Pipestone County Jail Roster: How to Find Inmate Information

Posted: May 1, 2025 | By US Prison Guide Team

In the southwestern corner of Minnesota, Pipestone County is a rural haven where historic quarries and small-town life define the landscape, with Pipestone as its county seat. For residents or families navigating the local justice system, the Pipestone County Jail Roster is an essential resource, providing a public list of inmates currently held at the county jail. Whether you’re checking on a loved one or researching local arrests, this roster offers details like charges, booking dates, and bail amounts. As of May 1, 2025, the Pipestone County Jail Roster can be accessed by calling the jail at (507) 825-1100 or visiting the Sheriff’s Office in person, though online access may be limited. Let’s explore how to access this roster, what it includes, and why it matters in Pipestone County.

What Is the Pipestone County Jail Roster?

The Pipestone County Jail Roster is a record of inmates currently in custody at the Pipestone County Jail, located at 416 S Hiawatha Ave, Pipestone, MN 56164. Managed by the Pipestone County Sheriff’s Office, this roster is a public resource designed to promote transparency and assist families, legal representatives, and residents in tracking inmate information. Whether you’re trying to locate someone in custody or stay informed about local detentions, the roster offers a clear snapshot of who’s behind bars and why.

Pipestone County, with a population of around 9,424 as of the 2020 census, spans 466 square miles, making it a small, rural area with a tight-knit community. The jail serves as a medium-security facility, housing both pre-trial detainees and those serving sentences typically under one year. The roster is a crucial tool in a county where community ties are strong, ensuring residents can stay connected to the legal process.

What Information Does the Pipestone County Jail Roster Provide?

The Pipestone County Jail Roster offers a range of details about each inmate, making it easier for families and legal advocates to stay updated. While the exact format may vary, the roster generally includes:

Inmate’s Full Name: Identifies the individual in custody.
Mugshot: A booking photo, often included in Pipestone County’s roster.
Booking Number: A unique identifier for each inmate’s record.
Intake Date: When the inmate was admitted to the jail.
Charges: Lists the offenses, such as drug possession, theft, or assault, along with severity (e.g., felony or misdemeanor).
Bail Amount: The bond required for release, if set by the court.

The roster’s details, as noted on various Minnesota inmate search platforms, help families plan visits, arrange bail, or prepare for a loved one’s release, providing clarity in a challenging situation. Mugshots are often available, which is a feature not all counties provide, making the Pipestone County Jail Roster particularly useful for identification purposes.

How to Access the Pipestone County Jail Roster

Accessing the Pipestone County Jail Roster can be done through direct contact with the Sheriff’s Office, as online access may be limited compared to some larger Minnesota counties. Here’s how to find the information you’re seeking.

Contacting the Sheriff’s Office Directly

The most reliable way to check the Pipestone County Jail Roster is by calling the Pipestone County Sheriff’s Office at (507) 825-1100, available 24/7. The jail, located at 416 S Hiawatha Ave, Pipestone, MN 56164, is staffed around the clock. When calling, have the inmate’s full name or booking number ready to expedite the process. You can also visit the Sheriff’s Office in person during administrative hours (Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.) to request information directly. The staff can provide details on inmates, including those recently booked or released, ensuring you get the most up-to-date information.

Alternative Methods

For a broader search, Vinelink.com offers a national inmate tracking resource that includes Pipestone County. Local police departments, such as the Pipestone Police Department at (507) 825-3331, may hold recent arrestees for up to 72 hours before transfer, so contacting them can help if the roster doesn’t list the individual. The Minnesota Department of Corrections Inmate Locator at mncourts.gov also allows you to search for inmates in county jails or state prisons, using partial name searches if needed. Additionally, you can look up an offender’s court case online with the Minnesota Court Records Online application at the same website to get more context on their charges.

Why might an inmate not appear on the Pipestone County Jail Roster? They could be in the booking process, which can take a few hours, especially during high-volume arrest periods. Alternatively, they might have been released since the last update, or they could have been transferred to another facility due to overcrowding or specific charges, such as to the Minnesota State Prison System for longer sentences. Juvenile inmates’ information is also not publicly disclosed due to age restrictions. Calling the jail or using Vinelink can help resolve these discrepancies. If you’re unsure of the spelling of the inmate’s name, broader searches or direct contact can help, as errors in spelling can lead to unsuccessful searches.

