Penobscot County Jail
Find messaging, video, and phone options for Penobscot County Jail. Compare providers and discover what communication services are available. Free, no account required.
- Facility Type
- County Facility
- Security Level
- Pretrial / Sentenced
- Inmate Capacity
- Not available
- Established
- Not available
- Operated By
- Penobscot County Sheriff's Office
Penobscot County Jail Inmate Communication Overview
Penobscot County Jail is operated by the Penobscot County Sheriff's Office and located in Bangor, the largest city in central and northern Maine. The jail holds people awaiting trial, people serving shorter sentences, and people waiting to be transferred to a longer-term Maine Department of Corrections facility. Because Penobscot County covers a large, mostly rural area, the jail serves as a regional hub for many smaller towns that do not have their own detention facilities.
Families can reach someone at the jail through two main services. GettingOut manages electronic messaging, digital photo sharing, and money transfers through a single online account. Securus manages phone calls and video visitation. To send a message, create a GettingOut account and search for the person by name and booking information. To talk by phone, fund a Securus account so you can accept collect or prepaid calls placed from the jail. Video visits through Securus can usually be scheduled ahead of time.
Given the size of Penobscot County, many families live a fair distance from Bangor, which makes remote options like messaging, phone calls, and video visits especially useful. In-person visiting hours at the jail are limited to specific days and times, so it helps to check current hours before planning a trip. If someone is sentenced to state prison time, they are usually transferred to a Maine DOC facility, where a different communication provider may apply.
Facility Information
Contact details and location information for this correctional facility.
Address
85 Hammond Street, Bangor, ME 04401
Main Phone
(207) 947-4585
Administrative line — not for inmate calls
Official Website
Visit official siteCommunication Options
Available communication services at Penobscot County Jail.
Messaging
Electronic messages to and from the inmate.
Provider: GettingOut
Messages are reviewed by jail staff before delivery.
Video Calls
Remote or in-person video visitation.
Provider: Securus
Video visits can be scheduled in advance through your Securus account.
Photo Sharing
Send approved digital or physical photos.
Provider: GettingOut
Digital photos can be attached to messages sent through GettingOut.
Phone Calls
Inmate-initiated phone calls to approved numbers.
Provider: Securus
Fund a Securus account to accept calls from the jail's phone system.
Money Transfer
Send funds to commissary or phone accounts.
Provider: GettingOut
Add commissary funds through GettingOut.
Communication Providers at Penobscot County Jail
These providers operate communication services at this facility. Each may cover different services.
GettingOut
Handles messaging, photo sharing, and money transfers for Penobscot County Jail.
View GettingOut ServicesSecurus
Handles phone calls and video visitation for Penobscot County Jail.
View Securus ServicesCommunication Rules at Penobscot County Jail
- GettingOut handles messaging, photos, and money. Securus handles phone and video.
- All communication is subject to monitoring by jail staff.
- In-person visiting hours are limited to specific days, so check current hours before visiting.
- You need the inmate's full name and booking information to locate their account.
- After transfer to a Maine DOC facility, a different provider may apply.
Related Facilities
Other correctional facilities with communication guides.
Frequently Asked Questions: Penobscot County Jail
Common questions from families about communication at this facility.
- How do I message someone at Penobscot County Jail?
- Create a GettingOut account and search for the person by name and booking number. Messages are reviewed by jail staff before being delivered.
- How do I call an inmate at Penobscot County Jail?
- Set up a Securus account and add funds. This lets you accept calls placed from the jail's phone system.
- Is video visitation available at Penobscot County Jail?
- Yes, through Securus. Log into your account, search for the facility, and pick an available time slot in advance.
- How do I check if someone is being held at Penobscot County Jail?
- Call the jail directly at (207) 947-4585, which is staffed 24 hours a day, or check the inmate information available through the Sheriff's Office website.
- What happens if someone is transferred to a Maine state prison?
- People sentenced to longer terms may be transferred to a Maine Department of Corrections facility. Communication providers can differ at state facilities, so check the new facility's setup right after a transfer.
- How do I send mail to someone at Penobscot County Jail?
- Address mail with the person's full legal name, care of Penobscot County Jail, 85 Hammond Street, Bangor, ME 04401. Include the full legal name so mail reaches the right person.
- How do I schedule a video visit at Penobscot County Jail?
- Schedule video visits through your Securus account. You must be on the inmate's approved visitor list. Book in advance, since same-day visits are generally not available.
- How do I post bail for someone at Penobscot County Jail?
- Bail is set by the court. Contact the jail at the facility phone number for the current bond amount and the accepted posting process. Bring a valid photo ID when posting bail in person.
- Can an inmate at Penobscot County Jail call me?
- Inmates can make outgoing calls to approved numbers, but they cannot receive incoming calls. Set up a Securus account and add funds so you can accept calls from the facility.
- What should I do if I miss a call from Penobscot County Jail?
- Inmates cannot receive return calls, so you cannot call back. Wait for the inmate to call again, and make sure your Securus account is funded and your number is on the approved list. If calls keep failing, check that your phone accepts calls from unknown numbers and that no call block is active.
Troubleshooting at Penobscot County Jail
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. For Securus, support can be reached at 972-734-1111 after repeated failed calls.
- 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.
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