Sheriff’s Office
Detention Facility
Inmate Care Packages
You can send an inmate a care package using MyCarePack.com. This site is convenient, safe, and reliable. They offer new items, updated menus, and a large variety. MyCarePack includes smart deposit for easily adding money to the inmate’s trust fund.
Intake and Release
Individuals who have been placed under arrest are first transported to the Platte County Detention Facility, which is located at the 1125 E. 17th St, Columbus, Nebraska. Upon arrival, they must complete the following steps:
- Property intake
- Medical screening
- Fingerprinting
- Photographing
- Warrants check
While the staff at the jail is dedicated to ensuring the prompt processing and release of eligible arrestees, the amount of time required to complete this process may be affected by the volume of arrestees being processed simultaneously and/or the availability of information from state and national databases.
First Appearance
All arrestees who do not bond out of jail may appear before a judge within 24 hours after arrest. The judge will inform the arrestee of the charge(s) and, if appropriate, will set a bond amount.
In misdemeanor cases, the judge may accept a guilty plea and release the arrestee on his own recognizance or time served. In felony cases, the judge may raise or lower the bond.
Release of Inmate Property
Inmate property can be released to family or friends after an inmate completes a property release form specifying the intended recipient. Property may only be released when the property form has been signed by the inmate. A government-issued photo ID is required to receive the property.
Inmate Telephone Service
Once an inmate receives his or her housing assignment, he or she can contact family and friends by calling collect from phones in the jail. Family and friends must be willing to accept the charges.
Inmates cannot receive incoming telephone calls and detention center employees are not permitted to deliver personal messages to inmates.
The Platte County Detention Facility now allows inmate communication using CI.
Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA)
The Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA) was signed into law in 2003. The goal of PREA is to eradicate prisoner rape in all types of correctional facilities in this country. The Platte County Detention Facility has a zero-tolerance policy regarding sexual abuse and fully subscribes to the rules and practices set forth in the Prison Rape Elimination Act.
Volunteers/contractors/professionals fall under the same policies and procedures as staff regarding boundaries and contact.
- PREA Application
- 2016 PREA Audit Summary Report
- PREA Training
- Zero Tolerance Policy
- 2019 PREA Audit Summary Report
- 2022 PREA Audit Summary Report
- PREA SSV Yearly Report
PREA Volunteer/Contractor Application
This form needs to be filled out by any volunteer or contracted company that has direct contact with inmates
Helping You Stay Connected and Provide Support
In the face of adverse circumstances, maintaining a connection to home can help make life a little better. Access Corrections is dedicated to offering the technologies and services that let you provide assistance to and stay in touch with your loved one in a number of ways. Through our secure deposits service, you can quickly and easily deposit spending money into his or her trust fund, and our secure mail program lets you send real-time messages and photos. We also offer resources for meeting court-related financial obligations. With our secure payments program, you or your loved one can readily make probation, parole, and court-ordered payments. Since our inception in 2007, we’ve focused squarely on corrections. You can depend upon Access Corrections to provide safe, reliable, convenient resources for helping and supporting those you care about.
- Smart Deposit Plus
What is CIDNET?
CIDNET creates an ecosystem of integrated applications to manage inmate communication. Video visitation, digital inmate mail, electronic forms/commissary orders, digital media, and signage TVs are all accessible from a single interface, the CIDNET Smart Jail Ecosystem.
With CIDNET, you and your inmate can talk with video visits, messages, and phone calls. To use these services, you must create an account and buy data. Your data balance will be consumed when you talk with your inmate.
What is the Nebraska Victims of Crime Alert Portal (NEVCAP)?
NEVCAP is a free, anonymous, computer-based service that provides victims of crime two important features: information and notification.
How do I participate in the NEVCAP program?
For inmate custody information, call the toll-free NEVCAP hotline at 1-800-395-2110 and follow the prompts given by the NEVCAP service. During registration, you will be asked to provide a telephone number and select a four-digit PIN code. NEVCAP will quickly provide the caller with inmate status information. For county jail inmates, information on custody status, facility, and what charges have been filed is available. For Department of Correctional Services (DCS) inmates, the following is available:
- Custody status
- Facility and/or location information
- Parole status and eligibility date
- Sentence expiration date
NEVCAP is also available online at the NEVCAP website.
Notification
Callers have the option to register for automated telephone notification if there is a change in an inmate’s status in the criminal justice system. If notification is done online, options are to receive an email or SMS text message.
Available in English & Spanish
The Nebraska NEVCAP service is available in English and Spanish. También disponible en español. Cuando llame, selecione la opción en español.
What is a PIN?
The PIN (Personal Identification Number) is a four-digit number chosen by you. Your PIN is used to confirm that you received notification calls from NEVCAP. Choose a number that is easy for you to remember and write it down.
What if I’m not at home or my phone is busy when NEVCAP calls?
The NEVCAP service is designed to allow every opportunity for you to be notified. If there is no answer or the line is busy, NEVCAP will continue to call for a minimum of 24 hours. NEVCAP will leave a message on an answering machine while continuing to call for 24 hours or until the PIN is entered.
Can I register more than one telephone number with NEVCAP?
Yes, but each registration must be done separately and requires a PIN. You may use the same PIN for several registrations.
Does NEVCAP ensure my safety?
No. The NEVCAP program is designed to provide you with quick and easy access to inmate information and to assist you in preparing for the inmate’s release. Do not depend solely on VINE, NEVCAP, or any other program/service for your safety.
Courthouse
Address
2610 14th Street
Columbus, NE 68601
Hours
8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Monday – Friday