St. Clair County Public Records /St. Clair County Inmate Search

St. Clair County Inmate Search

What Is Inmate Records In St. Clair County?

Inmate records in St. Clair County are official documents created and maintained by correctional facilities and the St. Clair County Sheriff's Office to document individuals who are or have been held in custody within the county's detention system. These records are distinct from court records: while the circuit and district courts maintain case files, dockets, and judicial orders, the jail maintains custody records that track an individual's physical detention status, movement within the facility, and administrative processing.

The record creation process begins at booking or intake, when a person is first received into custody. At that point, facility staff collect identifying information, document the alleged offense, record physical characteristics, and capture a booking photograph. Records are updated continuously throughout the period of incarceration to reflect changes in housing assignment, disciplinary actions, medical notes, and court appearances. Upon release, the record is closed and archived, though it remains subject to public access requests under applicable law.

Under Michigan Compiled Laws § 15.231, known as the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), public bodies in Michigan — including county sheriff's offices — are required to make public records available to any person upon request, subject to specific exemptions.

St. Clair County Sheriff's Office 1170 Michigan Road, Port Huron, MI 48060 (810) 987-1700 St. Clair County Sheriff's Office

Are Inmate Records Public In St. Clair County?

Inmate records maintained by the St. Clair County Sheriff's Office are generally considered public records under Michigan law. Pursuant to Michigan Compiled Laws § 15.232, a "public record" includes any writing prepared, owned, used, possessed, or retained by a public body in the performance of an official function. Sheriff's offices and county jails, as public bodies, are subject to this definition.

The following categories of inmate information are currently accessible to members of the public:

Current inmate roster — a list of individuals presently held in the St. Clair County Jail
Booking and arrest records — date, time, and location of arrest and intake
Charges filed — the specific criminal charges associated with the detention
Mugshots (booking photographs) — captured at intake and generally releasable
Bond and bail amounts — the financial conditions set for release
Expected release dates — where applicable and not restricted by court order
Housing facility assignment — the specific unit or facility where the individual is held

Certain information may be withheld if disclosure would interfere with an ongoing law enforcement investigation, endanger a person's safety, or is otherwise exempt under § 15.243 of the Michigan FOIA statute.

What's Included in Inmate Records in St. Clair County

Inmate records maintained by the St. Clair County Sheriff's Office contain a comprehensive set of data fields compiled from booking through release. The following breakdown reflects the standard categories of information documented in a custody record:

Basic Identifying Information:

Full legal name and known aliases
Date of birth and age
Gender, race, and physical description (height, weight, eye and hair color)
Booking photograph (mugshot)
State identification number and FBI number (where applicable)

Custody Information:

Date and time of booking
Arresting agency
Current housing unit and facility location
Custody status (pre-trial, sentenced, hold)

Charge Information:

Specific criminal charges (statute cited)
Charge classification (felony, misdemeanor)
Offense date and jurisdiction

Bond/Bail Information:

Bond type (personal recognizance, cash, surety)
Bond amount set by the court
Bond status (posted, unposted, denied)

Court Information:

Case number and assigned court
Next scheduled court date
Presiding judge

Sentence Information (if convicted and serving sentence):

Sentence length and type
Sentence start date
Credit for time served

Release Information:

Projected release date
Release type (bond, sentence completion, transfer, court order)
Conditions of release, if applicable

St. Clair County Prison System

St. Clair County operates a local jail system designed to house individuals awaiting trial, those serving sentences of typically one year or less, and persons held on detainers or warrants from other jurisdictions. The county jail is distinct from Michigan state prisons, which are administered by the Michigan Department of Corrections (MDOC) and house individuals convicted of felonies carrying sentences exceeding one year. The St. Clair County Jail functions as the primary pre-trial detention facility for the county and is administered by the St. Clair County Sheriff's Office.

Members of the public seeking information about state-sentenced offenders may access the Michigan offender tracking system maintained by the MDOC, which provides records on individuals currently or previously under state supervision.

