Winona County Public Records /Winona County Inmate Search

Winona County Inmate Search

What Is Inmate Records In Winona County?

Inmate records in Winona County are official government documents created and maintained by the Winona County Sheriff's Office and its jail division to document individuals who are or have been held in county custody. These records are distinct from court records: the Minnesota Judicial Branch maintains case files, docket entries, and judicial orders through its court administration offices, while the county jail maintains custody-specific documentation that tracks an individual's physical detention from the moment of booking through release.

The record creation process begins at intake, when a booking officer records the individual's personal identifying information, the arresting agency, and the charges alleged. The record is updated continuously throughout the period of incarceration to reflect changes in custody status, housing assignments, disciplinary actions, and medical flags. Upon release, the record is closed and archived in accordance with Minnesota's government data retention schedules.

Under Minnesota Statutes § 13.82, law enforcement agencies are required to maintain arrest data as public government data, establishing the statutory foundation for inmate and booking records held by county sheriffs. Members of the public seeking custody information may direct inquiries to the Winona County Sheriff's Office.

Winona County Sheriff's Office 177 Main Street, Winona, MN 55987 (507) 457-6363 Winona County Sheriff's Office

Are Inmate Records Public In Winona County?

Inmate records maintained by the Winona County Sheriff's Office are generally accessible to the public under Minnesota law. The Minnesota Government Data Practices Act, codified at Minnesota Statutes § 13.01 et seq., establishes that government data are presumed public unless a specific statutory exception applies. Arrest and booking data are expressly classified as public under § 13.82, which enumerates the categories of law enforcement data that government agencies must make available upon request.

The following categories of inmate information are currently accessible to members of the public:

Current inmate roster — names and booking dates of individuals presently held in the Winona County Jail
Booking and arrest records — date, time, and arresting agency
Charges filed — criminal statutes alleged at the time of booking
Mugshots — booking photographs, subject to applicable data classification
Bond and bail amounts — conditions of release set by the court
Expected release dates — projected or scheduled release information where available
Housing facility — the specific facility or unit in which the individual is held

Certain data elements, including active investigative data, juvenile records, and protected health information, remain nonpublic pursuant to applicable statutory exemptions. The full text of Minnesota's public records framework is available through the 2025 Minnesota Statutes maintained by the Office of the Revisor of Statutes.

What's Included Inmate Records in Winona County

Winona County inmate records contain a structured set of data fields compiled at booking and updated throughout the period of custody. The following breakdown reflects the standard categories of information documented in county jail records.

Basic Identifying Information:

Full legal name and known aliases
Date of birth
Gender, race, and physical descriptors (height, weight, hair color, eye color)
Booking photograph (mugshot)
State identification number or FBI number where applicable

Custody Information:

Booking date and time
Arresting agency and arresting officer
Current housing unit or cell assignment
Custody status (pre-trial, sentenced, hold for another jurisdiction)

Charge Information:

Specific criminal charges and applicable Minnesota statute citations
Charge level (felony, gross misdemeanor, misdemeanor, petty misdemeanor)
Case or complaint number associated with each charge

Bond/Bail Information:

Bail amount set by the court
Bond type (cash, surety, conditional release)
Current bond status

Court Information:

Next scheduled court date and hearing type
Presiding court and judicial district
Case numbers cross-referenced with the Minnesota Judicial Branch court administration system

Sentence Information (if convicted and serving sentence):

Sentence length imposed by the court
Sentence start date and projected end date
Credit for time served
Any concurrent or consecutive sentence designations

Release Information:

Actual or projected release date
Release type (expiration of sentence, bail posted, transfer, court order)
Conditions of release or supervision requirements

Winona County Prison System

Winona County operates a single county jail facility that serves as the primary detention center for the county. The jail functions as a short-term detention facility for individuals awaiting trial, those serving sentences of up to one year for misdemeanor or gross misdemeanor offenses, and individuals held on detainers or warrants from other jurisdictions. This structure is distinct from the Minnesota state prison system, which is administered by the Minnesota Department of Corrections and houses individuals convicted of felony offenses sentenced to terms exceeding one year.

Individuals sentenced to felony terms in Winona County are transferred to a state correctional facility designated by the Minnesota Department of Corrections following sentencing. The county jail does not house individuals serving state prison sentences except in limited circumstances such as court-ordered temporary transfers.

