Missoula County, Montana custody guide
Use Missoula County’s Real-Time Roster, Today’s Court Schedule and Same-Day Release Report as Three Different Tools
The official Missoula County Inmate Information Portal separates current inmates, today’s inmate court schedule and people released on the current day. Start with the report that matches your question, then verify bond, court jurisdiction, visitation, mail or money through the office that actually controls that task.
Missoula County warns that its online data can change and that the arresting agency or court may hold the most accurate case record. A booking, charge, court listing or bond field is not proof of conviction.
Missoula, MT 59808
406-258-4000
Choose the Source That Owns the Question
Inmate Information Portal
Use the official portal for current inmates, today’s jail court schedule and today’s release report.
District Court
Use the Missoula County District Court and Montana District Court portal for District Court cases and records.
Justice Court
Justice Court handles county misdemeanor and traffic matters and conducts initial appearances on felony charges.
Municipal Court
Use Missoula Municipal Court when the case belongs to City of Missoula Municipal Court.
Citizen Services
Use the Sheriff’s records process for qualifying initial offense reports, insurance reports and local booking history.
DOC, VINE or BOP
Use Montana Offender Search, Montana VINE or the federal locator when custody has moved beyond the county system.
The Three Portal Views Answer Different Questions
Use this when you need to know whether a person presently appears as housed in the Missoula County Detention Facility. The county describes the roster as updating in real time.
Use this for court appointments listed for the current day. A court date shown in an inmate detail is not automatically tied to one particular charge, so confirm the case with the court.
Use this when a person has disappeared from current custody. The portal’s Released Inmates Report is specifically a list of people released on the current day, not a broad historical release database.
How to Search the Missoula County Jail Roster
- Open the official county portal. Avoid beginning with copied mugshot pages, cached snippets or paid people-search sites when current custody matters.
- Select the correct report. Choose Current Inmates, Today’s Inmate Court Schedule or Released Inmates according to the question you are trying to answer.
- Use the alphabetical roster. Current inmates are listed alphabetically; choose the letter that matches the person’s last name.
- Match several identifiers. Compare full name, age, Booking ID, Global/Jacket number, booking date and charge details instead of relying on a name alone.
- Open charge details carefully. The detail page can show crime type, arresting agency/officer, Bond/CFS, Cash/Surety, who posted bond and court appearances when available.
- Refresh before taking action. Recheck the live portal or call 406-258-4000 before posting bond, travelling, mailing time-sensitive material, funding an account or arranging pickup.
What the Missoula Roster Fields Mean
| Field | Useful for | Do not assume |
|---|---|---|
| Booking ID | Identifying a particular booking record. | It is the court case number. |
| Global / Jacket No. | Distinguishing the person within the county jail information system. | It is a statewide criminal-history number. |
| Booking Date | Confirming when the county recorded the booking. | It is necessarily the arrest time, offense time or court filing time. |
| Charge / Crime Type | Understanding the allegation or custody reason shown with the booking. | It is a conviction or final filed disposition. |
| Arresting Agency / Officer | Finding which agency may own the arrest or incident record. | That agency is the current custodian or court. |
| Bond/CFS | A bond or court-related custody clue shown with a charge. | The amount is still payable or clears all charges and holds. |
| Cash/Surety / Posted By | Understanding the security type or a posted-bond entry when displayed. | Physical release is complete. |
| Court Appearance | Routing the person to District, Justice or Municipal Court. | A listed date applies to every charge in the booking. |
Missoula County Houses People for Multiple Agencies
The Detention Division says it holds people for the Missoula County Sheriff’s Office, Missoula Police Department, Montana Highway Patrol, University of Montana Police, U.S. Marshals Service, Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks, other county sheriffs and the U.S. Forest Service.
Housing agency
Missoula County may control day-to-day detention matters such as visits, jail communications, routine mail and inmate-account deposits while a person is housed at MCDF.
Controlling case agency or court
Another law-enforcement agency or court may control the arrest report, warrant, case, bond conditions, sentence or transfer. Follow the arresting-agency and court fields instead of assuming the jail owns every record.
If the Person Is Not on the Current Roster
Booking is still processing
Possible explanation: arrest, transport, identification, medical screening or booking has not yet produced a usable public entry.
Next action: recheck the real-time roster and call 406-258-4000 if timing is urgent.
The name is different
Possible explanation: spelling, hyphenation, maiden/former surname or another legal-name variation differs.
Next action: use the alphabetical list and compare age, Booking ID, Global/Jacket number and booking date.
Released today
Possible explanation: the person left current county custody after the last time you looked.
