Frequently Asked Questions about Aitkin County Jail

Jail Frequently Asked Questions

How do I post bail or bond?
When is there court?
Is my friend or family member in jail?
Can I visit at times other than the scheduled visiting hours?
Is my friend or family getting enough to eat and good medical care?
Can I send in magazines, books or games to an offender?
Can I delay my report date and time to jail?
Can I do my jail time in another county?
How do I get on Sentenced to Serve (STS) or the Work Release programs?
Can I buy items for an offender?

How do I post bail or bond?
The court assigns bail and/or bond for most people in jail. Bail may be paid at Court Administration during normal business hours and at the jail at other times. Bonds must be arranged through a private vendor that you may find in the telephone book or in our lobby. We will not advise you on the bonding company.
Bail vs. Bond:

Bail is a cash only amount to guarantee a person appearance in court, paid to the court. The court holds the money in trust until the case is resolved. The court then returns the money minus any courts fees, fines or restitution owed.
Bond is short for a Surety Bond. An agreement is made with a private company to which they take responsibility for seeing a person makes their court appearances. Most cases it will be issued for a percentage of the total bond amount plus a fee. The fees collected by a bonding company are not refundable. Contact a bonding company for more details.

Once bond or bail is paid the jail will release a person within an hour of the notification. The court may also place other conditions on a person when they are released on bail or bond.

When is there court?
The jail does not set court appearances. Contact Court Administration at 218-927-7350 or visit the Aitkin County Court calendar on the web.

Is my friend or family member in jail?
Check out our In Custody list. If a person is in another facility waiting on transfer to our jail, we will not give transfer details or times.

Can I visit at times other than the scheduled visiting hours?
No, the jail’s schedule does not allow for visits outside normal hours.

Is my friend or family getting enough to eat and good medical care?
While they may not be home cooked meals or your own doctor, the Aitkin County Jail meets all DOC standards for nutrition and medical care. We do not withhold either for disciplinary reasons.

Can I send in magazines, books or games to an offender?
You may donate these items to the jail, but no guarantee is made about a specific person getting access to a donated item first. All items are subject to search and you could be charged if inappropriate items are included.

Can I delay my report date and time to jail?
Only the sentencing judge can make a change to a report date and time. Contact your attorney or Court Administration for details.

Can I do my jail time in another county?
That must be arranged through the court. Most counties do charge extra for holding you on our charges.

How do I get on Sentenced to Serve (STS) or the Work Release programs?
STS and Work Release are only available to sentenced persons. The sentencing judge must include STS or Work Release in the sentence. Offenders must spend the first 3 days in observation before being allowed on either program. Behavior and offense may limit opportunities to join STS or Work Release.

Can I buy items for an offender?
No, you can send in money in the form of a money order and they can buy items from the jail commissary. An offender can arrange for items not on the commissary through the Program Coordinator.