Portage County Public Records /Portage County Inmate Search

Portage County Inmate Search

What Is Inmate Records In Portage County?

Inmate records in Portage County are official documents created and maintained by the Portage County Sheriff's Office and its Corrections Division to document the custody, status, and history of individuals held in county correctional facilities. These records are distinct from court records: while the circuit court maintains case files, docket entries, and judicial orders, the jail and sheriff's office maintain custody-specific documentation that tracks an individual from the moment of booking through release.

The record creation process begins at intake, when a person is booked into the Portage County Jail. At that point, staff generate a booking record that captures identifying information, the basis for detention, and initial custody classification. The record is updated continuously throughout the period of incarceration to reflect changes in charges, housing assignments, disciplinary actions, and program participation. Upon release, the record is closed and archived in accordance with Wisconsin's records retention schedules.

Under Wisconsin Statute § 19.32, a "record" is defined broadly to include any material on which written, drawn, printed, spoken, visual, or electromagnetic information is recorded or preserved, regardless of physical form or characteristics. Custody records generated by the Portage County Sheriff's Office fall squarely within this definition and are subject to the state's public records framework.

Are Inmate Records Public In Portage County?

Inmate records maintained by Portage County are generally accessible to the public under Wisconsin's open records law. Pursuant to Wisconsin Statute § 19.35, any person has the right to inspect or copy any record maintained by a government authority, including law enforcement and correctional agencies, unless a specific statutory exemption applies. The presumption under Wisconsin law strongly favors disclosure, and the burden rests on the custodial agency to demonstrate that withholding a record is justified.

The following categories of inmate information are currently accessible to members of the public:

Current inmate roster — names and booking dates of individuals presently held in the Portage County Jail
Booking and arrest records — date, time, and location of arrest; arresting agency
Charges filed — criminal statutes alleged to have been violated
Mugshots — booking photographs, subject to agency policy
Bond and bail amounts — amounts set by the court at initial appearance
Expected release dates — projected or scheduled release information where available
Housing facility — the specific facility or unit in which the individual is held

Certain records may be withheld if disclosure would endanger an individual, compromise an ongoing investigation, or violate a court-issued protective order. Members of the public seeking records may submit a formal request through the open records request portal maintained by the Sheriff's Office Records Division.

What's Included in Inmate Records in Portage County

Inmate records compiled by the Portage County Corrections Division contain multiple categories of information that collectively document an individual's custody history.

Basic Identifying Information:

Full legal name and known aliases
Date of birth
Physical descriptors (height, weight, hair color, eye color)
Booking photograph (mugshot)
State identification number and FBI number, where applicable

Custody Information:

Date and time of booking
Arresting agency and arresting officer
Current housing unit and facility assignment
Custody classification level

Charge Information:

Specific criminal charges and applicable Wisconsin statute citations
Charge severity (felony, misdemeanor, or civil commitment)
Case number associated with each charge

Bond/Bail Information:

Bond type (cash, signature, or surety)
Bond amount set by the court
Bond status (posted or unposted)

Court Information:

Scheduled court dates and hearing types
Presiding court and branch
Case status as reflected in Wisconsin circuit court records

Sentence Information (if convicted and serving sentence):

Sentence length and type (confinement, extended supervision)
Sentence start date
Credit for time served

Release Information:

Actual or projected release date
Release type (bond, sentence completion, transfer, or court order)
Conditions of release, if applicable

Portage County Prison System

Portage County operates a local jail system administered by the Sheriff's Office Corrections Division, which serves as the primary detention facility for the county. The jail houses individuals who are awaiting trial, serving sentences of up to one year for misdemeanor or certain felony convictions, or being held on detainers from other jurisdictions. This structure is distinct from the Wisconsin state prison system, which is administered by the Wisconsin Department of Corrections and houses individuals sentenced to terms exceeding one year or transferred from county facilities upon conviction of more serious offenses.

