Frequently Asked Questions

On site visits will are available Saturday and Sundays.  Remote visits are available 7 days a week.  Visits will be scheduled by visitors in advance.  The website for families and friends to create accounts and schedule visits is https://cidnet.net

Friends and Family Guide Documentation (Includes English and Spanish)

Rules and requirements for on site visits:

In order to visit an inmate you must show valid state photo identification. You must be over 18 or be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian that will enter the visitation area with you. If with a child under 18, a form of identification must be shown such as School ID, Birth Certificate or Social Security Card. You may be required to sign in.  You will be required to pass a metal detector and may be subject to more thorough search prior to entering the visitation area. Purses, backpacks, handbags, food and beverages, tobacco products, and lighting materials are not allowed in the visitation area. There are free lockers available or leave unnecessary items locked in your vehicle. Children are to be supervised while in the visitation room by the adult visitor. Children are not allowed to sit, stand, or be placed on the visiting counter top. Inmates are only allowed one visit per day.  On site visits are 20 minutes in length and conducted by video.   It is recommended that visitors arrive 20 minutes prior to the start of their visiting session. Visitors should leave the visitation area immediately after their visit is over. Visitors may be refused by the jail officer at their discretion for a variety of reasons not limited to but including: incarceration in the past 90 days, contraband issues, security reasons, disruptive behavior, or intoxication. Visits are a privilege for inmates and may be restricted or taken away without notice.  Any inappropriate dress or behavior by inmates or visitors will result in cancellation of visitation privileges.

On site Visitation times are: SATURDAY, AND SUNDAY 8:00AM TO 10:30AM OR 7:00PM TO 9:30 PM

Off site Visits are available 7 days per week from 6AM to 1030AM, 1230PM to 430PM, and 630PM to 930PM

If an inmate wishes to release property, they are to submit a request at least 24 hours in advance. The request has to state specifically what property they intend to release and who they want to release it to

Inmate mail should be addressed to the inmate and sent to 403 Jackson St - Portage, WI, 53901. Letters should show a full return address. Only #10 envelopes are allowed. You can mail in money in the form of money order made out to the inmate. We do not accept packages into the jail by mail or courier. All mail is copied in black and white and copies are distributed to inmates as soon as possible.

We cannot pass messages to inmates unless you have an extreme emergency that can be verified by jail staff. Generally, inmates have access to phones from the time cleaning is completed in the morning until lockdown at night.  Inmate family and friends can set up accounts at https://cidnet.net
Friends and Family Guide Documentation (Includes English and Spanish)

AnimGo to   www.vinelink.com for information on current inmates..

Bond is monetary assurance that a person will appear in court and answer to their charges at a later time. Persons arrested on traffic and misdemeanors can post bond and be released providing they do not have any other holds. The bond amount is determined by the specific charge(s). You can contact the jail at (608) 742-6476 to determine if someone has a bond or not. Bond can be posted by cash or credit card. Report to the jail lobby in order to post bond. The bond information will be entered by our staff and posted through an automated kiosk in the jail lobby. Transaction fees will apply. If you are outside of Columbia County, you can post bond at any Sheriff’s Dept in Wisconsin subject to that counties policies.

If a person is charged with a felony charge there is no bond. They are required to appear in front of a judge for an initial appearance. If a person cannot post bond they also get an initial appearance. At the initial appearance they appear before the judge along with a public defender. At the initial appearance the judge will order a cash bond or a signature bond. If the judge orders a cash bond and it cannot be posted, the inmate stays in jail until his case is decided. If the judge orders a signature bond and the inmate has no other holds they will be released on their own signature. Everyone at an initial appearance is given future court dates that are mandatory for them to attend. They are given notice of these dates before they leave the courtroom.

The inmates go to initial appearances by video from the jail. If you wish to be watch an initial appearance, you can go to the courthouse and watch from there. The courthouse is at 400 Dewitt St in downtown Portage 5 blocks west of the jail. Check in with the Clerk of Courts office to find the location of the initial appearances for that day.

Often persons sentenced by the court to serve jail time are given Huber privilege. When you are sentenced to Huber, the court should provide you with a brochure about Huber. If you have additional questions contact the jail at (608) 742-6476.

Columbia County does operate an electronic monitoring program that persons sentenced with Huber may be eligible for. Come to the jail and ask for an electronic monitoring application OR click here to download a copy of the application. Once completed bring in or mail the application to the jail.

The jail does not accept items of property dropped off for inmates. The only thing that can be left for an inmate is properly labeled/packaged prescription medications.