St. Louis County Inmate Search
What Is Inmate Records In St. Louis County?
Inmate records are official documents created and maintained by correctional facilities and law enforcement agencies to document the custody status, personal history, and legal circumstances of individuals held in detention. In St. Louis County, Minnesota, these records are generated and managed by the St. Louis County Sheriff's Office, which oversees the county jail system headquartered in Duluth.
Inmate records are distinct from court records. The district court maintains case files, docket entries, and judicial orders related to criminal proceedings, while the jail maintains custody records that track an individual's physical detention. These two record systems are complementary but administered by separate governmental bodies.
The lifecycle of an inmate record begins at the point of booking or intake, when a person is first received into custody. The record is updated continuously throughout the period of incarceration to reflect changes in housing assignment, disciplinary actions, medical notes, and legal status. Upon release, the record is closed and archived in accordance with applicable retention schedules. Under Minnesota Statute § 13.82, law enforcement agencies are required to maintain and make available certain arrest and detention data as part of the state's public data framework.
St. Louis County Sheriff's Office 100 N. 5th Ave W, Duluth, MN 55802 (218) 726-2340 St. Louis County Sheriff's Office
Are Inmate Records Public In St. Louis County?
Inmate records in St. Louis County are generally accessible to the public under Minnesota's Government Data Practices Act. Minnesota Statute § 13.82 classifies arrest data, booking information, and current custody status as public government data, meaning members of the public may inspect and obtain copies of these records without demonstrating a specific need or legal interest.
The following categories of information are currently accessible to the public:
- Current inmate roster — a regularly updated list of individuals held in the St. Louis County Jail
- Booking and arrest records — date, time, and location of arrest
- Charges filed — criminal charges associated with the individual's detention
- Bond and bail amounts — financial conditions of release set by the court
- Expected release dates — projected or scheduled release information where available
- Housing facility — the specific facility or unit where the individual is held
Certain data elements, including medical records, juvenile records, and information that could compromise an ongoing investigation, are classified as private or protected data under Minnesota Statute § 13.02 and are not subject to public disclosure.
What's Included Inmate Records in St. Louis County
Inmate records maintained by the St. Louis County Sheriff's Office contain a comprehensive set of data fields compiled from the point of booking through release. The following categories represent the standard components of a complete inmate record:
Basic Identifying Information:
- Full legal name and known aliases
- Date of birth
- Gender and race/ethnicity
- Physical descriptors (height, weight, hair color, eye color)
- Booking photograph (mugshot)
Custody Information:
- Booking date and time
- Arresting agency
- Current housing location within the facility
- Inmate identification number (LID#)
Charge Information:
- Specific criminal charges
- Charge level (felony, gross misdemeanor, misdemeanor)
- Statute cited for each charge
Bond/Bail Information:
- Bail amount set by the court
- Bond type (cash, surety, conditional release)
- Current bond status
Court Information:
- Next scheduled court date
- Presiding court and case number
- Attorney of record (where applicable)
Sentence Information (if convicted and serving sentence):
- Sentence length imposed
- Sentence start date
- Credit for time served
Release Information:
- Projected release date
- Release type (bond, sentence completion, transfer, court order)
- Conditions of release, if any
St. Louis County Prison System
St. Louis County operates a county jail system designed to house individuals awaiting trial, those serving sentences of up to one year for misdemeanor or gross misdemeanor offenses, and individuals held on detainers or transfers from other jurisdictions. The county jail is distinct from Minnesota state prisons, which are administered by the Minnesota Department of Corrections and house individuals convicted of felony offenses sentenced to terms exceeding one year.
The St. Louis County Jail is operated under the authority of the St. Louis County Sheriff's Office. Sheriff Gordon Ramsay, elected in November 2022 and sworn into office on January 10, 2023, currently oversees all jail operations. The facility serves as the primary detention center for the county and processes bookings from multiple law enforcement agencies operating within St. Louis County, including the Minnesota State Patrol and municipal police departments.
