When people look up the David L Moss Correctional Center, they're usually searching for information regarding the main detention and booking facility for Tulsa County, Oklahoma. Often referred to officially as the David L. Moss Criminal Justice Center, it functions as a county jail rather than a state prison, handling local misdemeanor and felony arrestees. Located at 300 North Denver Avenue in downtown Tulsa, it manages the intake, housing, and processing of individuals navigating the local legal system.
Understanding how this facility operates helps families, legal professionals, and researchers clear up common misconceptions. It's not a maximum-security state penitentiary where long-term convicts serve decades-long sentences, but rather a high-capacity county holding facility. Managing thousands of detentions annually, it plays a central role in Oklahoma's judicial infrastructure.
Facility Operations and Booking Intake
The intake process at the center begins the moment law enforcement brings an arrestee through the secure booking area. Arrestees face fingerprinting, digital photographing, and a thorough medical and mental health screening.
- Classification: Staff evaluate each detainee to determine appropriate housing assignments based on security risk, medical needs, and past history.
- Bonds and Holds: Arrestees awaiting trial can post bond if eligible, while others remain detained under judicial orders or holds from other jurisdictions.
- Property Intake: Personal items carried at the time of arrest are cataloged, stored securely, and can later be retrieved through the property room during designated weekday hours.
Inmate Communication and Mail Guidelines
Keeping in touch with someone detained at the facility requires strict adherence to mail and communication policies enforced by the Tulsa County Sheriff's Office. Unauthorized items lead to rejected correspondence, so senders must follow formatting specifications closely.
Letters and postcards must go through standard postal channels with the inmate's full name and correct identification number clearly marked. The facility prohibits polaroid pictures, cash, checks, and padded envelopes. For digital or remote connection, families can utilize authorized third-party video visitation and messaging platforms. On-site video and physical visitation require prior application approval, background checks, and adherence to strict dress codes.
Financial Accounts and Commissary Services
Inmates rely on trust accounts to purchase hygiene products, snacks, and stationery from the commissary. Friends and family can deposit funds using specific authorized methods:
- Online Deposits: Services like JailATM allow electronic fund transfers directly to an inmate's trust account.
- Lobby Kiosks: Self-service deposit kiosks located in the public lobby accept cash and credit card transactions.
- Mail-In Money Orders: Money orders must include the exact inmate name and identification number, mailed directly to the facility address. Personal checks and cash sent through the mail are automatically rejected.
For more details on local public safety resources, you can visit the Tulsa County Sheriff's Office.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is David L Moss a prison or a jail?
It's a county detention and criminal justice center, meaning it primarily holds individuals awaiting trial, sentencing, or short-term local sentences, rather than long-term state prison inmates.
How do I find out if someone is currently booked there?
You can check the online inmate roster provided through the official Tulsa County Sheriff's Office database by searching with the individual's full legal name or booking number.
What items are strictly prohibited in mail sent to inmates?
Polaroid photographs, cash, personal checks, stamps, lamination, and any food items are banned and will result in the mail being confiscated or returned.
How are personal property items retrieved upon release?
Released individuals or authorized designees can pick up stored personal property by contacting the facility property room during weekday business hours and verifying required identification.
