Herkimer County Inmate Search
What Is Inmate Records In Herkimer County?
Inmate records in Herkimer County are official government documents maintained by the Herkimer County Sheriff's Office and the Herkimer County Correctional Facility that document the custody, status, and history of individuals held in local detention. These records are distinct from court records: while the Herkimer County Court maintains case files, docket entries, and judicial orders, the jail and sheriff's office maintain custody records that track an individual's physical detention from the moment of booking through release.
The record creation process begins at intake, when a person is booked into the facility. At that point, staff collect identifying information, document the charges, record bail or bond conditions, and assign a housing unit. Records are updated continuously throughout the period of incarceration to reflect changes in custody status, disciplinary actions, medical notes, and court appearances. Upon release, the record is closed and archived in accordance with applicable retention schedules.
Under New York Public Officers Law § 87, state agencies and local government bodies — including county correctional facilities — are required to maintain records and make them available to the public unless a specific exemption applies. The Herkimer County Sheriff's Office serves as the primary custodian of local custody records and is the appropriate point of contact for records requests related to individuals held at the county jail.
Herkimer County Sheriff's Office 255 N. Washington St., Herkimer, NY 13350 (315) 867-1167 Herkimer County Sheriff's Office
Are Inmate Records Public In Herkimer County?
Inmate records maintained by Herkimer County are generally accessible to the public under New York State law. New York Public Officers Law § 84 establishes the public's right to access government records, declaring that government is the public's business and that the people of the state have the right to know the activities of their government. Pursuant to this statute, basic custody information held by county correctional facilities is presumptively public unless a specific statutory exemption applies.
The following categories of information are currently accessible to members of the public:
- Current inmate roster — names of individuals presently held at the Herkimer County Correctional Facility
- Booking and arrest records — date, time, and location of arrest and intake
- Charges filed — criminal charges for which the individual is being held
- Bail and bond amounts — conditions of release set by the court
- Expected release dates — projected or scheduled release information where available
- Housing facility — the specific facility or unit where the individual is detained
Certain records may be withheld where disclosure would interfere with an ongoing law enforcement investigation, endanger the safety of an individual, or where a court has issued a sealing order pursuant to New York Criminal Procedure Law § 160.50, which governs the sealing of records following favorable termination of criminal proceedings.
What's Included in Inmate Records in Herkimer County
Inmate records maintained by the Herkimer County Correctional Facility contain a comprehensive set of data fields compiled from the point of booking through final release. The following breakdown reflects the standard categories of information documented in a county custody record.
Basic Identifying Information:
- Full legal name and any known aliases
- Date of birth
- Gender, race, and physical descriptors (height, weight, eye color, hair color)
- Booking photograph (mugshot)
- Fingerprint classification
Custody Information:
- Booking date and time
- Arresting agency and arresting officer
- Facility housing assignment
- Current custody status (pre-trial, sentenced, held for another jurisdiction)
Charge Information:
- Specific criminal charges (felony, misdemeanor, violation)
- New York Penal Law charge codes
- Charge severity and class
Bond/Bail Information:
- Bail amount set by the court
- Bond type (cash, surety, recognizance)
- Bail status (posted, pending, denied)
Court Information:
- Next scheduled court appearance
- Presiding court and judge
- Case or docket number
Sentence Information (if convicted and serving sentence):
- Sentence length and type
- Sentence commencement date
- Minimum and maximum release dates
- Program participation (work release, educational programs)
Release Information:
- Actual release date and time
- Release type (bail posted, sentence completed, transfer, court order)
- Conditions of release or supervision requirements
Herkimer County Prison System
Herkimer County operates a local jail system designed to house individuals at various stages of the criminal justice process. The county jail serves as the primary detention facility for persons awaiting arraignment, trial, or sentencing, as well as individuals serving sentences of up to one year for misdemeanor or lower-level felony convictions. This structure is distinct from the New York State prison system, which is administered by the New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision (DOCCS) and houses individuals serving sentences exceeding one year for more serious felony offenses.
The Herkimer County Sheriff's Office holds statutory responsibility for the operation and administration of the county jail under New York County Law § 650, which designates the county sheriff as the keeper of the jail. The Sheriff's Office oversees all aspects of facility operations, including inmate intake, housing, programming, and release.
