Stearns County Jail Roster: How to Find Inmate Information

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

In central Minnesota, Stearns County is a bustling region where the urban energy of St. Cloud meets the rural charm of towns like Sauk Centre and Paynesville. For residents or families navigating the local justice system, the Stearns County Jail Roster is an essential tool, providing a public list of inmates currently held at the county jail. This roster offers details like charges, booking dates, and bail amounts, helping you stay informed about local detentions. As of May 1, 2025, the Stearns County Jail Roster is accessible online through the county’s official website or by calling the jail directly at (320) 259-3760. Let’s explore how to access this roster, what it includes, and why it’s a vital resource for Stearns County residents.

What Is the Stearns County Jail Roster?

The Stearns County Jail Roster is a daily-updated record of inmates currently in custody at the Stearns County Jail, located at 807 Courthouse Square, St. Cloud, MN 56303. Managed by the Stearns 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 a loved one or stay informed about local arrests, the roster provides a clear snapshot of who’s behind bars and why.

Stearns County, with a population of around 158,292 as of the 2020 census, spans 1,390 square miles, making it one of Minnesota’s larger counties by both population and area. The jail serves as a medium-security facility, housing both pre-trial detainees and those serving sentences typically under one year. The roster is an essential tool in a county where urban and rural communities coexist, ensuring residents can stay connected to the legal process.

What Information Does the Stearns County Jail Roster Provide?

The Stearns County Jail Roster offers a range of details about each inmate, making it easier for families and legal advocates to stay updated. According to the Stearns County Sheriff’s Office, the roster typically includes:

  • Inmate’s Full Name: Identifies the individual in custody.
  • Booking Number: A unique identifier for each inmate’s record.
  • Charges: Lists the offenses, such as drug possession, theft, or assault, along with severity (e.g., felony or misdemeanor).
  • Booking Date: When the inmate was admitted to the jail.
  • Release Date: If applicable, based on sentencing or bail status.
  • Bail Amount: The bond required for release, if set by the court.

Mugshots are not typically included in the online roster due to privacy policies, but you can request them by contacting the jail directly at (320) 259-3760. The roster’s details help families plan visits, arrange bail, or prepare for a loved one’s release, providing clarity in a challenging situation.

How to Access the Stearns County Jail Roster

Accessing the Stearns County Jail Roster is straightforward, with multiple methods to suit different needs. Whether you prefer online searches or direct contact, here’s how to find the information you’re seeking.

Online Search

The most convenient way to check the Stearns County Jail Roster is through the official Stearns County Sheriff’s website at stearnscountymn.gov. The Sheriff’s Office maintains a dedicated section where the roster is published, often in a searchable online format or PDF, updated daily. To search:

  1. Visit the Stearns County Sheriff’s website and navigate to the Sheriff Services section.
  2. Look for the “Jail Roster” or “Inmate List” link under a tab like “Sheriff Services” or “Jail Information.”
  3. View the online list or download the PDF, if applicable.
  4. Enter the inmate’s first name, last name, or booking number to narrow your search, if the tool allows.

If the roster isn’t available online, you can use the Minnesota Department of Corrections Inmate Locator at mncourts.gov to search for inmates in county jails or state prisons. This service allows partial name searches if you’re unsure of the exact spelling.

Contacting the Jail Directly

If online searches don’t yield results, you can call the Stearns County Jail at (320) 259-3760, available 24/7. The jail, located at 807 Courthouse Square, St. Cloud, MN 56303, 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.

Alternative Methods

For a broader search, Vinelink.com offers a national inmate tracking resource that includes Stearns County. Local police departments, such as the St. Cloud Police Department at (320) 345-4444, 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 Court Records Online application at mncourts.gov also allows you to look up an offender’s court case for additional context on their charges.

Why might an inmate not appear on the Stearns County Jail Roster? They could be in the booking process, which can take a few hours, or they might have been transferred to another facility due to overcrowding or specific charges, such as to the Minnesota State Prison System for longer sentences. Overcrowding may also lead to transfers to nearby counties like Benton or Sherburne.

Understanding the Stearns County Jail

The Stearns County Jail is a medium-security facility designed to house inmates awaiting trial or serving sentences of less than one year. Located in St. Cloud, the county seat, the jail works closely with the Stearns 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.

The Sheriff’s Office, led by Sheriff Steve Soyka, oversees the jail’s operations, ensuring inmates are treated with dignity while maintaining community safety. Stearns County, spanning 1,390 square miles with a population of 158,292 as of 2020, relies on the jail to manage local detentions efficiently. The jail’s capacity is 108 beds, reflecting its role in a larger, more urban county compared to others in Minnesota, per sheriff services.

Visitation and Inmate Services

If you find someone on the Stearns 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 typically held on Mondays and Thursdays from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM, but schedules can change. Call (320) 259-3760 to confirm. Visitors must be on the inmate’s approved list, and you’ll need a valid government-issued photo ID.
  • Phone Calls: Inmates can make outgoing collect calls between 8:00 AM and 10:00 PM. Calls may be monitored, and recipients must accept collect call charges.
  • Mail: Send mail to: Inmate’s Full Name, Stearns County Jail, 807 Courthouse Square, St. Cloud, MN 56303. Include your return address, and avoid sending contraband. Books or magazines must come directly from publishers.
  • Inmate Funds: Money orders can be sent to the same address, including the inmate’s booking number, to help them purchase commissary items.

These services allow families to maintain contact, but always verify rules with the jail, as policies can shift. The Stearns County Jail Roster often provides the booking number needed for these interactions, making it a crucial starting point.

Why the Stearns County Jail Roster Matters

In a diverse county like Stearns, where urban St. Cloud meets rural farmlands, 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.

Stearns 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 1,390 square miles. The roster’s daily updates ensure accuracy, a necessity in a region where community events like the Stearns County Fair or local festivals in St. Cloud can sometimes lead to arrests, such as DUIs during celebrations.

Challenges and Limitations

The Stearns County Jail Roster isn’t without challenges. 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. Calling the jail at (320) 259-3760 or using Vinelink can help if you’re struggling to find someone. Additionally, mugshots aren’t typically available online, but you can request them by contacting the jail directly.

The Broader Context: Jail Rosters in Minnesota

Stearns 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. Stearns County’s roster, while serving a larger population, remains as accessible as those in smaller areas, offering key information like charges and bail amounts.

The U.S. Bureau of Justice Statistics notes that counties like Stearns, with mixed urban and rural demographics, often face higher incarceration rates due to urban crime challenges, per BJS. Stearns County’s jail, serving a population of 158,292, handles a range of offenders, from those awaiting trial to those serving short sentences. The roster’s daily updates ensure residents stay informed, a practice that’s vital in a community where trust in local government is key.

Staying Informed in Stearns County

Stearns County, with its blend of urban and rural life, is a place where community matters. The jail roster, alongside other sheriff services like emergency alerts 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 Stearns County Jail Roster offers a window into who’s in custody and why, helping you navigate a challenging situation with clarity. Check online, call the jail, or visit in person—the information is there to keep you in the know.