Winona County Jail 177 Main Street, Winona, MN 55987 (507) 457-6363 Public Counter Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–4:30 PM Winona County Sheriff's Office

Types of Correctional Facilities In Winona County

Winona County's correctional infrastructure consists of the county jail operated under the authority of the elected Sheriff. Individuals serving longer felony sentences may be housed at state facilities administered by the Minnesota Department of Corrections.

Winona County Jail 177 Main Street, Winona, MN 55987 (507) 457-6363 Winona County Sheriff's Office

Capacity: Approximately 70 beds
Population served: Pre-trial detainees, sentenced misdemeanants, federal and out-of-county holds
Operated by: Winona County Sheriff's Office

Minnesota Department of Corrections — State Facilities 1450 Energy Park Drive, Suite 200, St. Paul, MN 55108 (651) 361-7200 Minnesota Department of Corrections

Houses individuals convicted of felony offenses from Winona County
Facility assignment determined by DOC classification staff
Members of the public may use the offender locator tool to locate individuals held in state custody

Who's in Prison In Winona County

The Winona County Jail currently holds several categories of individuals at any given time. Understanding who is detained at the county level helps members of the public determine the appropriate agency to contact when seeking custody information.

Individuals held in the Winona County Jail include:

Pre-trial detainees — persons arrested and charged with a criminal offense who have not yet been convicted and are unable to post bail or have been denied bail by the court
Sentenced misdemeanants — individuals convicted of misdemeanor or gross misdemeanor offenses and serving sentences of up to 365 days
Probation and supervised release violators — individuals alleged to have violated conditions of probation or court-ordered supervision, held pending a revocation hearing
Warrant holds — persons arrested on outstanding warrants issued by Winona County or other jurisdictions
Interstate and federal detainers — individuals held at the request of federal agencies or other states pending transfer
Civil commitments — in limited circumstances, individuals subject to civil commitment orders

Individuals convicted of felony offenses and sentenced to state prison are transferred to a Minnesota Department of Corrections facility. Members of the public may search for individuals and fugitives through the DOC's online resources if the person sought may be in state custody.

How To Search for Inmate Records In Winona County in 2026

Members of the public may access Winona County inmate information through several official channels. The following steps outline the current process for conducting an inmate records search.

Step 1 — Determine the Likely Custody Location Confirm whether the individual is held at the county jail or has been transferred to a state facility. Individuals sentenced to felony terms are housed by the Minnesota Department of Corrections; the offender locator provides statewide search capability.

Step 2 — Contact the Winona County Jail Directly Members of the public may call the Winona County Sheriff's Office at (507) 457-6363 during business hours (Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–4:30 PM) to inquire about an individual's custody status. Staff can confirm whether a named individual is currently booked into the facility.

Step 3 — Submit a Written Data Request Pursuant to Minnesota Statutes § 13.03, any person may submit a written request for public government data to the responsible authority of the agency. Written requests for inmate records may be submitted to the Winona County Sheriff's Office at 177 Main Street, Winona, MN 55987. The agency is required to respond within a reasonable time and may charge a fee for reproduction of records.

Step 4 — Search Court Records Charge and case information associated with an inmate's custody may be accessed through the Minnesota Judicial Branch. The Minnesota Judicial Branch provides online access to court records through its public access portal. Self-represented individuals may also utilize Self-Help Centers available at courthouse locations.

Step 5 — Search the Sex Offender Registry For individuals required to register as predatory offenders, the Minnesota Department of Corrections maintains a public registrant search that discloses registration information as authorized by law.

How To Find an Inmate in Winona County for Free?

Several no-cost methods are currently available for locating an individual held in Winona County or Minnesota state custody.

Winona County Jail — Phone Inquiry: Call (507) 457-6363 during public counter hours (Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–4:30 PM) to request a verbal confirmation of custody status at no charge.
Minnesota DOC Offender Locator: The offender locator provided by the Minnesota Department of Corrections allows members of the public to search for individuals held in state correctional facilities at no cost.
DOC Fugitive and Individual Search: The Search for Individuals & Fugitives page on the Minnesota DOC website provides additional search tools and information for locating individuals in the corrections system.
Minnesota Court Records: Case and charge information is accessible through the Minnesota Judicial Branch public access system at no charge for basic lookups.
Minnesota State Law Library: The Minnesota State Law Library provides research assistance and access to legal resources that may assist members of the public in understanding records and navigating the corrections system.

