Use the Right Roster Window Before You Pay, Visit or Travel
Cowlitz County publishes separate reports for current inmates, recent bookings and recent releases. Choosing the wrong report can make a person appear missing or still in custody.
This guide explains inmate profiles, bond and court fields, housing-based Securus visits, the official out-time PDF, mail, voicemail, inmate-account debt, commissary, medical concerns, PREA reports and transfer checks.
Choose the Cowlitz County Task You Need
The roster, jail, courts, Securus, SmartDeposit, VINE and Washington DOC perform different jobs. Use the section that matches the immediate question.
Match the Report to the Custody Question
Is the Person There Now?
Use the current roster and compare the inmate number, booking time and jail-location code.
Was the Arrest Recent?
Use the previous-24-hour bookings report and allow time for transport, screening and intake.
Did the Person Leave?
Use the previous-48-hour releases report, then call before arranging pickup or mailing anything.
Roster limitation: a booking, charge, photograph, warrant description or bond entry is not proof of guilt or a complete criminal-history record.
Use the Official Source That Matches Your Task
Cowlitz County Source Finder
How to Search the Cowlitz County Jail Roster
Open the County Corrections Application
Start with the official county roster instead of a copied list, social-media screenshot, mugshot page or paid people-search service.
Select Current, Bookings or Releases
The current roster, previous-24-hour bookings and previous-48-hour releases are separate reports.
Locate the Legal Name
Browse the alphabetical list or use the browser’s Find function. Try former names, suffixes, maiden names and spelling variations when needed.
Save the Inmate Number and Location
The inmate number helps with jail questions, mail and deposits. The location code is important for the visitation out-time schedule.
Open the Profile and Every Charge Row
Review the booking time, arresting agency, court, warrant or citation number, disposition, billing agency, bond type and amount.
Verify Before Taking Action
Recheck the court and jail before posting bail, scheduling a visit, mailing original documents, depositing money or arranging transportation.
After reviewing the workflow, open the official current Cowlitz County roster.
Current Roster, Recent Booking or Recent Release?
| Official report | Use it for | Important limitation |
|---|---|---|
| Current Roster | Checking people presently listed in county jail custody. | Custody or housing can change after the page loads. |
| Bookings: Last 24 Hours | Checking a recent intake or arrest. | A booking entry does not prove the person remains in custody. |
| Releases: Last 48 Hours | Checking a recently recorded departure. | Older releases fall outside the displayed time window. |
Previous-24-Hour Bookings
Use this report when an arrest happened recently or the active roster has not yet produced the expected result.
Previous-48-Hour Releases
Use this report after a name disappears from the active roster. Confirm before planning pickup.
What Cowlitz County Roster Fields Mean
| Profile field | What it helps answer | What still needs verification |
|---|---|---|
| Inmate Number | The jail-side identifier. | The court case or cause number. |
| Booked At | When jail intake was recorded. | The exact arrest, court or release time. |
| Jail Location | The current housing code. | Whether classification later changes. |
| Visitation | Visit periods connected with the housing location. | Actual availability and Securus appointment approval. |
| Bond Total | The combined amount currently displayed. | No-bail charges, court changes and other holds. |
| Arresting Agency | The agency connected with the booking. | Which agency maintains the complete incident report. |
| Court | Which court may control the charge. | The department, hearing date and latest order. |
| Warrant/Citation Number | A strong court-search clue. | Whether it matches the final case number. |
| Disposition | A court-related status when displayed. | The complete judgment and sentence. |
| Bond Type and Amount | The bond status for an individual charge row. | Whether payment clears every charge and hold. |
Safer identity match: compare the legal name, inmate number, booking time, arresting agency and warrant or citation number instead of relying on a name or photograph alone.
What to Do When Someone Is Not Listed
No-Result Troubleshooter
- Check the previous-24-hour bookings report.
- Try aliases, maiden names, suffixes and alternate spellings.
- Check the previous-48-hour releases report.
- Confirm the arresting city and agency.
- Search the court connected with the arrest or warrant.
- Search Washington DOC after sentencing or transfer.
- Search federal custody when a federal case may apply.
- Call Corrections when custody, bond, health or safety is urgent.
No listing is not release confirmation. The person may be in intake, court, transport, medical care or another agency’s custody.
How Cowlitz County Bail Works
The court sets the legal bond order. The jail processes qualifying after-hours cash bail but cannot change the amount, waive a hold or create a bond that a judge has not set.
