Check the Cascade County Roster First—Then Route Federal, Court and Family-Service Questions Correctly
Cascade County publishes an official inmate roster for people in the Cascade County Detention Center and says it is regularly updated every four hours. The county also warns that the roster can lag behind the most recent custody status and, critically, does not include federal inmates. If a name is missing, the correct next step depends on whether the issue is a recent booking, release, court case, state custody or federal detention.
One Search Cannot Answer Every Cascade County Custody Question
Use the county roster for local adult detention custody, then move to the office that legally controls the next issue. This prevents common mistakes such as using a jail entry as a court docket or assuming a federal detainee must appear on the public county list.
| What you need | Official starting point | What it answers |
|---|---|---|
| Current county detention custody | Cascade County Inmate Roster | Public local detention information. The county says the online list is refreshed every four hours but may not reflect the most recent status. |
| Felony / District Court case | 8th Judicial District and Montana District Court Portal | District Court case and calendar routing for Cascade County. |
| County misdemeanor / certain traffic case | Cascade County Justice Court | Misdemeanor and traffic matters from the Sheriff, Highway Patrol, DOT and Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks. |
| Great Falls Police citation | Great Falls Municipal Court | Great Falls Police Department citation and municipal-court matters. |
| Warrant question | Cascade County Sheriff’s Office | The Clerk of District Court directs warrant inquiries to the Sheriff. A warrant is not proof of current incarceration. |
| General county public record | Cascade County Public Information Request | Requests for existing public information subject to Montana disclosure rules, fees and criminal-justice confidentiality restrictions. |
| Montana DOC custody / supervision | Montana Offender Search | Basic information on felony offenders supervised by Montana DOC. |
| Federal prison custody | Federal BOP Inmate Locator | Federal Bureau of Prisons records from 1982 to present. It does not cover every pretrial federal detention situation. |
How to Search the Cascade County Jail Roster
- Open the county roster page. Start from Cascade County’s Inmate Roster page and use its current roster link. If the underlying SharePoint file changes, the county page is the stable official starting point.
- Search or scan for the legal name. Compare the complete name and any available identifying details. If needed, try a verified former, maiden, hyphenated or alternate spelling.
- Read the complete row, not one field. Current roster formats can change. When the roster displays age, jacket/booking identifier, date/time, charges or unresolved bond information, use several fields together before deciding you found the correct person.
- Separate detention data from court data. A listed charge or bond entry is a jail-side snapshot. Use Justice, Municipal or District Court records for the filed case and later legal outcome.
- Use the four-hour update statement correctly. “Updated every four hours” does not mean every booking or release appears instantly. The county expressly warns that online status may not be the most recent.
- Recheck before acting. Refresh custody before paying, visiting, sending money, mailing important documents or arranging transportation after a possible release.
The Two Most Important Limits on the Official Cascade County Roster
Four-hour refresh does not equal live status
Cascade County says it updates the roster every four hours, but it also warns that the information may not reflect the most recent inmate status. A booking, court order, transfer or release can occur between public updates.
When same-day timing matters, call the Detention Center at 406-454-6820.
Federal inmates are intentionally excluded
The county expressly states that the public inmate roster does not include federal inmates. A person may therefore be physically connected with the Cascade County facility or federal custody without appearing on the public county roster.
Use the case authority, U.S. Marshals information and BOP locator to determine the correct federal route rather than treating “not found” as release.
No Name on the Roster? Use a Cascade-Specific Decision Path
Cascade County Has Three Different Court Paths That Commonly Matter After an Arrest
Do not choose a court merely because the person is housed in the county jail. The arresting agency and charge level help determine which court handles the case.
8th Judicial District Court
Cascade County District Court is at 415 2nd Ave. N., Great Falls, MT 59401. The Montana Judicial Branch lists the Clerk of District Court at 406-604-7766.
Use the statewide District Court Public Access Portal for available public case information.
Cascade County Justice Court
Justice Court handles traffic and misdemeanor criminal offenses issued by the Cascade County Sheriff, Montana Highway Patrol, Department of Transportation and Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks.
Address: 415 2nd Avenue N., Great Falls
Phone: 406-604-7787 or 406-604-7788
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
Great Falls Municipal Court
Great Falls Police Department citations are handled by Municipal Court rather than Cascade County Justice Court. Current city and Montana court-locator pages list Municipal Court at 2 Park Drive South and phone 406-771-1380.
The county Justice Court page still contains an older phone reference, so use the current city/state locator when numbers conflict.
Open Montana Public Access Portals to choose District Court or Courts of Limited Jurisdiction.
Verify Bond With the Controlling Court Before Paying
Older Cascade County roster formats have displayed unresolved bond information, but a roster figure should be treated as a starting point—not a guaranteed release quote. Bond can be changed by a judge, and another case, hold or detainer can affect release.