How To Visit an Inmate In Winona County

Visitation at the Winona County Jail is governed by facility rules established by the Winona County Sheriff's Office. Members of the public wishing to visit an incarcerated individual must comply with all applicable procedures.

Visit Rules and Procedures All visitors must be pre-approved by jail administration. Approval typically requires submission of a visitor application and may include a background check. Visitors who have active warrants, are on probation or supervised release, or have been previously banned from the facility may be denied access.

Visit Schedule Visitation schedules are set by the Winona County Jail and are subject to change. Members of the public should contact the facility directly at (507) 457-6363 to confirm current visitation days and times prior to arrival.

What to Bring

Government-issued photo identification (driver's license, state ID, or passport)
Approved visitor documentation if required by the facility

What NOT to Bring

Weapons, controlled substances, or drug paraphernalia
Unauthorized food, beverages, or packages
Electronic devices not expressly permitted by facility rules
Items that could be used to facilitate escape or introduce contraband

Dress Code Visitors are required to dress appropriately. Clothing that resembles inmate uniforms, exposes excessive skin, or contains offensive imagery may result in denial of entry. Specific dress code requirements should be confirmed with the facility.

Visit Types The Winona County Jail currently offers in-person contact or non-contact visits depending on the inmate's classification and housing assignment. Video visitation may also be available; members of the public should confirm available formats with jail staff.

Visit Restrictions Visitation may be suspended or restricted for disciplinary reasons, facility lockdowns, or court-ordered no-contact provisions. Minors must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian and may be subject to additional approval requirements.

How To Send Money to a Winona County Inmate

Funds may be deposited into an inmate's trust account to allow the individual to purchase commissary items, make telephone calls, and cover other authorized expenses within the facility.

Accepted Methods

Lobby kiosk: The Winona County Jail may provide a kiosk at the facility for cash or card deposits. Members of the public should confirm availability at (507) 457-6363.
Online deposit services: Third-party services contracted by the facility may allow deposits via credit or debit card through an online portal. The specific vendor and platform should be confirmed with jail administration.
Money order by mail: Money orders made payable to the inmate (including full legal name and booking number) may be accepted by mail at 177 Main Street, Winona, MN 55987.

Amount Limits Deposit limits per transaction or per week may apply and are set by facility policy. Members of the public should confirm current limits with the Winona County Jail.

Fees Third-party deposit services typically charge a transaction fee. The fee amount varies by method and vendor. No fee is generally assessed for money orders submitted by mail, though processing times may differ.

What You Cannot Send Cash sent directly through the mail is not accepted. Personal checks, gift cards, and prepaid debit cards are generally not accepted. Any funds sent in an unauthorized format may be returned or confiscated.

Permitted Uses of Funds Inmate trust account funds may be used for commissary purchases (hygiene items, snacks, writing materials), telephone account credits, and postage. Funds may not be used to pay fines, restitution, or court costs directly from the trust account without a court order or facility authorization.

How To Send Jail Mail In Winona County

Members of the public may correspond with inmates at the Winona County Jail by sending written mail through the United States Postal Service. All incoming mail is subject to inspection by jail staff pursuant to facility security protocols and applicable Minnesota law.

Mailing Address All mail must be addressed to the inmate using their full legal name and booking number:

Inmate Full Legal Name / Booking Number Winona County Jail 177 Main Street Winona, MN 55987

Rules for Sending Mail

All envelopes and contents are subject to inspection upon receipt. Facility staff may read incoming mail to screen for contraband, escape plans, or other security threats.
Letters must be written on plain white paper. Colored paper, glitter, stickers, and similar embellishments are generally prohibited.
Photographs may be permitted subject to size and content restrictions established by the facility; explicit or offensive imagery is prohibited.
Books and publications, if permitted, must be sent directly from a publisher or approved retailer, not from a private individual.
Mail containing contraband, coded messages, or materials that violate facility rules will be confiscated and may result in disciplinary action against the inmate.
Legal mail from licensed attorneys is treated as privileged correspondence and is subject to separate handling procedures under applicable law. Individuals seeking guidance on legal mail procedures may consult the prisoner resources page maintained by the U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota.
Inmates who are parties to civil or criminal proceedings may access legal research assistance through the Minnesota State Law Library or courthouse Self-Help Centers.