McLeod County Inmate Search

How To Search for Inmate Records in McLeod County in 2026

McLeodRecords.us provides publicly available data and information related to inmate records in McLeod County, Minnesota. Members of the public may access records that include booking information, custody status, charges, bond amounts, and facility location. The information presented reflects what is available through official government sources and may not capture every individual in custody or recently released.

Records can be searched through official government resources, including the McLeod County Sheriff's Office online roster, the Minnesota Department of Corrections offender search portal, the Federal Bureau of Prisons inmate locator, public access terminals at the courthouse, and direct inquiry with jail staff.

1. County Sheriff's Office Inmate Search

The McLeod County Sheriff's Office maintains a publicly accessible in-custody list that reflects current jail population data. To use the search:

• Navigate to the in-custody list on the McLeod County Sheriff's Office website
• Review the roster, which is organized by name and booking information
• Locate the individual by full legal name
• Select the entry to view detailed booking information

The roster displays personal identification details, booking photograph, current charges, bond amount and type, facility location, and booking date. The list is updated on a regular basis; however, recent bookings may take several hours to appear. No mobile application is currently offered for this service.

2. State Department of Corrections Inmate Search

For individuals who have been transferred from county jail to a state correctional facility, the Minnesota Department of Corrections maintains a statewide offender search tool. Members of the public may search for individuals and fugitives through the DOC offender locator, which covers individuals currently incarcerated in state prisons as well as those under community supervision.

County jail holds pre-trial detainees and individuals serving shorter sentences, while state prison houses individuals convicted of felonies with longer sentences. Transfer from county to state custody typically occurs within several weeks of sentencing, though timelines vary by case.

3. Federal Bureau of Prisons Inmate Locator

For individuals charged with federal offenses, the Federal Bureau of Prisons Inmate Locator provides a free search tool. This resource is appropriate when an individual has been arrested by a federal agency, charged in federal court, or is serving a federal sentence. The locator displays facility name, release date, and basic identifying information.

Phone Search:

• Phone number for inmate information: (320) 864-1200
• Callers should have the inmate's full legal name and date of birth available
• The Sheriff's Office is staffed during regular business hours

In-Person Inquiry:

McLeod County Sheriff's Office
801 10th Street East
Glencoe, MN 55336
Phone: (320) 864-1200
McLeod County Sheriff's Office

Members of the public may visit the Sheriff's Office during business hours to request inmate information. Government-issued photo identification is recommended. Staff at the front desk can confirm custody status, facility location, and scheduled court dates.

By Mail: Written requests for inmate information may be directed to the McLeod County Sheriff's Office at 801 10th Street East, Glencoe, MN 55336. Requests should include the inmate's full legal name, date of birth, and the specific information sought. Processing time varies.

Search Tips:

• Use the individual's full legal name as it appears on government-issued identification
• Try name variations, including nicknames, maiden names, and alternate spellings
• Include date of birth to narrow results
• Search by booking number if available
• Check both current inmates and recently released individuals
• Recent bookings may take several hours to appear in the online system
• Individuals who have been transferred may not appear in the county roster

What If You Can't Find an Inmate:

• The individual may have been transferred to state prison — search the Minnesota DOC offender locator
• The individual may be in federal custody — search the BOP inmate locator
• The individual may have been released
• The individual may be held in another county or jurisdiction
• A recent booking may not yet be reflected in the online system
• Name spelling variations may affect search results
• Contact the jail directly at (320) 864-1200 for assistance

Are Inmate Records Public in McLeod County?

Inmate records in McLeod County are classified as public data under Minnesota law. Pursuant to Minnesota Statutes § 13.85, booking information maintained by county jails is designated as public data and must be made available to members of the public upon request. The McLeod County Sheriff's Office provides this information in accordance with the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act.

Information That Is Public:

• Current inmate roster and jail population
• Booking information, including date and time of booking
• Charges and charge descriptions
• Bond and bail amounts
• Booking photographs (mugshots)
• Current custody status
• Facility location
• Scheduled court dates
• Expected release date, where available

Information With Restricted Access:

• Medical records and health conditions
• Mental health evaluations and treatment information
• Prescription medication records
• Detailed disciplinary records
• Visitor contact lists
• Confidential informant status
• Juvenile detention records
• Witness protection participant information
• Specific cell or housing unit assignments for security reasons

Why Inmate Records Are Public:

Government transparency is a foundational principle of public records law in Minnesota. Public access to inmate records serves multiple legitimate purposes: it enables family members to locate detained individuals, supports the bail bond industry, facilitates legal proceedings, and allows the public to monitor the exercise of government authority over individuals in custody. The Minnesota Government Data Practices Act, codified at Minnesota Statutes § 13.01, establishes that government data is presumptively public unless a specific statutory exception applies.

