Harris County Jail, in Houston, Texas is run by the Harris County Sheriff’s Department.  Harris County is the third-most populated county in the United States and it contains Houston, Texas, the country’s fourth-most populated city.  The Harris County Sheriff’s Office was founded in 1837.  It is the largest Sheriff’s Office in the State of Texas, employing over 4600 employees and 200 reservists.  Harris County is 1788 square miles and includes forty-one municipalities, including the city of Houston.  The current Harris County Sheriff is Ed Gonzalez, who took office in January 2017.  The Harris County Sheriff Office’s jail system is immense.  In fact, it is so large that some Harris County Sheriff’s Office detainees are actually not held in the Harris County Jail facilities, but in auxiliary facilities located in different places; some are even held out-of-state.  Harris County Jail holds both pre-trial detainees and post-conviction inmates. 

Most of the Harris County Jail is located in the Harris County Jail Complex in Downtown Houston, Texas, which is next to the Harris County District Court.  In addition to the Harris County Jail, the Joe Kegans State Jail is located in this complex, but the Joe Kegans State Jail houses defendants who have been convicted of state jail felonies and is not part of the Harris County Jail system. 

The Harris County Sheriff’s Office strives to maintain quality of life among its inmate population, including: access to medical care, access to mental health care, food service, sanitation, visitation, recreation, and religious services.  If you have a concern about the inmate’s quality of life, you can voice that concern through the Harris County Sheriff’s Office’s online Quality of Life Portal.  Please include: your name and contact information, the inmate’s name, the inmate’s System Person Number (SPN), the jail facility, and a detailed description of your concerns.  If you have concerns that include any allegations of criminal act or employee misconduct, please address those concerns to the Harris County Sheriff’s Office Internal Affairs Division.  If your concern is life-threatening, or a mental health crises requiring immediate attention, call the Harris County Sheriff’s Office Inmate Information number at 713-755-5300 and follow the prompts to be connected to Medical Services.  If you or someone you know has been a victim of sexual abuse or sexual harassment while confined at the Harris County Sheriff’s Office, you can contact their Prison Rape Elimination Act division at [email protected].

Harris County Jail Address:

There are multiple Harris County Jail Facilities.  The four facilities located in Harris County can be found at

701 N. San Jacinto Street
Houston, TX 77002

711 N. San Jacinto Street
Houston, TX 77002

1200 Baker Street
Houston, TX 77002

1307 Baker Street
Houston, TX 77002

There are also three facilities that hold Harris County Jail inmates, which are located outside of Harris County:

Newton Correctional Facility
2402 East Court Street
Newton, TX 75966

LaSalle Correction Center
15976 Hwy 165
Olla, LA 71465

West Carrol Detention Center
180 Capital Bank Drive
Epps, LA 71237

Mailing Address:

There are multiple mailing addresses for Harris County Jails

Harris County Sheriff’s Office 
701 N. San Jacinto 
Houston, TX 77002 

Harris County Sheriff’s Office 
1307 Baker Street  
Houston, TX 77002 

Harris County Sheriff’s Office 
1200 Baker Street  
Houston, TX 77002 

Newton Correctional Facility
2402 East Court Street
Newton, TX 75966

LaSalle Correction Center
15976 Hwy 165
Olla, LA 71465

West Carrol Detention Center
180 Capital Bank Drive
Epps, LA 71237

Harris County Jail Phone number:

(713) 755-5300.  That is the Harris County Jail administrative number for inmate information.  Inmates cannot receive phone calls. 

The phone number for the jail at 701 N. San Jacinto Street is (713) 755-8430.

The phone number for the jail at 711 N. San Jacinto Street is (713) 755-1188.

The phone number for the jail at 1200 Baker Street is (713) 755-7484.

The phone number for the jail at 1307 Baker Street is (713) 755-2400.

Newton County Correctional Facility’s phone number is (409) 379-3000.

LaSalle Correctional Center’s phone number is (318) 495-6200.

West Carroll Detention Center’s phone number is (318) 926-4626.

Inmate Mailing Address:

Inmates may receive mail through the U.S. Postal Service and through private delivery services.  All incoming mail is opened and searched for contraband.  Follow all jail rules about mail; inmates cannot receive greeting cards, stamps, stickers, perfumed materials, photocopied materials, or materials downloaded from the internet.  Inmates can receive magazines, newspapers, and books, but they must be sent directly from the publisher. 

Inmates cannot receive property through the mail or in person.  If an inmate requires medication, it will be provided through the Harris County Sheriff’s Office full service pharmacy. 

