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The local jail facility for Pierce County, Washington, is the Pierce County Jail, which may also be known as the Pierce County Detention and Corrections Center (PCDCC). While referred to as the Pierce County Jail, there are actually two Pierce County Jail facilities: the Main Jail and the Old Jail. The Main Jail was built in 1985. The New Jail is actually not that new, it was built in 2003. Both jails are local jail facilities, which primarily house pretrial detainees. In addition, they may house inmates who have had their trials and are awaiting sentencing, sentenced inmates who are awaiting transfer to another facility, inmates who are being transferred between facilities, inmates who are normally housed at other facilities, but who have been moved to the jail for court, and inmates who have been sentenced to serve their sentences in a local jail facility. The Pierce County Jail has approximately 300 correctional staff and can house 1700 inmates.
One of the biggest challenges that any local jail facility faces is how to secure inmates at all security levels. Local jails, unlike prisons, must be designed to handle people accused of a very wide array of criminal behaviors. These defendants pose very different threats to the public, the jail staff, and to other inmates. It is not appropriate to house high-risk, violent offenders with non-violent offenders. However, it is also very difficult for a jail to determine the appropriate classification for an incoming inmate, especially if the inmate has not had prior contact with the criminal justice system. The Pierce County Jail has an inmate classification plan, which is designed to help ensure that incoming inmates are classified in a manner that takes into account their individual custodial and program needs.
The goal of classification is to use consistent guidelines to help determine where each inmate should be housed, while still taking into account an inmate’s individual classification needs. Classification has to consider a number of factors including the inmate’s security level, any programs the inmate attends, whether the inmate is receiving any treatment, and whether the inmate is pre-arraignment or post-arraignment. The goal of classification is to find the level of housing that reduces any individual inmate’s risk to the other inmates and to the staff, while providing the lowest risk to that individual inmate. In classification, the classification staff performs a number of functions. First, it determines the appropriate security and custody categories for each inmate. This is done when the inmate is booked. The classification staff participates in a direct interview with the inmate, and looks at different variables including the current charges against the inmate, the inmate’s legal status, the inmate’s predatory risk, the inmate’s medical condition, the inmate’s physical condition, and the inmate’s mental health condition. Next, it reviews classification decisions for inmates when appropriate, to ensure that the inmate remains in the right classification level. It also makes housing assignments based on the inmate’s classification level. What many people do not realize is that in local jail facilities, inmates often enter the facility experiencing health problems or in need of health services. For example, inmates may have been injured prior to entering jail, or incoming inmates may have health needs that are managed by prescription medications, to which they do not have access because they are incarcerated. When inmates arrive at the Pierce County Jail, they are screened to determine their appropriate housing levels based on their medical needs. They are also screened for both emergent and non-emergent health problems. Medical, dental, and pharmacy services are provided by NaphCare Inc.
In addition to physical health challenges, many incoming inmates are often experiencing mental health challenges. It is no secret that there is a connection between untreated mental illness and incarceration. Providing appropriate mental health care to people incarcerated in the jail helps promote mental health stability during their period of incarceration, which, in turn, makes for a safer jail environment for inmates and staff. In addition, the mental health program at the jail also attempts to help inmates access mental health services in the community when they are released from jail.
The Pierce County Jail’s mental health program is designed to help people experiencing mental disorders progress towards recovery; recognize the worth and value of each individual; use compassion and kindness while still holding individuals accountable for their behavior; and act with honesty, integrity, and fairness when interacting with individuals. If you have a friend or family member who is incarcerated and who experiences mental health challenges, you can contact the Mental Health Professionals at the PCDCC with any questions or concerns by phone at 253-798-4013.
There are actually two Pierce County Jail facilities, the Main Jail and the New Jail. Their addresses are below:
Main Jail
Pierce County Jail
910 Tacoma Ave S
Tacoma, WA
New Jail
Pierce County Jail
701 Nollmeyer Ln
Tacoma, WA 98402
There are two Pierce County Jail facilities, and you can mail non-inmate mail directly to both facilities:
Main Jail
Pierce County Jail
910 Tacoma Ave S
Tacoma, WA 98402
New Jail
Pierce County Jail
701 Nollmeyer Ln
Tacoma, WA 98402
Although the Pierce County Jail has two separate facilities, they have only one mailing address for inmate mail. Send inmate mail to:
Inmate’s Full Name, Inmate’s Booking ID #
910 Tacoma Ave. S.
Tacoma, WA 98402
The Pierce County Jail will inspect incoming jail mail and will reject any item that is considered unsuitable. All incoming mail must include the sender’s return address, as well as the inmate’s booking number. If an item is considered contraband, the envelope and its contents will either be returned to the sender or investigated to determine in a criminal violation occurred. Mail may be read and can either be censored or rejected. Legal mail is the exception to this rule, but it must be clearly identified as attorney-client mail or court mail, and it must pertain to an inmate’s case.
An inmate’s classification level impacts whether or not the inmate can receive published mail. Level 1 and Level 2 inmates are not allowed outside books, magazines, newspapers, or articles clipped from those sources unless the articles directly pertain to their legal cases.
If you have any questions about legal mail, including what type of mail an individual inmate can receive, you can contact custody at 253-798-4590 or 253-798-4668.
The main phone number for the Pierce County Jail is 253-798-4590. This main jail reception number is the number to call for both the Main Jail and the New Jail, and is also the jail booking phone number.
The Pierce County Jail Roster lists information on all people in custody at the Pierce County Jail, including people located in the Yakima facility, on temporary release, or in the hospital. It includes people who were released in the last 48 hours. However, it does not include people who are at the Western State Hospital, are in the Breaking the Cycle Program, or are on home detention.