Understanding the Pipestone County Jail

The Pipestone County Jail is a medium-security facility designed to house inmates awaiting trial or serving sentences of less than one year. Located in Pipestone, the county seat, the jail works closely with the Pipestone County Sheriff’s Office, local courts, and social service agencies to ensure secure detention while enhancing public safety. The facility handles a range of offenders, from those charged with minor misdemeanors like disorderly conduct to more serious felonies like assault. On any given day, the jail maintains an average of 25 offenders in custody, with a monthly turnover of 40% of its inmate population, another 30% every 90 days, another 20% every six months, and approximately 10% staying incarcerated between six and twelve months. Every year, Pipestone County law enforcement agencies arrest and detain approximately 500 offenders.

The Sheriff’s Office, led by Sheriff Keith Vreeman, oversees the jail’s operations, ensuring inmates are treated with dignity while maintaining community safety. Pipestone County, spanning 466 square miles with a population of 9,424 as of 2020, relies on the jail to manage local detentions efficiently. The jail has a capacity of 25 beds, reflecting the county’s relatively low crime rate compared to urban areas, but it still plays a vital role in a community where trust in local government is paramount.

The jail is committed to providing a safe and healthy environment for both staff and offenders, adhering to a zero-tolerance policy for sexual assault, abuse, or any sexual activities, as outlined under the Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA). Inmates who engage in consensual or non-consensual sexual contact face discipline, and those involved in non-consensual acts may be referred for criminal prosecution. The public can report PREA violations to the Sheriff, Chief Deputy, or Jail Administrator, though false reporting is a crime and not tolerated.

Visitation and Inmate Services

If you find someone on the Pipestone County Jail Roster, you might want to visit or communicate with them. The jail has specific rules to ensure safety and order:

Visitation Hours: Visits are held on Wednesdays, Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM. Visits are restricted to a maximum of 20 minutes, one time per day with any one person. Visitors must be 18 years of age to visit an inmate; anyone under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. All visitors must provide photo identification. Anyone with an outstanding bill with the Pipestone County Jail will be denied visitation until the bill is paid in full. Call (507) 825-1100 to confirm schedules and make an appointment, as times may depend on the inmate’s housing location.
Phone Calls: Inmates can make outgoing calls between 8:00 AM and 10:00 PM using the jail’s phone system, but they cannot receive incoming calls. Calls can be made either collect or through a prepaid account with the jail’s phone service provider, Reliance Telephone. You can establish a prepaid account by visiting reliancetelephone.com or calling (507) 215-8070 to leave a message for an inmate. These messages are not confidential, and all calls may be monitored and recorded for security purposes. Phone cards are available in $10 and $20 amounts at a rate of $0.50 per minute.
Mail: Send mail to: Inmate’s Full Name, Pipestone County Jail, 416 S Hiawatha Ave, Pipestone, MN 56164. All mail must come through the United States Postal Service and is inspected by jail staff. The jail does not accept envelopes or mail left by visitors. Inmates are allowed up to three photos, which may not include gang graffiti, unclothed persons, or photos with alcohol or cigarettes. The Pipestone County Jail doesn’t restrict the number of letters you can exchange with an inmate, but all letters are subject to inspection for contraband or prohibited items. Legal letters can only be observed in the inmate’s presence.
Inmate Funds: Money orders can be sent to the same address, including the inmate’s booking number, to help them purchase commissary items like toiletries, snacks, and stationery. Funds can also be added to an inmate’s commissary account through the facility’s online portal. The quantity and types of items an inmate can buy are monitored, so check with the jail for the most up-to-date guidelines.
Items Inmates Can Have: Inmates are allowed pairs of socks, undergarments, and white T-shirts (long or short-sleeved, no logos or prints), but these must be new in their original packaging or have tags. All items are inspected by jail staff.

