Find Released Inmates in Clearwater County

Clearwater County released inmate records are available online through the Sheriff's Office, which updates its current inmate list approximately every 60 minutes. The county also provides a voicemail system, an active warrant list, and VINE registration for real-time custody notifications. The Clearwater County Sheriff's Office operates from the courthouse in Bagley and handles bookings for this rural northwestern Minnesota county. This page walks through how to search for released inmates in Clearwater County using each available tool.

Clearwater County Inmate List

The Clearwater County Sheriff's Office posts a current inmate list online through the county website at clearwatercountymn.gov. The list updates approximately every 60 minutes. The Sheriff's Office notes that the offense listed may reflect the initial booking charge or an amended charge, so it should not be taken as the final legal determination. For current custody status, calling the Sheriff's Office at 218-694-6226 is always the most reliable method.

The Sheriff's Office is located at the Clearwater County Courthouse, First Floor, 213 Main Ave. North, Dept. 102, Bagley, MN 56621. The fax number is 218-694-6964. The 9th Judicial District Court is at the same address, 213 Main Avenue N, Bagley, MN 56621, so court-related questions about pending cases can be directed to the courthouse as well.

Clearwater County also maintains an active warrant list on the same website. If you know the whereabouts of anyone on the warrant list, call the Sheriff's Office at 218-694-6226. The warrant list is separate from the inmate list. People on the warrant list are not in custody; they have outstanding warrants and may be at large.

The Clearwater County Sheriff's website provides the current inmate list, active warrant list, and VINE registration link, updated approximately every 60 minutes.

Inmate Voicemail System

Clearwater County offers a voicemail service for people who want to leave a message for someone in custody. To use it, dial 218-214-7070 and leave your name, your callback phone number, and the inmate's name. Jail staff do not pass along messages directly, so this voicemail line serves as a way to communicate information to inmates without calling during business hours. This is a somewhat unusual service for a small county jail and can be useful for family members who want to reach someone in custody.

Note that this is a message system, not a way to speak with an inmate directly. Inmates make outgoing calls through the jail's phone system. For general questions about an inmate's status, custody, or court dates, call the Sheriff's Office main line at 218-694-6226 during business hours.

VINE Notifications for Clearwater County

Clearwater County is part of the statewide VINE (Victim Information and Notification Everyday) network. You can register to receive automatic alerts when someone at the Clearwater County Jail is released, transferred, or has another custody change. Register online at VINELink or by phone at 877-664-8463. The service is free and available to anyone. You do not need to give a reason for registering.

VINE alerts can be sent as a phone call, text message, or email. Because the Clearwater County inmate list updates every 60 minutes, there can be a lag between a release and when it shows up online. VINE notifies you as soon as the change is recorded in the system, which is usually faster than the website update. For victims, family members, and attorneys, VINE is the most reliable way to stay current on custody status without constantly checking the website.

VINE provides free real-time notifications when a Clearwater County inmate is released or transferred, sent by phone, text, or email.

Public Data Laws in Clearwater County

Like all Minnesota counties, Clearwater County makes jail records available under Minnesota Statute 13.82. This law requires law enforcement to disclose booking data, including names, charges, and dates. The online inmate list satisfies this requirement. You do not need to file a formal public records request to see what's posted on the county website.

Minnesota Statute 13.85 covers corrections data and draws a line between what is public and what is private. Booking records and custody status are public. Medical records, mental health data, and financial records are private. If you need records not shown in the online list, you can request them in writing from the Clearwater County Sheriff's Office at 213 Main Ave. North, Dept. 102, Bagley, MN 56621. The office must respond under the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act.

Statewide Tools for Clearwater County

When someone convicted in Clearwater County is transferred to a state prison, the local inmate list stops showing them. The Minnesota DOC Offender Locator tracks people in state custody and on supervised release. Search by name at no cost. The tool shows current location, sentence information, and projected release dates for state-supervised offenders throughout Minnesota.

The Predatory Offender Registry covers qualifying sex offenders released in Clearwater County. Registration under Minnesota Statute 243.166 is required for specific offenses. Risk levels are assigned under Minnesota Statute 244.052. For court records tied to Clearwater County cases, search Minnesota Court Records Online (MCRO). The Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) holds statewide criminal history records.

Cities in Clearwater County

Bagley is the county seat of Clearwater County and the largest community in the area. No cities in Clearwater County meet the population threshold for a dedicated released inmate city page.

All Clearwater County residents are served by the Sheriff's Office at 213 Main Ave. North, Dept. 102, Bagley, MN 56621. Phone: 218-694-6226. Bookings from all communities in the county are captured in the online inmate list.

Nearby Counties

These counties are near Clearwater County. Each has its own released inmate records.