St. Clair County Sheriff's Office — Jail Division 1170 Michigan Road, Port Huron, MI 48060 (810) 987-1700 St. Clair County Sheriff's Office

Public counter hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Types of Correctional Facilities In St. Clair County

St. Clair County's correctional infrastructure currently consists of the following facility:

St. Clair County Jail 1170 Michigan Road, Port Huron, MI 48060 (810) 987-1700 St. Clair County Sheriff's Office

The St. Clair County Jail is a medium-security county detention facility operated by the Sheriff's Office. It houses pre-trial detainees, individuals sentenced to county jail terms, persons held on immigration detainers, and those awaiting transfer to state or federal facilities. The facility provides classification-based housing, medical services, programming, and visitation services in accordance with Michigan jail standards established under the Michigan Department of Corrections' oversight framework.

Who's in Prison In St. Clair County

The St. Clair County Jail houses a diverse population of individuals at various stages of the criminal justice process. At present, the following categories of persons may be held within the facility:

Pre-trial detainees — individuals who have been arrested and charged but have not yet been convicted; they are presumed innocent under law
Sentenced misdemeanants — persons convicted of misdemeanor offenses and serving sentences of up to 93 days or one year, depending on the offense class
Sentenced felons (short-term) — individuals convicted of lower-level felonies who may serve a portion of their sentence locally
Probation and parole violators — persons held pending a hearing on alleged violations of supervision conditions
Warrant holds — individuals detained on outstanding warrants from other jurisdictions
Federal and immigration detainees — persons held under agreements with federal agencies, including U.S. Marshals or ICE

Members of the public may use the Michigan offender search portal to determine whether an individual is under MDOC supervision, as opposed to county custody.

How To Search for Inmate Records In St. Clair County in 2026

Members of the public may search for inmate records in St. Clair County through several official channels. The following steps outline the available methods:

Online Search:

Visit the St. Clair County Sheriff's Office website at stclaircountysheriff.com and navigate to the jail or inmate lookup section, if an online roster is currently available.
For individuals who may be under state supervision, conduct a search through the MDOC Offender Tracking Information System, which provides records on current and former state prisoners, parolees, and probationers.
Court-related case information may be accessed through the MiCOURT case search portal, which allows searches by name or case number.

In-Person Request:

Visit the St. Clair County Sheriff's Office Jail Division at 1170 Michigan Road, Port Huron, MI 48060, during public counter hours (Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m.).
Submit a written FOIA request identifying the record sought, the individual's full name, and the approximate date of custody.
The agency is required to respond within five business days under Michigan FOIA.

By Phone:

Call the Sheriff's Office at (810) 987-1700 to inquire about current custody status.
Staff may confirm whether a named individual is currently in custody and provide general booking information.

Written FOIA Request:

Address a written request to the FOIA Coordinator, St. Clair County Sheriff's Office, 1170 Michigan Road, Port Huron, MI 48060.
Specify the records sought with sufficient detail to allow staff to locate them.
Fees for copies are governed by § 15.234 of the Michigan Freedom of Information Act.

How To Find an Inmate in St. Clair County for Free?

Several no-cost methods are currently available for locating an inmate held in St. Clair County or under Michigan state supervision:

St. Clair County Sheriff's Office website — Members of the public may check the official jail roster at stclaircountysheriff.com at no charge.
MDOC Offender Tracking Information System (OTIS) — The Michigan Department of Corrections offender search is a free, publicly accessible database providing information on individuals who are or were in a Michigan state prison or under MDOC parole or probation supervision.
MiCOURT Case Search — The MiCOURT case search tool allows free searches of Michigan court case records by name or case number, including criminal case information.
Michigan Courts Case Search — The Michigan Courts case and opinion search provides access to published and unpublished appellate opinions and case records at no cost.
Phone inquiry — Calling the St. Clair County Sheriff's Office at (810) 987-1700 to request a verbal confirmation of custody status is free of charge.

