Mille Lacs County Jail

You can support your loved ones at Mille Lacs Co Jail on InmateAid, if you have any immediate questions contact the facility directly at 320-983-8244.

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 Mille Lacs Co Jail is a detention center located at 640 3rd St SE Milaca, MN which is operated locally by the Mille Lacs 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. Mille Lacs County accepts inmates from surrounding towns, Milaca 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 Mille Lacs County Jail, licensed by the State of Minnesota, is a secure facility capable of housing up to 120 inmates, with additional space in the Intake area for five more individuals. The jail accommodates sentenced and pre-trial adult male and female offenders, separated into two housing units to maintain order and security. Originally constructed in 1974, the facility underwent expansions in 1999 and 2007, modernizing its infrastructure to meet evolving detention needs.

During intake, every inmate is issued a personal tablet, which is used for phone calls, video visitations, accessing the law library, and engaging with program content. These tablets enhance facility safety by minimizing inmate movement while promoting education and communication.

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 includes a range of amenities and operational features designed for inmate care and rehabilitation. These include a recreational room, two library/programming rooms, a medical unit, laundry facilities, a fully staffed kitchen, and a master control center for monitoring operations. Each housing unit is equipped with video visiting stations, telephones, televisions with basic programming, microwaves, gaming tables, and natural lighting, offering a comfortable and functional environment for inmates.

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.

Mille Lacs County recently conducted a comprehensive jail facility study to evaluate future options, including the potential remodeling of the current facility, the construction of a new jail, or housing inmates in external facilities. This proactive approach reflects the county’s commitment to maintaining a secure, efficient, and humane detention environment.