If you want to be notified about chances to an inmate’s custodial status, you can sign up with the Pierce County VINE program, at 1-877-846-3492. VINE stands for Victim Information and Notification Everyday. You can call this number 24/7 to find out where an inmate is located, or you can call and register your number so that you will be notified if the inmate is released, transferred, or escapes. While VINE is informative, if you have concerns about your safety when an inmate is released, the Pierce County Sheriff’s Office advises you to safety plan as if the inmate has been released.
The Pierce County Jail Roster lists inmates alphabetically and does not have booking dates available on the first pages, which can make it difficult to search for recent arrests. However, you can search for inmates by name, so that you can determine if someone was recently booked or arrested.
The Pierce County Jail does not have a dedicated mugshot/ booking photo database, and does not have booking photos/ mugshots in its jail roster.
The Pierce County Jail encourages visitation, but must adhere to a structured visitation schedule because of the high ration of inmates to corrections deputies.
Visiting hours in the Main Jail are:
The New Jail’s visiting hours are daily from 8:30am to 9:30am; 9:45am to 10:45am; 11:30am to 12:30pm; 12:45pm to 1:45pm; 2pm to 3pm; 3:15pm to 4:15pm; 5pm to 6pm; 6:15pm to 7:15pm; 7:30pm to 8:30pm; and 8:45pm to 9:45pm.
The New Jail Unit’s visiting days are:
At both jails, inmates are responsible for scheduling their own visits and must supply the complete name and date of birth for visitors. Inmates can schedule visits up to 7 days in advance. Visitation sessions are an hour. Visitors must have photo ID. Late visitors will not be allowed to visit. Minors may visit, but must be accompanied by a parent, grandparent, or legal guardian. Two children per adult visitor, but a maximum of three visitors, with a maximum of two adult visitors. Visitors with warrants will be arrested upon arrival. Visitors with no contact orders with the inmate will not be permitted to visit.
If you have any questions about visitation, you can contact the Jail’s custody line at 253-4590 or Administration at 253-798-4668.
Inmates at the Pierce County Jail are allowed to place outgoing phone calls. They have access to phones that are located in housing units and may be used during specific hours. They cannot receive incoming phone calls. TTY services are available upon request for individuals with hearing impairment. Calls can be up to 20 minutes in length, are recorded, and may be monitored. Attorney calls are not monitored or recorded.
Inmate phone calls are collect and must be paid for by the recipient unless the inmate sets up an account through Securus, the phone service provider for the Pierce County Jail. You can put money into a prepaid account using the TouchPay kiosk in the jail lobby, by visiting Securus online at www.securustech.net, or by calling Securus at 800-844-6591.
To block inmate calls, you can contact Securus or call the Pierce County Jail Reception Deputy at 253-798-4590 or 253-798-7710.
To fund an inmate’s commissary account, which is also known as canteen, you can add money in three ways: internet, lobby kiosk, and by phone. For internet deposits, you can visit www.pierce.tppayportal.com. To make a deposit by phone, you can call 1-866-232-1899 and use the facility locator number 298402. To make a deposit in person, you can use cash or credit at the kiosk located in the jail lobby.
Inmates at the Pierce County Jail can use money in their accounts to purchase items from the jail’s commissary service. Commissary is a way for inmates to purchase items that are not provided by the jail. An inmate’s classification level determines how many commissary items an inmate can order. Inmates may order candy, snacks, cosmetics, beverages, writing materials, miscellaneous items and clothing. Inmates must have sufficient money in their commissary accounts to make their purchases. Indigent inmates who do not have any money to purchase items can order hygiene items and writing materials from commissary. Commissary is distributed on a weekly basis.
Defendants who have been booked into the Pierce County Jail may be released on bail before their hearing. A judge determines the amount of bail based on a number of factors including the serious of the charged offense, the defendant’s criminal history, the likelihood of flight, and the defendant’s ties to the community. There are several types of bail available. A cash bond is the entire amount of the bail, and, if a defendant appears at all hearings and complies with other conditions of release, will be returned at the conclusion of the trial. A bail bond requires payment of a portion of the bail to a bonding company, which then guarantees the rest of the bail. This is a fee, which is paid to a third party, and is non-refundable. For more information on the bail process in Pierce County, you can visit: https://www.co.pierce.wa.us/774/Posting-Bail
The Pierce County Jail is a local jail facility for Pierce County, Washington. It is located in Tacoma and actually consists of two facilities, the Main Jail Facility and the New Jail Facility. The total capacity of these facilities is 1700 inmates.
The Pierce county Jail has a number of different services and programs for inmates. One of those is the Pierce County Jail Road Crew, which is similar to the trustee programs that you might find at many local jail facilities. The Jail Road Crew works along with Pierce County Public Works to pick up litter, clean up illegal dump sites, and find meth labs. The crew consists of five inmates and one deputy. Inmates can request to be part of the Jail Road Crew. Inmates will only be selected if they have been sentenced, are minimum security inmates, and have not been sentenced for violent offenses, including domestic violence.
Year Built or Opened: 1985 / 2003 Warden or Supervisor: Sheriff Paul A. Pastor Daily Inmate Count: 1230 Total Capacity: 1700 Security Level(s): minimum, medium, and maximum
(Inmate's full name) (Inmate's Booking ID #)
910 Tacoma Ave. S.
Tacoma, WA 98402
Phone Number(s):
253-798-4590 253-798-4668
Email Address:
[email protected]
910 Tacoma Avenue South
Tacoma, WA 98402
Other Prisons in Washington:
Aberdeen Washington Jail | Northwest Joint Regional Correctional Facility | Adams County WA Jail | Ahtanum View Corrections Center | Airway Heights WA Police Jail | Algona WA Police Jail | Anacortes WA Police Jail | Arlington WA Police Jail | Asotin County Jail | Asotin WA Police Jail