Kandiyohi County Public Records /Kandiyohi County Inmate Search

Kandiyohi County Inmate Search

What Is Inmate Records In Kandiyohi County?

Inmate records in Kandiyohi County are official documents created and maintained by the Kandiyohi County Sheriff's Office and its correctional division, documenting the custody status, personal history, and legal circumstances of individuals held in county detention facilities. These records are distinct from court records: while the Kandiyohi County District Court maintains case files, pleadings, and judicial orders, the jail maintains custody records that track an individual's physical presence within the facility.

The record creation process begins at booking and intake, when a person is first received into custody. At that point, staff collect identifying information, document the charges, photograph the individual, and record any relevant medical or security notes. Records are continuously updated throughout the period of incarceration to reflect changes in housing assignment, disciplinary actions, court appearances, and bond status. Upon release, the record is closed and archived, though it remains subject to public records requests under applicable law.

Under Minnesota Statutes § 13.82, law enforcement agencies are required to maintain arrest and booking data as part of their official records. This statute governs the classification and disclosure of criminal justice data held by agencies such as the Kandiyohi County Sheriff's Office.

Kandiyohi County Sheriff's Office 2201 23rd St NE, Willmar, MN 56201 (320) 214-6700 Kandiyohi County Sheriff's Office

Are Inmate Records Public In Kandiyohi County?

Inmate records in Kandiyohi County are generally accessible to members of the public under Minnesota's Government Data Practices Act. Pursuant to Minnesota Statutes § 13.03, government data collected and maintained by state and local agencies is presumed public unless classified otherwise by statute or federal law. The Minnesota Department of Corrections and county-level facilities operate under this framework, meaning that a substantial portion of inmate data is available upon request.

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

Current inmate roster — names and booking dates of individuals presently in custody
Booking and arrest records — date, time, and location of arrest
Charges filed — criminal charges associated with the current custody period
Mugshots — booking photographs, subject to agency policy
Bond and bail amounts — amounts set by the court for pretrial release
Expected release dates — projected or scheduled release information where available
Housing facility — the specific facility where the individual is held

Certain data elements may be restricted, including medical records, juvenile records, and information that could compromise an ongoing investigation. The Minnesota Government Data Practices Act provides the legal framework under which these distinctions are made.

What's Included in Inmate Records in Kandiyohi County

Inmate records maintained by the Kandiyohi County Sheriff's Office contain multiple categories of data compiled from the point of arrest through release.

Basic Identifying Information:

Full legal name and known aliases
Date of birth
Gender, race, and physical descriptors (height, weight, eye and hair color)
Booking photograph (mugshot)
State identification number and FBI number (if applicable)

Custody Information:

Booking date and time
Arresting agency
Current housing assignment within the facility
Custody status (pretrial, sentenced, hold for another jurisdiction)

Charge Information:

Specific criminal charges (statute citations)
Charge level (felony, gross misdemeanor, misdemeanor)
Offense date and jurisdiction

Bond/Bail Information:

Bail amount set by the court
Bond type (cash, surety, conditional release)
Bond status (posted, pending, denied)

Court Information:

Case number(s)
Next scheduled court date
Presiding court and judicial officer

Sentence Information (if convicted and serving sentence):

Sentence length
Sentence start date
Credit for time served
Conditions of sentence (work release, electronic monitoring)

Release Information:

Projected release date
Release type (expiration of sentence, bond posted, transfer, court order)
Supervision conditions upon release, if applicable

Kandiyohi County Prison System

Kandiyohi County operates a local jail system designed to house individuals awaiting trial and those serving sentences of up to one year for misdemeanor and gross misdemeanor offenses. The county jail is administered by the Kandiyohi County Sheriff's Office and functions as the primary detention facility for the county. This system is distinct from the Minnesota state prison system, which is administered by the Minnesota Department of Corrections and houses individuals convicted of felony offenses with sentences exceeding one year.

The county jail serves multiple functions: it holds individuals who have been arrested and are awaiting arraignment or trial, houses those who have been sentenced to short-term incarceration, and may temporarily hold individuals subject to immigration detainers or awaiting transfer to state or federal facilities.