During Court Business Hours
- Identify the court shown on every charge row.
- Confirm the exact amount with the responsible clerk.
- Use the District or municipal clerk for qualifying misdemeanor matters.
- Use the Superior Court clerk for felony matters after bail has been set.
- Ask whether every separate case permits release.
- Save every receipt.
After Court Business Hours
- The jail can accept qualifying cash bail.
- Bring the exact cash amount.
- The jail cannot make change.
- Personal checks are not accepted.
- Call before travelling with cash.
New Felony Charges
The county FAQ states that new felony charges generally have no initial bond until the person appears before a Superior Court judge. Cowlitz County does not operate routine night or weekend court.
Do not estimate a felony release date yourself. A weekend, holiday, revoked bond, warrant, DOC hold or another case can delay eligibility.
Bail Verification Script
“I am checking bail for [full legal name], inmate number [number]. Has bail been set on every charge, which court controls payment, are there any other holds, and would payment make the person release-eligible?”
Review the official Corrections FAQ before paying.
Release Dates, Good Time and Pickup Planning
Court officers calculate sentence-release dates under the orders of Superior, District and municipal judges. The county FAQ states that standard good time is pre-calculated at one-sixth of the sentence, assuming no serious institutional behavior issue.
Extra Good Time Can Change the Date
A person selected for an inmate-worker assignment may receive a revised date. Leaving or losing that assignment can cause another recalculation.
Completed-Sentence Processing
The county FAQ says people completing a sentence typically begin release processing around 5:00 a.m. on the release date unless a judge ordered another time or the sentence requires a different calculation.
- Check the active roster again.
- Check the previous-48-hour releases report.
- Ask whether release processing has begun.
- Ask whether a warrant or another hold remains.
- Ask whether the person is transferring to Washington DOC.
- Do not treat an estimated date as a guaranteed pickup time.
Release Verification Script
“I am checking release for [full legal name], inmate number [number]. Is the date still current, have all holds cleared, and is the person leaving to the community or transferring to another facility?”
How to Verify Court Dates and Case Records
Superior Court
Use Superior Court records for felony and other general-jurisdiction matters. Cowlitz County provides Odyssey access and separate copy-request forms.
Cowlitz County Clerk312 SW 1st Avenue
Kelso, WA 98626
Court-record help: 360-577-3016
District Court
District Court handles qualifying criminal, traffic, civil and other limited-jurisdiction matters.
Cowlitz County District Court312 SW 1st Avenue, Room 207
Kelso, WA 98626
Phone: 360-577-3073
Standard hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
Court Verification Checklist
- Copy the warrant or citation number from the profile.
- Identify Superior, District or municipal court.
- Search the legal name and known case number.
- Compare the charge and filing date.
- Confirm the next hearing directly when timing matters.
- Request a certified document for legal reliance.
Superior Court Copy Request Expectations
The Clerk’s current request page says archival searches for files not scanned into the case system require a nonrefundable $15 deposit. Digital requests exceeding 100 pages carry a $30 service fee, and requesters should allow at least two weeks unless paying the additional expedited fee.
Record limitation: Odyssey and statewide name searches are reference tools. They do not replace a certified court document or a statewide criminal-history check.
Use the official Superior Court request forms for copies and courtroom recordings.
Use the Washington Courts name and case search for statewide reference searching.
Cowlitz County Jail Visitation Rules
Visits cannot be scheduled by calling the jail. Schedule online through Securus or in person at the jail during weekday lobby hours.
Scheduling Checklist
- Schedule at least 24 hours in advance.
- Online and remote visit periods are posted between 9:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m.
- In-person scheduling is available Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
- Check the inmate’s current housing code.
- Choose a period that starts and ends inside the assigned out-time.
- Recheck the profile shortly before the appointment.
Onsite and Remote Visit Limits
| Visit type | Current county guidance |
|---|---|
| Onsite video | Free; up to 20 minutes; one onsite visit per day and two onsite visits per week. |
| Remote video | The county currently lists one 10-minute remote visit per week, subject to appointment availability. |
| Monitoring | Visits are monitored for compliance with jail rules. |
| Availability | Attorney visits, programs, discipline and security needs can make an inmate unavailable. |
Visitor Conduct
- Wear shoes and nonrevealing clothing.
- No food or drinks in the jail lobby.
