Chisago County Public Records /Chisago County Inmate Search

Chisago County Inmate Search

What Is Inmate Records In Chisago County?

Inmate records in Chisago County are official documents created and maintained by the Chisago County Sheriff's Office Corrections and Jail Division to document individuals who are or have been held in county custody. These records are distinct from court records: the Minnesota Judicial Branch maintains case files related to criminal proceedings, while the jail maintains custody records that track an individual's physical detention from the moment of booking through release.

Record creation begins at intake, when correctional staff collect identifying information, document the charges, and assign a booking number. The record is updated continuously throughout the period of incarceration to reflect changes in housing assignment, disciplinary actions, medical notes (where permitted by law), and court appearances. Upon release, the record is closed and archived in accordance with Minnesota's records retention schedules.

Under Minnesota Statutes § 13.82, law enforcement agencies are required to maintain arrest and booking data as public government data, subject to specific exceptions. The Chisago County Corrections and Jail Division administers these records at the local level.

Are Inmate Records Public In Chisago County?

Inmate records in Chisago County are generally public under Minnesota law. Pursuant to Minnesota Statutes § 13.82, arrest data, booking information, and related law enforcement records are classified as public government data and must be made available to members of the public upon request. The Minnesota Government Data Practices Act (Minn. Stat. § 13.01 et seq.) establishes the overarching framework under which all government data, including correctional records, is presumed public unless a specific statutory exception applies.

The following categories of inmate information are currently accessible to the public:

Current inmate roster and booking records
Full legal name and date of birth
Charges filed at the time of arrest
Bail or bond amounts set by the court
Arresting agency and date of arrest
Housing facility and current custody status
Expected or actual release date (where available)

Certain data elements, including medical records, juvenile records, and information that could compromise an ongoing investigation, are classified as private or protected data and are not subject to public disclosure. Members of the public may use the Chisago County Inmate Locator to access current custody information at no charge.

What's Included in Inmate Records in Chisago County

Inmate records maintained by the Chisago County Jail contain multiple categories of data compiled from booking through release. The following breakdown reflects the standard data elements included in a complete custody record.

Basic Identifying Information:

Full legal name and any known aliases
Date of birth and age
Gender, race, and physical descriptors (height, weight, hair and eye color)
Booking photograph (mugshot)
Assigned booking or inmate identification number

Custody Information:

Date and time of booking
Arresting agency
Current housing unit or cell assignment
Custody status (pre-trial, sentenced, or held for another jurisdiction)

Charge Information:

All charges filed at the time of arrest
Statute citations for each charge
Charge severity (felony, gross misdemeanor, misdemeanor)

Bond/Bail Information:

Bail amount set by the court
Bond type (cash, surety, or conditional release)
Current bond status

Court Information:

Next scheduled court date
Presiding court and case number
Case records accessible through Minnesota Court Records Online (MCRO)

Sentence Information (if convicted and serving sentence):

Length of sentence imposed
Sentence start date
Credit for time served

Release Information:

Projected release date
Actual release date upon discharge
Release type (completion of sentence, bond posted, transfer, or court order)

Chisago County Prison System

Chisago County operates a single county jail that serves as the primary detention facility for individuals arrested within the county. The jail holds individuals who are awaiting trial, serving sentences of up to one year for misdemeanor or gross misdemeanor offenses, or being held temporarily pending transfer to a state correctional facility. Individuals convicted of felony offenses and sentenced to terms exceeding one year are transferred to facilities operated by the Minnesota Department of Corrections.

The Chisago County Corrections and Jail Division operates under the authority of the Chisago County Sheriff's Office. Correctional officers are responsible for facility security, inmate supervision, and the administration of programs and services during incarceration.

Chisago County Sheriff's Office – Corrections and Jail Division 313 N. Main Street, Center City, MN 55012 (651) 257-4100 Chisago County Corrections and Jail Division

Types of Correctional Facilities In Chisago County

Chisago County currently operates one primary correctional facility at the county level. Individuals who cannot be located through the county inmate search may have been transferred to a state facility or released.

Chisago County Jail 313 N. Main Street, Center City, MN 55012 (651) 257-4100 Public counter hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Chisago County Corrections and Jail Division

For individuals who may be held in a Minnesota state prison, the Minnesota Department of Corrections offender locator provides a statewide search tool. The Minnesota DOC also maintains a search for individuals and fugitives database for individuals under active supervision or classified as fugitives.

Minnesota Department of Corrections – Central Office 1450 Energy Park Drive, St. Paul, MN 55108 (651) 361-7200 Minnesota Department of Corrections

Who's in Prison In Chisago County

The Chisago County Jail houses several categories of individuals at any given time. Understanding who is held at the county level helps members of the public determine where to direct inquiries.

Pre-trial detainees: Individuals who have been arrested and charged but have not yet been convicted; they are held because they have not posted bail or have been denied release.
Sentenced misdemeanants: Individuals who have been convicted of misdemeanor or gross misdemeanor offenses and are serving sentences of up to one year.
Hold inmates: Individuals held on behalf of another jurisdiction, including federal detainers or warrants from other counties or states.
Civil commitments: Individuals held pursuant to a court order unrelated to a criminal conviction.
Work release participants: Sentenced individuals who are permitted to leave the facility for employment during designated hours.

