If you’re looking for someone inside the La Salle County Regional Detention Center, you’re probably stressed. It’s a confusing place. Most people assume every jail works the same way, but the facility in Encinal, Texas, is a bit of a hybrid. It isn’t just a local county lockup for people caught speeding or getting into a bar fight. It’s a massive cog in the federal immigration and judicial machinery, often housing detainees for the U.S. Marshals Service and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
The facility sits out in La Salle County, a place dominated by the oil and gas industry of the Eagle Ford Shale. It's dusty. It's isolated. Honestly, if you’re driving down Interstate 35, you might miss it entirely if you aren't looking for the fences.
Locals often just call it the "Encinal jail," but its official footprint is much larger. Operated by Emerald Correctional Management (and later transitioning under the umbrella of other private management entities like LaSalle Corrections), the center has faced its share of scrutiny over the years. This isn't a five-star hotel. It’s a high-security environment where the rules for phone calls, mail, and visitation can change based on which agency "owns" the person you’re trying to reach.
How to actually find an inmate in the La Salle County Regional Detention Center
Finding someone here isn't always as simple as checking a website. If the person was picked up on local charges by the La Salle County Sheriff’s Office, they might appear in a local roster. But here's the kicker: if they are being held for ICE or the U.S. Marshals, they might not show up on a county-level search at all.
You’ve got to use the right tool for the right agency.
For federal immigration detainees, your first stop is the ICE Online Detainee Locator System. You’ll need their A-Number (Alien Registration Number) or their exact name, date of birth, and country of birth. If you don't have the A-Number, be careful with the spelling. A single misplaced letter in a surname can result in a "No records found" message, which is terrifying for a family member.
What if they aren't an ICE detainee? Then you’re looking at the U.S. Marshals or the local sheriff. The La Salle County Regional Detention Center houses people awaiting trial in federal court. For these folks, you might have to call the facility directly at (956) 948-7044.
Don't expect the person answering the phone to be overly chatty. They deal with hundreds of calls. Be polite. Have the full name and date of birth ready before you dial. If you act frustrated, they’ll likely just give you the bare minimum or put you on hold indefinitely.
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The reality of daily life in Encinal
Life inside the La Salle County Regional Detention Center is repetitive. It’s loud. The facility is designed for high-capacity housing, meaning privacy is basically non-existent. Detainees spend most of their time in "pods."
Food is a frequent point of contention. Like many privately managed facilities, the meals are calorie-controlled but rarely described as "good." We’re talking about soy-based proteins, white bread, and plenty of starch. If an inmate has money in their commissary account, they can buy things like ramen, tuna packets, or extra soap. This is why getting money onto their books is the first thing most families try to do.
Medical care is another big one. The facility is required to provide "standard of care," but in a rural Texas detention center, that often means long wait times for a "sick call." If a loved one has a chronic condition like diabetes or high blood pressure, you need to be proactive. Make sure their attorney knows. Make sure the facility medical staff has their records. Don't just assume they’ll get their meds on time.
Communication and the "Sky-High" cost of staying in touch
You can't just call an inmate. They have to call you.
The La Salle County Regional Detention Center typically uses third-party vendors for phone services and "e-messaging." Companies like Securus or GTL (Global Tel Link) usually handle these contracts. It is expensive. If you are accepting collect calls on a cell phone, you’ll likely need to set up a prepaid account.
And then there's the mail.
- No Perfume: Don't spray your letters with scent; they'll get tossed.
- No Stickers: Envelopes with stickers or glitter are usually rejected as contraband.
- Plain Paper Only: Use a blue or black pen on white lined paper.
- The Address Format: Inmate Name, Inmate ID Number
La Salle County Regional Detention Center
832 E. State Highway 44
Encinal, TX 78019
Mail is searched. Every single word you write will likely be read by a staff member before it reaches the inmate. Don't write about their legal case. Don't discuss anything that could be misinterpreted as a security threat. Honestly, just keep it to family news and encouragement.
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Legal rights and the role of an attorney
If someone is in the La Salle County Regional Detention Center, they are likely facing a long legal road. Because this facility is so far from major cities like San Antonio or Laredo, getting a lawyer out there can be a challenge.
Many court hearings for ICE detainees are now done via video teleconference (VTC). This means the detainee stays in Encinal while the judge and attorneys are in a courtroom miles away. It’s impersonal. It’s easy for a person to feel like just another number on a screen.
Having a private attorney can change the dynamic. A lawyer can visit the facility in person, which usually happens in a private room (though "private" is a relative term in a jail). If the person is an immigrant seeking asylum or fighting a deportation order, their time in La Salle is critical for gathering evidence.
Visitation: Is it even possible?
Visitation at the La Salle County Regional Detention Center is a moving target. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, many facilities moved toward "video visitation" only. This means you drive all the way to Encinal just to look at your loved one on a computer screen in the lobby. Or, more commonly now, you pay for a video visit from your home computer.
If you do plan to visit in person, dress conservatively. No tank tops. No short skirts. No clothing that looks like a uniform (scrubs, camo). If the guards think your outfit is "inappropriate," they will turn you away at the gate, and it won't matter if you drove five hours to get there.
Always call the morning of your planned visit. Jails go on lockdown frequently. If there’s a security issue or a medical emergency inside, all visitation is canceled instantly.
Misconceptions about "Regional" facilities
People hear "regional" and think it's a small-town operation. It isn't. The La Salle County Regional Detention Center is a business. Private prison companies make money by filling beds. This creates a weird tension between the county (which wants the revenue and jobs) and the federal government (which needs the space).
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One common mistake is thinking that if someone is moved to La Salle, they are about to be deported immediately. Not necessarily. Some people stay there for months or even over a year while their cases wind through the backlogged immigration courts. The "regional" label just means it serves a wide geographic area, drawing people from all over South Texas and the border region.
What you should do right now
If you just found out a friend or family member is being held in Encinal, take a breath. You need to act methodically.
First, confirm their location using the ICE locator or by calling the jail. Second, get their ID or A-Number. You can't do anything without it.
Third, set up a phone account. Communication is the only thing that keeps people sane in there. If they can call you, they can tell you what they need—whether it’s a specific document for their case or just some money for the commissary so they can buy a warm pair of socks.
Fourth, contact a specialized attorney. Whether it’s a criminal defense lawyer for U.S. Marshal holds or an immigration attorney for ICE detainees, you need someone who knows the Western District of Texas or the San Antonio Immigration Court.
Finally, keep a log of everything. Write down when you called, who you spoke to, and what they told you. Information often gets lost in the handoff between shifts at the detention center. Being the "annoying" family member who has all the facts is often the only way to ensure your loved one doesn't fall through the cracks of a very large, very bureaucratic system.
It’s a tough situation. Encinal is a lonely place for a person to be stuck. But staying informed and staying in contact is the best way to help them get through it.
Actionable Next Steps:
- Verify Location: Use the ICE Online Detainee Locator if the person was detained by immigration officials.
- Fund the Account: Register with the facility's approved vendor (likely Securus) to allow for phone calls.
- Secure Legal Counsel: Locate an attorney familiar with the South Texas regional courts to file for a bond hearing or a "Motion to Change Venue" if the person is being held far from their home.
- Gather Documents: If it's an immigration case, start collecting birth certificates, tax records, and letters of support immediately. Having these ready can speed up a bond request once a lawyer is involved.