St. Mary Parish Public Records /St. Mary Parish Inmate Search

St. Mary County Inmate Search

What Is Inmate Records In St. Mary County?

Inmate records are official documents created and maintained by correctional facilities and law enforcement agencies to document individuals who are or have been held in custody. In St. Mary Parish, Louisiana, these records are generated and managed primarily by the St. Mary Parish Sheriff's Office, which oversees the parish jail system.

It is important to distinguish inmate records from court records. Court records are maintained by the clerk of court and document the judicial proceedings of a criminal case — including filings, motions, hearings, and judgments. Inmate records, by contrast, are custody records maintained by the detention facility and document the physical custody of an individual 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, identifying information, charges, and custody details are entered into the jail management system. Records are updated throughout the period of incarceration to reflect changes in charges, bond status, housing assignment, and disciplinary actions. Upon release, the record is closed and archived. Under Louisiana Revised Statutes § 15:574.12, correctional agencies are required to maintain accurate records of individuals in their custody, including documentation of sentence computation and release eligibility.

Are Inmate Records Public In St. Mary County?

Inmate records in St. Mary Parish are generally accessible to the public under Louisiana's public records law. Louisiana Revised Statutes § 44:1 establishes the right of any person to inspect, copy, or reproduce public records maintained by state and local government agencies, including law enforcement and correctional facilities. Pursuant to this statute, custodial records held by the St. Mary Parish Sheriff's Office are presumed to be public unless a specific exemption applies.

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 parish jail
Booking and arrest records — date, time, and location of arrest and intake
Charges filed — the specific criminal charges for which the individual is being held
Mugshots — booking photographs taken at intake
Bond and bail amounts — the amount set for release and current bond status
Expected release dates — projected release based on sentence or bond resolution
Housing facility — the specific facility or unit where the individual is housed

Certain records may be withheld if their release would compromise an ongoing investigation or endanger a person's safety, as permitted under Louisiana Revised Statutes § 44:3, which outlines exemptions applicable to law enforcement records.

What's Included Inmate Records in St. Mary County

Inmate records maintained by the St. Mary Parish Sheriff's Office contain a comprehensive set of data fields compiled from the point of booking through release. The following breakdown reflects the standard categories of information included in a complete inmate record.

Basic Identifying Information:

Full legal name and any known aliases
Date of birth and age
Race, gender, and physical description (height, weight, eye and hair color)
Booking photograph (mugshot)
State identification number and FBI number (if applicable)

Custody Information:

Booking date and time
Arresting agency
Current facility and housing unit
Custody status (pre-trial, sentenced, hold)

Charge Information:

Specific criminal charges and applicable statutes
Charge classification (felony, misdemeanor)
Offense date and jurisdiction

Bond/Bail Information:

Bond type (cash, surety, personal recognizance)
Bond amount set by the court
Current bond status

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
Credit for time served
Projected release date based on sentence computation

Release Information:

Actual release date and time
Release type (bond, sentence completion, transfer, dismissal)
Receiving agency (if transferred)

St. Mary County Prison System

St. Mary Parish operates a local jail system designed to house individuals awaiting trial, those serving short-term sentences, and individuals held on detainers from other jurisdictions. The parish jail is administered by the St. Mary Parish Sheriff's Office, which is responsible for the intake, housing, supervision, and release of all detainees within the facility.

County-level jails, such as those operated in St. Mary Parish, are distinct from state prisons. The parish jail typically houses individuals serving sentences of one year or less, as well as pre-trial detainees who have not yet been convicted of a crime. Individuals convicted of felonies carrying sentences exceeding one year are generally transferred to a Louisiana Department of Public Safety and Corrections facility.

St. Mary Parish Sheriff's Office 500 Main Street, Franklin, LA 70538 (337) 828-1960 St. Mary Parish Sheriff's Office

Types of Correctional Facilities In St. Mary County

St. Mary Parish currently operates correctional facilities under the jurisdiction of the Sheriff's Office. The primary detention facility serving the parish is the St. Mary Parish Jail, which functions as the central booking and holding facility for the parish.

St. Mary Parish Jail — The main detention center located in Franklin, Louisiana, this facility processes all bookings for the parish and houses pre-trial detainees, sentenced misdemeanants, and individuals awaiting transfer to state custody. The facility is staffed around the clock and operates under the direct supervision of the St. Mary Parish Sheriff's Office.

Members of the public seeking information about a specific facility's policies, capacity, or programs may direct inquiries to the Sheriff's Office administrative offices during regular business hours, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Who's in Prison In St. Mary County

The St. Mary Parish Jail houses several categories of individuals at any given time. Understanding who is held in the parish jail helps members of the public distinguish between pre-trial and post-conviction populations.

Pre-trial detainees — Individuals who have been arrested and charged but have not yet been convicted; they are held because they are unable to post bond or have been denied bail
Sentenced misdemeanants — Individuals convicted of misdemeanor offenses serving sentences of one year or less
Parole and probation violators — Individuals held pending a hearing on an alleged violation of supervision conditions
Federal and state holds — Individuals held on behalf of another jurisdiction, including immigration detainers or interstate compact holds
Civil commitments — Individuals held pursuant to a court order unrelated to a criminal conviction

The current population of the St. Mary Parish Jail may be reviewed through the inmate roster maintained and updated by the Sheriff's Office.