Individuals serving felony sentences of more than one year are not housed at the county jail; they are transferred to a Minnesota Department of Corrections facility.

How To Search for Inmate Records In Chisago County

Members of the public may search for current inmate information through several official channels. The following steps outline the available methods.

Online Search:

Navigate to the Chisago County Inmate Locator.
Enter the individual's first name, last name, or booking number in the designated search fields.
Review the results, which display current custody status, charges, and bail information.
If no results appear, consult the jail's frequently asked questions for guidance on alternative search options.

By Telephone: Members of the public may call the Chisago County Jail at (651) 257-4100 during business hours to inquire about an individual's custody status.

In Person: Requests may be submitted in person at the Chisago County Sheriff's Office, 313 N. Main Street, Center City, MN 55012, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

For State-Level Records: Individuals who may be held in a Minnesota state correctional facility may be located using the Minnesota DOC's offender locator search tool. Court case records associated with criminal proceedings are accessible through the Minnesota Judicial Branch or through Minnesota Court Records Online.

How To Find an Inmate in Chisago County for Free?

Several no-cost methods are available for locating an inmate currently held in Chisago County or elsewhere in Minnesota.

Chisago County Inmate Locator: The county's online inmate search is available to the public at no charge, 24 hours a day.
Telephone inquiry: Calling the jail directly at (651) 257-4100 during business hours provides free verbal confirmation of custody status.
Minnesota DOC Offender Locator: The state's public offender search is a free tool for locating individuals held in state prisons or under DOC supervision.
Minnesota DOC Individuals and Fugitives Search: The search for individuals and fugitives page provides additional information on individuals under active supervision.
Court records: Basic case information is available at no cost through Minnesota Court Records Online (MCRO), which may confirm whether an individual has an active case and associated custody status.

How To Visit an Inmate In Chisago County

Visitation at the Chisago County Jail is governed by facility rules established by the Corrections and Jail Division. Members of the public wishing to visit an incarcerated individual must comply with all applicable procedures. Detailed and current visitation information is available on the Public Need to Know Information page.

Visit Rules and Procedures:

All visitors must be pre-approved by jail administration before a visit is permitted.
Visitors are required to present valid, government-issued photo identification at the time of the visit.
Visits may be denied or terminated if the visitor or inmate violates facility rules.

Visit Schedule:

Visitation schedules are set by the facility and are subject to change based on operational needs. Members of the public should contact the jail at (651) 257-4100 to confirm current visitation hours before arriving.

What to Bring:

Valid government-issued photo identification (driver's license, state ID, or passport)

What NOT to Bring:

Weapons, controlled substances, alcohol, or any contraband items
Unauthorized food, beverages, or packages
Electronic devices not expressly permitted by facility policy

Dress Code:

Visitors must dress appropriately; clothing that resembles inmate attire or law enforcement uniforms is prohibited. Revealing or offensive clothing is not permitted.

Visit Types:

The Chisago County Jail currently offers in-person contact or non-contact visits, as well as video visitation options, subject to availability and inmate eligibility.

Visit Restrictions:

Individuals with active warrants, individuals on probation or parole (without prior approval), and individuals who have been placed on a restricted visitor list may be denied entry. Minors must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.

How To Send Money to a Chisago County Inmate

Funds may be deposited into an inmate's commissary account to allow the purchase of approved personal items. The jail services page provides current information on accepted deposit methods.

Accepted Methods:

Deposits may be made through the commissary service provider, Turnkey Corrections, via approved online or kiosk-based platforms.
Members of the public should verify currently accepted payment methods directly with the facility, as procedures are subject to change.

Amount Limits and Fees:

Deposit limits and any associated transaction fees are established by the commissary provider and are subject to change. Fees, if applicable, are typically assessed per transaction.

What the Money Can Be Used For:

Approved commissary items including personal hygiene products, writing materials, and food items available through the jail's commissary program.

What the Money Cannot Be Used For:

Funds in a commissary account may not be used to pay fines, court costs, or restitution unless specifically authorized by a court order.

How To Send Jail Mail In Chisago County

Inmates at the Chisago County Jail may send and receive mail in accordance with facility rules. All incoming and outgoing mail is subject to inspection by correctional staff pursuant to facility security protocols and applicable Minnesota law. The Public Need to Know Information page provides the official mailing address and current mail guidelines.

Mailing Address Format: All mail sent to an inmate must be addressed as follows:

[Full Legal Name of Inmate] Chisago County Jail 313 N. Main Street Center City, MN 55012

Mail Rules:

All letters must be written on plain paper; cards and letters with glitter, stickers, or other attachments may be rejected.
Photographs may be permitted subject to size and content restrictions established by the facility.
Books and publications must be sent directly from a publisher or approved vendor; hand-delivered or personally mailed books may not be accepted.
Mail containing contraband, threatening language, or content that poses a security risk will be confiscated and may result in disciplinary action.
Legal mail from attorneys is handled separately and is subject to different inspection procedures under Minn. Stat. § 243.55, which governs inmate correspondence rights.
Outgoing mail from inmates is processed through the facility and sent via the United States Postal Service.