While there are thousands of jails all over the world that offer a “search bar” for inmates at a prison, Cook County Jail - D.O.C. Cermak Hospital has taken a different approach. In fact, there is a reported list of inmates at the jail that is updated constantly that can be found online.

The jail roster can be found here: http://www.cookcountysheriff.org/doc/doc_main.html. In addition, the jail roster can be viewed in either a collapsible or search-able extended view.

The website also describes how many inmates are currently at the jail, as well. The roster also describes their gender, suffix, age, race, first name, middle name, last name, and the date that they were confined.

However, there is quite a long list of material/content that is prohibited at the Cook County Jail - D.O.C. Cermak Hospital. This includes:

• Nudity pictures

• Stamps

• Song lyrics

• Cash

• Money Orders

• Over 10 pictures

• Markers

• Crayons

• Postcards

• Pictures larger than 5” x 7”

In addition, books and magazines have to be sent new (from a publisher, including Amazon.com).

You can send mail to an inmate at this address:

• Cook County Jail - D.O.C. Cermak Hospital

• Inmate’s Name

• Pin # Cell location

• 2800 South California Avenue, Chicago, IL, 60608

There MUST be the inmate’s name, ID number, and a return address on the envelope. Inmates must also request to have an armband issued by classification in order to receive mail. This armband is not required to receive legal mail, however.

One does not send actually money to a specific facility when it comes to Illinois inmates. Instead, it is sent to an inmate “trust account”.

You can utilize the services of many different companies when it comes to Illinois prisons and inmates. The list of companies includes:

1. JPAY

2. OffenderConnect

3. AccessCorrections

4. Western Union

5. Touchpayonline

6. Smartdeposit

7. Tigercommissary

You will need the name, ID number, and inmate’s location to send money to them. Money can be sent through a walk-in visit, through the phone, online, or through the mail.

The Cook County Jail - D.O.C. Cermak Hospital also offers $100 “commissary packages”, plus processing and tax, for inmates, as well.

Inmates are allowed phone calls, and there are various private companies involved that provide a service for the Cook County Jail - D.O.C. Cermak Hospital in Chicago, Illinois. The facility will make a phone rate (per minute) clear, and the amount may vary depending on where your inmate is located.

The last name of the inmate determines their visitation days. It breaks down as follows. If an inmate’s last name starts with the following letters, they have specific days/hours for visitation. If your last name starts with a letter A through M, your visitation days are Saturdays, from 8 AM to 11 AM, and Sundays, from 2 PM to 5 PM.

There is also a strict visitation dress code at Cook County Jail - D.O.C. Cermak Hospital, and only appropriate clothing is allowed.

VISITATION HOURS

• Monday

  7:30 AM to 9:00 PM

• Tuesday

  7:30 AM to 9:00 PM

• Wednesday

  7:30 AM to 9:00 PM

• Thursday

  7:30 AM to 9:00 PM

• Friday

  7:30 AM to 9:00 PM

• Saturday

  7:30 Am to 2:30 PM

• Sunday

  7:30 Am to 2:30 PM