St. Louis County Sheriff's Office 100 N. 5th Ave W, Duluth, MN 55802 (218) 726-2340 St. Louis County Sheriff's Office
Types of Correctional Facilities In St. Louis County
St. Louis County operates one primary detention facility for the incarceration of adults within the county's jurisdiction.
St. Louis County Jail The St. Louis County Jail is the county's principal correctional facility, located in Duluth. It provides pre-trial detention, post-conviction housing for short-term sentences, and temporary holding for individuals awaiting transfer to state or federal facilities. The facility is staffed and managed by the St. Louis County Sheriff's Office.
St. Louis County Jail 100 N. 5th Ave W, Duluth, MN 55802 (218) 726-2340 St. Louis County Jail
Individuals convicted of felony offenses and sentenced to terms exceeding one year are transferred to facilities operated by the Minnesota Department of Corrections. Members of the public seeking information on individuals held in state custody may use the offender search tool available through the Minnesota Department of Corrections search for individuals and fugitives portal.
Who's in Prison In St. Louis County
The St. Louis County Jail houses several categories of individuals at any given time. Understanding who is held in the county facility, as opposed to a state or federal institution, assists members of the public in directing their inquiries appropriately.
Individuals currently held in the St. Louis County Jail typically include:
- Pre-trial detainees — persons arrested and charged with a criminal offense who have not yet been convicted and are unable to post bail or have been denied release
- Sentenced misdemeanants — individuals convicted of misdemeanor or gross misdemeanor offenses serving sentences of up to one year
- Hold and detainer cases — individuals held on behalf of another jurisdiction, including federal immigration detainers or out-of-county warrants
- Probation and parole violators — individuals alleged to have violated the conditions of supervised release pending a hearing
- Civil commitments — in limited circumstances, individuals subject to civil commitment orders may be temporarily housed in the facility
Individuals serving felony sentences of more than one year are housed in Minnesota Department of Corrections facilities and do not appear on the St. Louis County Jail roster.
How To Search for Inmate Records In St. Louis County in 2026
Members of the public may access inmate records through several official channels maintained by the St. Louis County Sheriff's Office. The following steps outline the available search methods:
Online Inmate Roster Search:
- Navigate to the St. Louis County inmate roster on the official county website.
- Browse the current list of individuals in custody, which is updated on a regular basis.
- Locate the individual by name to view available public data, including charges, booking date, and LID number.
- A downloadable jail roster PDF is also available for offline reference.
In-Person Records Request:
- Visit the St. Louis County Sheriff's Office at 100 N. 5th Ave W, Duluth, MN 55802 during regular business hours.
- Submit a written data request pursuant to Minnesota Statute § 13.03, which governs public access to government data.
- Staff will respond within the timeframe required by law, providing responsive public data or a written explanation for any denial.
Telephone Inquiry:
- Contact the St. Louis County Sheriff's Office at (218) 726-2340.
- Provide the full name and date of birth of the individual being sought.
- Staff will confirm current custody status and provide publicly available information.
How To Find an Inmate in St. Louis County for Free?
Members of the public may locate an inmate in St. Louis County at no cost through the following official resources:
- Online Jail Roster — The St. Louis County Sheriff's Office maintains a publicly accessible current inmate list in Duluth that is available at no charge and requires no account registration.
- Downloadable PDF Roster — A printable version of the St. Louis County jail roster is available for download from the county website free of charge.
- Minnesota Department of Corrections Offender Search — For individuals who may have been transferred to state custody, the Minnesota DOC offender locator provides a free search tool covering all state correctional facilities.
- Telephone Inquiry — Members of the public may call the St. Louis County Sheriff's Office at (218) 726-2340 to request verbal confirmation of an individual's custody status at no cost.
How To Visit an Inmate In St. Louis County
Visitation at the St. Louis County Jail is governed by facility rules established by the Sheriff's Office. Members of the public wishing to visit an incarcerated individual must comply with all applicable regulations.
