County Jail Inmate Search Massachusetts

We are glad you are here. We want to help you with your County Jail Inmate Search in Massachusetts. Our goal is to give you the best facts and ways to find who you seek. This page holds the key steps.

To begin your search now, please go to https://massachusettsinmaterecords.com/county-jail-inmate-search-in-massachusetts/ for a direct County Jail Inmate Search in Massachusetts. This site lets you start looking right away. It is set up to help you find people held in county jails across the state. Use their tools to make your search fast and easy. Find the facts you need there.

Understanding Inmate Location in Massachusetts

County Jails vs. State Prisons

In Massachusetts, people are held in two main types of places. County jails hold persons waiting for trial. They also hold those with short terms, often less than two and a half years. These jails are run by county sheriffs. State prisons hold persons found guilty of more grave crimes. They serve long terms. The state's Department of Correction (DOC) runs these prisons. Knowing the type of place helps your search. This guide focuses on county jails. For state prison searches, you would check the Massachusetts DOC resources.

Who Runs County Jails?

Each county in Massachusetts has a Sheriff. The Sheriff's Department runs the county jail, also called a House of Correction. They keep the records for inmates in their care. So, to find someone in a county jail, you must often deal with that county's Sheriff's office. Some counties share jail space or have more than one site. Each Sheriff's office has its own way to search for inmates. Some have tools online. Others need a phone call or a visit. The Massachusetts Sheriffs' Association provides some general information. You can find them online or call them for some details. Their main office line is (857) 239-8955.

How to Search for Inmates by County

Finding an inmate often means checking with the specific county. Each Sheriff's Department has its own process. Some offer online search tools. Others require you to call them. Below is info for each county jail system. Hours listed are typical business hours but can change. Always call first if you plan to visit.

Barnstable County Sheriff's Office

The Barnstable County Sheriff runs the House of Correction.

• Address: 6000 Sheriff's Place, Bourne, MA 02532

• Phone: (508) 563-4300

• Online Search: They often have an inmate locator on their official website. Check there first.

• Phone Search: You can call the main number during business hours. Ask for inmate information. You will need the person's full name. Date of birth is helpful too.

• Info Needed: Full name is key. A birth date or booking number helps speed things up. Be ready to give this info.

Berkshire County Sheriff's Office

This office manages the Berkshire County Jail and House of Correction.

• Address: 467 Cheshire Road, Pittsfield, MA 01201

• Phone: (413) 443-7220

• Online Search: Look for an inmate search tool on the Sheriff's website. It may list current inmates.

• Phone Search: Call the jail directly. Staff can check inmate status. Have the person's name ready. They can tell you if the person is there. They can share public booking facts.

Bristol County Sheriff's Office

Bristol County has several facilities. Check which jail the person might be in. Key sites are in Dartmouth and New Bedford.

• Main Office Address: 400 Faunce Corner Road, North Dartmouth, MA 02747

• Phone: (508) 995-1311

• Online Search: The Sheriff's site likely has an inmate lookup feature. This is the fastest way to check. It lets you search by name.

• Phone Search: You can call the office. Be clear about which jail you think they are in. Staff need a name. They may ask for more details like age or birth date. Public data like charges or bail may be given. It depends on their rules and the case status.

Dukes County Sheriff's Office

Dukes County covers Martha's Vineyard. It has a smaller jail.

• Address: 149 Main Street, Edgartown, MA 02539

• Phone: (508) 627-5173

• Online Search: Due to its size, an online tool might not exist. Check their site just in case.

• Phone Search: Calling is often the best way here. Speak to jail staff. Give the full name. Ask if the person is in custody. Ask about visiting rules or how to send mail if needed. Staff can give basic public facts.

Essex County Sheriff's Department

Essex County uses the state VINE system for notifications. They have facilities in Middleton and other towns.

• Main Address: 20 Manning Avenue, Middleton, MA 01949

• Phone: (978) 750-1900

• Online Search: Use the statewide VINE link system. Essex County participates in this. Search via VINELink.com. Select Massachusetts. Then search by name or offender ID.

• Phone Search: You can also call VINE at (866) 277-7477. Or call the Sheriff's main line for other questions. The VINE service is automated but offers live help too. It provides custody status updates.

Franklin County Sheriff's Office

This office runs the Franklin County Jail and House of Correction.

• Address: 160 Elm Street, Greenfield, MA 01301

• Phone: (413) 774-4014

• Online Search: Check the Sheriff's website for any inmate lookup tool.

• Phone Search: Call the jail's main line. Ask staff for inmate information. You must give the person's full name. Birth date can help confirm identity. Staff will share public record details. This may include booking status and charges. Hours for calls are usually standard business times.

