St. Clair County Public Records /St. Clair County Inmate Search

St. Clair County Inmate Search

What Is Inmate Records In St. Clair County?

Inmate records in St. Clair County are official documents created and maintained by correctional facilities and the St. Clair County Sheriff's Office that document the custody status, personal history, and legal circumstances of individuals held in county detention. These records are distinct from court records: the circuit court maintains case files, docket entries, and judicial orders, while the county jail maintains custody records that track an individual's physical detention from booking through release.

The record creation process begins at intake, when a person is booked into the St. Clair County Jail. At that point, facility staff collect biometric data, photograph the individual, record personal identifying information, and document the charges that prompted the arrest. Records are updated continuously throughout the period of incarceration to reflect changes in housing assignment, disciplinary actions, medical notes, and court appearances. Upon release, the record is closed and archived, though it remains subject to disclosure under applicable public records law.

Under Illinois Compiled Statutes 5 ILCS 140, known as the Illinois Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), public bodies are required to make government records available to members of the public upon request, subject to specific exemptions. Correctional records maintained by the Sheriff's Office fall within the scope of this statute.

St. Clair County Sheriff's Office St. Clair County Sheriff's Office, 4 Public Square, Belleville, IL 62220 (618) 277-3505 St. Clair County Sheriff's Office

Are Inmate Records Public In St. Clair County?

Inmate records in St. Clair County are generally public under Illinois law. Pursuant to 5 ILCS 140/2, all records held by public bodies — including sheriff's offices and county jails — are presumed open to inspection and copying unless a specific statutory exemption applies. Members of the public may inspect the following categories of inmate information without demonstrating a particular need or interest:

Current inmate roster listing individuals presently held in the St. Clair County Jail
Booking and arrest records, including the date, time, and location of arrest
Charges filed against the individual at the time of booking
Mugshots (booking photographs), which are generally releasable as part of the arrest record
Bond and bail amounts set by the court or bond schedule
Expected release dates or projected discharge information
Housing facility assignment within the county detention system

Certain information may be withheld under 5 ILCS 140/7, including information that would endanger the safety of an individual, compromise an ongoing investigation, or constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of personal privacy. Juvenile records are subject to additional protections under the Juvenile Court Act of 1987.

What's Included in Inmate Records in St. Clair County

Inmate records maintained by the St. Clair County Sheriff's Office contain multiple categories of information compiled from booking through release.

Basic Identifying Information:

Full legal name and known aliases
Date of birth and age
Race, sex, height, and weight
Booking photograph (mugshot)
Fingerprint classification

Custody Information:

Booking date and time
Arresting agency
Current housing unit or cell assignment
Custody status (pre-trial, sentenced, hold)

Charge Information:

Specific criminal charges at time of booking
Statute citations for each charge
Charge classification (felony, misdemeanor, ordinance violation)

Bond/Bail Information:

Bond type (personal recognizance, cash, surety)
Bond amount set by the court
Bond status (posted, unposted, denied)

Court Information:

Case number and assigned court division
Next scheduled court date
Presiding judge assignment

Sentence Information (if convicted and serving sentence):

Sentence length imposed
Sentence start date
Credit for time served
Projected release or discharge date

Release Information:

Actual release date and time
Release type (bond posted, sentence served, transfer, court order)
Transferring agency if applicable

St. Clair County Prison System

St. Clair County operates a local jail system administered by the St. Clair County Sheriff's Office for the pre-trial detention of individuals awaiting court proceedings and for the confinement of persons serving sentences of generally up to one year. The county jail is distinct from Illinois Department of Corrections (IDOC) state prisons, which house individuals convicted of felony offenses and serving sentences exceeding one year. Individuals sentenced to state prison are transferred from the county jail to an IDOC facility following sentencing.

The St. Clair County Jail serves as the primary detention facility for the county and processes bookings from municipal police departments, the Sheriff's Office, and other law enforcement agencies operating within St. Clair County.

