Facility Overview
The Penobscot County Jail sits right in Bangor, Maine, handling mostly local folks picked up on county charges. It’s a medium-security spot, not some high-tech federal joint, with room for about 250 inmates. You’ll find people here awaiting trial, serving short sentences under a year, or waiting transfer to state prison. We’ve talked to guys who’ve done time there—it’s no picnic, but staff keeps things running tight.
They house men and women separately, with some dorm-style pods and single cells for the troublemakers. Capacity gets pushed sometimes; news lately talks about budget woes and overcrowding, which means bunks closer together than you’d like. Check the official Penobscot County Sheriff’s inmate page for the latest roster—it’s updated regularly.
Location and Contact Information
Address: 85 Hammond Street, Bangor, ME 04401. Phone the main line at (207) 947-4585 for general questions, or corrections directly at (207) 947-5545. Email isn’t listed publicly, but you can reach out via their site contact form. For emergencies, it’s 911, but don’t use that for inmate info.
| Contact Type | Details |
|---|---|
| Sheriff’s Office | (207) 947-4575 |
| Inmate Info/Release | (207) 947-4585 |
| Website | penobscot-sheriff.net |
Fax records requests to (207) 941-4793. One thing we always tell families: call during business hours, 8 AM to 4 PM, or you’ll get voicemail. Policies shift, so verify straight from them.
How to Access the Penobscot County Jail Roster
Finding someone on the roster is straightforward but glitchy sometimes. Head to the Penobscot County Sheriff’s site at penobscot-sheriff.net/inmates. Search by name—no booking number needed usually. It shows basics: full name, booking date, charges, bond amount, and release date if set.
- Go to the inmates page.
- Enter first and last name.
- Hit search. Results pop up quick.
- Note the inmate ID for calls or visits.
But here’s the real talk: if your person’s not listed, they might be in transit, released already, or at Bangor PD holding. We’ve seen rosters lag by a day. Call the jail to confirm. Third-party sites like penobscotjailroster.org exist, but stick to official for accuracy—those others charge fees and mess up sometimes.
Visiting Information
Visits are non-contact, through glass with phones, and video options exist too. Hours run weekends mostly: Saturdays and Sundays, 1 PM to 4 PM. No weekdays for general pop, but check for attorney or clergy slots. Up to 2 adults and 2 kids under 12 per visit, 20 minutes max.
Dress code’s strict—no shorts, tank tops, or anything see-through. Leave bags in the car; they pat down everyone. Schedule online via their system or call ahead. COVID rules linger: masks sometimes required, no symptoms allowed.
We hear from families it’s cold in the visiting room, vending machines only for snacks. Kids get fidgety quick. Arrive 30 minutes early—lines form. Full rules on the Sheriff’s site.
Inmate Communication
Phone calls go through Securus—rates around $0.21/minute collect or prepaid. Inmates get 15-minute slots, no three-way calls. Video visits via Securus app or kiosk, $10 for 25 minutes. Mail’s scanned now; send postcards or letters to: Inmate Name, Booking #, Penobscot County Jail, 85 Hammond St, Bangor, ME 04401. No stamps, polaroids, or perfume.
Emails through JPay—set up an account at jpay.com. We’ve advised hundreds: preload accounts before arrest. Inmates can’t call cell phones direct; it’s landlines only. Block unwanted calls via Securus.
Sending Money to Inmates
Use Access Corrections kiosks onsite, online at accesscorrections.com, or app. Minimum $5, fees apply—about $2.95 online. No cash by mail; money orders to the jail. Funds hit commissary for hygiene, snacks, stamps.
Typical: $10-20 weekly keeps them stocked. We tell people don’t overload—unused funds return on release, but paperwork delays it. Check balance online with booking number.
Daily Life at This Facility
Wake up at 5:30 AM, count, breakfast slop—oatmeal, bread, coffee if lucky. Lockdown till 8 AM, then rec in cages or yard if weather’s good. Pods have TVs, cards, but noise constant. Meals three times: chow hall or trays. Showers three a week, 5 minutes each.
Programs? AA meetings, GED classes if you’re in long enough. Church Sundays. Conditions: clean but worn—peeling paint, thin mattresses. Fights happen, but officers stomp ’em quick. Medical’s basic; dentist monthly. One guy we knew said winters brutal, heat spotty.
Overcrowding news from newscentermaine.com hits home—20% tax hike talk due to jail costs. Morale dips when staff short.
History and Background
Built in the 1970s, expanded 90s for more beds. Part of Penobscot County complex with courts. Notable: escaped inmates rare, but 2023 scam alerts where fraudsters pose as staff. Sheriff focuses on tech now—online roster beats old paper logs.
We’ve seen it evolve from no-visits during COVID to hybrid now. Budget fights ongoing; check county site penobscot-county.net for updates.
How to Get There
From I-95, exit 49 to Bangor, Hammond Street off Union. 10 minutes from airport. Bus via Greyhound to Bangor, then Uber—$15 ride. Hotels: Holiday Inn nearby, $120/night. Parking free but limited; carpools best.
Public transport spotty; Concord Coachlines to Bangor. Winter roads slick—allow extra time.
Families ask us about bonds: post at jail desk or via Surety. Lawyer up fast; public defenders swamped here.
In our years dealing with this, one constant: stay calm, document everything. Roster checks weekly if no news. Reach ACLU Maine for rights issues: aclumaine.org.
Reentry? They got work release for low-risk. Halfway houses in Bangor like Hope House. Prep IDs, job leads outside.
Charges vary—DUIs, domestics, thefts common. Bonds $500-$50k. Court next door speeds arraignments.
Women’s side smaller, quieter. Kids’ drawings allowed on mail. Holidays? Minimal—extra dessert maybe.
Staff rotates; ask for Sgt. on duty for issues. Grievances in writing, appeal up chain.
Recent news: scammers hitting families—Sheriff warns don’t wire money. Verify via official line.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I search the Penobscot County Jail roster online?
Visit penobscot-sheriff.net/inmates, enter the inmate’s name, and search. It shows booking info, charges, and status. If nothing shows, call (207) 947-4585—they might not be listed yet.
What are visiting hours at Penobscot County Jail?
Weekends 1-4 PM, non-contact. Schedule ahead, follow dress code—no shorts or revealing clothes. Kids allowed with ID; 20 minutes max per session.
How can I send money to an inmate at Penobscot County Jail?
Use accesscorrections.com or kiosk onsite. Fees apply, funds for commissary only. Avoid cash mail; it gets rejected.
Can inmates at Penobscot County Jail make phone calls?
Yes, via Securus collect or prepaid, about 15 minutes per call. No cell phones or three-ways. Set up account first to receive.
What if my loved one isn’t on the Penobscot County Jail roster?
They could be released, transferred, or in processing. Call the jail directly at (207) 947-4585 for confirmation. Check Bangor PD too if recent arrest.