reliability, and a commitment to positive behavior are allowed to participate. Participation in these programs not only benefits the community through valuable labor contributions but also offers inmates the chance to develop a strong work ethic, learn transferable job skills, and build a sense of accountability.

In certain cases, involvement in community service programs can contribute to a reduction in an inmate's sentence. This incentive reinforces the importance of maintaining good behavior while incarcerated and highlights the program's dual role in supporting both the community and the inmate's journey toward reintegration.

For inquiries regarding an ICE detainee housed at the Freeborn County facility, individuals may contact (612) 843-8600 during operating hours, which are from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. It is necessary to have the individual's biographical details prepared, including their first name, last name, any hyphenated names, any aliases they may use, date of birth, and country of birth. It's important to note that detainees housed at this facility cannot receive incoming calls. In cases where urgent communication is necessary, individuals can leave a message for the ICE detainee by calling (507) 377-5093. When leaving a message, it's essential to provide the detainee's full name, alien registration number, as well as the caller's name and telephone number where they can be reached. The message will be conveyed to the detainee accordingly.