St. Clair County Sheriff's Office / Jail Division 4 Public Square, Belleville, IL 62220 (618) 277-3505 St. Clair County Sheriff's Office

Illinois Department of Corrections 1301 Concordia Court, Springfield, IL 62702 (217) 558-2200 Illinois Department of Corrections

Types of Correctional Facilities In St. Clair County

St. Clair County's correctional infrastructure consists of the following facilities:

St. Clair County Jail The primary detention facility for the county, the St. Clair County Jail is located at the Sheriff's Office complex in Belleville. It houses pre-trial detainees, individuals serving misdemeanor sentences, and persons held on immigration detainers or awaiting transfer to state custody.

4 Public Square, Belleville, IL 62220 (618) 277-3505 St. Clair County Jail

Southwestern Illinois Correctional Center (SWICC) SWICC is a privately operated facility located in East St. Louis that contracts with local and federal agencies to house adult male inmates. It operates under contract arrangements and may house individuals from multiple jurisdictions.

625 N. 53rd Street, East St. Louis, IL 62204 (618) 583-3300

Illinois Department of Corrections — Nearby State Facilities Individuals convicted of felonies in St. Clair County may be transferred to IDOC facilities, including Menard Correctional Center and Vandalia Correctional Center, depending on classification.

Menard Correctional Center 711 Kaskaskia Street, Menard, IL 62259 (618) 826-5071 Menard Correctional Center

Who's in Prison In St. Clair County

The St. Clair County Jail houses several distinct populations of incarcerated individuals. Pre-trial detainees represent the largest group — persons who have been arrested and charged but have not yet been convicted or have not posted bond. Sentenced misdemeanants serving terms of up to one year under Illinois law are also held at the county jail. Additionally, the facility may house individuals held on detainers from other jurisdictions, persons awaiting transfer to IDOC following felony sentencing, individuals held on federal immigration detainers, and persons serving weekend or work-release sentences as ordered by the court.

Individuals convicted of Class 1, Class 2, Class 3, or Class 4 felonies in St. Clair County Circuit Court are typically transferred to an Illinois Department of Corrections facility following sentencing and are no longer held at the county jail. The IDOC Offender Search tool allows members of the public to locate individuals currently in state custody.

How To Search for Inmate Records In St. Clair County in 2026

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

Online Inmate Search: The St. Clair County Sheriff's Office currently maintains an online inmate lookup tool on its official website. Users may search by the individual's last name, first name, or booking number to retrieve current custody status and basic booking information.

Visit the St. Clair County Sheriff's Office website and navigate to the inmate search or jail roster section.

In-Person Records Request: Members of the public may submit a written FOIA request to the Sheriff's Office Records Division at 4 Public Square, Belleville, IL 62220. Requests should identify the subject individual by full name and date of birth. Under 5 ILCS 140/3, the public body must respond within five business days of receiving a written request.

Telephone Inquiry: General custody status inquiries may be directed to the St. Clair County Jail at (618) 277-3505 during regular business hours.

State Prison Lookup: For individuals transferred to IDOC custody, the Illinois Department of Corrections Offender Search tool provides current location, sentence information, and projected release dates for state inmates.

How To Find an Inmate in St. Clair County for Free?

Locating an inmate in St. Clair County at no cost is possible through the following official resources:

St. Clair County Jail Roster: The Sheriff's Office provides a free online inmate roster accessible through the St. Clair County Sheriff's Office website. No account or fee is required.
IDOC Offender Search: The Illinois Department of Corrections operates a free public offender search for individuals in state custody, searchable by name or IDOC number.
Illinois Vinelink / VINE: The VINE (Victim Information and Notification Everyday) system allows members of the public and crime victims to search for offender custody status across Illinois facilities at no charge.
Telephone Inquiry: Calling the St. Clair County Jail directly at (618) 277-3505 to request verbal confirmation of an individual's custody status is free of charge.
St. Clair County Circuit Clerk: Court records that may reflect custody status are available through the St. Clair County Circuit Clerk at 10 Public Square, Belleville, IL 62220, (618) 277-6900.