Kandiyohi County Jail 2201 23rd St NE, Willmar, MN 56201 (320) 214-6700 Kandiyohi County Sheriff's Office

Types of Correctional Facilities In Kandiyohi County

Kandiyohi County currently operates one primary detention facility serving the county's correctional needs.

Kandiyohi County Jail The Kandiyohi County Jail is located within the Kandiyohi County Law Enforcement Center in Willmar, Minnesota. The facility is operated by the Sheriff's Office and provides housing for pretrial detainees, sentenced misdemeanants, and individuals held on behalf of other jurisdictions. The jail maintains separate housing units based on classification, which accounts for factors such as offense type, behavior history, and medical or mental health needs.

Kandiyohi County Law Enforcement Center 2201 23rd St NE, Willmar, MN 56201 (320) 214-6700 Kandiyohi County Sheriff's Office

Individuals convicted of felony offenses and sentenced to more than one year are transferred to facilities operated by the Minnesota Department of Corrections, such as the Minnesota Correctional Facility – St. Cloud or other state institutions.

Minnesota Department of Corrections 1450 Energy Park Dr, St. Paul, MN 55108 (651) 361-7200 Minnesota Department of Corrections

Who's in Prison In Kandiyohi County

The Kandiyohi County Jail houses several categories of individuals at any given time. Members of the public seeking to understand who may be incarcerated in the county facility should be aware of the following classifications:

Pretrial detainees — individuals who have been arrested and charged but have not yet been convicted; they are held because they were unable to post bail or were denied release
Sentenced misdemeanants — individuals convicted of misdemeanor or gross misdemeanor offenses and serving sentences of up to one year
Probation and parole violators — individuals alleged to have violated the conditions of their supervised release, held pending a hearing
Individuals on holds — persons held at the request of another jurisdiction, including federal immigration holds or out-of-county warrants
Civil commitments — in limited circumstances, individuals subject to civil commitment orders may be temporarily housed in the facility

State prison inmates serving felony sentences are housed in Minnesota Department of Corrections facilities and are not held at the county jail except during brief transport or court appearances.

How To Search for Inmate Records In Kandiyohi County in 2026

Members of the public may search for inmate records in Kandiyohi County through several official channels. The following steps outline the available methods:

Online Inmate Roster — The Kandiyohi County Sheriff's Office may maintain a current inmate roster on its official website. Members of the public may visit the Kandiyohi County Sheriff's Office website to check for an online search tool.
Telephone Inquiry — Members of the public may call the Kandiyohi County Jail directly at (320) 214-6700 during business hours to inquire about an individual's custody status.
In-Person Request — Individuals may appear in person at the Kandiyohi County Law Enforcement Center, located at 2201 23rd St NE, Willmar, MN 56201, to request inmate information. Public counter hours are generally Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., though members of the public should confirm current hours by telephone prior to visiting.
Minnesota Department of Corrections Offender Search — For individuals who may have been transferred to a state facility, the Minnesota Department of Corrections offender locator provides a searchable database of individuals currently in state custody.
Written Public Records Request — Pursuant to Minnesota Statutes § 13.03, members of the public may submit a written request for government data to the Kandiyohi County Sheriff's Office. Requests should specify the individual's name, date of birth if known, and the specific records sought.

How To Find an Inmate in Kandiyohi County for Free?

Several no-cost methods are available for locating an inmate currently held in Kandiyohi County or transferred to a state facility.

Kandiyohi County Sheriff's Office Website — Members of the public may check the official Kandiyohi County Sheriff's Office website for any publicly available inmate roster or lookup tool at no charge.
Telephone Inquiry — A direct call to the Kandiyohi County Jail at (320) 214-6700 allows members of the public to inquire about an individual's custody status free of charge.
Minnesota DOC Offender Locator — The Minnesota Department of Corrections offender locator is a free, publicly accessible tool for searching individuals in state custody.
Kandiyohi County District Court Records — Court case information, which may reflect custody status, is available through the Minnesota Court Records Online (MCRO) portal at no cost for basic case lookups.
In-Person Visit to the Jail — Members of the public may appear at the Law Enforcement Center during business hours to request custody information without charge.

