Blue Earth County Inmate Records Search

Blue Earth County released inmate and custody records are available online through the Blue Earth County Sheriff's Office jail custody roster. The jail is part of the Justice Center in Mankato and holds up to 146 adults in secure, coed housing. Sheriff Brad Peterson oversees the facility, which is inspected annually by the Minnesota Department of Corrections. If you need to search for a released inmate in Blue Earth County, the online roster is the most direct starting point. This page explains how to access the roster, what information it contains, and what other statewide tools can help when local records are not enough.

Blue Earth County Jail Custody Roster

The Blue Earth County jail custody roster is posted online and gives the public direct access to current inmate data. Visit the Blue Earth County Jail Custody Roster page to view the list. The roster shows who is currently in custody at the Justice Center. If someone has been released, their name will no longer appear on the list. For recently released individuals, the Minnesota DOC Offender Locator or VINE may still show their status depending on their case type.

The Justice Center is at 401 Carver Rd in Mankato. The jail lobby is open to the public and includes a self-serve kiosk for depositing money into inmate accounts. The kiosk accepts cash and credit cards. You can also visit the lobby for fingerprinting services and to arrange visitation. The jail direct line is 507-304-4830, and the main Sheriff's Office number is 507-304-4800.

For warrant tips, the Sheriff's Office operates a dedicated tip line at 507-304-4888. You can also email tips@blueearthcountymn.gov. Active warrant information may be found through the jail roster page or by contacting the Sheriff's Office directly.

The Blue Earth County Jail Custody Roster is updated regularly and provides public access to current inmate names, charges, and custody status at the Justice Center in Mankato.

Justice Center Jail Operations

The Blue Earth County Jail operates at the Justice Center in Mankato with an approved capacity of 146 secure coed beds. In practice, the jail runs at about 90% of that capacity, housing around 131 inmates at any given time. The facility is regulated under Minnesota Rule 2911, which governs local adult detention facilities across the state. Annual inspections by the Minnesota Department of Corrections help ensure the facility meets minimum standards for safety, programming, and inmate care.

The jail handles adults awaiting trial, those serving sentences of a year or less, and people held on warrants or other detainers. People serving longer sentences may be transferred to state facilities run by the Minnesota DOC. When that happens, the local roster will no longer show them, but the Minnesota DOC Offender Locator will still include them in its database.

The facility's core values, as stated by the Sheriff's Office, are Respect, Integrity, Caring, and Service. These are reflected in how staff handle inmate services, including programming and reentry support. Sheriff Brad Peterson has emphasized transparency and public access to records as part of the department's approach to community relations.

Inmate Mail and Phone Calls

Mail sent to inmates at the Blue Earth County Jail must include the inmate's full name and be addressed to: PO Box 228, Mankato MN 56002. The jail accepts money orders only in mail, not cash. Money order payments are a common way to add funds to an inmate's commissary or phone account when a direct deposit kiosk is not available. Standard letter mail is accepted and generally delivered within a day or two of arrival at the facility.

Phone calls from the jail are collect only. Inmates call out using a collect call system, and recipients must accept the charges. If you want to set up an account to make it easier to accept calls or add calling credits, contact the jail directly at 507-304-4830 for the current phone provider and account setup process. Phone providers for county jails change periodically, so it is worth checking the current setup before assuming a previous account is still active.

Minnesota Law and Inmate Data Access

Blue Earth County releases inmate data in accordance with Minnesota Statute 13.82, which requires law enforcement agencies to make basic booking and custody information publicly available. The online roster is the county's primary tool for meeting this obligation. Names, booking dates, charges, and release status are all public under this statute.

Minnesota Statute 13.85 sets the boundaries for corrections data. It protects medical records, mental health information, and treatment participation data from public disclosure. The public roster reflects what the law allows and does not include private health or case planning information. If you need records beyond the roster, submit a written data practices request to the Blue Earth County Sheriff's Office.

For sex offenders released in Blue Earth County, the Predatory Offender Registry is the relevant tool. Registration requirements are set under Minnesota Statute 243.166, and risk levels are determined under Minnesota Statute 244.052. The Sheriff's Office handles local community notification for high-risk releases in Blue Earth County.

VINE Notifications and Statewide Tools

For automatic alerts on custody changes at the Blue Earth County Jail, register with VINE (VINELink). VINE is a free service that monitors jail and prison custody across Minnesota and sends notifications when a status changes. Register online or call 877-664-8463. You can choose to receive alerts by phone, text, or email. VINE does not require you to be a victim to register. Anyone can sign up for alerts on a specific individual.

The Minnesota DOC victim notification page explains how the VINE system works and what types of events trigger alerts at county jails versus state facilities. Both are covered under the statewide VINE network. The DOC Records office can be reached at (651) 361-7330 for questions about state-level custody records.

VINE is free to use and monitors Blue Earth County Jail custody records, sending alerts when an inmate is released, transferred, or has another status change recorded.

Blue Earth County Court Records

Court records for Blue Earth County are searchable through Minnesota Court Records Online (MCRO). This free tool covers criminal, civil, and family cases from the Blue Earth County District Court. Search by name or case number to find filed documents, hearing schedules, and case dispositions. Most adult criminal records are public. Juvenile cases and certain sealed records are not accessible through MCRO.

For a broader statewide criminal history, the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) processes records requests that cover arrests and case dispositions from courts across Minnesota. BCA reports require a fee and a formal request. Contact the BCA through the Minnesota Department of Public Safety website for instructions.

Cities in Blue Earth County

Blue Earth County's largest city is Mankato, which serves as the county seat and houses the Justice Center. Mankato does not have an individual released inmate city page on this site.

Other communities in Blue Earth County include North Mankato, Eagle Lake, Madison Lake, and Mapleton. All residents of Blue Earth County are served by the Sheriff's Office and the Justice Center jail at 401 Carver Rd in Mankato.

Nearby Counties

These counties are near Blue Earth County. Each has its own jail and released inmate records.