- No camera or mobile-phone use during a visit.
- An adult may bring up to two qualifying children.
- Children must remain seated and behave appropriately.
- Rule violations can end or suspend visitation.
Review the official visitation, phone and email page before scheduling.
How to Use the Inmate Out-Time PDF
The official PDF is organized by housing code and day of the week. Grouped units may receive multi-hour periods, while some individual C, D and F cells receive narrower one-hour blocks.
Safe PDF Workflow
- Open the inmate’s live roster profile.
- Copy the exact jail-location code.
- Open the official out-time PDF.
- Find the housing code and correct day.
- Schedule the visit completely inside that time block.
- Leave a buffer after the block starts and before it ends.
- Recheck the live housing code before the visit.
County scheduling advice: begin approximately 10 minutes after out-time starts and finish approximately 10 minutes before it ends to allow for operational delays.
The scheduling system does not validate the housing schedule. A visit that begins or ends outside the correct out-time can be cancelled.
After copying the current housing code, open the official Cowlitz County out-time PDF.
Inmate Calls, Phone Debit and Voicemail
Cowlitz County uses Securus for inmate telephone service. Ordinary calls can be recorded, and jail staff do not pass routine notes or telephone messages.
Phone-Account Checklist
- Confirm current Cowlitz County custody.
- Use the exact legal name and inmate number.
- Select the Cowlitz County Jail in Longview.
- Review collect, prepaid and inmate-debit options.
- Review provider fees before funding.
- Save the transaction confirmation.
Leave an Inmate Voicemail
The county currently lists voicemail at 1-866-949-4574. The posted fee is $1.99 for a message lasting 45 seconds or less.
Recorded-call warning: do not discuss evidence, witnesses, co-defendants, hidden property, escape plans or confidential legal strategy during an ordinary inmate call.
Use the county-linked Securus service only after confirming the correct inmate and facility.
How to Send Personal or Legal Mail
[Inmate Full Name and Inmate Number]Cowlitz County Jail
1935 First Avenue
Longview, WA 98632
Safest Personal-Mail Format
- Use a plain white envelope.
- Use plain white paper.
- Write with a plain unscented non-gel pen or pencil.
- Include the inmate’s full name and number.
- Include the sender’s complete return address.
- Do not send irreplaceable originals.
Items Commonly Rejected
- Stamps, blank cards, paper or envelopes
- Stickers, tape, glue, glitter or correction fluid
- Perfume, lipstick or other substances on paper
- Plastic, laminated, metal or musical items
- Polaroid or sexually explicit photographs
- Food, tobacco, clothing or hardbound books
- Used books or publications from unapproved sellers
- Inmate-to-inmate correspondence
- Personal or payroll checks
Legal Mail and Civil Legal Papers
The reviewed county pages do not publish a separate legal-mail address. Clearly identify the eligible attorney, court or legal sender and call the jail before sending time-sensitive or privileged material.
Civil legal-paper service is by appointment. The current FAQ lists Tuesday 1:30–3:30 p.m., Thursday 1:30–3:30 p.m. and Thursday 6:30–10:30 p.m., with a call required at least 24 hours ahead.
Do not create privilege by label alone. Writing “legal mail” on an ordinary personal letter does not make it protected attorney-client communication.
How to Add Money to an Inmate Account
| Deposit route | Current county instruction | Important caution |
|---|---|---|
| Online | Create an account through SmartDeposit. | Verify the county and inmate before paying. |
| Telephone | Call 1-866-394-0490. | Review card and provider fees. |
| Lobby kiosk | Available 24 hours a day for cash or credit/debit cards. | The kiosk does not accept $1 bills or coins. |
| Only specifically listed government-related checks are accepted. | Do not mail cash, personal checks or payroll checks. |
Existing Jail Debt Comes First
The county states that incoming funds are applied first toward inmate-account debt. The deduction rate depends on the debt type, and unpaid debt can carry into a later incarceration.
The full deposit may not become spendable. Ask the inmate about medical, booking or other account debt before sending money.
Money Release and Final Balance
The FAQ says an inmate may release money to the public one time with a sergeant’s approval during visiting time. When released from custody, the remaining account balance is returned on a debit card.
Review the official inmate-account instructions before depositing.
After verifying the inmate, use SmartDeposit.