Herkimer County Sheriff's Office 255 N. Washington St., Herkimer, NY 13350 (315) 867-1167 Herkimer County Sheriff's Office
Types of Correctional Facilities In Herkimer County
Herkimer County currently operates one primary correctional facility for local detention. The facility is regulated by the New York State Commission of Correction, which sets minimum standards for county jails statewide.
Herkimer County Correctional Facility 11 Middleville Road, Herkimer, NY 13350 (315) 867-1224 Herkimer County Correctional Facility
The facility operates under the oversight of the New York State Commission of Correction, which inspects county jails and enforces compliance with minimum standards established under New York Correction Law. The Commission maintains a statewide directory of county jails, including Herkimer County, with facility addresses and contact information.
Individuals who have been convicted of felonies and sentenced to more than one year are transferred to a New York State DOCCS facility. Members of the public seeking information about individuals held in state custody may use the DOCCS incarcerated person lookup tool, which provides current facility location, commitment county, and sentence information.
Who's in Prison In Herkimer County
The Herkimer County Correctional Facility houses several distinct populations at any given time. Understanding who is held at the county level helps members of the public direct their inquiries to the appropriate agency.
- Pre-trial detainees — individuals who have been arrested and charged but have not yet been convicted; they are held because bail has not been posted or was denied
- Sentenced misdemeanants — individuals convicted of misdemeanor offenses and serving sentences of up to one year
- Sentenced felons (short-term) — individuals convicted of certain lower-level felonies whose sentences fall within the county jail threshold
- Civil detainees — individuals held pursuant to civil court orders, including contempt of court
- Federal or state holds — individuals held on behalf of another jurisdiction pending transfer
- Immigration detainees — individuals held pursuant to agreements with federal immigration authorities, where applicable
How To Search for Inmate Records In Herkimer County in 2026
Members of the public may access inmate records through several official channels. The following steps outline the currently available methods for conducting an inmate records search.
Step 1 — Online Lookup (State System) For individuals who may have been transferred to a state facility, members of the public may use the New York State DOCCS incarcerated person lookup portal. The tool allows searches by name or Department Identification Number (DIN) and returns current facility, sentence, and commitment information.
Step 2 — Contact the Herkimer County Correctional Facility Directly For individuals believed to be held at the county level, members of the public may contact the Herkimer County Correctional Facility by telephone at (315) 867-1224. Staff can confirm whether a named individual is currently in custody and provide basic booking information.
Step 3 — Submit a FOIL Request Pursuant to New York Public Officers Law § 87, members of the public may submit a formal Freedom of Information Law (FOIL) request to the Herkimer County Sheriff's Office for access to specific inmate records. Requests may be submitted in writing to the Records Division at 255 N. Washington St., Herkimer, NY 13350. The agency is required to respond within five business days of receipt.
Step 4 — Visit the Facility in Person Members of the public may visit the Herkimer County Sheriff's Office Records Division during regular business hours, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., to inspect publicly available records.
How To Find an Inmate in Herkimer County for Free?
Several no-cost methods are currently available for locating an individual held in Herkimer County or transferred to state custody.
- Herkimer County Correctional Facility — Direct Inquiry: Members of the public may call (315) 867-1224 at no charge to inquire about an individual's custody status. Basic information such as whether a person is in custody and the charges filed is provided at no cost.
- New York State DOCCS Incarcerated Lookup: The DOCCS incarcerated person lookup tool is available online at no charge and covers all individuals currently held in New York State correctional facilities.
- New York State Commission of Correction: The Commission of Correction's county jail directory provides contact information for all county jails in New York, enabling members of the public to identify the appropriate facility and make direct inquiries.
- Herkimer County Sheriff's Office: The Sheriff's Office may be contacted directly for general custody inquiries at no cost.
How To Visit an Inmate In Herkimer County
The Herkimer County Correctional Facility permits visitation subject to facility rules and scheduling requirements. All visits are subject to the policies established by the Sheriff's Office and the facility administration.