Inmates cannot release their property in person or through the mail.  Instead, if an inmate wishes to release property to a designee, the inmate fills out a property release form and gives it to the night shift supervisor on the inmate’s housing floor.  The night shift supervisor completes a Property Release Card and returns it to the inmate, who then mails it to the designee.  Once the designee receives the Property Release Card, he or she may go to the third floor of the Inmate Processing Center at 1201 Commerce Street between 8AM and 8PM, 7 days a week, to pick up the property.  All property must be claimed within 30 days of the date on the card. 

There are multiple mailing addresses for Harris County Jail inmates.

Inmates housed at either San Jacinto Facility receive mail at:

Inmate’s Name, Inmate’s SPN
Inmate’s Housing Facility, Inmate’s Cell Block Location
Harris County Sheriff’s Office 
701 N. San Jacinto 
Houston, TX 77002 

Inmates housed at the 1307 Baker Street Facility receive mail at:

Inmate’s Name, Inmate’s SPN
Inmate’s Housing Facility, Inmate’s Cell Block Location
Harris County Sheriff’s Office 
1307 Baker Street  
Houston, TX 77002 

Inmates housed at the 1200 Baker Street Facility receive mail at:

Inmate’s Name, Inmate’s SPN
Inmate’s Housing Facility, Inmate’s Cell Block Location
Harris County Sheriff’s Office 
1200 Baker Street  
Houston, TX 77002 

To send mail to inmates located in facilities outside of Harris County, send mail to:

Inmate’s Name, Inmate’s SPN
Inmate’s Housing Facility, Inmate’s Cell Block Location
Newton Correctional Facility
2402 East Court Street
Newton, TX 75966

Inmate’s Name, Inmate’s SPN
Inmate’s Housing Facility, Inmate’s Cell Block Location
LaSalle Correction Center
15976 Hwy 165
Olla, LA 71465

Inmate’s Name, Inmate’s SPN
Inmate’s Housing Facility, Inmate’s Cell Block Location
West Carrol Detention Center
180 Capital Bank Drive
Epps, LA 71237

Harris County Jail Who’s in Jail:

Harris County  Jail inmates are listed on the Harris County Justice Information Management System (JIMS), rather than a facility-specific inmate list.  This JIMS system works like a Harris County Jail Roster and allows you to enter in a variety of different types of information including name, birthdate, and social security number to find inmates matching that information.

Harris County Jail Inmate Search:

Harris County Jail inmate locator allows you to use the inmate’s first and last name to search the Harris County Jail inmate roster and determine whether an inmate is incarcerated at the facility. It provides information on all Harris County Jail inmates. The information includes the inmate’s identifying information, crime information, and the inmate’s current status.  In addition, Harris County uses the VINELink system to provide notification to victims of status and custody changes for offenders. 

Jail Records / Arrest Records:

The Harris County Jail uses the JIMS system to manage jail records/ arrest records. 

Harris County Jail Mugshots:

Harris County Jail does not maintain an online mugshot database, and its inmate list does contain mugshots or booking photos of inmates. 

Harris County Jail Visitation:

All jails located in Harris County have the same visitation times and rules.  There are no visits on Monday, Thursday or Friday.  Visits on Tuesday and Wednesday are from 4:00PM to 9:00PM, but cannot be scheduled after 8:40PM.  Visits on Saturday and Sunday are from 3:30PM to 9:00PM, but cannot be scheduled after 8:40PM. 

Visits occur at the jail facility where the inmate is housed.  Visitors check into the main lobby of the jail facility for visitation.  All visits, except for privileged visits, are monitored.  Inmates are allowed one 20-minute visitation per day.  All adult visitors 17 years or older must have a valid state or federal I.D.  Visitors 16 years or younger must be accompanied by an adult visitor.   Up to 2 adults and 2 children may visit during each visitation period.  Attorneys may visit inmates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Visitors cannot bring any items when visiting an inmate, including, but not limited to: purses, wallets, food, drinks, phones, recording devices, writing instruments, and weapons.  There are storage lockers in the lobby.   Visitors must also follow a dress-code.

Visitors who want to visit Harris County Jail inmates housed outside of the Harris County Jail system need to contact that facility for facility-specific visitation information. 

Newton County Correctional Facility’s phone number is (409) 379-3000.

LaSalle Correctional Center’s phone number is (318) 495-6200.

West Carroll Detention Center’s phone number is (318) 926-4626.

Harris County Jail Inmate Phone Privileges:

Inmates cannot receive incoming phone calls.  Inmates have access to phones in their housing areas for outgoing phone calls.  These phone calls must be collect calls or pre-paid phone calls.   Jail phone calls are monitored and may be recorded.  Any attempt to call transfer or conference call will result in the call being disconnected.