How To Visit an Inmate In St. Clair County

Visitation at the St. Clair 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 be pre-approved and placed on the inmate's approved visitor list. Visitors are required to present a valid, government-issued photo identification at the time of the visit. Visitors who are currently on probation or parole may be subject to additional restrictions or denial of visitation privileges.

Visit Schedule: Visitation schedules are set by the St. Clair County Jail administration and are subject to change. Members of the public should contact the jail directly at (618) 277-3505 or consult the St. Clair County Sheriff's Office website for current visitation hours and scheduling procedures.

What to Bring:

Valid government-issued photo identification (driver's license, state ID, passport)
Approved visitor documentation if required by the facility

What NOT to Bring:

Weapons, contraband, or controlled substances
Cell phones or electronic devices into the secure visitation area
Food, beverages, or packages not authorized in advance
Items for delivery to the inmate unless processed through approved channels

Dress Code: Visitors are required to dress appropriately. Clothing that resembles inmate uniforms, exposes excessive skin, or displays gang-affiliated symbols or insignia is prohibited. The facility reserves the right to deny entry to visitors who do not comply with the dress code.

Visit Types: The St. Clair County Jail currently offers in-person contact or non-contact visitation depending on the inmate's classification and housing assignment. Video visitation may also be available through the facility's contracted service provider.

Visit Restrictions: Visitation may be suspended or revoked for disciplinary reasons, security concerns, or violations of facility rules. 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. Clair County Inmate

Funds may be deposited into an inmate's commissary account at the St. Clair County Jail through the following methods:

Accepted Methods:

Online deposits through the facility's contracted financial services provider (typically JPay or a similar platform). Members of the public may access the deposit portal through the St. Clair County Sheriff's Office website or directly through the service provider's platform.
Kiosk deposits at lobby kiosks located at the jail facility, if available.
Money orders mailed to the facility made payable to the inmate's full legal name and booking number.

Amount Limits: Deposit limits per transaction and per week are set by the facility and the contracted service provider. Members of the public should verify current limits directly with the jail or the service provider, as these amounts are subject to change.

Fees: Transaction fees may apply depending on the deposit method selected. Online and kiosk deposits typically carry a service fee charged by the third-party provider. Money order deposits may be processed without a transaction fee.

What You Cannot Send:

Cash sent directly through the mail is not accepted and will be returned or confiscated.
Personal checks are generally not accepted.
Funds from anonymous or unverified sources may be rejected.

What the Money Can and Cannot Be Used For: Funds in an inmate's commissary account may be used to purchase approved commissary items such as hygiene products, snacks, writing materials, and phone time. Funds may not be used to purchase contraband, pay fines directly, or transfer to third parties outside of approved channels.

How To Send Jail Mail In St. Clair County

Members of the public may send written correspondence to inmates held at the St. Clair County Jail by following the facility's established mail procedures.

Mailing Address Format: All mail must be addressed using the inmate's full legal name and booking or ID number:

Inmate Full Legal Name / Booking Number St. Clair County Jail 4 Public Square Belleville, IL 62220

Accepted Mail Types:

Standard first-class letters on plain white paper
Postcards (some facilities accept only postcards; confirm current policy with the jail)
Photographs, subject to size and content restrictions

Mail Rules: All incoming mail is inspected by jail staff prior to delivery to the inmate. Mail must not contain contraband, including but not limited to drugs, gang-related materials, or coded messages. Envelopes must not contain glitter, stickers, lipstick, or any substance applied to the paper. Return address information must be complete and accurate; anonymous mail may be rejected.

Prohibited Items in Mail:

Hardcover books (paperback books may be accepted if sent directly from a publisher or retailer)
Cash, checks, or money orders enclosed in envelopes
Sexually explicit materials unless specifically authorized by facility policy
Items that pose a security risk as determined by jail staff

Electronic Messaging: Electronic messaging services may be available through the facility's contracted provider. Members of the public may access these services through the provider's platform, which typically requires account creation and may involve per-message fees.