Macoupin County Inmate Search
What Is Inmate Records In Macoupin County?
Inmate records in Macoupin County are official documents created and maintained by the Macoupin County Sheriff's Office and its correctional facility, capturing the full custody history of individuals detained or incarcerated within the county's jurisdiction. These records are distinct from court records: the Circuit Clerk's Office maintains case files, docket entries, and judicial orders, while the Sheriff's Office and jail staff maintain custody records that document the physical detention of an individual from the moment of booking through release.
The record lifecycle begins at intake, when a person is booked into the Macoupin County Jail. At that point, staff collect biometric data, photograph the individual, record personal identifiers, and document the charges that prompted the arrest. The record is updated continuously throughout the period of incarceration to reflect changes in housing assignment, disciplinary actions, medical flags, court transport dates, and bond status. Upon release, the record is closed and archived, though it remains subject to public access requests under applicable state law.
Under 5 ILCS 140, the Illinois Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), government bodies — including county sheriff's offices — are required to make public records available to any person upon request, subject to specific exemptions. Custody records generated by the Macoupin County Sheriff's Office fall within the scope of this statute.
Macoupin County Sheriff's Office 201 E. Main Cross St., Carlinville, IL 62626 (217) 854-3135 Macoupin County Sheriff
Are Inmate Records Public In Macoupin County?
Inmate records maintained by the Macoupin County Sheriff's Office are generally considered public records under Illinois law. Pursuant to 5 ILCS 140/2, all records in the possession of a public body are presumed to be open for inspection and copying unless a specific statutory exemption applies. The Illinois FOIA places the burden of justifying any denial of access on the government agency, not on the requesting party.
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 Macoupin County Jail
- Booking and arrest records — date, time, and location of arrest, arresting agency, and booking number
- Charges filed — the specific criminal charges for which the individual is being held
- Mugshots — booking photographs taken at intake
- Bond and bail amounts — the monetary conditions of release set by the court
- Expected release dates — projected or scheduled release information where available
- Housing facility — the name and location of the facility where the individual is currently held
Certain information may be withheld under 5 ILCS 140/7, including records that would endanger the safety of a person, compromise an ongoing investigation, or disclose confidential medical information. Juvenile records are separately protected under the Juvenile Court Act and are not subject to routine public disclosure.
What's Included in Inmate Records in Macoupin County
Inmate records maintained by the Macoupin County Sheriff's Office contain multiple categories of information compiled from the point of booking through final disposition of custody.
Basic Identifying Information:
- Full legal name and known aliases
- Date of birth
- Gender, race, and physical descriptors (height, weight, eye and hair color)
- Booking photograph (mugshot)
- Fingerprint classification
Custody Information:
- Booking number and booking date
- Arresting agency and arresting officer
- Current housing unit and cell assignment
- Custody status (pre-trial, sentenced, hold for another agency)
Charge Information:
- Specific criminal charges (statute cited)
- Charge classification (felony, misdemeanor, petty offense)
- Warrant number, if applicable
Bond/Bail Information:
- Bond type (personal recognizance, cash, surety)
- Bond amount set by the court
- Bond posted date, if applicable
Court Information:
- Next scheduled court date
- Presiding court and case number
- Attorney of record, if available
Sentence Information (if convicted and serving sentence):
- Sentence length and start date
- Good-time or credit for time served
- Projected release date based on sentence calculation
Release Information:
- Actual release date and time
- Release type (bond, sentence completion, transfer, court order)
- Transferring agency, if applicable
Macoupin County Prison System
Macoupin County operates a single county jail that serves as the primary detention facility for the region, housing individuals who are awaiting trial, serving sentences of generally up to one year, or being held on behalf of other agencies. The county jail is administered by the Macoupin County Sheriff's Office, which is responsible for the day-to-day management of all persons in custody, including transporting inmates to court appearances for arraignments, bench trials, and jury trials.
The county jail is distinct from Illinois state prisons, which are operated by the Illinois Department of Corrections (IDOC) and house individuals serving sentences of more than one year following felony convictions. Individuals sentenced to state prison are transferred from the county jail to an IDOC facility after sentencing. The Macoupin County official website provides access to multiple county departments, including the Sheriff's Office, Circuit Clerk, and State's Attorney, all of which play roles in the custody and prosecution process.