Individuals sentenced to state prison from Portage County are transferred to a Wisconsin DOC facility, and their custody information becomes accessible through the Wisconsin DOC offender search tool. The county jail and the state prison system operate under separate administrative frameworks, maintain separate records systems, and are governed by different regulatory authorities.

Portage County Sheriff's Office 1500 Strongs Ave, Stevens Point, WI 54481 (715) 346-1400 Sheriff's Office

Types of Correctional Facilities In Portage County

The Portage County correctional system currently operates one primary detention facility serving the county's law enforcement and judicial needs.

Portage County Jail (Corrections Division) The Portage County Jail is the sole county-operated detention facility and is managed by the Sheriff's Office Corrections Division. It provides secure housing for pre-trial detainees, sentenced misdemeanants, and individuals held on behalf of other agencies. The facility operates around the clock, seven days per week, and maintains programs addressing inmate health, education, and reentry preparation.

Portage County Sheriff's Office — Corrections Division 1500 Strongs Ave, Stevens Point, WI 54481 (715) 346-1400 Corrections Division (Jail)

Who's in Prison In Portage County

The Portage County Jail houses several distinct populations at any given time. Pre-trial detainees represent the largest group — individuals who have been arrested and charged but have not yet been convicted, and who remain in custody because bond has not been posted or has been denied. Sentenced inmates serving terms of up to one year for misdemeanor offenses or certain felony convictions also reside in the facility. Additionally, the jail holds individuals on probation or extended supervision holds, those awaiting transfer to state correctional institutions, persons held on immigration detainers, and individuals remanded by the court for civil or contempt matters.

Under Wisconsin Statute § 302.30, county jails are required to receive and safely keep individuals committed to their custody by lawful authority. The active warrant list maintained by the Sheriff's Office identifies individuals for whom outstanding warrants have been issued; members of the public may review the active warrant list and information on the county website.

How To Search for Inmate Records In Portage County in 2026

Members of the public may access inmate records through several official channels maintained by Portage County and the State of Wisconsin.

Online inmate search: The Portage County Sheriff's Office website provides access to current jail roster information. Members of the public may search by name to determine whether an individual is currently in custody.
Open records request: For detailed booking records, incident reports, or historical custody information, members of the public may submit a formal written request through the open records request page on the Sheriff's Office website. Requests may be submitted online, by mail, or in person at the Records Division counter.
In-person inquiry: The Records Division at the Portage County Sheriff's Office accepts walk-in inquiries during regular business hours. Staff may provide basic custody status information verbally or direct requestors to the appropriate submission process.
Wisconsin court records: For case-level information including charges, hearings, and dispositions, members of the public may use the Wisconsin Court System's case search portal, which provides public access to circuit court records statewide.
State DOC offender search: Individuals transferred to state custody may be located using the Wisconsin Department of Corrections offender search tool available through the DOC General Information page.

Portage County Sheriff's Office — Records Division 1500 Strongs Ave, Stevens Point, WI 54481 (715) 346-1400 Public Counter Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Open Records Requests

How To Find an Inmate in Portage County for Free?

Several no-cost methods are currently available for locating an inmate held in Portage County or transferred to state custody.

Portage County Jail roster: The Sheriff's Office maintains a publicly accessible online roster of current inmates at no charge. Members of the public may search by name directly on the county website.
Telephone inquiry: Members of the public may call the Portage County Sheriff's Office at (715) 346-1400 to request basic custody status information at no cost.
Wisconsin DOC offender search: The Wisconsin DOC offender search tool is available free of charge and allows users to locate individuals sentenced to state prison and currently housed within a DOC facility.
Wisconsin court case search: The Wisconsin Court System case search provides free public access to circuit court records, including case status, charges, and scheduled hearings.
Active warrant list: The active warrant list published by the Portage County Sheriff's Office is available to the public at no cost and is updated regularly.

