What to Do in Your First 72 Hours at Clark County Jail (for families)

Clark County Jail requires inmates to be in custody for 72 hours before any visiting is allowed. This gives staff time to complete processing, and there are no exceptions. If you're hoping to see your loved one right away, plan on waiting before an in-person visit becomes possible.

Need to connect while you wait? Video visiting is an option. You can do video visits at the Main Jail or remotely from home with a PC and internet connection. You'll need a GettingOut account, visits must be scheduled in advance, and there may be a fee per visit.

Here's the biggest thing to know right after booking: no visits during the first 72 hours. If you show up expecting to get in, you'll leave frustrated. Use that time to set up other ways to support them instead.

Phone contact works differently than most people expect. Calls from inmates can last up to 15 minutes, and they're recorded - except for attorney calls. Calls are collect and subject to fees through your phone provider, or inmates can use a prepaid phone account through the contracted inmate phone company.

Money gets handled automatically at booking. Any cash they had at intake goes into their inmate commissary account, and purchases while in custody are deducted from that balance. When they're released, any remaining funds come back via a debit card attached to their release paperwork and property.

Some small personal items can be released for pickup during the first 72 hours. Think house keys, jewelry, a wallet - things families often need quickly so life at home can keep moving.

• ✓ Have the inmate authorize the person who will pick up the property.
• ✓ Bring valid picture identification for verification when you arrive to pick it up.

One detail that can save you a trip: cash doesn't usually get "picked up" as property. When someone is booked into Clark County Jail, any cash they have goes directly into their inmate commissary account.

Practical Steps Restricted

• ✓ Add funds at the kiosk in the Main Jail lobby (cash only)
• ✓ Add funds online
• ✓ Add funds by phone
• ✓ Add funds through the app

1. Use the digital mail process - Personal mail (letters, pictures, drawings) is delivered digitally to inmates through available kiosks and tablets.
2. Do not mail items directly to the jail - Mail sent directly to Clark County Jail will be returned to the sender.
3. Address it exactly in the required format - Use:
4. Clark County Jail, WA
5. Inmate's name and CFN#
6. PO Box 247
7. Phoenix, MD 21131

If video visits will be your main connection early on, set up your GettingOut account as soon as possible. Video visiting is available at the Main Jail or from home with a PC and internet connection, but each visit must be scheduled in advance. Expect a per-visit fee, and reach out to GettingOut Customer Service if you need help getting set up.

Bigger items follow a different process than keys or a wallet. Property releases after 72 hours - and any emergency release of large items, clothing, or shoes - must be approved by authorized jail staff. If you need something urgent, be prepared: it may require staff authorization and won't be handled like a standard small-item release.

Quick Checklist

• ✓ Arrange for the inmate to authorize you (or another person) for any property pickup.
• ✓ Bring valid picture ID if you’re the authorized person picking up property.
• ✓ Add funds through the Main Jail lobby kiosk (cash only), online, by phone, or through the app.
• ✓ Send letters/photos/drawings through the digital scanning vendor format; mail sent directly to the jail will be returned.
• ✓ Remember: cash at booking is deposited into the inmate’s commissary account (you usually won’t pick it up as property).