By CAPT. JOHN PERRY
Jail Commander, Elkhart County Sheriff’s Department

The Elkhart County Sheriff’s Department has seen a substantial increase in the number of cash bond requests. Currently, members of the public walk into the lobby and wait until the process is completed. With a small number of bonds, this system worked well. However, as the numbers have increased, we have found that we cannot efficiently serve a large number of persons waiting on cash bonds at the same time.

This has resulted in extended wait times for persons to be processed out of the jail.

Due to the rise in number of cash bond request being made, the Elkhart County Sheriff’s Department will be implementing a scheduling system to more efficiently manage these releases. Persons who wish to bond a person from the jail using a cash bond should contact the facility at (574) 891-2140 and schedule a time for the release. Persons will not be turned away if they are not scheduled but unscheduled bonds are likely to have a significant wait time, as scheduled bonds will be processed first.

Certain times of the day are unavailable for bonding, as we have to limit inmate movement. These times include formal inmate counts that occur at shift change and feeding times. Bonds will not be scheduled during formal counts.

Persons wishing to reduce the amount of time required to post a cash bond are encouraged to schedule the bond before arriving.