Understand the Commissary Order Cutoff
Inmates order through the facility kiosk system. The county FAQ states that commissary orders are delivered on Wednesdays.
| Order timing | Published delivery cycle |
|---|---|
| Order placed by Sunday | The order is scheduled for that Wednesday. |
| Order placed Monday–Wednesday | The order is scheduled for the following Wednesday. |
Approved products may include hygiene items, snacks, writing materials and other security-approved supplies.
Deposit timing is not delivery timing. A successful account deposit does not cause an immediate commissary delivery.
Property, Medication and Medical-Care Help
Items the Jail May Accept
- Prescription eyeglasses or contacts, but not contact solution
- Approved trial clothing beginning one week before trial
- Medication prescribed by a licensed provider in its original container
Call first: medical, security and court approval can affect whether an item is accepted and when it can be delivered.
Property Release and Pickup
- Keys may be released during the first 72 hours after incarceration.
- Other personal property is generally not released while the person remains housed.
- Property may be collected beginning the day after a prison transfer.
- Unclaimed property is held for 60 days after departure.
- Property remaining after 60 days is considered abandoned and destroyed.
Medical Copay and Care
The county FAQ currently describes a $10 administrative copay for a medical-staff visit and for each prescription written or refilled. It also states that necessary medical or dental care is not denied because an inmate lacks funds.
Urgent Information to Provide
- Full legal name and inmate number
- Medication name, dosage and prescriber
- Known allergies
- Diabetes, seizure, pregnancy or withdrawal risk
- Time of the last medication dose
- Specific injury or symptom
- Exact suicide statement or threat
- Your name and callback number
Urgent Welfare Script
“I have urgent medical or safety information for [full legal name], inmate number [number]. The specific concern is [medication, withdrawal, injury, pregnancy, seizure or suicide statement]. Please route this immediately to medical, mental-health or supervisory staff.”
How to Report Sexual Abuse or Harassment
Cowlitz County states that it investigates allegations involving inmate-on-inmate or staff-on-inmate sexual misconduct and maintains zero tolerance for sexual misconduct by inmates, employees, contractors or volunteers.
Report From Outside the Jail
- Call 360-577-1206.
- Messages are checked Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
- A reporter does not have to provide a name.
- Use the county’s online sexual-abuse report form.
- Write to PREA Investigations at 1935 First Avenue, Longview, WA.
- Call 911 for immediate danger or an active crime.
Details That Help
- Names and locations of the people involved
- Witness names or descriptions
- The inmate number
- A short description of what happened
- The location, date and approximate time
- Contact details for other people with information
How an Inmate Can Report
- Call extension 7732 from a facility telephone.
- Submit a kite or grievance.
- Tell a trusted staff member.
- Ask a friend or family member to report.
- Send a written report to the PREA unit through legal mail.
Use the official Cowlitz County PREA page.
Jail, Sheriff and Court Record Requests
| Record needed | Best source |
|---|---|
| Current custody or booking profile | Official jail roster |
| Corrections or jail administrative record | Cowlitz County public-record portal |
| Sheriff incident or arrest report | Sheriff public-record portal |
| Superior Court document or recording | Cowlitz County Clerk |
| District Court document | Cowlitz County District Court |
| Statewide criminal history | Washington State Patrol WATCH, not one county roster |
Prepare a Useful Request
- Describe the exact existing record.
- Include the full legal name.
- Include the booking, incident or hearing date.
- Include an inmate, report, warrant, citation or case number.
- State whether inspection, electronic copies or certification is needed.
- Ask for a fee estimate before requesting a large file.
Court-record rule: submit court-document requests to the court maintaining the case rather than treating them as ordinary county administrative-record requests.
Use the official Cowlitz County public-record page to select the correct portal.
Check Washington DOC, Federal Custody and VINE
Washington DOC
Use this after sentencing, a DOC hold or transfer into Washington correctional custody.
Federal Custody
Use the federal locator when a federal sentence or Bureau of Prisons placement may apply.
Washington VINE
The county roster includes VINE registration links for supported custody notifications.
Safety limit: VINE is an information and notification service. It does not replace 911, law enforcement, a protection order or a personal-safety plan.
Official Cowlitz County Sources Used in This Guide
The guidance above explains what each system does. Use the following official pages for live records, final action or rule changes.
Corrections Roster
Current inmates, recent bookings, recent releases, profiles and VINE links.
Jail Division
Current jail address, lobby hours, correspondence notice and Corrections contact.
