Winnebago County Public Records /Winnebago County Inmate Search

Winnebago County Inmate Search

What Is Inmate Records In Winnebago County?

Inmate records in Winnebago County are official documents created and maintained by the Winnebago County Sheriff's Office and its Corrections Division to document the custody status, personal identifying information, and incarceration history of individuals held within county correctional facilities. These records are distinct from court records: while the Clerk of Courts maintains case files, pleadings, and judicial orders, the jail and corrections division maintain custody-specific documentation that tracks an individual from the moment of booking through release.

The record creation process begins at intake, when a person is booked into the facility. At that point, staff collect biometric data, record charges, assign a unique inmate identification number, and document the individual's physical condition. Records are updated continuously throughout the period of incarceration to reflect changes in housing assignment, disciplinary actions, medical events, and court appearances. Upon release, the record is closed and archived in accordance with applicable retention schedules.

Under Wisconsin Statute § 19.32, "record" is defined broadly to include any material on which written, drawn, printed, spoken, visual, or electromagnetic information is recorded or preserved, regardless of physical form or characteristics, that has been created or is being kept by a government authority. Custody records maintained by the Winnebago County Sheriff's Office fall squarely within this definition and are subject to the public records framework established under Wisconsin law.

Are Inmate Records Public In Winnebago County?

Inmate records maintained by Winnebago County correctional authorities are generally accessible to members of the public under Wisconsin's open records law. Pursuant to Wisconsin Statute § 19.35(1)(a), every person has a right to inspect any record maintained by a government authority, and the legal presumption favors disclosure. Custodians of records may withhold information only when a specific statutory exemption applies or when the public interest in nondisclosure clearly outweighs the public interest in disclosure.

The following categories of inmate information are currently accessible to the public through the Winnebago County Sheriff's Office and its Corrections Division:

Current inmate roster — a regularly updated list of individuals presently held in the Winnebago County Jail, available as the Winnebago County Jail current inmate list sorted by name
Booking and arrest records — date, time, and circumstances of intake
Charges filed — criminal charges associated with the current period of custody
Bond and bail amounts — the monetary conditions of release set by the court
Judicial status — whether the individual is pre-trial, sentenced, or held on a detainer
Housing facility — the specific correctional facility where the individual is currently housed

Certain information, including medical records, mental health evaluations, and information pertaining to juveniles, may be withheld pursuant to applicable statutory exemptions. Wisconsin Statute § 51.30 governs the confidentiality of mental health treatment records and applies within correctional settings.

What's Included in Inmate Records in Winnebago County

Inmate records maintained by the Winnebago County Sheriff's Office encompass a broad range of documentation compiled from the point of booking through final disposition of custody.

Basic Identifying Information:

Full legal name and known aliases
Date of birth and age
Sex, race, and physical description (height, weight, hair color, eye color)
Unique inmate identification number assigned at booking
Photograph (booking photo) taken at intake

Custody Information:

Date and time of initial booking
Current housing assignment within the facility
Custody classification level
Detainer or hold information from other jurisdictions

Charge Information:

Specific criminal charges for which the individual is held
Statute citations corresponding to each charge
Arresting agency

Bond/Bail Information:

Bond type (cash, surety, personal recognizance)
Bond amount set by the court
Bond status (posted or unposted)

Court Information:

Judicial status (pre-trial, sentenced, or other)
Next scheduled court date, accessible through the Clerk of Courts at 920-236-4854 or via the Wisconsin court case search portal
Case number associated with pending charges

Sentence Information (if convicted and serving sentence):

Length of sentence imposed
Sentence begin date
Credit for time served

Release Information:

Projected release date (where applicable)
Conditions of release
Release type (expiration of sentence, bond posted, transfer, or other)

Winnebago County Prison System

Winnebago County operates a local jail system administered by the Winnebago County Sheriff's Office for the purpose of detaining individuals awaiting trial and housing persons sentenced to terms of incarceration not exceeding one year. The county jail is distinct from Wisconsin state prisons, which are administered by the Wisconsin Department of Corrections and house individuals convicted of felonies carrying sentences exceeding one year. Individuals sentenced to state prison are transferred out of county custody and may be located through the DOC offender information search.

The Winnebago County Sheriff's Office serves as the primary law enforcement and corrections authority for the county, operating the jail, processing all bookings, and maintaining custody records for all individuals held within county facilities.

