Franklin County Inmate Search
What Is Inmate Records In Franklin County?
Inmate records are official documents created and maintained by correctional facilities and law enforcement agencies to document individuals who are or have been held in custody. In Franklin County, Missouri, these records are generated and managed by the Franklin County Sheriff's Office and the county detention facility, serving as the authoritative source of custody-related information distinct from court case files maintained by the judiciary.
The record creation process begins at the moment of booking or intake, when facility staff collect identifying information, document charges, and photograph the individual. Records are continuously updated throughout the period of incarceration to reflect changes in custody status, housing assignments, disciplinary actions, and court appearances. Upon release, the record is formally closed and archived, though it remains subject to applicable retention schedules under Missouri law.
Inmate records differ fundamentally from court records. The circuit court maintains case files, docket entries, and judicial orders, while the detention facility maintains custody records reflecting the physical status of the individual within the correctional system. Pursuant to § 610.010 of the Missouri Revised Statutes, public governmental bodies are required to maintain and make available records of their official functions, which includes the custodial operations of county jails.
Franklin County Sheriff's Office 400 E. Main St., Union, MO 63084 (636) 583-2560 Franklin County Sheriff's Office
Are Inmate Records Public In Franklin County?
Inmate records in Franklin County are generally accessible to members of the public under Missouri's Sunshine Law. Missouri's primary open-records statute, § 610.020 of the Missouri Revised Statutes, establishes that records of public governmental bodies are presumed open unless a specific statutory exemption applies. Correctional facilities operating as public governmental bodies are subject to this presumption of openness.
The following categories of inmate information are currently accessible to the public:
- Current inmate roster — a list of individuals presently held in the Franklin County Detention Center
- Booking and arrest records — date, time, and circumstances of intake
- Charges filed — criminal charges associated with the current custody period
- Mugshots — photographs taken at the time of booking
- Bond and bail amounts — financial conditions of release set by the court
- Expected release dates — projected or scheduled release information where available
- Housing facility — the specific facility or unit where the individual is held
Certain information may be withheld where disclosure would compromise an ongoing investigation, endanger a person's safety, or where a court order restricts access. Juvenile records and records sealed by judicial order are not subject to public disclosure.
What's Included in Inmate Records in Franklin County
Inmate records maintained by the Franklin County Detention Center contain multiple categories of documented information compiled from the point of booking through release.
Basic Identifying Information:
- Full legal name and known aliases
- Date of birth
- Race, sex, height, and weight
- Identifying marks, tattoos, or scars
- Booking photograph (mugshot)
Custody Information:
- Booking date and time
- Arresting agency
- Current custody status (pre-trial, sentenced, or held for another jurisdiction)
- Housing unit or cell assignment
Charge Information:
- Specific criminal charges (felony or misdemeanor)
- Statute violated
- Offense date and location
Bond/Bail Information:
- Bond type (cash, surety, or personal recognizance)
- Bond amount set by the court
- Bond status (posted or unposted)
Court Information:
- Case number and assigned court division
- Next scheduled court date
- Presiding judge
Sentence Information (if convicted and serving sentence):
- Sentence length and type
- Sentencing date
- Credit for time served
Release Information:
- Projected release date
- Release type (bond, sentence completion, transfer, or court order)
- Conditions of release or supervision requirements
Franklin County Prison System
Franklin County operates a local detention facility designed to house individuals awaiting trial and those serving sentences of generally up to one year for misdemeanor or lower-level felony convictions. The county jail system is administered by the Franklin County Sheriff's Office and is distinct from Missouri state correctional institutions, which are operated by the Missouri Department of Corrections and house individuals serving longer sentences for more serious offenses.
Individuals sentenced to terms exceeding one year are typically transferred to a state facility following sentencing. The Franklin County Detention Center serves as the primary point of intake for all individuals arrested within the county, regardless of the ultimate disposition of their case.
Franklin County Detention Center 400 E. Main St., Union, MO 63084 (636) 583-2560 Franklin County Sheriff's Office
Types of Correctional Facilities In Franklin County
Franklin County's correctional infrastructure currently consists of the following facility:
Franklin County Detention Center 400 E. Main St., Union, MO 63084 (636) 583-2560 Franklin County Sheriff's Office
The Franklin County Detention Center is a county-operated jail facility under the jurisdiction of the Franklin County Sheriff's Office. The facility houses pre-trial detainees, individuals serving short-term sentences, and individuals held on behalf of other jurisdictions pending transfer. The facility operates around the clock and maintains booking, classification, and release functions on-site.
Individuals convicted of state felonies and sentenced to terms of incarceration exceeding one year are transferred to a Missouri Department of Corrections facility. The Missouri Department of Corrections operates multiple institutions throughout the state, and offender status for state-supervised individuals may be verified through the department's official resources.
Missouri Department of Corrections 2729 Plaza Dr., Jefferson City, MO 65109 (573) 751-2389 Missouri Department of Corrections
Who's in Prison In Franklin County
The Franklin County Detention Center holds several categories of individuals at any given time. Pre-trial detainees represent the largest population — persons who have been arrested and charged but have not yet been convicted or have not posted bond. These individuals retain the presumption of innocence under law.
Additional populations currently held at the facility include:
- Sentenced misdemeanants — individuals convicted of misdemeanor offenses serving sentences of up to one year
- Sentenced felons (short-term) — individuals convicted of lower-level felonies serving sentences within the county facility
- Federal or state holds — individuals held on behalf of federal agencies or other state jurisdictions pending transfer
- Probation and parole violators — individuals detained following alleged violations of supervision conditions
- Civil holds — individuals held pursuant to civil court orders in limited circumstances
Individuals serving state prison sentences are housed at Missouri Department of Corrections facilities and are not held at the county detention center beyond the initial booking and transfer period.