Next action: open the same-day Released Inmates report and then verify destination or actual departure when pickup matters.
Court case without current jail custody
Possible explanation: a criminal case or warrant can exist without present incarceration.
Next action: use the appropriate Montana court portal or local court.
State or federal transfer
Possible explanation: custody moved to Montana DOC or the federal system.
Next action: use Montana Offender Search or the BOP locator only when case/transfer facts support that route.
Another county or restricted system
Possible explanation: another county controls custody, or juvenile/privacy rules limit public access.
Next action: follow the known agency or court rather than searching counties randomly.
Bond: Missoula County Publishes a Direct Scam Warning
The Inmate Information Portal states that the Missoula County Sheriff’s Office will never collect bond money or payments over the phone. If someone calls, sends you to the roster for “verification” and then demands bond money by phone, hang up.
During court business hours
Missoula County says bond must be paid at the applicable court during court hours. The Detention Facility does not accept bond during court hours.
After court business hours
The Sheriff FAQ states that the prisoner or someone acting for them can post the amount at the Detention Facility after business hours when the bond is eligible for posting there.
The bail or bond amount is set by the court. The Sheriff also notes that for some family-violence offenses, no bond is set until the person has a first appearance.
District, Justice and Municipal Court Serve Different Missoula Cases
| Court | Contact | Use it when |
|---|---|---|
| Missoula County District Court | 200 W. Broadway, 2nd floor 406-258-4780 Mon–Fri 8 a.m.–5 p.m. |
You need District Court criminal records, charging/sentencing documents, calendars or a District Court case. |
| Missoula County Justice Court | 200 W. Broadway, 1st floor 406-258-3470 Mon–Fri 8 a.m.–5 p.m. |
The matter is a county misdemeanor/traffic case or an initial appearance on a felony charge. |
| Missoula Municipal Court | 435 Ryman Street 406-552-6180 Mon–Fri 8 a.m.–4 p.m.; closed noon–1 p.m. |
The matter belongs to City of Missoula Municipal Court, including city-citation or municipal-case questions. |
Justice Court publishes initial appearances at 1:30 p.m. and jail court at 2:30 p.m. and says the jail appearances can be viewed by Zoom. The Sheriff FAQ likewise says Justice Court initial appearances are handled by video. Court calendars can change, so the published jail portal schedule is a routing tool, not a guarantee of the final hearing time.
Warrant inquiries
The Sheriff’s public FAQ and Citizen Services page direct members of the public to the court of jurisdiction for active-warrant information. The public should not call the restricted Sheriff Warrants Office expecting warrant verification.
- District Court warrant/case questions: 406-258-4780.
- Justice Court: 406-258-3470.
- Missoula Municipal Court warrants: 406-552-6170.
Court record costs differ by court
Justice Court currently lists a $10 per-name record search, with copies at $1 per page for the first 10 pages and $0.50 per page after 10. District Court maintains criminal-case and charging/sentencing documents and asks requesters to provide as much identifying information as possible.
In-Person Visits Cannot Be Scheduled Online
Missoula County’s current policy separates in-person public visits from video visits.
In-person public visit
- No in-person public visitation during the first 72 hours after arrival.
- Schedule only by calling 406-258-4000 or in person in the lobby.
- Must be scheduled at least 24 hours in advance.
- No same-day in-person visits.
- Days and times depend on the inmate’s housing location.
Onsite or offsite video visit
- Schedule online through SmartInmate.
- The incarcerated person is responsible for telling visitors when they are available.
- Use the live SmartInmate account for current availability and pricing rather than an old third-party schedule.
Smart Communications Handles Calls, Video and Email-Type Messaging
Missoula County currently identifies Smart Communications as the detention communications provider. Inmates can access phone calls, video visits and email-type messaging through kiosks and tablets in housing units.
Routine Mail Goes to Florida; Legal and Other Non-Routine Mail Goes to Missoula
This is one of the most important Missoula-specific details. Routine personal mail is processed off-site by Smart Communications, while legal mail and other non-routine categories go directly to the detention facility.
Routine personal mail
Smart Communications/Missoula County Detention Facility
Inmate Name and Global #
PO Box 9182
Seminole, FL 33775-3197
Routine mail means regular correspondence from family and friends. It excludes legal mail, packages, books, magazines, periodicals and religious mail.
Non-routine mail
Inmate Name
Missoula County Detention Facility
2340 Mullan Rd
Missoula, MT 59808
Use this local address for legal mail, packages, books, magazines, periodicals and religious mail under the current county policy.
