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Minnesota Inmate Search

A Minnesota inmate search allows the public to find inmates currently incarcerated in jails or prisons in the state. When searching for an inmate, the requesting party must provide the following information for the best results:

  • Inmate’s first and last name (any alias, if applicable)
  • Offense
  • Inmate’s number

Law enforcement officers like the sheriff and police manage inmate information depending on the severity of the crime and the facility where the inmates are incarcerated. On the other hand, the Minnesota Department of Correction is the central repository of inmate records across the state. 

 

What Are Minnesota Inmate Records?

Although the Department of Corrections is the major repository of Minnesota inmate records, other law enforcement and government agencies can be a source of inmate information. A Minnesota inmate search usually contains the following information:

  • Full name of the offender, including any alias
  • Date of birth
  • Identifying physical descriptors
  • Mugshots
  • Offense
  • Date of incarceration
  • Expected release date

Since inmate records are public under the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act (MGDPA), third-party sites can provide inmate information.

 

What Are Minnesota Prison and Jail Records?

Minnesota has 87 counties with 82 jails and 10 state prisons, namely: 

  1. Oak Park Heights Correctional Facility  
  2. Fairbault Correctional Facility  
  3. Lino Lakes Correctional Facility  
  4. Rush City Correctional Facility
  5. Red Wing Correctional Facility  
  6. Shakopee Correctional Facility  
  7. Stillwater Correctional Facility
  8. St. Cloud Correctional Facility  
  9. Willow River/Moose Lake Correctional Facility
  10. Togo Correctional Facility  

 

How To Perform Inmate Search in Minnesota

The Department of Corrections has a dedicated Minnesota inmate search tool online where the public can search using a first and last name or an MNDOC offender ID for a more accurate result. The inmate results include offenders who are released from prison, but are under supervision, and those currently in prison. 

The state’s DOC also has a predator search database with mugshots and demographic information on the following:

  • MNDOC Offender ID
  • Complete name
  • Date of birth
  • Current incarceration status
  • Sentence date
  • Release date
  • Highest rank offense to date
  • Court file number

Note that it might take the DOC a few more days to update and add the names of newly incarcerated individuals to their inmate search database.

 

How To Contact an Inmate in Minnesota

The Minnesota Department of Corrections (MN DOC) allows families and friends to contact inmates via mail. Note that all original mail sent to the MN DOC are retained for 30 days to ensure the safety of the inmates and to reduce the occurence of contraband. 

Mails sent to inmates are limited to 16 ounces per item and a maximum of 20 photos per mail. The mail should also contain the following information:

  • Name
  • Offender’s identification number
  • The facility where the inmate is incarcerated
  • Complete address of the facility

The MN DOC also allows emails through JPay, and senders only have to provide an inmate’s ID number to send emails. 

 

How To Visit an Inmate in Minnesota

A Minnesota inmate search can help the public locate inmates in their respective facilities in order to visit them. 

To visit an inmate, interested parties must first fill out the visiting privilege application form addressed to the MN DOC’s visiting unit:

MCF-Rush City
Attn: Visiting Unit
7600 525th Street
Rush City, MN 55069

Visitors must also schedule must also call ahead of time to schedule an appointment. Below are the contact information for each facility:

  • Togo: 218-376-7849
  • Faribault: 507-332-4500
  • Stillwater: 651-748-7909
  • Rush City: 320-358-0481
  • Shakopee: 952-496-4941
  • Red Wing: 651-267-3653
  • Lino Lakes: 651-717-6578
  • Moose Lake: 218-485-5170
  • St. Cloud: 320-240-3000 ext. 5504
  • Willow River: 218-485-2400
  • Oak Park Heights: 651-779-1400 (when prompted, select option 3, then select option 6)

Visitors must arrive at least 15 minutes before their scheduled visit, comply with the screening process, and will only be allowed no more than an hour of visitation. 

 

How To Send Money to an Inmate in Minnesota

Just like sending emails, the MN DOC allows sending money to inmates via JPay. Interested parties can send money online, via phone at 800-6754-5729, using the mobile app, cashing in at MoneyGram, or using the money order deposit slip and providing the following information:

  • Sender’s date of birth
  • Money order amount
  • Offender’s ID number
  • Offender’s full name
  • Institution/facility where the offender is incarcerated
  • Sender’s email
  • Sender’s information, including full name, contact number, and complete address

If unsure about the facility, a quick Minnesota inmate search can provide information on where an inmate in currently incarcerated. 

Applicable rates depend on the mode of the transaction (online, phone, cash, or walk-in) and the deposit amount. Successful deposits will be posted to the inmate’s account on the next business day during business hours after verification.

 

Counties in Minnesota

List of Content

  1. What Are Minnesota Inmate Records?
    1. What Are Minnesota Prison and Jail Records?
      1. How To Perform Inmate Search in Minnesota
        1. How To Contact an Inmate in Minnesota
          1. How To Visit an Inmate in Minnesota
            1. How To Send Money to an Inmate in Minnesota