Grant County Inmate Search
What Is Inmate Records In Grant County?
Inmate records in Grant County, Wisconsin, are official documents created and maintained by correctional facilities and law enforcement agencies to document individuals who are or have been held in custody. These records are distinct from court records: while the Grant County Circuit Court maintains case files related to criminal proceedings, the Grant County Jail and Sheriff's Office maintain custody records that track an individual's physical detention 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 identifying information, document the charges, record physical descriptors, and photograph the individual. Records are updated continuously throughout the period of incarceration to reflect changes in custody status, housing assignments, disciplinary actions, and medical notes. Upon release, the record is closed and archived in accordance with applicable retention schedules.
Under Wisconsin Statute § 19.35, members of the public hold a general right to inspect public records maintained by government agencies, including records held by county jails and sheriff's offices. Additionally, Wisconsin Statute § 302.113 governs the management of offender information within the state correctional system, establishing the framework under which custody records are created, maintained, and disclosed.
Grant County Sheriff's Office 130 W Maple St, Lancaster, WI 53813 (608) 723-2157 Grant County Wisconsin Sheriff Office
Are Inmate Records Public In Grant County?
Inmate records in Grant County are generally accessible to the public under Wisconsin's open records law. Pursuant to Wisconsin Statute § 19.35(1)(a), each person has a right to inspect any record maintained by a government authority, subject to specific statutory exemptions. The presumption under Wisconsin law favors disclosure, meaning that custodians of records bear the burden of demonstrating that a specific exemption applies before withholding information.
The following categories of inmate information are currently accessible to members of the public:
- Current inmate roster — a list of individuals presently held in the Grant County Jail
- Booking and arrest records — date, time, and location of arrest and intake
- Charges filed — criminal charges associated with the individual's detention
- Mugshots — booking photographs taken at intake
- 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 records may be withheld where disclosure would endanger an individual, compromise an ongoing investigation, or fall within another recognized statutory exemption. Juvenile records and records sealed by court order are not subject to public disclosure.
What's Included in Inmate Records in Grant County
Inmate records maintained by the Grant County Sheriff's Office and Jail contain multiple categories of information compiled from booking through release.
Basic Identifying Information:
- Full legal name and known aliases
- Date of birth
- Gender, race, and physical descriptors (height, weight, eye and hair color)
- Booking photograph (mugshot)
- State identification number or FBI number
Custody Information:
- Date and time of booking
- Arresting agency
- Current custody status (in custody, released, transferred)
- Housing unit or cell assignment
- Facility name
Charge Information:
- Specific criminal charges (statute citations)
- Charge classification (felony, misdemeanor, or civil commitment)
- Arresting offense narrative
Bond/Bail Information:
- Bond type (cash, surety, personal recognizance)
- Bond amount set by the court
- Bond status (posted, unposted, forfeited)
Court Information:
- Case number(s)
- Scheduled court dates
- Presiding court and judge assignment
- Case disposition where available
Members of the public may search Wisconsin court case records through the Wisconsin Court System case search portal, which provides access to circuit court, Court of Appeals, and Supreme Court records statewide.
Sentence Information (if convicted and serving sentence):
- Sentence length and type (confinement, extended supervision)
- Sentence start date
- Earned release or good-time credits where applicable
Release Information:
- Actual or projected release date
- Release type (bond, sentence completion, transfer, court order)
- Supervision conditions upon release, if any
Grant County Prison System
Grant County operates a local jail system designed to house individuals at the pre-trial stage of criminal proceedings as well as those serving sentences of up to one year for misdemeanor or lower-level felony convictions. The county jail is distinct from Wisconsin state prisons, which are administered by the Wisconsin Department of Corrections and house individuals serving longer sentences following felony convictions in circuit court.
The Grant County Jail functions under the authority of the Grant County Sheriff's Office. The Sheriff is responsible for the safe and lawful operation of the jail, including the intake, housing, supervision, and release of all detainees. The facility also holds individuals awaiting transfer to state correctional institutions following sentencing.
Grant County Sheriff's Office / Grant County Jail 130 W Maple St, Lancaster, WI 53813 (608) 723-2157 Grant County Wisconsin Sheriff Office
Types of Correctional Facilities In Grant County
Grant County's correctional infrastructure currently consists of the following facility:
Grant County Jail 130 W Maple St, Lancaster, WI 53813 (608) 723-2157 Grant County Wisconsin Sheriff Office
The Grant County Jail is the primary detention facility serving the county. It houses pre-trial detainees, individuals serving short-term sentences, and persons held on detainers or awaiting transfer. The facility operates under the direct supervision of the Grant County Sheriff and is subject to Wisconsin Department of Corrections inspection and certification standards. Individuals sentenced to terms exceeding one year are transferred to a Wisconsin state correctional institution designated by the Wisconsin Department of Corrections.
Who's in Prison In Grant County
The Grant County Jail houses several distinct populations at any given time. Understanding who is incarcerated in the county facility helps members of the public distinguish between county and state custody.
Individuals currently held in the Grant County Jail typically include:
- Pre-trial detainees — persons arrested and charged with a criminal offense who have not yet been convicted and are unable to post bond
- Sentenced misdemeanants — individuals convicted of misdemeanor offenses and serving sentences of up to one year
- Short-term felony offenders — persons convicted of certain felony offenses and serving sentences within the county facility
- Individuals on holds or detainers — persons held at the request of another jurisdiction, including federal immigration detainers or out-of-county warrants
- Civil commitments — individuals held pursuant to court orders unrelated to criminal conviction, such as mental health commitments
- State inmates awaiting transfer — persons sentenced to state prison who are temporarily housed in the county jail pending transfer to a Wisconsin Department of Corrections facility
Individuals serving sentences of more than one year are housed in state correctional institutions. The public may search for state offender information through the DOC offender information portal maintained by the Wisconsin Department of Corrections.