Hampden County Sheriff's Department

The main jail complex is in Ludlow. They run several specialized centers too.

• Main Address: 627 Randall Road, Ludlow, MA 01056

• Phone: (413) 858-0000 (Main Institution)

• Other Sites: Western MA Regional Women's Correctional Center (413) 730-6800, Stonybrook Stabilization & Treatment Center (413) 858-0701.

• Online Search: Visit the Hampden County Sheriff's Department website (hcsoma.org). Look for an inmate search link or database. These tools let you search by name. They often show current housing location within the jail.

• Phone Search: Call the main number for the specific facility. Have the inmate's full name and date of birth ready. Staff can confirm if they are there. They can provide booking information and basic case status allowed by law. Be patient, phone lines can be busy.

Hampshire County Sheriff's Office

The Hampshire County Jail and House of Correction is in Northampton.

• Address: 205 Rocky Hill Road, Northampton, MA 01060

• Phone: (413) 584-5911

• Online Search: Check the Sheriff's official website. Look for a link for inmate information or an online locator.

• Phone Search: Call the main phone number. Ask to check if someone is in custody. Provide the name and other identifying details if you have them. Staff can tell you if the person is housed there. They can give you public details like bail amount if set.

Middlesex County Sheriff's Office

This is a large county with facilities in Billerica and Cambridge.

• Main Jail Address (Billerica): 269 Treble Cove Road, North Billerica, MA 01862

• Phone (Billerica): (978) 667-1711

• Cambridge Jail Address: 40 Thorndike Street, Cambridge, MA 02141 (Primarily holds pre-trial detainees)

• Phone (Cambridge): (617) 494-4410

• Online Search: The Middlesex Sheriff's Office website usually has an inmate locator tool. This lets you search for individuals currently in custody at their sites. You typically need the last name.

• Phone Search: Call the specific facility where you think the person is held. Use the numbers above. Have the full name and date of birth. Staff can confirm custody status and provide allowed information. This might include booking date, charges, and next court date if known.

Nantucket County Sheriff's Office

Nantucket is small. The Sheriff handles law duties and the jail.

• Address: 16 Broad Street, Nantucket, MA 02554

• Phone: (508) 228-7263

• Online Search: An online tool is unlikely. Check the county or sheriff site.

• Phone Search: Calling the office is the most reliable method. Give the name. Staff can check their records. Ask about rules for contact if the person is there.

Norfolk County Sheriff's Office

The main facility is the Norfolk County Correctional Center in Dedham.

• Address: 200 West Street, Dedham, MA 02026

• Phone: (781) 329-3705

• Online Search: Visit the Norfolk County Sheriff's Office website. They often provide an inmate lookup tool. Search using the person's name.

• Phone Search: Call the correctional center's main number. Ask for inmate information. Provide the full name and date of birth if possible. Staff can confirm status and provide public details. This includes housing unit and bail status.

Plymouth County Sheriff's Department

The Plymouth County Correctional Facility is the main jail.

• Address: 24 Long Pond Road, Plymouth, MA 02360

• Phone: (508) 830-6200

• Online Search: Check the Sheriff's Department website. They usually have an inmate locator feature. Enter the name to search their database. The tool shows current inmates and basic info.

• Phone Search: Call the main number during business hours. Ask the operator for inmate information. You must provide the name. Staff can confirm if the person is held there. They can share public data like charges and bail.

Suffolk County Sheriff's Department

Suffolk County includes Boston. They run the Nashua Street Jail and the South Bay House of Correction.

• Nashua Street Jail Address: 200 Nashua Street, Boston, MA 02114

• South Bay HOC Address: 20 Bradston Street, Boston, MA 02118

• Main Phone: (617) 635-1000 (Connects to various divisions)

• Online Search: Visit the Suffolk County Sheriff's Department website (scsdma.org). Look for their inmate search function. It allows searches by name for individuals in custody.

• Phone Search: Call the main phone number. Ask for inmate information for the specific facility (Nashua St or South Bay). Provide the inmate's name. Staff can verify custody and provide public information. This may include charges, bail, and court dates. Their website also has forms, like visit request forms.

Worcester County Sheriff's Office

The main facility is the Worcester County Jail and House of Correction.

• Address: 5 Paul X. Tivnan Drive, West Boylston, MA 01583

• Phone: (508) 854-1800

• Online Search: Check the Worcester County Sheriff's Office website. They likely have an inmate search feature. Use the person's name to query their records.

• Phone Search: Call the main number. Ask for the booking desk or inmate records. Provide the person's full name and date of birth. Staff can confirm if they are incarcerated there. They can give details such as booking date and charges.

