Search St. Joseph Inmate Population Records

St. Joseph is the largest city in northwest Missouri and the county seat of Buchanan County. Inmate population records for St. Joseph are maintained through the Buchanan County Jail, which offers one of Missouri's more detailed online inmate inquiry systems. This page explains how to find St. Joseph inmate records, search the jail roster, and access information under Missouri's public records law.

How St. Joseph Inmate Population Records Work

The St. Joseph Police Department handles arrests within city limits. After an arrest, the person is transferred to the Buchanan County Jail for holding. The jail is located at 501 Faraon Street, St. Joseph, MO 64501. The Buchanan County Sheriff's Office manages the facility. Buchanan County provides one of the more detailed online inmate inquiry systems in Missouri, with searches available by name, subject number, booking number, custody status, booking dates, and housing facility.

St. Joseph Police Department is at stjoemo.info/167/Police-Department. After an arrest by SJPD, records flow to the county jail. Police reports and arrest records are held by the department and accessible through a Sunshine Law request. Jail records, including booking information and custody status, are held by the Buchanan County Sheriff's Office.

Both agencies operate under Missouri's Sunshine Law, Chapter 610 RSMo, which requires a response to records requests within three business days. Copies cost up to 10 cents per page.

Buchanan County Jail

The Buchanan County Jail has a capacity of 234 inmates across three housing units. The facility's phone is 816-236-8800. The jail is operated under Custody Officer Lt. Joe Lysaght and Compliance Officer Lt. Natalie Colbech, with support from seven sergeants, four deputies, 25 detention deputies, three property clerks, two kitchen staff, a digital download specialist, and a receptionist. This is a well-staffed facility relative to its size.

The online inmate inquiry system at inmate.co.buchanan.mo.us provides detailed information for each inmate. Results include photos, names, subject numbers, custody status, scheduled release dates, race, gender, date of birth, height, weight, multiple booking records, and housing facility. This level of detail is more complete than many Missouri county rosters. The Sheriff's Office also maintains a Most Wanted roster available as a PDF on the county website.

Mail to Buchanan County Jail must include the sender's full name and return address, sent through USPS. Up to three pictures may be included. Email service is available through Inmate Canteen. Commissary deposits can be made at lobby kiosks (cash or credit) or online at Inmate Canteen. Order deadlines are Tuesday orders by 8 AM Monday and Friday orders by 8 AM Thursday. Visitation is non-contact on Saturdays from 9 AM to noon and 1 PM to 5 PM, scheduled in advance by calling Monday through Friday 8 AM to 5 PM or the scheduling line. Visitors must be 18 or older with valid photo ID and arrive 10 minutes early.

Searching St. Joseph Inmate Population Records

The most detailed way to find someone in the St. Joseph inmate population is the Buchanan County online inmate inquiry system at inmate.co.buchanan.mo.us. This tool is more complete than most county rosters in Missouri and allows searches by multiple criteria. It shows custody status, which tells you whether the person is still held or has been released.

For St. Joseph residents in state prison, use the Missouri DOC Offender Search. This free tool updates daily and covers all active state offenders. The Western Reception, Diagnostic and Correctional Center (WRDCC) at 3401 Faraon, St Joseph, MO 64506, phone (816) 387-2158, is located right in St. Joseph and is a DOC diagnostic facility where newly sentenced men from the area are often processed before being sent to other facilities. If someone from St. Joseph was recently sentenced to state prison, they may be at WRDCC initially.

For federal inmates, use the Federal Bureau of Prisons Inmate Locator. St. Joseph is in northwest Missouri, and federal inmates from this area may be held at federal facilities in Kansas, Nebraska, or Iowa depending on the offense and bed availability.

The Missouri Department of Corrections provides records for St. Joseph residents who have been sentenced to state prison.

The Missouri DOC's free Offender Search covers St. Joseph residents serving state sentences, including those at the Western Reception, Diagnostic and Correctional Center located in St. Joseph.

St. Joseph Police Department

The St. Joseph Police Department at stjoemo.info serves the city and processes all arrests before transferring detainees to county custody. Police reports and incident records are maintained by the department and accessible under the Sunshine Law. Submit a written request to the Records Division identifying the records as specifically as possible. Include dates, case numbers, or names to help the department locate the records.

For court case information about St. Joseph arrests, Missouri's Case.net provides free access to Buchanan County Circuit Court records. Search by name or case number for scheduled hearings, case dispositions, and filed documents.

Missouri DOC Records for St. Joseph Residents

St. Joseph residents sentenced to state prison often pass through WRDCC at 3401 Faraon, St Joseph, MO 64506. This diagnostic facility processes new inmates and determines their permanent placement. After assessment, offenders may be transferred to facilities elsewhere in the state. The DOC operates 21 facilities statewide. Use the Missouri DOC Offender Search to locate any current offender, regardless of which facility they are at. For questions, call (573) 526-2695.

VINE Notification in St. Joseph

The VINE Link service covers Buchanan County facilities, including the Buchanan County Jail where St. Joseph-area inmates are held. Register to receive alerts when an inmate's status changes. Alerts go by text, email, phone, or app. The service is free and confidential, available 24 hours a day. Call 1-866-277-7477 to register by phone.

Sunshine Law Access for St. Joseph Records

All St. Joseph and Buchanan County inmate records are subject to Missouri's Sunshine Law under Chapter 610 RSMo. Booking logs, arrest records, and jail rosters are presumed public. Agencies must respond within three business days. Copies cost up to 10 cents per page. The Missouri Attorney General provides Sunshine Law guidance for anyone who needs help with the public records request process.

VINE Link provides a way to track inmate status at the Buchanan County Jail for St. Joseph-area detainees.

VINE Link covers Buchanan County, allowing St. Joseph residents to track inmate status changes and receive automated notifications about the local inmate population.

Nearby Cities

No other major cities with inmate population pages are close to St. Joseph. Kansas City is the nearest major city, approximately 50 miles to the south. For county-level inmate population records, see the Buchanan County inmate population page.