Visit Rules and Procedures:
- All visitors must be approved in advance and placed on the inmate's approved visitor list.
- Valid government-issued photo identification is required for all visitors at the time of the visit.
- Visitors must complete a visitor registration form prior to their first visit.
Visit Schedule:
- Visitation schedules are set by the facility and may vary by housing unit. Members of the public should contact the St. Louis County Jail directly at (218) 726-2340 to confirm current visitation hours.
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
- Cell phones or electronic recording devices into the secure visitation area
- Food, beverages, or packages not authorized by facility staff
Dress Code:
- Visitors are required to dress appropriately. Clothing that resembles inmate uniforms or law enforcement attire is prohibited. Revealing or offensive clothing may result in denial of entry.
Visit Types:
- The St. Louis County Jail currently offers in-person contact or non-contact visits depending on the inmate's classification and housing assignment. Video visitation options may also be available; members of the public should confirm availability with facility staff.
Visit Restrictions:
- Individuals with active warrants, pending criminal charges related to the facility, or who have been previously banned from the facility may be denied visitation privileges.
- Minors must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian and must also appear on the approved visitor list.
How To Send Money to a St. Louis County Inmate
Funds may be deposited into an inmate's account to allow for the purchase of commissary items, telephone services, and other approved goods available through the facility.
Methods for Sending Money:
- Online deposits — Funds may be submitted electronically through the jail's approved third-party deposit service. Members of the public should contact the St. Louis County Jail for the current approved vendor and platform.
- Money order — Money orders made payable to the inmate (including full legal name and LID number) may be mailed to the facility.
- In-person kiosk — Depending on current facility operations, a deposit kiosk may be available at the jail lobby.
Amount Limits:
- Specific deposit limits per transaction or per day may apply. Members of the public should verify current limits with the facility prior to submitting funds.
Fees:
- Third-party deposit services typically assess a transaction fee. The fee amount varies by deposit method and provider.
What You Cannot Send:
- Cash sent through the mail is not accepted and will not be credited to an inmate's account.
- Personal checks are generally not accepted.
What the Money Can and Cannot Be Used For:
- Funds in an inmate's account may be used for commissary purchases (hygiene items, snacks, writing materials), telephone calls, and approved electronic services.
- Inmate account funds may not be used to pay fines, court fees, or restitution directly through the commissary system unless specifically authorized by court order.
How To Send Jail Mail In St. Louis County
Correspondence sent to inmates at the St. Louis County Jail must comply with facility mail policies established by the Sheriff's Office. All incoming mail is subject to inspection by facility staff in accordance with security protocols.
Mailing Address for Inmate Mail:
Inmate mail should be addressed as follows:
Inmate Full Legal Name / LID# St. Louis County Jail 100 N. 5th Ave W Duluth, MN 55802
Rules for Sending Mail:
- The sender's full name and return address must appear on the outside of the envelope. Anonymous mail will not be delivered.
- Only standard white envelopes are accepted. Padded envelopes, packages, or parcels are not permitted unless specifically authorized.
- All letters must be written on plain white paper. Stickers, glitter, staples, paper clips, or other attachments are prohibited.
- Photographs may be permitted subject to facility guidelines; members of the public should confirm current photo policies with jail staff.
- Greeting cards may be subject to restrictions depending on their content and construction.
- Publications such as books and magazines must be sent directly from a publisher or approved retailer and addressed to the inmate with the LID number included.
- Mail containing threats, coded language, or references to criminal activity will be confiscated and may result in disciplinary action or criminal referral.
- All incoming mail is opened and inspected by facility staff before delivery to the inmate. Legal mail from licensed attorneys is handled under separate procedures to protect attorney-client privilege.
Members of the public with questions regarding specific mail items or restrictions should contact the St. Louis County Jail at (218) 726-2340 or consult the facility's current mail policy available through the St. Louis County Jail information page.