Visit Rules and Procedures All visitors must present valid government-issued photo identification at the time of the visit. Visitors are required to submit to an electronic search of their person and belongings prior to entry, as noted in the facility's current policies. Visitors who are on probation or parole, or who have a pending criminal matter, may be subject to additional screening or denial of visitation privileges.
Visit Schedule Visitation schedules are set by the facility and are subject to change. Members of the public are advised to contact the Herkimer County Correctional Facility at (315) 867-1224 to confirm current visiting hours prior to arrival.
What to Bring
- Valid, government-issued photo identification (driver's license, state ID, passport)
- Any required documentation for professional visits (attorneys, clergy, medical personnel)
What NOT to Bring
- Cell phones, electronic devices, or recording equipment
- Food, beverages, or outside packages
- Weapons or prohibited items of any kind
- Excessive cash or valuables
Dress Code Visitors are required to dress appropriately. Clothing that resembles inmate uniforms, exposes excessive skin, or contains offensive imagery may result in denial of entry. Specific dress code requirements are enforced at the discretion of facility staff.
Visit Types
- In-person visits — conducted in designated visitation areas under staff supervision
- Professional visits — attorneys, licensed medical professionals, and clergy may be entitled to contact visits subject to facility approval
- Video visitation — the facility currently utilizes GTL as its inmate telephone and communication service provider; video visitation options may be available through the GTL platform
Visit Restrictions Individuals who have been removed from an inmate's approved visitor list, who have been banned from the facility, or who are subject to a court no-contact order may not visit. The facility reserves the right to terminate or deny any visit that poses a security risk.
How To Send Money to a Herkimer County Inmate
Funds may be deposited into an inmate's commissary account through methods approved by the Herkimer County Correctional Facility. The facility currently uses GTL (also known as ViaPath Technologies) as its service provider for inmate financial transactions.
Approved Methods:
- Online deposits — funds may be deposited through the GTL/ViaPath online portal using a credit or debit card
- Telephone deposits — deposits may be made by calling the GTL customer service line
- Money orders — money orders made payable to the inmate (with the inmate's full name and booking number noted) may be mailed to the facility at 11 Middleville Road, Herkimer, NY 13350
- Lobby kiosk — where available, deposits may be made at a kiosk located at the facility
Amount Limits and Fees: Transaction limits and associated service fees are set by GTL and are subject to change. Fees vary by deposit method and amount. Cash deposits are generally not accepted directly by facility staff.
What You Cannot Send:
- Personal checks
- Cash sent through the mail
- Gift cards or prepaid cards
- Funds from unverified or flagged sources
Use of Funds: Inmate account funds may be used for commissary purchases (hygiene items, snacks, writing materials), telephone calls, and approved services. Funds may not be used to pay fines, restitution, or court costs directly through the commissary system unless specifically authorized.
How To Send Jail Mail In Herkimer County
Members of the public may correspond with inmates held at the Herkimer County Correctional Facility by sending written mail through the United States Postal Service. All incoming and outgoing mail is subject to inspection by facility staff in accordance with facility security policies and applicable law.
Mailing Address: All mail must be addressed to the inmate using their full legal name and booking number at the following address:
Herkimer County Correctional Facility [Inmate Full Name, Booking Number] 11 Middleville Road Herkimer, NY 13350
Mail Rules:
- All letters must be written on plain white paper; cards and colored paper may be subject to restrictions
- Envelopes must be standard white envelopes with no padding, glitter, stickers, or decorative elements
- Photographs may be permitted subject to facility guidelines; Polaroid photographs and images printed on photo paper with glossy backing may be restricted
- All mail is opened and inspected for contraband prior to delivery to the inmate
- Mail containing threatening, obscene, or otherwise prohibited content will not be delivered and may be forwarded to law enforcement
Prohibited Items in Mail:
- Cash, checks, or money orders enclosed in letters (these must be submitted through the approved financial deposit process)
- Contraband of any kind, including drugs, drug paraphernalia, or weapons
- Stickers, glitter, or adhesive materials
- Books, magazines, or publications must be sent directly from a publisher or approved retailer; items sent from personal addresses may be rejected
Legal Mail: Correspondence from licensed attorneys is treated as legal mail and is handled in accordance with inmate rights under applicable law. Legal mail is opened only in the presence of the inmate and is not read by staff.