Mower County Inmate Search

Mower County released inmate and custody records are available through the Mower County Jail in Austin, which is operated by the Mower County Sheriff's Office. The jail offers extensive inmate programs focused on rehabilitation and reintegration, and it participates in the Huber work release program. This page explains how to find released inmate records in Mower County using the local jail, VINE notifications, and Minnesota statewide tools.

Mower County Jail

The Mower County Jail is located at 201 2nd Avenue NE, Suite 4, Austin, MN 55912. The Sheriff's Office main phone is (507) 437-9400 and the jail direct line is (507) 437-9562. The jail fax is (507) 434-2644. For current and recently released inmate information, visit the jail page at co.mower.mn.us/198/County-Jail. The page links to the public inmate roster and provides information about services and programs at the facility.

Family members and friends can leave messages for inmates at the Mower County Jail by calling the Inmate Contact Phone Number at (507) 481-3131. This dedicated message line allows communication when direct contact with an inmate is not possible. Messages are passed along to the inmate, but response times depend on the facility's schedule and the inmate's status.

The Mower County Jail at 201 2nd Avenue NE in Austin provides the public jail roster, inmate program details, and contact information through the county's official website.

Inmate Programs and Rehabilitation

Mower County Jail is notable for its wide range of inmate programming, developed through interagency and community volunteer partnerships. The programs are designed to address the criminal attitudes and behaviors that lead to incarceration in the first place. Inmates are challenged to accept responsibility for their behavior and take deliberate steps toward change. This is more than a box-checking approach. The programs are active and structured.

Activity-based programs keep inmates productively occupied. Options include board games, a computer lab with no internet access, creative arts, educational videos, library services, and an exercise gym. These activities support positive use of time during incarceration and help develop basic skills that carry over after release.

Reformative programs provide knowledge and skills to meet personal needs. Educational classes, chemical dependency meetings, anger management, cognitive and behavioral skills training, emotional literacy, and religious involvement are all offered. Reintegration programs go further and focus on preparing inmates for return to the community as productive people, covering job skills, life skills, and parenting classes. Mower County Jail also participates in the Sentencing to Service (STS) program, where inmates perform community work as part of their sentence.

Huber Work Release Program

Mower County Jail participates in the Huber work release program. Under Huber law, eligible inmates can leave the jail during approved hours to maintain their employment while serving a sentence. This program helps people keep their jobs and supports their ability to pay obligations like child support and restitution while incarcerated.

Not every inmate qualifies for work release. Eligibility depends on the nature of the offense, the sentence, and the inmate's conduct record at the facility. If you believe someone you know may qualify for Huber work release at the Mower County Jail, contact the jail at (507) 437-9562 or have the individual's attorney raise the issue with the court. The judge overseeing the case typically approves or denies work release as part of the sentence.

For people on work release, their appearance in the jail roster may look different from standard detainees. They are still in custody but allowed to leave during work hours. This is worth knowing if you are searching for someone's records and find they appear to still be in custody despite being seen in the community.

State Oversight and Legal Framework

The Mower County Jail is subject to regular inspections by the Minnesota Department of Corrections under Minnesota Statute 241.021, Subdivision 1. These inspections cover all aspects of facility operations, including admission procedures, medical screening, classification, and housing assignments. The fact that the jail is regularly inspected means it must meet and maintain minimum standards set by the state.

Mower County releases inmate data under Minnesota Statute 13.82, which requires public access to basic booking and arrest information. The jail roster provides names, charges, booking dates, and custody status. This is public data.

Corrections data privacy is governed by Minnesota Statute 13.85. Medical, mental health, and treatment records are not public. For records beyond the roster, submit a written request under the Data Practices Act to the Mower County Sheriff's Office. Sex offender registration requirements fall under Minnesota Statute 243.166, with risk levels set under Minnesota Statute 244.052.

Statewide Tools for Inmate Records

The Minnesota DOC Offender Locator covers individuals under state supervision. If someone from Mower County received a state prison sentence, the DOC Offender Locator shows their status and release history. The tool is free and searchable by name.

For automatic custody alerts, register with VINE at VINELink or by calling 877-664-8463. VINE monitors the Mower County Jail and sends free notifications when an inmate is released or transferred. Choose alerts by phone, text, or email. VINE is available 24/7 and does not require victim status to use.

Mower County District Court records are free to search through Minnesota Court Records Online (MCRO). MCRO covers criminal, civil, and family cases. Most adult criminal records are public. Search by name or case number.

For a complete statewide criminal history, contact the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA). BCA records requests require a fee and cover all Minnesota courts. The BCA is accessible through the Department of Public Safety website.

The Predatory Offender Registry is the tool for finding registered sex offenders. Search by name or county to find current registrants in Mower County and nearby areas.

Cities in Mower County

Mower County's county seat and largest city is Austin, which is also where the county jail is located. Austin does not meet the population threshold for an individual city page on this site. Other communities in Mower County include Adams, Brownsdale, Dexter, Grand Meadow, Le Roy, Lyle, Racine, Rose Creek, Sargeant, Taopi, Waltham, and Wykoff. All county residents are served by the Mower County Sheriff's Office at 201 2nd Avenue NE in Austin.

Nearby Counties

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