Macoupin County Sheriff's Office / County Jail 201 E. Main Cross St., Carlinville, IL 62626 (217) 854-3135 Macoupin County Sheriff
Types of Correctional Facilities In Macoupin County
Macoupin County's correctional infrastructure consists of one primary facility operated under the authority of the elected Sheriff.
Macoupin County Jail The Macoupin County Jail is the sole county-operated detention facility. It accepts bookings from the Sheriff's Office, municipal police departments throughout the county, and state law enforcement agencies operating within Macoupin County. The facility holds:
- Pre-trial detainees who have not posted bond
- Individuals serving misdemeanor or short-term felony sentences
- Individuals held on detainers or holds from other jurisdictions
- Individuals awaiting transfer to IDOC facilities following sentencing
Macoupin County Sheriff's Office 201 E. Main Cross St., Carlinville, IL 62626 (217) 854-3135 Macoupin County Sheriff
For individuals who have been transferred to state custody following conviction, the Illinois Department of Corrections inmate search tool allows members of the public to locate individuals currently held in any IDOC facility statewide.
Who's in Prison In Macoupin County
The Macoupin County Jail holds a population that reflects the full range of the local criminal justice process. At any given time, the facility may house:
- Pre-trial detainees — individuals arrested and charged with a criminal offense who have not yet been tried or who have not posted the required bond
- Sentenced misdemeanants — individuals convicted of misdemeanor offenses and serving sentences of up to 364 days
- Short-term felony offenders — individuals serving felony sentences of one year or less who remain in county custody rather than being transferred to IDOC
- Probation and parole violators — individuals held pending a hearing on an alleged violation of supervision conditions
- Federal and out-of-county holds — individuals detained at the request of federal agencies, neighboring counties, or other states under interstate agreements
- Civil commitments — individuals held pursuant to court order in non-criminal proceedings
Individuals convicted of felonies carrying sentences exceeding one year are transferred to the Illinois Department of Corrections. Members of the public may search for those individuals using the statewide individuals in custody search maintained by IDOC.
How To Search for Inmate Records In Macoupin County in 2026
Members of the public may access inmate records through several official channels. The following steps outline the available methods for conducting an inmate search.
Step 1 — Contact the Macoupin County Sheriff's Office directly. Members of the public may call or visit the Sheriff's Office during regular business hours to inquire about an individual's custody status. Staff can confirm whether a person is currently in custody, the charges on file, and the bond amount.
Macoupin County Sheriff's Office 201 E. Main Cross St., Carlinville, IL 62626 (217) 854-3135 Public Counter Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Macoupin County Sheriff
Step 2 — Submit a written FOIA request. For detailed records beyond basic custody status, members of the public may submit a written request under 5 ILCS 140. Requests should be addressed to the FOIA Officer at the Sheriff's Office and must describe the records sought with reasonable specificity. The agency is required to respond within five business days.
Step 3 — Search IDOC for state prisoners. If the individual has been transferred to state custody, members of the public may use the Illinois Department of Corrections inmate search to locate them by last name, first name, or IDOC number.
Step 4 — Check the Circuit Clerk's Office for court records. Court case files, including charging documents and sentencing orders, are maintained by the Macoupin County Circuit Clerk.
Macoupin County Circuit Clerk 201 E. Main Cross St., Carlinville, IL 62626 (217) 854-3211 Public Counter Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Macoupin County Home
How To Find an Inmate in Macoupin County for Free?
Several no-cost methods are available for locating an individual currently held in Macoupin County or transferred to state custody.
- Call the Macoupin County Sheriff's Office at (217) 854-3135 during business hours. Staff will confirm current custody status at no charge.
- Visit the Sheriff's Office in person at 201 E. Main Cross St., Carlinville, IL 62626, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
- Search the IDOC inmate database — the individuals in custody search provided by the Illinois Department of Corrections is free and publicly accessible online at any time.
- Check the Illinois State Police Offender Registry — for individuals with sex offense convictions, the Illinois State Police Offender Registry provides current registration information, including the county of residence or confinement.