Before money changes hands
- Confirm the person is still in custody.
- Identify every active charge or hold.
- Identify the court controlling each charge.
- Verify the current bond type and amount with the court or detention facility.
- Ask whether any separate hold could prevent release.
- Confirm the official payment route and accepted method.
- Keep the receipt and verify actual release separately.
Useful bond verification script
“I am checking current release information for [full legal name]. Can you confirm which court controls each active charge, the current bond requirement, any additional hold, and the correct official payment route?”
Do not send bond money through Access Corrections, Securus or a private individual unless the controlling authority explicitly directs that payment method for bond.
In-Person Visitation Is Currently Cancelled During Construction
The Cascade County Sheriff’s current Adult Detention Center notice says inmate in-person visitation is cancelled until further notice due to construction. This supersedes an old weekly schedule copied from a jail directory or an older visitation PDF.
For a facility-specific eligibility or scheduling question, contact the Detention Center at 406-454-6820 or use the current Securus service linked by the Sheriff.
Securus Handles Phone, Video Connect and eMessaging
Cascade County currently identifies Securus Technologies as the inmate telephone provider and says Video Connect and eMessaging are available. The Sheriff lists Securus customer support at 800-844-6591, 24 hours a day, for billing and access questions.
These rates come from Cascade County’s 2026 amendment to its Securus agreement. The agreement can be amended, and taxes or permitted charges can affect the checkout total, so verify the current provider screen before funding an account.
Before paying for communications
- Confirm the person remains housed at the Cascade County facility.
- Select the correct facility and inmate inside the Securus system.
- Check whether the intended feature is a voice call, video session or eMessage.
- Save the payment or session confirmation.
- Use Securus support—not the jail roster—for billing or account-access problems.
Personal Mail Is Scanned to the Inmate’s Tablet—and the Original Is Discarded
Cascade County says all personal mail is opened and inspected, then scanned through its Digital Mailing Center for distribution to the inmate’s tablet. The original mailing is discarded after scanning. Do not send an irreplaceable original document or photograph.
Current address format
Cascade County Detention Facility
[Inmate’s Full Name]
3800 Ulm North Frontage Road
Great Falls, MT 59404
The Sheriff also shows “Cascade County Sheriff’s Office” as an acceptable first line when the full inmate name and the same address are used.
Published personal-mail limits
- Sender’s full name and address required.
- Maximum 10 pages per envelope.
- Page size no larger than 8.5 × 11 inches.
- Photos no larger than 5 × 7 inches; no Polaroids.
- No cash, magazines, books or packages in ordinary mail.
- No stamps, blank envelopes/paper, photocopies, laminated items, stickers, internet printouts, newspaper clippings or sticky notes.
- No original IDs, birth certificates, Social Security cards, green cards or other important originals.
Inmate Money and Commissary: Access Corrections + Keefe
The Sheriff currently lists three ways to add money to an inmate account: mail a money order addressed to the inmate, use the kiosk in the Sheriff’s Office lobby, or use Access Corrections. Cascade County’s current commissary agreement with Keefe took effect April 1, 2025 for a five-year contract period and includes Access Corrections payment services and an inmate package program.
Mail to the inmate
Inmate’s First & Last Name
3800 Ulm North Frontage Road
Great Falls, MT 59404
Confirm current custody before mailing funds.
Detention/Sheriff kiosk
The Sheriff lists a kiosk in the CCSO lobby. Call before making a special trip if construction or access conditions could affect the lobby.
Access Corrections
The county directs users to Access Corrections for online inmate-account deposits. Verify the correct inmate and review current fees before submitting.
Keefe’s county contract also includes an inmate package program. Use the Sheriff’s current “Send a Care Package” route or the vendor route linked by the facility rather than sending a package directly through ordinary personal mail.
Jail Roster, Court Record and Public Information Request Are Different Records
Cascade County’s general Public Information Request process can be used for existing public information held by the county, but Montana law allows some criminal justice, investigative, security and confidential information to be withheld. A general request therefore should not be treated as a guarantee that every jail, mugshot or investigative record is releasable.
| Record needed | Best first source | Useful detail |
|---|---|---|
| Current adult detention custody | County inmate roster / Detention Center | Roster updates every four hours but can lag and excludes federal inmates. |
| Filed criminal case | Montana court portal and correct court | Use the court for filings, hearings and final legal outcome. |
| Warrant information | Cascade County Sheriff | The Clerk of Court directs warrant questions to the Sheriff. |
| County public information | Cascade County Public Information Request | The county may estimate time and fees; some information is confidential or security-sensitive. |
| Great Falls Police report / city misdemeanor record | Great Falls city records / Municipal Court as appropriate | The city separates police reports from municipal court records. |
Current county copy-fee framework
The county’s Public Information Request notice lists $0.50 for the first page and $0.25 for each additional page, including electronic copies, unless another fee is provided by law. The county can require payment of the estimated fee before gathering the requested information.