How To Search for Inmate Records In St. Mary County in 2026

Members of the public may search for inmate records in St. Mary Parish through several official channels. The following steps outline the available methods for locating an individual currently or previously held in the parish jail.

Online Inmate Roster — The St. Mary Parish Sheriff's Office maintains a publicly accessible inmate roster on its official website. Members of the public may search by name to locate individuals currently in custody, view booking dates, charges, and bond information.
In-Person Records Request — Members of the public may visit the St. Mary Parish Sheriff's Office at 500 Main Street, Franklin, LA 70538, during business hours (Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.) to submit a public records request for inmate information.
Written Public Records Request — Pursuant to Louisiana Revised Statutes § 44:1, any person may submit a written request for public records to the Sheriff's Office. Requests should identify the individual by full name and approximate date of birth or booking date.
Telephone Inquiry — General inmate status inquiries may be directed to the Sheriff's Office at (337) 828-1960 during regular business hours.

Fees for copies of records are governed by state law and are subject to change; members of the public should confirm current fee schedules with the records division at the time of the request.

How To Find an Inmate in St. Mary County for Free?

Several no-cost methods are currently available for locating an inmate held in St. Mary Parish.

Official Online Roster — The St. Mary Parish Sheriff's Office provides a free, publicly accessible inmate search tool on its website. No registration or fee is required to search the current roster.
Telephone Inquiry — Members of the public may call the Sheriff's Office at (337) 828-1960 to request basic custody status information at no charge.
In-Person Inquiry — Individuals may visit the Sheriff's Office in person during public counter hours to request inmate status information without charge.
Louisiana Department of Public Safety and Corrections — For individuals who may have been transferred to state custody, the Louisiana Department of Public Safety and Corrections maintains a free offender search tool on its official website.

How To Visit an Inmate In St. Mary County

Visitation at the St. Mary Parish 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 regulations.

Visit Rules and Procedures All visitors must present a valid, government-issued photo identification at the time of the visit. Visitors are subject to search prior to entry. Individuals with outstanding warrants will not be permitted to visit.

Visit Schedule Visitation schedules are set by the facility and are subject to change based on operational needs. Members of the public should contact the St. Mary Parish Sheriff's Office at (337) 828-1960 to confirm current visitation days and times prior to arrival.

What to Bring

Valid government-issued photo identification (driver's license, state ID, or passport)

What NOT to Bring

Weapons, controlled substances, or alcohol
Cell phones or electronic devices into the secure area
Unauthorized items for the inmate

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.

Visit Types

In-person contact visits — Subject to availability and the inmate's classification
Non-contact visits — Conducted through a partition with telephone communication
Video visitation — Remote visitation options may be available; members of the public should confirm availability with the facility

Visit Restrictions Visitation privileges may be suspended or revoked for individuals who violate facility rules. Inmates in disciplinary status may have visitation restricted for a defined period.

How To Send Money to a St. Mary County Inmate

Members of the public may deposit funds into an inmate's commissary account through methods authorized by the St. Mary Parish Sheriff's Office.

Accepted Methods:

Online deposits — Funds may be deposited through approved third-party platforms designated by the facility; members of the public should confirm the current approved vendor with the Sheriff's Office
Money order — Submitted by mail or in person; personal checks are generally not accepted
Lobby kiosk — If available at the facility, kiosks allow cash or card deposits on-site

Amount Limits: Deposit limits per transaction or per week may apply and are set by facility policy. Members of the public should confirm current limits with the Sheriff's Office at (337) 828-1960.

Fees: Third-party deposit services typically charge a transaction fee. Fee amounts vary by provider and payment method.

What You Cannot Send:

Cash sent directly through the mail
Personal checks
Funds intended for unauthorized purposes

What the Money Can and Cannot Be Used For: Commissary funds may be used by inmates to purchase approved items such as hygiene products, snacks, writing materials, and phone time. Funds may not be used to purchase contraband or to conduct unauthorized transactions with other inmates.

How To Send Jail Mail In St. Mary County

Members of the public may correspond with inmates held at the St. Mary Parish Jail by sending written mail through the United States Postal Service. All incoming mail is subject to inspection by facility staff prior to delivery to the inmate.

Mailing Address Format: Mail should be addressed to the inmate using the following format: Inmate Full Name, Inmate ID Number St. Mary Parish Jail 500 Main Street Franklin, LA 70538

Rules for Sending Mail:

All letters must be written on plain white paper; cards and colored paper may be restricted
Envelopes must not contain staples, stickers, glitter, or other non-paper materials
Photographs may be permitted subject to size and content restrictions set by the facility
Mail containing threatening, obscene, or otherwise prohibited content will not be delivered and may be forwarded to law enforcement
Books and publications, if permitted, must be sent directly from a publisher or approved retailer
Return address must be included on all correspondence; anonymous mail will not be accepted

Outgoing mail from inmates is also subject to inspection, except for privileged legal correspondence, which is protected under applicable law. Members of the public with questions about specific mail policies should contact the St. Mary Parish Sheriff's Office directly.