Jackson County Booking Reports
Jackson County Booking Reports are official records created by the Jackson County Sheriff's Office in Jackson, Minnesota, each time someone is arrested and processed into the county jail. This page covers how to search current inmates, find past booking data, and access related public records through the Jackson County Sheriff and statewide Minnesota systems. The Jackson County jail is a medium-security facility with a capacity of approximately 165 inmates.
Jackson County Booking Reports
Jackson County Sheriff and Jail
The Jackson County Sheriff's Office is the primary law enforcement and jail authority in the county. Sheriff Shawn R. Haken oversees the department. Gary Reif serves as Jail Administrator. The facility at 400 Sherman Street handles bookings from the sheriff's deputies and other local agencies working in Jackson County.
The jail has a capacity of approximately 165 inmates. It is classified as a medium-security facility. This means Jackson County can house detainees for extended periods, unlike some smaller rural counties that use short-term holding facilities. People awaiting trial, serving county sentences, or being held on warrants from other jurisdictions may all be housed here.
| Website | co.jackson.mn.us/sheriff |
|---|---|
| Address | 400 Sherman Street, Jackson, MN 56143 |
| Phone | (507) 847-4420 |
| Sheriff | Shawn R. Haken |
| Jail Administrator | Gary Reif |
| Facility Type | Medium Security |
| Capacity | ~165 inmates |
Searching Jackson County Booking Reports
To find someone currently in custody at the Jackson County jail, your best first step is the sheriff's office website or a direct phone call. The sheriff's page at co.jackson.mn.us/sheriff provides contact details and may link to current custody information. For immediate status checks, calling 507-847-4420 is the fastest approach.
For formal records requests, you can submit a written data request under the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act. Send your request to the Jackson County Sheriff, 400 Sherman Street, Jackson, MN 56143. Include the person's full name, approximate arrest date if known, and your contact information. The office must respond and provide public data within a reasonable time.
Under Minnesota Statute 13.82, arrest data is public. This includes the arrested person's name, the charges, the date and time of arrest, and the bail amount. Data related to active investigations may be withheld temporarily. Juvenile records are not public.
Statewide Inmate Search Tools
If someone was arrested in Jackson County and later sentenced to state prison, they will appear in the Minnesota Department of Corrections system rather than the county jail roster. Use the Minnesota DOC Offender Locator to search state prison inmates and supervised release cases. The tool is free and searches by name or DOC number.
The DOC system is updated daily. It covers all Minnesota state correctional facilities. County jail detainees who have not been sentenced to state prison do not appear in the DOC system. For those individuals, the Jackson County Sheriff remains the correct source.
VINE provides free custody alerts for all Minnesota jails and state facilities. Register at VINELink or call 1-877-664-8463. You can get notified by phone, email, or text when someone's custody status changes. This is useful for family members, victims, and legal representatives who need timely updates.
BCA Criminal History Records
The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension collects statewide criminal history data from all 87 counties. The BCA database includes arrests, charges, and court dispositions. If you need a more complete picture of someone's arrest record, the BCA is a more thorough source than a single county jail roster.
Search the BCA at Minnesota BCA Criminal History Search. A fee applies for public record searches. The system covers multiple jurisdictions and provides historical data, not just current custody status. This is the right tool for background research that goes beyond what is visible on a live jail roster.
Note: BCA data reflects records submitted by agencies. There may be a short delay between a Jackson County booking and when it shows in the BCA system. Always check with the sheriff directly for the most current information.
Court Records for Jackson County Cases
Criminal cases from Jackson County are handled in the 5th Judicial District. Court records are maintained separately from booking reports and cover the full lifecycle of a case, from filing through verdict and sentencing. To track what happened after an arrest, court records are essential.
Access Jackson County court cases through Minnesota Court Records Online. Search by name, case number, or citation. Basic lookups are free. The portal shows case status, hearing dates, parties, and charge descriptions. For certified copies or full case files, contact the Jackson County court administrator's office.
Court records and booking reports are related but not the same. A booking report shows that an arrest occurred. A court record shows what happened next, whether charges were filed, how the case was resolved, and what sentence was imposed. Both may be needed for a complete picture.
Minnesota Government Data Practices
Access to Jackson County booking reports is governed by the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act, found at Minnesota Statute Chapter 13. This law classifies most government records as public unless a specific exception applies. Arrest data falls under Section 13.82, which makes basic booking information publicly available.
The law also addresses criminal investigative data under Minnesota Statute 13.87. This section protects certain investigation records while a case is active. Once a case is resolved, some previously protected data may become accessible. The Jackson County Sheriff's Office can advise on what records are available for a specific case.
If a data request is denied and you believe the denial is improper, you can contact the Information Policy Analysis Division at the Minnesota Department of Administration. They provide guidance on data practices disputes and can advise on appeal options.
Third-Party Search Resources
Aggregator websites like Minnesota Jail Roster and Inmate Search MN compile jail data from counties across the state. These tools can help if you are searching across multiple jurisdictions. For Jackson County specifically, aggregator data may not always be current, so verify with the official source before relying on it.
Third-party sites do not have the authority to update or correct records. If you find inaccurate information about yourself or someone else on an aggregator site, the correction must be made at the source, meaning the Jackson County Sheriff's Office or the relevant court. Aggregator sites simply display publicly available data.
Nearby Counties
Jackson County borders several other southwest Minnesota counties. Use the links below to access booking records in neighboring areas.