Marquette Branch Prison
Find messaging, video, and phone options for Marquette Branch Prison. Compare providers and discover what communication services are available. Free, no account required.
- Facility Type
- State Facility
- Security Level
- Maximum
- Inmate Capacity
- 900 approx.
- Established
- 1889
- Operated By
- Michigan Department of Corrections (MDOC)
Marquette Branch Prison Inmate Communication Overview
Marquette Branch Prison is a maximum-security state prison operated by the Michigan Department of Corrections, located in the city of Marquette in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan on the shores of Lake Superior. Opened in 1889, it is one of Michigan's oldest continuously operating prisons and has a long history as a remote maximum-security facility in northern Michigan. The Upper Peninsula is geographically separated from the Lower Peninsula by the Straits of Mackinac, making MBP one of the most remote state prisons for families in Detroit, Grand Rapids, or other Lower Peninsula cities.
Communication at Marquette Branch Prison follows Michigan DOC provider contracts. JPay handles electronic messaging, photo sharing, and money transfers. Families create a JPay account and add the inmate using their Michigan DOC number to begin correspondence. GTL manages phone calls and video visitation under the MDOC statewide contract. Given the facility's remote location, electronic messaging and GTL video visits are especially practical for families who cannot easily make the long trip to Marquette.
The drive from Detroit to Marquette takes six to seven hours through the Lower Peninsula and across the Mackinac Bridge, making in-person visits a genuine undertaking. For families in the Marquette area or elsewhere in the Upper Peninsula, in-person visits are more accessible. For everyone else, JPay and GTL are the practical means of regular contact. Michigan DOC accounts created for MBP carry over to any other Michigan facility if an inmate is transferred within the state system, which is particularly relevant since many MBP inmates are eventually reclassified to facilities in the Lower Peninsula.
Facility Information
Contact details and location information for this correctional facility.
Address
1960 U.S. 41 South, Marquette, MI 49855
Main Phone
(906) 226-6531
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.
Costs
Video visits: $3.20 for 20 minutes ($0.16 per minute), hold $3.20 in advance, adjusted by call length
Communication Options
Available communication services at Marquette Branch Prison.
Messaging
Electronic messages to and from the inmate.
Provider: JPay
Full JPay messaging available. Remote location makes messaging especially valuable.
Video Calls
Remote or in-person video visitation.
Provider: GTL
Remote video visits available. Particularly useful given the remote UP location.
Photo Sharing
Send approved digital or physical photos.
Provider: JPay
Digital photos via JPay. Subject to MDOC 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 Marquette Branch Prison
These providers operate communication services at this facility. Each may cover different services.
JPay
Electronic messaging, photos, and trust account deposits. Uses Michigan DOC number.
View JPay ServicesGTL
Phone calls and video visitation. Video visits are especially practical given the remote Upper Peninsula location.
View GTL ServicesCommunication Rules at Marquette Branch Prison
- JPay and GTL are separate platforms. Messaging stamps and phone funds are not interchangeable.
- Messages are reviewed by MDOC staff before delivery.
- MDOC system-wide accounts carry over if the inmate transfers to a Lower Peninsula facility.
- The remote UP location makes electronic communication especially important for regular contact.
- Senders must be on the inmate's approved contact list.
Related Facilities
Other correctional facilities with communication guides.
Frequently Asked Questions: Marquette Branch Prison
Common questions from families about communication at this facility.
- How do I message someone at Marquette Branch Prison?
- Create a JPay account at jpay.com and add the inmate using their Michigan DOC number. Purchase stamps and send your message. MDOC staff review messages before delivery. Given MBP's remote location, JPay messaging is a practical way to maintain regular contact.
- How do I set up phone calls from Marquette Branch Prison?
- Phone calls use GTL. Create an account at telmate.com or through the GTL Connect app. Set up a prepaid AdvancePay account linked to your phone number and add funds. The inmate calls you from facility phones.
- How far is Marquette Branch Prison from Detroit?
- Marquette is in the Upper Peninsula, roughly 300 miles from Detroit, about a six to seven-hour drive that includes crossing the Mackinac Bridge. For most Lower Peninsula families, electronic communication and GTL video visits are the most practical options for regular contact.
- Is video visitation available at Marquette Branch Prison?
- Yes, through GTL, and it is especially useful given how remote the facility is. Log into your GTL account, search for Marquette Branch Prison, and schedule an available slot. Video visits eliminate the need for the long drive north.
- How do I send money to a Marquette Branch Prison inmate?
- Trust account deposits are made through JPay. Log in, go to Send Money, and select Marquette Branch Prison. Add funds via debit or credit card. Processing takes one to two business days.
- How do I find or search for an inmate at Marquette Branch Prison?
- Use the Sheriff's office or department of corrections official inmate search or roster for Marquette County, Michigan. 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 Marquette Branch Prison?
- 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.
- How much does it cost to call or video-visit an inmate at Marquette Branch Prison?
- Verified rates: Video visits: $3.20 for 20 minutes ($0.16 per minute), hold $3.20 in advance, adjusted by call length
- Can I receive incoming calls from an inmate at Marquette Branch Prison?
- 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 Marquette Branch Prison?
- 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 Marquette Branch Prison
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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