Privacy Considerations:

Minnesota law recognizes that transparency must be balanced against individual privacy interests. Certain categories of information — particularly medical, mental health, and security-related data — remain protected even when an individual is in custody. The release of sensitive personal information is governed by the data practices framework, which requires agencies to weigh public benefit against potential harm to the individual.

What Is Inmate Records in McLeod County?

Inmate records are official government documents created and maintained by correctional authorities to document the custody, charges, and legal status of individuals held in detention. In McLeod County, these records are generated at the point of booking and updated throughout an individual's period of incarceration. The McLeod County Sheriff's Office, which operates the county jail, serves as the primary custodian of local inmate records.

The distinction between record types is significant. Booking records are created at the time of arrest and document the circumstances of intake, including charges, personal identification data, and booking photograph. Custody records reflect the ongoing status of an individual during incarceration, including housing assignments, disciplinary actions, and program participation. Incarceration history encompasses all prior bookings and periods of custody within the county system. Release records document the date, time, and conditions under which an individual exits custody.

County jail records pertain to individuals held pre-trial or serving sentences of one year or less, which is the standard threshold for misdemeanor and gross misdemeanor offenses in Minnesota. State prison records, maintained by the Minnesota Department of Corrections, cover individuals convicted of felony offenses and serving longer sentences in state facilities. Federal prison records are maintained by the Bureau of Prisons and apply to individuals convicted of federal crimes.

What's Included in Inmate Records in McLeod County

Personal Identification Information:

• Full legal name and known aliases
• Inmate or booking number
• Date of birth and age
• Sex and gender
• Race and ethnicity
• Height, weight, and physical description
• Booking photograph
• Identifying marks, scars, and tattoos

Custody Information:

• Current facility location
• Housing unit or cell block (subject to security limitations)
• Booking date and time
• Expected release date, if available
• Actual release date following discharge
• Custody status: in custody, released, or transferred

Charges and Legal Information:

• Current charges and charge descriptions
• Case numbers
• Court jurisdiction
• Arrest date and arresting agency
• Warrant information, if applicable

Bond and Bail Information:

• Bond amount as set by the court
• Bond type: cash, surety, or no bond
• Bond status: posted or pending
• Bail bondsman information, where applicable

Court Information:

• Scheduled court dates and hearing types
• Court location and division
• Attorney information, in some cases

Sentence Information (for sentenced inmates):

• Conviction charges and sentence length
• Sentence start date and projected release date
• Parole eligibility date, if applicable
• Good time credit calculations

Previous Custody History:

• Prior bookings within McLeod County
• Previous charges and historical custody dates

Administrative Information:

• Security classification level
• Special housing needs or designations
• Work assignments and program participation, where disclosed

What's NOT Typically Included in Public Records:

• Medical history or active health conditions
• Mental health evaluations or treatment records
• Prescription medication information
• Detailed disciplinary incident reports
• Visitor contact information
• Inmate account balances
• Phone call logs
• Specific cell assignments for active security reasons

McLeod County Prison System

The McLeod County jail system is operated by the McLeod County Sheriff's Office, with the Sheriff serving as an officer of the McLeod District Court and holding statutory charge and custody of the facility. The McLeod County Jail is a county-operated detention facility that houses pre-trial detainees, individuals serving short sentences, and individuals awaiting transfer to state custody. Correctional Officers are primarily responsible for the safety and security of the jail facility, the inmates, and the officers.

Administration:

McLeod County Sheriff's Office
801 10th Street East
Glencoe, MN 55336
Phone: (320) 864-1200
McLeod County Sheriff's Office

Facility Operations:

The jail houses pre-trial detainees, individuals sentenced on misdemeanor and gross misdemeanor charges, felony holdovers awaiting transfer to state facilities, and individuals held on warrants or detainers. The facility operates a classification system to separate inmates by security level and legal status.

Inmate Services:

The McLeod County Jail provides access to medical care, mental health services, religious programming, and recreational opportunities. Inmates may participate in available educational and substance abuse programs. Legal services include access to a law library and attorney visitation. The facility coordinates with the public defender's office to ensure legal representation is available to eligible individuals.

Reentry Programs:

Pre-release planning is available to assist individuals transitioning out of custody. Services may include referrals for housing, employment, and substance abuse treatment continuation, consistent with the goals of the Minnesota Rehabilitation and Reinvestment Act.