How To Visit an Inmate In Kandiyohi County

Visitation at the Kandiyohi 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 procedures.

Visit Rules and Procedures All visitors must present a valid, government-issued photo identification at the time of the visit. Visitors are subject to screening, which may include metal detector screening and inspection of personal items. Visits may be denied if the visitor is on a restricted list or if the inmate has lost visitation privileges due to disciplinary action.

Visit Schedule Visitation schedules are set by the Kandiyohi County Jail administration and are subject to change. Members of the public should contact the facility at (320) 214-6700 or visit the Kandiyohi County Sheriff's Office website to obtain current visitation hours prior to arriving.

What to Bring

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

What NOT to Bring

Weapons or items that could be used as weapons
Controlled substances or alcohol
Unauthorized food or beverages
Electronic devices not permitted by facility policy
Cash or valuables beyond what is permitted

Dress Code Visitors are required to dress appropriately. Clothing that resembles inmate uniforms, exposes excessive skin, or contains offensive imagery may result in denial of entry. Specific dress code requirements should be confirmed with the facility.

Visit Types The Kandiyohi County Jail may offer in-person contact or non-contact visits, as well as video visitation options depending on facility resources and inmate classification. Remote video visitation, if available, may be accessible through a third-party platform designated by the facility.

Visit Restrictions Individuals with active warrants, individuals on probation or parole (unless authorized by their supervising officer), and individuals previously banned from the facility may be denied visitation. Minors must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.

How To Send Money to a Kandiyohi County Inmate

Funds may be deposited into an inmate's trust account to allow the individual to purchase approved items from the jail commissary, make telephone calls, and cover other authorized expenses.

Methods for Sending Money

In-person deposits — Funds may be deposited at the Kandiyohi County Jail using approved kiosk systems, if available, or through the facility's designated deposit process.
Online deposits — The facility may utilize a third-party service provider for online deposits. Members of the public should contact the jail at (320) 214-6700 or consult the Kandiyohi County Sheriff's Office website for the current approved provider.
Money orders — Money orders made payable to the inmate may be accepted by mail, subject to facility policy.

Amount Limits Specific deposit limits per transaction or per time period are set by facility policy. Members of the public should confirm current limits directly with the jail.

Fees Third-party service providers may charge transaction fees for online or kiosk deposits. The facility itself does not typically charge a fee for receiving funds, but processing fees imposed by vendors are the responsibility of the sender.

What You Cannot Send

Cash sent through the mail is generally not accepted
Personal checks may not be accepted
Funds from unverified or anonymous sources may be rejected

What the Money Can and Cannot Be Used For Funds in an inmate's trust account may be used for commissary purchases (hygiene items, snacks, writing materials), telephone calls, and approved correspondence costs. Funds may not be used to pay fines, restitution, or court costs directly from the trust account without a court order or facility authorization.

How To Send Jail Mail In Kandiyohi County

Members of the public may correspond with inmates at the Kandiyohi County Jail by sending written mail through the United States Postal Service. All incoming and outgoing mail is subject to inspection by facility staff pursuant to facility security policies and applicable Minnesota law.

Mailing Address All mail should be addressed to the inmate using the following format:

Inmate Full Legal Name, Booking Number (if known) Kandiyohi County Jail 2201 23rd St NE Willmar, MN 56201

Rules for Sending Mail

All letters must be written on plain white paper; cards and letters with glitter, stickers, or embedded materials may be rejected
Envelopes must be standard white envelopes with no padding or lining
Photographs may be permitted subject to size and content restrictions established by the facility
No cash, checks, or money orders should be included in mail envelopes
No contraband of any kind may be included in correspondence
Mail containing threatening, obscene, or otherwise prohibited content will not be delivered and may be reported to law enforcement
Legal mail from attorneys is handled separately and is subject to different inspection procedures to protect attorney-client privilege under applicable law

Members of the public should confirm current mail policies with the Kandiyohi County Jail at (320) 214-6700, as policies are subject to change at the discretion of facility administration.