Processing-time reality
Cascade County says public-information requests are acknowledged within a reasonable period and may take 30 days or more to process. This is not the right route for an urgent “is this person in jail right now?” question.
PREA Reporting and Immediate Safety Concerns
The Sheriff page currently links PREA policy, reporting instructions, annual reports and a 2026 PREA audit report. The linked “How to Report Sexual Abuse or Harassment” sheet states that reports may be made anonymously.
Inside the facility
- Report to staff, a volunteer, contractor, medical or mental-health staff.
- Submit a grievance or kite.
- Report to the PREA coordinator.
- The published sheet also lists internal dialing instructions for incarcerated people.
Third-party report
The Sheriff-linked reporting sheet says a family member, friend, attorney or other outside person can report on someone’s behalf by calling 406-268-1330 or filing a misconduct referral form at the Sheriff’s Office.
For an immediate emergency, use 911 or the appropriate emergency-response route rather than relying on a non-emergency reporting process.
Juvenile Detention Is a Separate Cascade County Facility
The adult roster should not be used as a substitute for juvenile detention information. Cascade County operates a separate 24-bed Juvenile Detention Center for criminally charged youth ages 10–18 and provides detention services across the North Central Montana region.
Cascade County Juvenile Detention Center
1600 26th Street S
Great Falls, MT 59405
406-454-6930
Juvenile privacy and access rules differ from adult jail records. Call the juvenile facility for the proper family, attorney or court route rather than expecting a public adult roster result.
When to Check Montana DOC, VINE or Federal Custody
Montana DOC
Use Montana Offender Search when the person may have transferred into state felony custody or supervision. DOC describes the search as a database of basic criminal records for felony offenders it supervises.
Montana VINE
Montana DOC says VINE can provide supported custody notifications by phone, email, text, mobile app or TTY. The statewide VINE number is 800-456-3076, 24/7.
Federal custody
Remember that federal inmates are excluded from the Cascade County public roster. Use BOP for federal prison custody. A pretrial federal defendant may be held under U.S. Marshals authority before appearing in BOP’s prison locator.
Cascade County Jail, Sheriff and Court Contacts
| Office | Verified contact | Use it for |
|---|---|---|
| Cascade County Adult Detention Center / Sheriff | 3800 Ulm N Frontage Road, Great Falls, MT 59404 406-454-6820 | Current custody, roster errors, jail procedures, construction/visit questions and facility routing. |
| Sheriff non-emergency dispatch | 406-454-6979 | Non-emergency Sheriff dispatch matters. |
| Cascade County Justice Court | 415 2nd Avenue N, Great Falls, MT 59401 406-604-7787 / 406-604-7788 | County misdemeanor and qualifying traffic cases; court hours Monday–Friday 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m. |
| Cascade County Clerk of District Court | 415 2nd Ave. N., Great Falls, MT 59401 406-604-7766 | District Court record and filing assistance. |
| Great Falls Municipal Court | 2 Park Drive South, Great Falls, MT 406-771-1380 | Great Falls municipal matters and Great Falls Police citations. |
| Juvenile Detention Center | 1600 26th Street S, Great Falls, MT 59405 406-454-6930 | Juvenile detention routing; adult public roster rules do not control juvenile information. |
Cascade County Adult Detention Center Location
The adult detention facility and Sheriff’s Office are at 3800 Ulm North Frontage Road in Great Falls. The map is for orientation. Because in-person inmate visitation is currently cancelled during construction, do not travel for a visit without rechecking the Sheriff’s current notice.
Use Cascade County Jail Information Responsibly
- An arrest is not a conviction.
- A booking charge is not the final court disposition.
- A warrant does not prove current jail custody.
- An online roster that updates every four hours can still lag behind an actual release or transfer.
- A missing Cascade County roster result does not rule out federal custody because federal inmates are excluded.
- A displayed bond does not guarantee immediate release.
- A booking photograph, if displayed, does not prove guilt.
- Do not use public jail information to harass, threaten, stalk, shame or unlawfully discriminate against anyone.
- Use the controlling court for legal outcomes and a licensed attorney for legal advice.
Cascade County Jail Roster FAQs
Where is the official Cascade County jail roster?
Use the Inmate Roster page on Cascade County’s official website. It links to the county’s current roster and explains its legal and timing limitations.
How often is the Cascade County inmate roster updated?
