Jefferson County Booking Releases
Booking releases in Jefferson County are managed by the Sheriff's Office in Mt. Vernon. With a population of about 36,550, Jefferson County is one of the larger counties in southern Illinois. The Sheriff's Office processes all arrests made within the county and maintains records of each booking. You can search for current inmates or request copies of past booking release files through the office. The jail is located on Casey Avenue in Mt. Vernon and handles bookings around the clock. FOIA requests are accepted for older records that are no longer shown in the current system.
Jefferson County Quick Facts
Jefferson County Sheriff and Booking Records
The Jefferson County Sheriff's Office is the main keeper of booking release records in the county. It is located at 911 Casey Avenue in Mt. Vernon. Every person arrested in Jefferson County goes through a booking process at the jail. Staff log the person's name, date of birth, charges, bond amount, and the time they were brought in. Release info gets added to the same record once the person posts bond, finishes a sentence, or is let go by a judge.
You can call the Sheriff's Office at (618) 244-8064 for questions about current inmates or past booking release records. The staff can tell you whether someone is in custody and what their charges are. If you need a written copy of a booking release from Jefferson County, they will walk you through the request process. Most simple lookups can be handled by phone in just a few minutes.
Mt. Vernon sits at the crossroads of Interstates 57 and 64, which means the jail sees people from across the region. The Sheriff's Office serves the entire county, so it does not matter where in Jefferson County the arrest happened. All booking releases go through this one office. That makes it the single point of contact for anyone trying to find jail records in the area.
| Address |
Jefferson County Sheriff's Office 911 Casey Avenue Mt. Vernon, IL 62864 |
|---|---|
| Phone | (618) 244-8064 |
| Website | jeffersoncountysheriff.net |
Search Jefferson County Booking Releases Online
The Jefferson County Sheriff's Office maintains a website where you can find information about jail operations and booking procedures. While online inmate search options vary by county, you can start by visiting the Sheriff's site to see what tools are currently available. Some counties in southern Illinois use third-party jail management systems that post rosters online, and Jefferson County may offer a similar feature through their site or a linked platform.
The Illinois Department of Corrections main page is another starting point for statewide booking and custody searches.
The IDOC site covers state-level inmates but can help you track someone who was transferred from Jefferson County Jail to state prison.
If you cannot find what you need online, calling the jail directly at (618) 244-8064 is the most reliable way to check on a current booking release in Jefferson County. Staff can confirm custody status and give you bond details over the phone. For people who have already been released, the online tools will not show their records. In those cases, you will need to file a written request.
Booking Release FOIA Requests in Jefferson County
Illinois law gives you the right to request booking release records from the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office. The Freedom of Information Act (5 ILCS 140) covers all public records held by government agencies, including arrest logs and jail booking data. When you file a FOIA request, the office has five business days to respond. That clock starts the day they get your written request.
Your request should include the person's full name and any other details you have. A date of birth or approximate arrest date helps a lot. The more info you give, the faster the staff can pull the right Jefferson County booking release file. You can send your request by mail to 911 Casey Avenue, Mt. Vernon, IL 62864. Delivering it in person is also fine during regular business hours.
Under 5 ILCS 140/2.15, arrest records must be available within 72 hours of the arrest. That means very recent booking releases in Jefferson County should be accessible quickly, even before a formal FOIA response is due. Copy fees follow the standard state schedule: the first 50 pages are free, then $0.15 per page after that. Certified copies cost up to $1.00 per page.
Illinois State Booking Release Resources
Several state-level tools can help if you are looking for someone who may have been transferred out of Jefferson County Jail. The IDOC Offender Search covers anyone currently in the Illinois state prison system. It shows the facility, projected release date, and offense details. This tool is free and does not need an account to use.
The IDOC FOIA page shows you how to request state-level records if the person you are looking for is no longer in the county system.
This page lays out the steps and forms you need to request records from the state corrections department.
VINELink is another option. It is a nationwide victim notification system that tracks custody changes in real time. You can register for alerts so you get notified when someone is released from a Jefferson County facility or any other jail in Illinois. The service is free. The Criminal Identification Act (20 ILCS 2630) sets the rules about which criminal records can be shared publicly. Most Jefferson County booking releases are open records, but a court can order certain records sealed or expunged under this law.
How to Get Jefferson County Booking Release Records
There are a few ways to get booking release records from Jefferson County. Each one works best in different situations. Here is a quick look at your options:
- Call the Sheriff's Office at (618) 244-8064 for a quick status check
- Visit the jail at 911 Casey Avenue in Mt. Vernon during business hours
- Submit a FOIA request by mail for older or detailed records
- Use the IDOC Offender Search for state prison transfers
- Sign up on VINELink for release notifications
For current inmates, a phone call is the fastest route. The staff can tell you the person's charges, bond amount, and whether they are still in custody. If you need an actual copy of the booking release, a written request works better. Walk-in requests at the jail are handled during office hours and simple lookups can often be done on the spot.
Keep in mind that some records may not be available if they have been sealed by a court. Under the Criminal Identification Act, expunged records are completely removed from public access. But for the majority of Jefferson County booking releases, the records are open and the Sheriff's Office will provide them if you follow the standard request process.
Nearby Counties
Booking releases are filed in the county where the arrest took place. If you are not sure whether the arrest happened in Jefferson County or a neighboring one, check the details. These counties border Jefferson County.