The Smith County Jail is a secure facility dedicated to the safe and humane housing of individuals in custody. This page is designed to help family and friends navigate jail procedures and stay in contact with their loved ones.

In-Person Visitation

We recognize the importance of maintaining family connections. In-person visitation is held weekly under the following guidelines:

• Schedule: Tuesdays, 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM.
• Availability: Visitation is subject to staff availability and may be canceled without notice due to facility emergencies or security requirements.
• Holidays: Visitation is not held on federally recognized holidays.
• The Process: All in-person visits are non-contact. Visitors and inmates will communicate through a glass partition using a telephone handset.
• Monitoring & Recording: Please be advised that all visitation conversations are recorded and subject to monitoring by jail staff.
• Electronic Device Ban: For security reasons, no cell phones, tablets, smartwatches, cameras, or other electronic devices are allowed in the visitation area. All such items must be left in your vehicle or a designated locker. Anyone found using a device during a visit will have their session terminated immediately and may lose future visitation privileges.
• Requirements: All visitors must provide a valid, government-issued photo ID. Minor children must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. 

Commissary

The Smith County Jail does not maintain individual cash accounts or "books" for inmates. Instead, commissary items must be purchased by family or friends and brought directly to the jail facility. This system ensures that inmates have access to approved snacks and hygiene items without the facility handling physical currency. To ensure compliance with security protocols, only items approved by jail staff are permitted. You may obtain a current, updated list of these approved items by visiting the jail office and requesting one from the staff on duty. Please note that commissary is only accepted on Tuesdays unless prior authorization is granted by jail administration.

Inmate Communication (CIDnet)

The Smith County Jail uses CIDnet for all inmate communication, including phone calls, messaging, and video visitation. Unlike traditional jail phone systems that charge by the minute, CIDnet operates on a data-based system using Cidnet Utilization Events (CUEs).

How to Connect:

1. Create an Account: Visit the website, customer.cidnet.net/  to register. You will need to provide a valid email address and verify your phone number.
2. Link to an Inmate: Once your account is created, search for the Smith County Jail (KS) and submit a "Link Request" for your incarcerated friend or family member.
3. Purchase Data: Communication is funded by purchasing data (Megabytes) through your CIDnet account. Data is consumed as it is used for calls or messages.
4. Approval: Please note that all link requests and communication services are subject to approval by jail administration.

Important Rules:

• Monitoring: All communication (Voice, Video, and Mail) is recorded and monitored by staff.
• System Management: CIDnet account updates and requests are managed exclusively by jail staff; dispatchers do not have access to the system.
• Time: Phone calls are limited to 9am to 10pm CST time.
• Government Photo ID: A valid ID will be required to speak to an inmate at our facility.
• No "Phone Time": There is no traditional phone time to buy; you must have a data balance on your CIDnet account for the inmate to place a call to you.
• Support: For technical issues with your account or purchasing data, please contact CIDnet Support directly (requires creation of a customer account). 

Inmate Mail

Written correspondence is vital for maintaining community ties; however, all incoming mail must adhere to facility safety protocols:

• Inspection: All non-legal mail is recorded and subject to monitoring—this includes being opened and thoroughly scanned for contraband prior to delivery.
• Photos: Please be advised that original photographs are strictly prohibited. Only photocopies of images will be accepted into the facility.
• Security: These restrictions are necessary to prevent the introduction of prohibited substances and ensure a secure environment.
• Legal Correspondence: Privileged legal mail is processed according to established privacy laws and jail security requirements.  

Bond Information

When a judge sets a bond, it is a legal guarantee that the defendant will appear for all scheduled court proceedings. In Smith County, bonds are processed in accordance with K.S.A. 22-2802.

Types of Bonds

• Cash Bond: The full amount of the bond must be paid in cash to the Clerk of the District Court or the Sheriff’s Office. If the defendant attends all court dates, the cash is typically refunded at the end of the case (minus any court-ordered fines, fees, or restitution).
• Surety Bond (Professional Bondsman): This is the most common method. You pay a percentage of the total bond (usually 10%) to a professional bonding agent. The agent then guarantees the full amount to the court. Note: The fee paid to a bondsman is non-refundable.
• Own Recognizance (OR) Bond: The court may allow a defendant to be released on their own signature, promising to appear. In some cases, a "10% Cash Deposit" (ORCD) may be required directly to the court.

Approved Bonding Agents

Per Kansas law and the rules of the 17th Judicial District, any professional bondsman used must be approved by the District Court.

• Licensing: All bonding agents must hold a valid Kansas Insurance Producer license and meet specific financial requirements set by the court.
• The Approved List: The Smith County Sheriff’s Office maintains a list of bonding companies currently authorized to write bonds in our jurisdiction. We cannot recommend a specific agency; however, you may view the approved list in the jail lobby.
• Unauthorized Bonds: We cannot accept a surety bond from any agent or company that is not on the court’s official approved list.

Bond Conditions

Release on bond often comes with specific court-ordered conditions, such as but not limited to:

• Regular check-ins with a Court Services Officer.
• Travel restrictions.
• No Contact Orders: If the charge involves a victim, the bond will strictly prohibit any contact with that individual for at least 72 hours (often longer). Violation of these conditions will result in the immediate revocation of the bond and a return to custody.