How To Search for Inmate Records In Franklin County in 2026
Members of the public may search for inmate records in Franklin County through several official channels. The following steps outline the available methods:
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Online Inmate Roster — The Franklin County Sheriff's Office may maintain a current inmate roster on its official website. Members of the public may visit Franklin County Sheriff's Office to access available online search tools.
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Telephone Inquiry — Members of the public may contact the Franklin County Detention Center directly at (636) 583-2560 to inquire about the custody status of a specific individual. Staff will confirm whether an individual is currently in custody and provide basic booking information.
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In-Person Request — Members of the public may appear in person at the Franklin County Detention Center, located at 400 E. Main St., Union, MO 63084, during regular business hours to request inmate records. Written requests submitted pursuant to Missouri's Sunshine Law must be responded to within three business days under § 610.023 of the Missouri Revised Statutes.
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State Offender Search — For individuals who have been transferred to or are currently supervised by the Missouri Department of Corrections, members of the public may use the MODOC Offender Search to locate offender information statewide.
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Written Public Records Request — Formal requests for copies of inmate records may be submitted in writing to the Franklin County Sheriff's Office. Requests should identify the individual by full name and date of birth and specify the records sought.
How To Find an Inmate in Franklin County for Free?
Several no-cost methods are available for locating an inmate currently held in Franklin County or supervised by the state.
- Franklin County Sheriff's Office Website — The official website at Franklin County Sheriff's Office may provide a publicly accessible inmate roster at no charge.
- Direct Telephone Contact — Calling the detention center at (636) 583-2560 allows members of the public to confirm custody status without charge.
- Missouri Department of Corrections Offender Search — The MODOC Offender Search provides free access to information about offenders currently supervised by the Missouri Department of Corrections, including those on probation, parole, or incarcerated in a state facility.
- Missouri Case.net — The Missouri Case.net online court records system allows members of the public to search for case information, including charges and court dates, associated with a specific individual at no cost.
How To Visit an Inmate In Franklin County
Members of the public wishing to visit an individual held at the Franklin County Detention Center must comply with all facility visitation policies established by the Franklin County Sheriff's Office.
Visit Rules and Procedures All visitors must be pre-approved by the facility prior to visiting. Prospective visitors are required to submit their name and identification information for a background screening. Approval is subject to the discretion of facility administration.
Visit Schedule Visitation schedules are set by the Franklin County Detention Center and are subject to change. Members of the public should contact the facility directly at (636) 583-2560 or consult the Franklin County Sheriff's Office website for current visitation hours and scheduling procedures.
What to Bring
- Government-issued photo identification (driver's license, state ID, or passport)
What NOT to Bring
- Weapons, controlled substances, or alcohol
- Cell phones or electronic devices into the secure area
- Unauthorized items for delivery to the inmate
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.
Visit Types The facility may offer in-person contact visits, non-contact visits through a partition, or video visitation depending on the inmate's classification and facility resources.
Visit Rules Visitors must follow all instructions from facility staff. Physical contact, if permitted, is limited to a brief greeting and farewell. Passing items to inmates during visits is prohibited unless specifically authorized.
Visit Restrictions Individuals with certain criminal histories may be denied visitation privileges. Minors must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. Visits may be terminated at any time for rule violations.
How To Send Money to a Franklin County Inmate
Funds may be deposited into an inmate's commissary account to allow the individual to purchase approved items such as hygiene products, snacks, and writing materials from the facility store.
Methods for Sending Money:
- In-person deposits — Funds may be deposited at the facility using approved kiosk systems or at the front desk, subject to current facility procedures.
- Online deposits — The Franklin County Detention Center may utilize a third-party service provider for online deposits. Members of the public should verify the current approved provider by contacting the facility at (636) 583-2560.
- Money orders — Approved money orders made payable to the inmate may be accepted by mail, subject to facility policy.
Amount Limits: Deposit limits per transaction or per day may apply and are established by facility policy. Members of the public should confirm current limits directly with the facility.
Fees: Third-party service providers typically charge a transaction fee for online or kiosk deposits. The facility itself does not generally charge a fee for in-person cash deposits, though this is subject to change.
What You Cannot Send:
- Cash sent through the mail
- Personal checks
- Items of value other than approved monetary instruments
What the Money Can and Cannot Be Used For: Funds in an inmate's commissary account may be used to purchase items from the approved commissary list, make approved telephone calls, and cover certain administrative costs. Funds may not be used to pay fines, court costs, or restitution directly from the commissary account unless specifically authorized by court order.
How To Send Jail Mail In Franklin County
Members of the public may correspond with inmates held at the Franklin County Detention Center by sending written mail to the facility's mailing address.
Mailing Address: Franklin County Detention Center Inmate Name, Booking Number 400 E. Main St. Union, MO 63084
Rules for Sending Mail:
- All incoming mail is subject to inspection by facility staff for contraband and security purposes.
- Letters must be written on plain white paper and sent in standard white envelopes. Colored paper, stickers, glitter, or decorative elements are typically prohibited.
- Photographs may be permitted subject to size and content restrictions established by the facility.
- Books and publications, if permitted, must be sent directly from a publisher or approved retailer, not from a private individual.
- Mail containing threatening language, coded messages, or references to illegal activity will be confiscated and may result in disciplinary action.
- Return address information must be included on all outgoing correspondence. Mail without a return address may be rejected.
- Inmates are responsible for notifying approved correspondents of current facility rules. Members of the public should contact the Franklin County Detention Center at (636) 583-2560 to confirm current mail policies before sending correspondence.