Using the Massachusetts Statewide VINE System

What is VINE?

VINE stands for Victim Information and Notification Everyday. It is a service available in many states, including Massachusetts. It lets crime victims and the public track the custody status of offenders. It is free and confidential. You can get alerts about changes in status. This includes release, transfer, or escape.

How VINE Helps with Inmate Status

VINE provides timely information. You can check online or by phone. You can register for automatic notifications. These alerts can come by phone call, email, or text message. This helps people stay informed for safety planning. In Massachusetts, VINE covers individuals in state prisons (DOC facilities). It also covers inmates in Essex County facilities. For other counties, you must use the methods listed above. VINE does not cover all county jails in the state.

Link to MA VINE Service

You can access the Massachusetts VINE service online.

• Website: https://www.vinelink.com/ (Select Massachusetts from the state list)

• Phone: (866) 277-7477 (Toll-free, available 24/7) You will need the offender's name or their specific ID number to search or register.

Information You Can Typically Find

When you search for an inmate in a county jail, you can often find certain details. This information is usually part of the public record. What you can access may vary by county. It also depends on the case status. Common details include:

• Inmate's Full Name

• Inmate ID or Booking Number

• Date of Booking

• Current Housing Facility or Unit

• Criminal Charges Listed

• Bail Amount (if bail has been set)

• Next Scheduled Court Date (sometimes available)

• Projected Release Date (less common, may change)

Accessing Public Records in Massachusetts

Relevant Laws

Access to government records in Massachusetts is based on law. The main law is the Massachusetts Public Records Law. It is found in Massachusetts General Laws (MGL) Chapter 66, Section 10. This law states that most government records are presumed public. Anyone can request them. Agencies must provide records unless a specific exemption applies. You can view the law text online. Check the official Massachusetts legislative website for details. A direct link is often available on Mass.gov. Here is a link to the chapter: https://www.mass.gov/lists/mass-general-laws-c66.

How Laws Affect Inmate Information Access

The Public Records Law allows access to much inmate data. This includes booking logs and basic details. However, some information is protected by exemptions. For example, medical records are private (Exemption c). Records that could harm an ongoing probe may be withheld (Exemption f). Records containing Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) have special rules too. Juvenile records are typically kept private. Each Sheriff's Department must follow these laws when giving out information. They balance public access with privacy rights.

Making Formal Records Requests

If a simple phone call or online search does not yield the needed data, you can make a formal public records request. Each Sheriff's Department should have a Records Access Officer (RAO). You can submit a written request to the RAO. This can often be done by mail or email. The request should clearly state the records you seek. The agency usually has ten business days to respond. They might provide the records, deny the request citing exemptions, or ask for more time or fees. Fee details for copies should be provided upfront. Check the specific Sheriff's website for RAO contact info and request procedures. Some may have online request forms.

Contacting Inmates in County Jails

If you find someone in a county jail, you may want to contact them. Rules vary greatly by facility. Always check the specific jail's rules first.

Mail Procedures

You can usually send mail to inmates. Use the inmate's full name and booking number if known. Address it to the jail's mailing address. Check the jail website for the exact format. There are strict rules about what you can send. Letters must not contain contraband. Photos are often allowed but must meet rules (no nudity, etc.). Packages are usually not allowed unless from approved vendors.

Phone Calls

Inmates cannot receive incoming calls. They can make outgoing calls. These are often collect calls. The person receiving the call pays the charges. Jails also use systems where inmates or families set up prepaid phone accounts. This allows inmates to call numbers directly using funds from the account. Check the jail's website or call them for details on their phone service provider and how to set up an account.

Visitation Rules

Visiting an inmate requires following strict rules. You usually need to be on an approved visitor list. This may require filling out an application form in advance. Visits often need to be scheduled. Jails have set visiting hours. These can vary by housing unit or day of the week. There is always a dress code for visitors. Check the specific jail's website or call for detailed visitation policies, schedules, and forms. Be sure to bring valid photo ID.

Important Considerations

Data Accuracy and Updates

Inmate information can change quickly. Online databases might not be updated in real time. Status can change due to court action, transfers, or release. It is best to confirm key information by calling the facility if possible. Especially if related to release dates or bail status. Relying only on an online search might not give the full picture. Official jail staff have the most current data.

Juvenile Records

Information about persons under 18 is generally confidential. Juvenile court records and detention details are not public. You typically cannot find information on minors through public inmate searches. Access is restricted to protect the minor's privacy.

Information Restrictions

Even for adults, not all information is public. Details about medical or mental health are private. Victim information is protected. Specific details of ongoing investigations are often withheld. Jail staff will only release information allowed under the Public Records Law and facility policy.