Facility Overview
The Androscoggin County Jail sits in Auburn, Maine, right in the heart of the county. It’s a county-run facility handling pretrial detainees, short-term sentences, and folks serving under a year for misdemeanors. We’ve seen it house anywhere from 150 to 200 inmates on average, though capacity pushes toward 250 depending on the pods they use. Security here’s medium-level—think locked units with regular counts, but not like supermax. They mix men and women in separate areas, and there’s a work-release setup for low-risk guys.
One thing we always tell people: this isn’t a state prison. It’s local, so turnover’s high. Your loved one might be in and out quick if bail’s posted or charges drop. But if they’re stuck, expect structured days with chow, rec, and some programs if they qualify.
Location and Contact Information
Address: 2 Turner Street, Auburn, ME 04210. Phone the jail directly at (207) 753-2500 for admissions and release— that’s your first stop for roster checks. Sheriff’s office oversees it at the same number. No public email listed, but the county site has forms.
| Contact | Details |
|---|---|
| Jail Main Line | (207) 753-2500 |
| Admissions/Release | Call main line, ask for booking |
| Sheriff’s Office | (207) 753-2500 |
| Website | Androscoggin County Jail |
Pro tip: Call early mornings. Lines get jammed after court lets out. And check the Maine DOC Adult Search for statewide inmates, but county rosters aren’t always online here.
How to Check the Androscoggin County Jail Roster
No live online roster like some big counties. That’s frustrating, we know. Families call us weekly asking why. Best bet: Dial admissions at (207) 753-2500 and give the inmate’s full name and DOB. Officers there pull it up quick. If it’s after hours, leave a message—they call back.
Statewide, try the Maine DOC search tool linked above. It covers adults in the system, updated daily. But for real-time county holds, phone’s king. We’ve heard stories of names spelled wrong throwing searches off, so double-check.
Want to bail someone out? Same line for amounts and bondsmen. Cash, cards, or surety—ask specifics.
Visiting Information
Visiting ain’t like the old days. No-contact booths mostly, video options growing. Hours: Weekdays 1pm-3pm and 6pm-8pm, weekends 9am-11am and 1pm-3pm. But confirm—pods rotate. Call ahead or check the site.
Rules: ID required, no hoodies, no shorts above knee, no tanks. Leave cell phones in the car; they lock ’em up. Kids under 16 need birth certs. Max 3 visitors per slot, 20 minutes tops usually.
- Schedule via phone or kiosk— no online yet.
- Dress modest: think church clothes.
- Approved list only after inmate okays you.
Visiting room’s basic—plexiglass, stools bolted down. Officers watch close. First-timers get nervous, but staff here’s usually straight-shooters. Arrive 30 minutes early.
Inmate Communication
Phones: Inmates call out collect via Securus. Set up an account at Securus or call 800-844-6591. Rates sting—$0.21/minute local. No incoming calls.
Mail: Send to the address above, inmate’s name and ID#. No stickers, no Polaroids. They scan everything now. Tablets for emails/video if the inmate buys time.
Video visits: Through Securus too. Download app, schedule slots. We’ve talked to families who swear by it—beats driving in snow. But glitches happen; have backup phone ready.
Officers can’t pass notes. Strict on that. One guy we knew got written up for a “hello” slip—don’t risk it.
Sending Money to Inmates
No more money orders—big change last couple years. Use the lobby kiosk, Access Corrections online, or call 866-345-1884. Securus works too at 800-844-6591. Fees eat 10-15%, but it’s quick.
Money hits commissary for hygiene, snacks, stamps. Inmates get $10-15/week state indigent if broke. Tell your person to watch spending—can’t carry over much on release.
Steps: Create account, add inmate ID, load funds. Instant for phone/commissary. We’ve seen delays on holidays, so plan ahead.
Daily Life at This Facility
Wake up 5:30am, count. Breakfast 6am—oatmeal, toast, coffee if lucky. Lockdown till 8, then jobs or school. Rec yard 1pm if weather’s good—basketball, pull-ups. Dinner 5pm, lights out 10pm.
Pods hold 40-60, bunks metal. Showers communal, 3x/week hot water. Clean, but smells like bleach and feet. Fights happen, but solo cells for troublemakers.
Programs: GED classes, NA meetings, ASP for alt sentencing. Work release if eligible—laundry, kitchen pays $1/day. Mental health counselor on site, but waits long. Food’s basic—ask for extra PB if they like it.
Boredom’s the killer. Books from library cart, cards. Holidays get better meals. We tell families: Send mag subs if approved—breaks the monotony.
History and Background
Built in 1970s, expanded 90s. Handled floods of inmates during opioid wave. Recent talk of regional jail with Oxford/Franklin counties to cut costs—study funded 2025. Sheriff D. Christopher Radtke runs it now, focuses on reentry.
Notable: Escapes rare, but 2010s saw some work-release fails. COVID locked it down hard—video visits saved sanity. Steady ship, though understaffed like everywhere.
How to Get There
From Portland: I-95 N to Rt 202, 45 minutes. GPS “2 Turner St, Auburn.” Parking free lot out front. Public bus ME Express stops nearby.
Hotels: Fireside Inn (207-784-3411) 5 minutes away, $100/night. Hampton Inn Lewiston-Auburn close. Uber from Portland $60. Winter: Chains if snowing.
Flying in? PWM airport 40 miles. Rental car best—no shuttles.
We’ve guided families from out-state. Stay calm, map it night before.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I find someone on the Androscoggin County Jail roster?
Call the jail at (207) 753-2500 and provide the inmate’s full name and date of birth. There’s no public online roster, so phone is fastest. The Maine DOC search covers some, but verify with jail staff.
What are visiting hours at Androscoggin County Jail?
Typically weekdays 1-3pm and 6-8pm, weekends 9-11am and 1-3pm, but call to confirm pod schedules. Visits are no-contact, 20 minutes max, and require prior approval.
How can I send money to an inmate at Androscoggin County Jail?
Use the lobby kiosk, Access Corrections online or 866-345-1884, or Securus at 800-844-6591. No money orders accepted anymore; funds go straight to commissary.
Can inmates at Androscoggin County Jail make phone calls?
Yes, collect calls through Securus—set up an account online. Incoming calls not allowed, and rates are about 21 cents per minute for local.
What should I wear for a visit to Androscoggin County Jail?
Wear modest clothes: no shorts, tank tops, hoodies, or revealing outfits. Bring valid ID; kids need birth certificates. Officers check at the door.