Bernalillo County Metropolitan Detention Center
Find messaging, video, and phone options for Bernalillo County Metropolitan Detention Center. 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
- Bernalillo County
Bernalillo County Metropolitan Detention Center Inmate Communication Overview
Bernalillo County Metropolitan Detention Center, known locally as MDC, is the largest jail in New Mexico and the main booking facility for the Albuquerque area. It is operated by Bernalillo County, not by a single police department, and it takes in people arrested by the Albuquerque Police Department, the Bernalillo County Sheriff's Office, and other law enforcement agencies across the county. The facility sits on the south side of Albuquerque and holds both people awaiting trial and people serving shorter county sentences.
Communication at MDC runs through two providers. GettingOut handles electronic messaging, photo sharing, and money deposits, and families set up a free account at gettingout.com or through the GettingOut mobile app. Securus handles phone calls and video visitation, and requires a separate account at securustech.net. Because these are two different companies, you will need two accounts to access every communication option. Add funds to a Securus account before expecting a call, since MDC phone calls are generally paid for by the person receiving them.
MDC is reachable from most parts of the Albuquerque metro area within a short drive, which makes in-person visits realistic for local families. For people coming from other parts of New Mexico, the facility is accessible from I-25 and I-40. Most people at MDC are in pretrial status waiting on Bernalillo County District Court proceedings. If someone is sentenced to state prison time rather than county time, they are transferred to a New Mexico Corrections Department facility, where the communication setup is different from MDC's.
Facility Information
Contact details and location information for this correctional facility.
Address
100 Deputy Dean Miera Dr SW, Albuquerque, NM 87151
Main Phone
(505) 839-8700
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.
Inmate Search
Search inmates on the official roster
Check the spelling of the name carefully, and allow 24 to 72 hours for new arrivals to appear in the roster.
Communication Options
Available communication services at Bernalillo County Metropolitan Detention Center.
Messaging
Electronic messages to and from the inmate.
Provider: GettingOut
Electronic messaging through the GettingOut app or website. Messages are reviewed by facility staff before delivery.
Video Calls
Remote or in-person video visitation.
Provider: Securus
Remote video visits can be scheduled through Securus. On-site video visitation may also be offered; check current hours with MDC.
Photo Sharing
Send approved digital or physical photos.
Provider: GettingOut
Digital photo sharing through GettingOut. Physical photo mail is also accepted, subject to MDC mail rules.
Phone Calls
Inmate-initiated phone calls to approved numbers.
Provider: Securus
Fund a Securus account so you can accept collect or prepaid calls from MDC.
Money Transfer
Send funds to commissary or phone accounts.
Provider: GettingOut
Commissary and account deposits through GettingOut, by phone, or at facility kiosks.
Communication Providers at Bernalillo County Metropolitan Detention Center
These providers operate communication services at this facility. Each may cover different services.
GettingOut
Handles messaging, photo sharing, and money deposits for MDC. Create a free account at gettingout.com.
View GettingOut ServicesSecurus
Handles phone calls and video visitation for MDC. A separate Securus account is required.
View Securus ServicesCommunication Rules at Bernalillo County Metropolitan Detention Center
- GettingOut and Securus are two separate companies. You need one account with each to access all communication options.
- All calls, messages, and visits at MDC are subject to monitoring and review by facility staff.
- Only people on an inmate's approved contact list can send messages or schedule visits.
- Video visits should be scheduled in advance through the Securus website or app.
- If someone is transferred to New Mexico Corrections Department custody, the communication provider will change.
Related Facilities
Other correctional facilities with communication guides.
Frequently Asked Questions: Bernalillo County Metropolitan Detention Center
Common questions from families about communication at this facility.
- How do I contact someone at Bernalillo County Metropolitan Detention Center?
- You will need two accounts. Use GettingOut for messaging, photos, and money deposits, and Securus for phone calls and video visits. Both can be set up online or through their mobile apps.
- Can I do a video visit with someone at MDC?
- Yes. Video visitation is available through Securus. Create an account, search for the facility, and book an open time slot. It's a good idea to schedule at least a day in advance.
- How do I know if someone is currently held at MDC?
- Bernalillo County provides an online inmate search through its detention center website. You can search by name to confirm custody status before setting up an account.
- What happens after someone is sentenced from MDC?
- People sentenced to county time may stay at MDC. People sentenced to state prison time are transferred to a New Mexico Corrections Department facility, which uses a different communication setup than MDC.
- How do I send money to someone at MDC?
- Money deposits go through GettingOut online, by phone, or at a kiosk. Funds are typically applied to the inmate's commissary account within a day.
- How do I find or search for an inmate at Bernalillo County Metropolitan Detention Center?
- Use the official inmate search at https://www.bernco.gov/metropolitan-detention-center/overview/. 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 Bernalillo County Metropolitan Detention Center?
- Include the inmate's full name and ID on every envelope and follow the facility's mail rules. Confirm the current mailing address on the facility's official page before sending.
- Can I receive incoming calls from an inmate at Bernalillo County Metropolitan Detention 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 Bernalillo County Metropolitan Detention 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.
- How do I schedule or cancel a video visit at Bernalillo County Metropolitan Detention Center?
- Schedule video visits through the facility's video visit provider or visitation system. Cancel the same way, as early as possible, and check the facility's visitation page for its cancellation rules.
Troubleshooting at Bernalillo County Metropolitan Detention 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. 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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