Dearborn County Public Records /Dearborn County Inmate Search

Dearborn County Inmate Search

What Is Inmate Records In Dearborn County?

Inmate records in Dearborn County are official documents created and maintained by the Dearborn County Sheriff's Office and its correctional facilities to document individuals who are or have been held in custody. These records are distinct from court records: while the Dearborn County Circuit and Superior Courts maintain case files, docket entries, and judicial orders, the jail maintains custody records that track an individual's physical detention from the moment of booking through release.

The record creation process begins at intake, when a person is booked into the Dearborn County Law Enforcement Center. At that point, staff collect identifying information, document charges, record physical descriptors, and capture a booking photograph. Records are updated continuously throughout the period of incarceration to reflect changes in housing assignment, disciplinary actions, medical notes, court appearances, and bond status. Upon release, the record is closed and archived, though it remains subject to public records requests under Indiana law.

Under Indiana Code § 5-14-3, the Access to Public Records Act (APRA) establishes the framework governing access to government-held documents, including those maintained by county correctional facilities. Custody records fall within the broader category of law enforcement records subject to disclosure unless a specific statutory exemption applies.

Dearborn County Sheriff's Office 301 W. High St., Lawrenceburg, IN 47025 (812) 537-8800 Dearborn County Sheriff's Office

Are Inmate Records Public In Dearborn County?

Inmate records maintained by the Dearborn County Sheriff's Office are generally public under Indiana law. Indiana Code § 5-14-3-2 defines public records broadly to include any writing, paper, or data created or received by a public agency in connection with the transaction of public business. Correctional facilities, as public agencies, are required to make non-exempt records available to members of the public upon request.

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

Current inmate roster — a list of individuals presently held in the Dearborn County Law Enforcement Center
Booking and arrest records — date, time, and location of arrest and booking
Charges filed — criminal charges for which the individual is being held
Mugshots (booking photographs) — captured at intake and generally releasable
Bond and bail amounts — the amount set by the court for pretrial release
Expected release dates — where available and not restricted by court order
Housing facility — the specific facility or unit where the individual is housed

Certain information may be withheld under Indiana Code § 5-14-3-4, which enumerates exemptions including investigatory records of law enforcement agencies where disclosure would interfere with an ongoing investigation, endanger a person's life, or identify a confidential informant.

What's Included in Inmate Records in Dearborn County

Inmate records maintained by the Dearborn County Sheriff's Office contain multiple categories of information compiled from booking through release.

Basic Identifying Information:

Full legal name and any known aliases
Date of birth
Gender, race, and physical descriptors (height, weight, eye color, 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 or cell assignment
Custody status (pretrial, sentenced, hold for another jurisdiction)

Charge Information:

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

Bond/Bail Information:

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

Court Information:

Case number(s)
Next scheduled court date
Presiding court (Circuit Court, Superior Court)

Sentence Information (if convicted and serving sentence):

Sentence length imposed
Sentence begin date
Good-time credit calculations
Projected release date based on sentence

Release Information:

Actual release date and time
Release type (bond posted, sentence served, transfer, court order)
Transferring agency (if applicable)

Dearborn County Prison System

Dearborn County operates a local jail system designed to house individuals at the pretrial stage and those serving sentences of generally one year or less. The county jail is distinct from Indiana Department of Correction (IDOC) facilities: individuals convicted of felonies carrying sentences exceeding one year are typically transferred to a state prison operated by the IDOC, while the county jail retains jurisdiction over misdemeanor sentences, pretrial detainees, and individuals held on local warrants or immigration detainers.

The Dearborn County Sheriff's Office administers the county's correctional operations. The Sheriff is responsible for the safe and secure operation of the jail, the welfare of inmates, and compliance with Indiana jail standards established under Indiana Administrative Code Title 210.

Dearborn County Sheriff's Office 301 W. High St., Lawrenceburg, IN 47025 (812) 537-8800 Dearborn County Sheriff's Office

Indiana Department of Correction 302 W. Washington St., Room E334, Indianapolis, IN 46204 (317) 232-5711 Indiana Department of Correction

Types of Correctional Facilities In Dearborn County

Dearborn County currently operates one primary detention facility serving the county's correctional needs.

