How to send messages, photos, and packages
At MCF Lino Lakes, only incarcerated people can place outgoing phone calls—you can't call in and ask to be connected. Calls are free to the recipient, but three-way calling and call forwarding aren't allowed. There's also a required 15-minute wait between calls. Phone and video communications may be monitored or recorded, and notices are posted by the phones. Video visits are booked through JPay in 30-minute sessions and require a Visa or MasterCard on file. To schedule, log in to JPay, choose Video Visitation, select
Search for a loved one and send messages and photos in minutes.
Getting mail to someone at MCF Lino Lakes comes down to two things: addressing it exactly the way Minnesota DOC requires, and understanding that most incoming mail gets processed and scanned before your loved one sees it. Here's the format to use and what to expect for letters, photos, and greeting cards.
Log in to your JPay account, select Video Visitation, then choose
Outside callers can't call into MCF Lino Lakes and request to be connected—only incarcerated people can place outgoing calls. If you need to pass urgent information, use the facility's emergency message process.
Yes. Phone and video communications may be monitored or recorded by staff, and notices are posted by the telephones. Recording or photographing any part of a video visit can end the visit and result in an indefinite ban.
Call the facility and leave a message describing the emergency. Staff will verify the information and pass it on as appropriate.
Address each item with the person’s full name, DOC OID number, the facility name, and “Minnesota” spelled out. Use the facility’s example formatting so it routes correctly through the external scanning service.
Not always. Photos and cards are opened and scanned, and the person incarcerated receives a copy rather than necessarily the original—so don’t send anything irreplaceable.
If your loved one is at MCF Lino Lakes, their Minnesota DOC Offender ID (OID) unlocks almost every contact task. Once you have it, keep it handy.
Setting up a video visit involves a few steps, but it's simple once you know the order. Here's how to confirm eligibility, schedule a 30-minute JPay session, and avoid mistakes that cut visits short.
Planning to visit MCF Lino Lakes with a child? Two things trip people up most often: paperwork for minor visitors and ID verification. Get these right ahead of time, and you won't get turned away at the door.
