Dakota County Released Inmates

Dakota County released inmate records are available through the county's official website and statewide tools. The Dakota County Jail in Hastings books roughly 9,000 people per year, making it one of the higher-volume county jails in Minnesota. Dakota County is the third most populous county in the state, covering 576 square miles in the southern Twin Cities metro area. This page explains how to search for released inmates in Dakota County using the local jail system, VINE notifications, and statewide resources.

Dakota County Jail and Released Inmate Records

The Dakota County Jail serves as the primary detention center for adult males and females charged with or convicted of criminal offenses in the county. It holds pre-trial inmates, people serving sentences of up to one year, and individuals awaiting transfer to state facilities. Information about current and recently released inmates is available through the Dakota County official website at co.dakota.mn.us.

The Dakota County Sheriff's Office is located at 1580 Highway 55, Hastings, MN 55033. The Sheriff's Office general phone is 651-437-4700. For jail-specific inquiries, call 651-438-4800. The Law Enforcement Center at this address is the primary intake and booking facility for all law enforcement agencies within Dakota County, including municipal police departments in Lakeville, Eagan, Burnsville, and Apple Valley.

With 9,000 bookings annually and an average daily population of around 183 inmates, the Dakota County Jail is one of the busier county detention operations in Minnesota. Its 2023 average daily population was 180 and its 2024 average was 183, reflecting relatively stable demand. The maximum operational capacity is 270 inmates. The jail received 99.19% compliance on mandatory rules and 100% compliance on essential rules during its most recent Minnesota DOC inspection in July 2023.

The Dakota County official website at co.dakota.mn.us provides access to jail information, public records, and data practices resources for inmate record searches.

Data Practices and Public Records Access

Dakota County provides information about its data practices through a dedicated page at co.dakota.mn.us/Government/DataPractices. This page explains how the county handles public and private data under Minnesota law, what records are available, and how to submit a formal data request. It is a useful starting point if you need records beyond what the county publishes automatically online.

Under Minnesota Statute 13.82, law enforcement must make basic booking data public, including names, charges, and dates of arrest. The jail roster satisfies this obligation. Minnesota Statute 13.85 governs corrections and detention data more broadly and sets limits on what private data the county can share. Medical records, mental health data, and financial information are not public under this statute.

Dakota County's Data Practices page explains how to request records, what is public, and what is private under Minnesota's Government Data Practices Act.

VINE Notifications for Dakota County

VINE (Victim Information and Notification Everyday) tracks custody status at the Dakota County Jail and sends automatic alerts when an inmate is released or transferred. Register for free at VINELink or call 877-664-8463. You can choose to receive notifications by phone call, text message, or email. No reason is required to register.

Because Dakota County processes thousands of bookings each year, the jail system sees frequent releases and transfers. VINE provides real-time notification as changes are recorded, which is especially useful when you cannot check records manually throughout the day. For victims, family members, and attorneys monitoring Dakota County custody, VINE is the most reliable and timely notification method available.

Statewide Tools for Dakota County Records

When a person convicted in Dakota County is transferred to a state prison, use the Minnesota DOC Offender Locator to find them. This free tool tracks all people in Minnesota state custody and under supervised release. It shows current facility, sentence length, and projected release dates. It does not show current Dakota County Jail inmates, which are county-level records.

For registered sex offenders in Dakota County, the Predatory Offender Registry is searchable by name or address. Registration is mandated under Minnesota Statute 243.166. Risk levels are determined under Minnesota Statute 244.052. For Dakota County court records, use Minnesota Court Records Online (MCRO). The Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) provides statewide criminal history checks.

How to Request Dakota County Records

If you need records not available through the county's online resources, submit a data request through the county's Data Practices process. Visit the Data Practices page at co.dakota.mn.us/Government/DataPractices for instructions. You can also contact the Dakota County Sheriff's Office directly at 1580 Highway 55, Hastings, MN 55033. Phone: 651-437-4700. For inmate communication services, the county's primary contact is Benjamin Verby at Benjamin.verby@co.dakota.mn.us or 651-438-4822.

Formal data requests under the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act must be responded to within the period set by state law. The county must either provide the records or cite the legal basis for withholding them. Records that are classified as private, such as medical data, inmate financial records, and certain incident reports, cannot be released regardless of the request.

Cities in Dakota County

Several cities in Dakota County have dedicated released inmate pages on this site:

Other communities in Dakota County include Hastings, Farmington, Rosemount, and South St. Paul. All are served by the Dakota County Jail at 1580 Highway 55, Hastings, MN 55033.

Nearby Counties

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