Search Monroe County Released Inmates

Monroe County released inmates records are managed by the Monroe County Sheriff's Office in Waterloo. The county sits in southwestern Illinois, just east of St. Louis, and has a population of about 35,000. Sheriff Neal Rohlfing runs the jail and keeps booking and release data. If you need to find someone who was held in the Monroe County jail, the sheriff's office is your first stop. The county also offers a mobile app that shows the current jail roster, which makes it easy to check from a phone or tablet at any time.

Monroe County Sheriff's Office Records

The Monroe County Sheriff's Office handles all jail operations and inmate records in the county. Sheriff Neal Rohlfing oversees the department from 100 South Main in Waterloo. You can call the main office at (618) 939-8651 for general questions. For jail matters, call (618) 939-8673 to speak with corrections staff. They can tell you if someone is in custody or has been released.

Monroe County has a mobile app that shows the current jail roster. This is the fastest way to check who is in the jail right now. Download the app and search by name. The roster updates as people are booked in or released. It does not keep a long history of past inmates, so for older records you will need to contact the sheriff's office by phone or in person.

The Monroe County government directory also lists sheriff's department contact info. This page has links to the department and other county offices. If you cannot get through by phone, try stopping by the office in person during business hours. Bring the full name and any other details you have on the person you want to look up.

Note: The mobile app shows current inmates only, so call the jail line for records on people who have been released.

Released Inmates Records Through FOIA

Illinois gives everyone the right to request public records. The Freedom of Information Act at 5 ILCS 140 covers all government bodies in the state. This includes the Monroe County Sheriff's Office. You can file a FOIA request to get records on released inmates that may not be on the mobile app or any online tool.

Put your request in writing. Include the full name of the person, any dates you know, and what records you need. Send it to the sheriff's FOIA officer at the main office in Waterloo. The county has five business days to respond. They can take up to five more days if they need extra time. Most basic requests are free. If the records take a lot of work to pull, the county may charge a small fee for copies.

The screenshot below shows the Monroe County Sheriff's Department listing on the county government website.

Use this page to find the right contact details before you send in a records request.

State Level Inmate Records

Some people arrested in Monroe County end up in state prison instead of the county jail. The Illinois Department of Corrections tracks all state inmates. You can use the IDOC Offender Search to find anyone who served time in an Illinois state facility after a Monroe County conviction. The database shows current inmates, parolees, and people who have been discharged.

The Illinois Unified Code of Corrections at 730 ILCS 5 sets rules for sentencing, good time credit, and release from state prison. If someone from Monroe County went to state prison, their records are in the IDOC system and not with the county sheriff. Check both if you are not sure where the person served their time.

The Illinois VINELink system is another tool. It tracks custody status for inmates at both the county and state level. You can sign up for alerts that tell you when someone is moved or released. This is free and works for people held in Monroe County.

Note: State and county records are in separate systems, so check both to get the full picture.

Monroe County Background Searches

The Illinois State Police run a background check service. The ISP Name-Based Background Check lets you search for criminal history tied to a person in Monroe County. This is a paid service. The results can show convictions, jail time, and prison sentences. It is useful when you want a broader look beyond just the county jail.

For a wider search, you can also check court records through the Monroe County Circuit Clerk. Court filings show charges, plea deals, and sentences. These records are separate from what the sheriff keeps. Between the court, the sheriff, IDOC, and VINELink, you have several ways to track down released inmates info for Monroe County.

How to Find Monroe County Released Inmates

There are a few paths to get released inmates records in Monroe County. The quickest is the mobile jail roster app. It shows who is in the jail right now. For recent releases, it may still have the info you need. Download the app on your phone and search by name.

If you need older records, call the jail at (618) 939-8673. Staff can look up past bookings and tell you when someone was released. Give them the full name and any dates you know. You can also call the main sheriff's line at (618) 939-8651. For formal records, file a FOIA request. Put it in writing and send it to the sheriff's office at 100 South Main, Waterloo, IL 62298.

For state prison records, use the IDOC search online. For background checks, use the ISP tool. VINELink works for both county and state inmates. You can sign up for free alerts on VINELink so you get a notice when someone's status changes.

• Mobile app for the current jail roster
• Call (618) 939-8673 for jail records
• File a FOIA request for formal records
• IDOC Offender Search for state prison records
• VINELink for custody alerts

Nearby Counties

These counties border Monroe County. Each has its own jail and records system. If someone was arrested in a neighboring county, search that county's records instead.