What Happens to an Inmate's Property at Dakota County Jail — What They Keep, What Goes to Storage, and Canteen Basics

During booking, Dakota County Jail only lets inmates keep a short list of personal items. That list includes a smooth-surface wedding band with no gemstones (worn on a finger), prescription eyeglasses, dentures, contact lenses, hearing aids, medical alert bracelets, medically necessary handicap devices, and a religious medal with no chain. Everything else gets taken and stored.

Inside the living area, reading materials are limited. An inmate can keep up to three books and two magazines. There's an exception for program materials. Religious reading materials, NA materials, or AA materials provided through an inmate program are allowed up to a limit of six pamphlets.

• ✓ Two pencils
• ✓ One tablet no larger than 8 1/2" x 11"
• ✓ No wire-bound notebooks

Dakota County Jail accepts certain items by mail: letters, photos, greeting cards, and money orders for inmates. The jail is not responsible for money mailed to inmates, so follow the rules closely. Some mail will be returned to the sender or placed into the inmate's property instead of being delivered. This includes perfume-scented mail or mail with lipstick kisses or marks, inappropriate photos (sexual or gang-related), cards with musical inserts or cards decorated with glue, glitter, or stickers, plus postage stamps, envelopes, and blank paper. The facility also flags personal bills and mail received at the inmate's home, cash, personal checks, payroll checks, and business cards or brochures of any kind.

Property placed into storage at booking is not released until the inmate is discharged, unless the Director gives permission. Don't assume stored items can be picked up right away. If you need something back quickly, plan around that rule.

1. Submit a written request - the inmate must request permission in writing.
2. Complete the property release form - staff require a property release form to be filled out as part of the request.
3. Sign to receive the property - the property is released at that time, when the inmate signs.

Inmates at Dakota County Jail can use their own funds to buy basic items through the Inmate Canteen. Think postage-paid envelopes, snacks, soft drinks, and other necessities.

Want to help someone fund canteen purchases? You can make online credit-card deposits into an inmate's account through the Inmate Canteen website. Just follow the instructions on the site when setting up the deposit.