Menard Correctional Center
Find messaging, video, and phone options for Menard Correctional Center. Compare providers and discover what communication services are available. Free, no account required.
- Facility Type
- State Facility
- Security Level
- Maximum
- Inmate Capacity
- 3,400 approx.
- Established
- 1878
- Operated By
- Illinois Department of Corrections (IDOC)
Menard Correctional Center Inmate Communication Overview
Menard Correctional Center is a maximum-security state prison operated by the Illinois Department of Corrections, located in the town of Chester in Randolph County in southwestern Illinois along the Mississippi River, roughly 60 miles southeast of St. Louis. Opened in 1878, Menard is one of Illinois's oldest and most well-known prisons, with a history spanning nearly 150 years. The facility houses adult male inmates serving long sentences and is one of the largest prisons in the Illinois DOC system. Chester is a small town whose economy is closely tied to the prison complex.
Communication at Menard Correctional Center follows Illinois DOC provider contracts. JPay handles electronic messaging, photo sharing, and money transfers. Families create a JPay account and add the inmate using their Illinois DOC number to begin correspondence. GTL manages phone calls and video visitation under the IDOC statewide contract. As with other Illinois state facilities, the two-platform model applies: JPay for messaging and money, GTL for phone and video, with each requiring a separate account.
Menard's location along the Mississippi in far southwestern Illinois means it is more accessible from the St. Louis metropolitan area than from Chicago. For St. Louis-area families in Missouri or Illinois, the drive is about 60 miles. For Chicago families, the distance is more than 300 miles — a long trip that makes electronic communication and video visits especially important. Because IDOC uses JPay and GTL system-wide, accounts created for Menard work at any other Illinois DOC facility if an inmate is transferred.
Facility Information
Contact details and location information for this correctional facility.
Address
711 Kaskaskia Street, Chester, IL 62233
Main Phone
(618) 826-5071
Administrative line — not for inmate calls
Official Website
Visit official siteCommunication Options
Available communication services at Menard Correctional Center.
Messaging
Electronic messages to and from the inmate.
Provider: JPay
Full JPay messaging available. Requires Illinois DOC number.
Video Calls
Remote or in-person video visitation.
Provider: GTL
Remote video visits available. Schedule in advance through GTL.
Photo Sharing
Send approved digital or physical photos.
Provider: JPay
Digital photos via JPay. Subject to IDOC content guidelines.
Phone Calls
Inmate-initiated phone calls to approved numbers.
Provider: GTL
Inmate-initiated calls via GTL. Fund AdvancePay account to receive calls.
Money Transfer
Send funds to commissary or phone accounts.
Provider: JPay
Trust account deposits via JPay for commissary and personal purchases.
Communication Providers at Menard Correctional Center
These providers operate communication services at this facility. Each may cover different services.
JPay
Electronic messaging, photo sharing, and trust account deposits. Uses Illinois DOC number.
Learn More About JPayGTL
Phone calls and video visitation under the IDOC statewide contract.
Learn More About GTLCommunication Rules at Menard Correctional Center
- JPay and GTL are separate platforms. Messaging stamps and phone funds are not interchangeable.
- Messages are reviewed by IDOC staff before delivery.
- IDOC system-wide accounts carry over if the inmate transfers to another Illinois facility.
- Video visits must be scheduled in advance through GTL.
- Senders must be on the inmate's approved contact list.
Related Facilities
Other correctional facilities with communication guides.
Frequently Asked Questions — Menard Correctional Center
Common questions from families about communication at this facility.
- How do I message someone at Menard Correctional Center?
- Create a JPay account at jpay.com and add the inmate using their Illinois DOC number. Purchase stamps and send your message. IDOC staff review messages before delivery, typically within 24 to 48 hours.
- How do I set up phone calls from Menard?
- Phone calls use GTL. Create an account at telmate.com or the GTL Connect app. Set up a prepaid AdvancePay account linked to your phone number and add funds. The inmate calls you directly from facility phones.
- How far is Menard from Chicago and St. Louis?
- Menard is in Chester in Randolph County — about 60 miles southeast of St. Louis (roughly an hour's drive) and more than 300 miles south of Chicago (about five hours). For Chicago-area families, electronic communication and GTL video visits are the most practical options for regular contact.
- Do my accounts work if my loved one transfers to another Illinois facility?
- Yes. JPay and GTL serve all IDOC facilities statewide. Your accounts, contact history, and message records carry over automatically to any other Illinois facility after a transfer.
- How do I send money to a Menard inmate?
- Trust account deposits are made through JPay. Log in, go to Send Money, and select Menard Correctional Center. Add funds via debit or credit card. Processing takes one to two business days.
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