About Pine County Detention Center
Pine County Jail - formally the Pine County Detention Center - is a local adult detention facility licensed by the Minnesota Department of Corrections and located at 635 Northridge Drive NW, Suite 130, Pine City, MN 55063. The main phone number is (320) 629-8400. The facility operates under Sheriff Jeff Nelson and is managed day-to-day by Jail Administrator Rod Williamson, with Ryan Thompson serving as Assistant Jail Administrator. Pine County Jail holds a licensed capacity of 131 beds and serves as the primary short-term detention facility for Pine County District Court cases as well as bookings by the East Central Drug & Violent Offender Task Force.
The facility was inspected on March 18, 2026, by Rachel Dotseth of the Minnesota DOC. Pine County Jail scored 94.44% on mandatory standards and 98.02% on essential standards, earning an Authority to Operate valid through April 30, 2028. Zero JJDPA violations were recorded during that audit cycle.
The March 18, 2026 DOC biennial inspection lists Sheriff Jeff Nelson in the inspection report. On March 26, 2026, WCMP reported that Nelson said he will not seek a fourth term, and WCMP also reported Chief Deputy Scott Grice announced his candidacy for the November 2026 sheriff election.
Visitation Hours & Rules
Pine County Jail allows in-person and video visits through Reliance Telephone. All visits - regardless of format - must be scheduled at least 24 hours in advance through the Reliance website. Walk-in visits are not accepted. Each session is capped at 20 minutes, visitors may attend only one session per day, and each visitor may visit only one inmate per day.
All visitors 18 and older must present a valid state-issued photo ID at check-in. Minors are permitted to visit but must be accompanied and supervised by a parent or legal guardian at all times. The facility enforces a dress code: no tank tops, no shorts above mid-thigh, and no sleeveless or very short-sleeved tops. Visitors who arrive in non-compliant clothing will be turned away. Book your visit on RelianceTelephone.com at least 24 hours before your scheduled time - same-day requests will not be approved.
| Day(s) | Time Window(s) | Session Length |
|---|---|---|
| Tuesday & Thursday | 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM | 20 minutes |
| Saturday & Sunday | 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM & 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM | 20 minutes |
Inmate Phone Calls & Messaging
All inmate phone and messaging services at Pine County Jail are handled by Reliance Telephone. Inmates cannot receive incoming calls - all calls must be initiated by the inmate. To receive calls, family members must set up a prepaid account at RelianceTelephone.com or by calling 1-800-896-3201. In-state call rates run between $0.11 and $0.17 per minute. Digital text messaging is also available through Reliance at approximately $0.09 per message. For urgent matters that require staff verification - such as a family emergency - call the main jail line directly at (320) 629-8400.
| Communication Type | Provider | Rate | How to Set Up |
|---|---|---|---|
| In-state phone calls | Reliance Telephone | $0.11 - $0.17 / min | RelianceTelephone.com or 1-800-896-3201 |
| Digital text messaging | Reliance Telephone | ~$0.09 / message | RelianceTelephone.com |
| Inmate message line | Pine County Jail | - | (320) 322-1014 |
Sending Mail to an Inmate
Pine County Jail accepts inmate mail delivered by the US Postal Service only. Address all letters to the inmate's full legal name, include their booking number when known, and use the facility's mailing address: 635 Northridge Drive NW, Suite 130, Pine City, MN 55063.
Do not include Polaroid photographs, postage stamps, or cash in any envelope - these items will not be delivered and may result in a mail restriction for the inmate. Standard white envelopes with standard paper letters are your safest option.
Posting Bail at Pine County Jail
Bail amounts are set by the Pine County District Court. Once a bail amount has been ordered, you have three ways to pay it. During business hours (Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM), cash bail can be paid through Court Administration. Outside those hours - including evenings and weekends - bail can be paid in person at the jail lobby at 635 Northridge Drive NW, Suite 130. Online bail payment is also accepted through JailATM.com at any time. Licensed bail bondsmen are accepted 24 hours a day, seven days a week, for surety bonds.
| Payment Method | Hours | Where / How |
|---|---|---|
| Cash - Court Administration | Mon-Fri, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM | Pine County District Court |
| Cash - Jail Lobby | After hours & weekends | 635 Northridge Drive NW, Suite 130 |
| Online | 24/7 | JailATM.com |
| Surety Bond (bail bondsman) | 24/7 | Licensed bondsmen - accepted at the jail |
Pine County District Court
Criminal cases originating from Pine County Jail are heard in the Pine County District Court, which operates within Minnesota's Tenth Judicial District. Court Administrator Amy Willert oversees court operations. To confirm a hearing date or obtain court documents, contact the court directly at (320) 591-1500 or visit in person at the Pine City, MN 55063 courthouse.