Oversight and Accountability:

The Minnesota Department of Corrections provides oversight of county jail facilities pursuant to Minnesota Statutes § 241.021, which authorizes the Commissioner of Corrections to inspect and establish standards for local correctional facilities. The DOC Policy Manual provides access to all department-level policies governing correctional operations statewide. Grievance procedures are available to inmates through the facility's internal administrative process.

Types of Correctional Facilities in McLeod County

McLeod County Jail

McLeod County Jail
801 10th Street East
Glencoe, MN 55336
Phone: (320) 864-1200
Jail Information

The McLeod County Jail is the primary detention facility serving McLeod County. The facility houses pre-trial detainees, sentenced misdemeanor offenders, felony holdovers awaiting transfer to state prison, and individuals held on warrants or immigration detainers. The jail operates under the authority of the McLeod County Sheriff and is subject to state inspection and standards.

Alternative Custody Programs

Home Detention and Electronic Monitoring

The McLeod County Sheriff's Office administers alternative custody programs for eligible individuals. Home detention with electronic monitoring may be available to individuals who meet specific eligibility criteria established by the court. Members of the public seeking information about eligibility should contact the Sheriff's Office directly at (320) 864-1200.

Inmate Intakes and Releases

Individuals reporting to serve a sentence are directed to follow the procedures outlined by the inmate intakes and releases page of the Sheriff's Office. Individuals are expected to report at the designated time and should be prepared to surrender personal property upon intake.

State Prison Facilities

Individuals convicted of felony offenses in McLeod County may be transferred to a Minnesota Department of Corrections facility following sentencing. The DOC operates multiple facilities across the state, and placement is determined by classification level and available capacity. The Minnesota Department of Corrections website provides information on all state prison facilities and the offender search tool for locating individuals in state custody.

Federal Detention Facilities

There are no federal detention facilities physically located within McLeod County. Individuals charged with federal offenses are held in federal facilities designated by the Bureau of Prisons. The BOP inmate locator is the appropriate resource for locating individuals in federal custody.

How To Find an Inmate in McLeod County for Free?

All primary inmate search resources available through McLeod County and the State of Minnesota are provided at no cost to members of the public.

1. Official County Inmate Roster

The McLeod County in-custody list is completely free and requires no registration. The roster includes current inmates, booking information, charges, bond amounts, facility location, and booking photographs. The list is updated on a regular basis throughout the day.

2. State Department of Corrections Free Search

The Minnesota DOC provides a free offender search tool for individuals in state prison or under community supervision. Historical incarceration information is available for individuals who have been released from state custody.

3. Federal Bureau of Prisons Locator

The BOP inmate locator is a free federal resource for locating individuals in federal custody. No registration is required.

4. Court Records Search

Members of the public may search Minnesota court records through the Minnesota Judicial Branch to verify custody status through associated case filings. Court records may reflect upcoming hearing dates and case dispositions.

Free Phone Information:

• Call (320) 864-1200 for inmate information during business hours
• No charge for basic custody inquiries
• Callers should have the individual's full legal name and date of birth available

Free In-Person Search:

McLeod County Sheriff's Office
801 10th Street East
Glencoe, MN 55336
Phone: (320) 864-1200
McLeod County Sheriff's Office

Staff assistance is available during regular business hours. No fee is charged for basic inmate information inquiries.

What's Free vs. What Costs Money:

The following services are provided at no cost:

• Online inmate roster search
• Current custody status and basic inmate information
• Phone inquiry for basic information
• In-person information at the Sheriff's Office

The following services involve fees:

• Sending money to an inmate — funds may be sent through the U.S. mail in the form of cash or money order as described on the inmate money page
• Video visitation services, where applicable
• Phone calls initiated by inmates through the jail's telecommunications provider
• Commissary orders placed on behalf of an inmate
• Certified copies of booking records
• Third-party background check services

Scam Warning:

Members of the public should be aware that numerous commercial websites charge fees for information that is available at no cost through official government sources. The official McLeod County inmate roster, the Minnesota DOC offender search, and the BOP inmate locator are all free. Individuals should verify they are accessing an official .gov website before providing any personal or payment information. The community notification system maintained by the Minnesota Department of Corrections is also a free public resource.

Lookup Inmate Records in McLeod County

• In Custody List - McLeod County, MN
• McLeod County Sheriff's Office
• Inmate Money - McLeod County Jail
• Inmate Intakes and Releases - McLeod County
• McLeod County Jail Information
• Search for Individuals & Fugitives - Minnesota DOC
• Minnesota Department of Corrections
• Minnesota DOC Policy Manual
• Community Notification - Minnesota Department of Corrections