Corrections FAQ
Bail, releases, mail, property, commissary, medical fees and civil service.
Visit, Phone and Email
Securus setup, visit limits, out-time rules, voicemail and visitor conduct.
Inmate Accounts
SmartDeposit, lobby kiosk, telephone deposits, mailed checks and debt deductions.
PREA Reporting
Anonymous reporting, hotline, online form and information needed for investigation.
Cowlitz County Jail Contact Information
Cowlitz County Jail
1935 First AvenueLongview, WA 98632
Corrections: 360-577-3094
Lobby: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
Useful Court and Safety Contacts
District Court: 360-577-3073Superior Court records: 360-577-3016
Felony bail clerk listed by jail: 360-577-3017
PREA reporting: 360-577-1206
Before driving: confirm current custody, the correct entrance, the approved visit time, bail amount and whether the task can be completed online.
Use Cowlitz County Booking Information Responsibly
- Do not treat an arrest, charge or mugshot as proof of guilt.
- Do not rely on an old screenshot as current-custody evidence.
- Do not assume a zero-dollar bond means immediate release.
- Do not publish victim, witness, child or medical information.
- Do not harass, threaten, shame or stalk a listed person.
- Do not send money through an unsolicited call or text.
- Do not use one county roster as a certified criminal-history report.
- Use official court records or a Washington attorney for legal reliance.
Cowlitz County Jail Roster FAQs
Where is the official Cowlitz County jail roster?
The official Cowlitz County, Washington roster is operated through the county Corrections application. It provides a current roster, bookings from the previous 24 hours and releases from the previous 48 hours.
Which Cowlitz County roster report should I use?
Use the current roster to check present custody, the bookings report for recent intake and the releases report for departures recorded during the previous 48 hours.
What information can an inmate profile show?
A profile can show the inmate number, booking time, jail location, assigned visit periods, total bond, arresting agency, court, warrant or citation number, disposition and charge-level bond information.
Why is someone missing from the Cowlitz County roster?
The person may still be in intake, may have been released or transferred, may be listed under another legal spelling or may be held by another county, Washington DOC or a federal agency.
How do I post bail at Cowlitz County Jail?
During business hours, cash bail is handled through the responsible court clerk. After hours, the jail can accept qualifying cash bail but requires the exact amount and does not accept personal checks. New felony charges generally require a judge to set bail.
How do Cowlitz County Jail visits work?
Visits must be scheduled at least 24 hours ahead. Onsite visits are free and inmates may receive up to two 20-minute onsite visits per week. Remote visits must begin and end within the inmate’s assigned housing out-time.
How can I leave an inmate voicemail?
The county currently lists inmate voicemail at 1-866-949-4574. The posted fee is $1.99 for a message lasting 45 seconds or less.
What is the Cowlitz County inmate mailing address?
Address approved mail to the inmate at Cowlitz County Jail, 1935 First Avenue, Longview, Washington 98632. The jail currently requires correspondence to be sent in a plain white envelope.
How do I send money to a Cowlitz County inmate?
Use SmartDeposit online, call 1-866-394-0490 or use the jail lobby kiosk. The kiosk is available 24 hours and accepts cash or credit and debit cards, but not one-dollar bills or coins.
How can sexual misconduct be reported?
Call the confidential reporting line at 360-577-1206, use the county’s online report form or write to PREA Investigations at the jail. Reports may be anonymous. Call 911 for immediate danger.
Final Cowlitz County Verification Checklist
- The official county Corrections application was used.
- The current, booking or release report matches the question.
- The inmate number and booking time were saved.
- The current housing location was copied.
- Every charge and bond row was reviewed.
- A zero-dollar bond was not treated as immediate release.
- The responsible Superior, District or municipal court was identified.
- Bail and every other hold were verified before payment.
- The Securus visit was scheduled at least 24 hours ahead.
- The visit begins and ends inside the official housing out-time.
- Mail uses a plain white envelope and approved materials.
- Possible debt deductions were considered before depositing money.
- Medication, glasses or court clothing was approved before delivery.
- Washington DOC, federal custody and VINE were checked when relevant.
Independent guide: Jail-Roster.org does not operate Cowlitz County Jail, Cowlitz County courts, Securus, SmartDeposit, Washington VINE, Washington DOC or the Federal Bureau of Prisons. Current official records and instructions control whenever information changes.