We appreciate you stopping by. We aim to help you with your "Genesee County MI Inmate Search" today. This page offers key facts and links. We want to make your search task less hard. Let us guide you through the steps.
To begin your "Genesee County MI Inmate Search" right now, please visit https://geneseecountyjails.org/genesee-county-mi-inmate-search/. This tool can help you find the person you are looking for quickly. If you need more details on the jail, how to visit, or send funds, keep reading this guide. We cover many topics here. Use the link if you want to start the search process now.
The best way to find an inmate is the official way. Use the tools the Genesee County Sheriff gives you. They run the county jail. Check their main web site first. Look for a link that says "Inmate Search" or "Jail Roster". The site is https://www.gcsomichigan.com/. If you do not see a tool online, call them. The number for inmate facts is 810-257-3426. Calling may be the fast way to get help. Staff can look up the person for you. This official search is key for your "Genesee County MI Inmate Search". Trust the Sheriff's Office for correct data. They keep the main list of people in jail.
To find an inmate, you need some facts. You will need the person's full name. Use their legal first and last name. A middle name or initial can help too. The date of birth is also very useful. It helps tell people apart if they have the same name. If you have an inmate ID number, use that. It is the most direct way to search. Try to spell the name right. Small errors can stop you finding them. If the first try fails, check the spelling. Try the search again. Having good facts makes the search easy.
Sometimes an inmate is not in the county jail. They might be in a state prison. For state prisoners, use the Michigan Department of Corrections (MDOC) tool. It is called OTIS. Find it here: https://www.michigan.gov/corrections/otis. OTIS shows inmates under MDOC care now. It also shows those let out in the last three years. It does not show county jail folks. It does not show people off parole for more than three years. Another tool is VINELink. It helps victims track inmates across the state. Check the Michigan VINELink site for that option. These tools add ways to search if the county jail list does not help.
Make your "Genesee County MI Inmate Search" go well. Use the full legal name. Check all spellings you know. Try names with and without a middle initial. Use the date of birth if you have it. If you search online and find no one, wait. Sometimes it takes time for new inmates to show up. Wait a day and search once more. If you still have no luck, call the jail. The Inmate Information line is 810-257-3426. Staff there can check the records for you. Be calm and give clear facts when you call. This helps them help you fast.
The main jail in Genesee County is run by the Sheriff. It is located in the city of Flint. The street address is needed for mail or visits. Use this address for all official needs.
Genesee County Jail
1002 South Saginaw Street
Flint, MI 48502
Know this address for sending letters. You also need it if you plan to visit. Keep it handy. This is the central spot for county inmates.
You may need to call the jail or Sheriff's Office. Use the right phone number for your need. Do not call 911 unless it is a real emergency. For general questions or non-urgent police help, use the non-emergency line. For facts about a person in jail, use the inmate info line.
Emergency: 911
Sheriff Non-Emergency: 810-257-3422
Inmate Information: 810-257-3426
Use the inmate line for questions about visits too. Or ask about mail or phone calls. Staff can help during their work hours.
The jail itself holds people 24 hours a day. But office tasks have set hours. Things like records requests or talking to admin staff often happen during the day. Call the Inmate Information line (810-257-3426) to ask about specific office hours. Law enforcement patrol is active all the time. Emergency services are always ready. For inmate specific business, plan for normal work week hours. Call first to be sure someone can help.
Visiting someone in jail needs planning. Genesee County has rules and set times for visits. These rules can change. The best way to get the current visit times is to check the Sheriff's website. Go to https://www.gcsomichigan.com/corrections-division. Look for a link about visitation. It might say "Schedule a Visit". If you cannot find the times online, call the jail. Use the Inmate Information number: 810-257-3426. Ask them for the days and hours you can visit. Visits might be by appointment only. Be sure to ask about that too. Some jails split times by inmate housing unit or last name. Get the exact rules for the person you want to see. Plan your visit based on the official schedule. This avoids wasted trips.
All jails have rules for people who visit. Genesee County Jail is no different. You must follow all rules. If you do not, you cannot visit. You might be banned from future visits too. Expect to show valid photo ID. This could be a driver's license or state ID card. Visitors under 18 usually must come with a parent. There is often a dress code. Do not wear revealing clothes. Avoid shirts with bad words or images. Do not wear colors linked to gangs. You cannot bring certain items into the visit area. Leave phones, bags, and food outside. Follow all staff directions. Be polite. Keep noise down. Rules keep the jail safe for all. Check the Sheriff's site or call for the full list of rules before you go.
Some jails need visitors to apply first. You might need to fill out a form. They may run a background check on you. This process can take time. Ask if Genesee County requires this. Check the Sheriff's website. Or call the inmate info line at 810-257-3426. Ask if you need to apply before your first visit. If yes, ask how to get the form. Ask how long it takes to get approved. Plan ahead if an application is needed. Do not just show up expecting to visit if pre-approval is the rule. This step ensures security. It helps screen visitors before they enter the jail. Knowing the process saves you time. It makes your first visit go smooth.
When you visit, bring only what you need. You must bring your valid photo ID. You might need car keys. Some jails allow a small amount of cash for vending machines in the lobby. Do not bring cell phones inside. Leave purses and bags in your car or a locker if they have them. Weapons of any kind are banned. This includes pocket knives. Do not bring drugs or alcohol. Do not bring food or drinks. Tobacco products are usually not allowed. If you bring banned items, you may face arrest. Stick to the rules. Only bring what is allowed. Check the official rules on the Sheriff's site or call. This ensures your visit is safe and allowed.
You can send mail to inmates at the jail. Use the main jail address. Be sure to include the inmate's full name. Add their inmate ID number if you know it. This helps the mail get to the right person fast.
