Watonwan County Jail Roster: Your Guide to Inmate Information

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

In the heart of southern Minnesota, Watonwan County serves as a tight-knit community where residents often know each other by name. But like any county, it has its share of legal proceedings, and sometimes loved ones or community members end up behind bars at the Watonwan County Jail. If you’re trying to find out who’s in custody, you might be searching for the Watonwan County jail roster. This public record provides a snapshot of inmates currently held at the jail, offering details like charges, booking dates, and bail amounts. As of May 1, 2025, the Watonwan County jail roster is accessible online through the county’s official website or by contacting the jail directly at (507) 375-3121. Let’s explore how to access this roster, what it includes, and how it can help you stay informed about local detentions.

Understanding the Watonwan County Jail Roster

The Watonwan County jail roster is a daily-updated list of inmates currently in custody at the Watonwan County Jail, located at 710 2nd Ave. South in St. James, MN. Operated by the Watonwan County Sheriff’s Office, this roster is a public resource designed to promote transparency and assist families, legal representatives, and the community in tracking inmate information. Whether you’re checking on a loved one or researching local arrests, the roster provides key details to keep you informed.

Watonwan County, with a population of around 10,980 as of 2017 estimates, is a small but active community. The jail itself is a medium-security facility with a capacity of 28 beds, housing both pre-trial detainees and those serving short sentences, typically under one year. The roster is a vital tool for residents, reflecting the county’s commitment to openness in its justice system.

What Information Does the Watonwan County Jail Roster Include?

The Watonwan County jail roster provides a wealth of information about each inmate, making it easier for families and legal advocates to stay updated. According to the sheriff’s services, the roster typically includes:

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

For example, a December 2023 roster listed an inmate, Hugo Cardona Jimenez, booked on November 3, 2023, for second-degree driving while impaired, with a projected release date of December 12, 2023, per the official Watonwan County website. This level of detail helps families plan visits, arrange bail, or prepare for a loved one’s release.

How to Access the Watonwan County Jail Roster

Accessing the Watonwan County jail roster is straightforward, with multiple options to suit different needs. Whether you prefer online searches or direct contact, here’s how to find the information you’re looking for.

Online Search

The easiest way to check the Watonwan County jail roster is through the official Watonwan County website at co.watonwan.mn.us. The Sheriff’s Office maintains a dedicated section where the roster is published in PDF format, updated at least daily, sometimes as frequently as every 15 minutes. To search:

  1. Visit the Watonwan County website and navigate to the Sheriff Services section.
  2. Look for the “Jail Roster” link under the County Jail tab.
  3. Download the PDF or use the online inmate search tool, if available.
  4. Enter the inmate’s first name, last name, or booking number to narrow your search.

If you can’t find the inmate online, you can also use the Minnesota Department of Corrections Inmate Locator at mncourts.gov to search for adults in county jails or state prisons. This service allows you to input partial names if you’re unsure of the spelling, ensuring broader results.

Contacting the Jail Directly

If online searches don’t yield results, you can call the Watonwan County Jail at (507) 375-3121, available 24/7. The jail, located at 710 2nd Ave. South, St. James, MN 56081, is staffed around the clock, 365 days a year. When calling, have the inmate’s full name or booking number ready to expedite the process. You can also visit the jail in person during administrative hours (Monday through Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.) to request information directly from the Jail Administrator, Julie Carr.

Alternative Methods

For broader searches, Vinelink.com offers a national inmate tracking resource that includes Watonwan County. Additionally, local police departments in Watonwan County may hold recent arrestees for up to 72 hours before transferring them to the jail, so contacting the St. James Police Department at (507) 375-1210 or the Madelia Police Department at (507) 642-3245 might help if the roster doesn’t list the individual.

Why might you not find someone on the Watonwan County jail roster? If an inmate was recently arrested, they may still be in the booking process, which can take a few hours to a day. Alternatively, 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.

