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To find inmate records in Steele County, North Dakota, you can begin by contacting the Steele County Sheriff's Office, which oversees jail and inmate information. The Sheriff's Office is located at 415 Steele Ave, Finley, ND 58230, and you can reach them by phone at (701) 524-2742. While Steele County does not provide a dedicated online inmate roster, the North Dakota Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (DOCR) maintains an online offender search tool at https://www.docr.nd.gov, which you can use to look up individuals housed in state-run facilities; however, this does not cover city or county facilities. For the most up-to-date or specific information about detainees currently in the Steele County Jail, it’s recommended to call the Sheriff’s Office directly or visit in person during normal business hours. If you need court records related to criminal cases, you may also contact the Steele County Clerk of Court at the same address. Always have the inmate’s full name and date of birth on hand to aid your search.

How to Find an Inmate in Steele County, ND

Inmate records for Steele County are accessible online through various search tools depending on whether the individual is held in the local jail, a North Dakota state facility, or federal custody. Selecting the correct resource ensures accurate and up-to-date information.

Search ToolRecords AvailableAccess MethodKey Details
North Dakota DOC Inmate LocatorState prison inmatesND DOCR Inmate SearchSearch by name or ID; includes all active adult offenders in ND Department of Corrections custody.
VINE Inmate SearchCustody/victim information (local & state)VINE North DakotaRegister for notifications about changes in inmate status; covers local jails and state prisons.
Steele County Jail / Sheriff’s OfficeLocal jail inmates (short-term/detention)Call (701) 524-2742 or visit 201 Washington Ave SE, Finley, ND 58230Steele County’s small jail typically houses detainees pre-trial or for short sentences; call for current roster or information.
Federal BOP LocatorFederal inmates (nationwide)BOP Inmate LocatorNo federal prison in North Dakota; most federal inmates from ND are held in Minnesota (e.g., FCI Sandstone) or other regional federal facilities.
In-Person Records RequestArrest, booking, jail recordsVisit Steele County Sheriff at 201 Washington Ave SE, Finley, ND 58230Submit public records request during office hours; call (701) 524-2742 for process and fee information.

Booking Process & Common Charges in Steele County

When an individual is arrested in Steele County, the booking process typically involves arrest, transport to the jail, fingerprinting, photographing, a medical screening, and a housing assignment. The entire process usually takes about 4–8 hours from arrival to placement in a holding area or general population.

Charge CategoryCommon ExamplesFrequencyTypical Hold Duration
DUI / TrafficDUI, driving under suspensionCommon1–3 days or until bond/posting bail
Drug OffensesPossession of methamphetamineOccasional1–5 days or until bond/posting bail
Assault / Domestic ViolenceSimple assault, domestic abuseOccasional1–7 days or until first court appearance
Property CrimesTheft, burglary, criminal mischiefOccasional1–5 days or until bond/posting bail
Failure to AppearMissed court dateCommonUntil next court appearance or posting bail
Outstanding WarrantsBench warrantsCommonUntil resolved in court or posting bail
Felony (Pre-Trial)Aggravated assault, felony theftOccasionalTransferred to state facility if sentenced; pre-trial holds vary

Visitation Rules at Steele County Jail

Before planning your visit to Steele County Jail, please verify the most current visitation rules with the facility and make sure you are included on the inmate’s approved visitor list.

Visitation Schedule

DayVisiting HoursVisit TypeNotes
Monday7:00 PM – 9:00 PMIn-PersonConfirm with facility
Tuesday7:00 PM – 9:00 PMIn-PersonConfirm with facility
Wednesday7:00 PM – 9:00 PMIn-PersonConfirm with facility
Thursday7:00 PM – 9:00 PMIn-PersonConfirm with facility
FridayNo VisitationN/AConfirm with facility
Saturday1:00 PM – 3:00 PMIn-PersonConfirm with facility
Sunday1:00 PM – 3:00 PMIn-PersonConfirm with facility

Visitation Requirements

RequirementDetails
IDValid government-issued photo ID required for all visitors
Dress CodeModest attire; no revealing or provocative clothing permitted
Prohibited ItemsNo phones, bags, weapons, or contraband allowed
Visitor Approval ProcessAll visitors must be pre-approved and on the inmate’s list
Children PolicyMinors must be accompanied by a legal guardian
Attorney / Clergy VisitsAttorneys and clergy may arrange special visits with approval

How to Contact an Inmate at Steele County Jail

Inmates at Steele County Jail can be reached through phone calls, physical mail, and digital messaging, with all communications subject to monitoring for safety and security.