At the Harris County Jail, pre-paid phone calls are administered through Securus.  The party receiving the calls sets up the Advance Pay account, which will allow them to receive phone calls even if their phone number restricts collect calls.  The receiving party still has to accept the call.  The cost of the call is deducted from the Advanced Pay account balance.  To set up an Advanced Pay account through Securus, contact them at 1-800-844-6591. 

To block calls from the Harris County Jail, you can contact Securus at 1-800-844-6591. 

Harris County Inmate Trust Accounts:

Harris County Jail uses the Inmate Trust Fund or Inmate Bank to maintain an account for every inmate booked into the Harris County Jail.  These funds can be used at the Harris County Jail Commissary.  Each cellblock has a schedule for Commissary delivery.  Inmates can use their funds to buy Commissary items, as long as they are not under disciplinary sanctions.  Inmates can use up to $150 each week on commissary items.  Medical Services might prohibit inmates from making certain purchases because of health concerns. 

You can make deposits to the Inmate Bank in a variety of ways.  There are deposit machines located in the lobby of the jails at 701 N. San Jacinto and 1200 Baker Street. You must have the inmate’s first name, last name and SPN.  Harris County Jail uses Touch Pay for online and phone deposits.  To make online deposits, go to www.TouchPayDirect.com.  To make deposits by phone using a debit or credit card, call TouchPay at 1-866-232-1899. This is a private entity that accepts credit/debit card payments.   You can also deposit money via Western Union, either in-person at a Western Union outlet, by phone at 1-800-634-3422 using VISA, MASTERCARD, or DISCOVER, or on the internet at www.westernunion.com.  For Western Union deposits, you will need the Code City in addition to the inmate’s name and SPN number.  The code city is ITF-Texas.  You can make cash deposits using ACE Cash Express at store front locations using cash-only.  Service fees apply for deposits.  You can also send money orders or cashier’s checks to be deposited into the Inmate Trust Fund.  These should include the inmate’s name and SPN number and be made payable to the Inmate Trust Fund.  No personal checks will be accepted.  Send those to:

Harris County Sheriff’s Office
Inmate Trust Fund
1200 Baker St.
Houston, TX 77002

In Harris County, people other than the inmate can withdraw money from an inmate’s account.  These people include immediate family, bondsmen, and attorneys.  First, the inmate must sign and thumbprint a "Money Release Card" before any money can be withdrawn. The minimum withdrawal amount is $20. A $10 minimum balance must be maintained.

Post Bail or Bond in Harris County:

You do not post bond at the jail facilities.  Instead, the Harris County Sheriff's Office will accept cash or surety bonds at 49 San Jacinto Street, Houston, TX 77002. 

There are two types of bonds: surety or bail bonds and cash bonds.  Cash bonds are the full bond amount, paid by cash, cashier’s check or money order.  They must be verified, prior to being approved.  They are made payable to the Harris County Sheriff’s Office. If a defendant appears in court as scheduled, and the case is disposed of, the court will issue a refund order. All cash refunds are processed through the Harris County Auditor's Office.  If you receive a notice from a third-party that you are due a refund, be advised that Harris County does not use any third parties for refunds.

Bail Bonds or surety bonds are written agreements entered into by the individual and his sureties (usually a bail bondsman) that guarantees that the individual will appear in court.  The surety deposits the bond with the court.  There is usually a fee associated with this service, which is negotiated between the surety and the defendant There are also two types of bonds that have non-monetary conditions.  The personal bond or the Personal Recognizance Bond allows a defendant to be released to show up for trial without any sureties or security.  The Pretrial Release Bond is similar to a Personal Recognizance Bond, but allows the court to attach additional stipulations to the defendant’s release.  Inmates who are being released will be released through the Inmate Processing Center at 1201 Commerce Street.  Payment of fines and court costs may be attached as a condition to release on bond.  You can pay fines and court costs through the Harris County Sheriff’s Office Central Records Division, located on the first floor of 49 San Jacinto Street, Houston TX, 77002.  They accept payments 24/7.  These payments must be made in cash, or by money order, cashier’s check, or traveler’s checks.  You can also pay fines and court costs by mail.  These payments must be made by money order and only U.S. Postal money orders or Western Union money orders will be accepted.  You can mail payments to: Harris County Sheriff’s Office, 1200 Baker St., Houston, TX 77002, Attn: Fines & Fees.

Harris County Jail Data & Statistics: