Erie County Ohio Inmate Search

Thank you for visiting our page. We will do our best to help you with your Erie County Inmate Search. We aim to give you the facts you need.

If you want to start your Erie County Inmate Search right now, go to https://ohioinmaterecords.com/erie-county-inmate-search/. This site may help you find who you look for fast. It is a good place to check first for quick search needs. Many find it a key tool. Use it if time is short for you.

Erie County OH Inmate Search: Locating an Inmate

Find out how to look for a person held in Erie County. There are a few key ways to do this. Most ways use the web or a phone call.

Official Erie County Sheriff's Office Resources

The Sheriff's Office is the main place for local jail facts. They keep lists of who is in jail. You can check their website. Or you can call the jail. This is a good first step. You can get facts like names and book dates.

The Erie County Sheriff's Office website has a part for inmate information. Look at https://www.eriecounty.oh.gov/sheriffsoffice.aspx to see what they list. Sometimes they have a jail roster. This list shows who is in jail now. It may show why they are there too. The site will show how to use their search if they have one. You might find full name, charge, and bond facts. These facts help you know more. It is a good source from the county.

You can also call the Erie County Jail. The Jail Division phone number is (419) 627-7569. Call this number to ask if someone is in the jail. Have the person's full name and birth date if you can. This will help them find the right person fast. Ask what facts they can give you on the phone. They may tell you if the person is there. They might give bond facts too. Keep your questions short and to the point. This helps them help you and others. This line is for the jail part of the Sheriff's Office.

Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction (ODRC) Offender Search

If the person is in a state prison, not the county jail, use the ODRC search. The ODRC keeps track of all state prisoners in Ohio. This is a large list. It is free to search.

You can get to the ODRC Offender Search portal online. The website is https://appgateway.drc.ohio.gov/OffenderSearch. This tool lets you search for people in any Ohio state prison. You can search by name. You can search by their offender number if you know it. You can also search by county of commitment. This means the county where they were sent to prison from. This search is not for county jails. It is only for state prisons.

The ODRC site shows facts like the person's name and number. It shows the prison where they are. It may show what crime they did. It can also show when they might get out. These facts are for state prison inmates only. Remember to check both the county jail and state site if you are not sure where they are. The site has notes on how to search best. For girls, their number may start with 'W'. For boys, it may start with 'A' or 'R'. Most boys use 'A'. Numbers are six digits. If it is a five digit number, add a zero at the start.

VINE (Victim Information and Notification Everyday) System

VINE is a service for victims of crime. It helps them stay safe. It tells them if an offender moves.

VINE stands for Victim Information and Notification Everyday. It is a free service. It gives news on who is in jail or prison. It also tells you if they get out. This helps people feel safe. You can use VINE online or by phone. It is run by a group called Appriss. They work with the state. The site is https://www.vinelink.com. From there, you can pick Ohio to get facts for this state.

To get news, you must sign up. Go to the VINE website. Choose Ohio. Then search for the offender. You can use their name or ID number. Once you find them, you can ask for news. You can get news by phone. You can get it by email. You can also get it by text. VINE will tell you if the person moves to a new jail. It will tell you if they get out. It will also tell you if they escape. This helps you plan for your safety. It is a good tool for peace of mind. It is there for you 24 hours a day. It speaks many tongues if you need help.

Understanding an Inmate's Status and Case in Erie County

Learn how to check the status of an inmate. Find facts on their case in Erie County. This means court dates and what they are charged with.

Accessing Erie County Court Records

Court records show what is happening with a case. You can find these at the Clerk of Courts office. There are two main courts in Erie County.

The Erie County Clerk of Courts is at 323 Columbus Avenue, First Floor, Sandusky, Ohio 44870. Their phone number for record orders is (419) 626-5633 Ext. 5122. They keep records for the Common Pleas Court. This court handles bigger cases. Call them or go there to ask for records. They are open on work days.

The Erie County Municipal Court is at 150 W Mason Rd, Milan, OH 44846. The phone is (419) 499-4689. This court handles smaller cases. Sometimes you can look up records online. Check their website at https://www.eriecounty.oh.gov/RecordSearch.aspx. This site lets you search by name or case number. The facts online may not be real time. There can be a delay. So for full facts, go to the court or call.

Public access to court records in Ohio is based on state law. The Ohio Revised Code § 149.43 says most court files are public. Also, Rule 45 of the Rules of Superintendence for the Courts of Ohio gives a right to see court files. This means you can ask to see most files. But some files are not public. These can be medical files. Files on adoptions are sealed. Things said by a court worker may also be sealed. The law aims to be open but also keep some things safe. When you ask for files, the clerk will help you get what is public. You may have to pay a small fee for copies.

Charges, Bond, and Sentencing Information

When someone is in jail, they have charges. They may have a bond set. This part tells you more.

Charge descriptions tell you what crime the person is said to have done. You can find this on the jail roster. Court records will also show the charges. These can be a short phrase like "burglary" or "assault."

Bond is an amount of money. It can be paid to get someone out of jail while their case goes on. The Erie County Sheriff's Office has rules for bond. You must post bond using a money order only. Make it out to the court that has the case. The person who buys the money order must put their name on it. The jail will not take cash for bond. They do not take checks or credit cards for bond. This is very important to know. Damaged money orders or ones from banks far away may not be good. If the case is in Vermilion Municipal Court, you cannot post bond at the jail. You must go to the Vermilion Court during work hours. Or go to the Vermilion Police Department after hours. Bond agents can post some types of bonds at the jail if they are known by the jail. This is for all courts but Vermilion.

Communicating with and Supporting an Inmate in Erie County Jail

There are ways to talk to and help someone in Erie County Jail. This means visits, mail, and money. Each has rules to follow.

Inmate Visitation

Visits at the Erie County Jail are by video. This means you do not see them in person face to face. You see them on a screen. There are rules for this.

All visits are by video. You can do this from your home if you have a good camera and web link. This is a paid service. These visits can be any day. The hours are 7:00 AM to 1:45 PM. Then again from 2:15 PM to 5:30 PM. Each inmate can have up to one hour of these paid video visits each day. You can also go to the Sheriff’s Office lobby. They have video screens there. These are free to use. They are first come, first served. These free visits can be for one hour per week per inmate. The hours are the same: 7:00 AM to 1:45 PM, and 2:15 PM to 5:30 PM. There are no in person contact visits. Make sure to check for any new rules on the Sheriff's website. Dress well for all visits, even by video. Act calm and nice. Do not break any rules. This will help make sure you can visit again. Have your ID ready if you go to the lobby.

Sending Mail to an Inmate

You can send letters to an inmate. This helps them feel in touch. Use the right form.

Mail for an inmate at Erie County Jail should be sent like this: Erie County Sheriff's Department Attn: (Inmate's Full Name)/Jail 2800 Columbus Avenue Sandusky, OH 44870

Do not send things they cannot have. This means no drugs. No sharp things. No cash in the mail. Stick to letters and cards. Sometimes photos are fine if they are not bad. Check with the jail if you are not sure. If you send things not allowed, the inmate may not get your mail. Or you could get in trouble. Keep mail safe and clean. It is a good way to show you care. All mail will be checked before it goes to the inmate. This is for safety.

Sending Money to an Inmate (Commissary Account)

Inmates need money for some things in jail. This is for their canteen or commissary account. They can buy food snacks or things for hygiene.

There are two ways to put money in an inmate's account at Erie County Jail. You can do it online at www.inmatecanteen.com. This site takes debit or credit cards. You will need the inmate's name and ID number. There may be a small fee to use this service. The other way is to use the kiosk in the lobby of the Sheriff’s Office. This machine takes cash, debit cards, or credit cards. The Sheriff's Office is at 2800 Columbus Avenue, Sandusky, OH. The lobby is open during set hours. This kiosk also may charge a fee.

Money in their account helps them. They can buy extra food items. They can buy things like soap, toothpaste, or stamps. They can also use it to pay for phone calls or video visits. Having funds can make their time in jail a bit more bearable. Make sure you send funds to the right person. Double check their name and ID if you use the online site.

Inmate Phone Calls

Inmates can make phone calls. These are mostly collect calls. This means the person who gets the call pays.

The Erie County Jail uses a collect call system. The inmate will call you. If you pick up, a voice will tell you it is a call from the jail. It will ask if you want to pay for the call. If you say yes, then you can talk. If your phone does not let collect calls come in, you need to fix it. You can call Correctional Billing Services at 1-800-844-6591. They can help you set up your phone to get calls from the jail. They are the ones who run the phone system for the jail.

If you want to stop calls from the jail to your phone, you can. You need to call the same Correctional Billing Services. Their number is 1-800-844-6591. Ask them to block calls from the Erie County Jail to your number. They can help you with this. Be sure to have your phone number ready when you call. They will help you take care of it. This stop will only be for calls from the jail.

Erie County Sheriff's Office and Jail Contact Information

Here is how to reach the Erie County Sheriff's Office and Jail. Keep these numbers and spots handy.

Erie County Sheriff's Office

The head of the Erie County Sheriff's Office is Sheriff Paul Sigsworth. He is in charge of the office and the jail. The main office is where you can find him and his staff.

The mailing address for the Erie County Sheriff's Office is: 2800 Columbus Ave Sandusky, OH 44870

Here are key phone numbers:

• General Phone: (419) 625-7951

• Civil Division Phone: (419) 627-7566

• Jail Division Phone: (419) 627-7569

You can also use email to reach them:

• Sheriff Paul Sigsworth: psigsworth@eriecounty.oh.gov

• Lieutenant Sidney Timko (Jail Administrator): STimko@eriecounty.oh.gov

• General Jail Questions: jail@eriecounty.oh.gov

• General Sheriff Office: sheriff@eriecounty.oh.gov

For non-emergency things, office hours are typically Monday to Friday, from 8 AM to 4 PM. This is for things like getting reports or asking civil questions. The jail runs all day, every day. Call the Jail Division for jail specific needs at any time. It's best to call first before going to make sure someone can help you.

Important Associated Departments

Some other county offices work with the Sheriff. These may be useful too.

The Erie County Department of Human Resources handles jobs with the county. If you want to work at the Sheriff's Office, call them. Their phone is (419) 627-7678. Their office is at 2900 Columbus Avenue, Second Floor, Sandusky, Ohio, 44870. They list jobs there and on the web.

The Victim Assistance Program helps victims of crime. The Sheriff's Office website, https://www.eriecounty.oh.gov/sheriffsoffice.aspx, lists this as a resource. Look there for how to get in touch with them. They can give support and facts to those hurt by crime. This is a key part of the county's work.

Additional Resources and Information

Here is more helpful information. It is about an inmate's things and laws. Also how to get some reports.

Inmate Property

When an inmate goes to state prison from the county jail, they may leave things. There are rules for this.

If an inmate leaves things at the jail when they go to prison, someone can pick them up. The inmate must choose who gets their things. That person has fourteen (14) days from when the inmate left the jail to get the items. If no one gets the things in those 14 days, the jail will throw them away. So it is key to act fast if you need to pick up things for someone. Call the jail at (419) 627-7569 to ask how to do this.

Ohio Laws and Regulations

Laws say how public records work. The state has rules for its prisons too.

The Ohio Revised Code § 149.43 is the state's Public Records Act. This law says that most government records are open to the public. This includes many court and jail records. There are some things not public to keep people safe, like health records. You can look up this law online to see all its parts.

The Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction (ODRC) runs the state prison system. Their website is https://www.drc.ohio.gov. This site has a lot of facts. It has facts on each prison. It tells about programs for inmates. It also has the offender search tool we talked about. This is a good place to learn more about state prisons in Ohio.

Records and Reports

You may need a copy of a police report. The Sheriff's Office has a place for this.

The Erie County Sheriff's Office Records Department can help you. Their phone number is (419) 625-7951 ext 6250. They are open Monday to Friday, from 8 AM to 4 PM. You can call them to ask how to get a report. Sometimes you can search for some kinds of reports online. This is for things like small accidents or thefts. That site is eriecosooh.glyphreports.com. Not all reports are there. Call the Records Department for help if you cannot find what you need. There may be a fee for copies of reports. Ask them when you call.