Bureau County Released Inmates

Bureau County released inmates records are kept by the Bureau County Sheriff's Office in Princeton. The county has about 32,900 residents and sits in north-central Illinois. Sheriff James Reed leads the department, which has 39 deputies split between patrol and corrections. Bureau County opened a new jail facility in 2023 with 115 beds. The county does not have an online inmate search tool, so you will need to contact the sheriff's office by phone or in writing to get released inmates information.

Bureau County Sheriff's Office Records

The Bureau County Sheriff's Office manages the county jail and all inmate records. Sheriff James Reed leads a team of 39 deputies. Twenty of those work patrol and 19 work in corrections. The department also has a K9 team. You can call the sheriff at (815) 872-2001 or email jail@bureaucounty-il.gov with questions about inmates.

Bureau County does not have an online inmate search. This means you cannot look up inmates on a website. You need to call the office or send an email. Staff can check the system and tell you if someone is in custody or has been released. Have the full name of the person ready when you reach out. Any dates you know will help narrow things down.

The new jail opened in 2023 at 800 Ace Road in Princeton. The facility has 115 beds and replaced the old jail that had been in use for decades. All bookings and releases for Bureau County go through this location. The facility is modern and built to handle the county's needs for years to come.

Note: Since there is no online roster, calling or emailing is the fastest way to check on an inmate's status in Bureau County.

Jail Visitation and Programs

Bureau County jail offers video visitation through the CIDNET platform. Video visits are available daily from 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM. You can schedule a visit through CIDNET and connect from your own device. This is a good option if you cannot make it to the jail in person.

In-person visits happen on set days. On-site visiting hours are Tuesday and Thursday from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM and Saturday from 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM. Check with the jail before you go to make sure the schedule has not changed. Call (815) 872-2001 for the latest info on visiting hours and rules.

The jail runs a H.O.P.E. program. This stands for Helping Offenders Progress through Education. The program gives inmates a chance to work on education and personal growth while they are in custody. Programs like this can affect release timelines, so they are worth knowing about if you are tracking someone's case.

FOIA and Records Requests

Illinois law gives you the right to request public records. The Freedom of Information Act at 5 ILCS 140 covers the Bureau County Sheriff's Office. You can file a FOIA request to get records on released inmates. This is the formal way to get booking records, release dates, and other details.

The Bureau County Circuit Clerk also handles FOIA requests for court records. The Circuit Clerk FOIA page explains the process for that office. Court records show charges, case outcomes, and sentences. These are separate from the jail records that the sheriff keeps.

Send your request in writing to the sheriff's office. Include the full name of the person, any dates, and what records you want. The county has five business days to respond. They can take five more if needed. Email jail@bureaucounty-il.gov or mail your request to the sheriff's office in Princeton.

The image below shows the IDOC homepage, which is a useful resource for people who may have been transferred from the Bureau County jail to state prison.

The IDOC website is the central hub for all state prison records in Illinois.

State Resources for Bureau County

Some people convicted in Bureau County end up in state prison. The Illinois Department of Corrections keeps records on all state inmates. Use the IDOC Offender Search to find anyone who served time at a state facility after a Bureau County conviction. The database covers current inmates, parolees, and discharged offenders.

The 730 ILCS 5 is the Illinois corrections code. It sets rules for how the state handles sentencing, good conduct credit, parole, and release. If someone from Bureau County went to state prison, this code applies to their case.

The Illinois VINELink tracks custody status for inmates at both the county and state level. Sign up for free alerts. The ISP Background Check is a paid tool that shows criminal history. It is helpful for a broader search beyond the county jail.

How to Find Bureau County Released Inmates

Call the sheriff at (815) 872-2001. This is the most direct way to check on an inmate. Staff can look up the person and tell you their status. You can also email jail@bureaucounty-il.gov with your question.

For formal records, file a FOIA request in writing. For court records, contact the Circuit Clerk. For state prison records, use the IDOC search. VINELink gives you free alerts on custody changes. The ISP tool shows criminal history for a fee.

• Call (815) 872-2001 for jail inquiries
• Email jail@bureaucounty-il.gov for inmate info
• File a FOIA request for formal records
• IDOC Offender Search for state prison records
• VINELink for custody alerts

Nearby Counties

These counties border Bureau County. Each has its own jail and keeps separate inmate records. If someone was arrested in a neighboring county, you need to search there.