Dearborn County Law Enforcement Center (Jail) The Dearborn County Law Enforcement Center serves as the county's primary detention facility. It houses pretrial detainees, individuals sentenced to terms of one year or less, and persons held on behalf of other jurisdictions or agencies. The facility is co-located with the Sheriff's Office and operates under the direct supervision of the Sheriff.

Dearborn County Law Enforcement Center 301 W. High St., Lawrenceburg, IN 47025 (812) 537-8800 Dearborn County Sheriff's Office

Individuals sentenced to longer terms in Indiana state facilities may be housed at institutions operated by the Indiana Department of Correction, including facilities such as the Correctional Industrial Facility or the Pendleton Correctional Facility, depending on classification.

Who's in Prison In Dearborn County

The Dearborn County jail population at any given time consists of several distinct categories of individuals. Members of the public seeking to understand who is held in the county facility may refer to the following classifications:

Pretrial detainees — individuals arrested and charged with a criminal offense who have not yet been convicted and are awaiting trial or a court hearing
Sentenced misdemeanants — individuals convicted of Class A, B, or C misdemeanors under Indiana law and serving sentences of up to one year
Sentenced felons (short-term) — individuals convicted of lower-level felonies whose sentences fall within the county jail threshold
Probation and parole violators — individuals held on alleged violations of supervision conditions pending a hearing
Federal and out-of-county holds — individuals held on behalf of federal agencies, U.S. Marshals, immigration authorities, or other Indiana counties
Warrant holds — individuals arrested on outstanding warrants from Dearborn County or other jurisdictions
Civil commitments — individuals held pursuant to court orders unrelated to criminal charges, such as mental health commitments

How To Search for Inmate Records In Dearborn County in 2026

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

Online Search: The Dearborn County Sheriff's Office may maintain an online inmate roster accessible through its official website. Members of the public may visit the Dearborn County Sheriff's Office website and navigate to the jail or inmate lookup section to search by name or booking number.

In-Person Request: Members of the public may appear in person at the Dearborn County Law Enforcement Center during business hours to request inmate information. Staff at the front desk can confirm whether an individual is currently in custody and provide basic booking information.

Location: 301 W. High St., Lawrenceburg, IN 47025
Phone: (812) 537-8800
Business hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. (administrative inquiries)

Formal Public Records Request: Pursuant to Indiana Code § 5-14-3-3, any person may submit a written public records request to the Dearborn County Sheriff's Office. Requests should identify the records sought with reasonable specificity. The agency is required to respond within 24 hours of receiving the request (for requests made in person or by telephone) or within seven days (for written requests).

Court Records Search: For case-related information, members of the public may search the Indiana Courts' public access portal through mycase.in.gov to locate case numbers, charges, and hearing dates associated with an individual.

How To Find an Inmate in Dearborn County for Free?

Several no-cost methods are currently available for locating an inmate held in Dearborn County.

Sheriff's Office Website: The Dearborn County Sheriff's Office may provide a free online inmate roster. Members of the public may search by the individual's name.
Telephone Inquiry: Members of the public may call the Dearborn County Law Enforcement Center at (812) 537-8800 to inquire whether a specific individual is in custody. Staff can confirm custody status and provide basic booking information at no charge.
Indiana Courts Public Access: The Indiana Courts public access portal allows free searches of court case records, which may reflect an individual's custody status and upcoming court dates.
Indiana Department of Correction Offender Search: For individuals who may have been transferred to a state facility, the IDOC Offender Search tool is available at no cost through the Indiana Department of Correction's official website.

How To Visit an Inmate In Dearborn County

Visitation at the Dearborn County Law Enforcement Center is governed by facility rules established by the Sheriff's Office. Members of the public wishing to visit an incarcerated individual must comply with all applicable regulations.

Visit Rules and Procedures: Visitors must be pre-approved by the facility before a visit is permitted. Approval typically requires submission of a visitor application, which may be obtained from the facility or through the Sheriff's Office. All visitors are subject to identity verification and background screening.

