Barton County Inmate Population

Barton County inmate population records are maintained by the Barton County Sheriff's Office in Lamar, Missouri. The county jail is currently undergoing remodeling, so inmates may be held in neighboring facilities. This page explains how to find current detention records and access public information under Missouri law.

Barton County Sheriff's Office

The Barton County Sheriff's Office is at 1010 Cherry Street, Lamar, Missouri 64759. The phone number is 417-682-5515. The fax is 417-682-5805. Sheriff John Simpson leads the department. Chief Deputy Justin Ehrsam assists with daily operations.

The jail sits across the street from the courthouse. The two buildings are connected by an underground tunnel used for prisoner transport to and from court. The facility was built in 1997 and has a standard capacity of 28 inmates when it is fully operational. However, the jail is currently undergoing a remodel and is not housing inmates during the renovation period. Contact the Sheriff's Office directly for current information on where Barton County inmates are being held during the remodel.

Barton County covers 597 square miles in southwestern Missouri along the Kansas border. The 2020 census counted 11,637 residents. Lamar is the county seat and largest city.

The image below is from the Missouri Jail Roster website, which tracks the Barton County inmate population and current facility status.

The Missouri Jail Roster site is one of several tools available for searching Barton County inmate records and staying informed about current detention arrangements.

Finding Barton County Inmates During Jail Remodel

Because the Barton County Jail is not housing inmates during its current remodel, individuals arrested in Barton County may be transferred to a neighboring county jail. Nearby counties that may be holding Barton County inmates include Vernon, Jasper, Dade, Cedar, and St. Clair. The Sheriff's Office at 417-682-5515 can confirm where detainees are currently being held.

Booking records are still maintained by the Barton County Sheriff's Office regardless of where an inmate is physically housed. Call the Sheriff's Office to ask about a specific person's location or custody status. The office can point you to the right facility.

For statewide searches, use VINE Link at vinelink.com. VINE Link covers county jails and state facilities across Missouri and can help track someone who may have been moved from Barton County to another jurisdiction.

Note: The jail remodel status may change. Contact the Sheriff's Office at 417-682-5515 to confirm current housing arrangements for Barton County detainees before traveling to a facility.

Barton County Jail: When Operational

When the Barton County Jail is fully operational, it holds up to 150 beds based on research data. The facility sits directly across from the courthouse, and the underground tunnel between the two buildings allows for secure prisoner transport without public exposure. The facility opened in 1997 and previously offered remote video visitation through CitiTeleCoin when active.

Visitation, when held, is on Sundays. When the jail is housing inmates, contact the Sheriff's Office to get current visiting procedures, hours, and any requirements for guests. Standard procedures include presenting a photo ID and following all facility rules during the visit.

All arrest records and booking logs remain with the Barton County Sheriff's Office. Court security continues during the renovation. Records requests are still processed as normal, even while the jail is offline for construction.

Public Records and the Missouri Sunshine Law

Barton County records are public under the Missouri Sunshine Law, Chapter 610. Under § 610.011, all government records are presumed open. Agencies must respond to records requests within three business days (§ 610.023). Copies of standard documents cost no more than 10 cents per page (§ 610.026). Arrest records, including booking information and charges, are public under § 610.100.

To request records, contact the Barton County Sheriff's Office at 1010 Cherry Street, Lamar, Missouri 64759. Each government body is required by law to designate a records custodian. Written requests are preferred but not required. Describe what records you need in detail, including the person's name, approximate dates, and the type of records requested. Requests may be submitted in person, by mail, by fax, or by email. Sample request language is available through Missouri Sunshine Law resources.

State Resources for Missouri Inmate Records

The Missouri Department of Corrections handles state prison records separately from county jail data. Inmates sentenced to more than a year typically go to a state facility. The Missouri DOC Offender Search is free to the public and lets you look up state inmates by name or offender number. The DOC also lists all prison facilities and addresses on their website.

For federal cases, the Federal Bureau of Prisons Inmate Locator covers all BOP-managed facilities nationwide. VINE Link at vinelink.com handles county and state inmate tracking in one place, with free victim notification alerts available around the clock.

Video Visitation When Facility Is Active

When the Barton County Jail is operating, remote video visitation is available through CitiTeleCoin. This allows friends and family to schedule video visits without traveling to the jail in person. Contact CitiTeleCoin or the Sheriff's Office for account setup once the facility resumes inmate housing after the remodel is complete.

Video visitation is a common service across many smaller Missouri county jails. It gives families a way to stay in contact with inmates regardless of distance or scheduling conflicts with in-person visits. Standard video visits typically require advance scheduling and must be booked through the service provider's platform.

Cities in Barton County

Lamar is the county seat and largest city in Barton County. No cities in Barton County have a dedicated inmate population page on this site.

Nearby Counties

Barton County borders Vernon, Jasper, Dade, Cedar, and St. Clair Counties in southwest Missouri, each with their own detention and inmate records systems.