Minnesota Correctional Facility Stillwater
Find messaging, video, and phone options for Minnesota Correctional Facility Stillwater. Compare providers and discover what communication services are available. Free, no account required.
- Facility Type
- State Facility
- Security Level
- Maximum
- Inmate Capacity
- 1,600 approx.
- Established
- 1853
- Operated By
- Minnesota Department of Corrections (MNDOC)
Minnesota Correctional Facility Stillwater Inmate Communication Overview
Minnesota Correctional Facility Stillwater is a maximum-security state prison operated by the Minnesota Department of Corrections, located in Bayport in Washington County along the St. Croix River, roughly 25 miles east of Saint Paul and 30 miles east of Minneapolis. Established in 1853, it is one of the oldest prisons in the Midwest and the oldest continuously operating prison in Minnesota. The facility houses adult male inmates at maximum-security classification and is one of the central institutions in the Minnesota DOC system. Its location in the western St. Croix Valley makes it accessible for Twin Cities families.
Communication at MCF Stillwater follows Minnesota DOC provider contracts. JPay is the platform for electronic messaging, photo sharing, and money transfers across Minnesota DOC facilities. Families create a JPay account and add the inmate using their Minnesota DOC number to begin correspondence. GTL manages phone calls and video visitation under the Minnesota DOC statewide contract. The standard two-platform model applies: JPay for messaging and money, GTL for phone and video. These are separate accounts with separate funding, and money on one platform does not apply to the other.
MCF Stillwater's location about 25 miles east of Saint Paul makes it one of the more accessible maximum-security state prisons in the region for Twin Cities families. The facility is along Highway 36 in Washington County. For families in the Minneapolis-Saint Paul metro area, in-person visits are logistically manageable. For families elsewhere in Minnesota or out of state, JPay and GTL video visits are practical alternatives. Minnesota DOC accounts created for MCF Stillwater will work at any other Minnesota facility if an inmate transfers within the state system.
Facility Information
Contact details and location information for this correctional facility.
Address
970 Pickett Street North, Bayport, MN 55003
Main Phone
(651) 779-2700
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.
Fax
(651) 351-3600
Communication Options
Available communication services at Minnesota Correctional Facility Stillwater.
Messaging
Electronic messages to and from the inmate.
Provider: JPay
Full JPay messaging available. Requires Minnesota 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 MNDOC 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 Minnesota Correctional Facility Stillwater
These providers operate communication services at this facility. Each may cover different services.
JPay
Electronic messaging, photo sharing, and trust account deposits. Uses Minnesota DOC number.
View JPay ServicesGTL
Phone calls and video visitation under the Minnesota DOC statewide contract.
View GTL ServicesCommunication Rules at Minnesota Correctional Facility Stillwater
- JPay and GTL are separate platforms. Messaging stamps and phone funds are not interchangeable.
- Messages are reviewed by MNDOC staff before delivery.
- MNDOC system-wide accounts carry over if the inmate transfers to another Minnesota 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: Minnesota Correctional Facility Stillwater
Common questions from families about communication at this facility.
- How do I message someone at MCF Stillwater?
- Create a JPay account at jpay.com and add the inmate using their Minnesota DOC number. Purchase stamps and compose your message. MNDOC staff review messages before delivery, typically within 24 to 48 hours.
- How do I set up phone calls from MCF Stillwater?
- 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 from facility phones.
- How far is MCF Stillwater from the Twin Cities?
- MCF Stillwater is in Bayport in Washington County, about 25 miles east of Saint Paul and 30 miles east of Minneapolis. For Twin Cities families, in-person visits are very accessible, the drive from downtown Saint Paul takes about 30 minutes.
- Do my accounts carry over if my loved one transfers to another Minnesota facility?
- Yes. JPay and GTL serve all Minnesota DOC facilities under statewide contracts. Your accounts and contact history carry over automatically to any other MNDOC facility after a transfer.
- How do I send money to a MCF Stillwater inmate?
- Trust account deposits are made through JPay. Log in, go to Send Money, and select Minnesota Correctional Facility Stillwater. Add funds via debit or credit card. Processing takes one to two business days.
- How do I find or search for an inmate at Minnesota Correctional Facility Stillwater?
- Use the Sheriff's office or department of corrections official inmate search or roster for Washington County, Minnesota. 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 Minnesota Correctional Facility Stillwater?
- 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 Minnesota Correctional Facility Stillwater?
- 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 Minnesota Correctional Facility Stillwater?
- 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 Minnesota Correctional Facility Stillwater?
- 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 Minnesota Correctional Facility Stillwater
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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