Search Redwood County Booking Releases
Redwood County booking releases are maintained by the Redwood County Sheriff's Office at 303 E 3rd St in Redwood Falls. Arrests made in Redwood County generate booking records that are public under Minnesota law. This page explains how to find those records, which online tools work best, and what state statutes say about public access to jail data in Redwood County.
Redwood County Overview
Redwood County Sheriff's Office
The Redwood County Sheriff's Office runs the county jail and keeps booking records for all arrests in the county. The office is at 303 E 3rd St, Redwood Falls, MN 56283. The phone number for both the main office and the jail is (507) 637-4036.
| Address | 303 E 3rd St, Redwood Falls, MN 56283 |
|---|---|
| Phone | (507) 637-4036 |
| Jail Phone | (507) 637-4036 |
| Jail Custody List | co.redwood.mn.us/jail/custody.html |
The Redwood County Jail custody list is available online at co.redwood.mn.us/jail/custody.html. This page shows who is currently in the jail. It's a straightforward way to check on someone without calling. The list typically includes names and may show booking dates and charges. Check the county website directly for the most current version of that page, as formatting and data fields can be updated over time.
Online Custody List and VINE
The online custody list at the Redwood County website is the fastest way to see who is currently held. Go to co.redwood.mn.us/jail/custody.html and look for the name you need. The page is maintained by the sheriff's office and reflects current bookings.
VINE is the statewide backup tool. You can use it at vinelink.com or by calling 1-877-664-8463. VINE covers Redwood County and every other county in Minnesota. It lets you search by name or ID and sign up for automatic alerts. If someone is released or transferred, VINE can notify you by phone, email, or text. This is useful if you need ongoing updates rather than a one-time lookup.
Minnesota Courts Records Online (MCRO) at mncourts.gov covers Redwood County District Court cases and is a useful companion to the custody list for checking charges and court status.
For court records connected to a Redwood County arrest, use MCRO at mncourts.gov/Access-Case-Records.aspx. MCRO is free and shows case filings, charges, and hearing dates. Booking charges and court charges don't always match. A prosecutor may add, drop, or reduce charges after the initial booking. MCRO reflects the formal court record while the custody list reflects the booking record.
Note: Booking records show what a person was charged with at arrest. They do not reflect guilt or the outcome of any court case. Always check MCRO for the most current case status.
What Minnesota Law Says
Minnesota Statute 13.82 makes certain law enforcement data public. The name of a person arrested, the time and date of arrest, the charges, and the arresting agency are all public data. No special reason is needed to access this. Anyone can ask.
Minnesota Statute 13.85 sets limits on correctional data. Medical records, mental health information, and financial data tied to inmates are private. The Redwood County Sheriff's Office can share booking data but cannot release those protected categories. If you request something that falls under private data, the office will tell you.
Minnesota Statute 641.05 governs how county jails operate and what records they must keep. This statute is the foundation for the booking documentation system. Every county jail in Minnesota, including Redwood, must follow it. The record-keeping requirements in this statute are what make public booking releases possible.
Formal Records Requests
If the online custody list and VINE don't cover what you need, submit a formal request under Minnesota's Government Data Practices Act. Call the Redwood County Sheriff's Office at (507) 637-4036 and ask about the data practices process. For anything other than a simple name check, written requests are clearer and easier to track.
The office must respond in a reasonable time. Straightforward requests are often handled the same day. Requests involving older records, large data sets, or records that need privacy review can take longer. Viewing records in person is generally free. Copies may cost a small per-page fee. Ask the office for the current fee schedule when you call.
Keep in mind what falls outside public access. Booking data is public. Internal notes about inmate classification, medical evaluations, and rehabilitation programs are not. The Government Data Practices Act is clear about this, and the sheriff's office follows it.
BCA Criminal History Records
The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) Criminal History System offers statewide conviction records for $8 per search. It includes Redwood County convictions that have reached final disposition. The BCA is useful for background checks but does not show current custody status. A person may be in the Redwood County Jail today with no BCA record if they are pretrial or have no prior Minnesota convictions.
Use VINE for current custody, MCRO for court case details, and the BCA for conviction history. These three tools cover different parts of the picture. For most searches, VINE and the Redwood County online custody list are the best starting points.
Redwood County Jail Operations
The Redwood County Jail books all arrests by county deputies and cooperating agencies. After booking, the inmate is either released on bail or held pending a court appearance. Short sentences are served locally. Longer state sentences go to a Minnesota Department of Corrections facility.
Visitation schedules and mail rules are set by the sheriff's office. Call (507) 637-4036 for current hours and procedures. Phone access in the jail uses a prepaid system. Ask the jail which provider they use and how to add funds to an inmate's phone account. Policies at the county level can change, so call ahead before visiting.
Money deposits for inmates are typically handled through the jail or a third-party service the jail contracts with. The sheriff's office at (507) 637-4036 can tell you which service is in use and how to make a deposit. Confirm this before sending money, as the accepted methods can vary by facility and contract period.
Cities in Redwood County
No cities in Redwood County meet the population threshold for a dedicated city page on this site. Redwood Falls is the county seat and largest city, with around 5,000 residents. Other communities in the county include Lamberton and Clements, but none reach the qualifying threshold.
Nearby Counties
Redwood County borders several other Minnesota counties, each with their own booking release records and jail operations.