Visit Schedule: Visitation schedules are set by the Dearborn County Sheriff's Office and are subject to change. Members of the public should contact the facility directly at (812) 537-8800 to confirm current visitation days and times before arriving.

What to Bring:

Government-issued photo identification (driver's license, state ID, passport)
Any required visitor approval documentation

What NOT to Bring:

Weapons of any kind
Controlled substances or alcohol
Cell phones or electronic devices (unless specifically authorized)
Food, beverages, or packages not approved through official channels
Large amounts of cash

Dress Code: Visitors are required to dress appropriately. Clothing that resembles inmate uniforms (typically orange or similar colors), clothing that is revealing or offensive, and clothing bearing gang-related insignia are prohibited. The facility reserves the right to deny entry to visitors who do not comply with dress code requirements.

Visit Types:

In-person contact visits — where permitted by the facility and the inmate's classification
Non-contact visits — conducted through a glass partition
Video visitation — remote video visits may be available through a contracted service provider

Visit Restrictions: Visitation privileges may be suspended or revoked for violations of facility rules, pending disciplinary proceedings, or by court order. Minors must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian and may be subject to additional approval requirements.

How To Send Money to a Dearborn County Inmate

Funds may be deposited into an inmate's commissary account through methods authorized by the Dearborn County Sheriff's Office. Inmates use commissary funds to purchase approved personal items, hygiene products, snacks, and in some facilities, phone or communication credits.

Accepted Methods:

Online deposits — through a contracted service provider (such as JPay, Access Corrections, or a similar platform) accessible via the provider's website or mobile application
Kiosk deposits — self-service kiosks located at or near the facility may accept cash or card deposits
Money order by mail — money orders made payable to the inmate (with full name and booking number noted) may be accepted by mail; personal checks are generally not accepted

Amount Limits: Specific deposit limits per transaction or per week are set by the facility and the contracted service provider. Members of the public should verify current limits directly with the Dearborn County Law Enforcement Center at (812) 537-8800.

Fees: Transaction fees may apply when using third-party deposit services. Fee schedules vary by method and provider.

What You Cannot Send:

Cash sent directly through the mail
Personal checks
Money orders made payable to anyone other than the inmate
Gift cards or prepaid debit cards

What the Money Can and Cannot Be Used For: Commissary funds may be used to purchase items from the approved commissary list, including hygiene products, writing materials, approved food items, and communication services. Funds may not be used to pay fines, court costs, or restitution directly through the commissary account; those payments are processed separately through the court system.

How To Send Jail Mail In Dearborn County

Members of the public may correspond with inmates held at the Dearborn County Law Enforcement Center by sending written mail through the U.S. Postal Service. All incoming and outgoing mail is subject to inspection by facility staff pursuant to facility security policies and applicable Indiana law.

Mailing Address Format: Mail should be addressed as follows: Inmate Full Name, Booking Number Dearborn County Law Enforcement Center 301 W. High St. Lawrenceburg, IN 47025

Rules for Sending Mail:

All letters must be written on plain white paper; cards and letters with glitter, stickers, or metallic elements may be rejected
Envelopes must be standard white; padded envelopes are generally not accepted
The sender's full name and return address must appear on the envelope
Photographs may be permitted in limited quantities; Polaroid photographs and photos with dark or black backgrounds are typically prohibited
Books and magazines, if permitted, must be sent directly from a publisher or approved retailer, not from an individual sender
No cash, checks, or money orders may be included in mail envelopes
No contraband of any kind, including drugs, drug paraphernalia, or weapons, may be included

Prohibited Mail Content:

Sexually explicit material (unless specifically authorized)
Content depicting violence, gang activity, or escape plans
Coded or encrypted messages
Items that could be used to facilitate escape or harm

All mail is subject to review, and mail that violates facility rules will be returned to the sender or confiscated. Legal mail (correspondence from licensed attorneys) is handled under separate procedures and is generally opened only in the presence of the inmate to verify it contains no contraband.