Winnebago County Sheriff's Office 3000 N. Rockford Drive, Oshkosh, WI 54902 (920) 236-7300 Sheriff's Office

Winnebago County Sheriff's Office Records Division 3000 N. Rockford Drive, Oshkosh, WI 54902 (920) 236-7300 Public Counter Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–4:30 PM Records Division

Types of Correctional Facilities In Winnebago County

Winnebago County's correctional infrastructure currently consists of the county jail operated under the authority of the Sheriff's Office Corrections Division. The facility serves multiple custodial functions within the local criminal justice system.

Winnebago County Jail 3000 N. Rockford Drive, Oshkosh, WI 54902 (920) 236-7300 Corrections Division

The Winnebago County Jail performs the following functions:

Pre-trial detention — holds individuals who have been arrested and have not yet posted bond or been released by court order
Sentenced population — houses individuals serving misdemeanor or short-term felony sentences of up to one year as ordered by Winnebago County Circuit Court
Holds and detainers — retains individuals subject to immigration detainers, probation or parole holds, or warrants from other jurisdictions
Temporary holding — provides short-term custody for individuals awaiting transfer to state or federal facilities

Individuals sentenced to Wisconsin state correctional institutions are housed in facilities administered by the Wisconsin Department of Corrections. The DOC's general information page for adult institutions provides guidance on locating persons in state custody.

Who's in Prison In Winnebago County

The Winnebago County Jail holds a population that reflects the full range of custodial circumstances arising within the local criminal justice system. Members of the public seeking to understand who is currently incarcerated in the county jail may consult the current inmate roster by name, which is updated regularly and lists each individual's inmate ID, name, sex, judicial status, and initial booking date.

The jail population at any given time typically includes:

Pre-trial detainees — persons arrested on misdemeanor or felony charges who have not yet been released on bond or by court order; these individuals are presumed innocent under the law
Sentenced misdemeanants — persons convicted of misdemeanor offenses and serving sentences of up to one year
Probation and parole violators — individuals held on revocation proceedings initiated by the Wisconsin Department of Corrections or the court
Warrant holds — persons arrested on outstanding warrants issued by Winnebago County or other jurisdictions
Federal and immigration detainees — individuals held pursuant to agreements with federal agencies, including U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement

How To Search for Inmate Records In Winnebago County

Members of the public may access inmate records through several official channels maintained by Winnebago County and the State of Wisconsin. The following steps outline the primary methods currently available.

Step 1 — Access the online inmate roster. The Winnebago County Sheriff's Office publishes a regularly updated jail inmate list sorted alphabetically by name in PDF format. This document includes each individual's inmate ID number, full name, sex, judicial status, and initial booking date.

Step 2 — Contact the Corrections Division directly. Members of the public may call the Winnebago County Corrections Division at (920) 236-7300 to inquire about a specific individual's custody status, housing assignment, or next court date.

Step 3 — Submit a public records request. Pursuant to Wisconsin Statute § 19.35, any person may submit a written public records request to the Winnebago County Sheriff's Office Records Division for police reports, booking records, and other official documents. Requests may be submitted in person at 3000 N. Rockford Drive, Oshkosh, WI 54902, during public counter hours (Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–4:30 PM), or by telephone at (920) 236-7300.

Step 4 — Search Wisconsin court records. To locate case-specific information, including charges, hearing dates, and dispositions, members of the public may use the Wisconsin court case search system, which provides access to records from the Wisconsin Supreme Court, Court of Appeals, and all circuit courts.

Step 5 — Search state DOC records. For individuals who have been transferred to state custody, the Wisconsin Department of Corrections maintains a searchable offender information database that allows the public to locate persons in state prison.

How To Find an Inmate in Winnebago County for Free?

Several no-cost methods are currently available for locating an individual held in Winnebago County custody.

Online inmate roster (no cost): The Winnebago County Jail current inmate list is publicly available at no charge and is updated on a regular basis. Users may search the PDF document by name to confirm whether an individual is currently in custody.
Telephone inquiry (no cost): Members of the public may call the Winnebago County Corrections Division at (920) 236-7300 to request custody status information for a named individual at no charge.
Wisconsin court case search (no cost): The Wisconsin court case search portal provides free public access to circuit court case records, including charge information and scheduled hearing dates.
Wisconsin DOC offender search (no cost): The Wisconsin DOC offender information portal allows the public to search for individuals in state prison at no cost.
In-person inquiry (no cost): Members of the public may visit the Winnebago County Sheriff's Office Records Division at 3000 N. Rockford Drive, Oshkosh, WI 54902, during public counter hours (Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–4:30 PM) to request basic custody information without charge.