Photographs in routine mail are scanned in color and the physical mail is destroyed after scanning. Do not send an original item you expect to get back. MailGuardTracker can be used to check whether scanned mail was received, approved or rejected.
Common rejection triggers published by the county
- missing sender name or return address;
- items that cannot be scanned;
- newspaper clippings or magazines sent through routine mail;
- envelopes, stamps or blank paper inside routine mail;
- glitter or shiny material;
- commissary-type writing, drawing or hygiene items sent by a private party/vendor;
- illegal substances or medications; and
- sexually explicit or gang-related images.
Commissary and Communication Deposits Use Different Providers
| Purpose | Official route | Important condition |
|---|---|---|
| Commissary | CorrectPay by debit/credit card | Confirm the correct inmate before submitting. |
| Phone / messaging / video | SmartInmate | This is a communications account, not commissary or bond. |
| Mailed inmate funds | 2340 Mullan Road, Missoula, MT 59808 | Include inmate name plus sender name/address; complete all money-order/cashier-check fields. |
| In-person inmate funds | MCDF kiosk or reception; county courthouse kiosk on the second-floor Annex outside the Sheriff’s Office | Verify lobby access before travel. |
- Personal checks are not accepted.
- Money orders have a published maximum of $200.
- The Sheriff FAQ says inmates are not denied basic hygiene items or medical care because they cannot pay.
- At release, an inmate may request an account statement; a positive balance is paid by check, while a negative balance can remain due to MCDF.
Eyeglasses, Hearing Aids, Dentures and Prescriptions Have a Specific Exception
The Sheriff FAQ says the facility does not accept ordinary food, books, writing materials or stamps brought in for inmates. It does, however, state that it can accept eyeglasses, hearing aids, dentures and prescriptions that are current, properly labeled and verifiable.
PREA Safety Reporting and Victim Release Notification Are Separate Processes
PREA / sexual abuse or harassment
Missoula County states zero tolerance for sexual abuse, sexual battery and sexual harassment and says reports are investigated. Third-party PREA reports can be sent to prea@missoulacounty.us; the detention facility can also be reached at 406-258-4000.
The official audit materials also identify YWCA support at 800-483-7858.
Qualifying victim/witness release notification
Missoula County provides a separate Victim Notification Request under Montana Code Annotated 46-24-203 for qualifying victims/witnesses or relatives. The current form instructs users to submit it to mcdfweb@missoulacounty.us.
This local form is separate from Montana VINE.
Jail Roster, Booking History, Incident Report and Court Record Are Different Records
| Record | Responsible route | Important limitation |
|---|---|---|
| Current custody | Missoula County Inmate Information Portal / Detention Facility | The county cautions that portal information may not reflect the newest status. |
| Initial Offense Report | Sheriff Citizen Services / NextRequest | The Sheriff can only disseminate records originating from its own agency. |
| Local Booking History | Sheriff records request | The county says it is released only to that individual or to a third party with a Release of Information form. |
| Case Report | Missoula County Attorney’s Office | Sheriff says case reports are Confidential Criminal Justice Information and must be requested through the County Attorney. |
| District Court criminal record | Clerk of District Court, 406-258-4780 | Ongoing investigations and pending-case information can be restricted by law. |
| Justice Court record search | Justice Court, 406-258-3470 | Published $10 per-name search fee plus copy fees. |
Booking photos
Do not assume a public “mugshot” must be available simply because a booking exists. The current official portal is designed around custody, booking, charge and court-schedule data. If an official booking record or image is needed, use the Sheriff’s records process and allow Montana public-record and privacy rules to determine what can be released.
When Missoula County Is No Longer the Right Custody System
Montana Offender Search
Use Montana Offender Search when the person may be under Montana DOC custody or supervision. The DOC describes it as a public database with basic information for felony offenders it supervises.
Montana VINE
Use VINE for supported custody-status information and notifications. Montana’s current statewide VINE number is 800-456-3076.
Federal custody
Use the BOP Inmate Locator when federal prison custody is involved. A BOP “Released” or “Not in BOP Custody” result does not prove the person is free from every other justice-system custody.