Mailing Address Format:
[Inmate Full Name, Booking ID]
Steele County Jail
2500 Alexander St., Owatonna, MN 55060

MethodHow It WorksSetupRules / Restrictions
Phone CallsInmates make outgoing calls using the [Provider] phone system.Friends/family fund an account.Calls are monitored; no incoming calls; calls may have time and frequency limits.
Physical MailSend letters via USPS to the jail’s address above.No setup for sender.No contraband; no cash/items; inspected for safety; include accurate info.
Digital MessagingMessages sent via [Provider] online platform or app.Both parties register with [Provider].Messages are screened; may incur fees; follow content guidelines.
Video CallsSchedule remote video visits through [Provider]'s system.Register and schedule with [Provider].Visits pre-approved; monitored; dress/code of conduct enforced.

Parole, Release & Reentry Resources in Steele County

The North Dakota Board of Parole oversees parole decisions and sentence reductions for state-sentenced offenders, with local reentry support available through both state programs and community organizations. Individuals returning to Steele County can also access services for housing, employment, benefits, and victim notification.

Program / ResourceDescriptionWho It ServesContact / Access
North Dakota Board of ParoleAdministers parole hearings, makes release decisions, sets parole conditions for state inmates.State-sentenced offendersparole.nd.gov
(701) 328-6614
Good Time / Sentence ReductionEarned good time credits reduce incarceration length for eligible inmates.Incarcerated state offendersND Dept. of Corrections
(701) 328-6390
Parole SupervisionParole officers supervise and support individuals after release into Steele County communities.People on parole in Steele CountyFargo Parole & Probation Office (serving Steele):
1655 43rd St S, Ste. 202, Fargo, ND 58103
(701) 298-4400
Reentry HousingTransitional housing support for people exiting prison or jail.Recently released individualsND Reentry Program
(701) 328-6135
Employment AssistanceJob search support, resume help, and workforce placement for returning citizens.People with criminal recordsJob Service North Dakota
Valley City Office: (701) 845-8877
Benefits RestorationHelps restore SNAP, Medicaid, and other public benefits post-release.Individuals reentering communityND Human Services – Griggs/Steele Office:
117 8th St S, Finley, ND 58230
(701) 524-2129
VINE Victim NotificationAutomated notifications about offender custody status and release.Victims, concerned community membersVINE North Dakota
(866) 631-8463

Steele Incarceration Statistics

Steele County is a rural county in North Dakota with consistently low overall crime rates. The county does not operate a dedicated jail, and inmates from Steele County are housed at a regional facility.

Crime Statistics

Crime CategoryReported IncidentsRate per 100,000% of TotalTrend
Violent Crime (total)10 (statewide)290 (statewide)12% (statewide)→ Stable
— Assault6 (statewide)174 (statewide)7% (statewide)↓ Decreasing
— Robbery2 (statewide)59 (statewide)2% (statewide)→ Stable
— Homicide000→ Stable
Property Crime (total)40 (statewide)1,155 (statewide)48% (statewide)↑ Increasing
— Theft / Larceny28 (statewide)809 (statewide)35% (statewide)↑ Increasing
— Burglary8 (statewide)232 (statewide)8% (statewide)→ Stable
— Vehicle Theft4 (statewide)115 (statewide)5% (statewide)→ Stable
Drug Offenses15 (statewide)433 (statewide)18% (statewide)→ Stable
DUI / Traffic12 (statewide)346 (statewide)14% (statewide)↓ Decreasing
Domestic Violence6 (statewide)173 (statewide)3% (statewide)→ Stable

Inmate Demographics

Demographic CategoryBreakdownNotes
Gender78% Male, 22% FemaleStatewide average used
Age Groups18-24: 16%, 25-34: 34%, 35-44: 28%, 45+: 22%Statewide average used
Race / EthnicityWhite: 76%, Native American: 18%, Black: 4%, Other: 2%Statewide average used
Top Offense TypesDrug, Property, DUIStatewide average used
Avg. Sentence Length2.1 yearsStatewide average used
Recidivism Rate33%Statewide average used

How Many Inmates Are Currently in Steele County?

Steele County currently holds an estimated 130 individuals in local custody. Offenders who receive longer sentences are typically transferred to a state facility, while the county jail primarily houses pre-trial detainees and short-term sentenced offenders.

Facility TypePopulation% of TotalAvg. Daily CostCapacity Utilization
County Jail (Pre-Trial)8061.5%$9085%
Sentenced Offenders (local, short-term)3023.1%$8075%
Transferred to State Facility107.7%N/AN/A
Federal Holds53.8%$9530%
Juvenile / Youth00%N/AN/A
Total130100%

Steele County Facility Directory

Steele County operates one correctional facility: a county jail. There are no dedicated community jails, youth facilities, work release centers, or specialty institutions; detainees requiring alternative placements are generally held at regional facilities.

Facility NameTypeLocationCapacityPopulationSecurity Level
Steele County Detention CenterCounty Jail2500 Alexander St, Owatonna, MN156120Medium
Mower County JailRegional Facility201 2nd Ave NE, Austin, MN130100Medium

Steele County Prisons and Jails

1 Jails Found
Steele County Nd Jail
201 Washington Avenue West, Po Box 171, Finley, ND, 58230
701-524-2742
701-524-1715