Find Swift County Released Inmates

Swift County released inmate records are handled by the Swift County Sheriff's Office, which operates the county jail in Benson and manages all detention services for the county. If you need to find someone recently booked into or released from the Swift County Jail, the Sheriff's Office is the direct contact for custody information. Statewide tools including VINE and the Minnesota DOC Offender Locator extend the search for individuals transferred out of the local jail system.

Swift County Sheriff's Office and Jail

The Swift County Sheriff's Office is located at 301 14th St. N. in Benson, MN 56215. The main phone number is (320) 843-3133. The fax is (320) 843-3134. For emergencies, call 911. Jail Administrator Tracy Koosman handles administrative matters and can be reached at tracy.koosman@co.swift.mn.us. The Sheriff's Office is the main contact for all custody inquiries in Swift County.

The Swift County Jail provides detention services for the county. When someone is arrested in Swift County by any law enforcement agency, they are brought to the county jail for booking and processing. The facility operates around the clock. Staff are available at all hours, though the administrative office works standard business hours. For the fastest response on a custody inquiry, call during the day on weekdays.

Swift County is a smaller, rural county in west-central Minnesota. The jail handles bookings from the Sheriff's Office and local police departments. For information on whether a specific person is in custody or has been released, a direct call to the Sheriff's Office at (320) 843-3133 is often the most efficient approach. The Swift County Sheriff's Office website may also have resources posted for public access.

The Minnesota DOC Offender Locator is the statewide tool for tracking individuals transferred from the Swift County Jail to state prison or placed on supervised release.

About the Swift County Jail

The Swift County Jail is the county's only detention facility. It processes bookings and houses people awaiting trial, serving short sentences, or held on warrants or detainers. The jail serves all of Swift County, including Benson and the smaller communities throughout the county. All local law enforcement agencies use the county jail for detention rather than maintaining separate municipal facilities.

Operations continue 24 hours a day. The facility is smaller than jails in more populated counties, which means staff often have direct knowledge of current inmates and can answer questions more readily by phone. If you are trying to confirm whether someone is still in custody or was recently released, a call to (320) 843-3133 will typically give you a quick answer during business hours.

When someone in the Swift County Jail is sentenced to a term longer than one year, the Department of Corrections takes over and transfers them to a state facility. Once that happens, the local jail roster no longer reflects their location. The DOC Offender Locator becomes the tool to use at that point.

Public Data Rules for Swift County Jail Records

Jail booking data in Swift County is public information under Minnesota Statute 13.82. This law requires the Sheriff's Office to make basic booking information available, including names, booking dates, charges, and arresting agencies. You do not need to file a formal request to get this information. A direct call or in-person visit to the Sheriff's Office is sufficient for most inquiries.

Some records are protected. Medical data, mental health information, and certain investigative details are classified as private under Minnesota Statute 13.85. If you need records that go beyond basic booking information, you can file a written data practices request with the Swift County Sheriff's Office. The office must respond within the timeframe set by Minnesota law.

For court records related to Swift County cases, the Minnesota Court Records Online (MCRO) system provides free access to district court filings. The Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) handles statewide criminal history record requests, which can provide a broader picture than local records alone.

Statewide Released Inmate Search Tools

When someone leaves the Swift County Jail and enters the state corrections system, the Minnesota DOC Offender Locator is the tool to use. It tracks individuals in state prison and on supervised release across all DOC facilities. Search by name to find current location, sentence details, and projected release date. The service is free and available online.

VINE covers the Swift County Jail and allows you to check custody status at any time without calling the facility. Visit vinelink.com or call 877-664-8463 to search. You can also register to receive automatic alerts when a specific person's custody status changes. VINE is free, confidential, and available at all hours. It does not share your registration information with the inmate or the jail.

VINE covers the Swift County Jail and provides free, confidential custody alerts including release and transfer notifications for registered users.

Sex Offender Registry for Swift County

The Minnesota Predatory Offender Registry lists individuals required to register under Minnesota Statute 243.166. The registry is searchable by name and location. It covers registrants statewide, including those who report addresses in Swift County. Registered offenders must check in with local law enforcement on a regular basis depending on their risk level.

Risk levels are set under Minnesota Statute 244.052. Level I is low risk, Level II is moderate risk, and Level III is high risk. When a Level III offender moves into Swift County, the Sheriff's Office is required to notify the community. For lower risk levels, notification is more limited. The registry is the best tool for checking who is currently registered in your area of the county.

Court Records and Background Checks

Swift County court records are accessible through the MCRO system at no cost. Search by name, case number, or attorney to find criminal, civil, and family court filings. The system shows case status, charge details, hearing dates, and case outcomes. It is a useful complement to jail records because it shows what happened in court after a booking.

For a broader criminal history check, the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) processes statewide criminal history requests. The BCA maintains records for Minnesota court cases and law enforcement contacts across the state. Their records go beyond what MCRO shows and can be useful when you need a complete picture of someone's criminal history in Minnesota.

If you need certified copies of court records for legal or employment purposes, contact the court administrator for the 8th Judicial District, which covers Swift County. Certified copies require a formal request and may involve a small copying fee. MCRO lets you view and print records informally, but only the court administrator can certify them.

Cities in Swift County

Benson is the county seat of Swift County. No cities in Swift County meet the population threshold for a dedicated released inmate city page on this site.

Other communities in Swift County include Appleton, Kerkhoven, and Murdock. All jail and released inmate records for residents of these communities are handled through the Swift County Sheriff's Office at 301 14th St. N. in Benson.

Nearby Counties

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