Inmate's Full Name and ID Number (if known)
Genesee County Jail
1002 South Saginaw Street
Flint, MI 48502
There are rules about what you can send. The Sheriff's Office has a "New Inmate Mailing Policy". Check their website https://www.gcsomichigan.com/corrections-division for details. Or call 810-257-3426 to ask. Usually, you can send letters and photos. Photos must be appropriate. No nude or bad images. Some jails limit the number of photos per letter. Do not send cash or checks in the mail. Do not send stamps, paper, or envelopes. Inmates buy these things inside. Do not use staples or paper clips. No glitter or stickers. Follow all mail rules closely. Mail is checked before the inmate gets it. Banned items will be taken.
Inmates can make phone calls out of the jail. They cannot receive calls coming in. Calls are usually collect calls. The person getting the call pays. Or calls use a prepaid phone account. Friends or family set up these accounts. Money is put into the account. The inmate uses it to make calls. A company handles these calls. It might be a firm like GTL or Securus. Check the Genesee County Sheriff's site for the name of their phone service provider. Or call the jail at 810-257-3426. Ask how to set up a prepaid account. There are fees for calls. Calls are recorded and may be monitored. Except calls to lawyers. Follow the rules for phone use. Do not try three-way calls. This can block the inmate's phone rights.
Many jails now offer video calls. This lets you see the inmate on a screen. It is like using Skype or FaceTime. These calls might happen at the jail visit center. Or you might do them from your home computer or phone. There is usually a fee for video calls. The same company that handles phone calls might handle video calls. Check the Genesee County Sheriff's website. Look for info on "Video Visitation". Or call the Inmate Information line 810-257-3426. Ask if they offer video calls. Ask how to sign up. Ask about the cost and rules. Video calls can be a good way to stay in touch. Especially if you live far away. Check the rules for dress and behavior during video calls too.
Inmates need money for certain things. They buy items from the jail store, called commissary. Things like snacks, soap, or writing paper. You can send money to an inmate's account. Genesee County Jail has set ways to do this. Do not send cash in the mail. It is not safe and likely not allowed. Common ways include:
Online: Use an approved web service. Sites like ConnectNetwork (GTL) or others are often used. Check the Sheriff's site for the link. Fees apply.
Phone: Call a toll-free number for the vendor. Deposit funds using a debit or credit card. Fees apply.
Kiosk: Some jails have a machine in the lobby. You can deposit cash or use a card there. A fee is usually charged.
Money Order: Some jails accept money orders sent by mail. They must be sent to a special address, often a payment center, not the jail itself. Check the jail's specific policy. There might be a form to include.
Find the exact methods Genesee County uses. Visit https://www.gcsomichigan.com/ or call 810-257-3426. Ask about approved vendors and fees. Using the right method ensures the money gets to the inmate. Funds usually appear in the account within a day or two. But check the timelines given by the vendor.
The money you send goes into the inmate's account. This is often called a commissary account or trust fund. Inmates use these funds to buy approved items. The jail provides basic needs. But commissary allows extra things. Items like extra food, drinks, hygiene products, and stationery. Having funds can make jail time a bit easier. The jail sets limits on how much money an inmate can spend each week. They also limit how much money can be in the account at one time. Be aware that the jail might take some funds. This could be to pay for fees or court costs the inmate owes. Check the jail rules about commissary use.
When someone is arrested, bail might be set. Bail is money paid to the court. It allows the person to leave jail until their trial. The bail amount depends on the charges. It also depends on the person's record. To find the bail amount, contact the court handling the case. In Genesee County, this could be the 67th District Court. Their phone number is (810) 257-3170. Their address is 630 S Saginaw St, Flint, MI 48502. For more serious cases, check the 7th Circuit Court. You can also call the jail's Inmate Information line: 810-257-3426. Ask them if bail has been set. Ask for the amount. Sometimes bail is not set right away. You may need to wait for a court hearing.
If bail is set, you need to pay it. This is called posting bail. You can usually pay at the court clerk's office during business hours. Some courts allow online payments. Sometimes you can pay at the jail, especially after hours. Ask the court or jail about their exact rules. Find out where to pay. Ask what forms of payment they take. Cash is often needed. Some courts take cashier's checks or credit cards. Bail bond companies can also help. You pay them a fee (usually 10% of the bail). They post the full amount for you. Find reputable bond agents near the court or jail. Once bail is paid, the inmate is released. They must show up for all future court dates. If they do not, the bail money is lost.
Michigan law gives people the right to see public records. This is called the Freedom of Information Act, or FOIA. The law covers records made or kept by government bodies. Most state and local government records are public. You can request them. You do not need to give a reason. There are some limits. Private information is not public. Some police records might be kept private if release would harm a case. People in prison cannot use FOIA to request records. The law is found in Michigan Compiled Laws ยง15.231 and following sections. You can read more about it here: https://www.michigan.gov/mdhhs/bottom-nav-links/foia/michigans-freedom-of-information-act-foia. This act helps keep government open.
To get public records from Genesee County, send a FOIA request. Your request should be in writing. Describe the records you want clearly. Send it to the county's FOIA coordinator. The contact information is:
Monaca Elston, FOIA Specialist
Genesee County Board of Commissioners
1101 Beach Street, Room 312
Flint, Michigan 48502
Email: [email address removed]
Phone: (810) 257-3014
Be specific in your request. This helps them find the records. They have 5 business days to respond by law. They might give you the records. They might deny the request if records are exempt. They might ask for more time. Or they might charge a fee for copying and search time. Ask about possible fees when you make the request. Using FOIA is a key way to get official documents.