- Use the Illinois.gov sex offender locator — the state's sex offender location service allows members of the public to search a statewide database of registered sex offenders by name, county, or ZIP code.
How To Visit an Inmate In Macoupin County
Visitation at the Macoupin County Jail 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 procedures.
Visit Rules and Procedures All visitors must present a valid, government-issued photo identification at the time of check-in. Visitors are subject to screening, which may include metal detector screening and inspection of personal items. The facility reserves the right to deny visitation to any individual who fails to comply with posted rules or who poses a security concern.
Visit Schedule Visitation schedules are set by the Macoupin County Sheriff's Office and are subject to change based on facility operations, lockdowns, or court transport schedules. Members of the public should contact the jail directly at (217) 854-3135 to confirm current visiting hours before arriving.
What to Bring
- Valid government-issued photo identification (driver's license, state ID, or passport)
What NOT to Bring
- Cell phones, cameras, or recording devices
- Food, beverages, or tobacco products
- Cash or personal property intended for the inmate (use approved deposit methods)
- Weapons or any item that could compromise facility security
Dress Code Visitors are required to dress appropriately. Clothing that resembles inmate uniforms, exposes excessive skin, or displays gang-affiliated symbols or insignia will not be permitted. The facility may deny entry to any visitor whose attire is deemed inappropriate by staff.
Visit Types
- In-person contact visits — where facility layout and inmate classification permit
- Non-contact visits — conducted through a partition with telephone communication
- Video visitation — remote video visits may be available; members of the public should inquire with the Sheriff's Office for current availability
Visit Restrictions Individuals with active warrants, individuals on probation or parole (unless prior approval is obtained from their supervising officer), and individuals previously banned from the facility may be denied visitation. Minors must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian at all times.
How To Send Money to a Macoupin County Inmate
Funds may be deposited into an inmate's trust account to allow the individual to purchase approved commissary items, make telephone calls, and cover other authorized expenses within the facility.
Accepted Methods
- In-person cash deposits — members of the public may deposit funds at the jail lobby using an approved kiosk or at the front desk, subject to current facility procedures
- Money orders — made payable to the inmate's full legal name and booking number, mailed to the facility address
- Third-party deposit services — the Macoupin County Jail may contract with a third-party vendor for online or telephone deposits; members of the public should contact the Sheriff's Office at (217) 854-3135 to confirm the current approved vendor and any associated fees
Amount Limits Deposit limits, if any, are set by facility policy and are subject to change. Members of the public should verify current limits directly with the Sheriff's Office.
Fees Third-party deposit services typically charge a transaction fee. The facility itself does not charge a fee for receiving funds, but vendor fees may apply depending on the deposit method selected.
What Money Cannot Be Used For Inmate trust account funds may not be used to pay fines, court costs, or restitution directly through the commissary system unless specifically authorized by court order. Funds may not be transferred to other inmates.
How To Send Jail Mail In Macoupin County
Mail sent to inmates at the Macoupin County Jail is subject to inspection by facility staff pursuant to facility security policies and applicable Illinois law. All incoming correspondence is reviewed to prevent the introduction of contraband, coded communications, or materials that could compromise facility safety.
Mailing Address All inmate mail should be addressed as follows:
Inmate Full Legal Name / Booking Number Macoupin County Jail 201 E. Main Cross St. Carlinville, IL 62626
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 are accepted; padded envelopes, packages, or boxes are generally not permitted
- Letters must be written on plain white paper; stickers, glitter, staples, paper clips, or bindings are prohibited
- Photographs may be permitted in limited quantities; Polaroid or instant-print photographs are typically prohibited due to the chemical composition of the paper
- Publications such as books and magazines must be sent directly from the publisher or an approved retailer; hand-delivered or personally mailed publications are generally not accepted
- Cards must be flat and unadorned; pop-up cards, cards with attachments, or cards with embedded electronics will be rejected
- All mail is subject to reading and inspection by facility staff; privileged legal mail from an attorney of record is handled separately and opened only in the inmate's presence
Members of the public with questions about specific mail restrictions should contact the Macoupin County Sheriff's Office at (217) 854-3135 prior to sending correspondence.