These services allow families to maintain contact, but always verify rules with the jail, as policies can shift. The Pipestone County Jail Roster often provides the booking number needed for these interactions, making it a crucial starting point. To bond someone out of the jail, contact a bail bond company or call the jail for assistance.

The jail also offers various programs targeted at rehabilitation and learning, though specific details on these programs are not publicly available. For more information on the bail process, you can visit the Pipestone County Sheriff’s website for guidance.

Why the Pipestone County Jail Roster Matters

In a rural community like Pipestone County, where historic quarries and small-town values dominate, the jail roster is a vital tool for transparency and support. Families use it to locate loved ones, arrange bail, or plan visits, while legal advocates rely on it to track clients. The roster also enhances public safety by identifying individuals in custody, such as those charged with serious offenses, allowing residents to stay informed.

Pipestone County’s commitment to transparency aligns with Minnesota Statute 641.05, which mandates public disclosure of jail rosters. This practice fosters trust in a county where the Sheriff’s Office serves both residents and visitors across 466 square miles. The roster ensures accuracy, a necessity in a region where community events like the Pipestone Civil War Days or local festivals can sometimes lead to arrests, such as DUIs during celebrations. Pipestone County has a higher arrest rate than the national average, with 771.57 arrests per 100,000 residents in 2017 compared to the national average of 739.02, and the most common crimes include larceny/theft, burglary, and aggravated assault.

Challenges and Limitations

The Pipestone County Jail Roster isn’t without challenges. Unlike some Minnesota counties, online access may be limited, requiring direct contact with the Sheriff’s Office. If an inmate isn’t listed, they might still be in booking, a process that can take hours, especially during high-volume arrest periods. They could also be in local police custody for up to 72 hours before transfer, or moved to another facility due to overcrowding, such as to Nobles County Jail. Inmates sentenced to less than one year will serve their time at this facility, while those sentenced to longer terms are transferred to the Minnesota State Prison System or the Federal Bureau of Prisons. Calling the jail at (507) 825-1100 or using Vinelink can help if you’re struggling to find someone. Additionally, mugshots, while often available, may require direct requests if not accessible through the roster.

Other challenges include potential errors in the data, such as incorrect spelling of an inmate’s name or outdated information if the roster hasn’t been updated recently. Some sources note that most jails update their rosters at least once daily, though some may do so more frequently, ensuring the roster reflects the most current data. Expanding your search to neighboring counties like Nobles or Lyon by checking their rosters could also uncover where an individual was detained if the arrest occurred outside Pipestone County.

The Broader Context: Jail Rosters in Minnesota

Pipestone County’s jail roster fits into Minnesota’s broader system of transparency, where counties like Watonwan, Meeker, and Cottonwood also maintain public rosters. These rosters balance public access with inmate privacy, providing essential details without compromising security. Pipestone County’s roster, while not always online, reflects the county’s small size, yet it’s as robust as those in larger areas, offering key information like mugshots, charges, and bail amounts when accessed through direct contact.

The U.S. Bureau of Justice Statistics notes that rural counties like Pipestone often have higher per-capita incarceration rates due to limited resources for alternatives like probation. Pipestone County’s jail, serving a population of 9,424, handles a range of offenders, from those awaiting trial to those serving short sentences. The county’s arrest rate of 771.57 per 100,000 residents in 2017, higher than the national average, indicates a relatively higher incidence of crime, with larceny/theft being the most common offense, followed by burglary and aggravated assault. The roster ensures residents stay informed, a practice that’s vital in a community where trust in local government is key.

Staying Informed in Pipestone County

Pipestone County, with its rich history tied to the Pipestone National Monument and its small-town spirit, is a place where community matters. The jail roster, alongside other sheriff services like emergency alerts (available through CodeRED at numbers like 800-542-0220 for Minnesota road information) and property tax information, keeps residents connected to the legal process. Whether you’re a family member, a legal advocate, or a concerned citizen, the Pipestone County Jail Roster offers a window into who’s in custody and why, helping you navigate a challenging situation with clarity. Call the jail, visit in person, or use alternative online tools—the information is there to keep you in the know.