Missoula Detention, Sheriff and Court Contacts
| Office | Contact | Use it for |
|---|---|---|
| Missoula County Detention Facility | 2340 Mullan Rd, Missoula, MT 59808 406-258-4000 |
Current custody, release timing, in-person visit scheduling, mail/medical-item questions and facility procedures. |
| Missoula County Sheriff main office | 2415 Mullan Rd, Missoula, MT 59808 406-258-4810 |
Sheriff administration and law-enforcement routing. |
| Civil, Records & Warrants location | 200 W. Broadway, Missoula, MT 59802 | Sheriff civil/records services; public warrant questions still go to the court of jurisdiction. |
| District Court | 200 W. Broadway, 2nd floor 406-258-4780 |
District Court cases, records, calendars and warrant/case routing. |
| Justice Court | 200 W. Broadway, 1st floor 406-258-3470 |
County misdemeanors, traffic matters, felony initial appearances, records and Justice Court warrants. |
| Missoula Municipal Court | 435 Ryman St, Missoula, MT 59802 406-552-6180 Warrants: 406-552-6170 |
City of Missoula municipal cases and municipal warrant questions. |
Use Booking and Court Information Responsibly
- An arrest, booking or charge is not a conviction.
- A court schedule entry is not the final disposition of the case.
- A warrant does not prove current jail custody.
- A bond amount may change after court action or when another hold exists.
- A release report should not be treated as proof that a person went home rather than transferring.
- Do not use an old screenshot as current custody proof.
- Do not use public jail information to harass, threaten, shame or stalk anyone.
- Use the controlling court record for plea, dismissal, conviction and sentencing outcomes.
Missoula County Jail Roster FAQs
Is the Missoula County jail roster updated in real time?
The official current-inmate page says the jail roster is updated in real time. Missoula County still cautions that public portal information may not always reflect the newest status, so call 406-258-4000 when a same-day decision depends on custody.
What is the difference between Current Inmates and Released Inmates?
Current Inmates lists people presently shown as housed at the Missoula County Detention Facility. The Released Inmates report lists people recorded as released on the current day.
What do Booking ID and Global/Jacket number mean?
They are identifiers used in the county inmate system and can help distinguish similar names. Neither should automatically be treated as a Montana court case number.
Can I pay Missoula County bond over the phone?
No. The Sheriff expressly warns that it does not collect bond money or payments over the phone. During court hours, eligible bond is paid at the applicable court; the Sheriff says the detention facility handles eligible after-hours bond procedures. Verify everything directly before paying.
Which court handles a Missoula inmate’s case?
It depends on jurisdiction and charge. Justice Court handles county misdemeanor and traffic cases and felony initial appearances; Municipal Court handles City of Missoula cases; District Court maintains District Court criminal proceedings and records. Follow the court shown with the case.
How do I schedule an in-person jail visit?
Call 406-258-4000 or schedule in person in the lobby at least 24 hours in advance. The county does not permit online scheduling for in-person public visits, does not allow same-day visits and does not permit in-person public visitation during the first 72 hours after arrival.
Where do I send regular personal mail?
Routine personal mail goes to Smart Communications/Missoula County Detention Facility, the inmate’s name and Global number, P.O. Box 9182, Seminole, FL 33775-3197. Legal mail, packages, books, magazines, periodicals and religious mail go to 2340 Mullan Road in Missoula.
How do I put money on a Missoula County inmate account?
Use CorrectPay for electronic commissary deposits. The county also accepts properly completed money orders/cashier’s checks by mail and provides deposit options at MCDF and a courthouse kiosk. Money orders are limited to $200 and personal checks are not accepted.
How do I check an active warrant?
The Sheriff’s Warrants Office does not answer public warrant-status requests. Contact the court of jurisdiction: District Court at 406-258-4780, Justice Court at 406-258-3470 or Missoula Municipal Court warrant staff at 406-552-6170.
What should I do if someone disappears from the Missoula roster?
Check the same-day Released Inmates report, verify the court record and follow any documented transfer. If the person may be in state custody use Montana Offender Search; use the BOP locator when federal prison custody is supported by the case information.
Official Sources Reviewed
These sources were reviewed on October 3, 2026. Custody, court schedules, bond, visitation, vendor services, records rules and operational procedures can change, so reopen the live official source immediately before action.
- Missoula County Inmate Information Portal — current roster, same-day court schedule, released-inmate report and bond scam warning.
- Missoula County Sheriff Detention Division — facility, visitation, Smart Communications, mail, deposits, PREA and victim notification.
- Missoula County Sheriff FAQs — bail process, court appearances, accounts and accepted medical/personal items.
- Missoula County Sheriff Citizen Services — records, booking history and public warrant routing.
- Missoula County District Court and Court Records.
- Missoula County Justice Court, its calendars and record-search guidance.
- City of Missoula Municipal Court.
- Montana Public Access Court Portals.
- Montana Offender Search and Montana VINE.
- Federal Bureau of Prisons Inmate Locator.