How To Visit an Inmate In Portage County

The Portage County Jail currently facilitates inmate visitation through a video visitation system, which allows approved visitors to connect with inmates either on-site at the facility or remotely from an off-site location. Detailed visitation procedures are published on the inmate visitation page of the county website.

Visit Rules and Procedures All visitors must be pre-approved before a visit may occur. Approval requires submission of visitor information for a background screening. Visitors who have active criminal charges, outstanding warrants, or who are on probation or extended supervision may be denied visitation privileges.

Visit Schedule Visitation schedules are assigned based on the inmate's housing unit. Members of the public should consult the current schedule posted on the county website or contact the jail directly at (715) 346-1400 to confirm available time slots.

What to Bring

Valid, government-issued photo identification (driver's license, state ID, or passport)
Approved visit confirmation, if applicable

What NOT to Bring

Weapons, controlled substances, or alcohol
Unauthorized food, beverages, or packages
Electronic devices not authorized by facility policy

Dress Code Visitors are required to dress appropriately. Clothing that resembles inmate uniforms, exposes excessive skin, or displays gang-affiliated symbols or insignia is prohibited. Facility staff retain discretion to deny entry to visitors whose attire is deemed inappropriate.

Visit Types

On-site video visitation: Conducted at kiosks located within the jail facility
Remote video visitation: Conducted via an approved platform from any internet-connected device outside the facility

Visit Restrictions Visitation privileges may be suspended or revoked for violations of facility rules, court orders, or conduct that poses a security risk. Minors must be accompanied by an approved adult guardian.

How To Send Money to a Portage County Inmate

Funds may be deposited into an inmate's trust account to allow the purchase of commissary items, telephone time, and other approved services. The Portage County Jail currently accepts deposits through approved third-party service providers; members of the public should contact the Corrections Division at (715) 346-1400 or consult the Corrections Division page for the current accepted deposit methods.

Methods of Sending Money:

Online deposits through the facility's designated third-party payment platform
Kiosk deposits available at the jail lobby
Money orders mailed to the facility (personal checks are generally not accepted)

Amount Limits: Deposit limits per transaction may apply and are subject to change. Members of the public should verify current limits with the Corrections Division prior to submitting funds.

Fees: Third-party payment processors typically assess a transaction fee. The fee amount varies by deposit method and provider.

What You Cannot Send:

Cash sent directly through the mail
Personal checks
Funds intended for purposes other than the inmate's personal account

What the Money Can and Cannot Be Used For: Funds in an inmate's trust account may be used to purchase commissary items, pay for telephone calls, and cover approved personal expenses. Funds may not be used to pay fines, restitution, or court costs directly from the trust account without a court order or facility authorization.

How To Send Jail Mail In Portage County

Members of the public may correspond with inmates at the Portage County Jail by sending written mail to the facility. All incoming mail is subject to inspection by corrections staff pursuant to facility security protocols and applicable Wisconsin administrative regulations.

Mailing Address for Inmate Correspondence: Inmate's Full Legal Name, Booking Number Portage County Jail 1500 Strongs Ave Stevens Point, WI 54481

Rules for Sending Mail:

All envelopes must display the sender's full name and return address; anonymous mail will not be delivered
Letters must be written on plain white paper; cards and publications may be subject to additional review
Photographs are permitted in limited quantities and must not depict nudity, gang imagery, or contraband
Hardcover books and magazines must be sent directly from a publisher or approved retailer
Mail containing contraband, coded language, or content that poses a security threat will be confiscated and may result in disciplinary action
Legal mail from attorneys is handled separately and is subject to different inspection procedures under Wisconsin law to protect attorney-client privilege
Packages and parcels are not accepted through standard mail channels; all items for inmates must be approved in advance by the Corrections Division

Members of the public seeking additional guidance on mail procedures may contact the Portage County Corrections Division directly at (715) 346-1400 or review current policies on the Corrections Division (Jail) page.