Buchanan County Inmate Population

The Buchanan County inmate population is held at the county jail in St. Joseph, Missouri, operated by the Buchanan County Sheriff's Office. You can search current inmates online using the official inmate inquiry system, which shows names, charges, bond amounts, and booking details for all people currently in custody.

Buchanan County Sheriff's Office and Jail

The Buchanan County Sheriff's Office runs the county jail at 501 Faraon Street, St. Joseph, MO 64501. The jail phone number is 816-236-8800. The facility has 234 beds spread across three separate housing units. Lt. Joe Lysaght serves as Custody Officer, and Lt. Natalie Colbech handles compliance. Jail staff includes seven sergeants, four deputies, and 25 detention deputies along with support personnel.

The jail is part of the broader county corrections division. You can also reach the corrections division through the county website. Administrative staff work Monday through Friday. For general Sheriff's Office matters, call the main line listed on the county website.

The Buchanan County Sheriff also posts a Most Wanted roster as a PDF on the official site. That roster lists identifying details, charges, and mugshots for wanted persons. It is separate from the active inmate inquiry system.

The Buchanan County inmate search page at buchananrecords.us provides another resource for looking up inmate information and general records guidance for the county.

The following screenshot shows the Buchanan County Sheriff's Office website, which serves as the primary resource for inmate and jail information.

The Sheriff's Office site links to the corrections division, inmate inquiry system, and jail policies.

How to Search the Buchanan County Inmate Population

The fastest way to find someone in the Buchanan County inmate population is to use the official online inmate inquiry system. The Buchanan County Inmate Inquiry portal lets you search by full name, partial name, or inmate ID number. Results show identifying details, current location within the facility, arrest information, charges, booking date, bond amount, and release information. Mugshots are included when available.

The screenshot below is from the official Buchanan County Inmate Inquiry portal.

This portal is updated regularly and reflects the current inmate roster at the county jail.

If the online system does not have what you need, call the jail directly at 816-236-8800. Staff can confirm whether a person is currently in custody. You can also use VINE Link to search Buchanan County inmates and set up custody status alerts.

The Missouri DOC Offender Search is a separate tool for finding people held in state prison, not county jail. Use it when you believe someone has been transferred from the county facility to state custody.

Note: The county inmate inquiry system only shows people currently housed at the Buchanan County Jail. People who have been released or transferred will not appear.

Jail Facility Details

The Buchanan County Jail sits at 501 Faraon Street in St. Joseph. The facility was designed with three separate housing units, giving staff options for separating different inmate classifications. Total capacity is 234 beds. A staff of about 45 people handles inmate supervision, including sergeants, deputies, detention deputies, and support workers.

The jail fax number is 816-271-5496. The corrections division page on the county website provides additional detail about facility operations. Booking procedures follow standard Missouri county jail protocols, and the facility handles both pre-trial detainees and sentenced inmates.

Visitation and Communication

Visits at the Buchanan County Jail are non-contact and held on Saturdays only. Morning sessions run from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM. Afternoon sessions run from 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM. You must schedule your visit in advance. Scheduling appointments can be done Monday through Thursday from 8:00 AM to 12:30 PM or 1:30 PM to 5:00 PM, and on Friday from 8:00 AM to 12:30 PM. Call 816-236-8888 to book a visit, or go in person to the facility during those windows.

Visitors must be 18 years of age or older and must bring a valid photo ID. Arrive at least 10 minutes before your scheduled visit time. Visits may be denied if you arrive late.

For mail, send letters to: (Inmate's Name), C/O Buchanan County Jail, 501 Faraon Street, St. Joseph, MO 64501. All mail must include the sender's full name and return address. You may include up to three pictures in a single letter. Email service is available through Inmate Canteen.

Commissary deposits can be made at the lobby kiosk using cash or credit card, or online through the Inmate Canteen website. For Tuesday commissary orders, deposits must be made by 8:00 AM on Monday. For Friday orders, the deadline is 8:00 AM on Thursday.

Note: Visitation rules can change. Call the jail before your visit to confirm current policies.

Public Records Access Under Missouri Sunshine Law

Missouri's Sunshine Law, found at Chapter 610 of the Missouri Revised Statutes, governs access to public records held by government agencies including the Buchanan County Sheriff's Office. Inmate records, arrest logs, and booking information are generally public records under this law. Each agency must employ a custodian of records to handle requests.

To request records, describe the documents you need in as much detail as possible. Include relevant names, dates, and case numbers. The agency must respond within three business days to let you know whether the records exist and can be released. Some records may be withheld if they involve ongoing investigations or protected personal information.

You can submit requests in person at the Sheriff's Office, by mail, by phone, or by email. Written requests are preferred because they create a clear record of what you asked for and when.

State Resources for Inmate Searches

Two statewide tools are useful when searching for someone who may be in state custody rather than the county jail. The Missouri DOC Offender Search lets you look up people sentenced to state prison facilities. It is run by the Missouri Department of Corrections and is free to use. The VINE Link system covers county jails and allows you to register for notifications when an inmate's custody status changes.

The Missouri Department of Corrections website also lists all adult state facilities, contact information, and general guidance on how the state prison system works. If you are unsure whether someone is in county or state custody, start with the county jail search and then check the DOC system if no results come back.

For state prison facility addresses and phone numbers, the DOC facility directory lists every adult institution in Missouri.

Cities in Buchanan County

St. Joseph is the county seat and largest city in Buchanan County. No cities in Buchanan County currently have a dedicated inmate population page on this site.

Nearby Counties

The counties bordering Buchanan County each maintain their own jail facilities and inmate rosters. You can search nearby county inmate populations using the links below.