How to Contact an Inmate at Facility

Union County DOC uses two county jail phone lines for inmate location help. To locate someone at Hudson County Jail, call 201-395-5600 and follow the prompts. For Essex County Jail, call 973-274-3001 and follow the prompts.

Questions about the Jail Diversion or Veteran Referral Form? Skip the jail locator lines and call the Special Offenders Unit at (908) 527-4500 instead. Referral processes often have extra steps, so use that number to confirm what they need from you and where to send it.

For general administrative questions about the Union County Sheriff's Office Division of Corrections, the main phone number is 908-558-2600 and the fax is 908-558-2375. Keep in mind these are Division contacts, not the same lines used for inmate-location prompts at other county jails.

Steps to Follow

• ✓ Call Hudson County Jail at 201-395-5600 and follow the prompts.
• ✓ Call Essex County Jail at 973-274-3001 and follow the prompts.

• ✓ Call the Special Offenders Unit at (908) 527-4500 with questions about the Jail Diversion/Veteran Referral Form.
• ✓ Email the Jail Diversion/Veteran Referral Form to unionsou@ucnj.org (attention: Special Offenders Unit).
• ✓ Fax the Jail Diversion/Veteran Referral Form to (908) 558-2594 (attention: Special Offenders Unit).

• ✓ For general Division of Corrections administrative questions, call 908-558-2600 or fax 908-558-2375.

1. Call the jail line you were given. Use Hudson County Jail (201-395-5600) or Essex County Jail (973-274-3001), then follow the prompts.
2. Confirm you reached an inmate-locator option. Phone menus change, so listen for any updated routing, recordings, or instructions.
3. Ask what details they need to look someone up. Be ready with the person’s full name, and write down any reference or booking information they give you.
4. Verify hours and any call-back instructions. If the prompt system is limited, ask when the best time is to call and what to do if you cannot find the right menu option.

1. Start with the Special Offenders Unit. Call (908) 527-4500 and tell them you have a Jail Diversion/Veteran Referral Form question.
2. Confirm the preferred way to submit the form. Ask whether they want it emailed to unionsou@ucnj.org or faxed to (908) 558-2594, and whether one method is faster for their team.
3. Check what they will accept with the form. If you plan to send supporting documents, confirm what format they want and whether there are any restrictions on attachments.
4. Ask for the correct attention line and any follow-up steps. The form is directed to the Special Offenders Unit, so confirm how they want it labeled and when you should expect a response.

When you call the Union County Sheriff's Office Division of Corrections at 908-558-2600 (or fax 908-558-2375), start by stating exactly what you need: locating someone, passing along information, or handling an administrative issue. Ask which office or phone line handles inmate location and communication questions so you don't get stuck in the wrong department.