Jail
The Benton County WA Jail provides custody services, inmate information, communication options, account services, and release procedures for individuals held by the Benton County Corrections Department. This article explains how the jail operates, where to find official inmate information, how to prepare for jail-related processes, and what families and visitors should know about accounts, property, communication, and release procedures.
Benton County Jail Overview
The Benton County Jail is operated by the Benton County Corrections Department and serves law enforcement agencies throughout Benton County, along with outside agencies through contractual arrangements. The facility houses individuals who are being held in custody and provides correctional services while maintaining a secure environment for inmates, staff, and visitors.
The official Benton County Corrections Department page provides information about jail services, including inmate accounts, visitation, daily jail roster access, and other corrections resources. The jail is located in Kennewick and operates a lobby for certain services during regular business hours.
The Corrections Department provides several areas of information for people looking for assistance with an incarcerated person, including:
Daily Jail Roster access
Inmate accounts and commissary information
Inmate communication options
Getting out of jail procedures
Inmate property rules
Visitation information
Jail Location and Services
The Benton County Jail serves as the county correctional facility for individuals placed into custody by local law enforcement agencies. The facility also supports certain outside agencies under contractual agreements.
The jail provides custody services while inmates are classified and assigned to appropriate housing areas. Classification decisions are based on individual histories and facility requirements. Daily routines, housing assignments, and available activities may vary depending on classification levels and housing units.
Daily Jail Operations
Daily life inside the Benton County Jail depends largely on an inmate’s assigned classification level and housing unit. Inmates may be allowed outside their cells or assigned sleeping areas for different amounts of time depending on their housing placement. These schedules may change when needed for safety, security, or disciplinary reasons.
Inmates may communicate with people outside the facility through approved methods, including mail, telephone services, and video visitation. The jail also provides commissary services that allow inmates to purchase approved items while incarcerated.
Finding Inmate Information
The Benton County Jail provides an official online roster system for people looking for current or previous custody information. The Daily Jail Roster search is provided by Benton County Corrections pursuant to RCW 70.48.100.
When searching the jail roster, using less information may produce better results. The county recommends entering only a first name or last name instead of entering both. If the exact booking date is unknown, removing date fields may help locate matching records.
The search also includes an in-custody checkbox option. Understanding this setting can prevent confusion:
When the in-custody checkbox is selected, results only show individuals currently booked into jail.
When the checkbox is left blank, results may include both current and released inmates.
People searching for an inmate should review search details carefully because jail roster information and court case information may involve different records maintained by different government offices.
Arriving at the Jail
Individuals reporting to jail voluntarily to serve a court-ordered sentence or turning themselves in for outstanding warrants should report through the main jail entrance during normal business hours. If the lobby is closed, an after-hours entrance is available next to the main entrance for assistance.
When admitted into the facility, inmates are searched and their personal property is inventoried and placed into storage. The jail recommends leaving valuable items at home before arriving because unnecessary property may not be accepted.
Booking and Classification Process
After admission, individuals are placed in pre-classification holding areas while jail staff review information needed for classification. Once the evaluation process is completed, inmates are moved to housing units appropriate for their classification level.
The classification process helps determine housing placement and supports the jail’s goal of maintaining a safe correctional environment.
Inmate Accounts and Payments
Benton County Jail inmate accounts are used to track expenses while an individual is incarcerated. These accounts may be used for approved purchases, including commissary items and telephone-related expenses.
Money may be added to inmate accounts through several methods. The Inmate Accounts information page explains available deposit options.
Online deposits through Access Corrections.
Phone deposits through Access Corrections at 1-866-345-1884.
Cash deposits through the ATM-style kiosk in the jail lobby.
Cashier’s checks and money orders mailed to inmates.
The lobby window does not accept money for inmate commissary accounts. It does accept payments for debt balances and fees connected with inmate programs such as work release, home monitoring, and work crew.
Telephone Account Funding
Friends and family members who want to fund telephone calls may create an account through ViaPath’s ConnectNetwork system. Funds can be added online through the provider’s website or by calling 800-483-8314.
Telephone funding for calls and deposits into an inmate commissary account are separate processes. Using the correct account type helps prevent delays when adding funds.
Mail, Messaging, and Visitation
The Benton County Jail provides approved communication options for inmates and their families. The facility does not accept incoming phone calls for inmates, but other communication methods are available.
Personal inmate mail is delivered digitally through the jail’s mail system. Personal letters, pictures, and drawings are digitally delivered through inmate tablets. Mail must include the facility name, inmate name, inmate identifier, and sender information to support delivery.