How To Visit an Inmate In St. Clair County

Visitation at the St. Clair County Jail is governed by facility rules established by the Sheriff's Office. All visitors must comply with the following procedures and requirements:

Visit Rules and Procedures:

All visitors must be pre-approved and placed on the inmate's approved visitor list prior to the visit.
Valid government-issued photo identification is required for all adult visitors.
Visitors must complete a visitor registration form and submit to a background screening process.

Visit Schedule:

Visitation schedules are set by the facility and are subject to change. Members of the public should contact the jail directly at (810) 987-1700 to confirm current visitation days and times.

What to Bring:

Valid, government-issued photo identification (driver's license, state ID, or passport)

What NOT to Bring:

Weapons, controlled substances, alcohol, or drug paraphernalia
Cell phones, cameras, or recording devices into the secure visitation area
Unauthorized food, beverages, or packages

Dress Code:

Visitors must dress appropriately. Clothing that resembles inmate uniforms (typically orange or blue), exposes excessive skin, or contains offensive imagery may result in denial of entry.

Visit Types:

The St. Clair County Jail currently offers in-person contact or non-contact visitation, subject to the inmate's classification and housing assignment. Video visitation options may also be available.

Visit Restrictions:

Visitation privileges may be suspended or revoked for violations of facility rules, pending disciplinary proceedings, or during facility lockdowns.
Minors must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian who is also on the approved visitor list.

How To Send Money to a St. Clair County Inmate

Funds may be deposited into an inmate's trust account at the St. Clair County Jail through approved methods. These funds allow inmates to purchase commissary items such as hygiene products, snacks, writing materials, and phone time.

Approved Methods:

Online deposits — Members of the public may deposit funds through the facility's approved third-party payment provider. Contact the jail at (810) 987-1700 or visit stclaircountysheriff.com for the current approved platform.
Kiosk deposits — A deposit kiosk may be available at the facility lobby for cash or card transactions.
Money order by mail — Money orders made payable to the inmate (including full legal name and booking number) may be mailed to the facility at 1170 Michigan Road, Port Huron, MI 48060.

Amount Limits:

Deposit limits per transaction or per week may apply and are set by facility policy. Members of the public should confirm current limits directly with the jail.

Fees:

Third-party payment processors typically charge a transaction fee. The facility itself does not set these fees; they are determined by the service provider.

What You Cannot Send:

Cash sent directly through the mail is not accepted.
Personal checks are generally not accepted.
Funds from unverified or anonymous sources may be rejected.

What the Money Can and Cannot Be Used For:

Funds may be used for commissary purchases, phone calls, and approved personal items.
Funds may not be used to pay fines, court costs, or restitution directly from the trust account unless authorized by court order or facility policy.

How To Send Jail Mail In St. Clair County

Mail sent to inmates at the St. Clair County Jail is subject to inspection and must comply with facility regulations. All incoming correspondence is reviewed by jail staff prior to delivery to the inmate.

Mailing Address: All mail should be addressed as follows: Inmate Full Legal Name, Booking Number St. Clair County Jail 1170 Michigan Road Port Huron, MI 48060

Rules for Sending Mail:

All envelopes must include the sender's full name and return address; anonymous mail will not be delivered.
Only standard white envelopes and white paper are typically accepted; colored paper, stickers, glitter, or decorative elements may be rejected.
Photographs may be permitted in limited quantities; Polaroid or instant-print photographs are generally prohibited due to contraband concerns.
Hardcover books and magazines must be sent directly from a publisher or approved retailer, not from a private individual.
Cards and letters must not contain any substances, including perfume, lipstick, or other materials applied to the paper.
Mail containing threats, coded language, or content that poses a security risk will be confiscated and may result in disciplinary action.
Legal mail from licensed attorneys is treated as privileged correspondence and is opened only in the presence of the inmate, in accordance with established constitutional protections.

Prohibited Items in Mail:

Cash, checks, or money orders enclosed in envelopes
Contraband of any kind, including drugs or drug paraphernalia
Sexually explicit materials, unless the facility has a specific policy permitting them