Kalamazoo Released Inmates Search
Kalamazoo released inmates records can be searched through the Kalamazoo County inmate inquiry system or the statewide OTIS database. This southwest Michigan city has about 73,000 people and sits in Kalamazoo County. If someone was held at the Kalamazoo County Jail, you can look them up through the online portal run by the Kalamazoo County Central Dispatch Authority. For state prison records, OTIS tracks released inmates from the Michigan Department of Corrections. The Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety handles law enforcement, and they process local arrest records through a FOIA request to the city.
Kalamazoo Overview
Kalamazoo Public Safety and Released Inmates
Kalamazoo uses a combined public safety model that is different from most cities. The Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety, known as KDPS, runs police, fire, and EMS under one department. Officers get cross-trained in all three fields. That single command structure means one agency handles every type of public safety call in the city. It is one of the few remaining full-service public safety departments in Michigan.
KDPS headquarters is at 150 E Crosstown Parkway, Kalamazoo, MI 49001. The non-emergency phone line is (269) 337-8994. For emergencies, dial 911. Dispatch goes through the Kalamazoo County Central Dispatch Authority. If you need arrest records from KDPS, you go through the city's FOIA process. Records requests cover incident reports, arrest records, CAD logs, body camera footage, and 911 call recordings. Body camera footage can take longer to process because the department has to review and redact certain portions before release.
The City of Kalamazoo website has more details on how to submit a FOIA request for released inmates records. The screenshot below shows the city homepage.
From the city site you can find the FOIA coordinator page and links to city departments including KDPS.
| Agency | Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety (KDPS) |
|---|---|
| Address | 150 E Crosstown Parkway, Kalamazoo, MI 49001 |
| Phone | (269) 337-8994 |
| FOIA Phone | 269-337-8185 |
| Model | Combined Police, Fire, and EMS |
Kalamazoo County Jail Inmate Search
The Kalamazoo County Jail sits at 1500 Lamont Avenue, Kalamazoo, MI 49048. It holds about 400 inmates on any given day. The Kalamazoo County Sheriff's Office runs the facility. If someone gets arrested in Kalamazoo by KDPS, they end up here. The jail phone is 269-383-8821. For jail command, call 269-383-8734 or 269-385-6117.
The Kalamazoo County inmate inquiry system lets you search online. You can look up people by name, subject number, booking number, or date range. There is a checkbox that shows only people still in custody. If you uncheck that box, you can find released inmates too. The results show the inmate's full name, booking date, release date, charges, bond amount, housing location, and sometimes a mugshot. The system typically covers bookings from the past 90 days to one year.
The sheriff's records section is at 269-385-6191. Call them before submitting a formal request to check if a report is available. The sheriff's office also handles collision reports and other incident records. All traffic collisions get submitted electronically to LexisNexis E-Crash.
Video visitation costs $5 for a 20-minute session through GTL/Viapath. Remote visits can be done from home. Professional visitors like attorneys must schedule 24 hours in advance by calling 269-383-8734. The jail uses scanned mail now. All personal mail gets digitized and delivered electronically. Books must come directly from Amazon or a publisher.
Note: Uncheck the "In Custody" box on the Kalamazoo County inmate search to view released inmates and past bookings.
Kalamazoo Released Inmates FOIA Records
Michigan's Freedom of Information Act under MCL 15.231 gives the public a right to request government records. That includes booking logs and release records from KDPS and the Kalamazoo County Sheriff. Put your request in writing. Include your name, address, phone number, and a clear description of what you want. Be specific with dates, names, or case numbers if you have them. You can submit through the GovQA portal on the city website, by email, by mail to 241 W South St, Kalamazoo, MI 49007, or in person at City Hall during business hours.
The FOIA coordinator for the City of Kalamazoo is based at City Hall. Phone is 269-337-8185. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8 AM to 5 PM. The city responds within five business days. A ten-day extension is possible for complex requests. Paper copies run about $0.10 per page. Labor charges apply based on the hourly wage of the lowest-paid employee who can process the request, plus up to 50% for fringe benefits. Time is calculated in 15-minute chunks. If the estimated cost is over $50, they can ask for a deposit of up to half.
Fee waivers exist for people who receive public assistance. You get two free waivers per year under MCL 15.234 Section 4. If a request gets denied, you appeal in writing to the Mayor. Use the word "appeal" in your letter. The Mayor has ten business days to respond. If you still disagree, take the case to Kalamazoo County Circuit Court within 180 days of the final denial. Damages can reach $1,000 for arbitrary denials and $500 for excessive fee disputes.
For the county's own FOIA policy, the Kalamazoo County FOIA page spells out the procedures for requesting records from the sheriff's office and other county departments.
State Tools for Kalamazoo Released Inmates
The OTIS database from the Michigan Department of Corrections lets you search for anyone who served time in a state prison. It is free. Search by name, MDOC number, or offense type. OTIS covers current inmates, parolees, probationers, and people discharged within three years. If someone from Kalamazoo went to state prison, this is how you confirm their release status.
VINELink offers another way to track inmates in Kalamazoo County. You can check the custody status of someone held locally. VINE also lets you register for alerts. You get a call, email, or text when an inmate's status changes. That is useful if you want to know the moment someone gets released from the Kalamazoo County Jail.
For a broader criminal history check, the Michigan State Police ICHAT system costs $10 per search and covers arrests and convictions statewide. The MiCOURT case search system helps you connect an arrest in Kalamazoo to a specific court outcome. The Michigan Sex Offender Registry at the MSP site tracks registered offenders by name, zip, or city. Under MCL 791.230a, some details like medical records stay confidential, but basic facts like offense, booking date, and release date are generally available for Kalamazoo released inmates.
Kalamazoo County Records
Kalamazoo is the county seat of Kalamazoo County. All jail bookings for the city go through the Kalamazoo County Jail. For more on county-level released inmates records and the sheriff's office, visit our county page.
Nearby Cities
These Michigan cities are near Kalamazoo. If the person you are looking for may have been arrested nearby, check these pages too.