Only money orders and legal mail may be sent directly to the jail. Other types of mail may be returned to the sender.
Video Visitation Rules
Video visitation is conducted through tablets available to inmates during approved times. Inmates initiate video visits and coordinate times with visitors through approved communication methods.
Each inmate receives 30 minutes of free video visitation each week. Additional visitation time may be paid for by friends and family or through an inmate commissary account.
The Inmate Mail and Visitation page provides current information about communication methods, visitation accounts, and messaging options.
Posting Bail and Jail Release
Bail procedures depend on the time and circumstances involved. During normal business hours from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., bail must be paid directly to the court with jurisdiction over the case. When courts are closed, cash bail may be paid at the jail through the after-hours entrance.
Individuals posting bail must bring cash for the exact amount required because change cannot be provided. If the case qualifies, parties may also contact a bail bond company.
After bail has been paid and other release requirements have been completed, release processing usually takes between one and two hours.
Release Information
The Benton County Jail cannot provide release dates to anyone except the inmate. Release timing depends on the sentence and other requirements.
For individuals sentenced to two days or less, the jail states that they generally serve 24 hours for each day and are released approximately at the same time they entered the facility. Individuals sentenced to more than two days are generally released between 7:00 a.m. and 8:00 a.m. on the scheduled release date.
Upon release, inmates receive their held property and the clothing they arrived in. If an inmate has a positive balance remaining in their account, a check will be issued.
Inmate Property Rules
The Benton County Jail limits property deliveries for inmates. The facility only accepts certain approved items.
One set of court clothes during jury trials.
Prescription eyeglasses.
Necessary medical equipment approved by jail medical staff.
Prescription medications with a current prescription in original containers.
Inmates may sign release forms allowing their property, except clothing, to be released to a third party. A signed release form is required before property can be released.
Alternatives to Jail Programs
The Benton County Corrections Department offers alternatives to traditional jail time in certain circumstances. These programs may allow eligible individuals to complete approved requirements outside traditional incarceration.
The programs include:
Stipulated Order of Continuance Work Crew program for eligible pre-trial defendants with court approval.
Traditional Work Crew program.
Work Release program.
Work Crew and Work Release require sentencing authorization and must meet program eligibility requirements. If an individual does not qualify, traditional jail service may still be required.
Victim Notification Services
The Benton County Corrections Department provides access to VINElink information for crime victims and interested parties who want custody status notifications. The VINElink information page explains how users can receive notifications about changes such as release or transfer.
VINElink allows users to check whether an offender is currently held in custody and register for notifications by phone or email when certain status changes occur.
Final Department List
Benton County Corrections Department
7122 W. Okanogan Place, Building B
Kennewick, WA 99336
509-783-1451
Benton County Corrections Department
620 Market Street
Prosser, Washington 99350
509-786-5710
Jail FAQs
How can I find current Benton County Jail custody information?
The official Benton County Jail Roster Search allows users to look up custody information provided by the Benton County Corrections Department. For better search results, enter limited information such as only a first name or last name. If you are unsure of the booking date, removing date fields may help locate matching records. The in-custody checkbox also affects results. Selecting it shows only individuals currently booked into the facility, while leaving it blank may show both current and released individuals.
What should someone expect when reporting to Benton County Jail?
Individuals who report voluntarily to serve a court-ordered sentence or turn themselves in on an outstanding warrant should enter through the main jail entrance during regular lobby hours. If the lobby is closed, an after-hours entrance is available for assistance. During admission, personal property is inventoried and stored, and individuals are searched before being placed in pre-classification holding while staff complete the classification process.
How are inmate payments and account deposits handled?
Inmate accounts are used for approved expenses while in custody, including commissary-related purchases and phone services. Funds may be added through approved methods listed by the Benton County Corrections Department inmate accounts page. Available options include online deposits, phone deposits, the jail lobby kiosk, and mailed cashier’s checks or money orders. The lobby window does not accept money for commissary accounts but may accept certain program-related payments.
What communication options are available for families?
The jail provides approved communication methods through mail, telephone services, video visitation, and messaging. Personal inmate mail is delivered digitally through the facility’s mail system, while video visitation is conducted through approved tablet access. The inmate mail and visitation information explains current procedures for communicating with an individual in custody.
How can release updates be received?
The Benton County Corrections Department does not provide release dates to anyone except the inmate. People who need custody status notifications can use VINElink information to check custody status and register for notifications about certain changes, including releases or transfers.