Cascade County states that it updates the public roster regularly every four hours. The county also warns that the online information may not reflect the most recent custody status.
Why might a federal inmate be missing from the Cascade County roster?
The county expressly states that federal inmates are not included on the public roster. Use the federal case/custody authority, U.S. Marshals route or BOP locator as appropriate instead of assuming the person was released.
Is in-person visitation currently available at Cascade County Detention Center?
The Sheriff’s current Adult Detention Center notice says inmate in-person visitation is cancelled until further notice because of construction. Securus Video Connect and eMessaging are available; recheck the Sheriff page before travelling because the construction notice can change.
What does Securus charge for Cascade County calls and video?
Cascade County’s 2026 Securus amendment sets a $0.12 per-minute voice rate effective April 1, 2026 and a $0.19 per-minute Video Connect rate after conversion, plus applicable taxes, tariffs, fees and surcharges. Verify the current provider checkout before paying because contracts and permitted charges can change.
How do I send personal mail to a Cascade County inmate?
Address the mail to the inmate’s full name at Cascade County Detention Facility, 3800 Ulm North Frontage Road, Great Falls, MT 59404, and include the sender’s full name and address. Personal mail is scanned to the inmate’s tablet and the original is discarded.
How do I add money to an inmate account?
The Sheriff lists a mailed money order addressed to the inmate, a kiosk in the CCSO lobby, and Access Corrections. Confirm current custody and the correct account before funding it.
Which court handles a Cascade County criminal case?
It depends on the charge and arresting agency. Cascade County Justice Court handles specified misdemeanor and traffic matters; Great Falls Police citations go to Great Falls Municipal Court; felony matters generally route through the 8th Judicial District Court. Verify the actual case in Montana’s court portal.
How do I request Cascade County public information?
Use Cascade County’s Public Information Request process for appropriate existing county records. The county lists copy charges of $0.50 for the first page and $0.25 for each additional page and says some requests may take 30 days or more. Confidential criminal justice and security-sensitive information can be withheld.
How can a family member report a PREA concern?
The Sheriff-linked PREA reporting sheet says an outside person can report on someone’s behalf by calling 406-268-1330 or filing a misconduct referral form at the Sheriff’s Office. Use emergency services for an immediate emergency.
When should I use Montana DOC instead of the county roster?
Use Montana Offender Search when the person may have transferred into Montana felony custody or supervision. A DOC result and a current county-jail result answer different custody questions.
Can I use the adult roster to locate a juvenile?
No assumption should be made from the adult roster. Cascade County operates a separate Juvenile Detention Center at 1600 26th Street S in Great Falls, phone 406-454-6930, and juvenile record rules differ from adult detention records.
Final Cascade County Verification Checklist
- You confirmed this is Cascade County, Montana.
- You started with the official county roster page.
- You remembered that the roster refreshes every four hours rather than continuously.
- You did not treat a missing result as proof of release.
- You checked the federal exception before concluding the person is not in custody.
- You separated the jail record from the court case.
- You chose District, Justice or Municipal Court based on the actual case.
- You verified every bond and additional hold before paying.
- You rechecked the current construction notice before planning an in-person visit.
- You used Securus for the supported communication service rather than an old provider listing.
- You did not send irreplaceable originals through scanned personal mail.
- You used the inmate’s correct name for mail and money.
- You kept Access Corrections funds separate from bond and Securus communication funds.
- You used the public-information process only for records it actually covers.
- You used the separate juvenile facility when the person is under 18.
- You checked Montana DOC, VINE or federal custody only when the facts point there.
- You did not treat an arrest, charge, warrant, bond or image as proof of guilt.
Official Sources Reviewed
These sources were reviewed for the October 3, 2026 refresh. Roster status, construction, visitation, provider fees, court contacts and facility procedures can change, so reopen the relevant official page immediately before taking action.
- Cascade County Inmate Roster — four-hour update statement, federal-inmate exclusion, legal disclaimer and roster correction contact.
- Cascade County Sheriff’s Office / Adult Detention Center — address, phone, construction visitation notice, Securus, personal mail, money and PREA resources.
- Cascade County Justice Court — misdemeanor/traffic jurisdiction, Great Falls citation distinction, contact and hours.
- Montana Judicial Branch: 8th Judicial District — District Court, Clerk and limited-jurisdiction court contacts.
- Montana Public Access Portals — District Court and Courts of Limited Jurisdiction public search routes.
- Cascade County Public Information Request — request scope, disclosure limitations and fees.
- Cascade County Juvenile Detention Center — separate youth facility, age range and contact.
- Montana Offender Search — state felony custody/supervision search.
- Montana DOC Victim Notification — VINE scope and 24/7 number.
- Federal Bureau of Prisons Inmate Locator — federal prison custody search.