How To Search for Inmate Records In Grant County in 2026
Members of the public may access inmate records through several official channels. The following steps outline the process for locating current and historical custody information.
Step 1 — Contact the Grant County Sheriff's Office directly. Members of the public may call (608) 723-2157 during regular business hours to inquire about an individual's custody status. Staff can confirm whether a person is currently held in the Grant County Jail and provide basic booking information.
Step 2 — Submit a written public records request. Pursuant to Wisconsin Statute § 19.35, any person may submit a written request for inmate records to the Grant County Sheriff's Office. Requests should identify the subject by full name and date of birth and specify the records sought. Requests may be submitted in person, by mail, or by email to the Sheriff's Office.
Step 3 — Search Wisconsin court records online. For case-related information, members of the public may use the Wisconsin Court System case search portal to retrieve circuit court records associated with an individual's charges.
Step 4 — Search state offender records. For individuals who may be in state custody, the Wisconsin Department of Corrections offender search provides current information on persons housed in state correctional facilities.
Step 5 — Visit the facility in person. Members of the public may visit the Grant County Sheriff's Office at 130 W Maple St, Lancaster, WI 53813, during public counter hours to review available records or submit a request in person.
How To Find an Inmate in Grant County for Free?
Several no-cost methods are available for locating an inmate currently held in Grant County or in Wisconsin state custody.
- Call the Grant County Jail at (608) 723-2157 to request a verbal confirmation of custody status at no charge.
- Use the Wisconsin DOC offender search — the DOC offender information portal is a free, publicly accessible tool for locating individuals in state correctional custody.
- Search Wisconsin court records — the Wisconsin Court System case search is available at no cost and provides case-level information including charges and court dates.
- Visit the Sheriff's Office in person — members of the public may inspect available public records at the Grant County Sheriff's Office without charge, subject to applicable copying fees for reproduced documents.
No fee is required to conduct a basic inmate lookup through official government channels in Wisconsin.
How To Visit an Inmate In Grant County
Visitation at the Grant County Jail is governed by facility rules established by the Grant 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 the facility prior to visiting. Visitors are required to present valid government-issued photo identification at the time of the visit. Individuals with outstanding warrants will not be permitted to enter the facility.
Visit Schedule Visitation schedules are subject to change at the discretion of facility administration. Members of the public should contact the Grant County Jail at (608) 723-2157 to confirm current visiting hours before traveling to the facility.
What to Bring
- Valid, government-issued photo identification (driver's license, state ID, or passport)
What NOT to Bring
- Weapons of any kind
- Controlled substances or alcohol
- Unauthorized food or beverages
- Electronic devices not expressly permitted by facility rules
- Cash or valuables beyond what is permitted by facility policy
Dress Code Visitors are required to dress appropriately. Clothing that resembles inmate uniforms, exposes excessive skin, or displays gang-affiliated symbols or insignia is prohibited. Facility staff retain the authority to deny entry to any visitor whose attire is deemed inappropriate.
Visit Types The Grant County Jail may offer in-person contact visits, non-contact visits through a partition, and video visitation depending on the inmate's classification and facility capacity. Members of the public should confirm available visit types by contacting the facility directly.
Visit Restrictions Visitation privileges may be suspended or revoked for violations of facility rules. Minors must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. Individuals on probation or parole may be subject to additional restrictions.
How To Send Money to a Grant County Inmate
Funds may be deposited into an inmate's trust account to allow the individual to purchase approved items from the jail commissary. Members of the public wishing to send money to a Grant County Jail inmate should contact the facility at (608) 723-2157 to confirm the currently accepted deposit methods, as procedures are subject to change.
Accepted Methods
- In-person deposits at the facility (cash or money order, as permitted)
- Money orders mailed to the facility made payable to the inmate
- Third-party electronic deposit services, where available
Amount Limits Deposit limits per transaction or per week may apply. Members of the public should confirm current limits with the Grant County Jail directly.
Fees Third-party electronic deposit services typically assess a transaction fee. No fee is generally charged for money orders submitted by mail, though this is subject to facility policy.
What You Cannot Send
- Personal checks
- Cash sent through the mail
- Gift cards or prepaid debit cards
- Any item not expressly authorized by the facility
Use of Funds Funds deposited into an inmate's trust account may be used to purchase commissary items such as hygiene products, snacks, writing materials, and postage. Funds may not be used to pay fines, restitution, or court costs directly through the trust account unless specifically authorized by court order.
How To Send Jail Mail In Grant County
Members of the public may correspond with inmates held at the Grant County Jail by sending written mail to the facility. All incoming and outgoing mail is subject to inspection by facility staff pursuant to jail security policies and applicable Wisconsin law.
Mailing Address All mail should be addressed to the inmate using the following format:
Inmate Full Name, Inmate ID Number (if known) Grant County Jail 130 W Maple St Lancaster, WI 53813
Rules for Sending Mail
- All mail must include the sender's full name and return address on the envelope.
- Letters must be written on plain white paper using blue or black ink.
- Photographs may be permitted subject to facility guidelines; members of the public should confirm current photo policies with the jail.
- Hardcover books, magazines, and publications must be sent directly from the publisher or an approved vendor; items sent from private individuals may be rejected.
- Mail containing contraband, threatening language, coded messages, or materials that violate facility rules will be confiscated and may result in disciplinary action.
- Legal mail from attorneys is handled separately and is subject to different inspection procedures under applicable constitutional protections.
Facility mail policies are subject to revision at the discretion of the Grant County Sheriff's Office. Members of the public should contact the facility at (608) 723-2157 to confirm current mail procedures before sending correspondence.