How To Visit an Inmate In Winnebago County

Visitation at the Winnebago County Jail is governed by facility rules established by the Corrections Division. Members of the public seeking to visit an incarcerated individual must comply with all applicable procedures.

Visit Rules and Procedures:

All visitors must be on the inmate's approved visitor list prior to the visit
Visitors are required to present valid, government-issued photo identification at the time of the visit
Visitors are subject to search upon entry to the facility
Minors must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian

Visit Schedule:

Visitation schedules are set by the Corrections Division and are subject to change; members of the public should contact the facility at (920) 236-7300 to confirm current visiting hours before traveling to the jail

What to Bring:

Valid, government-issued photo identification (driver's license, state ID, or passport)

What NOT to Bring:

Weapons, controlled substances, alcohol, or any contraband
Cell phones, cameras, or recording devices into the secure visitation area
Food, beverages, or packages not authorized by facility staff

Dress Code:

Visitors must dress appropriately; clothing that resembles inmate uniforms or law enforcement attire is prohibited
Revealing or offensive clothing is not permitted

Visit Types:

The Winnebago County Jail currently offers in-person contact or non-contact visitation depending on the inmate's classification and housing assignment; video visitation options may also be available

Visit Restrictions:

Visitation privileges may be suspended or revoked for violations of facility rules
Individuals with certain criminal convictions may be denied visitation privileges
Visits may be terminated at any time by facility staff for cause

Members of the public are encouraged to contact the Winnebago County Corrections Division directly at (920) 236-7300 to obtain the most current visitation policies and scheduling information.

How To Send Money to a Winnebago County Inmate

Funds may be deposited into an inmate's trust account to allow the individual to purchase approved items from the jail commissary. The Winnebago County Corrections Division administers the inmate trust account system in accordance with facility policy.

Accepted Methods:

Deposits may be made through approved third-party kiosk or online services designated by the facility; members of the public should contact the Corrections Division at (920) 236-7300 to confirm currently accepted deposit methods
In-person deposits may be available at the facility lobby kiosk, if provided

Amount Limits:

Specific deposit limits per transaction or per week are established by facility policy and are subject to change; the Corrections Division should be contacted directly for current limits

Fees:

Third-party deposit services typically assess a transaction fee; the amount varies by service provider and deposit method

What You Cannot Send:

Cash sent directly through the mail is not accepted and will not be credited to an inmate's account
Money orders or personal checks sent without following facility-specified procedures may be rejected

What the Money Can and Cannot Be Used For:

Funds in an inmate's trust account may be used to purchase commissary items such as hygiene products, snacks, writing materials, and postage
Trust account funds may not be used to pay fines, court costs, or restitution unless specifically authorized by court order or facility policy

How To Send Jail Mail In Winnebago County

Members of the public may correspond with inmates held at the Winnebago County Jail by sending written mail to the facility's designated inmate mailing address. All incoming and outgoing mail is subject to inspection by facility staff in accordance with security protocols.

Inmate Legal Mailing Address: All general correspondence should be addressed as follows:

[Inmate Full Name], Inmate ID Number Winnebago County Jail 3000 N. Rockford Drive Oshkosh, WI 54902

The Winnebago County Corrections Division provides the official inmate legal mailing address and any updates to mailing procedures.

Rules for Sending Mail:

All envelopes must include the sender's full return address; mail without a return address may be rejected
Mail must be written in English or accompanied by a certified translation
Envelopes must be standard white or manila; padded envelopes and packages are generally not accepted
Photographs may be permitted subject to size and content restrictions established by the facility; polaroid-type photographs are typically prohibited
Mail containing obscene material, gang-related content, or coded messages will be rejected and may result in disciplinary action
Legal mail from licensed attorneys is handled separately and must be clearly marked as privileged legal correspondence; it is opened only in the presence of the inmate pursuant to applicable constitutional protections
Stamps, stickers, glitter, or other adhesive materials affixed to the interior of envelopes or cards are generally prohibited
All incoming mail is logged and may be read by facility staff; inmates have no expectation of privacy in non-privileged correspondence received at the jail

Members of the public should contact the Winnebago County Sheriff's Office Records Division or the Corrections Division at (920) 236-7300 to confirm current mail policies before sending correspondence.