Detention Center

The Brookings County Detention Center offers Video Visitation in the Detention Center Public Lobby Monday through Thursday from 9:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. and on Saturday from 6:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. Visits must be scheduled 24 hours ahead of time, on the Reliance Telephone Website, no exceptions. You may also add minutes to an inmate’s phone account using this website. Video visits may be done from the comfort of your home using the Reliance Connect app which can be downloaded from the Apple App Store or the Google Play Store for free. Video visits from home can be done at any time of the day when inmates have normal access to their phones. Video visits from home are charged at the rate of $0.25 per minute. If you are having issues scheduling a visitation, please contact the Detention Center at 605-696-8308. If you are having issues with reliance products or services, please contact their support team at their website linked above. 

The Brookings County Detention Center does not accept property drop-offs for inmates, except for medically necessary items, which require prior approval from the Detention Center Nurse. Inmates are permitted to receive regular mail (which must include a return address) and books ordered directly from a publishing company, such as Amazon. Books must be softcover and free from graphic content. Photos may be mailed in but must not contain graphic material or include any images of the victim related to the inmate's case.

PUBLIC NOTICE

Updated Mail & Book Procedures

Beginning February 1st, 2026, all personal inmate mail must be sent directly to the Reliance Telephone Mail Processing Center. Once received, mail will be scanned and delivered electronically to the inmate’s device. Legal mail should still be sent to the Brookings County Detention Center and will continue to be processed at our facility.

Any personal mail sent directly to the detention center after February 1st, 2026, will be returned to sender.

These changes are being implemented to ensure we remain ahead of the curve in preventing contraband from entering our facility. Detention centers nationwide have experienced significant increases in contraband-related incidents and inmate overdoses tied to traditional mail. Transitioning to electronic mail processing is a proactive measure to enhance safety for inmates, staff, and the community. This process is becoming more and more popular around the United States and is even being utilized already in counties within the State of South Dakota.

Please address mail as follows:
 Brookings County Jail - SD
 Inmate John Doe
 1533 S 42nd Street - Suite 200
 Grand Forks, ND 58201

Further guidelines include:

• No periodicals, books or magazines
• A reasonable number of pages, must fit in a standard envelope. Mail with excessive pages may be delayed or rejected
• Envelope and Mail is scanned in automatically page by page
• Pages should be no larger than 8.5"x14"
• No staples
• No privileged legal material
• No packages
• Physical mail will be destroyed by the processing facility.
• No nudity, weapons or mail that risks the safety and security of the facility
• No money, checks, or other forms of currency

Books and Personal Items:
 Also effective February 1st, 2026, personal items of any kind, to include books, will no longer be accepted through mail or by being dropped off at the facility. Only medically necessary items pre-approved by the Jail Nurse will be allowed to be dropped off or mailed to our facility. Only books currently available at the facility or e-books accessible on inmate devices will be permitted.

We appreciate the public’s cooperation as we take these steps to strengthen facility security and reduce the risk of contraband.

The Detention Center does not accept packages from outside sources, nor do they allow clothing, magazines, coloring books, writing utensils, or hygiene items. All necessary items are provided by the Detention Center, and inmates may purchase additional items, including commissary or "luxury" items, through the Detention Center's Commissary. Commissary care packages can also be sent through the Jail ATM website.

We recommend contacting Detention Center staff prior to sending any items to ensure they comply with the facility’s guidelines.

To provide an inmate with money on their commissary account, you may use the Stellar Services Kiosk in the Detention Center Public Lobby using cash or a credit card. You may also provide money online through the Jail ATM website using a credit card. There is a $3 third-party service charge for cash and a $3 or 10% third-party service charge for credit cards, whichever is more. You may also pay an inmate’s bond with either of these methods. All service charges remain the same for bond payments. Bonds may also be subject to a $25 Sheriff’s fee in addition to the service charges in certain circumstances. 

If you have any questions, please call the Sheriff’s Office at 605-696-8300