Understanding the Watonwan County Jail

The Watonwan County Jail is a medium-security facility designed to house inmates awaiting trial or serving sentences of less than one year. Located in St. James, the county seat, the jail works closely with the Watonwan County Sheriff’s Office, local courts, and social service agencies to ensure secure detention while enhancing public safety. The facility has a capacity of 28 beds and handles an average of 560 offenders annually, with a 40% monthly turnover rate, per jail statistics.

The jail’s mission is clear: to provide secure detention without discrimination, ensuring all prisoners are treated with dignity regardless of race, color, religion, gender, ethnic background, or economic status, per the Watonwan County Sheriff’s policies. This commitment to fairness extends to the public’s right to access the jail roster, fostering transparency in a small community like Watonwan County, where the population was 11,211 as of the 2010 census.

Visitation and Inmate Services

If you find a loved one on the Watonwan 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 Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM and 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM. However, schedules can change, so call (507) 375-3121 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 for security, and recipients must accept collect call charges.
  • Mail: Send mail to: Inmate’s Full Name, Watonwan County Jail, 715 Second Avenue South, St. James, MN 56081. Include your return address, and avoid sending contraband. Books or magazines must come directly from publishers.
  • Inmate Funds: You can send money orders to the same address, including the inmate’s booking number, to help them purchase commissary items.

These services allow families to stay connected, but always verify rules with the jail, as policies can shift. The Watonwan County jail roster often provides the booking number needed for these interactions.

Why the Watonwan County Jail Roster Matters

The Watonwan County jail roster isn’t just a list—it’s a lifeline for families, legal advocates, and the community. In a small county like Watonwan, where everyone feels connected, knowing who’s in custody can provide peace of mind or prompt action, whether it’s arranging bail or preparing for a court date. The roster also promotes public safety by identifying individuals who may pose risks, such as those charged with violent crimes like terroristic threats, as seen in past rosters.

For legal representatives, the roster is crucial for tracking clients, especially since inmates may be transferred to other facilities like Nobles County Jail for overcrowding, per historical data. Transparency is key, and Watonwan County’s commitment to updating the roster daily ensures residents have access to accurate information, aligning with Minnesota Statute 641.05, which mandates public disclosure of jail rosters.

Challenges and Limitations

While the Watonwan County jail roster is a valuable tool, it has limitations. If an inmate isn’t listed, they might be in the booking process, which can take hours, especially during high-volume arrest events like protests. Alternatively, they could be in a local police department’s custody for up to 72 hours before transfer. If you’re struggling to find someone, calling the jail at (507) 375-3121 or using Vinelink can help. Additionally, mugshots may not always be available online due to privacy policies, though you can request them by mail from the jail, per sheriff guidelines.

The Broader Context: Jail Rosters in Minnesota

Watonwan County’s jail roster is part of a broader system in Minnesota, where counties like Blue Earth, Cottonwood, and Meeker also maintain public rosters to comply with state transparency laws. Minnesota’s jail rosters are designed to balance public access with inmate privacy, providing essential details without compromising security. In Watonwan, the roster’s simplicity reflects the county’s small size, but it’s just as robust as larger facilities, offering key information like charges and bail amounts.

The U.S. Bureau of Justice Statistics reports that small counties like Watonwan, with populations under 50,000, often have higher incarceration rates per capita due to limited resources for diversion programs, per BJS. Watonwan’s jail, with its 28-bed capacity, handles a diverse 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 especially important in a community where trust in local government is paramount.

Staying Informed in Watonwan County

Watonwan County, named for the Watonwan River, is a place where four seasons bring beauty to the southern Minnesota prairie, as the county slogan suggests. But it’s also a place where the justice system plays a visible role. The jail roster, alongside other sheriff services like civil fingerprints and warrant lists, keeps residents connected to the legal process. Whether you’re a family member, a legal advocate, or just a concerned citizen, the Watonwan County jail roster offers a window into who’s in custody and why, helping you navigate a challenging situation with clarity.

Is someone you know on the Watonwan County jail roster? The tools are at your fingertips—check online, call the jail, or visit in person. With daily updates and a commitment to transparency, Watonwan County ensures you have the information you need, when you need it.