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 siteVisit and Contact Details
Inmate search, mail, visiting hours, costs, commissary, and bail information for this facility.
Individual in Custody Name and IDOC#, P.O. Box 1000, Menard, IL 62259
Include the inmate name and ID on all mail.
Visiting Hours
Video Visitation Hours: General Division Sunday through Friday 8:00a to 4:00p and Saturday 8:00a to 5:00p. Medium Security Unit Sunday through Saturday 8:00a to 6:00p. Visitors should log on 15 minutes prior
Fax
(618) 826-1141
Communication 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.
View JPay ServicesGTL
Phone calls and video visitation under the IDOC statewide contract.
View GTL ServicesCommunication 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.
- How do I find or search for an inmate at Menard Correctional Center?
- Use the Sheriff's office or department of corrections official inmate search or roster for Randolph County, Illinois. If the inmate does not appear, allow 24 to 72 hours after booking and try alternate spellings.
- How do I send mail to an inmate at Menard Correctional Center?
- Address mail as follows: Individual in Custody Name and IDOC#, P.O. Box 1000, Menard, IL 62259. Include the inmate's full name and ID on every envelope.
- What are the visiting hours at Menard Correctional Center?
- Video Visitation Hours: General Division Sunday through Friday 8:00a to 4:00p and Saturday 8:00a to 5:00p. Medium Security Unit Sunday through Saturday 8:00a to 6:00p. Visitors should log on 15 minutes prior
- Can I receive incoming calls from an inmate at Menard Correctional Center?
- No. Inmates can only call out, so you cannot call an inmate directly. The inmate must call you, and your number must be on their approved list.
- How do I block or stop calls from an inmate at Menard Correctional Center?
- Contact the facility's phone provider and ask to block the number, or block the number through your own phone carrier. You can also ask the facility to remove your number from the inmate's approved list.
Troubleshooting at Menard Correctional Center
Fix the most common problems families hit with calls, video visits, money, and messaging.
- Why am I not receiving calls from an inmate?
- Inmates can only call out, so you cannot call an inmate directly. If expected calls are not coming through, check your phone's spam or silence-unknown-callers setting, since carriers often block jail numbers. Save the facility's number as a contact, confirm your number is on the inmate's approved list, and check whether your carrier blocks collect or prepaid calls. If several expected calls fail, contact the facility's phone provider support.
- Why is my inmate not showing up in search?
- New arrivals can take 24 to 72 hours to appear in search results, and people in transfer may temporarily disappear from listings. Try alternate spellings and name variations, and make sure you are searching the right system: the federal BOP locator only covers federal inmates, while county and state searches are separate. Some records are withheld for protective custody or sealed cases. If it has been more than a few days, call the facility's records office.
- I sent money but it is not showing in the inmate's account. What should I do?
- Allow processing time first. Electronic deposits can take hours and money orders can take much longer. Check your receipt and confirm the inmate's name and ID matched. Do not send a second payment until the first one is traced, since duplicate payments are hard to reverse. Contact the money-transfer provider's support with your receipt or confirmation number. If the inmate was recently transferred, funds may follow after a delay.
- Why was my video visit cancelled or cut off?
- Most cancellations come from connection problems or conduct-rule violations. Stay in frame, keep your ID ready, follow the dress code, keep other people off camera, and avoid profanity. Visits can also be cancelled for facility lockdowns or schedule changes. For refunds, contact the video provider's support with your visit details.
- What should I do if the facility changed its communications provider?
- Create an account with the new provider, since old accounts and balances do not transfer automatically. Ask the old provider whether refunds are available for unused balances. Confirm the new provider's phone, video, and messaging setup before your next visit or call.
- Why is my JPay account blocked?
- A blocked account usually means the inmate blocked contact, the account details do not match, or JPay flagged the account for review. Confirm the inmate's ID and facility, check for an 'inmate blocked' message, and contact JPay support if the block looks like an error. See our guide: JPay account locked
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